Cohasset Rotary Road Race by the Sea 10K

With the Frank Nealon Boston Tune Up 15K cancelled early on Saturday, I started to consider a replacement race for the weekend. The Cohasset Rotary Road Race by the Sea 10K was an option for Sunday. Dan and Katrina Vassallo were heading down to the race. We picked up Gregory Putnam on the way. Dan has a lot of history at this race (multiple wins) while it was also a local one for Gregory when he lived on the South Shore. I got feedback from both on the course terrain and what to expect which was emphasis on a rolling course after 2.5 miles.

The three CMS jacketed amigos strutted into registration. 2/3 of these guys were locks for overall win and masters win. Me? Get in a hard effort before Boston, break in the shoes, and not embarrass the CMS singlet. I rolled out at the start, finding a 5:42 opening mile on Atlantic Ave. I was in about 13^th place. A few strides ahead, I noted what looked like another master runner in a black singlet (Dave Dugan). He was popular among the few spectators on the course. I caught up to him at mile two, the ocean visible to our right. The hills came upon us. I would lose a few strides to Dave going up the hills but I would rebound on the other side with some effort.

The race course took a 90 degree left onto Forest Ave, off Jerusalem Rd, with us now leaving the scenic ocean to our right hand side. It was the steepest hill so far and it took the wind out of my sails (actually all of them did). Dave went by me with encouraging words. Once at the top, I managed to reel him back in and get back ahead of him. Kids were now on the course sporadically, seeking high fives so I reached out. Must have made their day! I passed by any and all water stops along the way. 4 miles went by and it started to get quiet behind me. I did not want to peek pack, just wanted to keep the pressure on myself. I would keep in touch with the applause behind me from there to the finish. Dave was close all the way to the end where I was just 9 seconds up on Dave at the finish line. I placed 8^th overall, 2^nd master behind Gregory (by 2.5 minutes), with a time of 37:02 (5:58 per mile pace).

I turned back to acknowledge Dave for the battle during the race. I headed out for a cool down with Dan (he got the win with his best time on the course) and Gregory. They planned on the 3.75 loop that we warmed up on. I cut that short and went through another neighborhood that dropped me right off to the finish line and common area (about 2 miles). Anthony Everett, news anchor and host of Chronicle, handled the awards and called out the winners, top 3 in each age group in an expedited fashion. The age group winners walked into the hall and did a sweep of one of three tables according to your place. My 2^nd place got me a small swag bag from the race sponsors. Earlier, I scored a 1980’s style trucker hat from a free bin. That was worth it.