Looking back August 1990

 

30 Years Ago: August 1990 – I raced four times over this month and ran 448 miles.  With a fall marathon looming large training was the focus rather than racing, but that didn’t keep me from doing a few.  I started the month (08/08/90) with a visit to Cawley Stadium in Lowell, for the GLRR 2 mile track series.  I was looking for a fast time and would find plenty of company on this night.  Eric Beauchesne took it out in a too fast 400 of 63.  I followed along hitting 800 splits of 213/215/216/213 to take the win in 8:57. Dave Cremin took second in 9:02 and series record holder (8:52) Bob Hodge ran 9:03. 

Ten days later (08/18/90) I took on the tough course at the Londonderry Old home day 5k.  The first mile followed the (downhill) route of the millennium mile, unfortunately the last mile was back UP the same hill.  I ran alone from start to finish on a muggy 80 degree day.  Splits of 4:37, 4:43, and 4:58 brought me home in 14:47.  That was good enough for a 47 second victory and also got me the course record (and taking home the clock pictured on the right). The record held up until last year when the race sadly folded.

 

Four days later (08/22/90) I was back at Cawley stadium for the series finale which was traditionally a mile race.  I led for the first 400 and then retook the lead at 800 on a perfect night for racing.  Splits of 62/64/64/63 got me another win in 4:14.  

Four days later (08/26/90) I closed out the month with the USATF (then NEAC) 5k road championships in Greenwhich RI.  Tom Anderson (CMS) took it out hard for the first mile, and I hung in the chase pack.  GLRR teammate Rachid Tbahi and I went with Eric Morse (CMS) with ½ mile to go.  Morse took the win in 14:24, I got second (14:26) and Rachid took 3rd helping GLRR to a rare victory over CMS.