Wachusett Mountain
This was the 23rd annual running of the
Wachusett Mountain race and in a partial return to its roots there was an
“uphill only” option this time around. The last time the race was uphill was
back in 2008 on the original 4.3 mile course. This year they kept the course as
it has been for the past three years, 2.85 mile run to the summit followed by a
3+ mile run down. The USATF Mountain series would be scored on the times for
the uphill but runners could continue on for the overall race. This was done to
encourage some of the Mountain runners who weren’t fans of the up/down series
races to give this a go. This would be my 19th time racing at
Wachusett and I had no plans to run down. My ankle/foot woes have not just kept
my training at a low level but also stopped me from doing any downhill running.
I was happy to have the option to count in the scoring with just the ascent.
I showed up in Leominster two hours prior to the start and
parked at the visitor’s center. From there I made my way up the course on my
Mountain Bike. I went very slowly not wanting to put in much of an effort prior
to the race. I locked up my bike on the summit (so that I wouldn’t have to run
down after) and then hiked down the nice Pine Hill trail. The bike up was 1.7
miles and the hike down was just .6 miles. After that I drove over to the ski
area parking lot and picked up my race number.
I met up with teammate Paul Baz and we went out for a 3
mile warm-up. I felt kind of flat which is typical before a race but I had
pushed it a bit on Thursday and was regretting the effort I’d put in. There was
a great turnout for the race (nearly 250) and we lined up on Mile Hill road with
temps in the 50’s and a steady tailwind. The field shot off at the start and I
was having trouble hanging on to the back of the big pack that formed. I found
myself in about 25th place ½ mile in and I was working pretty hard.
Kim Nedeau went flying by, but I reeled her back in before the mile as I
steadily caught some of the early fast starters.
We turned into the State Park at 1.25 miles and I lost
some ground on the downhill (running cautiously). Kim went by me again as we
started the steep climbing. I felt okay, just really stale. I was putting in
the effort but spinning my wheels. I could see Craig Fram up ahead with Erik
Vandendries right with him. I knew they were the top 50+ but there was no way I
could run that fast. I was wheezing as I went back by Kim after the 2 mile
mark. Knowledge of the course certainly helps and I pushed hard over the last ½
mile as we turned onto the parking lot entrance.
I ended up running 21:26 which was within 5 seconds of my
time last year and only 22 seconds slower than two years ago (21:21 and 21:04
respectively). Considering my lack of training this year I can’t complain about
the result. I can only hope that I get into a bit better shape before Mt
Washington!
I spent about 2 minutes on the top, jumped on my bike and
9 minutes and 3 miles later I was back at my car. I was on the road to Vermont
before the first running crossed the finish line.
Pl Time Name Team City/State
1 19:07 DREW BEST aR AMHERST
MA M33
2 19:20 JOSH FERENC W.E. ATHENS
VT M33
3 20:27 NATE SANS PRINCETON
MA M23
4 20:37 ALEX MCGRATH WRT MARLBOROUGH NH
M24
5 20:38 TIM MAHONEY CMS HOLYOKE
MA M35
6 20:42 CRAIG FRAM WRT EXETER
NH M56
7 20:43 MATT VEIGA CMS LYNN
MA M28
8 20:44 ETHAN NEDEAU aR LEVERETT
MA M42
9 20:44 TODD CALLAGHAN CMS BEVERLY MA
M45
10 20:44 ERIK VANDENDRIES CMS CHESTNUT HILL MA
M50
16 21:26 DAVE DUNHAM CMS BRADFORD MA
M51
17 21:34 KIM NEDEAU LEVERETT
MA F35
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