Free Pie Tastes Like Pie

Here is a math problem for you:

I paid a $30.00 entry free to run the Carnation Run for the Pies 5K race on 4th of July. I got 2nd in my age division and won a Remlinger Farms' pie (valued at $9.00). Is the pie still free?

I think so.

You Are Not Going to Win a Pie
"You know you are not going to win a pie," Dan said the night before the race. "I know," I said, " but it will still be fun to run it."

Dan's comment wasn't mean, it was realistic. I had just taken three weeks off after running the 25K trail race. Three weeks of no speed work, a little running, lots of resting, and attending potlucks. Also, my left hamstring was a little sore. Last year I placed 8th in my age group at the race. The top three in each age group win pies. So, Dan was right. If I ran the same time as last year with same women, I would not win a pie. But, this year I was lucky.

I Run for Pie
I warmed up for 30 minutes, ran the race six seconds faster than last year (21:59), and cooled down for 20 minutes. The race was fun and I felt really strong. Running a flat 5K (3.1 miles) after running a hilly 25K (15.5 miles) felt fast and easy. At mile two I couldn't believe I only had one more mile to run and thought about what Dan said the night before. "I'll prove him wrong," I thought, and picked up the pace, passed six women, and sped to the finish.

Happily Ever After
I called Dan a half hour after the race. "Guess who isn't getting any pie?" I asked him. "Thanks for the motivation. Your encouragement last night motivated me to run faster."

"I'll never doubt you again," he said. "We'll, I think I got lucky this time," I said.

I got my cherry pie, shared it with friends and Dan, and we lived happily ever after. Free pie tastes just like regular pie: delicious!

The End