Run A Latke 5K - Swampscott

Nice downhill start out to Humphrey Street had the legs rolling quicker into mile 1, 6:39. I got some encouragement from a fellow competitor in the hills of Puritan running away from the Ocean views. A Soul Sister passed us. Mile two was on Humphrey Street (7:06) and I lost some strides to those two. Thought I would have a sprint from the church at the last hill for the last 400m but nadda, nothing. Mile 3 was a 7:08 split. GPS gave me 6:57 pace for the 5K for the 9th place finish but North Shore Timing mat to mat gave me seven even. Not bad.

Good spread of veggies, tuna, bagels, latke, et cetera inside. Photos by Krissy. 

Festivus 5K

1 mile warm up on Pickering Wharf with Ian Edwards from Finz. First time running this race. Got the scoop and course layout from Krissy who ran or took photos years ago. Weather was decent, some head wind when heading north. Pretty even splits around 7:11 to 7:20. A few hills broke me but it all evened out in the end. No cool down, stayed in Finz for water and a banana. Overall fun event with plenty of Sienfeld Festivus or ugly Christmas Sweater themes going on. 22:24 for the 5K. 

Thanks for the Trails 5K before a root canal

Woke up and did not want to run alone on this Friday after Thanksgiving. Drove the Rabbit Pickup (big red) over to Patton Park in Hamilton arriving 20 minutes before the 10AM start. I was 4th here last year, running 18:XX. Fun cross country race with a nice hill in the last mile. Temps in the low 40's but the sun was warm if not feeling the wind. Warmed up for about a mile and got over to the start line.

About 150 runners working the Turkey off from yesterday. I settled in after the horn behind Jenn Brooks (CMS / Team Gloucester). I was huffing and puffing all the way. Lost a few spots in the 2nd mile and then two more in the last 3/4 of a mile. Still had fun, pace feeling quicker than 24 hours ago in Lynn with the Lynne's Kids 3 mile. I finished with a time of 22:38.5, 33rd place. 6th out of 16 in the 40-49 age group. GPS measured out to 3.03 miles, compared to the 3.02 mile road race yesterday. Todays splits were 7:01, 7:22 and 8:06. And yes, getting a root canal this afternoon. Good times! Results

Video

Pictures!

Lynne's Kids Turkey Trot

First race since the DNF at the Masters New England XC Championships on Nov 3rd. Took two weeks off since then and ran 1 mile, 2.5, and 2.7 miles in the Monday through Wednesday this week. Krissy was walking with her mom.  The morning rain stopped. I ran over to the race and grabbed my number 5 minutes before the 9:30 AM start.

I saw the gang, Jay Euzikonis, Nakri Dao, Dennis Floyd, Stephen Martin, and Kenny Noyes. Nakri, in the same boat as me, not running a lot, ran with me as we looped around Flax Pond and passed two women after 2 miles. I ignored the watch splits, ran on feel. Breathing heavy, knees held up OK finishing 13th and a time of 23:22 next to Nakri. Dennis took the win! Results

Great Bay 5K

Favorite time of the year for running, not going to lie. Late October, leaves orange and yellow on the tree or falling. Doesn't matter. Ran low 17's a couple of years ago at this Great Bay 5K race a few years ago. Today, fingers crossed and willing, maybe sub 7's or 21 minutes? Easy half mile warm up from the pickup truck to the start line. Settled  in the roomy 3rd row in my black CMS technical tee reminding me of Dave Dunham. Race feels like it falls from Stratham to Greenland, NH. Quick course. CR was broken later that morning (low 15).

Off to a quick, good, clean, start, mile 1 just under goal pace with well over 75 runners single file strung out. Mile 2 was just over seven minute mile pace. Came down to the last mile really with another consistent just barely sub 7 to cross the finish line at 21:41. Translates to 6:59 pace. 84th place, 10th out of 28 in my age group. I will take what I get, battling, yes, racing. Feels so good. Competing. Times will improve with patience and smart diligence. 

Grabbed a water and a slice of watermelon beyond the finish and jogged a mile back to the truck, headed home. Happy. Competing. Keep it simple. 

Great Bay 5K 2019 race results

Essex North Shore Homecoming 5K

My training has been limited with the knees. MRI results a few weeks ago showed a medial meniscus tear in my right knee. The left knee which had the meniscus tear cleaned up in July has been grumpy. I have been running three to four miles about four days per week for the past month. Pace is between 9 and 10 minutes per mile. It is not pretty but it feels good to get out.

Krissy signed us up for the Essex North Shore Homecoming 5K. Our former high school, North Shore Regional Vocational Technical Institute merged with Essex Agricultural in 2014. Nice to see a campus thriving with 1500 students and vibrant athletics. CMS teammate, Dan Verrington is the cross country coach. He graduated from Essex in the early 1980’s. I was looking forward to getting on a start line and seeing how the legs would feel. This was going to be a challenging course with the up and down elevation every mile. My goal was to break 8 minute pace. I spoke with Dan to find that the fastest mile of the 3 mile course was the last.

The race starts and finishes on the track which is at the lowest elevation of the course. I had a dozen of runners ahead of me coming off the start on the track. Big climb up the hill and around the athletic fields and farm land. I had a little bit of a back and forth with a runner heading through the first mile (7:32) which lead us into the 2^nd mile up the hills and across the high point at exactly mile 2. I caught three high school kids along the way back to the finish but had to deal with a lap around the track.

One of the kids I passed earlier came back with 100m to go. I pushed side by side with him for as long as I could handle. I let off the throttle at the end fearing that something would pop, break, or collapse. Our chip times would be equal in the end (22:57.3). I placed 6^th overall, 1^st age group. GPS got 3.01 miles. I felt pretty good about the effort. So good to be back in a race. Legs held up OK but the left knee was screaming after I got out of the car an hour later.

Touring Nahant

I got on the fat bike yesterday morning for the first form of activity (beside walking) since meniscus surgery on July 2. I took the opportunity to take a ride from the house through the side streets of Lynn out to the beaches of Nahant (smallest municipality by population in Essex County). Despite having such a nice town three miles away, there is no public parking to speak of which makes this scenic town, surrounded by water so inviting to tour via bicycle. I visited several roads and trails that I have otherwise been running past for years. I got a chance to see additional WWII bunkers in the landscape buried around Lodge Park (East Point Loop Station). All in all, awesome ride for which with plenty of stops for photos, spent over 3 hours on the bike tour.

Boston Scientific Marlborough 5K

It was back to back company races for me with the Boston Scientific Marlborough campus putting on a 5K for the 3^rd year in a row to raise funds for the American Hearth Walk. This race was my 4^th 5K in a row since getting back to the races. My goal was to be competitive in the 40+ age group (top master ran 19:10 last year). The winning time was 18:10.

Not having run this 5K before, I researched the prior year results, course map, and elevation. The first two miles are fast with elevation drop. The last mile plus is all about getting back up to the campus from the bike trail. 

I did not know anyone at the starting line other than my team of seven from Quincy. I settled into 6^th place about 200M after the race got started. Mile one was sure to be quick with the gradual downhill to the Assabet River Bike Trail. My mile one split was 5:45. I tired a bit in the second mile with a 6:15 (30 seconds slower) letting who would be the top master runner get away from me. The last mile was all about climbing with tired legs. I was gassed, only finding energy to keep runners off my heels heading into the finish. My 3^rd mile was just over 7:00! Ouch. I finished 13 seconds behind the top master runner. I placed 6^th place overall and a time of 19:34. My Quincy team placed first overall with a 2^nd, 6^th, and 8^th place overall finish (top 3 score). Following the race, we were greeted with a BBQ and Ice Cream which hit the spot.

Results

Boston Scientific 3 mile - Quincy

I signed Krissy and I up for my companies 3 mile race in Quincy. I am the technical race director and helped the committee with the event the last two years. The Boston Scientific Family Summer Funfest is open to employees and family.  We were expecting over 140 to attend the event which had a little bit of everything for everyone. The race was just an additional attraction. We had 30 runners sign up for the 3 mile and 20 kids for the ¼ mile sprint on the picturesque Boston Scientific campus on the edge of the Neponset River. We had awesome weather, mid 60’s and sun when we arrived at 8:30. Krissy and I helped mark off the 1 mile loop (the race is 3 loops) with spray chalk arrows on the pavement and cones set up in strategic areas.

I grabbed the microphone for the loud speaker at 10:15, made some announcements while Krissy helped out with registration. We got the kids sprint off at 10:40 (10 minutes late) but it was a blast to call it and watch it at the same time. I put the microphone down, threw a singlet on, and made my way down to the starting line for the 3 mile race at 10:55 (10 minutes late). New England Timing got us off and on our way. I jumped up front with Yerry Garita and Ethan White. Yerry won this race last year in 20:42. The one mile loop would be done three times. Each loop contains about 1/3 of a mile of trail and gravel. The loose gravel got harder and harder to run on as the laps went by.

On the mic
Photo by John Picard

The three of us stayed together for the first two laps with co-workers cheering us on. We passed the mile in 6:18 and mile two in 6:33. Our pack broke up a bit in the last half mile with Ethan taking command into the trail. He was pushing the pace pretty good. It would be difficult to pass anyone on the trail along the Neponset River but it could be done with some authority. I had nothing left at the end of the trail and Ethan took a one second lead and stretched it out on the final 150m on the pavement to the finish line. I ran 19:09 (6:15/mile) to his 19:04 (6:17/mile). Yerry was right behind me in 19:39 (6:27/mile).

Ethan taking the win with me in tow
Photo by John Picard

I went back upstairs to the patio and MC’d the rest of the race and event getting folks fired up for the Dunk Tank, kids ready for the Silly Willy magic show. Pizza and an Ice Cream Truck showed up at 11:45. I called out some raffle prize winners and the recapped the overall winners of the race. It was a good time and great to see many smiles on the faces.

                       Boston Scientific 3 Mile Run

                   TIMING/RESULTS BY NEW ENGLAND TIMING

Place       Name                    Sex Sex/Tot  Time  Pace    

===== ===== ======================= === ======== ===== =====

    1    30 Ethan White             M     1/16   19:04  6:15

    2    18 Jim Pawlicki            M     2/16   19:09  6:17

    3     1 Yerry Garita            M     3/16   19:39  6:27

    4     6 Paul Cardoos            M     4/16   20:55  6:52

    5     9 Ed Duggan               M     5/16   21:08  6:56

Scamper for the Campers 5K

I ran this event in 2017 after seeing a race flyer at the Lynn Woods race. The same opportunity came about last Wednesday by means of seeing the flyer. I looked at the 2018 results. Brian Hamill won with a 20:17. We have raced and trained together over the years. I thought I might have a shot at a similar time this year and looked forward to the race after confirming that I could sign up at the race which takes all proceeds for Camp Fire.

I ran to Camp Fire for a 1 mile warm up only to find an empty parking lot. I was directed to Camp Lion which was less than a  mile away so I picked up the pace as I only had 20 minutes to get there, sign up, and get on the starting line. I got on the line with 8 minutes to spare and caught up with Stephen Martin, race director of the Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile, also in Lynn every January. 

Scamper for the Campers 5K start
Photo by Laurie Hamill

After quick instruction from the race director, Laurie Hamill, that the course was two of the exact same loop around Fay’s Estate, the race took off. The course was on the same roads as two years ago, just a new start and finish which did not require to run up Highland Ave at the end. 

I worked my way up to the leader, Dennis Donahue within 30 seconds. Brian joined as well. The three of us went around the first loop of 1.57 miles together, following the Lynn PD SUV. I took less initiation as we saw the mile go by in 6:18 which was quicker than I thought. I eased into the lead with the downhill to the Floating Bridge. The mile two split was 6:10 (did not see it) but now I was running scared as I committed. I got a little peace from the trailing foot steps of Brian and Dennis. I was working out the end of the race in my head. The peace did not last long as Dennis closed in with 400m to go. We had a little climb and I worked it with a steady cadence and opened the stride once it flattened out. Less than 200m left and the steps were right behind me, not knowing if it was Brian or Dennis. 

I got to the line for the win. I turned back and Dennis was only 5 seconds back. Brian came in right behind him 32 seconds later. My last mile was also a 6:10. I rounded up Brian, Dennis, Paul Hennessey, and Sal Genovese to run the upper Springs Pond trails only 50 yards away. It was once known for restoring health. We ran over to Peabody via Springs Pond Rd turning back before we reached Browns Pond. We had Beer, Soda, Water, and Pizza waiting. Krissy surprised me for a visit which was really nice. We had a few slices of Pizza and wrapped up a nice morning.

Scamper for the Camper 5K

Lynn,MA  June 2,2019 10:00 AM

     

Place Name                No.  S Ag City       St Time    Pace    

===== =================== ==== = == ========== == ======= =====

    1 JAMES PAWLICKI        77 M 44 Lynn       MA   19:35  6:19

    2 DENNIS DONAHUE       120 M 42 Lynn       MA   19:40  6:20

    3 BRIAN HAMILL         122 M 47 Charlestow MA   20:12  6:30

    4 ANNIE ROSE CARTER     65 F 38 Danvers    MA   21:21  6:53

    5 DAN CAHILL            73 M 40 Lynn       MA   22:38  7:17

2019 Scamper for the Campers 5K race results

Westfield Fast 5K

I met Dennis Floyd in Lynnfield to hit the road for the Westfield Fast 5K, a point to point course with a little drop in the last mile after the initial first two flat miles. Prior results confirmed that it was a quick course, maybe as much as 30 seconds for the top guys. We left the North Shore around 9:35 and rolled onto the Westfield State University Campus around 11:45 for the 1pm start. We hit three tough stretches of traffic on the Mass Pike that slowed us down.

I bumped into Barbara McManus who was not going to use her bib number. The transfer process was quite the ordeal as the folks at registration had no process for it. I took charge and said I would handle the administrative leg work. After some running around I got it done. I wrote transfer to # 285, Barbara McManus, all over my race application. I was nice to see my name in the results hours later. One less thing to worry about after the race.

After warming up for less than a mile with Dennis, I put myself about 20 rows back. Gun went off and I got my legs moving up and out of the WSU South Parking lot driveway for the only uphill. I stayed to the far left on the main road which was a flat straight away past Stanley Park where I have run many cross country races with Salem State.

My first mile was around 6:34, the first time seeing a six something mile in almost two and a half months. The next mile was a few seconds slower, 6:38 but I was feeling all right. The last mile dropped down a bit in terms of elevation into down town and I tried to open up the stride a bit but was not too sure if I could. I ran 6:20 and pretty much kept that pace to the finish line with a 20:11.1 chip time or 20:20 clock time.

I converged with some teammates to see how they did. Everyone ran really fast. Plenty of smiles all around. CMS had 24 guys. The open team was 3^rd, masters 1^st, seniors 1^st, and vets were 3^rd. I ran back to the start line with some CMS teammates.

This was my first race in a while and was curious about how my knee and lungs were going to react to the race after a lay off and minimal training. I received MRI results on Friday, the day before race. The knee pain that I have been dealing with is the result of a torn meniscus. I will be looking to an arthroscopic procedure soon which sounds like I will be back to running after 5 to 6 weeks.

Westfield Fast 5K results 2019

New Bedford Half Marathon

I headed down to New Bedford for the New Bedford Half Marathon with Dennis Floyd, Nick Taormina, and Katie Misuraca. As we discussed expectations for the first Grand Prix Road Race of the year, I could not come to terms that I was banged up and should not get on the starting line. The medial side of my right knee has me heading to physical therapy soon. I had not run all week. I was bummed out. 

Still, I pinned the number on and jogged (my warmup) over to the starting line and hid behind 50 rows of runners waiting for the start. The plan was to feel out each mile as it went along. I could always turn back if the leg was going to be trouble in the opening miles or bail out a little later. I really never got into trouble but keeping 8:00 miles felt OK until the last 5K where I slowed to 8:15’s. The New Bedford wind was not there as in past years. Several CMS guys like Kevin Hankens, Arthur Besse, Bryan Trinque, Nick Taormina all ran PR’s.

Photo by Leslie Whiting Poitras

The official results are yet to come out but looks like as of now, I ran 1:46:28 (net time), 805^th place. I ran a few miles with CMS runner Jay Morrissey in the closing miles which I felt good about as he ran a 3 minute PR. Below are the results from Nick, Katie, Dennis, and I. Nick shows up as Scott Leslie on iresultslive, but we transferred the number at registration so that should be fixed. Lastly, it looks like the CMS open team will get bumped to 5^th, masters placed 1^st, and seniors broke a tie to take 2^nd. We will wait for the official results to get posted to coolrunning.

1765 Nick Taormina  46 37:30 1:20:00 6:07 1:20:08 CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS Gloucester MA

2042 Katie Misuraca 38  40:09 1:25:47 6:33 1:25:53 BAA Gloucester MA

1759 Dennis Floyd   42 M 40:48 1:27:57 6:43 1:28:05 CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS Georgetown MA

1760 James Pawlicki 44 M 49:28 1:46:28 8:08 1:46:51 CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS Lynn MA

Malden 5 mile

Snowblind by Black Sabbath

Krissy and I signed up the Malden 5 mile which also had a Half Marathon a few months ago. I was looking forward to a new event and new city to race in (I never raced in Malden). This race was a first time event and appeared to be organized by the folks who put on the Cambridge Half Marathon in the past. Krissy, Liz, Lisa, Maryann, and I grabbed our race numbers, jackets, and brunch the day before the race. Sunday rolled in fast along with the time change, ahead an hour. We got to the Stop and Shop parking lot in Malden just as the Half Marathon started at 7AM. We parked next to Dave Dunham. We had a front row seat to the race which was about a half mile into the 2.4 mile loop that would be toured multiple times for 13.1 miles. The 5 mile race would be just two loops, starting at 8:30.

We had VIP access to the bathrooms at Stop & Shop so that was useful before heading out on the course for a warmup with Dave while the half marathon was going on. I saw several Wicked, Notch, and SRR runners out there. Dave and I ran the 2.4 mile loop  and a little extra for 3 miles. Once last pit stop at Stop & Shop before getting to the cars to put on a dry shirt and get the race groove on.

Photo courtesy Malden Rotary Road Race

Dave and I headed over to the start line and got right up front like a pro. A classy guy in a C5K winter hat who may have been part of the Malden Rotary walked up to the front row of the race looked me in the eye, welcomed us for the first time race, and calmly said we are shooting right into the half marathon race so be careful. He said it in a way that showed appreciation for us and the event.  

Gun went off and we had a gradual decent into the 2.4 mile loop for a seamless start with a few turns putting us within the half marathoners who were 91 minutes into their race. I was on the back of the lead pack feeling amped up for the opening mile before falling back into my race pace. I figured I was in 10^th place or so. I lost one spot within the first loop and one more about half way. I was not taking inventory of splits but felt that I was keeping a good cadence despite weaving around a few half marathoners along the way and being super cautious on the turns. It started to snow about 3 miles into our race. It was pretty funny. One more guy passed by with 1.5 miles to go. 

I caught the guy who passed me half way through the race with a bit more than a mile to go. I was ready for the battle. We went around a crowd on one of the last left turns. I took the inside and he took the outside. His gamble paid off as I got squeezed out by a few half marathoners to chicken step slush on the street corner. My legs we starting to tie up as I hustled into the finish. I was happy to break 30 minutes (29:52 gun time, 29:50 chip time). Looks like I was 14^th overall and first master. I waited for Dave to come in just over 31 minutes (18th). We both beat our race goals.

Photo courtesy Malden Rotary Road Race

I grabbed a medal, water, and boogied back to the car as fast as I could walk. I bailed on the cool down with Dave to ice my knee which was feeling pretty shitty. I got in the car and started it to warm up and change into warm clothes. I hung out there until the girls came back and we were leaving as the race was breaking down the course under a light flurry.

Malden Half + 5 results

With Dave Dunham post race

USATF New England Indoor Track & Field Championships Masters 800M

As a runner in recent years, I have neglected the "speed" discipline of interval sessions. You know, for example, run 6 times 800M at 5K race pace with 400M or 2 minute recovery stuff once a week. Thus, I get into trouble when I get a birdbrain idea to run, uh race, a track race. I have barely averaged one track race a year for the last decade.

I have to thank the incentive or schedule of the All Terrain Runner Series hosted by USATF New England. Over each of the last five years or so, the series has consisted of a snowshoe, trail, road, cross country, mountain, and indoor or outdoor track race. The lack of snow has usually found the snowshoe event getting cancelled. However, all other disciplines have been staples.

The track event within the 2019 ATR series was an 800M which had to be run at one of three meets: USATF New England Indoor Masters meet in January (Providence, RI), USATF New England Indoor Open Championship (Harvard), or USATF New England Open Outdoor Championships in July (Holy Cross). I selected the meet at Harvard late this week.

I ran a 4 X 400M workout on the treadmill late in the week. The 400's we're run at a mild 6:00 per mile clip (about my 5K race pace). I entered the meet with a 2:34 seed time which was #12 or at the cutoff for the men's masters "fast" heat. I was good with that. The alternative was a combined men's and women's 800M heat. I watched Harris Hardy win that heat with a 2:36 before I walked onto the Harvard oval up on the outside lane next to Bill Newsham (GBTC) and Jon Waldron (CSU).

The gun went off and followed Jon around for lap one. There was no competitor behind me. Pressure on. My stride was not smooth as I tried to get around Jon but failed. I did pass before 400M and put dropped the gauntlet I guess putting all my eggs in that 3rd lap. I caught Bill entering the final lap and moved into 8th place. I caught one runner. Now my stride was really clumsy. No kick here friends. Form failure lights went off. I was lucky to stay upright and keep moving forward in lane one. 

So much for looking good for the finish line. Dust settled at 2:29.5, 7th place. I really had a blast. It was not pretty but I managed a smile and fist bumps for the finishers next to me. Wish I had another chance for a 800M soon. Shall I take another crack in July?

http://www.newengland.usatf.org/USATF_ASSOC_2/files/01/01c8b127-323a-4aa8-9e5d-8be968876370.txt

Photos and video by Krissy

Bradford Valentine Race - 5 miles

Bradford is a village and former town according to Wikipedia. Go get your history. Not too many road races out there for the tough folks seeking to hit the pavement in early February. Bradford just so happens to be home of Dave Dunham and Dan Verrington, long time CMS studs. Mr. Verrington lives steps away from the start and finish. In fact, three generations of Verrington’s ran in the race on Saturday.

The Bradford Valentine Race has a 6K and 5 mile distance. I tried to convince Krissy to take part in the team event where I run a distance and she runs the other. She would have none of it and I stubbornly ran the same 5 mile distance she wanted to tackle with friends. Sure. No problem. I seem to have forgotten the hills and elevation on this one. A mile in, I was reminded. Into mile 2, yep, just passing by Bradford Ski Area. Enough said.

I got a huge can a whoop ass laid on my legs and trainers. But nice course though. I got zero company after setting up camp once Jaclyn Solomine (the UML alum and her dad won the team event for father/daughter) went by after a mile. I had one 19 year old constantly 15 seconds ahead but no head or tail wind on the day was going to help me. 31:24 for a time at the finish line, 11^th place, 1^st 40 plus age group.

Dug deep into the archives to see what I ran here back in 2006 at age 31. 7^th place with a sterling 27:57, rather respectable that I would not have called it a hilly course then. Dave Hinga smoked the course in 25:45. Time flies. Splits below, stopped my watch about 7 seconds after the finish. 2019 Bradford Valentine 5 mile results.

Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile

Shawn and I jumped into the front from the gun. I led down Euclid Ave and Shawn led up the hill at mile 1. We would swap the lead back and forth for mile 2. Our pace was right around 5:50 per mile. I had a stride up Magnolia and back down Euclid for the final left hand turn back onto Broadway. I barely held Shawn off by 2 seconds to cross the line first in 17:47.

I am glad Shawn was there for the company in not only the race but for the warm up and cool down. I want to thank race director Stephen Martin for his dedication to put the race on to support the Lynn Classical Girls Track Team. Shawn and I won Rolly's Gift Cards and a scratch ticket (mine did not hit any jackpot). Shout out to Mike Fitzgerald for the photos race photos and after. Grab a copy of the Lynn Journal this Thursday for a juicy interview with yours truly.

45th Annual 15K Great Stew Chase

Attendance was down this year with under 200 finishers. Need to see an increase in attendance. Picked up a fleece blanket for 2nd in the age group. Tail wind heading out and in our face for the last few miles. Kept my place after the 1 mile marker until 7.5 and got gapped by over 20 ticks plus to the end. Think I was 58 and change last year. Still had some surges throughout today.

James Pawlicki, Bib:   78, Age: 44, has finished the 45th Annual 15K Great Stew Chase in a place and time of   59:22.1  6:23 010   59:22.8 0

Ran to the race for the warm up and a bit over 2 mile cool down with EJ and Rob. Picture below of me passing my dad and coach. Photo by John Mulroy.

Fat Ass 50K

On my radar to run with Katie, Todd, and Nick for at least 3 out of the 5 10K loops within Bradley Palmer. Matt Viega was in the group too. Weather was great for January. Little mud, maybe degrees when we finished? They dropped me before the end of the 2nd loop aid station. I caught Katie and Todd on the 3rd. Todd and another went by and exited the aid station quickly into the last loop. They stayed within scope for a few miles. Inched by Todd and the other guy at the end. I ran past the finish line clock thinking there was an out and back to get extra for a 50K but Todd said no so we stopped at 30.3 miles. Who knows? 50K? GPS loss? 4:05:15 or so, low 8 minute pace per mile. Distance-wise, my longest single run. I ran 30 miles in Lynn Woods a few years ago but much slower.

So, I did stop at at the aid station area (we set up at the clock to be closer to the course). My right calf endured cramping in the 3rd loop, more in the 4th. Talked myself into the last lap with Nick and Todd going too. Last lap was a mental game while still running in slow motion and worrying about cramping.

Here are my fueling notes for the day and recap that I put down in my notes following the race while it was fresh:

Pre-race: Cliff Bar, Coffee at 6AM. RedBull at 8:20, Pick Juice and Hot Shot at 8:45.

Race started at 8:58

End of loop 1 – no drink or fuel but had 6 salt stick pills 1 HotShot and a Pickle Juice waiting for me at the aid station. I waited for group to get a drink or fuel. Maybe 30 seconds spent there?

End of loop 2 – I ran over to my truck in the parking lot, 25 yards off the course. I drank half of an Arizona Iced tea, taking down two Endurolytes. I brought one Shot Shot and Pickle Juice to my station at the time clock. Started to lose ground to Nick, Todd, and Katie – all now single file in the last mile before getting there. I lost a minute to them in the aid station.

Loop 3 – light calf cramps came on. Caught Katie before the fields. She said she was stopping after that lap. Could see Todd up ahead on the carriage road. I started to push ahead. Caught him but kept distance in the single track. Passed him on the carriage road where I had room. Motivated to go for two more loops because of position and had fuel waiting. Took two salt sticks, finished iced tea (1/3rd) and took half of Todd’s can of coke left behind. Tossed a sandwich bag with two Salt Stick pills in the back of my shorts (so I thought, see below).

Loop 4 – took time at my aid station, Todd and Brendan (met him after the race) passed me there and got a good jump. Cramp in right calf worried me. I stayed steady to keep cramps away. Kept Todd in sight while the red jacket runner (Brendan) moved about the same cadence but had 90 seconds on me.  Fought on the stone dust with my sandwich baggie to get two salt-stick pills. The bag was falling down my ass crack. In the attempt to pull them out with frozen hands, I broke one but washed it down with my HotShot that I carried. Closed on Todd prior to field. He was hurting, cheered me to continue forward. I could see the red jacket (Brendan) ahead on the carriage road. I pushed from the top of the hill to the bottom. Closed in but kept distance at entrance of the single track which had some elevation up and down. I lurked during single track but focused on staying upright. I was very tired. Mud was muddier now that several runners have gone over it for hours. Again, focused to stay on feet. Got close, maybe 10 seconds to Brandon on the carriage road back to field but was worried about cramping or falling. Caught Brendan on the field before the parking lot and ran through finish. I thought the 50K finish had an out and back to the clock. I got to the wading pool where I stopped and turned back as Todd was wondering what I was doing. Todd said we were done. 30.3 miles. Sounds good!

Fat Ass 50K Race - 19th annual
Saturday January 5, 2019
Held at Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield, Mass.

The 19th GAC Fat Ass did not disappoint. Great January weather, possibly a record turnout, and good running conditions. Thanks to everyone that helped make this event special. Hope to see you for # 20. See you on the trails and stay well.
Roger Martell Sr. RD

https://www.gaconline.net/fares19.html

Complete Results for 50 KM finishers

1 Pat Coran 3:23

2 Brian Burke 3:49

3 Nick Taormina 4:03

4 Brenden Burke 4:05

5 Jim Pawlicki 4:05

6 Todd Callaghan 4:05

7 Matt Curran 4:08

8 Gregory Lowe 4:25

9 Derek Cavatorta 4:30

10 Rowley Brucken 4:32

Wicked Frosty Four Mile

I lined up for the Frosty Four Mile road race in Salem today to kick off the New Year. Unseasonably warm temperatures close to 50 degrees allowed a singlet only. In short, this is basically 2 miles out to the Salem Willows and 2 miles back past Fort Lee. CMS was represented well with Dave Dunham, Dan Verrington, Joe Shairs, and Martin Tighe warming up together. I ran a few minutes with Kevin Delaney from CSU. The start of the race was quick and I settled in after 200m behind Dan Donato (Notch Brewing), Joe, and David Long (Wicked) after a few left hand turns onto Derby Street.

I would trail them down Derby Street by 5 seconds with the mile in 5:42, holding 6th place. I would pass Dan approaching the hill before Winter Island. At mile two (5:47), I was still 4 seconds behind Joe who was a step behind David. Joe would get by David into the wind leaving the Willows. I would catch David with 800m to go. I took the right turn on the Charter Street like a pedestrian and David got a good surge there and held strong to the finish line. I would finish 2.7 seconds back from him and 7.5 behind Joe. My last two miles were 6:04 and 5:55 revealing a head wind. Joe and I would run another 4 miles back to the Willows and back. I got a 1st place age group medal when I got back to the awards at Village Tavern.

               Twelvth Annual Wicked Frosty Four
            Tuesday, January 1, 2019 USATF Certified MA14043JK
         
Place No.  Name                Div/Tot  Div   Ag S City              St Time      Pace     
===== ==== =================== ======== ===== == = ================= == ========= ===== 
    1  709 Dan Chruniak          1/25   M3539 35 M Beverly           MA   22:29.3  5:38 
    2  467 Jonah Hulbert         2/25   M3539 38 M Marblehead        MA   23:03.2  5:46 
    3  411 Joe Shairs            1/31   M5054 50 M Peabody           MA   23:23.2  5:51 
    4  721 David Long            1/36   M4549 45 M Beverly           MA   23:28.0  5:52 
    5  395 James Pawlicki        1/27   M4044 44 M Lynn              MA   23:30.7  5:53 
    6  399 Kevin Delaney         2/31   M5054 50 M Arlington         MA   23:45.8  5:57