5 years ago (October 2016) – I kicked off the
month at Bretton Woods taking on the “Fell Running” course. That
meant a lot of climbing and descending and navigation! CMS teammates Matt Veiga, Todd
Callaghan, and Ed Sheldon quickly pulled away as the field took off. I
hit the first CP in just under 17 minutes with a 1,200’ climb over 1.1 miles
(average grade = 21%). I moved into third place during this climb and
would spend the rest of the race hoping I could hold that position. In all
it was 7.6 miles with 2,400’ of climb and descent. CMS took the top 4
spots. We ended up taking the open, masters, and seniors team titles
along with individual titles in the overall, masters (Todd), seniors (me), and
veterans (Paul Bazanchuk). It was a great day for the CMS men.
1 1:01:43 Todd Callaghan M47 Beverly, MA CMS
2 1:08:37 Matthew Veiga M29 Lynn, MA CMS
3 1:09:52 Dave Dunham M52 Bradford, MA CMS
4 1:11:43 Ed Sheldon M52 Hooksett , NH CMS
5 1:17:23 Logan Wilson M22 Boston, MA Northeastern University CR
10 1:20:50 Leslie O'Dell F40 Albany, NH CMS
21 1:27:04 Paul Bazanchuk M61 Ctr Conway, NH CMS
The following weekend I went to the Methuen High School Cross-Country race. I rarely do a first annual race due to worries about course markings and other errors that first time races make. Since Kevin Alliette (Whirlaway/Methuen HS) was involved I knew the course would be well marked and there wouldn’t be any first timer issues. There was a mix of trail and road, definitely what I expected on a high school XC course.
A few of the young Methuen high XC runners went out pretty fast; a couple of spectators yelled “Go Billerica” to me as I went by which was nice. I was hoping to run a little under 6:00 mile pace based on the course and my current form. I ended up taking 3rd place 7 seconds back and nearly 1:30 behind the winner (Parson’s ran 15:15 for 5Km at Lowell).
1 17:23 Lucas Parsons M22 METHUEN, MA
2 18:35 Devin Allen M19 METHUEN, MA
3 18:42 Dave Dunham M52 BRADFORD, MA
4 19:35 Paul McGovern M57 METHUEN, MA
5 20:56 Kyle Salvo M12 METHUEN, MA
Next up was the Cider House 5k. I gave myself plenty of time to check out the course since it had 600’ of climb and drop and would involve a lot of dirt road and trail. It was a pretty steady climb and particularly steep on the “Old Indian Trail”. Once at the top of the trail the course would be very fast. Based on my 29+ minute warm-up I figured I could run around 22 minutes.
I switched into racing flats and for the first time saw someone warming up, right after that I saw CMS teammate Scott Leslie (who had run a 2:23 marathon 7 days before!). I went out in the lead but Scott went by 100 meters in and noted “I better push on the road part” or something to that affect. I know I’m not a great descender so working the climb on the trail was important. The final Balance rock trail section was pretty bad, my only goal was to get through and not get hurt. I held my place, so I stayed for the awards ceremony (a rarity for me) since I wanted to collect my loot. For winning my age group I got a $10 COW card (good at Wachusett Mountain), a gallon of apple cider and a huge apple pie. This race is a great deal at $20 (including a t-shirt, post-race cider, and donuts)!
Finish Bunny Split Indian Split Top Split Balance Final Split
1 Scott Leslie 20:24 1:43 4:25 6:08 5:11 11:19 6:10 17:29 2:55
2 Dave Dunham 21:31 1:55 4:40 6:35 5:34 12:09 6:27 18:36 2:55
3 John Kinnee 21:55 2:01 4:45 6:46 5:44 12:30 6:42 19:12 2:43
4 Will Guerra 24:16 2:04 5:03 7:07 6:41 13:48 7:17 21:05 3:11
A couple of years ago I went to the Ghost train trail and ran part of it with Ultra-runner Mike Wade (GCS). I love rail trails and this one is a beauty. This would be my final long run before the Manchester Marathon, so it was GAME ON. The temperature was 45 degrees, and it was sunny but there was a strong wind blowing (15-30mph) but luckily, we would be on a rail trail that was mostly protected.
I went into the lead right away and tried to feel as comfortable as possible. Two guys settled in behind me and we hit the mile in 6:57. In my mind I was doing a 3 mile run to the aid station then a 4.5 mile run to the next station, and then reversing. I hit the turn in 50:04 and now every step was getting me back to the finish line. I got to 10 in 1:08:03 (33:25 for the 2nd 5 miles) and I was feeling very good. I looked at my watch with less than a quarter to go and realized I’d likely break 1:40 and kicked it in with the Clash playing “Atom Tan” on my shuffle.
Pl Name Sx Age City, State Time
1 Dave Dunham M 52 Bradford, MA 1:39:01
2 Grigory Kolesov M 40 Brookline, MA 1:42:55
3 Lewis Chamberlain M 46 Eliot, ME 1:44:46
My final race of the month was the Wicked FIT 5k in Concord NH. I wanted to get some leg turnover and this would be the place to do it. Conditions were great for racing with temps in the upper 40's a little drizzle and no wind at all. I was hoping to run around 17:40. Nearly 400 lined up, with a large contingent wearing Halloween costumes. I went out with the small lead pack of Trevor Taylor and Dylan Tuttle. They pushed on the only little uphill of the race 1/4 mile in and I was off the back. I can't complain as I was under my goal pace and "raced" it well never giving up and taking third place.
1 1 MOPEN 17:15 5:33 Trevor Taylor 24 M 1938 Manchester NH
2 1 M1319 17:32 5:39 Dylan Tuttle 18 M 1950 Alton NH
3 1 M5059 17:35* 5:40 Dave Dunham 52 M 2065 Bradford MA
4 1 M3039 18:50 6:04 Aaron Monier 33 M 2092 Concord NH
1 1:01:43 Todd Callaghan M47 Beverly, MA CMS
2 1:08:37 Matthew Veiga M29 Lynn, MA CMS
3 1:09:52 Dave Dunham M52 Bradford, MA CMS
4 1:11:43 Ed Sheldon M52 Hooksett , NH CMS
5 1:17:23 Logan Wilson M22 Boston, MA Northeastern University CR
10 1:20:50 Leslie O'Dell F40 Albany, NH CMS
21 1:27:04 Paul Bazanchuk M61 Ctr Conway, NH CMS
The following weekend I went to the Methuen High School Cross-Country race. I rarely do a first annual race due to worries about course markings and other errors that first time races make. Since Kevin Alliette (Whirlaway/Methuen HS) was involved I knew the course would be well marked and there wouldn’t be any first timer issues. There was a mix of trail and road, definitely what I expected on a high school XC course.
A few of the young Methuen high XC runners went out pretty fast; a couple of spectators yelled “Go Billerica” to me as I went by which was nice. I was hoping to run a little under 6:00 mile pace based on the course and my current form. I ended up taking 3rd place 7 seconds back and nearly 1:30 behind the winner (Parson’s ran 15:15 for 5Km at Lowell).
1 17:23 Lucas Parsons M22 METHUEN, MA
2 18:35 Devin Allen M19 METHUEN, MA
3 18:42 Dave Dunham M52 BRADFORD, MA
4 19:35 Paul McGovern M57 METHUEN, MA
5 20:56 Kyle Salvo M12 METHUEN, MA
Next up was the Cider House 5k. I gave myself plenty of time to check out the course since it had 600’ of climb and drop and would involve a lot of dirt road and trail. It was a pretty steady climb and particularly steep on the “Old Indian Trail”. Once at the top of the trail the course would be very fast. Based on my 29+ minute warm-up I figured I could run around 22 minutes.
I switched into racing flats and for the first time saw someone warming up, right after that I saw CMS teammate Scott Leslie (who had run a 2:23 marathon 7 days before!). I went out in the lead but Scott went by 100 meters in and noted “I better push on the road part” or something to that affect. I know I’m not a great descender so working the climb on the trail was important. The final Balance rock trail section was pretty bad, my only goal was to get through and not get hurt. I held my place, so I stayed for the awards ceremony (a rarity for me) since I wanted to collect my loot. For winning my age group I got a $10 COW card (good at Wachusett Mountain), a gallon of apple cider and a huge apple pie. This race is a great deal at $20 (including a t-shirt, post-race cider, and donuts)!
Finish Bunny Split Indian Split Top Split Balance Final Split
1 Scott Leslie 20:24 1:43 4:25 6:08 5:11 11:19 6:10 17:29 2:55
2 Dave Dunham 21:31 1:55 4:40 6:35 5:34 12:09 6:27 18:36 2:55
3 John Kinnee 21:55 2:01 4:45 6:46 5:44 12:30 6:42 19:12 2:43
4 Will Guerra 24:16 2:04 5:03 7:07 6:41 13:48 7:17 21:05 3:11
A couple of years ago I went to the Ghost train trail and ran part of it with Ultra-runner Mike Wade (GCS). I love rail trails and this one is a beauty. This would be my final long run before the Manchester Marathon, so it was GAME ON. The temperature was 45 degrees, and it was sunny but there was a strong wind blowing (15-30mph) but luckily, we would be on a rail trail that was mostly protected.
I went into the lead right away and tried to feel as comfortable as possible. Two guys settled in behind me and we hit the mile in 6:57. In my mind I was doing a 3 mile run to the aid station then a 4.5 mile run to the next station, and then reversing. I hit the turn in 50:04 and now every step was getting me back to the finish line. I got to 10 in 1:08:03 (33:25 for the 2nd 5 miles) and I was feeling very good. I looked at my watch with less than a quarter to go and realized I’d likely break 1:40 and kicked it in with the Clash playing “Atom Tan” on my shuffle.
Pl Name Sx Age City, State Time
1 Dave Dunham M 52 Bradford, MA 1:39:01
2 Grigory Kolesov M 40 Brookline, MA 1:42:55
3 Lewis Chamberlain M 46 Eliot, ME 1:44:46
My final race of the month was the Wicked FIT 5k in Concord NH. I wanted to get some leg turnover and this would be the place to do it. Conditions were great for racing with temps in the upper 40's a little drizzle and no wind at all. I was hoping to run around 17:40. Nearly 400 lined up, with a large contingent wearing Halloween costumes. I went out with the small lead pack of Trevor Taylor and Dylan Tuttle. They pushed on the only little uphill of the race 1/4 mile in and I was off the back. I can't complain as I was under my goal pace and "raced" it well never giving up and taking third place.
1 1 MOPEN 17:15 5:33 Trevor Taylor 24 M 1938 Manchester NH
2 1 M1319 17:32 5:39 Dylan Tuttle 18 M 1950 Alton NH
3 1 M5059 17:35* 5:40 Dave Dunham 52 M 2065 Bradford MA
4 1 M3039 18:50 6:04 Aaron Monier 33 M 2092 Concord NH
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