Saturday, July 13, 2002 -- Morgantown, WV
WV Brew Pub Twilight 5-Miler (MAGP #5) (iPO Event Id#: 4932)
Article by Dave Huffman with photos by Dave McKain
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Results]
[Results by Class]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
[Set 7]
Past Event Coverage:
[2000]
[2001]
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For the second week in a row now, I have to apologize again. This story will probably not be exactly objective because I participated in the race, but I'll do my best. It comes from the perspective of a 'middle of the packer'. The only time I see the lead runners is when they're lining up for the start and picking up their trophies afterwards. I so admire them!
The 5 Miler kicked off just after seven with the 5K Walk following
right behind. The race began in front of the WV Brew Pub and headed down
University Avenue until making a loop around Larry Smith's before heading
onto the rail trail. There was something very fun and liberating about being
able to run right down the middle of always busy University Avenue and not
having to worry about being run over. That alone was almost worth the entry fee.
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After about a mile I settled into a comfortable pace as the trail
went on to pass the Seneca Center and head towards the Core Arboretum.
Businesses and housing were now behind and it was nothing but green trees
lining both sides of the trail. As I was nearing the entrance to the
Arboretum loop, I remembered one little goal I had made myself prior to the
race: to make it to the start of the 3/4-mile loop turnaround before the lead
runners had completed it. It wasn't to be though. Two lead runners were
flying as they passed on by me. I didn't care though, it was great to
actually see what a five minute per mile pace looks like up close in a race,
even if they were going in the opposite direction than me.
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Once back out on the rail trail, it was all backtracking our footsteps to the finish line. I passed by my girlfriend and cheered her on as she was just entering the 3/4-mile turnaround loop. Her one goal for the race was not to be the 'caboose', as she puts it. I keep telling her that it doesn't matter how fast you finish, the important thing is just being out there and 'doing it', and I completely believe that.
I did have one more little goal that I'm not even sure how it came to
be. I'm sure anyone who runs in the MAGP series, regardless of their
ability level, comes to know very well the runners that run about the
same pace as themselves and have similar finishing times. (When the
back of people's heads start to get familiar, you know you're there.)
One such runner in my 'group' is Barbara Lagodna, who I think
is simply a great runner and person. For the past few races I've
gotten to know her shadow pretty well and it was a secret goal of mine
to try and beat her. Well, I was a little more fortunate than her and
at least one of my goals came true this day. I do realize by writing
this that I have completely cursed myself to eating her dust for the
remainder of the year.
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If it hadn't been for me using up all my tickets (and my girlfriends) I would've gotten the names of the winners for the evening, I'm sorry! [complete results] I'm hoping that my legs and liver will be able to make it through the next few weeks with the Summer Tsunami Slam 5K coming up next week and Morgantown favorite Gene's Run in early August. Both of which are also offering free 'legal' refreshments! God I love this town. How am I ever going to get faster with events like this? I feel like I'm running in Mo'towns 'Triple Crown' of free legal refreshments and loving every moment of it!