Go, Yvette

So, remember that “worst 5K EVER” I ran a couple weeks ago? I got this email the other day:

Note the line, "Within your class you placed: 1". Yeah, that's right, I got 1st in my age group (two years ago I got 3rd and ran a minute and fifteen second faster than this year. Hum.), which is really cool (where’d all the speedsters go this year?). Okay, no complaints here, I even got a little package in the mail today:

(Note the “1 in Category F45-49 line) I’m super stoked to see my 1st place award and rip open the package.

Here’s the front of my medal; looks pretty cool and I'm all giddy with hardware pride:

Flip it over and here’s the back:

3rd? My medal says 3rd??!!?? Um, what about my email? What about my “1 in Category……” line on my package?? Well, this normally wouldn’t be that big of a deal, I mean I really ran pathetically so slow on that 5K, I should gratefully accept my 1st, 3rd place medal, but later this afternoon when I went to pick up my bib for the ½ marathon I’m doing on Sunday (I know, I know, I didn’t really mention this little ½... unless you look back a few blogs ago and I did mention I may sign up for an upcoming half to get in some speedwork. I like to keep secrets. But yes, I’m doing one Sunday….for some much-needed tempo work, not to puke my guts out by racing it!), here’s what my bib said:
Notice anything wrong on the bib? Now I’ve had thoughts throughout my life, especially as a child, how I'd love a different name (Oh how I longed to be an Ericka (spelled just like that) or an Elizabeth….I loved how the name Eliiiiizzzzzabeeeth flowed. A select few of you know my “real” name – and we’ll just leave it at that small number *ahem, Meg M-T*. Hated that name as a kid) but never in my life have I ever thought I’d be a Yvette. Just never crossed my mind. I’m not sure I even know a Yvette. I was told to go to “bib corrections” as apparently this was a common problem, aka: everyone’s bib was messed up, and make sure my timing chip had the correct “Jill Parker” come up, when scanned. Yep, all’s good there. So technically, I don’t even need a bib, I have a timing chip on my shoe with the correct info. The guy asked me if I wanted a generic bib with no name on it instead of Yvette’s. Hum. Nope, I’m going incognito…..Sunday I’m running for all to yell, “Go Yvette”. I can't wait to hear how many calls I get. I mean, Yvette gets. Btw, Yvette’s a 37-yr old and is a size XL. Hum. I’d like to knock off a few years and 10 would be perfect, but I’ll stick to my smaller size, thanks! Nothing wrong with the size, I just don't want it. Funny that the one thing I can’t change is the one I want to and vise-versa. Yah, that’s the way my life tends to work.

I’m not sure if my recently racing misfits are an indication of things to come, but I’m actually thinking maybe it's a GOOD thing, like someone’s noticing me and paying extra special attention to getting my racing adornments wrong. "Hey, here's that Jill Parker again, let's give her a special medal to replace the one she actually earned...." I’ll let you know how it all pans out on race day Sunday; I’m kinda thinking me, or Yvette, is going to get my name in big print as wining the whole shi-bang! I’m hoping there’s a big cash prize attached to that title!

Happy weekend! And good luck to those racing this weekend, Yvette and I will be right there with ya!