Discussion: The good news...

...is that you'll probably only ever do that once. And it's already behind you.

I've done it at least twice. Once was in a WRE in Belgium, and a bunch of people on various courses MPed that control, and we all were reinstated (a decision I disapproved of, but didn't protest).

Back when we were doing results for the 1000-Day, we'd occasionally get a punchcard with a missing punch. We'd find a copy of the map, see that the missing control was a water stop, and get somebody to call the runner over. And we'd typically ask them if they went to control number whatever, and they'd look at the map, and say, "yeah, I'm sure I was there", then we'd hand them the card to look at, say "Always punch first, then drink", give 'em a dope slap to the back of the head, and post the result. Depending on who it was. :-)

Hopefully you're right, I will only ever do that once! JJ, I think Sharon was told me a story about you drinking before you punched on a billygoat... do you remember that?

Oh, I remember it clearly, I'm kind of surprised that she does. 1986, I was doing well, because maybe 1/3 of the way around the course, I was even with Sharon, and she arrived at the control just behind me. (She was in her prime at the time, and I didn't know what I was doing yet, still wearing jeans.) I went for the water first, and she barked "Always punch first then drink!" and then headed off for the next control. Chill out lady, I wasn't going to forget, jeez. I didn't forget then, and I never have since, because I always hear her voice in my head when I come to a water stop.

Anyway, I had some trouble after that, and got to the aid station before the last loop just after Sharon finished the course. And I wound up way overtime, but I did punch all the controls.

That's a great story! Congratulations on keeping up with her.