Sea Dogs 5K: It's not about winning

Some say that the phrase, "It's not about winning" is just something non-winners invented to console themselves. And while that's 100% true, it's also important to acknowledge the effort that everyone put in.

1,926 racers crossed the finish line during yesterday's Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K. That's over 500 more than last year, which helps explain why I placed 1,381 this year (as opposed to 1,150 last year). My time improved by almost two minutes (33:38 from 35:16) - not mindblowing but I'll take it!

And sure, 1,380 people ran stronger and faster. 1,380 people beat me. 1,380 people can turn to me and say, "Ha! I'm better than you."

But that, of course, isn't the point. It doesn't matter that 1,380 people are faster than me. What matters is that I'm faster than 545 people.

Just a reminder, that's up from the 289 people I beat last year. (Maine Track Club has all the race results.)

And if we're going to be honest here, there were a few runners who perhaps shouldn't have placed as well as they did. I don't mean to imply that anyone cheated - I didn't see any runners on Heelys or any runners hopping off Vespas just before the finish.

But I think you'll agree, this gentleman had an unfair advantage:

And I know it was Mother's Day, but overachieving just makes the rest of us look bad:

But it was a beautiful day for a run - temps just under 60 degrees, sun shining. Myself and two friends from the Reach the Beacon training opted to stick near the back of the pack so as to A) not get run over, and B) not be compelled to run too fast at the start. ("Start slow," John Rogers says. "Save your energy.")

Quite an impressive-looking mass of people.

This year's race didn't end in the panting, dehydrated, bottleneck we experienced last year. Runners were lead straight off to water, bananas and bagels.

This picture looks very ethereal - and could be bent metaphorically to show how crossing the finish line is a feeling akin to the calmness and joy one imagines is felt in heaven.

But really it was just my sweaty hands steaming up the camera phone.

And really, nothing beats finishing a race (however fast or slow) and being greeted by a kind feller with a flower.

'Twas a good day.

Congrats to all who ran - whatever your time. I'll even say "Well done" to those crazy fast folks out there...though you still are, collectively, my nemesis.

Why yes, I DID beat last year's time

Thanks for noticing.

I'm not the type of person who'd just bring that up - like some uncouth braggart.

But yes, you're right, I shaved a few minutes off my time from last year.

What's that you say? Oh, stop! I did NOT run with the fantastical grace of grassland gazelle! You flatter me!

At any rate, I'm exhausted. Here's a runner's-eye-view from this morning. More necessary photos and commentary to come tomorrow.

And for anyone who noticed that I actually placed farther back than last year, QUIET! We'll talk about this in the morning.

As long as I beat SOMEONE

I ran the Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K last year as part of the Beach to Beacon training. It may not surprise you that I didn't win.

In fact, I came in 1,150th place.

But being a bright-side-looker myself (not naturally - it's part of a court-ordered Optimism Training Program) I chose to not focus on the 1,149 runners who were faster and better than I. (Well, I focused on the fact that they were 1) all cheaters, and 2) on steroids). See?...Bright side!

Instead I reveled in the triumph over 286 racers who crossed the finish line after me. Ha!

I just registered for the race again (it's happening Mother's Day, which is this Sunday, people. Go buy your mom something).

I must've really been feeling the whole "optimism" thing because I chose "runner" and "medium t-shirt."

We're using the term "runner" very loosely - I think that's understood. As for the medium t-shirt, let's just see what happens.

My real priority is to beat more than 290 people - so if you're a REALLY slow runner or you don't even run at all but want to walk the course at an, oh I don't know, 15-minute mile pace...register online now!

C'mon, I'd do it for you.

Seriously though, placing 1,149 or better would be nice.