I entered the USATF New England championships with hope of
closing out the season with a decent effort at 5,000 meters. I’d run 17:26
three weeks prior at the masters championships so I was hoping to improve on
that time. I felt pretty sure that I could run around 17:10 and if everything
broke my way maybe I could duck under 17. I posted the “over/under” on how many
times CMS teammate Nate Jenkin’s would lap me at 3. My fear was that the entire
field would lap me and I’d be the last person on the track alone for an entire
lap, and that could happen even if I ran a decent (for me) time.
I picked up Dan Verrington and we got into Harvard an hour
before our race. There were a surprisingly large number of in the stands when
we got there. It looked like some high schools brought full team. We got our
numbers and headed out along the Charles River for a three mile warm-up. I felt
about how I normally feel before a short race, really nervous.
I changed into racing flats then jogged around the track
as the women’s heat finished up. We got lined up in a barrel start, which put
me and Dan high up on the bank in the outermost lane. We were both a bit
skittish about getting too close (Al has witnessed my trepidation when it comes
to “exposure”). As the starter lined us up I asked a loaded question. “When I
get lapped, I hold the rail…right?”. He gave an affirmative and then sent us
off for 25 laps.
Thirteen guys just flew out, by the time we got to the cut
in line we were half a straight behind the leaders. Dan asked where Joe O’leary
was (Joe was between Dan and me at the masters 5,000) to which I did not reply.
I hit the first 220 yard lap in 41 flat, right on my goal…but man did it feel
fast. Dan was already pulling away and during the second lap Joe blew by and
caught up to Dan. I was running alone but at least I could see Dan and Joe up
ahead. After a slower second lap I settled into a good rhythm. One lap before
the mile the lead group of three came storming by. Nate gestured as he went by,
I couldn’t figure out what he was telling me but took it as a positive note. I
reached the mile in 5:27 right on my goal time but I felt like I was pushing too
hard this early. Dan was 7 seconds ahead, but I could still see him on the
straights. Soon after that he was no longer in sight and I really was out there
on my own. At 2km I wasn’t sure if I could make it, but by half-way I was
feeling a bit stronger. I kept thinking “get to 2 miles and see how you
feel”.
A little before 2 miles the lead group of three came
flying by again, this time Nate gestured with two fingers and I got it. He was
counting off the number of times he lapped me! I laughed out loud, and despite
feeling rough kept my steady pace. I hit two miles in 10:58, which was about
how fast I ran (adjusted) for the 3,000 meters back in December. Dan was still
out of sight twelve seconds ahead at 2 miles. Soon after two I caught one of
the high school kids who had gone out with the pack and was paying the price.
I’d slowed a bit but was counting down the laps and knew the time would be
decent. I kept plugging away as the leaders roared by for the third time (and
Nate flashed 3 fingers). I didn’t have much of a kick over the last few laps
but was motivated as Dan drifted back into sight and really slowed on his final
lap. He held tough and broke 17 ad I came in 7 seconds back in 17:06.
I was pleased with the result, basically near the fast end
of what I could have hoped for. Dan and I went back out on the bike path for a
nice easy four mile warm-down joined by our GLRR friend Keith O’Brien.
1 Adam Pacheck Greater Bost
14:47.5
2 Matt Hillard Battle
Road 14:51.3
3 Nathaniel
Jenkins Central Mass 14:55.4
4 Aaron Lozier
Unattached 15:30.6
5 Eric Blake
Unattached 15:39.6
6 Andrew Chalmers Greater
Bost 15:46.2
7 TJ Unger Hfc
Striders 15:49.0
8 Thomas Mackin Unattached
16:00.0
9 Daniel Lounsbury Battle
Road 16:25.9
10 Owen Curran Unattached
16:39.1
11 Joseph O'Leary Somerville R
16:50.4
12 Daniel
Verrington Central Mass 16:59.9
13 Dave
Dunham Central Mass 17:06.3
14 Dillon Selfors
Unattached 17:12.0
15 William Curran Unattached
17:23.6
-- David Hunt
Unattached DNF
41.0
42.5 82.5
40.6
40.5 81.1
40.5
40.5 81.0
40.8
40.7 81.5 5:27.1
41.5
41.6 83.1
40.7
41.5 82.2
41.5
41.0 82.5
41.5
41.9 83.4 05:31.2
42.0
41.9 83.9
42.1
41.5 83.6
41.5
41.6 83.1
41.7
41.3 83.0 5:33.6
39.8
2 comments:
Great race, DD. Jenkins flashing the numbers as he passes ... hysterical.
This is a great report. Not only an impressive performance but pretty ballsy to jump into a race that you dealing with that level of competition. From "hold the rail" to Nate flashing you the laps ... and then a solid time. Nice.
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