Does anyone remember the Far Side cartoon, “Roger Screws Up?” Roger is a cymbal player in an orchestra. He’s thinking to himself, “Don’t screw up, don’t screw up, don’t screw up . . .” The punchline? Roger is only holding one cymbal. Roger screws up.

I was Roger this weekend at the Celebrate everyBody 5k. I packed all of my running gear into my gym bag the night before (don’t screw up). I made sure my iPod was charged and full of great tunes (don’t screw up). I got to the race early to make sure I got good parking and to get registered (don’t screw up). I pulled my iPod and ear buds out of the gym bag and went to plug in the receiver and, oh no! I forgot my receiver!

What a monumental mistake! I had fallen victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never leave for a race without ensuring you have every component of your Nike+ Sport Kit!

I couldn’t believe that I had forgotten my receiver. By the time I realized it was missing, it was too late to go back to the house and get it (no way was I giving up my sweet parking spot). I had two choices: go home now and run a 5k in the neighborhood with the receiver or stay and run the race without it. For those of you who don’t yet know the joy of Nike+, staying for the race might be a no-brainer. For a Nike+ addict like myself, it was a thinker. Ultimately I decided to stay and run the race sans Nike+. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but having paid the price for my forgetfulness, you can be sure I won’t forget my receiver next time.