Long overdue race results from February, March and April

Race Results that I have been long overdue to capture on the blog:

StretchLAB Super Sunday 4 Miler - Bedford, NH 2/11/24. This was a USATF New England Championship Race. I missed my goal for a 7 minute pace, running a 28:25 overall net time or 7:07. 426^th place. Gun time was 28:47. Course had a slight change for the better in the middle from the ’23 version. Splits: 6:59, 6:52, 7:14, 7:15

https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/feu2urjjeskf44qz/results

Hibernian 5K – Lynn, MA 2/24/24 – Race #1 for the day. I forgot my watch but in the end, everyone said the distance wound up at 3 miles. I liked the counter-clockwise direction for the first time, really no elevation until after 2 miles where the course raised up to Boston Street. Good flat and fast finish but I was spent for the last half mile. Rich Lally pulled away from me as I settled for 21^st place and official time of 21:25, 6:54/mile.             

https://my.racewire.com/results/37784

Hamantasch Run 5K – Arlington, MA 2/24/24 – Race #2 for the day. Comp entry as Kristen was the race photographer. I think this was my first race in Arlington. The course seemed to go down for mile one after starting in front of the town hall, flat second mile and then effort to get back up to the finish over the last 700m or so. 23^rd out of 142. 25:22 was the time good for 8:10 pace. Splits: 8:17, 7:59, 8:03 and 7:33 for the last 10^th. Cool bright blue beanie for each entry.

https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/pq2fwxj2nq7fhh9k/results

Frank Nealon Boston Tune-Up 15K – Upton, MA 3/20/24 – Our Tri-Valley Front Runners hosting another solid event out of Upton for the USATF New England 15K Road Championship. I wanted to run a faster pace than the Great Stew Chase effort in February. Mission accomplished on this rolling course. An average of 161 on the beats per minute (heart rate) says it all. Gun time: 1:13:58, Chip Time: 1:13:39. 376^th out of 614 overall.

Splits were: 739, 739, 802, 733, 751, 753, 800, 812, 803 and 7:15 for the last point four. 7:54 pace per mile. Felt pretty good about the effort!

https://www.athlinks.com/event/51543/results/Event/1069936/Course/2430334/Results

April Fools 4 Mile – Salisbury, MA April 6, 2024 - This flat and fast out and back four mile is hosted by our Winner’s Circle Running Club friends. I ran my PR of 21:59 (5:15/mi) twenty years ago – with Joe Shairs right on my heels! Light rain started as the field took off. I felt a tweak of the right hamstring in mile 1 so that kept my attention for the rest of the way. Still hit 162 BPM average. 30^th place. 30:21 chip (7:36/mi pace), 30:24 gun time. Splits were 7:37, 7:41, 7:46 and 7:51.

https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/139499?customResultsPageId=66785

Primary Bank Super Sunday 4 Miler, USATF New England Grand Prix #1

Primary Bank Super Sunday 4 Miler - Bedford, NH

USATF Road Race Grand Prix Race # 1

Overall Place 313^th

17^th 45-49 age group

27:56.3 official time

Joe Shairs took the wheel, leaving two inches of snow and falling from the North Shore and we arrived at the Bedford New Hampshire High School lot within an hour. We drove past a few spin outs on Rt 93 so we were not sure what to expect for road conditions in Bedford. I was not looking forward to running on snow. We were pleasantly surprised as it was not snowing in Bedford. I ran a few miles for a warm up and got to the start line packing in next to Brett Rickenbach around the 7 minute mile crowd. Temps were in the mid 20’s so I was dressed in tights, thicker long sleeve, hat and gloves. I wore the New Balance Rebel and traction was not an issue as I was on pavement all the way. The town of Bedford did a good job there. 

I was 6:36 at the mile behind Brett and CMS teammate Paul Bazanchuk. I would lose ground to them in mile 2 with a 6:51 split and then really fell back with a 7:02 and 7:17 mile. My right calf was giving me the business the whole race and mailed it in over the last half of the race. Still, I was glad to get into my first race of the year and see so many familiar faces and teams again. This being the first USATF New England Grand Prix race of 2022, the competition was deep. The CMS men would finish as follows as a teams placed well in four age groups.

Open team 4^th out of 18 teams

Masters (40+) team 2^nd out of 13 teams

Seniors (50+) 1^st out of 10 teams

Veterans (60+) 4^th out of 8 teams

Westfield Fast 5K

I met Dennis Floyd in Lynnfield to hit the road for the Westfield Fast 5K, a point to point course with a little drop in the last mile after the initial first two flat miles. Prior results confirmed that it was a quick course, maybe as much as 30 seconds for the top guys. We left the North Shore around 9:35 and rolled onto the Westfield State University Campus around 11:45 for the 1pm start. We hit three tough stretches of traffic on the Mass Pike that slowed us down.

I bumped into Barbara McManus who was not going to use her bib number. The transfer process was quite the ordeal as the folks at registration had no process for it. I took charge and said I would handle the administrative leg work. After some running around I got it done. I wrote transfer to # 285, Barbara McManus, all over my race application. I was nice to see my name in the results hours later. One less thing to worry about after the race.

After warming up for less than a mile with Dennis, I put myself about 20 rows back. Gun went off and I got my legs moving up and out of the WSU South Parking lot driveway for the only uphill. I stayed to the far left on the main road which was a flat straight away past Stanley Park where I have run many cross country races with Salem State.

My first mile was around 6:34, the first time seeing a six something mile in almost two and a half months. The next mile was a few seconds slower, 6:38 but I was feeling all right. The last mile dropped down a bit in terms of elevation into down town and I tried to open up the stride a bit but was not too sure if I could. I ran 6:20 and pretty much kept that pace to the finish line with a 20:11.1 chip time or 20:20 clock time.

I converged with some teammates to see how they did. Everyone ran really fast. Plenty of smiles all around. CMS had 24 guys. The open team was 3^rd, masters 1^st, seniors 1^st, and vets were 3^rd. I ran back to the start line with some CMS teammates.

This was my first race in a while and was curious about how my knee and lungs were going to react to the race after a lay off and minimal training. I received MRI results on Friday, the day before race. The knee pain that I have been dealing with is the result of a torn meniscus. I will be looking to an arthroscopic procedure soon which sounds like I will be back to running after 5 to 6 weeks.

Westfield Fast 5K results 2019

Lone Gull 10K

I jumped into the Lone Gull 10K in Gloucester as it was a CMSteam race as are all USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix road races. Thiswas GP race 6 out of 7 in the series. I have not done this race since a 36:02showing in 2016. I was on the 45 day DL last year nursing something behind myleft knee.

Krissy and I picked up our race numbers at New EnglandRunning Company the day before. I got a chance to thank and say hello to race organizers/directors,Jane McNally and Len Femino for hosting and organizing a great event. The 10K coursehad a changed this year. A loop from a private neighborhood in the middle ofthe course was removed to appease the Pumpkin Spice Latte neighbor who said “notin my hood!” Town records did not show any opposition in the last five years.

To make up for that removed mile loop, the last mile wouldextend out to Rt 127A (Thatcher Rd) beyond the former finish line (now almostmile 5) on Nautilus Rd. The last turn would include a 90 degree right into the GoodHarbor Beach parking lot driveway. The finish line would be at the opposite endof the lot, close to the registration tent. A warm breakfast would be waiting therefor all finishers later in the morning.

The weather was decent, low 60’s, sunny skies, and anon-impactful breeze. I started next to a group of CMS guys about 10 rows backfrom the new starting line, about 150 yards from the old start. The new startis next to the old finish so we had to climb up and over a hill after theopening 20 seconds.

I trucked through mile one around 6:20 per my Garmin while a6:29 split was heard (the difference in gun time or time to reach the startline). Michael McGrane from the BAA (he ran a xc GP race the day before) wasclose and David Lapierre was 5 seconds ahead. My next two miles would be in thelow sixes. 

I gradually went by a few runners and ran along with BrianCullinan from SRR. We completed some 1K intervals two week ago. I caught up to EJ,John Barbor, and Regina Loiacano around mile three. John said he must be havinga good day if he is anywhere near me. The guy is pure gent, dropping me acompliment while racing.

My 5K split that I heard was in the low 19’s setting me upfor a mid-38 minute 10K. I opened the stride on the downhill stretch to theocean. Michael took off. Mile four passed by in 5:53 and I was starting to targetDavid and Michael.

I caught them after 5 miles giving encouragement to tagalong as I felt decent. I passed a few more folks to the entrance of the GoodHarbor Beach parking lot. I got by one more runner in the long but finalstretch along the parking lot to the finish which provided the quickest mile ofthe day, 5:47. I placed 146^th and a chip time of 37:42. I was happywith the compete level over the last four miles.  

Garmin splits (watch was started at the start line, not pergun) below.

Mile       Pace      Elevation

1             6:19        11ft

2              6:06        22ft

3              6:06        12ft

4              5:53        -38ft

5              6:03        6ft

6              5:47        -10

The CMS men did very well with the open team taking 5^thwhile the masters and seniors each placed 2^nd overall. I gottogether with several CMS guys for a few more miles along the beach houses. Itwas fun to hear the race recaps, battles, and upcoming racing the guys plan ondoing. 

By the time I got back to the post race activities, age group awardswere being announced and given out by Len Femino. There were French Toaststicks, maple syrup, and sausages by the time I got to the empty breakfast lineso that was a bonus. That might have been a first! Lastly, as Krissy and Idrove out, who did I see picking up trash and cones, Len Femino. The man doesit all.

2018 Lone Gull 10K results

Top photo courtesy and credit to Leslie Whiting Poitras and the bottom photo courtesy and credit to New England Runner Magazine.

Downtown 5K - Providence, RI

The Downtown 5K in Providence was selected as the 5K New England Championship within the 2018 road race Grand Prix, as it was in 2017. I was on the injured reserve and had a front row seat watching from the sidelines which no runner can appreciate. The “downtown” reference is appropriate as the race is surrounded by the tall buildings and in particular, start and finish is steps away from the Rhode Island State Capitol. The course is flat outside the opening 200m downhill and closing 200m uphill. I have some history at the race: last raced it in 2004, running 16:32, 88^th place in what was the USATF National 5K Road Championship. It was the National Championship for a long time until title sponsor CVS backed out in 2017.

I arrived early with free and easy parking with Dennis Floyd (PR of 15:23 on this course in the early 2000’s) and Nakri Dao who was fresh off his Spartan Beast event the day before. I ran a warm up of 3 miles with the guys and settled into the start about 10 rows back.

I opened with a 5:31 opening mile. It did not feel out of place but I knew it was not sustainable. As the race got into a single file train away from downtown, I came through a mile 2 split of 5:47. I was on the struggle bus back to the finish line with a 6:00 mile. I managed to finish strong heading up the hill at mile 3 and get past a few guys. I got a time of 18:17.4 (chip) and 18:21.8 (gun) which placed me 143^rd out of 1824 finishers. I was 14^th in my age group. The CMS men did very well with the open team placing 4th, masters team coming in 1st, and the seniors finishing 2nd.   

2018 Downtown 5K USATF New England Championship 5K Results

NH10 mile

Krissy and I picked up Nakri on the way up to Auburn NH for the NH10 mile, USATF New England Grand Prix. I ran this 2 years ago in just over an hour. I was aiming for 1:02-1:03 this year. The weather was decent for August, not humid. I rolled through the early miles with Jonas from Wicked who wanted to stick with my plan of low 6 minute pace. Joe Shairs kept company in the early rollers. They dropped me after four miles as climbing was beating me up and I was in a maintenance mode. 

Mile 5 passed in 31:30 or so. There was some decent up and downs in the 2^nd half. I ran was flat at mile 8 but not many were passing by other than two Dirigo RC guys. Got to mile 9 and my company and I all had the same idea: run hard down the hill. David Lapierre ripped by me entering the final turns to the finish. I dug down to get back next to him. He helped me wake up as I sprinted by him into the finish. I finished 101^st place, with a time of 1:04:24.4 (chip time). My last mile was the fastest of the day with a 6:02. 

400M to go with Dave Lapierre coming in fast
Photo by Denise Underwood

The CMS masters team took the win with Patrick Rich, Kevin Hankens, Arthur Besse, Tim Van Orders, and Dave Dunham as the scoring five.

2018 NH10 mile race results

Mile splits and map

Ribfest 5 mile

Lined up for the start line, about 8 rows back for the Ribfest 5 mile road race, another New England Championship event on Fathers Day in Merrimack, NH. My goal was to run sub 6:00 miles. First mile was exactly that and 2^nd mile just under. All was good and had Dave Dunham rolling along. The 3^rd mile, only one with shade, had the pace slow to 6:08 and I knew it. Dave motored onward. The course climbs very subtly up after 5K and I was just wiped out. 

Within mile 1 with Chris Smith in the white hat and Dave Dunham next to Heather Mahoney
Photo by Kim Gordon

I ran by Krissy as she was still heading out. Mile 3 to 4 gave me a 6:31 mile and I was not surprised. I knew it was poor. With the downhill finish, I managed to get back on track and salvage some pride with a 6:03 mile for the last one. Coach, Joe OLeary was the beacon but stayed 10 seconds ahead of me at the finish line. 118^th place, 23^rd in the 40-49 age group, 30:42.7 chip time.

118  James Pawlicki   43  Central Mass Striders   18:45.3 (5K split) 30:47 (gun)  30:42.7 (chip)

I regrouped with the CMS guys, hearing how races developed. The open team finished 3^rd overall, masters and seniors took team wins. I grabbed my bag, found my dad and watched Krissy finish before taking off for a car show in Brookline, MA..

Frank Nealon Boston Tune-up 15K

Dennis Floyd, Nakri Dao, and I arrived in Upton for the Frank Nealon Boston Tune-up 15K which was the 2nd race in the USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix. Parking was easy as was picking up the bib number inside the gym. I caught up with my CMS teammates before heading out for a 15 minute warm up. Onto the starting line, about four rows back with my CMS mates. The weather was nice for late March, sunny and almost 50 degrees.

The course rolled early and often. I opened up with a pair of 5:45's. The 3rd mile had the most climb and I registered a 6:09. I mentally was breaking the race down into thirds. Mile 4 had the most net drop (-41ft) and I returned a sub six. Mile 5 was level but recall a hill that I could see from a half mile away. I was sort of keeping Josh Perks close on the down hills. Mile six gave me a 6:00 split.

Two thirds of the race distance was in the rear view mirror. Dave Dunham came by and went by easily. I was hurting. I begged Tim Van Orden to jump back into the race and "jog" with me. He was done, walking off calf pain. I had a pair of 6:17's for miles 7 and 8. Tough ones for me. I regrouped a little bit in the last mile when Joe O'Leary came up on me. I heard his cough and I peeked back and said that I recognized that cough. He laughed and told me to bring us home to the finish.

I gave it all I had. Despite that I lost two spots in the last half mile including one to Bradford Klinedinst, within my age group which put me into 11th for the day. Overall, 93rd place with a time of 56:38 – 6:04 per mile pace. I felt pretty good with the effort. I would not have changed my approach. I really liked the course and the rolling terrain. The CMS teams did very well with 2nd open, 2nd masters, and 3rd senior team. I am looking forward to resting up this week and looking for more races which could include Doyles 5 mile and the Merrimack River Trail Race.

My coach, Joe O'Leary catching me in the last mile
Photo by Rodney Hemingway