Stu's 30K

Stu’s 30K - Clinton, MA - March 2, 2014

Full Results

Photos by KrissyK

Tired but standing at the Stu's 30K finish
Photo by Krissy Kozlosky

I put the Stu’s 30K on the schedule as it made sense for a few reasons. I am running the Boston Marathon so I figured that a steady long run would be suitable. The race is put on by Central Mass Striders and wanted to support it. I was also driving back to the North Shore from the US Snowshoe Championships so it was not hard to veer off Rt. 2 and into Clinton for 18.6 miles. Race director Evelyn Dolan put a shirt to the side for me. I ran a 2 mile warm up with Reno Stirrat (former CMS member way back in the day). The first mile brought back some memories of when I ran this race back in 1997 when it was a USATF New England Grand Prix Championship. My goal for the 2014 version was to keep the pacing between 6:30 and 7:00. I was a little sore from the snowshoe race 24 hours earlier. If I had fresh legs, I would have wanted 6:15’s or better. I went about the earlier miles easy and settled in the top 20. It was hard to let guys get away over the next few rolling miles but I had to run smart. The miles went by quickly as I was engaged but not worried about my place or who was passing by or pulling away. The course is hilly and I actually preferred the incline portions more than the declines. I stopped by each water stop which had Gatorade at the 2^nd table and took it in. I took the one GU I carried and then another I got at a specific table late in the race. The legs stayed together but I was really tired all the way. I expected that but it is all about the big picture. The last hill was memorable passing not one but two Polar Beverage store front signs. They are symbolic - bet they were also there in 1997. The hill is a major slap in the face with less than a mile to go. I wrapped up the race in 18^th place in 2:03:37 – 6:38 pace per mile. I was tired enough to not bother with a cool down. I was a lump of coal in the cafeteria after I changed into warm clothes and got some Chowder and Fluids from the happy volunteers that included CMS President Stephen Laska and CMS coach and women's manager Barbara McManus. 

Dion Snowshoes 2014 U.S. National Snowshoe Championships

Dion Snowshoes 2014 U.S. National Snowshoe Championships

Saturday March 1, 2014

Prospect Mountain, Woodford , VT

Photos by KrissyK

Full Results

ItemLive Pawlicki story dated 4/4/2014

Krissy and I packed up the GTI and headed to Bennington, VT for the 2014 Dion Snowshoes United States National Snowshoe Championships on Friday. Todd Callaghan and I made the trip two weeks earlier so I was pretty relaxed about the navigation which comes down to just over a three hour drive from the North Shore. The approach toward this south western part of Vermont is beautiful. Bennington is 45 minutes east of Albany, NY. We arrived at the Bennington Center of Arts to pick up our numbers (Krissy was running in the Citizens 5K). I stopped by the Dion Snowshoe merchandise table to swap out some busted cleats for her snowshoes. After that was sorted, I stopped by to talk with Nancy Steffen who was handling the team entries. I made sure our CMS team was registered correctly as there was team scoring for 10K. Our Central Mass Striders – Dion men’s team had a total of thirteen athletes: six open and seven masters including me. I am considered a master as I will be 40 at the end of the year. I was looking forward to the new age bracket for competition.  I bumped into CMS mates – Ken Tripp, Dave Dunham, Dave Lapierre and Richard Bolt (in from CA) who has a lot of race history in a CMS uniform. It was cool to have him in from the West Coast racing with us again. Dave and Ken confirmed the social media hype that the 10K course was faster than what we had dealt with a few weeks back.  I also heard that Tim Van Orden made some passing lanes where needed up on the mountain. This was music to my ears.  An hour later we headed to Ramuntos for dinner where I dove into a plate of Eggplant Parmesan.

Krissy and I woke up around 7:30 on Saturday. It was nice to be just 15 minutes away from the mountain. I grabbed a sesame bagel and a cup of oatmeal at Dunkin Donuts. CMS teammates, Abbey and Sam Wood trailed and sat down next to us. I was amused by the locals in and out.  Everyone knows everyone. We pulled into the parking lot at Prospect Mountain an hour before my 10K start. It was 90% full. The parking lot shadowed the ski center below. Audible was the announcer welcoming all Snowshoe athletes and spectators. Over 400 athletes from 18 different countries were in attendance. The buzz was positive on a cold Saturday morning under sunny skies in Woodford, VT. I handed out some new CMS hats that I picked up earlier in the week before getting ready for my warm up on foot around the parking lot with Ethan Nedeau and Brett Rickenbach. 

10 minutes before the start
Photo by KrissyK

I went back into the lodge and got my racing gear before taking a few light strides and got on the far right of the starting line. The start went off flying allowing us to eat the exhaust of a lead snowmobile. The sound of snowshoes stomping was awesome. I was surrounded by teammates which was comforting. We buzzed around the start a few loops making it very friendly for spectators like my brother, Chuck, who traveled three hours with friend Sandy. I rolled with the short ups and downs looking forward to wide trail to move up a few spots. Passing on any single track was a risky option that would be considered after 5K if needed. I let Richard Bolt get in front of me on the first section of single track and gave him some guidance on the CMS mates ahead (Todd Callaghan and Ben Nephew). I was next to Tim Mahoney for a bit as Krissy caught a few photos for evidence. We started the climb and got a chance to get around Todd and Robert Jackman. Todd was breathing hard. Ethan Nedeau and Ross Krause were not too far ahead. I managed to get past Ethan before we hit some single track and I settled in and waited for the next climb. I felt good and got a good rhythm, now on a wider carriage road taking us up a few kilometers to the top of Prospect Mountain. I trailed two guys that were holding their own and we all had the same cadence. My 5K split before the summit was 25:47. I heard some placing and heard that I was in 21^st. Then I saw Tim Van Orden taking some video or pictures. He mentioned that CMS was kicking arse. I said something like “hell yeah” and zipped by him. We had some nice downhill and I opened it up. We hit the single track and the two I was following put a gap on me as we headed down the narrow track. I was being careful in my navigation on the narrow single track – reaching for trees and trying to keep balance. Dave Dunham came flying behind and gave me orders to keep on trucking down to the bottom. No pressure, just Dave ready to murder this section. The tone in his voice was clear. I picked up my act so to speak and got us to the bottom. I then offered to step aside for him and he said no.

Just ahead of Tim
Photo by KrissyK

I felt OK so I carried some momentum and caught up the two gents I followed up the mountain. We were now climbing up more single track. I found it very cool and notable to see signs and passing lanes. I did not need them but I am sure they came in handy for some. I soon lost any audible that Dave was behind me but know better so I pressed onward and upward. Meanwhile, I would let out a few grunts here and there to let the two gents in front of me to keep on pressing. They were tired. I wanted to pass but felt that I should wait until the fire road which I felt was a few minutes away. Indeed it was and I got around one guy once it was safe to do so. It was more or less all downhill from this point to the finish. I’d say this was about 4.6 miles into the course. The other guy in a green windbreaker was killing it on the downs – pulling away. I tried to keep up but there was no way. My left hamstring did not feel too good so I had to temper the strides. That left me battling the gent in the white long sleeve. He passed me so I just stayed close. These guys were going to pull me into the finish. 

About 250m to go
Photo by KrissyK

I approached the downhill single track switch back into the stadium loop full of spectators. The finish was less than 800m away. I was careful on my way down. I did not want to take a tumble. I zipped past Krissy and wrapped up the stadium loop into the finish. I finished 20^th place overall with a time of 47:57. I placed 3^rd in my age group (40-44). I turned back and Dave Dunham was exhausted and face down after the finish line. I walked over and picked him up. More CMS guys came through as I waited for our third master Todd Callaghan. We all regrouped and got in a quick photo (Todd and Paul Bazanchuk are missing). We cooled down for a few and shared our battles out there. I changed up and waited for Krissy’s race. My attention turned to her event as she was nervous. The Velcro bindings on her shoes gave her the business gave her the business so I ran inside and gave her mine with the stainless steel cleats that treated me well for my race. I picked up the camera and took plenty of photos for her for a change. She held her own out there. Chuck and Sandy hung out to the end which was cool. The awards came about and I managed to get on the podium for a medal in the age group and for the top masters team which was cool. 

20th overall

Jones Group 10 mile

Krissy, Joe, Greg and I got to the Amherst early for the first championship race of the USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix. The Jones Group 10 mile was hosting again. I did a short warm up with Arthur Besse and Barbara McManus to make sure we saw the new start and new finish. All other parts of the course was the same staple we have seen before. The last mile would be quicker than the old course. Larissa Park wanted to run with me as I felt I would be just under six minute paced miles for the day. We were together for 2 miles (11:30) before I went after Martin Tighe who was about 20 seconds ahead. I was steady on the climbing and then hit the mud/ice in the middle of the course. The ice was manageable for 90%. The other 10% required traction control. Mile 5 passed by in 30:10 and I was sickened by that split but moved on anyhow behind Joseph Hegarty. He pulled me all the way into mile 8 and along side John Longo from SRR who I try to keep up with at the Tuesday track sessions. We trucked up the hills and I saw that I had a chance to catch Erica Jesseman who was the 2nd place woman as I asked a spectator at 8.5 miles. Meanwhile, Joe Lauer from SRR passed by and had carried some good momentum into mile 9 so I tried to rally and close in the last mile of the day. I managed to catch Erica on the driveway up to the finish. I ran 29:20 for the 2nd half of the race so I felt better about that. My chip time was 59:30.6 and finish place was 87th out of 642 runners. The 5:57 mile pace overall was what it was - really felt harder the whole day. I raced every step and did not take any mental or physical naps out there. Pleased with the effort even though I was gunning for a 58:30. Krissy took over 600 photos.

Final stretch into the finish
Photo by KrissyK

Woodford Whiteout snowshoe

Todd Callaghan and I arrived at the Prospect Mountain NordicSki Center in Woodford Vermont for the Woodford Whiteout 10K snowshoe race. I was not sure what to expect as this was a new race for me and i raced the night before in Madbury, NH. Race Director Tim Van Orden devised a course that will challenge many. Up his sleeve was a blend of stadium loops, deep (beyond his control) single track, some fire roads, and a summit to Prospect Mountain. I witnessed the deepest snow that I have ever tried to run through about 3.25 miles into the race - deep as in above the knee depth that makes running very tough. I had already fallen three times. I hiked down some tricky parts (as in deep as $#@!*) and then proceeded to hike as the guy in front of me was doing. I came up with a term while I was hiking. Not offense to Sally but I came up with “Sallying.” Running or hiking like a Sally. My hiking effort (not even worth calling it that) caused a bottle neck and someone to catch up and step on my snowshoes multiple times before I told him it was not appreciated (PG13 version). There was no room to step aside and let anyone pass. If I or the passer stepped out  - one risked taking a digger in 2.5 feet of white powder. Eventually I leaned off to the side and let him by. Ashley Krause passed by too – offered a comment to let someone else lead. I was embarrassed. 

Danny Ferreira, who was supposed to be running a marathon in TX (flight got cancelled) was also in company so he saw me struggling. He saw me fall a few times and sound off a few expletives. I was fearful that I was holding him back but he was content that he was on pace for his National Snowshoe Qualifier anyhow. We vented a bit about the current conditions as it seemed to take forever to get out of that crap and onto a groomed trail. Danny flew past after offering me a GU. He knew where I was mentally and physically. I declined and encouraged him to pick up some time and spots. He put nearly 2 minutes on me over from 4.5 miles to the finish. I was in a miserable state of mind and also physically drained. I had fallen at least 8 times over the first 4.5 miles – more than I have in racing in 10 years. I put the stride in “limp mode” to the finish - 12^th overall with a time of 1:13:40. I put my tired arms on Tim Van Orden’s shoulders and asked if it was too late to cancel my trip back out there for Nationals? I was joking and let the spectators know that he was evil for putting us through that previous hour. I am praying for some melt and a foot less of snow in March. Meanwhile, other CMS guys ran very well. Kevin Tilton got run down at the very end which sucked as he led most of the race. Todd, Dave, Tim, Paul and Ross ran very well – none complaining so I tried to hide mine. The good news is that the ride home went by fast.

Woodford Whiteout Snowshoe 10K race results

Kingman Farm Moonlight Snowshoe

It was Kingman Farm or bust. I was determined to travel through the falling snow and less than optimal road conditions. I was thankful for the 4 wheel drive that the Nissan pickup  allowed me to leverage – figuring out how to manually engage it for the first time. I thought was a 6:30 start (actual start was 6:00) for the Kingman Farm Moonlight Snowshoe race in Madbury, NH. The caravan of snow plows four lanes wide (twice) on Rt. 95 and falling snow made for a white knuckle ride. I arrived at the race in time to provide 25 minutes to get my race number and sort into my racing gear. No time for a warm up or to relieve my pancreas. I was on the starting line for pre-race instruction provided by Chris Dunn. The rule to remember was to keep the flags to your right for the 4.5 mile course. I failed to get the pre-race emails that changed the course from the usual 5K distance.

Nineteen year old Nacho Hernando (Sweetie Pies) who took a win at Horsehill 7K the previous week got out in front with Jim Johnson (CMS) right away. Steve Dowsett (Whirlaway) and I trailed in single file. Bob Jackman (TNT) was right behind me. The snow was falling and our headlamps shed light on our upcoming path. The footing was pretty good. Low hanging braches covered with snow were light to the touch. Visibility was good but picking up the yellow flags (a few were red and OK to see) were tough until you were on top of them. I did appreciate the reflective arrow on the yellow flags to advise of a turn. Your instinct is to follow the person in front of you. I let Bob pass as I felt I was holding him back about a mile into the race. Then we hit the field where I lost ground to him and Steve. You could occasionally look ahead and see the lights that Nacho and Jim had. We appeared to be doing a loop out there. I could see tail lights of cars out on a highway in the distance. The depth and conditions were fair out there but I preferred what we had in the covered trails of the woods. We headed back into the woods and I went past Bob to help out our pace. I wanted to close the gap that Steve had on us. I eventually did not hear Bob behind me. 

Steve had a red blinky on his head lamp so I used that as a beacon to close in. I got within three seconds but no closer over the next two miles which had a nice mix of rolling hills, switch backs, and tight turns. One had to be careful to stay on and in the single track in the thick woods. I could hear the yelling in the distance and potential lighting from the town hall (I really was not too sure. Indeed that noise and lighting we were coming upon was the finish. It must be fun to watch the race from the finish with head lamps zig zagging along and eventually minutes later finish the race. I would up six seconds behind Steve in fourth place. Jim (2nd) and Nacho (1st) were evaluating their races and Jim seemed to be giving some tips and advice to Nacho to not let him hold Nacho back. I got the snowshoes off and did an easy cool down with Bob, Steve, and eventually Jim out on the snow covered roads. My mind was heavy on how the ride home was going to be and for morning trip to Woodford, VT 10 hours later. I got some warm clothes on and hung out for the always popular awards and raffles given by Acidotic Racing. 

Kingman Farm Moonlight Snowshoe Race Results - Madbury, NH - February 15, 2014 results
Kingman Farm Moonlight Snowshoe Race photos by Scott Mason

Great Stew Chase 15K

This is an honest New England 15K race in Lynn that has seen fourty starts over the years. All you want to know about the third oldest 15K in the country. Over the past decade or so - the out to Peabody and back loop has been standard with a little change at the turn around point. If you sign up early, it will cost you a dollar per kilometer. How many races can you say that about? A bowl of beef stew (and veggie), a roll, and a cookie await at the Knights of Columbus. The KofC offers warm shelter from the low 20 degree temps. No complaints today other than the "barely" slower than six minute mile average 5 mile split - the only time all race that I cared to glance at the Garmin. However, good company out there with CMS mate Joe Shairs and Ryan Hayes via Shamrock Running Club out of Woburn. 

Ryan, I, and Joe around mile 6 in Peabody
Photo by KrissyK

Joe broke me going up the hill off of Farm Road. Ryan was smoking me too. Joe would later admit to working said hills with purpose. I picked up my gait after the turn around (waited for some down hill action) as I figured I better keep myself some company for the return trip back to Lynn. I was cutting all tangents, safely of course, when appropriate. Joe waived me back into the huddle around mile six and I felt good about that - working like teammates to shake the bearded Hayes who had many a fan calling to him as we ran toward oncoming runners by design. I did some work pulling us past 7 miles. I was gassed so Joe took charge with a few lefts - turns that is. We had a long straight stretch and managed to shake Ryan off a bit through mile 8. Joe looked back with a half mile to go and did not sound off any alarms yet we kept pressing past mile 9. We were two wide with oncoming traffic close to my right elbow. Joe gave me the go ahead on the narrow street up to the KofC parking lot where I crossed the line in 55:32 (5:58 pace per mile average). He was one second back. I was greeted by Krissy - doing her thing with over 600 photos for the day and my dad who came to watch us inflict pain on ourselves on a cold February day. Joe (top 40+) and I finished 6th and 7th. Ryan was just seven seconds back. Dan Vassallo, looking sharp in the new CMS singlet cruised to a win and not too far back from me was Nick Taormina and Scott Deslongchamps who was racing for the first time since November. He is targeting the Hyannis Marathon at the end of the month. I did a cool down with Scott, Joe, and Mike Dimauro (another Shamrock) before settling down to some stew with the gang. I picked up a 2014 Great Stew Chase pen for which I proudly brought into the office today. Blue ink to compliment the black ink already in stock. I crack up at the Stew Chase logo - a kettle of stew on the run - reminds me of the kool-aide pitcher on the run breaking through walls. 

To the line with Joe at the KofC
Photo by KrissyK

My refurbished Garmin 205 said that I ran 9.47 miles ~ a little longer than 9.3 miles that 15K breaks down to. That was a consensus based on the mini-survey of feedback that I heard post race. Race Director, Roger Perham and good all 'round guy wheeled this one so I don't know what to say. Perhaps I did not cut enough tangents. On a side note, I tore up a pretty healthy blister on my foot that was brewing all week 24 hrs earlier. I worried that the raw skin rubbing on each foot plant would be a problem on Sunday morning. However, Sunday morning - one hour to gun time - I tried on several pairs of racing flats to trainers before this little red riding hood settled on a borderline pair of trainers/racers from Asics that I had pretty much retired but too attached to recycle. 

Fortieth Annual Great Stew Chase 15K results

2014 Great Stew Chase 15K photos (over 600) taken by KrissyK hosted on SmugMug

Sidehiller 4 mile snowshoe

Todd Callaghan drove us up to Sandwich NH for the Sidehiller 4 mile Snowshoe which was the first qualifier event for Snowshoe Nationals which is to be held in Vermont. It was cold and windy. It was in the single digits with the wind chill. Multiple layers was key. The race was super competitive and it was awesome to see so many CMS members out for this. The guy responsible for me getting into snowshoe racing and CMS, Ben Nephew, was in attendance. It was like old times. Furthermore, Jim Johnson is back with the team dominating like his old self. Speaking of old self, Dave Dunham put a whooping on me.

I got a good clean start and settled in for the two loop course around the fairgrounds. My early placing of fourth was short lived. I remember Paul Kirsch’s words before the race to JJ and I that the course will benefit a strength guy. I wanted to get in one lap and see what I was in for. Paul designed the best possible course. That said, he made it as tough as he could by keeping the course contained in the fairgrounds. Thus, most of the loop was taken off groomed trail. The snow was loose and light. I could call it sandy when the depth exceeded a foot at times. It was tough and slowed pacing down. I saw several bottlenecks but they would not last for more than a few minutes.

I went through lap one around 14:56 and finished with a time of 29:27. The 2^nd lap felt much harder but was quicker due the track widening after all competitors went over the course. I was exhausted but finished strong as I got real good pressure from Ryan Welts and Nate Bassett was strong over the last mile. I was good with the 10^th place finish. Todd ran a solid – first race. He is going to crush the rest of the races we head to this winter. As a bonus, I won a pair of Dion snowshoes at the raffle after the race. Acidotic led by Chris Dunn and director Paul Kirsch put on a solid event as usual. Full Results  Check out photos by Joe Viger and Scott Mason.  

Ryan, Ethan, Ben, and I before the end of lap one
Photo by Joe Viger