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