Jones Group Realtors 10 mile, Amherst

USATF New England Road Race Championship number one kicked off the new year at the Jones Group 10 mile in Amherst, Ma. There was a buzz of communication that took place in the days before day light on Sunday morning with a pending snow storm. The race director pushed the start of the race until 1pm to offset any poor driving conditions with whatever mother-nature spit at New England over the weekend. Joe, Krissy and I left Peabody at 9:30 and rolled into Amherst two hours later. The rain / snow line was right around Rt. 495. The skies got brighter as we approached Amherst which greeted us with light drizzle, temps in the mid 30’s, and a little wind that did not appear to impact the race course too much. I was happy to hear that the course was 99% clear and the dirt road was certainly runnable (no ice).

After mile 9 in Amherst looking ragged
Photo by KrissyK

I warmed up with the CMS guys and decided to wear the Inov8 195’s that Todd Callaghan (GCS) gave me last year. I got a good start and quickly looked for company to roll with for the next few miles. I was pretty cautious to not go out too fast. I have done this race at least five times so I know the hilly terrain well. It does not get any easier with the experience and age increase. This is not a PR course. I had my GPS watch on but purposely kept it covered under my long sleeve. The first two miles are and up and down, down, down affair. I was at the back of a group that I felt was fast enough for my liking. Sean McDonough (SRR) and I talked before the race and we had a similar goal of sub 58. We started the climb into mile 3 where we both spectated last year during this very race. I reminded him of that as we passed the water stop. It was nice to be racing this time.  We had a steady dose of climbing and light ascending before flattening out into the dirt road. I recall big snow flakes coming down but it did not cause a problem.  I set sights on catching Stephanie Reilly (Team Run) which I was successful in doing around 4 miles. She was cursing and swearing the dirt road which was firm amongst the puddles but my traction was decent.

I caught Kevin Alliette (WRT) and we passed through mile five. I was too lazy to check my Garmin for the time and distance so I asked him what we just passed through 5 in? 29:08 replied Kevin. He took off on me shortly thereafter and put almost a minute on me to the finish line. In the distance, I could see Joe Shairs and then Dave Dunham and thought maybe I could close in. I was closing on Todd. I was only able to get within his heels. I encouraged him, no, told him, that he needs to start rolling around 6.5 miles which has some decent down grade if he wanted to catch the master runners ahead. It was at this point that my right calf was starting to not feel good. The Inov8 195’s and my less than perfect stride were no doubt catching up to me (denial that my fitness is not where it should be). Todd took off. I only wish I had the fitness to join him as he got some decent momentum. I focused on getting to the low point of the course and did not worry about how I was going to get up the hills and into the finish. I was a mess on the climb up to mile 9 but held it together as best I could. I started to hear Stephanie behind me so I had to get a move on (hustle) as I was in no mood give up position in the last mile. I got it together after the rail road tracks and held on into the parking lot where I got within a few feet of Ryan Miller. I finished 53^rd out of 510 runners. My time was 58:26 (5:51 pace) and just three spots away from page 1 on the posted results. Page one has been elusive for me in the New England Championship races. The effort was strong the whole way despite fadeding a bit after 7 miles which was totally expected. My training for the week was not the best as I missed some days after wisdom teeth (2) extraction and some good ‘ol pain all week (thankfully does not hurt while running). No excuses though….

Full results

KrissyK photos

Snowshoe Classic at Brooksby Farms

Hitting the line on empty
Photo by Krissy courtesy iPhone 4S

I signed up for this 5K (my GPS plotted 3.09 miles during the race) snowshoe race at Brooksby Farm in Peabody as soon as I heard the Blizzard of 2013 was coming. Mother Nature was not going to keep this guy down. Krissy and I picked up Angel Green (Wicked Running Club) and headed to the farm. I realize that I have kept all of my 2013 racing within a five mile radius of home. Just a lazy coincidence so far. After getting my bib number and race packet that had a pair of socks (can't get enough socks, right?) I made a point to find the race director to get the scoop on the course. He said between orange ribbons, arrows, volunteers, and snowmobile tracks, it should be easy to follow. He also said save your energy for the hills at the end. He was not kidding. Did I listen? Nope. I warmed up for a light run on the roads with Steve Dowsett (Whirlaway) who has been tearing up the snowshoe races this winter. I got set with the racing stuff and eased into the Dion 121 snowshoes that have had only one race under them (Sidehiller 2011). I wore Inov8 195's which are light. We got some instruction from the race director and the Mayor of Peabody, Edward A. Bettencourt Jr., shot the starting pistol releasing almost 70 brave entries. I jumped into the lead and let the lungs burn. I listened to the shuffling behind me as I worked along, shifting left and right on the track to find stable footing. Despite the snowmobile running over it, the snow was still deep, light, and sloppy for footing. I lost the sound of shuffling behind me after a few minutes and headed into the woods loop which could be described as a winter wonderland - tall pines covered with snow. The snow was barely broken by those that marked the course. The hills were gently rolling so far when the course popped out to the orchard with a generous long downhill stretch where I opened up the stride and let it fly for a bit. I thought the race director was being kind but I know what goes down must be offset with getting back up to the farm. The tough sledding came when crossing a field that was exposed to plenty of deep drift from the winds a day earlier. It took a lot of effort. This was certainly the deepest stuff we embarked on the course. I tried to minimize overall effort to prepare for the climb that I anticipated ahead. True to form, the hill that the race director warned about loomed. It was not steep but long enough to get your attention. I worked it and the strides short. My legs were cooked at the top. I could see the barn house that we started next to in the distance and was looking forward to hitting that finish line as my tank was close to empty. It felt like forever to get there as the course teases us as we had to go around the barn property and tour another orchard. I passed a cool green air cooled Volkswagen Camper Bus (something like this) buried in the snow 200 meters before the finish line. Leave it to the VW geek to appreciate that site during a lung burning event. I was relieved to hit the finish line in 31:35, 10:12 per mile average, a result of the conditions. Dave Long (Wicked Running Club) was 2nd in 32:17. Steve finished up fifth overall, 34:49, and was not too happy how his race unfolded. Snow conditions and course terrain can beat up the fittest of athletes. I put down a Vita Coco and two apple cinnamon bars before heading out for a cool down loop with Steve on the roads. The race was treated with plenty of food inside the barn house which is a store all year-round. I helped myself to the veggie chili, apple crisp, and mini italian sandwiches from Santoros. I picked up a jar of Brooksby Farm Honey and a Su Changs (awesome Cantonese food) gift certificate. Meanwhile, there were raffles flying out left and right. Krissy scored a Paddy Kelly's gift certificate. In all, this was a great event. The course was tough but gave the entrant what they would expect in southern New England. Mother Nature came through with the snow and we happily met the challenge.

 Jen Searl, Angel Green, Patrick Taylor, Jim Pawlicki, Krissy Kozlosky

Results

Great Stew Chase

Unlaced into the finish at the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn
Photo by KrissyK

I placed third (54:27, 5:51 pace) on Sunday at the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn. It was not easy as I had a front row seat watching CMS masters and teammates - Jason Porter and Dave Dunham take command in the second half of the race. Jason broke up a pack of six around mile 4 to chase solo leader, Daniel Croteau (NBTC). Jason got the lead somewhere around the "turn-around" while Dave and Somerville Road Runner, Ryan Kerrigan matched his move as they passed Daniel. I trailed a few strides and noted that my downhill prowess was failing. Dave Corbett was beside at this point and looking good. I had to work hard to keep Dave Dunham and Ryan close. I trailed both by four seconds when we left Centennial Park (6.5 miles). I felt my laces loosen up on my right shoe. I did not want to look down, maintaining denial that it was happening. For the record, the shoe was double tied with loops tucked in before race start. I was not about to stop and and take care of it, however, I worried. I lost focus and ground to Dave who was really holding tough and trying to catch Jason. I got past Ryan who stayed in my hip pocket and no doubt laughing at my laces whipping about. Dave and Jason never let up over the last two miles. I barely held Ryan off at the end where Krissy and my dad were. I just then looked down at the laces. Just one loop came untied, the other fine which saved everything from unraveling except my race. Still, this was a hard effort. It was fun to have the pack early on. These guys will be hitting the Amherst 10 mile race hard so the efforts on this course will pay off.

Full results on coolrunning
Stew Chase 15K photos by KrissyK

AlterG Anti-Gravity experience



Defying Gravity while running



I met up with Kev Balance, EJN, Victoria Barnaby, and Joe Navas at Fitzgerald Physical Therapy in Woburn on Friday evening. Thus LevelRenner was in full representation and got the skinny with a plethorah of video, stats, and interviews over the course of the next few hours. Sean and Holly Fitzgerald have state of the art services, therapy rooms, massage, and an AlterG Treadmill. I have always been curious about the treadmill that defies gravity since hearing Nate Jenkins running a sub 4 minute mile a few years ago. Sean gave us the tour of his facility before we hit him with questions on the AlterG for which we'd all have a go at. I was amazed what it was like to run on the treadmill at 80% of my body weight. Speed, incline, and percentage of body weight are adjustable on the fly. I ran for about 1.5 miles from 8 mph to 10.5 mph. My legs did not feel like they were working too hard but I was certainly breaking a sweat after a few minutes. I adjusted the percentage of my body weight while running and it was hilarious to feel what it is really like to be "light on your feet." I got some video of Kevin for about a minute while he was zipped in below. Joe is taking video in the background. Check out LevelRenner here which will soon feature high quality video of our visit and an inteview with Sean Fitzgerald at the end of the night.

Each of us walked away with a better idea of what the treadmill was all about and the benefits it has for athletes either recovering or to gauge, specifically measure, at what point pain comes into the picture. Sean and Holly were great for keeping the lights on after hours and giving us their time. They offer all sorts of services at their facility in Woburn and have an additional office in Malden. The running services include: full extremity biomechanical assessment, video running analysis, functional movement screen, expert footwear recommendation, assesment of need for orthotics, therapeutic excercise prescription, and instruction for running technique. As for the AlterG, it can be rented by the minute with various programs that are reasonably priced if you purchase bulk minutes.

Lazy Dog Classy 3 mile fun run

Smiling before the pace would slow
Photo by Sandy Armstrong

Dad, Krissy, and I before the race
Photo by Dean Malerba

Joe OLeary sent out an email to the SRR email list and suggested this 3 mile road race last month. It is directed by a long time SRR member, Steve Martin who works at Lynn City Hall and coaches the Lynn Classical High School Girls Track team. The Lazy Dog Sports Bar played host to the race and funds support the Classical Girls track team. Krissy and I were all in for a local event that was no more than a mile from the casa. I ran over to the race, taking the long way for a 15 minute warm up. I got my number and ran for a few more minutes before getting sorted into the racing gear - lining up next to fellow SRR runners: Neil Finnegain and Amie. Ready, Set, Go was given by Steve and the crowd of 120 took off for the loop around Flax Pond. I passed the mile in 5:09. The pace slowed a bit as some head wind dominated on Rt. 129. Neighbor and friend Sandy was all over the course with baby Mia. I finished hard to the finish line in front of the Lazy Dog and my dad coaching, in 16:11 - 5:24 per mile pace for the 3 miles (full results). Krissy handled the course well as she and Sandy run the loop a few times a week. The sometimes coned course was well marked, had plenty of volunteers where needed at intersections, and the Lynn Police pace car looked out for my well being throughout the course which was mostly flat (two momentum breakers on Euclid Ave before mile 1 and Magnolia Ave around 2.4 miles). Kris and I hung out for the post race party with friends and neighbors. I spent the awarded gift certificate on lunch and wound up meeting a former owner of mi casa. It was a pleasure to get some interesting history. Looking ahead, I will be participating in the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn (pay $1/kilometer for pre-entry) on Super Bowl Sunday which unfortunately will not include the Patriots who got stuffed in the 2nd half tonight - picking a bad time to provide turnovers.

Wicked Frosty Four

Focused through Mile 1. Photo by KrissyK

I got off on the right foot, so to speak, at the Wicked Frosty Four mile road race in Salem with a rare road race win on the first day of the new year. I got lucky as the top three guys from last year were not on the starting line. I saw Alex Gomes and David Corbett at registration and knew they would be in the mix. My dad was at the start line. I ran over and gave him a hug and welcomed in the new year. He said, “make sure you come in top ten.” I got on the starting line next to EJ Hrynowski who had a nice Q&A profile LevelRenner. I lead the race after the first turn off of Front Street. I was waiting for Alex or David to catch up but it never materialized. Alex ended up pacing the female winner, former Salem State University runner (now with GBTC) Taylor Krajewski. His name was absent in the results so he saved his entry fee. I expect to see him on the indoor track busting out sub 5’s for a 5K in the next six weeks. I ran past Krissy somewhere near mile 1 as she was taking photos. I went forward chasing the lead vehicle, Salem Police Department’s cruiser with co-race director Allison Phelan in the passenger side seat. The wind was at my back, as expected and scouted during my warm up. Thus, the first two miles were effortless into the Salem Willows neighborhood despite the lack of company. The head wind was rather sobering leaving the Salem Willows at 2.5 miles and along Dead Horse Beach. It was me against the elements, really a true test of character. I thought of Dave Dunahm in this stretch toward mile three as I wished he was there in the battle as he was last year. I passed Krissy again now in another spot watching her cross the street to get the best camera angle for the following 686 runners. I never looked back to see how close second place was but stayed alert throughout the race, acknowledging for any vocal support behind me anytime I ran by spectators on the course. I high fived an officer holding up traffic to get me through a busy intersection and tried to stay focused and ensure that I don’t get run down in the last mile. The last turn finally came about with a slight decline down Front Street and into the finish seeing that my time was slower than last year (22:21 vs 21:51). My time would have put me in at 8^th place last year. David came through shortly after I got a bottle of water. I gave a fist bump to the top ten runners before heading right out, wasting no time in the 30 degree weather, to run the four mile course again. The Salem News put out some positive press on the race in the paper which had the biggest turnout ever with 687 finishers.

Somewhere around 3 miles. Photo by KrissyK

Sixth Annual Wicked Frosty Four Miler 

Salem, MA, January 1, 2013

1  690 James Pawlicki        1/74   M3039 38 M Lynn            MA   22:21   22:22  5:36

2  401 David Corbett         1/34   M2029 29 M Stoneham     MA   23:06   23:07  5:47

3  673 Jason Barnes          1/58   M5059 50 M Salem           MA   23:29   23:30  5:53

Full results and photos by KrissyK

Mill Cities Relay

As the Mill Cities Relay slogan goes, 28.3 miles, 5 legs, 2 states, 1 river. I ran my second relay in consecutive years with SRR Coed Open team. I led off with a 5.4 mile leg from Nashua, handing off to Diona Fulton who was responsible for 4.75 miles before passing the baton to Lexi Abel who would rip through 2.5 miles to the boathouse on the Merrimac River in Lowell where Chris Klucznik would run the 9.5 mile leg to hand off to team captain, Sean McDonough, to take it home with a hilly 4.75 miles to commence at the Claddagh Pub in Lawrence. Our team, SRR - Nuke to a Knife Fight, finished 12th overall and fourth overall in the very competitive Coed Open division. All teams by division are here.

Krissy dropped me off at the Claddagh before 7:00 so I could meet up with my team. Lexi and Chris followed Sean and I up to the start. We were surprised how icy the side roads were upon our approach to the start in Nashua. It was somewhat concerning. Someone joked that they forgot their ice skates. I got sorted in my racing gear and waited in the cold Port-O-John line at 7:35. By the time I got out, I only had 12 minutes to warm up for the 8:00 (sharp!) start. I bumped into Todd Callaghan and we ran five minutes out and turned around to head back to the start. We missed the gun. There was a mild panic followed by hustling to get past and up to the front of the race. It took us a few minutes but we were in the top 25 before we knew it. The footing underneath was not too bad aside from ice on a bridge that lasted about 75 yards. I reeled in one runner at a time and got up into 7th place. I could see Mike Quintal way up ahead leading the SRR open. Todd pulled up on me before 3 miles, with a split of 16:42. We had some back and forth with three guys right in front of us (Whirlaway, GLRR, and ?), maybe 8 seconds up. Mile four went by in 22:17 (5:35) as Todd and I continued the back and forth battle, working hard to keep the pace honest and keep the three gents ahead close. Mile 5 went by in 27:50 (5:32). We had just .4 to go. Soon, Todd asked if the exchange was ahead. I was not familiar with the course so I was feeling it out myself. All I knew was that we were looking for a Sears warehouse.

28.3 miles later from L-R, Jim Pawlicki, Sean McDonough, Lexi Abel, Chris Klucznik

We soon started to see runners turn left so we knew that the exchange had to be in there. Todd got a step ahead into that turn. I used discretion and caution not to slip. We ran into the exchange ready to hand off to our teammates. We both slowed down to a crawl as no one was there to accept the exchange from our outreached arms. I walked through the exchange, looking for Diona on the left, right, straight ahead. I saw at least six other SRR mates. Jeers and booing rang from the spectators with their disapproval. One guy told me to keep going. I turned around, walked back to the beginning of the exchange with the baton strip up above my head. Todd found his partner. Then I saw Diona on the side walking in. She had that look of surprise and "oh @#&%?!" She jetted out of there. I think I then stopped my watch at 30:22, not really sure, it was a blur. That .4 accounted for a 2:32 I guess? Sean was huge. He had my bag of dry clothes right there for me. I changed into them a few minutes later after catching up with Krissy and friend Sandy. Sean collected his car and we drove through that second leg cheering mates along the way. We went ahead to the boat house where Chris was getting ready for Lexi. The studs were ready to take off in this exchange...Pat Moulton (GCS), Joe Navas (WRT), Dmitri Drozdov (SRR), Jake Barnett (SRR open), Jose Ortiz (WRT) just to name a few. While hanging out, I was happy to see Chris Simpson come through for the SRR masters. He's a quick dude and it was awesome to see him on the roads as his forte is with spikes on the oval. Lexi came through to hand off to Chris Klucznik who had the longest leg of the day but one that would include a lot of runners to catch. Sean and I drove to the last exchange so he could get ready. While there, I caught up with Scott McGrath (former CMS, then WRT). One thing of note at the last exchange, the Port-O-John's were not there forcing runners to hit the woods. Anyhow, Chris came through to hand off to Sean.

Todd and I entering the exchange zone. Photo by Roger Perham.

I drove Sean's car to the finish with Chris and Lexi in tow. I gave a yell out the car window to anyone that I knew along the way. Sean brought it home and the team finished 12th overall as mentioned above. The next two hours were spent in the Claddagh for the post race festivities. I devoured the meal like a starved fugitive and caught up with several friends. In particular, I spoke with Mike Pelletier of the North Shore Striders, getting the scoop on the Nahant 30K (I got lucky and won this a few years ago) which will be granted as a USATF New England Grand Prix Championship in the next week. I am excited for the opportunity to have a race in my backyard. Soon, it was time to call it a day at the Mill Cities Relay which in summary is the perfect opportunity to get your club to put several teams out there and have fun. I saw that throughout the event and even more so at the Claddagh Pub where members from all teams are in good company. The event for me closed with a team photo which must have been downright intimidating with all of that black and yellow. As I reflect on my leg today, the one thing that sticks out is how quick it went by. I don't mean the time it took run 5.4 miles. I mean how fast it all went by. It felt like it was over in minutes, not a half an hour. I guess that is a good thing.