Even though I try not to be serious, sometimes it happens. One of those times, does happen to be running. Most likely, there will never be a time where I joyfully let people throw paint at me, aka do a color run. Adding obstacles or mud doesn't seem appealing or fun to me. Before you think, damn, he's getting cranky in his old age (I am), it comes down to not wanting to risk getting injured doing something along the lines of what I'd consider a casual run.
Did I just say that? Figured. Who shows up and pitches the idea she wants to do a costume race, but the Bear. Ugh. This one time, I'm bending my rules for the simple fact that both CT and I feel the need to encourage the Bear to continue to run. Wait! What do I have to dress up as?
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive....it's Super Ace! I know, I know, not that creative. It's an easy costume to pull off, plus it's a kid friendly event. For as much as I would have loved to pull off the real Ace costume, better judgement still wins, sometimes.
At the starting line, it's obvious this much more of a fun run than a competitive race. I mean not just because all the costumes, but it's not the standard race around here where the top thirty finishers all know each other by name and follow each other on the runner's social media app. First time, lining up for a race, not in the same state, haven't known at least one person I didn't ride to the even with, weird! My super hearing picked up on a woman, I mean fellow super hero, saying she expected to run a 7:30 mile. While not the Flash, that's a gutsy expectation or it's a super fib! There's nothing super about how untrained I am at the moment, not even sure I could pull that off. About the same time my spider sense (yes, I know it's a completely different super hero) is tingling with that irritation, that's when I notice the guy with no costume, dressed and acting like a real runner. Who dis? Imposter! Here's my target.
BANG! Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck, that gun was loud! Awe, must be the super hearing. Typical race start, kids go blasting by, only to die out within a few feet. Before the first turn, already passed the 7:30 Flash, guess she's going to pick it up in the back half. After the first turn, it went the Imposter, Grey Beard in pajamas , myself and I can only assume 7:30 Flash nipping at my heels.
Second turn, about a mile in, passed Grey Beard in pajamas. Expecting the Imposter to lose some steam, gained some ground and would estimate about fifteen seconds back. At this point, we are on a major four lane road with one lane closed off for us. The mental image of first seeing a guy running, then a guy in super hero costume apparently chasing him as cars passed made me smile to myself. It wasn't long after this, then I got my first honk of approval. Sorry fans, this isn't the movies and this Super Ace doesn't have a six pack and has a bit too much Kryptonite around his belly at the moment to give a good ending. About mile two the gap increased and it was obvious to me that the Imposter was going to get away and be able to race another day. Damn it! Who's idea was this cape anyway?
It's fun to blame the cape, but it played no part in the escape. Good enough for second place overall. Crossing the line, admitted to the volunteers that Super Ace needs a few thousand more sit-ups, as I popped a donut-hole into my face. CT crossed the line as first woman, then proceeded to dry heave like crazy. At first I was walking up to congratulate her, then she started doing that, and I had to do an about face and pretend I didn't know her (which works really well when you're both dressed the same)!
After they gave out all the age group awards, they wanted one group picture with all the winners. Out of the seven or so of us that went up for the picture, all but one were in a Super-Something costume, at which point a guy in a Batman costume made the comment "Guess I wore the wrong costume"! Yup, and there's the title!
