Looking back - Sept 2011

10 Years ago (Sept 2011) – I raced three times this month while my focus was a bit more on peakbagging.  I wanted to race before I headed off with Eric to bag some state high points and I settled on a Thursday night race (Atkinson Road Race). Teammate David Quintal took it out hard with the lead pack of Pat Fullerton, Kevin Alliette, Casey Carroll and Andie Colon. I found myself off the back and alone in the first half mile. When David stopped to tie his shoe I motored by him but could hear him right behind me as I hit the mile in 5:24. I caught Colon with about 1/2 mile to go working the downhill for all it was worth. We turned the corner for the final uphill 400m and he took off like a shot. I ended up taking 5th place in 16:34 with DQ 6 seconds back. The course was a bit short of 5k, maybe 15 seconds.
 
1 15:04 Pat Fullerton M2029
2 15:39 Kevin Aliette M3039
3 16:07 Casey Carroll M4049
4 16:24 Andie Colon M3039
5 16:34 Dave Dunham M4049
6 16:40 David Quintal M4049
 
Next up was a small trail race in Chester NH at Wason Pond. I ran the 10km version of this race last year and had fun so I was back this year for a 5km race. I checked out the course as a warm-up, it had a lot of variety. I felt pretty lousy; the head cold I'd picked up this week left me dragging. I went out hard but controlled. By 200m into the race I was in the lead but I could hear footsteps close behind. Eventually they faded.  I was happy to get a win! I gave a good effort and topped 90 miles again this week.
 
1 18:13.1 Dave Dunham 47M
2 18:59.9 Patrick Connelly 47m
3 21:53.4 Richard McNeel 14M
                                                                                                                                                                               
The final race of the month was the Lone Gull 10km where I was hoping to run a “fast” time.  I was not feeling good. I'd woken up with a sinus headache each of the last few mornings and my throat was still lousy from whatever I was still sick with. Dan Verrington, David Quintal, and I were all in about the same shape, so it looked to be an interesting race. I was hoping for a 40+ PR (34:28) but knew that the wind would make for a tough second half of the race. I hit three miles in 16:26 and was very happy with the. I went by Dan just after. Dan said "go get 'em" as I went by but about a quarter mile later he went by me like I was standing still. With about 1/2 mile to go I started to close on Dan and finally got him on the last uphill of course. I hit six miles in 33:33 (5:44) just a stride or two up on Dan and I pushed as hard as I could on the downhill and flat. I hit the finish (actually two strides beyond the SECOND timing mat) in 34:41 missing my PR by 13 seconds.  Our team had a solid run, just missing beating GBTC in the open and taking the masters team title. We did beat GBTC in total age of scoring members.  CMS = 144 GBTC = 74
 
Team results
1. GREATER BOSTON TRACK CLUB  32:30 34:28 37:01 = 1:43:59
2. CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS         34:41 34:48 35:00 = 1:44:29
3. GREATER LOWELL RR                35:41 36:45 42:50 = 1:55:16
 
40+ Team Results
1. CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS         34:41 34:48 35:00 = 1:44:29
2. GREATER LOWELL RR                35:41 36:45 42:50 = 1:55:16
 
Individual results
1 32:30 Brennan Bonner   26         M2039 GBTC
2 33:20 Brian Deal           26         M2039
3 33:30 Mark Mayall         40        M4049 NB-BOSTON
4 33:36 Ethan Crain         38         M2039 GCS TRIAD
5 34:20 Joe Donnelly       43        M4049 WHIRLAWAY
6 34:28 Caleb Evanter      24         M2039 GBTC
7 34:41 Dave Dunham      47        M4049 CMS
8 34:48 Dan Verrington    49        M4049 CMS
9 35:00 David Quintal      48        M4049 CMS                                                                                                                       
 
Rounding third