SEA 5k - CARS finale

 I was hopeful that the final CARS series race would also be my fastest 5k of the year.  The series was pretty much wrapped up with little chance of any movement (I was in 6th in the overall category, first in the 55-59 age group, 1st in the age graded masters, and our team was in 2nd place).  With the Rainier trip canceled I'd pretty much stayed local and felt I was ready to go.  I had not broken 18 minutes since September of 2018 but felt that I was in pretty decent shape.  I'd had good luck at SEA in the past and hoped it'd carry to this day.

I arrived a little early and had time for a nice chat with Ernie Brake (Kezar Lake - the team that kick our asses).  Then it was time to do a course preview warm-up.  I was joined by Jim Pawlick, Jim Angel, and Doug Deangelis.  Jim A had raced here before but this was a first for Jim P and Doug.  The course was incredibly well marked with many cones and arrows.  You'd have to try hard to mess up on this course (jokes about the Kezar guys going off course can be inserted here).  I pointed out some of the sites along the course (DOIT sign, snow roller, MANY tangents to cut, and the mile marks...including the badly placed 2 mile mark).

After the preview I taped up Doug's achy Achilles (we truly are held together with duct tape and spit) and then headed out for another mile in my racing gear.  The field was especially small this year (130 finishers) and only a couple of guys moved up to the front.  They were starting us in four waves with the first being under 7:00's.  Off we went and I found myself in 5th place during the first loop.

Checked my watch at the half and was a little ahead of pace but not crazy fast.  The young kid (Michael Eddy) went by me and we would end up having a lot of back and forth which was great as it kept us both honest.

I hit the mile in 5:38 and 2 miles in 11:22 (5:44) and not much changed.  The leaders were out of sight and I'd mixed it up with the kid.  He went by pretty strongly at 2 miles and I tried to hang on.

I kept him within a step or two until about 1/2 mile to go and he found another gear and ended up taking me by 10 seconds.  I can't complain as I closed with a 5:46 mile and was well under 18.  I ended up 5th overall and first in the 50+.  The big surprise was that I moved up to 5th in the overall in the CARS and took home $50 for that.  I also got $100 gas card for taking the age graded series (with Ernie very close behind).

I gathered up my teammates and convinced the Kezar guys and the young kid to join up for a nice easy 3 mile warm-down to close out the morning.

1 16:13 5:13 Cameron Cook 26 Male Dover NH MOPEN 1
2 16:35 5:21 Warren Bartlett 24 Male Loudon NH MOPEN 2
3 17:03 5:29 Drew Tuttle     26 Male Alton NH MOPEN 3
4 17:31 5:39 Michael Eddy     16 Male Madbury NH M1519 4
5 17:41 5:42 Dave Dunham     57 Male Bradford MA M5559 5
6 17:47 5:44 Erik Paddlefor         46 Male Concord NH M4549 6
7 18:00 5:48 Jim Angell     57 Male Hopkinton NH M5559 7
8 18:24 5:56 James Brady         20 Male Newbury NH M2029 8
9 18:32 5:58 Ernest Brake            60 Male North Sutton NH M6064 9
10 18:36 5:59 Sam Wood         35 Male Laconia NH M3539 10
11 18:55 6:06 Matt Deschuytner 34 Male Canterbury NH M3034 11
12 18:57 6:06 Doug Deangelis 55 Male Newbury MA M5559 12
13 19:39 6:20 James Smith         63 Male Concord NH M6064 13
14 19:55 6:25 Michael Barry            65 Male Northwood NH M6569 14
15 19:56 6:25 Nicholas Brady 23 Male Boston MA M2029 15
16 20:47 6:42 James Pawlicki 46 Male Lynn MA M4549 16

After the extensive award ceremony I decided to take a final (maybe?) trip to Oak Hill.  My favorite mountain and fire tower and city high point.  I got in another 3 miles for the day and then stopped at Mapleleaf farm for a gallon of syrup!