~The Race Of My Life~

Yes I know this post doesn't have anything to do with my Paleo lifestyle or my exercise regime. However I think about this event each Spring. It happened to me when I was in my late 20s If you do the math it was about 1983.

The gym that I belonged to was pretty spartan by today's standards. There wasn't a drinking fountain, people didn't listen to I-Pods, and use fancy machines, just free-weights with chalk buckets scattered around. Also to set the story straight......I didn't wear Spandex.

I lived in Sequim Washington with my young wife and two little kids. Sometimes I ran about a mile to the gym with my boss, and worked out with the usual heavy lifting. I felt I was in the best shape of my life, and definitely in my prime at 6' 1" 200 pounds.

There was a young High school girl who lifted at my gym, her name was Erica Wheeler. She was undoubtedly the best athlete Sequim High School has ever produced. If you think I'm pulling your leg, click on this link to read a bit more about her accomplishments. http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2005/Wheeler_Erica.asp

I ran to the gym with my boss at the time, and was working out while shooting the breeze with the other guys. Erica strolled in and was asking for donations for the Sequim High School Track Program. I can't recall exactly what it was, other than collecting sponsorship money for laps completed in a certain amount of time.

I was always a practical joker and a teaser. I looked at Erica and said, "if you can beat me down to King's Tavern and back, I will double your highest donation." I just knew this shy 5' 8" 130 pound High School girl would turn red in the face and say "no thanks." Instead she said, you have a deal.

By this time the gym was silent and everyone was looking at me. I gulped once and regained my composure, thinking there's no way she can beat me, after all it's not even close to a mile, and she can't match my stride.

Everyone in the gym walked out to the parking-lot to watch Erica and I race. We took off like a shot down to King's Tavern. We were even all the way down, me looking over at her to see if her expression would spell weakness. As we turned around for the final leg, I sprinted past her and held a short lead.

I could hear everyone cheering, I think everyone wanted her to beat me, "except me." As I approached the last 100 yards or so, she pulled ahead of me. I couldn't let this girl beat me so I gave it all I had. which unfortunately wasn't enough. My body just gave out. I was so wasted I thought I was going to dislodge my lungs with my ragged breathing.

I really got a dose of humility that day. I'll be 54 in a month from now. Erica is older as well, but it sounds like she's done well for herself and is still active. I'd like to know if she still remembers the race down to King's Tavern and back. "I know I'll never forget."