2007 Breakers Marathon, Newport, RI

Full Marathon

October 20, 2007

4:07:29 Official time

Newport, RI

Oh, this was not a fun race for me. Why do I think I can take a few months off from running...as in, I haven't run more than 12 miles since August. But, it was a nice day to be in Newport, and I didn't have any other plans. So, I signed up a few days before, with only the intention of checking Rhode Island off my list of marathon states. Funny thing was, I saw more 50 State members there, than in any other race I've run. I heard that many of them were also running Hartford, since it is so close. If you're going to travel to a marathon, why not run two?

The route for this race was beautiful, tracing along the Newport waterfront and beaches. There were plenty of spectators out, and lots of people going for a BQ. I talked to a lot of runners along the way, as I was running a pretty easy pace. A few smaller hills, and one really ugly one, at about mile 25 1/2. 100 yards up to the sky. I had to walk this, I have no idea where this hill came from, and at that point, my legs were pretty pissed at my brain for trying this stunt.

At the finish, as advertised, we all got a lobster and chowder. I'd say it was worth it.

2007 Mayor's Marathon, Anchorage, AK

Full Marathon

3:34:10 official time

80th place

June 23, 2009

Anchorage, AK

Quick solo excursion to Anchorage for the race. Course was moderately hilly, (Boston being hilly). Seemed on track for the first half, but I'm guessing 10 miles of it was off road on a logging trail. Lots of stones, rolling ankles, twisting and such really wore me out. I was beat by the 20 mile mark. Took some long water stops, but finished.

Being in Alaska, I didn't expect to see too many spectators. We were running off-road a good deal, and as soon as we left town, I didn't see too many residences. At one point, I had run through the woods for at least a mile without seeing a building, and at a turn in the road was a couple with a baby in a jogging stroller, just watching and enjoying the day. I was thinking, how the heck did they get all the way out here?

The scenery was beautiful, mountains and water almost the entire route. If it wasn't 26 miles long, I probably would have enjoyed it a little more.

Spent the night in Anchorage, found a good brewery to hang outside at. Really a nice city in the summer.

2007 Blues Run

May 31, 2007
4.2 mile river loop
Charles River, Cambridge, Boston MA
24:58
5:57 pace
22nd place


I was feeling great leading up to this race, happy with my training and speed workouts.  And it paid off in my first sub-6 minute race pace in almost 20 years.

2007 USATF Mini Meet

May 23rd, 2007
MIT Outdoor Track, Cambridge, MA
1 Mile
5:23.5

A quick 4 lapper, as my coach would say.

2007 John H. Chafee Memorial 10k

March 25, 2007
Bristol, RI
10k
41:28
6:41 pace
11th place

This was a scenic run around Colt State Park and Bristol.  Cold along the water, and just a week after my marathon PR.  Definitely not up for a fast race that day, but still managed a decent finish.

2007 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA

Full Marathon

3:13:32 Official Time

3:13:22 Net time

BQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Virginia Beach, VA

I did it!!! I can honestly say this race made up for the last few months of agony. I trained my butt off after Philly, for which I had trained my butt off already. I have been so depressed about missing qualifying for Boston, being so close, I just had to do well in this race. I've worked hard, and I knew this was my day.

I landed in Virginia Beach the day before the race, pretty early. It's not yet beach season, and the town was pretty quiet. After picking up my number, I headed to a theater. What better way to inspire a run than 300? Spartans were pretty badass.

I was travelling alone but meeting someone there, and his flight was held up. I wasn't quite sure if he was going to make it, actually, but the marvels of modern aviation pulled through. The weather was much colder than I expected, and I bought a knit hat for the race. So much for beach weather.

At gun time, the mercury was hanging around 29. Not exactly ideal, but predicted to climb into the 50s. I knew my pace perfectly, and fell into rhythm in the first mile. We were running together, and keeping good time. The course is a figure 8, starting at the beach, running south, back along the boardwalk, up north of the town, and back again. The only hill was a bridge over an inlet, not exactly a small bridge, but early enough in the race (twice) that it was manageable. The run back along the boardwalk was into a pretty stiff headwind, and we moved ahead of the 3:10 pace group. Probably should have taken shelter behind them, but they were falling a few minutes behind, and we weren't taking any chances. Around mile 21, we met another runner shooting for a 3:10 BQ. My buddy turned to me and asked if I could do 3:15 on my own, and I still felt good. The two of them took off to get the faster time, and I kept plugging away toward my own goal.

I never felt better than finishing this race. I felt like I won the World Series, that's how much qualifying for Boston meant to me. We immediately headed to the beer tent to celebrate, followed by a quick dip in the frigid Atlantic.

Now, I feel like a marathoner!

2007 Great Stew Chase

February 4, 2007
Lynn, MA
15 k
1:03:35
6:50 pace
29th place

Aptly named for the great beef stew served at the end of the race