Sunday, November 12, 2017

PAWS on the trail - 4km trail race

I don't usually do first year races, because you just don't know what you are going to get.  I contacted the RD with some questions and she was very quick to respond.  I liked the idea of a trail race and especially liked the 9am start.  I'd run in the Reading Town Forest before and looked forward to heading back for the PAWS on the trail 4km race (fun run and walk as well).

It was cold, damn cold when I arrived at 745am.  I quickly picked up my number and dashed back to the car, the wind was howling and it was about 25 degrees.  What a contrast to the 70 degree day we had earlier this week.

I did my warm-up checking out the course, it was pretty rough at the beginning on the downhill stretch with a lot of leaves down on the rooty rocky trail.  The rest of the trail was a mix of nice single-track, wide forest road, and some boardwalks.  The course came up a bit short of the advertised distance (4km=2.48 miles), I got 2.3 on my Garmin.

I quickly changed into racing flats and three top layers to keep warm (it took the full 3 miles for my hands to warm up).  I was the only one at the start braving the course in shorts (with half-tights).  After a mile running around staying relatively warm I headed to the start.  Only 26 lined up, maybe due to the temps/wind and it being a first year "fun run".

Off we went and Brian Atherton and his little dog went sprinting to the lead.  I didn't recognize them but they headed out pretty fast.  The dog made it a little difficult as he wasn't sure what to do when I tried to go by.  I pushed the pace on the downhill and pulled clear of them.  After that I just focused on pushing as hard as I could.  I hit the turn (it was an out/back course) and counted 10 seconds until I passed the duo.  I felt pretty safe at that point with a 20 second lead and only a mile to go.  I didn't ease up, trying to give a good strong effort right to the finish.  I got a nice cheer from the volunteers as I rolled in at 14 minutes (I could've sworn it was more like 13:58) and ended up with a win by 1:32.

I went back out and got in another 3 miles checking out some of the other trails in the forest.  I got a nice cheer as I came back in to the finish again as they were just wrapping up the awards ceremony and were waiting for me (!!!!!).  Gotta love a race that starts at 9am and is done with EVERYTHING by 10am.  My kind of race indeed.  I even got $50 at Marathon sports for the win!

I finished the day with another (bonky) 5 mile run at Ward reservation on my way home.


PAWS on the Trail 4K
Saturday, November 11, 2017 Start Time: 9 AM

Place Name No. Div/Tot Div Ag S City St Time Pace
===== =================== === ======== ===== == =
1 Dave Dunham 110 1/5 M5059 53 M Bradford MA 14:00 5:38
2 Brian Atherton 101 1/3 M3039 35 M Ashland MA 15:32 6:15
3 Heather Barackman 102 1/4 F4049 43 F 17:57 7:14
4 Robert Lucci 121 2/5 M5059 50 M WAKEFIELD MA 18:35 7:29
5 Alison Lackey 118 1/5 F3039 36 F Woburn MA 18:49 7:35
6 Michael Ii McLane 128 1/2 M2029 24 M Wakefield MA 19:54 8:01
7 Matthew Carter 107 2/2 M2029 26 M Wakefield MA 19:55 8:01
8 Kelly Iosua 147 2/5 F3039 34 F Reading MA 20:17 8:10
9 Vineet Mehta 129 3/5 M5059 50 M READING MA 20:27 8:14
10 David McCann 144 1/1 M0119 10 M Reading MA 20:31 8:15
11 Steve Marzeotti 123 4/5 M5059 55 M Lynnfield MA 21:02 8:28
12 Michael McLane 127 5/5 M5059 59 M Wakefield MA 21:03 8:29
13 Rich Matson 125 2/3 M3039 30 M STONEHAM MA 21:45 8:45
14 Chayil Timmerman 140 3/3 M3039 38 M Melrose MA 24:16 9:46
15 Sarah Alger 146 3/5 F3039 39 F Wakefield MA 25:51 10:24
16 Melissa Rousselle 137 2/4 F4049 41 F HAVERHILL MA 26:03 10:29
17 Jennifer Newman 132 4/5 F3039 30 F Superior CO 28:26 11:27
18 Lucy Skeldon 139 1/1 F5059 53 F Wakefield MA 28:55 11:38
19 Lisa White 145 3/4 F4049 48 F Wakefield MA 29:43 11:58
20 Cinthia McLane 126 1/3 F6069 60 F Wakefield MA 29:47 11:59
21 Simon Rosenthal 136 1/1 M7099 71 M Malden MA 31:05 12:31
22 Judith Jacoby 117 2/3 F6069 64 F Wakefield MA 35:29 14:17
23 Terry Lee Harringto 115 3/3 F6069 67 F Salisbury MA 35:31 14:18
24 Jennifer Pustz 135 4/4 F4049 45 F Wakefield MA 37:22 15:02
25 Julia Zioto 143 1/1 F2029 27 F Boston MA 44:41 17:59
26 Charlotte Pearce 134 5/5 F3039 32 F Wakefield MA 44:43 18:00












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