I’ve spent some time posting on the various trials and tribulations in Carroll County, but today it came crashing home. Today was the day of the Flora Hog Jog, an annual 10k run. For me, the highlight of the race was the pork burgers after the run. Prior to my participation in last year’s event, I mocked the pork burger; but, no more. After running 6.2 miles, much of which was in the blazing sun of the Carroll County fields, it turns out there is nothing better than a drink of water, a watermelon, and then the pork burger.

According to the website:

Each participant will receive a free HOT Porkburger Sandwich compliments of the Carroll County Pork Producers.

However, this year: NO PORK BURGERS. Someone I spoke with said that the Carroll County pork producers had disbanded — to be a member, apparently one had to have a wean to finish operation. Too few pig farmers meet that description. Apparently most are contract farmers with finishing operations and not wean-to-finish operations.

I am . . . disappointed.

Still, it’s a good event with a nice festive atmosphere at the town park before and after the run. I think my time was something like 1:01. I haven’t seen the chip times and had my iPod going when the finisher read the time.

I have to say, running the manure mile — in the middle of the race when the fields begin to stink — a couple of artists really picked up my energy level: the Dropkick Murphys and Henry Rollins.

Anyway, good times despite the absence of pork burgers.

Update Times are in. I’m not fast. Mine was 1:01:47 which appears to be about 27 seconds better than last year.