How To Win Your Age Group, The Nut Job Way

So, you're happy that you're getting your miles in but sometimes you want just a little bit more out of running. Like leaving the post-race party with a medal hanging around your neck.

How do you do it?

There are many ways to bring home the medal. Here are a few suggestions to try. Hope they prove helpful in your quest for that shiny thing around your neck.

1. Go to races with a low turnout. Less competition, more chances to win.

2. Cover the area around your mouth with whip cream and snarl as you run past your frightened competition (inspired by Carol, nutjob #4, on how to clear a grocery store aisle on a Saturday afternoon).

3. Train in terrible weather - become know as "the person who can run in anything".

4. Train like hell and run really fast on race day. (radical way to do it, but very effective if you don't mind the hard work).

Just remember, winning doesn't happen overnight. Be patient and keep plugging away at it.

In the meantime, remember, somebody always has to be last. If you are temporarily that person, make the best of it. Get to know the ambulance driver. Enjoy the breathing room around you.

Wherever you are in the pack, enjoy, embrace and do your best.

So there you go, my suggestions on how to win your age group. Good luck and be sure to let me know if you have any suggestions of your own.