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.
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.
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| Photo courtesy Malden Rotary Road Race |
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 10th 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 14th
overall and first master. I waited for Dave to come in just over 31 minutes (18th).
We both beat our race goals.
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.
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| Photo courtesy Malden Rotary Road Race |
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