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