Statesboro High School's Paul Welle won the Ray Miller Invitational Cross Country Meet last September at Magnolia Springs. I thought it might be kind of fun to see if I could run the course in the same time, 17:19, as Paul did last September. After all, in my day.........I was a pretty good 5K man. Seventeen and change doesn't seem intimidating to me at all. Here is how my 5K went.

I walked up to the starting line and looked up the long hill leading up to a shelter at the top, a really steep hill about 200 meters long.

(PAUL'S RACE - Coach Bobby James gives some last minute instructions to the runners and then they are off.)

The starting line faces a very steep hill which makes this a very difficult start.

(PAUL'S RACE - The start is tough, but that helps Paul and a small group of runners shake many of the others before they get to the narrow part of the trail.)

The first 150 - 200 meters really separates the pretenders from the contenders. I hit the grassy area at the top of the hill in less than a minute.

(PAUL'S RACE - I imagine by now, Paul is in a group of about a 25 runners.)

I turn left onto the wide service road, after about 20 seconds, I make another wide left turn. I hit some sand before making a sharp right turn where I face about 200 meters up another hill.

(PAUL'S RACE - At this point, Paul only has about 10 runners near him.)

I top the hill and make a hard left turn. The trail begins to narrow just a bit.

(PAUL'S RACE - For the next 800 meters, Paul and the other runners must remain in single file.)

The roots are painted orange, but I really have to watch my step.

(PAUL'S RACE - By now, Paul is in the lead with about 6 or 7 runners close behind.)

The trail is relatively flat now, I make a 90 degree turn to the right and before me is about 150 meters of gentle downhill running. This is my favorite part of the course. Near the end of this downhill stretch, I pass a pine tree on the left side of the trail with a big orange 1 painted on it, the 1 mile mark. I glance down at my watch. I feel really comfortable and I am surprised to see my first split, 5:34.

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul is now beginning to pull away, his closest competitors are about 10 meters behind him.)

Just past the 1 mile tree, the trail makes another sharp left turn. The course is flat and fast. No roots and I'm just cruising. In the next 300 meters, the trail begins to go downhill. I am now at one of the lowest points on the course. Three years ago, there was about a 75 meter stretch through here that was about ankle deep in water. That was a fun race.

As I cross the mud flats I find a gentle incline, the climb is a bit tough because of a lot of sand that has washed down from the hill I am now climbing. As I top the hill, there is a wide sandy trail that leads off to the left, that's not my trail.

I keep going straight and pass a bench on the right side of the trail. I'm about 1 1/2 miles into the race. I'm maintaining my pace okay, no problems so far, just over 8 minutes.

(PAUL'S RACE - At this point, Paul only had four runners anywhere near him. He is beginning to pull away from the field.)

The trail is level and clear for the next 300 meters, then I feel another pretty steep hill coming up. I have to really dig on this hill, more sand and a few roots. I really have to concentrate on my form now.

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul still has three runners on his heels at the point.)

After cresting this hill I hit a dangerously steep downhill section. It is only about 40 meters long, but I really have to watch my step here. I'm a pretty good downhill runner and I have no trouble here.

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul is able to put some distance between him and the two runners who are closest to him at this point.)

I push myself down this hill and hit a level stretch. I can see the reeds in the distance, the lake must be really near. I can't do any sightseeing.........the rest of the course is a minefield of orange roots.

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul now has only 2 runners to beat.)

The lake is right in front of me, I turn hard to the left and run along the trail with the lake only a few meters to my right. As I turn, I see an observation platform off to my right. I really have to watch the roots, after about 150 meters, I see the broken off stump on the right side of the trail. I see the orange # 2 painted on the stump. Finally the 2 mile mark. I take a quick look at my watch as I pass the tree stump, right on target, 11:12, but I'm starting to feel it. It's really tough holding his pace with nobody pushing me.

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul and 2 runners are now 10 - 15 seconds ahead of the field.)

I'm hurting, but comfortable (fast runners know what I'm talking about here). I really have to watch my step. Up ahead is the first bridge, a short one that I touch only twice as I glide across it. I can feel my second wind kicking in. The lake is still on my right, but I can't look. Too many roots. I can't risk falling, moving too fast......falling hurts!

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul is still pulling 2 runners along with him.)

Up ahead I see a big sign and a trail coming in from the left. That means the second bridge is just ahead to my right. This bridge is a little longer, it takes about five steps to clear. After a few steps and some big pine tree roots, I hit the last bridge. I explode off the bridge and start across the grassy area near the canoe ramp. There is a steep hill up to the paved road. This is about 2 1/2 miles into the race. My heart is pounding as I attack the grassy hill. As I leave the grass, the road is paved and ahead is the last hill on the course, I'll be glad to get this one behind me.

(PAUL'S RACE - This is where Paul won the race. When he came out of the woods, he really blasted up the grassy hill. He passed the cabins and entered the Woodpecker Trail. By now he had about a 6 second lead.)

No time to check my watch, I really have to concentrate on my form. If I'm going to equal Paul's time, I can't let up now.

I pass the last cabin and turn right back into the woods. The first 100 meters are really tricky. The trail is washed out and there are a number of roots to negotiate as I run down this hill. At the bottom, more sand. This really seems to bog me down, I can't let that happen if I'm going to get my...I mean Paul's 17:19.

I run through the sand and now its time for my closing sprint. I know I need to really push it for about 3 more minutes.

(PAUL'S RACE - The trail is narrow, but no matter, Paul now has the race won, all he has to do is to hang on.)

I cross the narrow bridge just before the springs. I really have to watch out for those big roots.

As I leave the trail, there is one more bridge to cross. We are on this bridge for only a couple of steps. I jump off the bridge and cross the grassy area near the springs. From here I cross the street which means I have about 400 meters along the stream. I can see the finish line now. I pass the three mile marker, 16:45, just under my goal pace. I know I have about 160 meters to go, gut time, it's an all out sprint. My heart feels like it's going to explode, the clock is ticking...ticking....ticking. I can hear the roar of the crowd, much like Paul heard the roar back on September 16th. I throw myself across the white painted line on the grass, the finish line at last! I hit my watch.

(PAUL'S RACE - Paul won the race in 17:19; Christian Scholz (Milton High School) was 2nd in 17:26; Clay Holton (Hephzibah High School) was 3rd in 17:34.)

To describe how I felt after this 5K I'll quote John Parker from the running classic "Once A Runner".

"Yach! I thought, trying to straighten up. It was much too soon; back to the hands-on-the-knees death grip, fetal rest of the totally blown-out runner. The white haze had thickened into a heavy fog; I felt faint but knew that my conditioning held all horrors at bay except in extreme heat. These were the worst few seconds and I understood better than anything else that like the tail fin, the Nehru jacket and the republic itself, they too would pass. The drained elation, special property and reward of those who have been to the edge and back, would come later. But for now I had a while longer to hurt..."

I finally stood up and begin to stagger around. After a few minutes, I took a deep breath and looked at my watch. My time for this sunny Saturday morning was........well it just over 17 and change. But I think I can get that 17:19. So if you see Paul, tell him that for now, his time of 17:19 is still the best for 2006..........but if I increase my mileage, hit the track at least once a week for some intervals, lose a few pounds, maybe get some new running shoes.........just wait Paul.

WRITER'S NOTE: Before you think I've completely flipped my lid, look at the date at the top of this story. April 1st.....

Happy April Fool's Day everybody!!!!