Breaking Away: How I won the Great American Footrace

Who could blame the gathering crowds? This was the race of the decade. Two sprinters could not be better matched, yet one was clearly favored. Mike the 5'10" 203 lb. high school basketball phenom vs. Nick the 6'1" 2....ah nevermind. I was clearly the underdog, some even say I can't run the 40 in less than 8 seconds...yet on this day my impressive workout routine was about to pay off. I work out 3 to 4 times a week, sometimes twice a day. The walk from my house to dairy queen and the post office is uphill both ways. Mike on the other hand plays basketball with his 16 year old brother on his parents driveway, and uses the elliptical!

The race had simple rules, 2 runners, 1 lap around the black, and $20 with a side of pride. I was confident, maybe too confident....I offered Mike the inside position, without hesitation. As the crowd gathered closer and the corners were set with spotters, we took off. I bolted past Mike right off the block and coming into turn 2 I felt I clearly had a 3 -4 stride lead. I was running so fast I had to take turn 2 wide, and I checked over my shoulder I stepped awkwardly on the sidewalk edge and twisted my ankle. I thought for sure I was going down. In fact, Mike stated later "I really wanted you to fall down, I can't believe you kept running!" And run I did, the adrenaline was flowing, the fear of disappointing those who wagered on me in the back of my mind, I persevered.

It wasn't until the homestretch that I was able to pull back on the reigns. Thank god Mike gave up, he was beat and he knew it. He left nothing in the tank for the final sprint. Hobbling in, I then realized how bad my ankle was sprained. One bystander compared it to Tiger Woods winning the US Open on a bad knee, another laughed at me. I knew I had to be strong though, and strong I was. With an ankle the size of a grapefruit, I found the courage to walk to Bacci Pizzeria and bring home the celebratory pie. It was a great end to a wonderful Saturday. I wish you all could have been there. For those who were there, don't ever forget it, the feats of mental and physical strength that day are seldom seen, and rarely witnessed.