Day 176 - Back into the woods we went. Teddy, Scooter, and my new Kenyan roommate, Festus went back out to the Lowell State Forest. Goal was to try to run 7's on the trails for about 4 miles, but I knew that that would be almost impossible given the terrain. It doesn't hurt to give it a shot though. Or does it?
I mapped out the best course for a run like this and we stayed on the pavement for as long as possible before heading onto less technical trails in order to keep our pace as fast as possible.
We went through the first 2 miles at about 7:30 pace, which is pretty good for this area, before coming to a dead end in one of the trails. We turned back around and was able to bring the pace down below 7:30. This could be possible!
Festus, still getting back into running shape (currently in rugby shape and nursing a sore leg), dropped back a bit as I turned onto another trail to add some more distance to the run. Festus continued back to the start on the out-and-back loop. Teddy, Scooter, and I discovered some me new trails and subsequently got a little lost, slowing down our pace to about 7:40 by the time we were ready to head back to the start.
I had to switch on the Garmin map function in order to find our way back to the start. We eventually did, but not without suffering some knee scrapes on the overgrown brush.
We got back to the start just as Festus was finishing from the other direction. I continued on for another half mile to get in exactly 4 for the run.
Another good run with my amigos. Followed that up with a nice night out with Rachel and Festus at the Mambo Grill in Lowell. Merrimack St is really turning into a happening place on a warm evening!
There definitely is a lot to like about my hometown of Lowell! Keep it up!
June 24th, 2010 - Training - Lowell, MA - 5.3
Day 175 - The plan was to run track tonight, but the boss had other ideas.
I wasn't able to get out of work by 5PM in order to drive home, change, pick up Festus, and head up to Chelmsford.
Besides, it was pouring down here in Burlington, but I later learned that it was a just short, intense rain storm in the immediate vicinity.
Festus and I ended up doing an awesome tempo run along the river with the temps in the low 80's. I always enjoy running after a thunder storm. Probably something to do with the ionized air particles.
Like our trail run last night, we exchanged leads a couple of times to keep the pace honest, but then I tried to lay the hammer down on Festus. He stuck right with me stride-for-stride.
Chalking this one up as one of my best training runs so far this year.
I learned a lot about racing strategy on this run. Thanks, Festus!
I'll remember to use it next Tuesday to kick your ass :)
I wasn't able to get out of work by 5PM in order to drive home, change, pick up Festus, and head up to Chelmsford.
Besides, it was pouring down here in Burlington, but I later learned that it was a just short, intense rain storm in the immediate vicinity.
Festus and I ended up doing an awesome tempo run along the river with the temps in the low 80's. I always enjoy running after a thunder storm. Probably something to do with the ionized air particles.
Like our trail run last night, we exchanged leads a couple of times to keep the pace honest, but then I tried to lay the hammer down on Festus. He stuck right with me stride-for-stride.
Chalking this one up as one of my best training runs so far this year.
I learned a lot about racing strategy on this run. Thanks, Festus!
I'll remember to use it next Tuesday to kick your ass :)
June 23rd, 2010 - Training - Lowell State Forest - 4
Day 174 - Festus and I headed into the woods of Lowell, with Teddy and Scooter, to get in a run, away from the heat of the evening.
A couple of days of intense running called for some more intense running, but less pounding.
Great 4 mile run over the same trails that I've explored in the past. Festus and I exchanged leads throughout to keep the pace honest. So this is what it's like to train with a Kenyan!
Teddy and Scooter were barely out of breathe, even though they could both stand to lose a few pounds. Unfortunately, the wife likes having fat dogs laying around the apartment.
No races planned for the rest of this week or weekend. Should be able to run with some fresh legs (finally!) by next Tuesday.
Plan is to do track tomorrow with GLRR and Festus at Chelmsford High.
A couple of days of intense running called for some more intense running, but less pounding.
Great 4 mile run over the same trails that I've explored in the past. Festus and I exchanged leads throughout to keep the pace honest. So this is what it's like to train with a Kenyan!
Teddy and Scooter were barely out of breathe, even though they could both stand to lose a few pounds. Unfortunately, the wife likes having fat dogs laying around the apartment.
No races planned for the rest of this week or weekend. Should be able to run with some fresh legs (finally!) by next Tuesday.
Plan is to do track tomorrow with GLRR and Festus at Chelmsford High.
June 22nd, 2010 - Race - Lowell, MA - 3.1
Day 173 - It's not officially summer until the Good Times Summer Series kicks off. This year it was only a day late.
The skies turned grey by the time I got home and over to Hookslides, but the temps were still hovering in the 70's. Festus had already left the apt before me in order to get registered and warmed up.
Festus was back for the summer and for the Good Times. He's been away in New Mexico playing the pansy sport of rugby. You can definitely tell he's been bulking up, but I think most of that is due to being in the higher altitude of the west....
My goal for the summer series is pretty simple, to win overall. Not asking for much. My chances improved when I found out that Titus was most likely not going to make it to the first race tonight. My chances went back to being unlikely when I saw that Tim Burke, Jim Rhoades, Frank Georges, and Cody Friehofer were toeing the line for the first race.
Tim ran a couple of the spring races on par with myself, giving me a run for my money at all of them. Jim always kicks my ass, but I'm hoping he sticks to his training regiment of running thousands of miles and only racing once every 10 years when the planets of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter line up. Frank has been surging and running at about the same level as myself a the GLRR track workouts. Cody would be the X factor. I was able to beat him at the Bedford 12K a month earlier, but that is a longer distance race. He has, however, been cleaning up at most of the 5K races he's run so far this year, and I know that he's capable of a fast 5K. Faster than me.
It looked like it was going to be an intense race from the get go. Most of the runners running tonight were in racing shape, unlike most of the earlier races in the year most are just thawing out from their winter hibernation.
Cody and I led the charge going into the first turn. There was one other runner playing the rabbit tonight, and he went out like a bat. I'd never seen him at these races before, and by the way he sprinted out, I didn't think he would be able to hang onto that pace.
I was right. By the time we got through the first water stop. It was just me, Cody, and Frank. Tim was tempted by tonight's theme and grabbed a box, hoping for the $100 pay day. Jim was somewhere behind us, but not that far behind.
I went through Mile 1 in 5:38 with Frank right next to me. Cody was about 4 seconds in front of us.
As we got onto the road again, Cody had no idea where to go. Being a nice guy and fellow GLRR teammate, I told him to take a right while I cut across the grass, in front of him, like a jackass.
We got onto the Uni Ave bridge together and I told him what to expect over the next mile, and where to go. If I was going to win, then I wanted it to be because I outran him on the same course.
The race was won and lost on the downhill VFW stretch. Cody, using all 8 feet of himself to his advantage, bounded down the VFW and added on about 15 seconds to his lead. My plan now was to just keep him within striking distance, either tonight or in the overall scoring.
I crossed Mile 2 with a split of 5:54.
A new PR was going to be close, but the weekend of running and last night's 5 Miler at Mine Falls had taken its toll on me. I still felt great, but definitely not in PR shape.
I crossed Mile 3 in 5:51, so that's a positive sign as far as maintaining my speed is concerned.
Cody finished 26 seconds in front of me with a time of 17:25, scoring the full 1000 pts for the victory. I got 976 pts for my effort and finished with a time of 17:51 (5:45 pace). Good to be under 18 minutes again, and it didn't feel all that painful.
EJ came out of nowhere and took 3rd overall! Way to go!
Fil missed a Good Times PR by .5 seconds! That's point 5 seconds! That's the difference between telling perverted jokes at the beginning versus not! Right, Fil? :)
Results
Festus got his feet wet and finished with a time of 21:29. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a 17:30 next Tuesday.
It should be an interesting series with a lot of different story lines going on. Looking forward to see how it all ends.
The skies turned grey by the time I got home and over to Hookslides, but the temps were still hovering in the 70's. Festus had already left the apt before me in order to get registered and warmed up.
Festus was back for the summer and for the Good Times. He's been away in New Mexico playing the pansy sport of rugby. You can definitely tell he's been bulking up, but I think most of that is due to being in the higher altitude of the west....
(He's baaaaaack!)
My goal for the summer series is pretty simple, to win overall. Not asking for much. My chances improved when I found out that Titus was most likely not going to make it to the first race tonight. My chances went back to being unlikely when I saw that Tim Burke, Jim Rhoades, Frank Georges, and Cody Friehofer were toeing the line for the first race.
Tim ran a couple of the spring races on par with myself, giving me a run for my money at all of them. Jim always kicks my ass, but I'm hoping he sticks to his training regiment of running thousands of miles and only racing once every 10 years when the planets of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter line up. Frank has been surging and running at about the same level as myself a the GLRR track workouts. Cody would be the X factor. I was able to beat him at the Bedford 12K a month earlier, but that is a longer distance race. He has, however, been cleaning up at most of the 5K races he's run so far this year, and I know that he's capable of a fast 5K. Faster than me.
It looked like it was going to be an intense race from the get go. Most of the runners running tonight were in racing shape, unlike most of the earlier races in the year most are just thawing out from their winter hibernation.
Cody and I led the charge going into the first turn. There was one other runner playing the rabbit tonight, and he went out like a bat. I'd never seen him at these races before, and by the way he sprinted out, I didn't think he would be able to hang onto that pace.
I was right. By the time we got through the first water stop. It was just me, Cody, and Frank. Tim was tempted by tonight's theme and grabbed a box, hoping for the $100 pay day. Jim was somewhere behind us, but not that far behind.
I went through Mile 1 in 5:38 with Frank right next to me. Cody was about 4 seconds in front of us.
As we got onto the road again, Cody had no idea where to go. Being a nice guy and fellow GLRR teammate, I told him to take a right while I cut across the grass, in front of him, like a jackass.
We got onto the Uni Ave bridge together and I told him what to expect over the next mile, and where to go. If I was going to win, then I wanted it to be because I outran him on the same course.
The race was won and lost on the downhill VFW stretch. Cody, using all 8 feet of himself to his advantage, bounded down the VFW and added on about 15 seconds to his lead. My plan now was to just keep him within striking distance, either tonight or in the overall scoring.
I crossed Mile 2 with a split of 5:54.
A new PR was going to be close, but the weekend of running and last night's 5 Miler at Mine Falls had taken its toll on me. I still felt great, but definitely not in PR shape.
I crossed Mile 3 in 5:51, so that's a positive sign as far as maintaining my speed is concerned.
Cody finished 26 seconds in front of me with a time of 17:25, scoring the full 1000 pts for the victory. I got 976 pts for my effort and finished with a time of 17:51 (5:45 pace). Good to be under 18 minutes again, and it didn't feel all that painful.
EJ came out of nowhere and took 3rd overall! Way to go!
Fil missed a Good Times PR by .5 seconds! That's point 5 seconds! That's the difference between telling perverted jokes at the beginning versus not! Right, Fil? :)
Results
Festus got his feet wet and finished with a time of 21:29. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a 17:30 next Tuesday.
It should be an interesting series with a lot of different story lines going on. Looking forward to see how it all ends.
First Day of Summa' - Race - Mine Falls - 5
Day 172 - The first day of summa' started normally enough.
Woke up, went to work, watched World Cup soccer online, had lunch...
Then I got a message from Festus, my Good Times rival from last year. He was asking if he could crash at my place for a few days while he visited Lowell for the summer. His plan was to be in Lowell to visit friends, and to run the Good Times summer series. Keep your enemies closer, I say.
Sure. Not a problem.
Then he told me that he would be flying in that night and would be landing at Logan close to midnight. Festus' travel plan was to reenact Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and take the T from Boston to Lowell. The only problem is that the last T departs Boston at 11:20PM.
Back to watching World Cup soccer I went, and finished my tough day at work.
I had to get in my run, so I decided to head up to Mine Falls in Nashua for the weekly trail race series, already in its third week. This great series is put on by GCS and managed by Mike W.
It was close to 6:30PM when I signed up and lined up for the 5K course. The other option was the 5 mile course, but a couple of factors forced me to do the 5K:
- Mt Washington race two days prior
- Intense 7+ mile tempo run the day before
- Good Times tomorrow
- GLRR board meeting in about an hour back in Lowell
I figure it would take me about 19 minutes to do the 5K, so that would give me plenty of time to head home, shower, and get to the board meeting by 7:30PM.
It was nice to see some of the same folks I saw at Mt Washington at this race. They, like myself, weren't feeling any ill effects from Mt. Washington. Jim H. was telling me that that's normal. There's not much pounding on the legs when you're climbing for that long, and it's a different set of muscles. I would have to agree.
About a mile into the 5K race, I was already behind a pack of about six runners and they were only pulling further and further away. I then noticed that only one other runner ahead of me was heading towards the 5M course. That's when I decided, what the heck, let's do the 5 miler!
This was the first time that I had run the 5 mile course here, and was planning on running it eventually, just not tonight. I was actually fearful of getting lost at certain points around the middle of the run, and not making it back within a reasonable amount of time! I managed to navigate safely through the first portion of the course, but then the course got really technical near the end. Just the the way I like my trail runs.
I ended up second in the 5 miler with a time of 32:24
I felt that it was probably one of my better trail races. It looks like tricking my running brain at the last second did the trick.
I quickly reported into the results desk, and took off for home and the board meeting. I called Glenn to let him know that I would be about 30 minutes late to the meeting, and to start without me.
The meeting was well on its way by the time I arrived a little before 8PM, still a little sweaty and stinky from the race, but so wasn't everyone else at the meeting. It was a hot one tonight and there's no AC in the office!
Finished with the meeting around 9PM, and got home with a few hours to spare before I headed into Logan to pick up my good friend Festus.
I didn't get to bed until around 1AM when we got back home from the airport.
Time to get some shut-eye before repeating most of it again in the morning.
Welcome to summa!
(Did anyone try the egg trick?)
June 20th, 2010 - Training - Lowell > Tyngsboro - 7
Day 171 - Completed a tempo run from my place in Lowell to my parents' place in Tyngsboro. Temps were in the low 80's when I left Lowell at 6PM.
First Sunday in a long time where I had absolutely nothing planned. I just caught up on about two months worth of sleep deprivation, and then slept some more. I didn't get up until about 2PM! More tired from the drive to and from the Mt. Washington race yesterday than running the race itself.
Still feeling a little disappointed in my effort at Mt. Washington. I'm just not feeling the pain that I thought I'd be feeling today. Did I not even try?!
Tempo run felt great. Legs still feel fresh. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. Plan is to race Mine Falls, for the first time this season, tomorrow evening.
Good Times Summer Series starts on Tuesday.
First Sunday in a long time where I had absolutely nothing planned. I just caught up on about two months worth of sleep deprivation, and then slept some more. I didn't get up until about 2PM! More tired from the drive to and from the Mt. Washington race yesterday than running the race itself.
Still feeling a little disappointed in my effort at Mt. Washington. I'm just not feeling the pain that I thought I'd be feeling today. Did I not even try?!
Tempo run felt great. Legs still feel fresh. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. Plan is to race Mine Falls, for the first time this season, tomorrow evening.
Good Times Summer Series starts on Tuesday.
June 19th, 2010 - Race - Mt. Washington - 4,727 FT
Day 170 - Mt. Washington didn't stand a chance as over one-thousand competitors, organizers, and volunteers descended, and ascended, on the area for the 50th "Power-Walking" of the Mt. Washington Road Race.
(Only way down is to go up)
Standing at 6,288 ft (probably a little flatter now), Mt. Washington is the highest point in New England and the home to an annual crazy ass mountain race.
My journey (along with a number of other 2009 Mountain Goats) to this race has been over one year in the making. It all started with the 2009 race to the almost top of Mt Wachusett, and concluded with the scramble to the summit of Mt Ascutney in Vermont.
The USATF-NE sanctioned Mountain Series (founded by Double-D) has got to be one of the toughest, and coolest, series in the region. Along with the two mountains mentioned above, the entire series also includes Northfield Mtn, Pack Monadnock, the Cranmore (double) Hill Climb, and the appropriately named, Loon Mtn.
My favorites: Cranmore/Ascutney. My most dreaded: Loon-ey Mtn.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to make it to any of the mountain races this year, and miss torturing myself on their slopes dearly.
So, to make up for my lack of suffering so far this racing season, I entered myself into the Mt Washington race as a mountain goat. This guaranteed myself entry into the highly sought after race.
Demand was even higher as this was the 50th Anniversary, and the second year that this race would serve as host of the US National Mountain Championships, where the top runners here would be chosen to represent the US at the World Championships!
My race goal was to just not fall off of the mountain, and maybe try to come in under 1 hr and 30 minutes.
The very early race day started with a carpool with Masssoles teammate, Dane, from Lowell. It would be a three hour drive from Lowell to base camp at Mt Washington.
We spent the drive catching up on our training, racing, and coming up with even crazier ideas for running. Dane had just completed his 4th ultra a few weeks prior at Pineland Farms (50 miler). I was still dreaming about my first ultra, coming up in November at the JFK 50.
(Photo courtesy of Mike Stanwyck - Dane and I - Pre or Post Race?)
Somewhere between Lowell and Mt Washington, Dane and I came up with the brilliant idea to run the Reach the Beach Relay (210 miles) as a four-person team, which is the minimum allowed. Both Dane and I have competed in the relay for at least the past three years under the Masssoles branding. We've both run on 12-person teams and 6-person ultra teams, but never a 4-person ultra team! Brilliant! A 4-person team would basically require each member to run 50+ miles each. Good luck to the team that has an injury during the race!
The plan now is to find a fourth person crazy enough to join Dane, myself, and Ranger Dave at the 2011 RTB Relay. We're starting our search at Arkum Asylum in Gotham.
We got to the Mt Washington base camp (sitting at about 1500 ft above sea level), and race registration at 7:30AM. The race was scheduled to go off at 10AM. This was probably the earliest that I've ever arrived at a race not named Boston or NYC.
The temps were close to 70 at this point and it was only 8AM!
Both Dane and I made a dash for for the port-a-john as the Dunkins from an hour earlier was starting to work its magic. My stomach was running, and churning, on Dunkins at this point. A mistake that I would regret later in the race.
We eventually met up with another Masssoles teammate, Denis, and his fearless wife Diane to hand off our auto-pass, and bag of dirty laundry, with their destination being the top of the summit. Diane would be the one making the treacherous drive up the mountain in order to drive our lazy asses back down it at the conclusion of the race. Thanks Denis and Diane!
Dane and I registered, got our BIBS, and then hung around for the next hour chatting it up with the other runners, including Gary, another Masssoles teammate. There was really nothing else to do, but to stay cool and relaxed.
Both Dane and I were wearing our Five Fingers, so that was basically the talking point of most of our conversations with the other runners. I wasn't yet ready to wear my VFF's for the race, but Dane was determined to wear them...once he got a course report from others that had done this race.
By 9AM, Dane was sticking with his plan to wear the VFF's, while I switched into my Newtons to begin our "warm-up". We were doing a one mile loop on the surrounding trails when we came across a baby bear. Fortunately, mama bear was not around to molest us:
(I think I can see a pair of "crappy" gloves on his hands)
(Mama Bear...or is that Papa Bear?)
The only other familiar face that I ran into, pre-race, was Reno. Reno was going for the master's category win and age-group record. He would need to run somewhere around a sub 1:18 race for the age group record.
All 950+ runners got into position at the starting line by 10AM, and we waited eagerly for the starting canon to go off...and we waited some more. It eventually went off with an anti-climatic thud, but that got everyone moving...barely.
I was about six rows back from the start, thinking that that should be sufficient enough to keep myself out of the way of the faster runners, but it actually placed me behind a whole lot of other runners that were planning on running a lot slower than what I had in mind. I had no idea what pace I was going to run, but it felt like a really slow start, considering we weren't even on the Hill yet!
It wasn't until I got onto the portion of the first climb that I was able to maneuver at a speed more to my liking, which was slow and steady.
Like I said, I had no idea what pace to go for over the next 7+ miles since I had never climbed a 7+ mile mountain before. I had been told that your Mt. Washington time should be close to your half-marathon time. For me that would have been around 1:23. That would mean that I would need to "run" the next 7.6 miles at roughly a 10:55 pace to be anywhere near that time.
Mile 1: 10:22 - Looking and feeling great! This isn't so hard!
The heat was pretty bad even under the shade of the first mile. I actually don't mind running in heat (insert sex joke here) as it seems to help me focus. I like to know that my effort is actually making me sweat, even if it's partly due to the temps.
One of the few strategies I implemented on this run was deciding whether to cut the tangents or to go for shade. It was usually one or the other on this road. I ended up opting for the tangents.
I leaned forward and continued my steady and workman-like push up the mountain. I just couldn't believe that it was going to be like this (and worse) over the next 6 miles!
Mile 2: 11:52 - OK. A little slower than what I wanted, but it's still early.
Out of curiosity, I remember checking my Garmin to see what the grade was at certain points on the course, and every time I did, it just said 22%! Not fair! I couldn't even train for this type of terrain on my treadmill unless I flipped the damn thing upside down!
(Note: we are not running backwards)
Some of the runners around me started to power walk around 2.85, but I continued to run. I was determined to keep on running until those walking around me were making more progress than my running.
Mile 3: 12:41 - Forget my half-marathon time, I don't think I'll even break 1:30 at this point!
The Dunkins of earlier was starting to wreak havoc on my insides. I felt bloated and very gassy. I would like to apologize to all of the runners behind me today!
It was this stretch after mile 3 that made me see the futility of trying to race up this beast of a mountain. I remember looking up and seeing about a half mile of just uphill road, meandering its way along the side of Mt Washington's waist.
I hit the halfway mark in about 44 minutes and change. There was no way I was going to do a negative or even split on the second half to get under 1:30, so my goal now was to just keep "running" for as long as possible.
Mile 4: 12:28 - I think there was a downhill somewhere in here.
Mile 4 on my Garmin was right about where the 4K elevation marker was by the roadside. We were quickly approaching the timberline at 4400 ft. A timberline is defined as:
The edge of the habitat at which trees are capable of growing. Beyond the tree line, they are unable to grow because of inappropriate environmental conditions (usually cold temperatures, insufficient air pressure, or lack of moisture).
Sounds like a wonderful place to take the family for a run!
(Is this Heaven?)
Mile 5: 13:31 - I blame the elevation for wreaking havoc on my Garmin. There was no way I was going this fast!
One of the interesting aspects of this run was that even though you are constantly climbing, there were parts of the course that felt like you were running downhill. This was due to the change in the severity of the uphill grade. Going from a 25% grade to a 10% grade makes a world of difference. One minute you're clawing up a wall, the next, you're flying over a mole hill.
I can't remember exactly, but I think there was a stretch of semi-dirt road around this part. I did everything I could to keep moving in a running motion. I was starting to reach the point where walkers were going just as fast as I was running.
Mile 6: 13:47 - This is more like it. A pace that I could handle.
The turn, infamously known as Hairpin, that did me in was around 6.2. Right as I came around this sharp turn, my legs just completely shut down on me. I was basically the title character from Weekend at Bernie's. I was a walking carcass, but not as sharply-dressed.
(Gotta love the 80's)
At least I can say that I completed a 10K on Mt Washington before I was forced to beg for mercy. Total elapsed time for me at this point was 1:16 with more than a mile to go.
I knew I didn't have a shot at finishing below 1:30 and I had started walking, so goals A & B were out the window. The only other goal that I could muster on the fly was to beat Frank Georges' time of 1:36. Sorry, buddy, I needed something to keep myself going.
Mile 7: 13:49 - Elapsed time of 1:28. Even fresh roadkill was passing me now.
I remember looking up and seeing the Wall near the finish. There's no way we're going up there! Alas, we were. The grade here is about 30%. Damn you dirty mountain!
I always make it a point to have a strong finish and kick at the end of all my races, no matter how I felt. Mt Washington made it a point to not let me do that here. I began my all-out-sprint and BAM! I ran smack right into the Wall and was forced to power walk the last stretch before the finish. How humbling.
(Hitting the Wall)
I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:34.
My hats (shirts, shoes, underwear) off to all of those that ran Mt Washington. This is one f'n crazy race!
Speaking of taking it all off. I think the most amazing story from this year's Mt Washington race goes to the overall female winner, Shewarge Amare. She went on to break the female course record...in someone else's running outfit, sneakers included!
From what I heard, Shewarge had locked her belongings in her car when she got to the race. I remember hearing Andy S. make an unusual request/announcement before the race started, asking runners for an extra pair of sneakers and running clothes. So much for trying something new on race day!
(Masssoles on Top of the World...well, New England)
I definitely want another shot at Mt. Washington next year, but it'll be up to the lottery and running god(s).
Interesting fact: I finished my Mt Washington run about 4 seconds ahead of David Lapierre. He was the same CMS runner that I dueled with at the finish of Mt Ascutney to conclude the 2009 Mountain Series (11 months prior)!
(Looking for the right moment to pounce)
(POUNCED!)
(Mt Washington Finish - History Repeating Itself)
(Ascutney Duel with David)
June 18th, 2010 - Training - Lowell State Forest - 3.15
Day 169 - Explored another 5K of the state forest with Teddy and Scooter. Very hot and humid even at 6PM. The cover of the woods helped with the sun, but we couldn't hide from the humidity.
Came across a nice stretch of trail that took us clear across the forest, dumping us out at Nashua Road. Went out and back for a nice tune-up run for Mt. Washington in a few hours time.
Still have a lot to do before bed, so it looks like only a few hours of sleep before I have to get up at 3:30AM to meet up with Dane for our carpool up to the mtn at 4:30AM. Not looking forward to a 3 hr drive before running for 1:30+.
Looks like a hot one tomorrow throughout New England, even at 6,288 ft above sea level.
June 17th, 2010 - Track - Chelmsford, MA - 6
Day 168 - GLRR track workout at Chelmsford High under grey skies and in between light rain drops.
It felt cold when we were warming up, but by the time we got started on the first 2K, it was nice and toasty, about as perfect as it can get for running.
Going down the ladder for this workout, which was a first for me. 400 rest in between:
2000 - 7:15
1600 - 5:45
1200 - 4:12
800 - 2:41
400 - 1:13
400 - 1:10
Completed most of the workout with Frank, alternating the lead part-way through each interval.
An awesome track workout overall after having not gone to track for over two weeks.
New GLRR member, Yvette, made it out for her first track workout as she is preparing for her first tri in early August. Coach gave her plenty of good advice and she expects to back for more in the coming weeks.
It felt cold when we were warming up, but by the time we got started on the first 2K, it was nice and toasty, about as perfect as it can get for running.
Going down the ladder for this workout, which was a first for me. 400 rest in between:
2000 - 7:15
1600 - 5:45
1200 - 4:12
800 - 2:41
400 - 1:13
400 - 1:10
Completed most of the workout with Frank, alternating the lead part-way through each interval.
An awesome track workout overall after having not gone to track for over two weeks.
New GLRR member, Yvette, made it out for her first track workout as she is preparing for her first tri in early August. Coach gave her plenty of good advice and she expects to back for more in the coming weeks.
June 16th, 2010 - Training - Lowell, MA - 3.5
Day 167 - Not much to report today other than a nice sub-7 tempo run on the Good Times course. Trail running has definitely help strengthen different parts of my leg, and being back on the road feels "different".
Plan is to do more trail running throughout the summer and fall. I am hoping to catch at least one mountain race before the series is over, preferably Ascutney or Cranmore (my favorite). I am definitely not doing Loon-ey mountain this year. There's mountain running and then there's Loon running.
It's been a pretty quiet week (relative to last week) heading into the mother of all mountain races, Mt. Washington. I still can't comprehend what this race will be like, and how I'll feel once I reach the top. I wonder if it'll feel like my first Boston Marathon. Complete exhilaration overwhelmed by complete exhaustion. Or was it the other way around.
The goal leading into this run is to be well-rested, which I've managed to do and feel.
Plan is to do more trail running throughout the summer and fall. I am hoping to catch at least one mountain race before the series is over, preferably Ascutney or Cranmore (my favorite). I am definitely not doing Loon-ey mountain this year. There's mountain running and then there's Loon running.
It's been a pretty quiet week (relative to last week) heading into the mother of all mountain races, Mt. Washington. I still can't comprehend what this race will be like, and how I'll feel once I reach the top. I wonder if it'll feel like my first Boston Marathon. Complete exhilaration overwhelmed by complete exhaustion. Or was it the other way around.
The goal leading into this run is to be well-rested, which I've managed to do and feel.
(One God Damn Hill)
June 15th, 2010 - Training - Lowell State Forest - 5
Day 166 - Surveyed an additional 5 miles of the Lowell/Tyngsboro/Dracut state forest with the boys tonight. I brought mosquito spray with me this time, and I also had a better idea of the pretty extensive trail system based on last week's survey/adventure.
Didn't feel like I was lost at all, but I still used the map function on the Garmin to make sure I didn't go too off course. This has got to be the most useful function on the Garmin...other than the GPS/Heart Monitor/Time/Splits/History/Training Partner/Split Screens/Alerts.
Explored some gnarly looking fresh trails and ended up at a pond around the halfway mark as the sun was beginning to set. Pretty romantic, but I didn't have anyone to share the moment with other than two slobbering dogs.
I'll take that.
Didn't feel like I was lost at all, but I still used the map function on the Garmin to make sure I didn't go too off course. This has got to be the most useful function on the Garmin...other than the GPS/Heart Monitor/Time/Splits/History/Training Partner/Split Screens/Alerts.
Explored some gnarly looking fresh trails and ended up at a pond around the halfway mark as the sun was beginning to set. Pretty romantic, but I didn't have anyone to share the moment with other than two slobbering dogs.
I'll take that.
(Faces only a mother could love...OK, and a father)
June 14th, 2010 - Training - Mine Falls, NH - 3.1
Day 165 - The original plan was to run the 5 mile trail course at the great Mines Falls summer trail series put on by GCS. That plan went to poopy when the boss made me late.
I got up there at 6:40PM, 10 minutes after the race (5K and 5 Miler) had started, and most of the 5K'ers were already coming back to the finish when I headed into the woods to look for Fil, with Teddy and Scooter.
I caught Fil and EJ at the 4 mile mark, and I ran back, on the opposite bank, with the boys. We got to the finish just as the two of them finished the 5 mile race.
In the end, I opted to run a cool down with Fil on part of the 5 mile course. Jessica, Linda, Mike G., Mike S., and Heather H. (coming back from an injury) were also there tonight. Good to see you guys!
Next week's plan is to enjoy the Mine Falls 5 Miler, since next Tuesday is the start of the Good Times summer series, and I'll still be recovering from the Mt. Olympus run on Saturday.
I got up there at 6:40PM, 10 minutes after the race (5K and 5 Miler) had started, and most of the 5K'ers were already coming back to the finish when I headed into the woods to look for Fil, with Teddy and Scooter.
I caught Fil and EJ at the 4 mile mark, and I ran back, on the opposite bank, with the boys. We got to the finish just as the two of them finished the 5 mile race.
In the end, I opted to run a cool down with Fil on part of the 5 mile course. Jessica, Linda, Mike G., Mike S., and Heather H. (coming back from an injury) were also there tonight. Good to see you guys!
Next week's plan is to enjoy the Mine Falls 5 Miler, since next Tuesday is the start of the Good Times summer series, and I'll still be recovering from the Mt. Olympus run on Saturday.
Milestone Day, 2010 - Race - Exeter, NH - 4.5
Day 164 - I love it when I get to time a race. I love it when I get paid to time a race. I love it when I get paid to time a race and also run the race. I love it when I get paid to time a race and also run the race and also win the race.
The race was put on by GoLite Footwear and Acidotic Racing on one of the MOST technical trails I've ever had the experience to race on. We're talking roots, rocks, wooden planks, mud pits, streams, ankle rolls, bad spills, and total awesomeness! These trails were carved out by trail/mountain bikers, so there's no rhyme or reason other than extreme difficulty.
I was given a free entry by the RD to run the 4.6 mile course with the understanding that I'd be back in time to record and post results for the 4.6 and, the main event, the 10 miler. So the pressure was on for me to not get myself killed out on the course, and to get back in time to time the race.
I started the race with everyone else after giving instructions to the wonderful volunteers who would help me record the finishing times for both races.
The course went from pavement to single track in under 10 seconds and it only got crazier from there. There was a wooden plank crossing right away and I nearly bit it on that portion.
The skies were threatening all morning, so there wasn't much light to begin with, and it got even darker the further you went into the woods. At one point, I actually had trouble seeing he forest floor! Not good when you're running a technical course. Even worse when you have other runners breathing down your neck on a tight single track course.
Trail racing is mentally and physically demanding, more so than most other races over the same distance. You are constantly focused and looking down to avoid natural obstacles. There's no time to relax or lose focus. The moment you lose focus is the moment you catch your foot on a root or rock and go tumbling down. Hard.
My worse injury last year was actually at the Wapack 16 miler trail race, another really technical course. I came off of a ledge, 4 miles in, and turned my ankle. I heard the distinct pop in my ankle and knew it was all over. I stupidly tried to continue on for another mile (hoping to catch a ride at the 5th mile aid station), only to limp-hike back the 5 miles to the start. I knew I had done something nasty the moment I took off my shoe.
Today's race was only my second trail race since the Wapack late last year, and I could still hear the "pop" sound replaying in my mind as I raced through the first mile.
I had no idea who I was racing against since the 4.6 and 10 milers started together. I was passed by a handful of runners early on, some of which I knew were running the 10 miler. It wasn't until a little after the first mile (7:57) that the two courses diverged, and the two groups went their separate ways. I continued on with the 4.6 mile course and found myself all alone. Nobody in front. Nobody behind.
I picked up the pace a bit as I wanted to see if I could catch anyone in front of me. Nobody.
I quickly went by a couple of very vocal volunteers directing traffic, but didn't bother asking if anyone else had come through ahead of me. I wanted to find out myself. I did however use the volunteers to gauge how far in front I was of the person behind me. After passing them, I mentally started to count the seconds between my passing and the sound of the volunteers directing the next runner. 15 seconds.
I started to really get comfortable and even relaxed a bit! And right on cue, I came down awkwardly on a group of rocks and did a quick ankle roll and tweak. That was close.
My focus was back and I went through the next couple of miles (7:58,8:27) as hard as I could, with the idea that I had a shot at finishing in 1st place! I once again used another group of volunteers to detect the runners behind me. 30 seconds!
I thought I had at least another mile to go when I realized how close I was to the finish. Did I miss a turn somewhere? No. The course was really well-marked and the other runners were right behind me throughout the race. Richie Blake, who's been up in these woods before, later told me that it's normal to lose satellite reception and for the Garmin to be off.
The last mile was brutal with a couple of "camel humps" to climb over. but it did give me a nice view of the course behind me. It looked like the race was mine to win as long as I could hang on.
I popped out of the woods at mile 4 (8:08) and dashed through the finish chute that I had set up 32 minutes prior! That was interesting.
I quickly went into race timer mode and got everything ready for the other finishers. The volunteers did their part superbly and the final results went off without a hitch. Thanks, guys!
The official results for the 4.6 miler confirmed that this was my 1st overall finish at any race (not named Fudgicle)! I collected my prize (6 pack of beer - only in NH) and headed home.
The race was put on by GoLite Footwear and Acidotic Racing on one of the MOST technical trails I've ever had the experience to race on. We're talking roots, rocks, wooden planks, mud pits, streams, ankle rolls, bad spills, and total awesomeness! These trails were carved out by trail/mountain bikers, so there's no rhyme or reason other than extreme difficulty.
I was given a free entry by the RD to run the 4.6 mile course with the understanding that I'd be back in time to record and post results for the 4.6 and, the main event, the 10 miler. So the pressure was on for me to not get myself killed out on the course, and to get back in time to time the race.
I started the race with everyone else after giving instructions to the wonderful volunteers who would help me record the finishing times for both races.
The course went from pavement to single track in under 10 seconds and it only got crazier from there. There was a wooden plank crossing right away and I nearly bit it on that portion.
The skies were threatening all morning, so there wasn't much light to begin with, and it got even darker the further you went into the woods. At one point, I actually had trouble seeing he forest floor! Not good when you're running a technical course. Even worse when you have other runners breathing down your neck on a tight single track course.
Trail racing is mentally and physically demanding, more so than most other races over the same distance. You are constantly focused and looking down to avoid natural obstacles. There's no time to relax or lose focus. The moment you lose focus is the moment you catch your foot on a root or rock and go tumbling down. Hard.
My worse injury last year was actually at the Wapack 16 miler trail race, another really technical course. I came off of a ledge, 4 miles in, and turned my ankle. I heard the distinct pop in my ankle and knew it was all over. I stupidly tried to continue on for another mile (hoping to catch a ride at the 5th mile aid station), only to limp-hike back the 5 miles to the start. I knew I had done something nasty the moment I took off my shoe.
Today's race was only my second trail race since the Wapack late last year, and I could still hear the "pop" sound replaying in my mind as I raced through the first mile.
I had no idea who I was racing against since the 4.6 and 10 milers started together. I was passed by a handful of runners early on, some of which I knew were running the 10 miler. It wasn't until a little after the first mile (7:57) that the two courses diverged, and the two groups went their separate ways. I continued on with the 4.6 mile course and found myself all alone. Nobody in front. Nobody behind.
I picked up the pace a bit as I wanted to see if I could catch anyone in front of me. Nobody.
I quickly went by a couple of very vocal volunteers directing traffic, but didn't bother asking if anyone else had come through ahead of me. I wanted to find out myself. I did however use the volunteers to gauge how far in front I was of the person behind me. After passing them, I mentally started to count the seconds between my passing and the sound of the volunteers directing the next runner. 15 seconds.
I started to really get comfortable and even relaxed a bit! And right on cue, I came down awkwardly on a group of rocks and did a quick ankle roll and tweak. That was close.
My focus was back and I went through the next couple of miles (7:58,8:27) as hard as I could, with the idea that I had a shot at finishing in 1st place! I once again used another group of volunteers to detect the runners behind me. 30 seconds!
I thought I had at least another mile to go when I realized how close I was to the finish. Did I miss a turn somewhere? No. The course was really well-marked and the other runners were right behind me throughout the race. Richie Blake, who's been up in these woods before, later told me that it's normal to lose satellite reception and for the Garmin to be off.
The last mile was brutal with a couple of "camel humps" to climb over. but it did give me a nice view of the course behind me. It looked like the race was mine to win as long as I could hang on.
I popped out of the woods at mile 4 (8:08) and dashed through the finish chute that I had set up 32 minutes prior! That was interesting.
I quickly went into race timer mode and got everything ready for the other finishers. The volunteers did their part superbly and the final results went off without a hitch. Thanks, guys!
The official results for the 4.6 miler confirmed that this was my 1st overall finish at any race (not named Fudgicle)! I collected my prize (6 pack of beer - only in NH) and headed home.
(What my ankle looked like after my "slight" tweak up above)
June 12th, 2010 - Race - Somerville, MA - 1.0
Day 163 - Matt, Fil, and I carpooled for the trip down to the Tufts University track for the 6th Annual Club Challenge Cup Marathon Relay Challenge Race Cup hosted by the fine folks at SRR.
The three of us were running under the GLRR flag, along with 23 others from GLRR.
It's definitely a unique event where each team member runs a minimum of 1 mile on the track. Fastest aggregate time over the 26.2 mile distance determines the winner.
Very cool to see the different clubs and familiar faces out there.
Matt was up first for the .2 sprint, and he gave everything he had for this leg. Unfortunately, he still had to run his mile about 42 minutes later. Next year's strategy is to just have the .2 sprinter run their mile right away in order to avoid the wait.
Team captain and organizer extraordinaire, and the man with more than one name, Chip "Skip" "Walter" Mann followed Matt with a 6:19 mile.
Chip's daughter, Karen, followed with a double mile (we were one short the required minimum of 10 females)! She completed this ultra leg with a steady 7:58 per mile pace. Thanks for stepping up Karen and congratulations on the upcmoming wedding!
Round and round we went. One after another as the morning wore on and the temps began to rise:
Paul Kelly - 6:34
Melanie Hire - 6:18
Lindsey Hire - 7:22
Matt Story - 5:58 (Don't forget, he did the .2 sprint 40 minutes prior)
Fil Faria - 5:23
Joe Ferris - 7:06
Steve Kanaracus - 6:51
Kerry Stronach - 7:05
Jim Stronach - 5:57 (with a bum achilles!)
Jason Bui - 5:09 (I was going for a sub 5. Seven seconds from my Millennium Mile PR of 5:02).
Paula Canela - 8:29 (Wins for projected time guess of 8:30)
Tom Offenbacher - 5:10 (Probably faster if he didn't have a 10 month old to chase around, or did it help?)
Unfortunately, Matt, Fil, and I had to leave at this point and was not able to witness the following great runs...
Mark Corbett - 6:44
Debbie Corbett - 8:28
Jim Shelton - 9:04
Andrea Shelton - 16:00
Cody Friehofer - 4:58 (Fastest GLRR time of the day! Also battled Tom for tallest GLRR of the day)
Charlie Knutson - 5:18
Don Salamone - 5:39
Jessica Costa - 7:18 (Stop holding out and get on Facebook, girl! And Tell EJ too!)
Andrew Pupa - 5:30 (Sandbag Award Winner - Projected 7:30)
Doug Sylvester - 8:44
Melissa Sylvester - 15:45
Jon Mackenzie and Scott Casper were also out there cheering on the runners! Thanks for coming out guys!
Our official finish time was 3:11:56, which would have been good as a BQ for the 40+ age group. The team's average age was 42. We finished 7th out of a lot of teams...
The overall winning time by SRR: Team Tears was 2:22:36, breaking the course record by about 40 seconds.
GLRR showed its true colors today with club members and family members stepping up to the challenge and coming through, flying with those colors.
I know that I plan on coming back next, and we'll try to field even more GLRR memebers to run in this great event!
Results
Photos by Frank Georges courtesy of Jimrhoades.com
The three of us were running under the GLRR flag, along with 23 others from GLRR.
It's definitely a unique event where each team member runs a minimum of 1 mile on the track. Fastest aggregate time over the 26.2 mile distance determines the winner.
Very cool to see the different clubs and familiar faces out there.
Matt was up first for the .2 sprint, and he gave everything he had for this leg. Unfortunately, he still had to run his mile about 42 minutes later. Next year's strategy is to just have the .2 sprinter run their mile right away in order to avoid the wait.
Team captain and organizer extraordinaire, and the man with more than one name, Chip "Skip" "Walter" Mann followed Matt with a 6:19 mile.
Chip's daughter, Karen, followed with a double mile (we were one short the required minimum of 10 females)! She completed this ultra leg with a steady 7:58 per mile pace. Thanks for stepping up Karen and congratulations on the upcmoming wedding!
Round and round we went. One after another as the morning wore on and the temps began to rise:
Paul Kelly - 6:34
Melanie Hire - 6:18
Lindsey Hire - 7:22
Matt Story - 5:58 (Don't forget, he did the .2 sprint 40 minutes prior)
Fil Faria - 5:23
Joe Ferris - 7:06
Steve Kanaracus - 6:51
Kerry Stronach - 7:05
Jim Stronach - 5:57 (with a bum achilles!)
Jason Bui - 5:09 (I was going for a sub 5. Seven seconds from my Millennium Mile PR of 5:02).
Paula Canela - 8:29 (Wins for projected time guess of 8:30)
Tom Offenbacher - 5:10 (Probably faster if he didn't have a 10 month old to chase around, or did it help?)
Unfortunately, Matt, Fil, and I had to leave at this point and was not able to witness the following great runs...
Mark Corbett - 6:44
Debbie Corbett - 8:28
Jim Shelton - 9:04
Andrea Shelton - 16:00
Cody Friehofer - 4:58 (Fastest GLRR time of the day! Also battled Tom for tallest GLRR of the day)
Charlie Knutson - 5:18
Don Salamone - 5:39
Jessica Costa - 7:18 (Stop holding out and get on Facebook, girl! And Tell EJ too!)
Andrew Pupa - 5:30 (Sandbag Award Winner - Projected 7:30)
Doug Sylvester - 8:44
Melissa Sylvester - 15:45
Jon Mackenzie and Scott Casper were also out there cheering on the runners! Thanks for coming out guys!
Our official finish time was 3:11:56, which would have been good as a BQ for the 40+ age group. The team's average age was 42. We finished 7th out of a lot of teams...
The overall winning time by SRR: Team Tears was 2:22:36, breaking the course record by about 40 seconds.
GLRR showed its true colors today with club members and family members stepping up to the challenge and coming through, flying with those colors.
I know that I plan on coming back next, and we'll try to field even more GLRR memebers to run in this great event!
Results
Photos by Frank Georges courtesy of Jimrhoades.com
Rachel's "21st" Birthday, 2010 - Training - Lowell, MA - 3.1
Day 162 - After spending a lovely evening in Boston looking for trouble, celebrating the wife's "21st" birthday, I got my drunk ass home and prepared for another late night run. Stupid running.
I tried something new tonight to keep things interesting (Hey, get your mind out of the gutter! That's my wife!) for my RUN. I recently got hooked on audio books in MP3 format, which have saved me from receiving 5-10 years for road rage during my commute.
I decided to give it a shot for a run. Audio books on the run! Brilliant!
Actually, not that great for running, especially when you're listening to George Friedman's very dry Next 100 Years. It's basically like running with Fil. Blah, blah, blah, blah...shutup!
Man, I gotta stop writing these entries drunk.
I'll regret it in the morning. I just know it.
I hope Fil doesn't read this before our carpool to the 26.2 mile relay....
On a non-drunken rant note, I just posted the HD version of the GLRR party at the Bedford 12K on YouTwitFace, but you can read and see all about it on my original posting here.
Now leave me alone..........I love you man. You're my best.......shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
(I promise, more Family Guy videos going forward)
I tried something new tonight to keep things interesting (Hey, get your mind out of the gutter! That's my wife!) for my RUN. I recently got hooked on audio books in MP3 format, which have saved me from receiving 5-10 years for road rage during my commute.
I decided to give it a shot for a run. Audio books on the run! Brilliant!
Actually, not that great for running, especially when you're listening to George Friedman's very dry Next 100 Years. It's basically like running with Fil. Blah, blah, blah, blah...shutup!
Man, I gotta stop writing these entries drunk.
I'll regret it in the morning. I just know it.
I hope Fil doesn't read this before our carpool to the 26.2 mile relay....
On a non-drunken rant note, I just posted the HD version of the GLRR party at the Bedford 12K on YouTwitFace, but you can read and see all about it on my original posting here.
Now leave me alone..........I love you man. You're my best.......shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
(I promise, more Family Guy videos going forward)
June 10th, 2010 - Race - Hollis, NH - 3.1
(Showing Titus' how it's done in Lowell!)
Day 161 - Going to these races now is like going to a family reunion, but not as painful. Well, sometimes it can be, especially if you pull a groin muscle.
I'm starting to see the same faces at the races: The crazy uncle, the cool aunt, and the grandfather that lets you drink whiskey.
Tonight was the Hollis *HOLY CRAP* Fast 5K family reunion.
The usuals were there: Ben, Titus, Kara, Jim H., Jon M., Double-D, Dan V. and even the crazy uncle that likes to run thousands of miles that I rarely ever see, Jim R. (that's for your little shot at me at the end of the race, Jim :D)!
I left work at 4PM and the weather looked ideal (60's, overcast, cool) as long as the rain stayed away.
I picked up Titus in Lowell and we got up to a wet Hollis by 5:30PM. The rain was coming down in buckets while we were on Route 3 North, but it had subsided by the time we checked in at the Alpine Grove.
Hollis always does an incredible job with their races, as I recall running the Applefest Half late last year. Any race that is point to point and requires bussing is challenge, but the Hollis organizers and their volunteers always do a tremendous job! Thanks, guys and gals, for making it easy for us runners!
Titus, Jill, and myself got ourselves on the school bus in order to get to the start 3.5 miles away. Fortunately, this race isn't like the Comrades Ultra in South Africa where the course goes in reverse every other year. Like at Sugarloaf, the runners get a sneak peak at the course while riding out to the start.
We had about 20 minutes to warmup when we got up to the starting area, which was already jam packed with frigid looking runners huddled together for warmth. Titus and I jogged around the block a few times, running into more familiar faces including Frank the Camera Guy Tonight.
I managed to basically run into every other GLRR member that was supposed to be here tonight including teammates Mike B. and Jeff C. We quickly said our hellos and good lucks and off we went.
All of the youngins' and oldins' lined up in a rush when the RD gave the command to close off the street. I guess everybody was going to run a 5 minute pace tonight.
I had my foot on the now slick "gator" (start mat) when the gun went off, and down I almost went! I managed to catch my balance and move forward with the rushing crowd. Yikes! That would have been bad.
It only got worse after that as runners of all ages surrounded me, whooping and hollering like it was a Miley Cyrus concert. Besides battling with the flowing mass of over-excited teeny-boppers, I also had to dodge some good size puddles.
The experience of the first right-hand turn can only be likened to the experience of a roller coaster ride right before it free falls. Kids are screaming, adults are cheering, and all you can do is go with the flow of gravity.
Kara surged up from behind me and zig-zagged her way through the crowd. I took her cue and followed right in step behind her as we worked our way to the front, where it was a little bit more orderly and less crowded.
It was at least a good half-mile before I was able to get into a comfortable pace and start to focus on the race, instead of trying to survive. The ones that were truly here to race were now all in front of me.
I got through Mile 1 in 5:27. My race plan was to try to stay below 5:28 early on, but to not also go out too fast. Frank later told me that when he ran 17:14 here a few years before, he and Jim went through Mile 1 in about 5 minutes!
Kara was now breaking away from me and had about a 5 second lead, and growing. She looked to be in top form and passing other runners (all male) with ease.
I purposedly wore my Newtons tonight knowing that the ground would be wet. I tend to get poor traction in wet conditions with my Nike Lunars, albiet they tend to be faster when conditions were the same. I knew speed wasn't going to be an issue on a downhill course like this, so traction and footing was the key for tonight.
It didn't appear that I was making much progress on the pack in front of me and Kara was looking smaller and smaller every second. I was either slowing down or they were all picking up the pace. I just stuck to my race plan and got through Mile 2 in about 5:28.
Total elapsed time at this point was about 10:55, so I knew that I would have to have a hell of a fast last 1.1 miles to be anywhere under my race goal of 17 minutes.
For some reason, I kept on thinking in the back of my mind that we were going to come up on a hill at some point. No way could there be a road that was completely downhill for 5K! Boy was I wrong. This is a race that you just have to run once to experience the strange feeling of racing downhill over its entirety. Very cool!
Although "very cool", the downhill action definitely made it difficult to gauge if I was slowing down or not. I began to lean forward at this point to gain whatever advantage I could from this damn course. Apparently it worked as I began to reel in one runner after another.
I was about 5 seconds behind Kara at this point, and she started to look back, more than once. I guess when you're the lead runner, for your gender, you tend to get nervous when you hear footsteps near the end of a race. My guess was right on. Unlike at the Good Times series where Kara is the one catching me and making me all nervous, I managed to repay her the favor here. I caught up to her with about a 3/4th's of a mile to go and she said that she thought I was a female runner. I told her that I get that a lot. I parted ways with Kara by telling her what she has shown me many times before, "Finish Strong!"
I continued on and managed to pick off two more runners at the 3 Mile mark (5:29). Total elapsed time of 16:23, giving me a little more than 30 seconds to sprint the last ".10". The one thing that I've learned is that it's never .10, but whatever it was, it was going to be really close. Also, because this was a Camire timed race, there of course had to be the, by now patented, sharp turn right before the finish. See Wild Rover #1.
All I could remember at this point was just letting my body fall forward and whatever happened, happened. I managed an average pace of 5 min/mile over the final stretch, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
I saw 17:03, 04, 05...as I crossed the line. My official time ended up being 17:08.
Kara came in right behind me to capture first place overall female with a time of 17:28 (3rd victory here!).
Teammate Jeff C. arrived shortly thereafter with a time of 17:39. Here's proof:
(I'm just glad he's on our team!)
Ben took 1st overall, for the second time in three years, with a time of 15:15! Titus finished 3rd. Not bad considering he didn't know about the race until the day before.
Jill had a "crappy" race but still managed to take home 1st place in her age group. Hey, you can only race whoever shows up, girl! Nice job and don't be so hard on yourself!
I thought I had entered GLRR in the co-ed club division, but apparently, Dave's super timing computer figured otherwise. Jeff, Titus, and myself ended up taking home 2nd overall in the Male Open division for GLRR (over CMS I might add)!
UPDATE: We also took 1st place for the Co-Ed team! Woohoo!
Results
(Stupid .05, I'll get you next year)
One of my other goals for this year is to crack 60 on the RunningAhead VO2 calc. Like the race itself, this was also a close one.
Now that I've race down "only one hill", I get to look forward to running up "only one hill" in a little over a week.
June 9th, 2010 - Training - Lowell, MA - 3.15
Day 160 - It was quite refreshing tonight to run without 100% humidity. It's been a very warm and muggy spring, especially during some of the races. Felt great at the end of the run, and managed to get below a 7 min pace without much effort at all. A good sign given that we're almost halfway through the year.
Legs feel incredibly refreshed after taking it easy at the final Good Times race last night.
Looking forward to a great individual and team run at Hollis tomorrow night.
Plan was to post Bedford 12K GLRR interview tonight, but computer crashed just as I was going to save the watered down version of the great footage put together by the local Bedford cable channel.
Should be up by tomorrow or Friday.
*Mileage updated for 365 Day Race.*
Legs feel incredibly refreshed after taking it easy at the final Good Times race last night.
Looking forward to a great individual and team run at Hollis tomorrow night.
Plan was to post Bedford 12K GLRR interview tonight, but computer crashed just as I was going to save the watered down version of the great footage put together by the local Bedford cable channel.
Should be up by tomorrow or Friday.
*Mileage updated for 365 Day Race.*
June 8th, 2010 - Race - Lowell, MA - 3.1
Day 159 - There's one thing that I learned tonight: The people in the back of the pack work just as hard as those in front of them. It was inspiring to be running with these folks tonight.
Tonight was the final race in the Good Times Spring series, which typically marks the end of spring and the beginning of summer. This year is just flying by!
I ran with Scooter for this final race (his first 5K road race) A) to see if he could repeat his performance from Maine B) to take it easy and rest up for the Hollis Fast 5K on Thursday where I plan to set a 5K PR that I won't be able to break for at least another year.
Scooter and I started in the back of the pack and made little progress throughout the race. Too many other runners, and too little room to maneuver. It took us a little over 30 minutes to complete the course at about a 9:30 pace, finishing 204th overall out of 265 (another record turn out)! Scooter should be able to break that PR in the future.
We actually could have finished under 30 minutes if *somebody* didn't pull a Mile 14 on me, at Mile 2!
During the run, I discovered that Scooter is very skiddish when it comes to cars whizzing by on the VFW, especially motorcycles. Something about getting hit by them that scares the crap out of him. Scooter is definitely a trail racing dog. He was definitely not his usual speedster self tonight, but did manage to pick up some speed on the quieter sections of the course.
I will have to give Teddy a try out during the summer series to see how he does on the road, but the fat-ass needs to lose a little weight first.
(Don't let the worker bee costume fool you)
I had a blast running with some of the people I know, but never get a chance to see during the race itself. It was also pretty cool to see the stream of people ahead of me, crossing the bridge and going down the VFW. I still can't believe the number of people that run this race on a weekly basis!
Overall, it was an awesome race and series. Made some new friends, and probably made some more enemies.
Congratulations to all of the runners that ran, and all of those that won an award this season. I collected my 1st Place Age Group award, along with another Golden Miley, at the usual kick-ass post-race party.
Nice job by Joe Donnelly (he's still getting faster, holy sh!t) and Liane Pancoast for taking the overall prize!
Looking forward to the summer series and setting some more Good Times PR's!
Bring it on, Festus!
June 7th, 2010 - Training - Lowell/Tewksbury - 3.15
Day 158 - I lied yesterday when I said I didn't have anything major on my race schedule until Mt. Washington on the 19th.
I almost completely forgot that I had signed up for the Hollis Fast 5K this Thursday evening! If everything goes as planned, I should be able to set a new 5K PR here that I won't be able to break for at least another 364 days.
Jill T. messaged me tonight to see if I wanted to run as a team at the 5K. One of the fastest ladies I know around here, and she wants to run with me in a competitive race?! Hell YES! We plan on running under the GLRR banner as a coed team. We just need one more runner to make it official...anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The area's fastest 5K should be a nice warm-up to the marathon relay competition this Saturday at the Tufts University track. Will also be running this race with GLRR. Fantasy is to run a sub-4 minute mile when it's my turn. Reality is to not make a fool of myself in front of the 10 lovely ladies on my team.
The only other race on the schedule is tomorrow night at the last Good Times Spring Series race of the season (Hooray! for the summer series in two weeks!) Going to save my run for Thursday, so I'll be bringing a mystery celebrity guest runner with me to have a little fun at this one.
Speaking of dead old guys (just kidding, running dad!), in the midst of all this, Fil Faria is going for an unbelievable 5K extravaganza! It even out kicks me in the "you are wal-nuts" category. With all of the planets, stars, and blackholes aligned, Fil is attempting to race in 8 straight 5K's, starting this past Saturday at the Faria Foxboro 5K where he came in 2nd in his age group! Garnering him an awesome $40 tech shirt coupon redeemable somewhere, but not at the store that sponsored the race. Huh?
He then went onto a respectable race at the Rhody 5K, and SCORED for GLRR at this tough GP event under very tough conditions.
Tonight, Fil completed race #3 with a nice, easy run with his son, Deric, at the first Mine Falls 5K trail race of the season. To top it off, he ran home (about another 5K) to cool down!
Here's how his scheduled has looked, and will look, in the coming week:
Saturday - 6/5/10 - Faria Foxboro 5K
Sunday - 6/6/10 - Rhody 5K
Monday - 6/7/10 - Mine Falls 5K
Tuesday - 6/8/10 - Good Times 5K
Wednesday - 6/9/10 - Danvers 5K
Thursday - 6/10/10 - Hollis Fast 5K
Friday - 6/11/10 - Lowell General ER 5K
Saturday - 6/12/10 - McDonough Funeral Home 5K
Sunday - 6/13/10 - St. Patrick's Cemetary 5K
Flowers can be sent in c/o of me.
Tonight's training run was an interesting one. I had to pick up some items at Home Depot, so I asked if Rachel wanted to race me to the store. Her in her car, and me in my, two "wheel", human powered body.
She gave me a 10 minute headstart.
In the end, we ended up at the front door of the Tewksbury Home Depot in a dead tie. Tie goes to the wife with the keys to the car, and my ride home.
I almost completely forgot that I had signed up for the Hollis Fast 5K this Thursday evening! If everything goes as planned, I should be able to set a new 5K PR here that I won't be able to break for at least another 364 days.
Jill T. messaged me tonight to see if I wanted to run as a team at the 5K. One of the fastest ladies I know around here, and she wants to run with me in a competitive race?! Hell YES! We plan on running under the GLRR banner as a coed team. We just need one more runner to make it official...anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The area's fastest 5K should be a nice warm-up to the marathon relay competition this Saturday at the Tufts University track. Will also be running this race with GLRR. Fantasy is to run a sub-4 minute mile when it's my turn. Reality is to not make a fool of myself in front of the 10 lovely ladies on my team.
The only other race on the schedule is tomorrow night at the last Good Times Spring Series race of the season (Hooray! for the summer series in two weeks!) Going to save my run for Thursday, so I'll be bringing a mystery celebrity guest runner with me to have a little fun at this one.
(I didn't say the "guess" had to to be alive)
Speaking of dead old guys (just kidding, running dad!), in the midst of all this, Fil Faria is going for an unbelievable 5K extravaganza! It even out kicks me in the "you are wal-nuts" category. With all of the planets, stars, and blackholes aligned, Fil is attempting to race in 8 straight 5K's, starting this past Saturday at the Faria Foxboro 5K where he came in 2nd in his age group! Garnering him an awesome $40 tech shirt coupon redeemable somewhere, but not at the store that sponsored the race. Huh?
He then went onto a respectable race at the Rhody 5K, and SCORED for GLRR at this tough GP event under very tough conditions.
Tonight, Fil completed race #3 with a nice, easy run with his son, Deric, at the first Mine Falls 5K trail race of the season. To top it off, he ran home (about another 5K) to cool down!
Here's how his scheduled has looked, and will look, in the coming week:
Saturday - 6/5/10 - Faria Foxboro 5K
Sunday - 6/6/10 - Rhody 5K
Monday - 6/7/10 - Mine Falls 5K
Tuesday - 6/8/10 - Good Times 5K
Wednesday - 6/9/10 - Danvers 5K
Thursday - 6/10/10 - Hollis Fast 5K
Friday - 6/11/10 - Lowell General ER 5K
Saturday - 6/12/10 - McDonough Funeral Home 5K
Sunday - 6/13/10 - St. Patrick's Cemetary 5K
Flowers can be sent in c/o of me.
Tonight's training run was an interesting one. I had to pick up some items at Home Depot, so I asked if Rachel wanted to race me to the store. Her in her car, and me in my, two "wheel", human powered body.
She gave me a 10 minute headstart.
In the end, we ended up at the front door of the Tewksbury Home Depot in a dead tie. Tie goes to the wife with the keys to the car, and my ride home.
June 6th, 2010 - Race - Lincoln, RI - 3.1
Day 157 - Not much to say about the 5K GP race down in Lincoln, RI this morning. OK, let's just say that Fil and I spent more time playing the slots than running the race.
Results
Results
Ran the race (18:07) that I was expecting to run given the conditions (upper 70's and very humid), and with my self-diagnosed bruised sternum and fractured left foot (receiving my online medical degree in a couple of years).
Only managed to be the first GLRR finisher because John Barbour is recovering from an injury, and Mike Shanahan is GP cursed. Mike is "getting over" a very serious chest cold. Get better my friend. I want to see you at the top of your game at one of these!
Great spread afterwards, and always great company at these things.
Highlight of the day was coming across this restaurant that shared my wife's chinese name. We're going to go there to see if we can collect royalties:
(Cha-Ching!)
Congrats to Maggie Brice and Christine Murray on their marathon run in San Diego!
Nothing major on the race schedule until June 19th...
(Pfffffttt...anyone can do this in a car!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)