Classy 3 Mile Fun Run

I walked over to Rolley’s Tavern to sign up for this 3 mile road race that sends all proceeds to support the Lynn Classical Girls Track Team. I caught up with Stephen Martin (race director) and Bill Mullen (all things Lynn Woods Running) as we joked about the night’s snow that put about four inches of white stuff on the city. By late morning, the main roads were down to wet pavement. 

I ran a mile and a half warm up with Nakri Dao before lining up on Broadway Street for the start. It was sunny and around 37 degrees. I jumped into 5^th place early on. By the time I reached the mile, Nakri went by followed by Joe O'Leary a minute later. They would put nothing but road between them and I. I got clipped at the very end of the 3 mile course by one more runner. I finished up in 8^th place with a time of 21:20. My mile splits were 6:36, 7:07, 7:19 for the GPS measured 3:04 miles (7:00 / mile average). I grabbed my gear after the race and ended up running home to take care of the days errands.

2020 Classy 3 Mile Fun Run results

Nakri and I before the race
Photo by Mike Fitzgerald

With Stephen Martin and Bill Mullen

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

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

Hibernian 5K

I ran over to the AOH club and picked up my number from Krissy. She was running with Lisa and Teddy in the Hibernian 5K. I decided to support the local hometown 5K which attracts over 400 runners butjust got lazy with the pre-entry. I got into my racing flats and jumped into the starting line. I got a stare down from Michael Pulli. Maybe I owed him money? I did not make eye contact but maybe it was thePolar Beverages logo.

The gun goes off and I am in 15th place right away. 500m later, I moved up to 3rd behind Michael Pulli and Sean Kay. Up the hill past the fire house, Sean removed and dropped his wind breaker off to the side. He was all business as he trailed by a half stride but I knew he was being held up.

Sure enough, he moved ahead into the lead for good at the mile which I passed in 5:43. He extended that to a "no looking back win" in 17:31. While the wind was in our grill until 2.5 miles, that turned to our back for the last 800m. I finished 3rd, first dude from the City of Good Clean Run (uh, Lynn), with a time of 18:02. Michael Pulli held 2nd (17:54). 

I ran back over to Sean who gave a few words to the Lynn Item reporter. We ran a cool down, most of it over the course again. Back at the post race, I won my entry fee back.

2018 Hibernian 5K Race Results

The prize for 3rd
Photo by KrissyK

Great Stew Chase 15K

I ran 57:24.7 today at the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn. The pace breaks down to 6:10 per mile. This placed me 12^th overall, a second in front of Central Mass teammate, Nick Taormina. He and I ran together for many of the miles today. Both of us have the Boston Marathon on Patriots Day.

With Nick beyond mile 6
Photo by KrissyK

I had a solid pack to run with in the middle miles where the elevation fluctuated. David Corbett, Nick, John Page, Kevin Hill, & Brandan Ring were in a mix on Farm Road hitting the hill up around the parking lot and back down. David Corbett broke all of us and smoked the last four miles. Nick and I chased but it was futile.

The weather was decent for a January day with some wind but it seemed to benefit us some in the closing miles. I was about 8 seconds better than last year. I am happy with the effort, got just about every second out of the legs as possible. It was good to catch up with some faces that I have not seen in a while.

John Page, David Corbett, myself, Brenden Ring, Nick Taormina after 3 miles
Photo by KrissyK

43rd Annual Great Stew Chase 15K, Lynn, MA 2017 results

KrissyK photos

Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile

Stephen Martin is the race director of this one hosted by the Lazy Dog Sports Bar in Wyoma Sqaure in Lynn. The proceeds from the race go to the Lynn Classical Girls Track Team. I have lined up and finished on Broadway Street since 2013. See below. I got in a four mile warm up running over to the race and then ran the course with Nakri Dao and Martin Tighe. At the gun, I jumped right out into the lead. John Page kept pace with me down Euclid Ave. As we approached mile one and a hill, he took the lead and surged up and through the hill dropping me by several strides. I could not close that gap as the course flattened out. We hit some head wind on Broadway and mile 2. John had about a five second lead, took the right onto Magnolia Ave with his dad Mike Page and John Ayers yelling for both of us.

I thought that is how the race was going to finish but I gained a bit on John approaching Euclid Ave. That gave me some energy. It got interesting as I caught John at the corner of Broadway and Euclid Ave (Minos Roast Beef). I put on a surge there all the way to the finish holding John off and taking the win in the Somerville Road Runner yellow. It was unexpected as it looked like John was going to hold his lead after the mile. My time was 17:05 and my 3rd win at the race. John ran 17:13. Results

Krissy was not only at the finish line ready to take the photos, but she was at 2.5 miles and at .5 miles. Photos to come soon.

My Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile fun run history
Year Place Time
2013  1 16:11
2014  1    16:54
2015  7    16:42
2016  2 17:20
2017  1    17:05

I had a nice cool down with Martin, Nakri, John, and Gilley Kabamba (Lynn Classical Senior with a 2 mile PR of 10:29) who finished 3rd. Krissy and I stayed for the awards, raffle, and lunch. I recommend the Lazy Dog Burger. It looks like John and I are going to have a few more races together this year. I just hope that I can keep up with him. He already beat me at the Frosty Four Mile in Salem earlier this month.

800m with John Page on Euclid Ave
Photo by KrissyK

Trailing John with 800m to go on Magnolia Ave
Photo by KrissyK

Upon the finish outside the Lazy Dog on Broadway, just ahead of John
Photo by KrissyK

42nd Annual Great Stew Chase 15K

This out and back course is the 3rd oldest 15K in the country. Krissy dropped me off at the Knights of Columbus to drop off my bag and slide an unheard of, scant $20 bill for 15 kilometers over the table with a paper application. Thank you Roger Perham, race director, for keeping it simple. Simple prizes, nice warm bowl of Stew, a dinner roll, and cookie follow in a warm dinning room of the K of C. Plenty of volunteers from various running clubs such as the North Shore Striders and Wicked Running Club help out. Roger was sure to give all credit after the race.

I ran a short warm up over to the start with teammate Nakri Dao. The weather was perfect, sunny, mid to high 30's and getting warmer. The race went off right on time, at 10 o'clock. Wicked Running Club's Dan Chruniak, took the lead and never relented his 5:45 pace. I counted nine spots before my placing 800 meters into the race. Mile one clocked out in the low 6's. Perfect. That was the goal. The other was not to blow up and drag ass over the last three miles. Familiar faces, Dan and Kat Vassallo were running toward the race with reserved low fives. Then I saw David Dunham after mile two taking pictures and supporting us on. He mentioned that Dan Verrington was 10 ticks back. I was expecting Dan to catch up but he never did. I recognized my father driving toward me and the race before mile 3. He gave me the unplanned thumbs up and a smile. Pretty cool. Krissy was down the road taking pictures. The hills started and Alex Morris from Somerville caught me heading to Farm Rd. He charged up the hill and I backed off. Joe Shairs was roadside. I told him that he should be out there leading the race. He is a prior winner, taking out Paul Hammond in the process in his first race with CMS many moons ago.

Up the hill past Krissy. Dan Verrington not far behind.
Photo by KrissyKSmugMug

I saw some familiar faces at the turn around and heading toward the race behind me. I charged along and focused now on the last third of the race. Two guys were ahead and I wanted to catch them. Plus I figured the focus would help keep Danny Francis Verrington behind me. It worked as I caught one of the runners just before 7 miles. I caught up with Alex from Somerville after 8 miles. I did not pass him until the downhill charge into mile 9. Third man in, Scott Foley from Atkinson, NH, got into the fray with them letting me charge up to the final straight away. Alex came from a second behind to blow our doors away in the last 50 meters. I crossed the line getting 9th place and 57:32, 6:11 pace, similar to last year. My last three miles were clocked at 6:00, 6:00, 5:54 for the fastest collective three of the day which was good.

I bounced into a cool down with Tara Paulin, Dan Chruniak, Dan Verrington, and Jason Matuelwicz for 2 miles  before diving into the Stew. If I can drop one more name, I met Michelle Bociek at my table who knows several CMS gents and is a former winner of the Bay State Marathon (1993, 3:02:46). I got a Stew Chase gym bag for the 2nd place age group placing before running home to cap out around 13 miles for Super Bowl Sunday. Looking ahead, I have the Boston Marathon in my line of sight. I am hopeful for a 3 hour race. We'll see how the New Bedford Half Marathon goes.

42nd Annual 15K Great Stew Chase, Lynn, MA February 7, 2016 results
Great Stew Chase 15K photos by KrissyK

Stew Chase after six miles
Photo by KrissyKSmugMug

Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile

I stopped by the Lazy Dog Sports Bar to register and buy a few raffle tickets. It was raining out and windy. It was sure to scare a few people away which was a shame as the proceeds support the Lynn Classical Girls Track and Field program. Classical coach and race director, Stephen Martin, gave me a hug and thanked me for coming. As Joe O’Leary said to me years ago, Stephen is one of the nicest guys in the sport.  He is doing a great job with assistant coaches like Warren McPhail at Lynn Classical. I drove home, changed, and ran back over to the race. I got to the line greeting training partners Joe O’Leary and Nakri Dao. The three of us jumped right out at the start. Joe and I ran side by side down Euclid Ave through mile 1 in 5:44. I did not check the split but the effort felt like a 5:30. I lost a step at 1.5 miles to Joe. He floated away down Broadway. My 2^nd mile was a 5:29. He had five seconds on me. I was just trying to keep it close in the last mile. Joe broke tape with a 17:09 and I for 2^nd place and 17:20 (last mile was 5:52). Nakri came in at 18:06 for 3^rd. All three of us are 40+, taking the top three.  With the wind and rain not letting up, we headed back out to get a cool down and discussed our races. After two miles with them, I broke away, headed home for a shower. Krissy and I went back for the awards for which I was late but Stephen handed me envelopes for Tides in Nahant. They will be put to good use. We stayed for lunch and caught up with Stephen and Bill Mullen.

Full Results

Myself, Bill Mullen, Nakri Dao
Photo by Krissy

St. Patricks Day Hibernian 5K

Closing in with 800m left in the Hibernian 5K

I signed up for the Hibernian 5K with a paper entry and cash in hand on Saturday afternoon at the Hibernian Hall in Lynn. Krissy was volunteering so she picked up an assignment and orange “race in progress” shirt. There were so many enthusiastic volunteers handing out race shirts and packets the day before the race. The following morning, Krissy and I headed over to the race which can’t be more than a 2 mile drive. I parked my gear inside the hall and did a solo 2 mile warm up. It was windy and going to be a variable to contend with. Dan Vassallo and Dan Chruniak (set a PR at New Bedford last week) were on the starting line awaiting the Irish and American anthems. It was chilly under the Level Renner singlet and hat. About a dozen youngsters bolted out at the start. I got into 3^rd place about a quarter of a mile into the race watching Dan squared duke it out up the hill at ¾ of a mile. Respect to them trading blows into the wind at mile one where Vassallo started to pull away. I was so far back with a 5:40 mile with barely a trace of someone behind me. The stretch into mile two provided relief from the nasty head winds and clocked with a 5:37 mile. I passed Krissy with less than a half mile to go. She had an Irish flag in one hand, camera in the other, and an eye on traffic. Mile 3 proved quicker with a 5:27. I rolled into the finish line with a 17:37 for 3^rd place, top master. I got lucky as that time would have not been in the top six last year. Vassallo took the win with 16:05 and Dan Chruniak netted a 16:40. Once the dust settled, I headed out for a 3.5 mile warm down with them, Nakri, and Katrina. 

Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile

The Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile road race in the home town of Lynn was on the SRR Grand Prix. As a result, taking a win like I did the last two years was out of the question. I just wanted to run something respectable and hang on to some of the guys that I train with at the track workouts at Tufts. I ran over to the race changed into some flats and the SRR singlet. I had a few more minutes to jog around with Nakri Dao before getting on the line.

Suffering in the middle on Magnolia Ave

Chris Antunes (SRR) and Steve Gendron took the lead and I was fourth. I moved up to third before the mile in 5:16. Aharon Wright, Bradley Harris, and Andrew Clifford went by on a down hill and I slipped off my pace in an ugly way. Kieran Condon got past me shortly after and I had about enough of the passing. I stayed behind Kieran but he was holding the 15 yard gap into mile two. I started to hear some foot steps before reaching the parking lot through Equitable Bank. I gave up two more places in the next 30 seconds as I ran past Krissy at Magnolia Park. I had to wake up but the legs flat. I turned left on Euclid Ave and kept those two guys close until the last turn onto Broadway. I picked up the pace and charged past them before reached the finish line in 7th place overall - 6th for SRR. GPS got 3.03 miles and mile splits were as follows: 514, 534, 541. Pretty rough. I should have skipped the race in favor of the Ice Fishing Tournement at Flax Pond. Dennis Floyd, Nakri, and I did a slow run back over the course. The next race will be the masters mile at the GBTC Invitational. The race will also serve as the first in the All Terrain Series.

The Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile race results
KrissyK smugmug photos

Lazy Dog 3 mile

Krissy took this photo 600m across Flax Pond as I passed 1 mile

If you live in New England, don't complain about the weather. If you do, wait an hour, it may change. A few inches of snow hit the ground on Saturday and a dusting fell on Sunday morning. By the time I ran over to the race, the pavement was fine for running. I gave the race director, Stephen Martin, my word three weeks ago that I would be there. He coaches the Lynn Classical Girls Track team and proceeds from the race support their program. The course is a loop around Flax Pond with a hill going into mile 1, slight hill beyond mile 2, and one has a slide rise up Magnolia Ave. There are plenty of volunteers on the course to make sure no one takes a wrong turn. My dad happened to drive past me on my warm up so he swung by and watched the race. I took the lead on the first right hand turn onto Euclid Ave. I ran into the Armstrong Family who were all smiles as they were driving by. I went by the mile marker in 5:34 where I thought I would see Krissy taking photos. She was not there. I was pleasantly surprised as she was on a side road around the corner. This brought more smiles from me (2 in a mile). She is fast as she set up quickly at 2.4 miles and then at the finish. The Lynn Police SUV kept the coast clear the whole way as I crossed the line in 16:54 - certain at least 30 seconds slower than last year - not bothered by it at all. I warmed down with Jason Euzikonis and planted myself at the Lazy Dog for an hour. I picked up some gift certificates and a Lazy Dog t-shirt. The day was capped off with a thank you from Stephen that night. Class act from a classy guy from Somerville.

Finding Krissy made me smile

Lazy Dog 3 mile road race photos by KrissyK
Lazy Dog 3 mile road race results January 19, 2014

Next up....Great Stew Chase 15K

With anticipation of racing the DH Jones 10 miler in Amherst, MA next month and the New Bedford Half Marathon in March, I signed up for the 35th Annual Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn, MA on Sunday. It is also Super Bowl Sunday. I have to go back and see what I have run at the Stew Chase in the past. The current course is not all that old, maybe in existence since 2002? The old course was more scenic as it ventured into Swampscott and maybe as far as Marblehead. Rumor had it that those towns had enough of road races, traffic control, and mile markers spray painted on the side of the street.

Above is a picture from a decade ago. The ageless John Barbour battling it out with a recent MIT grad and GBTC teamate, Jesse Darley. They tied that day with a 5:25 per mile clip. You don't see ties too often. I was way back, likely enjoying the scenery of the Swampscott harbour on the no doubt, cold February day. Another teammate of mine, Jim Reardon was right behind me. I recall that Jim PR'd in some indoor meets that winter. Jim and Jesse left New England for Wisconsin within a few years for career opportunities. I would be remiss to not mention current CMS teammate, Joe Shairs was third that day. He won this race in 2005, maybe his first race in a CMS uniform.

So if your looking for an honest 15K, good competition, beef or vegetarian stew, roll, and a chocolate chip cookie, do it.

Here is a run down of my history from what I could find on coolrunning.com.

1996 - Pawlicki, James 55:33 15th

1999 - 5th JAMES PAWLICKI 5:40 52:43

2001 - 8th JAMES PAWLICKI 52:08 5:36 (Personal Record and one second in front of t'mate Ben Nephew)

2003 (new and current course) - 20th JIM PAWLICKI 57:49 6:13

2007 - 10th JAMES PAWLICKI 54:59 5:54

2008 - 11th James Pawlicki 54:33 5:52