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

Maudslay State Park 5K snowshoe run

Brett, Krissy, and I arrived at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport for a 5K fun run on snowshoes. We waited for a few more folks to arrive before heading out for a warm up on the roads. Dave Dunham said the course would be fast and that was good to hear. The atmosphere was fun, low key, but organized as Dave flagged a loop. The competition was deep and fast. Scott McGrath wasted no time bolting down from the field into the valley. Steve Dowsett and Mark Larosa followed keeping company. I kept the fourth position throughout the race, solo all the way. The conditions were great for me, stayed on top of the snow layer all the way which was packed down from the previous day that seemed to have plenty of cross country skiers and hikers about. The course was essentially the Trav’s Trail XC loop so it was that fun rolling course with thick pines all around. I had no chance of catching Steve who found himself in 3^rd after 1.5 miles. We finished the course with the infamous climb up back to the field we started on. Classic lung and muscle burner. I closed into the line in 4^th,  21:27. Steve was 18 seconds in front of me and Greg Putnam was a bit over 30 ticks behind. My GPS picked up 3.09 miles. A group of us collected for some photos and cheered the last of the runners in before we headed out to pick up course markings. Krissy ran/hiked through the course in 55 minutes and seemed to enjoy herself. Brett was out there for more than 25 minutes, just behind Derek Dorval – who will be racing for CMS this year on the masters team. [Results]

BU mini meet 1 mile

BU - known as Boston University - hosted the last of three mini meets today. Dennis Floyd, Larissa Park and I arrived while the 3K was going on so we had plenty of time to get our numbers, relax, and then warm up for the mile. The three of us were signed up with seed times pretty close to each other. I seeded myself at 4:56. We had to wait for all heats of the 3K and 400m to finish before we were called over to check in for the 1 mile. We got into heat 7. I grabbed hip and chest #2 and warmed up with Dennis and Larissa inside.

Dennis asked me today while we were warming up "when was the last time we toed the line together on a track?" I was not ready for the question but I surprised us both that I did know what race it was (the year was fuzzy so I had to look it up tonight). We finished 19th (16:22.67) and 20th (16:24.56) in the USATF New England Indoor Track and Field 5000 meter championship race at Harvard in February of 2008. I was DFL (dead freaking last) and Dennis was bothered by an achilles issue. [meet results]

I was pretty nervous before the start as expected. It has been a few years since I raced on the indoor oval. I got sorted with my flats taking a few strides with one foot having an Inov8 and the other a Saucony A4. I went with Saucony. They called for heat seven as soon as heat six finished. I saw former CMS 'mate Jeff Goupil finish his mile in 4:57. I lined up in between seed #1 (a female) and seed #3 - Larissa. Dennis was a few runners down, maybe the 6th person to my right. The starting gun got us off in a hurry. I jumped toward the back and waited for those on the stagger fill in after the 1st turn. I planned on taking the first few laps cautiously to not worry about place but pay attention to the splits - staying in the hunt of 37 or 38 seconds per lap. Lap one and two were around just that. Three laps down and I was around 1:52 just behind Larissa and Dennis. I felt good and noted a good bounce to the track. I wanted to get aggressive and move up - get competitive with the 10 or so in front of me. I had to wait though and use patience. I passed half way (half mile or 800m) in 2:30 and moved out and put in a hard lap. This is risky. I could put in that surge and it could cost me a few laps later. I carried the momentum and found myself closing in on the two leading the race so I went after them keeping my aggressive move now for three laps. I passed them at the bell lap taking the lead. My inexperienced legs wobbled on the back straight, form started to break down, and I heard steps coming back on me. The guy blew by (he would win with 4:50.95) and then one more on the final straight into the finish line (he finished with 4:52.4). I finished 3rd with a time of 4:53.2. Dennis ran quicker than last week dropping his time down to 5:02.26 and Larissa was the 3rd fastest female in the mile (5:12.92).

BU mini meet #3 results - January 4, 2014

I was good with the time and beat my seeded expectation of 4:56. I had so much fun ripping through the 2nd half of the race. I had a negative split by comparing the 1st 800m (2:30) and 2nd 800m (2:23). Moving up through the race after 800 meters reminded me of my younger and fitter days when my mile times were under 4:40. I had the fitness to make the aggressive surges, back it up, and have the kick in the last lap. Today, it was all there in terms of instinct and execution minus the follow through (and slower pace) to the finish line. I had fun today and did not expect that. I expected the hurt box for 7 out of 8 laps and a physical break down in the 2nd half of the race. The race exceeded all expectations but I was purposely careful on the approach by keeping the first four laps within myself and staying out of traffic. The experience has me wanting more of this indoor track racing: what can I do if I ran another mile but ran the 1st 800m in 2:23? 

Wicked Frosty Four

The Wicked Frosty Four mile race was the objective today to bring in the new year. I warmed up with Christopher Klucznik, Jordan Kinley, and Megan Nedlo. It was in the mid 20's with a westerly wind. That relates to having it at our back for two miles and in our grill for the last two or so. The start and finish moved from the usual Front Street to Charter Street - just 250m away - keeping runners off the Cobblestone. Otherwise, the rest of the course remained the same. Nate Jenkins and another guy took right off (turned out to be a Villanova stud and Australian, Jordan Williamsz). They proceeded to hit the mile in 4:39. I found myself in 7th place behind Christopher Chapruet from Danvers. My first mile was 5:08 and it felt OK. I got a stride closer in the second mile to him. My split was 10:32 (5:24). As we exited the neighborhood behind the Salem Willows we got the wind in our face and then it was full on beyond Dead Horse Beach. I tried to get onto his shoulder over the next 400m after the tough hill. That never materialized so I settled in behind and lost him a bit. He pulled away after mile three (16:11 - 5:39  mile split). I tried to hang tough knowing the race would be over in a few minutes. He held me off by four seconds while I crossed the finish line in 7th place overall and a time of 21:46 (5:27 / mile average). It was my worst placing in the race but quickest time (see below). I was pleased with running almost thirty seconds quicker than last year. I thanked my dad for cheering me on and changed my flats for my trainers while catching up with Alex Gomes who is headed off to serve in the Army. I collected Nate, Jordan, Megan, Geoff Nelson, and Christopher Kluckznik for a four mile loop into and around Winter Island which was hosting a polar plunge. Ouch!

Wicked Frosty Four mile history

Date        Place   Time    Pace  Age

1/1/2014   7       21:46  5:27    39

1/1/2013   1       22:22  5:36    38

1/1/2012   4       21:51  5:28    37

Wicked Frosty Four results - January 1, 2014 - Salem, MA

Wicked Frosty Four mile start in Salem
Place Name             Ag S City       St Nettime Pace  Guntime Pace
1 Jordan Williamsz     21 M Lynn       MA   19:14  4:49   19:14  4:49 
2 Nate Jenkins         33 M N.Andover  MA   19:28  4:52   19:28  4:52 
3 Geoff Nelson         28 M Providence RI   20:40  5:10   20:41  5:11 
4 Jordan Kinley        29 M Salem      MA   20:48  5:12   20:48  5:12 
5 Christopher Klucznik 31 M Somerville MA   21:15  5:19   21:16  5:19 
6 Christopher Chapruet 21 M Danvers    MA   21:42  5:26   21:42  5:26 
7 James Pawlicki       39 M Lynn       MA   21:46  5:27   21:46  5:27 
8 Erich O'Neil         22 M Beverly    MA   22:22  5:36   22:22  5:36 
9 Alex Gomes           25 M Peabody    MA   22:37  5:40   22:38  5:40 

Winnekenni 4 mile snowshoe race

The Epic run from Beverly to Gloucester that was planned with a group of North Shore runners got cancelled due to the snow coverage. Brett Rickenbach talked about snowshoe running during a recent run so we wanted opted for that to take advantage of the rapidly melting snow. Dave Dunham gave the green light of a fun run snowshoe event at Lake Winnekenni in Haverhill so we went. Greg Putnam and Dave set up the course. Someone from Granite State Timing showed up with a clock and another gent arrived to volunteer his time to record results. Six of us were on the start line. I jumped in the back after we started the run to feel out the pace and snow conditions. The snow was heavy and wet. The depth varied from zero to a foot in one section. I moved slowly up behind Greg and past him before we reached the top of the hill where the castle was (2.5 miles?). I was tentative because I knew he was already out on the course working hard with Dave to mark the course. The good thing is that he knew the course. He had to call my attention when I varied away the course a few times. He even waited for me after I went beyond the course. A gentleman and a scholar (he is a teacher). I was debating what to do and how to finish the race based on his professionalism. It was a fun run and left it at that finishing a few seconds in front of Greg. I hope that Greg does a few more races this winter as I think he will be very good at it and a competitive master. Dave, Brett, and Melissa followed. The Granite State guy who brought the clock walked in from the other end and called it a day. The first snowshoe for this season is in the books. Brett and I helped Dave pick up the mile markers and hundreds of flags. We had breakfast at Heavenly Donuts (awesome Cinnamon Rolls) down the road.

Full results

Resting after the race at Lake Winnekenni
Photo by Dave Dunham

Assault on Mt. Hood

1st place as part of team CMS at Mt Hood

Melrose has an emerald gem – Mt. Hood Golf Course. The event hosted the ninth annual and always challenging 3.5 mile cross country race. The course changes over the years but there is no way around not having to climb up and down the hills. On this particular Saturday, patches of snow cover and ice scattered the greens and cart paths. Overall, footing was safe and the course was laid out to avoid any danger of wiping out on your rear end. It was a cold and cloudy day. CMS had four representing – Nate Jenkins, Greg Putnam, Dan Verrington, and I. Three score for a team in the end and Greg put the word out that he was interested in getting the team prize a week earlier. The start bolted out and single file was the rule. I was in 10^th place after 400m. I passed the one mile marker in 5:47 a few steps behind a guy (Patrick Ward per results). The race took a massive hill on that was worthy of the mountain series. I let out a few expletives approaching it in fun. I kept on the heels in front of me and surges continued dependent on terrain and footing. We dropped into mile three where you could see everyone in front and or peek behind to size up what is needed to finish strong or whimper in. I got past Patrick and tried to reel in Andreas Heilmann but I ran out of space at the end which has a generous decline on the road to the finish line. I finished ninth overall. It took me 19:42 to cover the distance. My Garmin measured 3.37 miles (5:52 / mile). The team took the win and we each got an awesome Nutcracker which is pretty cool to put on display at home. The team gathered inside for pasta, salad, chowder and laughs.

Hustling into the finish

Full Results

Race information 

An idea of the course

Mill Cities Relay

Jim, Larissa, Elizabeth, and Megan at the finish

The Mill Cities Relay is always a fun event. 27 miles, 5 legs, 2 states, one river and a cold December day sums it up. A post race party at the finish in Lawrence via the Claddagh Pub caps off the day. This was my third year in a row running with SRR and the open coed team. Our team consisted of fast company: Alex White, Elizabeth Jackson, Larissa Park, and Megan Hyland. We secured a team name of SRR - Alex’s Bulk Organic Produce. If you want some organic veggies at a discount and delivered, just let him know. Larissa picked Brett Rickenbach (Winner’s Circle Coed) and I up and got to the Norman Crisp school in Nashua about 55 minutes before the 8:00 start. This gave me ample time to do all the pre-race stuff and safely get to the start line next to SRR’s Greg Picklesimer and Mike Quintal who ended up finishing 1 and 2 for leg one. Larissa drove off to get ready for leg 2. I settled into 10^th place or so about 400m into my 5.4 mile leg. Mike and Greg were up front and the pack was single file. I trailed or led a single file pack about 50m behind James Sullivan from GLRR. I got onto his heels after 3 miles and he would proceed to surge each time. Ryan Hayes from the Shamrock Running Club went ahead of us after 4 miles with a hard surge. I noted passing 5 miles in 27:58 and was pleased with that. I managed to pass Ryan 800m before our entry into the parking lot exchange zone and get a stride behind James before handing off to Larissa around 30:01. I think our team was in 8^th or 9^th place at the time. I collected Brett who also ran leg one and had to find Larissa’s car so we could drive to the next exchange zone for her finish. She picked up some places on her leg which had a few hills and plenty of narrow road. We got into the Greater Lowell High School about five minutes ahead of her exchange with Megan Hyland who was to hand off to Alex White for the long leg along the Merrimac River. Larissa, Brett, and I drove to the last exchange zone to see Elizabeth Jackson take off once Alex came in. She ran the final leg to the pub in Lawrence to a winning coed division time of 2:35:08 and 5^th team overall. Gate City and Whirlaway had coed teams finish 6^th and 7^th overall in the relay for a competitive race in our division. I had a great time hanging out with mates and members of all clubs inside the Claddagh. Huge thanks go out to Brian Cullinane and Brendan Kearney for putting the teams together. Brian would set a marathon PR the same day at the California International Marathon. Furthermore, John Gorvin was relentless for his communication and awareness of the event leading up to race day. In the end, SRR finished 2^nd overall to GCS in the club championship which is quite the accomplishment among so many competitive teams. Full Results