Fudging a 5k

Fudgcicle 5K Series Race 4 – I felt the need to get some “leg turnover” after my Mexico trip, so it was off to Tewksbury for the Greater Lowell Road Runners hosted “Fudgcicle” 5k series.  This would be the 18^th time I’ve gone to this series race; it is one of my favorites.  The $1 entry fee, early start (8:00am) and the chance for some competition makes easy “go to” event.  I was one of the first to arrive at 7am, got my number and headed out for a loop of the course as a warm-up.  It was chilly (under 20 degrees) and breezy during my warm-up. I also felt tired.  I’m never sure if that is a good sign or a bad sign.  I changed into racing flats and headed out for another mile with some strides.  I was a bit surprised by the turn-out which was well over 100 runners.  That is pretty good for a cold winter morning.

 

With a “ready, set, go!” we were off.  Eric Beauchesne went right to the front and I tried to find a good rhythm heading downhill slightly for the first ½ mile.  At about ¾ of a mile I went around Eric but could hear his footsteps.  Just after the mile (5:53) I was surprised to be joined by Will Swenson, not Eric.  Will sounded like he wasn’t working hard at all and I felt pretty ragged.  We ran side-by-side through 1.5 then he picked up the pace.  I was locked into 6:00 pace and could not go any faster.  At 2 miles he already had 7+ seconds on me and was steadily pulling away.  I didn’t give up, but just did not have anything to give.  I stayed steady at 6:00 pace and crossed the line in 2^nd place a full 30 seconds back.  I’m not sure if I’ll make it back to the Fudge series this winter (snowshoe and indoor track) but I’d like to go back and get a better time.

                                     

    1 Will Swenson                       44 M4049 Andover, MA    18:07  5:50

    2 Dave Dunham          51 M5059 Bradford, MA   18:37  6:00

    3 Jason Bui                35 M3039 Ayer, MA         18:50  6:04

    4 Eric Beauchesne      45 M4049 Chelmsford, MA            19:31  6:17

    5 Matt Engle               39 M3039 Watertown, MA            19:48  6:23

 

My Fudge results over the years:

 

Date                 Time     Place    Field     Notes

01/05/91           16:23    1          71         With Petey, 16 degrees

01/19/91           15:59    1          60         Out slow, 19 degrees

01/26/91           16:17    1          50         2 degrees very cold

02/09/91           14:57   1          46         CR old CR Bostick 1531 in 1990 Nice 40s

02/16/91           17:10    1          36         10 deg

01/02/99           16:45    2          30         -1 degree did long wup and wdwn

01/14/06           17:49    3          37         Bolt = 15:44, felt tired 55 degrees!

01/21/06           17:30    3          40         Bolt = 15:46, Ken Tripp 17:06. Fifty degrees again.

02/18/06           17:52    2          22         Verrington = 16:45

02/25/06           17:49    2          30         Verrington = 17:14

02/04/07           19:28    1          27         Snow on the road and 20 degrees.  Alone after 1m

02/17/07           18:23    3          33         Verrington = 17:45. 

01/03/09           18:00    2          45         Jim Johnson = 16:23, sunny 20's

01/14/12           17:21    1          63         5:27/5:26/5:46/42

02/04/12           17:20    1          87         Back and forth with Dave Corbett got him by 3 seconds in last 200m

01/04/14           18:50    2          56         Minus 7 degrees and slick road, battled Mike Quintal the entire way

01/11/14           17:37    4          92         Ryan Gough = 15:50

01/23/16           18:37    2          118       Felt awful, hoped for 545's, felt flat.