Great Bay 5K

One of my favorite 5K road races here in Stratham, NH. Point to point, great time of the year (fall foliage) fast course with a great spread at the finish including home baked goods, coffee and Pizza. Great prizes that fill all age groups are a bonus. I felt ok, appeared to have the hamstring issue in the rear view mirror and came off my longest run of the year six days earlier supporting Krissy at Ghost Train. I had the benefit of two days of rest into this one. In the end I almost broke 23 minutes: mile splits were 7:16, 7:26, 7:36. Official time was 23:04 and 129^th place or 8^th out of 20^th in the age group. Donnie Withee got a 5K PR, 18:28! So happy for him. Plenty of good post race baked goods allowed me to focus on cookies and brownies. Top tip for those coming in the future, pack a bag and have it sent to the finish line so you have warm, dry clothes.

Results

2025 Wayland XC Festival

It has been a long time, decade, since I raced the Wayland XC Festival. It was cool to come back. I was cautious with the right hamstring issue but did manage to get on the massage table during the week which responded well. I felt the hamstring issue once during the 5K. I backed off and did not have it come back so just went along. I finished strong, unlike last week in Carlisle. 23:19, 93^rd place. The Notch 40+/50+ took team wins. Glorious individual age group and team awards were given out by host HFC Striders who did a bang-up job pulling from local vendors and sponsors. Some keen beverages were awarded to Notch who hope they share at the team banquet in November.

Results

2025 Greater Boston Track Club XC Invitational

USATF New England Cross Country Grand Prix race # 3 was hosted in Carlisle by the GBTC on October 5. My right hamstring was bugging me for the past week and it really hit me hard on the last loop.  I was in denial and was hoping to sneak through the race. However, 7:30 pace went to 9:00 minute pace for the last mile. I do not know how I was not passed by another runner. The runner I was with at 15 minutes (mile 2) put over a minute on me to the finish. In the end, got to the finish with a smile, 24:49 was the time, 40^th place. Nine Notch guys over 40+ in this one who took the masters team win by just a point over GLRR and 50+ took the win as well. 

Masters Results