Competitive struggles

Dave Dunham reminded me that I am approaching my 20th anniversary with the Central Mass Striders Men's Racing Team. That made me look up the CMS Bio from 2008 on the racing team blog written when just 34 years old. I don't climb into the archives too much but if I don't document it or look it up once in a while, let's face it, I will forget the years, times, and sweat equity spent. It is sad that runners almost lost their results from the late 90's to about 2019 on Coolrunning. (go check out the link on my blog to find them on the web-archive)

Racing with the team brought me so many memories. I represented CMS around the region and country on the roads, trails, mountains, track and cross country. My first national team race was in Squaw Valley California for the 2004 Snowshoe Championships. I am proud to share the singlet, start and finish lines with some awesome athletes and friends. I had the pleasure of managing the men's racing team for almost half of those decades. I witnessed open runners move to masters and then into seniors. I will be a senior late next year. 

The last few years have been tough competitively with a decline in keeping up with the miles, workouts and races. You get exactly what you put into it. Injuries can set one back and the road to recovery can be slow and arduous. I have seen many come and go from the sport - seen a few transition to other sports with no impact such as cycling. I will continue to pound the pavement, enough to satisfy mileage commitments to which ever wear test brand is on my feet. 

Looking forward into 2024, I am holding myself accountable to set some goals and step out of the comfort zone. I will try some workout sessions with Notch Run Club in Salem. I hope it pays off and can improve the 5K times and see if I can sustain some miles for a road half marathon!

2023 Chanukah Run-A-Latke 5K

Last road race for 2023 in the books with the Chanukah Run-A-Latke 5K out of Chabad Lubavitch of the North Shore in Swampscott. The weather was decent for mid-December. Mile splits were 707, 723, 705 and 618 for the last 10th. Lost a pack of eight in the middle mile where I got gapped. Official results: 20th place, 6th in the old guy category, 22:15, 7:10 pace per mile. Needed some extra miles so I ran the course again after the race. I cheered on every runner and walker that I ran by while doing the course clock-wise. 

Krissy took photos. Chanukah Run-A-Latke 5K race results. 

The Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge - 3.5 XC

Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge 2023 Race Results 

Time for the famous “Nutcracker” cross country race held in December on the Mount Hood Golf Course in Melrose. You can picture it. A tower off in the distance, way above sea level with harriers in shorts braving any and all elevation changes over 3.5 miles. This one had balmy weather in the 50’s. A peek of the results show it loaded with Cambridge Running Club and Cambridge Sports Union on page 1. However, Nate Jenkins and Scott Mindel placed 3^rd and 4^th respectively for the Central Mass Striders. They teamed up with Matthew Baron who won overall for the team win. A good all start team if I must say.

I was sucking wind up and down the course. The first mile was the easiest, mostly flat which is not saying much. Mile two was brutal. Paces went all over the map. It was charge a hill, recover and open the stride all the way to the finish line. In the end, 8 minute pace for this one overall. 74^th place, 28:02! I wore SRR colors but CMS had a few other gents in front of me: John Pajer and Adam Rundell for what might have been Team Pajer with a few daughters running and one a few ticks behind me.

Funny story while cooling down with the Lynn Woods guys. The CSU group was cooling down behind us. I heard the CMS names of Mindel and Jenkins – a mention of the team having NE Champions or at least picking them up during their careers. I will hide the rest of the context but I chirped them on the way by as to be careful about taking trash about CMS. All good fun. Patrick Bugbee put out a fist bump. The guys continued the cool down for the incredible view from the tower at Mount Hood. I bailed on the notable feast that awaited at the club house. Kristen managed to get me a mini-Nutcracker to add to the display at home where at least 10 already reside in various sizes.

Course Map

Start showing field getting ready

Mount Hood Nutcracker. With the Christmas Tree Shop out of business, where will they be sourced in the future?

All smiles coming down the first downhill next to Eric Bowden

Coming in hot to the finish

Crossing the finish line around 28:01

2023 Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge Video. Footage taken about 400m into the race course. 

Thanks for the Trails 5K

ECTA put on another post-Thanksgiving cross country and trail race via Patton Park in Hamilton. This time it was held on the Saturday instead of the Friday. Same venue and same course used in the past. Weather was decent. Shorts, long sleeve and gloves. I saw some familiar SRR faces out there with Tinger, Bifano and Cullinan. CMS had Todd Callaghan tuning up before his trip to XC Nationals in Tallahassee. The hills on this one were painful as usual. I placed 35^th with a time of 25:49. GPS captured 3.29 miles. I had a good finish, getting past four men that were ahead of me with 800m to so I felt good about that. A hot bowl of soup was the reward after the race. A lot of raffles were handed out but my number was not called. 

Thanks For the Trails Race Results 

Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run

Nakri signed me up a few days ago at New England Running Company in Beverly. Krissy and I took the RAM to the race and caught every red light on the way. I warmed up around the Salem Common, meeting Nakri to grab my number. The Common filled with over 1500 runners with bright sun cracking down on the yellow leaves on the dew filled grass. The 8AM started promptly. I could tell right away my legs were flat and not interested in carrying low 7’s for long. 

I soaked in the surroundings seeing Krissy and her walking crew several times along the course. There were at least three beer/mamosa stops run by the local neighborhoods. Music was blasting and people were really into it as usual. Just a great atmosphere. I was on a cruise control to the end, not fussing over place or time. 240^th place, 39:32, 10^th out of 48 in the 45-49 age group. 7:54/mi pace. I found Nakri and ran an easy 1 mile cooldown. Krissy was wrapping up her walk at the Hawthorne Hotel. We watched the race for a few minutes before heading out for another Thanksgiving Holiday!

Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run Race Results November 23, 2023 - Salem, MA

Livestrong at the Y 5k

I got a comp entry by the YMCA folks who were set up at a Lynn Woods weekly race over the summer. It was interesting to try a new race for me. It turns out this was a flat and fast 5K. The start and finish are within Lt. Ross Park in West Peabody. The Saturday morning fell with rain. Perfect running weather! I was running late so approached the registration tables with 20 minutes to spare before the 8:30 start time. The opening mile jumped onto the local paved bike path filled with the occasional puddle. I settled in. 

The course crossed Lowell Street going behind the Big Y plaza, took a left onto Russell Street, left onto Roosevelt, back to Lowell - bike path and to the finish which had us running behind a baseball field for 100 yards of grass. Splits were 7:21, 7:48, 7:39, 7:09. Chip time 23:39, 7:37 pace/mi. 18^th out of 137. There were some age group runners within striking distance and the top 40+ outside of the top 3 overall, ran 22:53. I ran a cool down with Thom Lubas up and down the trail to cap off the day.

Livestrong at the Y 5K - November 18, 2023 - Peabody, MA Race Results

Jerry’s Run For All Ages

Always been curious about this fast 5K around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield so took advantage of a local Saturday morning race. The course runs counter clockwise around the lake, which is a popular pedestrian as well as weekly 5K on Wednesday nights, hosted by the Mystic Running Club. This race is organized by the New England 65+ Running Club. They shelled out over $1550 in prize money including specific age graded awards.

I got out to a 7 minute opening mile, getting passed by CMS teammate Mike McCormick before the only hill. I kept his stride, 10 feet back through 2 miles (7:16 split). He motored ahead in the closing mile while one more runner got me with 200 meters to go. Last mile split was 7:16 again. 22:18.8 for 29th place and 3rd in the age group. A bit faster than last week so felt good about that. 

Results: http://www.iresultslive.com/?op=overall&eid=5861

Great Bay 5K

 Great Bay 5K 2023 Race Results

This is a fast 5K course in Stratham, NH. A course record on the men's side was set today with a 14:30 (Gun Time) 14:28 (Chip Time) for this 25th Anniversary of the race. 43 year old CMS teammate reached the line with a 15:33 chip time. Warm October temperatures in the 60's under partly cloudy skies set the picture. I got a 2 mile warm up before getting to the start line. About 800 were registered per race director, Bob Kennedy. I got out to a 7:08 first mile. I was hoping to be under seven minute pace. With the next mile slowing to a 7:16, I knew a sub 7 paced day was out of the question. The last mile provided another 7:16 and came to the finish line with a chip time of 22:22 (22:26 gun time). 89th place. 7:12 pace overall, 6th in the age group. I ran 20:01 last year with better fitness overall. Still, was nice to get out and race this one. 

Ravenswood Trail Race - Gloucester

 Zipped up Rt 128 to 127 to the Ravenswood Trail Race. Signed up and got a 10 minute warm up. Got the the narrow start line. New course as the swamp walk was not available but the distance was expected to be 4.4 miles per RD, Dave Geary. First mile was a 7:43. There was some elevation on this one and had to focus on steps and caution to not trip up. Next mile gave us the awesome lookout out toward the ocean. That was a slow mile with a 9:23 followed by a 8:25 where the first women went by. Three more men ran by in the next mile and a half (9:17 into mile 4). Finished 15th overall in 38 minutes flat (8:34 pace per GPS) for 4.44 miles. I was not in the 1st print of results so I went to the Ab-Mac timing truck and worked with Joe Abelon for the next half hour helping him determine and enter in about 20 missing entries/times. Thus, the delay in age group and corrected results.

BSC 5K Marlborough

16th place today at the Boston Scientific 5K. I ran about 2 minutes slower than last year. Less training equates to less fitness. Average heart rate was 172! The first two miles are all downhill and a nasty climb for the last mile back up to the campus. 705, 714 and 804 mile splits tell the story. Great weather and good BBQ and Ice Cream followed the race. Over $4k donated to the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program!

Results: https://my.racewire.com/result/9369570

Old Goat Track Club Classic 5K XC - Sutton, MA

Race number one of the USATF New England XC Grand Prix got underway with the OGTC 5K at Waters Farm in Sutton, MA. CMS had six masters runners on the starting line with me being the youngest. Dave Dunham drove us to the race and arrived with a good hour plus to pick up our number and warm up. This was a new venue and first time race being run so it was fun to see something new on the schedule. The course consisted of multiple loops on the farm with some repetitive hills. 

I saw teammate Scott Grandfield about a half mile in getting up off the field, holding his hip. Poor guy got tripped up and the look on his face said it all. I kept on going, loop after loop, maybe passing a few after half way but that was all I had. I caught the last runner a few yards from the finish. 96th place, 24:09, 7:47 pace. Masters team finished 3rd out of 4 club teams. Results here.

 https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/results_5yh3d96mtof9dfkfzi2xvawmuhiy.txt

I ran a cool down with Dave Harper and Dave Dunham, leaving the farm and heading into the country side. It was a very pretty area, gave some perspective to the Blackstone Valley area of the state. Next up on the schedule is the GBTC XC 5K which at this point, can’t go but we shall see.

  4     11  DAVE DUNHAM          21:33
  5     18  JAMES PAWLICKI       24:09

Greenbelt's Vineyard Hill Trail Run - 5K - South Hamilton

This is a fun, low key 5K and 10K trail race at Vineyard Hill in South Hamilton. I did a warm up across the street on the Patton property that had some mix trail and road leading to a farm. I got on the starting line with a comfortable temperature but still humid. One loop, 5K, was what I signed up for. Others opted to run two loops for a 10K. The loop consists of rolling hills on single track and fire roads. There was some soft muddy sections and a little standing water due to previous rain in the area. It made for filthy and soaked shoes by the end of the race. I finished in 5th place (27 finishers) with a time of 25:27 (ran a low 24 last year). I had no sight of the runner ahead after 1 mile and did not get pressure on my heels to the finish. The best part of the race is most was in the shade. I did not cool down or stay for the awards (perhaps left an age group award behind) as I had a full day ahead to get on with. As you can see splits showed an opening mile in 8:32 followed by two low 8 minute miles. 

Greenbelt's Vineyard Hill 5K Trail Run Results

Lord Hobo 6.17K

I reached out to Eric to see what the plans were for the weekend. Already mid-morning on a Saturday, he convinced me to run the Lord Hobo 6.17K in Woburn. It started at 11AM. We arrived at Lord Hobo and the parking lot jockey told us to drive 1.6 miles away to the Cummings Center for registration and bus back. Complying with the directive, we arrived to a registration line of 100 people at 10:20AM. There was no time to wait, register and catch a bus to the start line over a mile and half away. We decided to bail on it and just go over to the event and run through the race. 

We ran over to the start where we tried to park and register 45 minutes earlier. We bumped into Judy and Frank who managed to sign up and remain parked there. Frank said he was willing to sign Eric and I up. We had seven minutes before the start at 11AM. No one was in line at the registration inside Lord Hobo. We had our bibs in seconds. Furthermore, the start was going to be delayed by 15 minutes as there were too many runners still getting signed up and bussed over. 

Everything seemed to be working out in our favor. We went back outside and kept to the shade listening to Nick "Fitzy" Stevens (radio host and sports personality) on the microphone giving the crowd some laughs. He was planning on running the race as well. The race went off with me starting a few rows from the line. 

Within in the first miles I saw EJ Hrinowski. I yelled out for him and embarrassed him with some love. It's been a few laps around the sun since racing with him. He pulled away with a Thirsty Irish Runner. Mile one went by in 7:10. Mile two entertained a hill on Cross Street in Winchester slowing to a 7:40 mile. The course took a right onto Rt 38 and went down the retail section of Woburn before taking a right onto Green St which hosted a two stage hill helping me to a 7:59 mile. 

0.8 miles to go with a few side street turns back to Lord Hobo. 

40

James

Pawlicki

48

M

28:30.2

7:27

28:34.8

487 finishers for this one. I finished 40th overall with the 7:27 pace. Top three male and female got trophies. All others, a medal big enough to shield off swords. I grabbed a libation, water and race swag bag with a cotton race t-shirt. Eric finished as top 50+ with the 6:56 pace. In all, good time after a stressful process to drive around Woburn and almost get turned away and not race. 

                                  Eric, Frank, Judy and I

Miles Over the Moon 4 mile

This is a Friday night, 8pm race hosted in Salem by the Wicked Running Club. Last time I raced it (10 years ago?), the start and finish were at the Salem Common. Since then, the Bentley School is the new digs as it has some parking. I ran close to a 2 mile warm up with Eric Bowden, Jeff Cook and John Ayers (a few others whose names I did not catch). It was a warm night with intimidating rain clouds moving in. A lot of local clubs on tap included: Notch, North Shore Striders, Wicked Running Club, Winner's Circle, Mystic Running Club, Goat Hill, Greater Lowell and more. I wore the heavy Notch (Adidas) singlet that I had since 2018. I wore the New Balance SuperComp Fuel Cell Trainer which has a Carbon Plate. They are very cushy and rarely wear it but for a race/workout, they are flawless. 

I started the race far enough away from the first row, took about 9 seconds to reach the line after the starting gun. A guy on a bike with a boom box playing some toons was ahead for my first half mile. I found my leg cadence matching the beat. Rather helpful I suppose on the way toward Dead Horse beach and Salem Willows. Mile one was around 6:54. Mile two heading to the Salem Common was similar. The run around the Common is where I was tiring out and found my sight at the darkness to be tricky. A few runners would pass on by through Collins Cove. I hung onto Jeff Cook and he would hold the 2 second advantage over the last 3/4 of a mile to the finish. It would start to rain at that point and lightening scattered the sky over the next few hours. Gun time of 28:49 placed me 79th, chip time was 28:39 (7:09/mile). GPS measured out 4:08. Age group-wise, 17 out of 49 in the 40-49 category. 

2023 Miles Over the Moon 4 mile road race results

Tortoise and the Hare 3 Mile - Nahant

Happy 4th of July! I usually head to Chelmsford for the John Carson 2 mile but opted to stay local. Nahant's, Tortoise and the Hare 3 mile and 1 mile appear to have last been held in 2019. Some from the Lynn Woods running crew like Sal and Eric planned on going. Sign up was easy, A list per 10 year age groups were used and made age group results and soring easy for the top three following the race. Eric, Sal and I did a 1 mile warm up. 

The light rain/drizzle seemed to lay off. About 50+ got started in front of the Flash Road Firehouse. Mile 1 was flat, coming in at 7:19. Eric was already 25 seconds ahead battling for his senior age group. The second mile brought up "the hill." I gained a few spots on the top side and held the spot until the 2nd place female, in a one-piece tennis outfit came beside me with 800M to go. I managed to hold her off in the end and finished with a time of 21:16 for 2.9 miles. 

If I find the results, I will share here but guess the place was 15th or so, but was 2nd in the age group. Eric, Sal and I went off for cooldown out to the ocean where Sal showed us where he does some barnacle studies on the rocky shore. 

Wachusett Mountain Road Race - 3 miles

 Ah, the Saturday before Memorial Day. Sunny and moist in Princeton, MA. Good temps, enough to sweat on a short warm up. I had the CMS singlet on for this being a CMS hosted race. Today's challenge was to get to the top, about 2,000 feet on the elevation scale. I was one of about a quarter of the race who chose to race up only, not up and then down. These leg's are not was they used to be. The field was one of the biggest per Kim Gordon, race director. Steve Laska got the race and heart rates going at 9:30. I found "sustain" gear right away. No choice really. 9:14 passed at the 1 mile. Krissy got video beyond that mile on a rare flat spot. I come into view around 3:18. 

Mile two slowed down to a 9:34. At this point some were doing the run, walk and recovery method. I kept my head down and kept moving forward. I tried to push in the last mile to close a gap between teammate, Paul Bazanchuk and I but he held me off. Another teammate pulled beside me, David Lapierre with 200M to go! I was wasted but held Dave off, barely at our finish. 28:15 was the time. Place is unknown but was 69th to go through that check point (all runners got clocked at the top). I collected Dave and Paul to jog down. Dave wanted to take another route than the course and Paul got back into the race and sprinted after an age-grouper. I managed to hold 8 minute miles down. Overall, good day, over 7 miles covered. 3 Mile Results 10K results

Super Sunday 5K USATF New England 5K Championships

The Super Sunday 5K in Cambridge was the USATF New England 5K Championship. It was also the first Grand Prix Race of the series. The weather was mild for February 12^th in the high 40’s. Free parking in the garage brought Krissy and I right into the team tent area. Race numbers were picked up a block away with long lines that had Joe, Greg and I waiting 30 minutes to secure them. I had 40 minutes to get a warm up in so I ran about a mile and half.

Joe, Greg and I finish the first race to get bib numbers

I got to the start and walked in about 20 rows into the 22 minute 5K corral. I was in good company knowing those guys around me. We then heard an announcement for a 10 minute delay. That turned into 15 minutes. Gun goes off and it took me 15 seconds to reach the start line and I start my watch. There was two 90 degree left hand turns right away. It was crowded. My first mile was 6:28. 

I slowed in the 2^nd mile to a 6:54 and knew it. The lone rise on the course, a bump, came after mile 2. I rallied back down to 6:46 through 3 miles and then to 6:15 pace for the last .13. I finished 451^st with a chip time of 21:10. My goal was a sub 21 so I was close. 

This was a fast and flat course with a lot of competition today. I headed out for a 2.8 mile cool down with Mike McCormick, Ernst Linder and Dan Verrington out along the Charles River. Thanks to Scott Mindel for getting 23 CMS guys to the race and setting up the team tent. CMS men and team results below. Also congrats to Arthur Besse posted an all time PR at gage 50!

Results: https://my.raceresult.com/233423/

Super Sunday 5K February 12, 2023 Cambridge, MA

USATF New England 5K Championships

Plc     Name     Club     Group     Group              Chip Pace         Chip Gun

7. JOSH COAKLEY  Central Mass Striders   M19-29 7th Overall 4:43/mile 14:42 14:42

21. DAN VASSALLO Central Mass Striders   M30-39 3rd 4:48/mile 14:53 14:56            3^rd 30+

30. KEITH MCATEER  Central Mass Striders   M19-29 7th 4:51/mile 15:05 15:07

32. PAUL GENNARO  Central Mass Striders   M19-29 10th 4:54/mile 15:13 15:14

56. SCOTT MINDEL  Central Mass Striders   M30-39 23rd 5:02/mile 15:40 15:40

70. DANIEL RABOIN  Central Mass Striders   M30-39 27th 5:07/mile 15:53 15:56

75. COLE CROSBY  Central Mass Striders   M30-39 31st 5:08/mile 15:58 16:00

98. GREGORY PUTNAM  Central Mass Striders M50-59 AG Champ 5:16/mile 16:19 16:25 1^st 50+

106. ARTHUR BESSE  Central Mass Striders   M50-59 2nd 5:18/mile 16:30 16:31         2^nd 50+

107. SCOTT LESLIE  Central Mass Striders   M40-49 12th 5:19/mile 16:30 16:32

117. IAIN RIDGWAY  Central Mass Striders   M40-49 16th 5:21/mile 16:39 16:41

166. SCOTT GRANDFIELD  Central Mass Striders   M50-59 3rd 5:37/mile 17:23 17:29  3^rd 50+

174. JOE SHAIRS  Central Mass Striders   M50-59 4th 5:38/mile 17:27 17:32

199. ROBERT JACKMAN  Central Mass Striders   M40-49 37th 5:44/mile 17:42 17:52

270. DANIEL VERRINGTON  Central Mass Striders   M60-69 3rd  6:00/mile 18:34 18:42 3^rd 60+

284. EDDY FLYNN  Central Mass Striders   M40-49 53rd  6:05/mile 18:35 18:55

451. JAMES PAWLICKI  Central Mass Striders   M40-49 84th 6:53/mile 21:10 21:25

455. PHILIP SAVOY  Central Mass Striders   M60-69 15th  6:55/mile 21:20 21:32

473. MIKE MCCORMICK  Central Mass Striders   M60-69 18th 7:00/mile 21:39 21:47

506. ERNST LINDER  Central Mass Striders   M60-69 22nd 7:14/mile 22:22 22:30

584. FRANK RUGGIERO  Central Mass Striders   M60-69 28th  7:40/mile 23:24 23:50

592. ANDY SIERACKI  Central Mass Striders   M50-59 50th  7:42/mile 23:39 23:59

962. LARRY MORRIS  Central Mass Striders   M70+ 14th  10:46/mile 32:50 33:28

CMS Team Position: 

Open 4th

Masters 3rd

Seniors 1st

Veterans 2nd

The Great Stew Chase 15K

Race Director Roget Perham brought the The Great Stew Chase 15K out of the Knights of Columbus back for the first time since 2020. I missed that one but ran 59 and a half minutes in 2019. It was good to be back. A reported 150 were registered for the 10AM start. The weather was great too being in the high 40's and dry pavement. I used the event as a long run but wanted some discomfort without wrecking myself. The weekly mileage and anaerobic work just has not been there to support any oxygen debt. I was really undecided on a time but planned on feeling it out one mile at a time. In the end, I wound up averaging 8:16's and this is how I got there breaking each 5K down.

The opening 5K had splits around 7:56, a bit quicker than I wanted but adjusted for the middle of the race. I kept my place after 1.5 miles as it thinned out. The next 5K introduced the hills in Centennial Park, Peabody, so I was cool with backing off, averaged around 8:30's. Two folks caught me on the big hill approaching the turn around before Rt. 1. The last 5K, got back to 8:10's but it felt like I was pushing harder. I had a few folks coming back on the rolling hills before reaching Rt. 129. I managed to catch three people with a mile to go and closed in with a 7:33-ish paced last half mile. 1:16:59 overall time, 8:16 pace average per mile. We'll take it. I collected myself and headed into the KofC dining room for a bowl of Stew and Cookies to reward my humble effort. 

Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/fbn5gx3hqtykruuu/results?subEvent&fbclid=IwAR1kRf1dPPaNpVlmOioJ7r4BGT6xM3h1qYzy_l6ctyWiFLlQTfldwTlWhzU#tab_awards