WHEATLAND – I guess I could have entitled this article, the mad diary of an old 5K runner, but at my age, I do more of a jog and less of a run, so perhaps I am a “rogger.”

Having participated in the second annual Wild Goose Chase last weekend, I am now a veteran of both the inaugural and second races. Was there a difference in the two? I shall expound.

The event was organized and run by Wheatland’s head cross-country coach, Sally Nichols and assisted by assistant coach, Colt Goff. In addition to cross-country kiddos running in the race, there are other community members that also come out.

The race was held again this year during fair week on the second Saturday. This year it was the 31^st of July. It began between 7 and 8 a.m. and runners could time themselves. Bad idea. I had to keep reminding myself cheaters never prosper.

I was a year older this year. That’s not unusual. After my recent hiatus to Arizona, I reappeared and “did the reveal” that I was back during the Ninja course the previous Saturday and had just only learned of the race last week. I should have worked out.

I really should have. Between not wanting to run on the surface of the sun in Arizona and taking large quantities of pictures back in Wyoming during fair week, the only workout I got was walking the fair grounds.

I was wondering how I would do.

I always like to write when I run. Well, not write per se, but go over in my mind what I’d love to say.

First of all, I knew I’d win the race before I even started. Not arrogant, just confident. I was the oldest runner, but did not finish last.  In fact, I did win. Well… Any time I run a race and I don’t have paramedics waiting for me at the finish line, then yeah… I win.

I kept thinking how the T-shirts this year were a “holy mother of God that’s bright” pink and how the material would allow me to both wash and dry the garment. Last year’s shirt was turned into a ski-mask as I shouldn’t have done cotton with that high of heat.

I can remember in years past I saw T-shirts with the saying, “I went to Disney World and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.”  About a quarter mile into this year’s race, I came out of the shoot way too hot and thought to myself about keeping that pace.

Of course, then the slogan on the front of my garment would have been, “I ran the Wild Goose Chase 5K and all I got was this lousy emergency room gown.” Enough said. I slowed down.

I aspire to be like our local iconic bulldog, “Champ,” but I more resembled a character from an Aesop fable. I stuck my long neck up through that pink T-shirt and quietly shouted, “Slow and steady wins the race…”

It was a pleasant morning, a light mist in the air and I actually surprised myself. Now… I was going to bring a broken watch and tell people I broke last years’ time, but I really DID break last years’ time, running 9 minute 34 second miles. It was, however “unofficial” and nobody was left at the finish when I arrived. So yeah, there’s that.