Millennium Mile

There aren't many options to race right now and I really like to race.  The Millennium Mile was the only race I could find to start the new year.  No issues with that, I'd done the race before and it is always a lot of fun.  This is way outside of my comfort zone with it being so short, and with the downhill being so FAST.  I did a short track workout on Monday with the hope that'd give me some confidence.  It went okay but wasn't quite as fast as I'd hoped.  I'd seeded myself at 5:15 figuring I was in 5:30 or better shape on a flat course and also assuming the drop would give me 10-15 seconds.  I was a bit surprised that when numbers came out I was 53, but was 5th 50+.  With the time trial start 2 runners would (separately) start every 10 seconds.  I was happy to get to start with longtime rival Mike Slinsky.  The time trail start isn't bad as there can be people to catch (although over a mile that is unlikely) and they are close enough to see even if you don't catch them.

I did an easy 4m run early in the morn as the race wasn't until noon.  I felt lousy and was very nervous all morning.  50 minutes before the start I went out for a 3 mile warm-up with teammates Scott Grandfield and Adam Malek.  It was nice to have some company.  We checked out the NEW course.  Due to restrictions from the town of Londonderry the course went down the hill to the north rather than the traditional course to the south.  It meant a steadier drop but about 10' less of drop and a somewhat tough last 1/4 mile with 10' of climb.  After the 3m I got on race gear and headed out for another mile with some strides.  I did not feel good.  Maybe because I did the strides heading uphill?  

I got over to the start corral as the first runner headed out.  With the 10 second gaps it'd be 4+ minutes until I started, so the first guy would already be done!  It goes by quickly and suddenly I was on the line and heading off.  I never saw Mike as he is a bit slower at the start, but I did see the 10 year old girl who started in front of me and set my sights on her.  I hit the 1/4 mile in 70 which seemed fast (maybe the marker wasn't correct?).  It was a kind of funny that you could see the 1/2 and 3/4 marks as you passed the 1/4.  I was closing on the young lady and got her just before the 1/2 mile with a 76 second split (which seemed about right).  I kept pushing, the guys who started 20 seconds ahead coming back a bit.  My third quarter was a 75 and now I was just looking for the finish banner.  The little bump definitely hurt but I think even if it were flat I'd be hurting by that  point.  I caught up to Dylan Tuttle with about 200 meters to go but he found new life when I caught him and sprinted in (which kept me going).  My final split was an 80 second 1/4 for a 5:01.7.  Wow, way faster than I hoped for!  I was a little disappointed in my slowdown at the end but the results had everyone's half-mile split and my slowdown was typical.  I ended up 3rd in the 55-59 which was very competitive this year.

I got together with my CMS teammates and headed back up the course.  Mike Slinsky then joined us for a nice 4 mile warm-down. It was a great way to kick off the new year!  Thanks to John Mortimer and Millennium running!  I'm looking forward to racing again in a couple of weeks.

Me & Mike Slinsky

Post-race with Adam Malek & Scott Grandfield