I haven't run the Pat Polletta race in 10 years. When I did it back in 2005 the race was a 5k and 5m that was held in Newburyport. I had the good fortune to meet the legendary Pat Polletta that evening. The race is now a 2 mile held on the rail trail in Amesbury.
My goal was to get some leg turnover prior to the Hollis (USATF NE) 5k race next week. I was having a "bad" foot day on Friday but had already signed up so GAME ON. I did my normal 7 at lunch and felt okay but I've never gotten much enjoyment out of racing at night, it really messes me up. Anyway, I got there early and had time to chat with Dave Camire, Dave Labrode, Dave Audet (see a pattern?) and others not named Dave.
I previewed the course for a warm-up and my foot felt terrible. A quick switch into racing flats and back out for some strides. It looked ugly. I was happy to see the posts on the trail were at every tenth of a mile and in synch with the course we were doing, so it would be easy to judge progress. My goal was to break 11 minutes, but with a dirt surface and 2 very tight turns I would be happy with anything under 11:10.
About 150 lined up and damn they sprinted out hard! I was in 10th place right away and it seemed a bit quick. I stayed calm and slowly worked my way up. I hit the first 1/4 mile in 82 seconds which was right where I wanted to be. At the half mile (2:44) I'd reeled in most of the early fast starters. I found myself in stride with Kara Haas who has been tearing up the roads. We worked around a couple of guys just before the tight turn at 3/4 mile. I pushed the pace a bit and found myself alone in fourth place as I hit the mile in 5:32 (2:48). I was a little slower than hoped for but felt like I was just getting going.
In the next half mile I caught up to Kevin St Laurent and we ran together to another 2:48 half mile. I'd need to really kick to break 11 and now I felt I was working as hard as possible. Kevin was checking his watch a lot and I was counting down the tenths to go. With a 1/4 mile to go I threw down what I had left (figuring if it came to the last 100 meters I'd get trounced). I got a little gap on Kevin but he came back and flew by me down the finishing straight. I watched the clock tick away and 11 minutes slip past.
I can't complain, my chip time was 11:03.3 so that is my new 50+ PR. I headed right back out for my warm-down and got to cheer on the DRC gang (my sisters and their hubbies). I got to the finish line just in time to see the amazing Lou Peters win the 90+ age group with a 31 minute 2 mile. Damn, that is impressive! Also impressive was Kara Haas taking 5th place overall in 11:15 then running the course 2 more times as a workout (11:55 and 12:05). Those times would have beaten the women's field each time!
Place Div/Tot Div Name City St Ag S No. Net Time Pace Gun Time
===== ======== ========== ==================== ================== == = ===== =========
1 1/3 TOP3-M DERRICK HAMEL Northwood NH 31 M 44 10:16.6 5:09 10:17.1
2 2/3 TOP3-M BRENT TRAIL Littleton NH 28 M 120 10:19.5 5:10 10:19.9
3 3/3 TOP3-M KEVIN ST. LAURENT Newmarket NH 27 M 112 11:01.8 5:31 11:02.3
4 1/23 M5059 DAVE DUNHAM Bradford MA 51 M 137 11:03.3 5:32 11:03.8
5 1/3 TOP3-F KARA HAAS Chelmsford MA 44 F 43 11:15.7 5:38 11:16.6
6 1/12 M4049 MICHAEL HAAS Chelmsford MA 42 M 141 11:32.4 5:47 11:33.3
7 2/23 M5059 DAVID AUDET Concord MA 50 M 142 11:37.3 5:49 11:37.8
8 3/23 M5059 JIM QUADROS Lowell MA 52 M 98 11:41.3 5:51 11:41.8
9 1/5 M1319 RYAN DUCROW Amesbury MA 15 M 149 11:43.3 5:52 11:44.0
10 2/12 M4049 TOM SHEEHY Newburyport MA 44 M 165 11:45.0 5:53 11:46.4
10 Years ago
Pat Polletta Road Races
Newburyport, Ma July 8, 2005
5k Race 5k Race 5k Race 5k Race
Place Div/Tot First Name Last Name Age S Time Pace
===== ======== =========== ============== === = ======= =====
1 1/8 Ryan Kowal 18 M 16:40 5:23
2 1/15 Dave Dunham 40 M 16:46 5:25
3 1/3 Chris Hamel 21 M 16:56 5:28
4 2/15 Anton Lahnston 40 M 17:21 5:36
5 3/15 Michael Arpin 43 M 17:45 5:44
6 4/15 John Webber 47 M 18:22 5:56
7 1/8 Betsy Suda 23 F 19:33 6:19
8 1/11 JOHN FISH 36 M 20:20 6:34
9 2/8 brian coyle 19 M 20:25 6:36
10 3/8 julian gallo 14 M 20:49 6:43
Pat Polletta Road Races
Newburyport, Ma July 8, 2005
5 Mile 5 Mile 5 Mile 5 Mile
Place Div/Tot First Name Last Name Age S Time Pace
===== ======== =========== ============== === = ======= =====
1 1/6 Mike Pieck 20 M 25:15 5:03
2 2/6 Patrick Rich 28 M 26:04 5:13
3 1/35 Dan Verrington 43 M 26:10 5:14
4 1/28 Todd Lagimonier 39 M 26:34 5:19
5 2/28 Chris Kealey 37 M 26:40 5:20
6 3/6 Ryan Spinney 23 M 27:12 5:27
7 2/35 Simon Thaine 41 M 27:59 5:36
8 4/6 Chris Collins 20 M 28:52 5:47
9 3/35 RANDY FROST 48 M 28:55 5:47
10 1/20 James Morisseau 52 M 29:56 6:00
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