What is the definition of “You're so far behind, you think you're first”?

Question

What is the definition of "You're so far behind, you think you're first"? Should a dictionary entry of this expression be "One is so far behind, one thinks he is first"?

Answer 1

The expression beings to mind a distance runner who cannot see any of her competitors. She thinks she has left her competitors a long way behind, but really she herself is the one left behind. It's about the comedy of her impending disappointment.

Does that answer your question?

Answer 2

Instead of a distance runner, it could be a person on a race track where the race consists of multiple laps. Though you might not start at the same spot on the track, being far enough behind would look like being in front.

Answer 3

A very good example of what Ed Guiness mentioned is Ryan Hall running a 2:04:58 in the last Boston Marathon and still finishing FOURTH. Here's his interview:

It was very exciting to see our splits. That helped me maintain my momentum, and keep the excitement building. I could see that some very special things were happening in this race.I could barely believe that I was running 2:04 pace and I couldn’t even see the leaders. I thought, ‘Man I’m going to run something quick out here today.’ It’s amazing that Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot who set the course record here last year would have been fifth today. (emphases are mine)

If Ryan Hall wasn't tracking where the other runners were, he could have mistakenly thought that they lost their way (stranger things have happened in major races) and he could have thought that he was first. He actually barely missed a podium finish (3rd place!):

One of my visions for the Boston Marathon was to enjoy the final run down Boylston. In my minds eye I had always pictured myself winning the marathon but as I prepared my heart before the race I had decided I would celebrate my run and the fact that God is good all the time in both victory and defeat so when I hit Boylston street I let my joy out and started airplaning through the street. It wasn’t until a fan on the side of the road pointed up the street to a faint yellow jersey still 100 meters down the road that I had mistaken for one of the women elite runners and yelled “Go get Merga” that I realized I had a chance to get on the podium. I put my head down and drove with my arms as hard as I could. I felt like I was in one of my many bad dreams where I am trying to sprint and moving in slow motion. With 100 meters to go it was becoming apparent that I was going to run out of real estate.

and of course, this says it all:

I felt much more comfortable today. I was especially more comfortable than my first year here where being out front kind of rattled me. Today when I was out front I felt so comfortable it was almost like I was the only guy in the race.