Race #47 - Allan D. Morrison 5K - Melrose, MA -21:12

First cool day in a while so Bob's 50@50 long sleeve had to come out of the bag. I ran a 21:12 with a 6:19 first mile, 6:40 second mile and a real slow mile 3 due to a big hill halfway thru the third mile.

I was planning on running a 10K on the Sunday in Dorchester while I was in Boston. Ro and were visiting Bobby for BU parent weekend so I figured I would get a race in. I really enjoy running in different towns whenever I get the chance. It's a good way to see different towns and meet different people. There was lots of bad weather predicted this weekend with Sunday getting the worst of it, plus it made more sense to run the Saturday. I found a 5K that was only about 20 minutes away from where I was staying. I chose the Allan D Morrison 5K in Melrose which was north of Boston although I few other options. My concern was getting back quickly so I would have more time to spend with Ro and Bobby.

It was the 1st annual so I wasn't expecting many runners and since the weather was very cool I thought that might hold off some runners. I got the sense there were going to be a lot of walkers and not many runners. They had 201 finishers and about 120 of them were walkers. This was my first race in a while that I was running alone and didn't have company. I was concerned that I didn't have someone else to hold up my banner.

Since I signed up on race day I didn't get a t-shirt which was fine with me because I just don't have any more space in my drawers. My legs were feeling good despite running the 18 miler the weekend prior so my plan was to run at 80% speed for the first mile and if I felt good, push it the final two.

My first mile was 6:19 which was closer to 90% percent of my top speed. Mile two was a 6:40 which I thought was slow but I never trust these mile markers especially at a new race. In fact I am not even sure the course was certified. We were running through the streets while cars were zipping by us and all runners had to look both ways at the intersections. They could have used a few more volunteers on the course. At mile two I was at 12:50 so I thought if I could just hold the sub 7 pace I would finish close to 20:20. There was a big hill halfway through mile 3 which slowed my pace considerably, but I was very surprised I hit the tape at 21:12. You just never know when you run a race that the course is not accurate.

I got a good workout in and still got back to the hotel and was ready to go before Bobby was up back at his dorm. We met for lunch at his cafeteria, which Bobby said is ranked in the top twenty of all colleges. The food was pretty good and they have a huge selection of goodies. The rest of the day was walking the streets of the University and some shopping.

Not sure what my next races will be but it looks like I am doing the Thunder Road Marathon in December.

Race #46 - LBI 18 Mile Run - 2:20:08

What a wonderful day to run 18 miles. It was sunny and 60 degrees with very little wind. This race and distance could be a real bear if the weather is not favorable. This race is run from one end of the island to the other which is 18 miles long, from Holgate to Barnegat. I ran this race 5 years ago into a 25 mph head wind which was not very pleasant. When I signed up, I was hoping the weather would be in my favor and it did.



There weren't many takers for this race except for Eric Davis who has run a few races with me this year. Eric goes sub 20 for a 5K and 1:30 for a 1/2 marathon. My goal today was to run easy and hope to feel comfortable at the end. It was meant to be more of a training run leading up to a potential marathon in November or December. My plan was to hopefully run 7:45's and feel good at the end. My overall pace was 7:47, but I didn't feel great at the end. It was combo of the feet pounding and just the legs getting fatigued. This was my longest race of the year so I wasn't sure want to expect at the end.

The number pickup and registration was at the St Francis Community Center, from there you get bussed to the start in Holgate. Everything was well organized and we got to the start with 30 minutes to kill. A little stretching and multiple bathrooms stops took care of the excess time.

Eric and I headed out together at the start and ran the first two miles at the 7:45 pace but he by mile 3 he was pushing t a bit. I didn't want any part of a faster pace at mile 3 so I let him go. I was clicking off the 7:45's and to my surprise I saw Eric at mile 6 struggling. He said he just did an 8:30 mile 5 so I knew he was in trouble. Way too may miles to be suffering at mile 6. I hung with him for a bit, but continued to run my race. I passed the house my brother built 10 years ago which was a source of inspiration today. It is a wonderful house on the bay, but he never really got to enjoy it, passing away less than 2 years after it was completed. At the halfway point I felt pretty good and thought maybe I should pick it up a bit. I did run faster but not by much. At this point I knew I wanted to run 2:20 or slightly better.

I hit the 13 mile mark at 1:40:25 and just wanted to stay strong for the final 5 miles. It was getting a bit hot and I kept drinking water at each stop. I didn't pass many folks but you can see some were struggling the final few miles. There was some walking and others were trying to work out cramps. The Barnegat lighthouse was the finish and you really don't see Old Barney until the final turn into the park. It was a nice sight when I did finally see it and I also saw the clock at 2:19:48. I thought it would be great to go sub 2:20 but the clock ticks quickly when the legs are heavy. I guess I had to cover about 75 yards when I noticed the clock, but couldn't get my legs to move quickly.

As soon as I stopped running my legs were cramped and I needed to walk a lot. In 15 minutes I felt much better. A quick massage and I was feeling 100% better. Meanwhile Eric struggled to finish in 2:50 which was nowhere near the time he thought he would run. This was his longest race of his career so I am sure he just misjudged how fast he could go for this distance.

The folks that put this race on do a wonderful job with many volunteers helping out. The bus ride back to the Church was tough as we hand to cram into the small seats. At the Community Center we were fed sandwiches and pasta as well as many sweet desserts.

I think the worst part of the day was the 90 minute ride back home. My lower body was sore and uncomfortable in the car.

Race #45 - Army Ten Miler - 1:11:17

The Army Ten Miler was as advertised in terms of size, organization and inspiration. The weather was perfect, the course historic and the crowds extremely supportive. I ran with Dale, my brother-in-law, who was running his 6th race with me this year. Dale and I have been running races together for over 25 years since we met as future brother in laws back in 1984. Dale has been running a lot this year and I think has turned back the clock with some of his fastest times in years. He just finished the Air Force 1/2 marathon two weeks ago and since he is an Air Force guy, he was in his own element there. I am not sure if he felt comfortable amongst the Army guys today, but I think he enjoyed it. Dale ran a very good 1:19:40.

My wife Ro accompanied me as well as Dale's wife (Ro's sister) Joanne who was celebrating her birthday. We made it a birthday weekend for Jo and weekend away for Ro and I. Leigh was home taking care of my son Michael.

We met up on Friday night at the hotel bar then proceeded to go to dinner. Friday was going to be the later night out since the race was on Sunday. We went for Spanish food and a few beers and met up with one of Joanne's old friends who works in Washington DC.

Saturday was spent picking up the race numbers and t-shirts and some sightseeing. We took in the Smithsonian and did lots of walking. I don't think that was a great idea because by the time we got back to our rooms, we were beat. We had Italian food at Philomena's in the Georgetown section then a drink by the Potomac. Unfortunately while having that drink, my wife and I received a call that our dog of almost 9 years, Blaze, had died suddenly of a heart attack. It was crushing blow and certainly put a damper on the rest of the evening and took all my enthusiasm for race day. Although her death was sudden it wasn't unexpected. She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart about 5 weeks ago and the doc said it could be any day or 6 months. Blaze was my running partner and a wonderful dog and will be missed.

The following morning we got up at 5am, got a cup of coffee, stretched and walked to the start which was near the Pentagon. I was assigned the second wave while Dale was in the third wave. With 30,000 runners those waves were pretty far apart. Paratroopers jumped from lanes and landed perfectly at the start and there was a copter flyover.

I got off to a good start and planned on running 7:15's for all of the race unless I felt good at the end, then I would run 7's. I felt okay early but my legs never got loose which I attribute to too much walking the day before. I hit just about every split between 7:05 and 7:20. Time was good but I wanted to feel a little better running that speed and did not.

This is another race that I would do again. The folks that put on this race did an excellent job from race expo to post race party. There were lots of teams competing from many of the army bases across the country.

Next up for me is the LBI 18 on Sunday. I will take this one at 7:45 pace.

Thanks to all who have donated and please join me at one of the remaining races.