GBTC XC

 

I knew I was not ready to race in early September but thought it would be fun to get out and push myself.  I decided to run the Greater Boston Track Club (GBTC) cross-country race in Carlisle.  I had done the race last year and recalled that the course was interesting (three loops), fair (ups/downs), but nothing “technical” that might cause issues for my not quite 100% calf.  It was also the kick-off to the USATF NE XC grand prix which held some interest for me.  Dan Verrington and I carpooled over, and the place was already packed when we got there more than an hour before our race.  Most of those attending were running in or supporting the kids race, a very popular 2km (1.2 mile) tour twice around the cornfield on the “Lantern Loop” (a popular XC ski loop that is lit by lanterns in the winter months).

 

We got our numbers and headed out for a course preview warm-up with Jim Pawlicki and Brad Klinedinst (Whirlaway and U-Lowell).  Tim Cox (who along with Jason Cak gave me a big hug hello) joined us for the first short loop then begged out as his youngest was running in the first race of the day.  We ended up redirecting a few people who were also attempting to warm-up on the course but found the minimal course markings to be confusing.  Luckily Jim, Dan, and I had all done the race last year and knew the course.  We’d do a small .6 mile loop then a 1 mile loop and finish with a 1.5 mile loop.  Spectators could stand at the finish and see quite a bit of the race.  After our 3 mile warm-up I switched into road racing flats, deciding that my ankle would do better with more support.  The course was dry so footing would not be an issue.  I headed out for another mile with some strides and was surprised to bump into Mark Donahue.  Mark was a CMS runner in the late 1980s to the early 2000s and was one of the finest 40+ runners (a 30:24 club record for masters runners).

 

The field was about double last year but still only about 60 runners.  I’m not sure where everyone is racing or if they just aren’t racing.  My goal was to stay as close to Dan as I could and run within a minute of my time from last year (19:12).  Both goals made sense based on my limited training.  The first 100 meters seemed like a stroll and then it seemed way too fast.  I was never with Dan and counted 24 guys in front of me as we completed the first loop. I focused on passing guys and over the next mile moved up to 18^th place but found myself 20 seconds behind Dan at the end of the second loop.  Frank Nelson from HFC flew by as we started the final loop, he’d end up putting 36 seconds on me in the last 1.5 miles (ouch).  I really ran out of gas after 2 miles and struggled on the hills from 2 – 2.5.  I thought I would be able to hold my place and could see Dan up in the distance.  Then with less than a ¼ mile to go Brad (who I’d passed near the end of the 2^nd loop) motored by me like I was standing still.  I had no fight left in me and staggered on to the finish just ducking under 20 minutes.

 

I can’t complain too much as I was a bit faster than expected despite being 17 seconds behind Dan.  I was 47 seconds slower than last year but was racing well at this time in 2021.  It was nice to get out and test my limits and especially nice to come out of it with my calf and ankle no worse than when I started.  I got to lead a small group (Arthur Besse, Dan, Jim P, and Brad) on a loop on the nice southern side of Great Brook covering the nicer cart path that we used to do workouts on in College.  It is always nice to get some time with the gang after the racing is done.  Brad even recreated his finishing kick when we got back to the field at the end.  All in good fun, he knows I’ll be gunning for him at the next race.

 

GBTC XC – Great Brook Farm Carlisle, MA

 

1 16:37 Abdez Bduramd            44        Tygnsboro        MA       GLRR

2 16:47 TJ Unger                      44        Westwood        MA       HFC

3 17:20 Lee Danforth               44        Norwood           MA       HFC

4 17:33 Arthur Besse                50        Templeton        MA       CMS

5 17:38 Iain Ridgway               42        Worcester         MA       CMS

6 17:46  Dave Dugan                51        Cohasset          MA       Tracksmith

7 18:02 Timothy Gavin             46        Weston MA       HFC

8 18:12 Paulo Amaral               42        Lowell   MA       GLRR

9 18:18 Timothy Cox                 49        Northwood        NH      

10 18:22 Dan Donato                41        Marblehead       MA       Notch

11 18:43 Douglas Hall               45        Belmont            MA       Tracksmith

12 18:48 Jason Cakouros          57        Milton   MA       HFC

13 18:57 Mathew Swanson        44        Belmont            MA       Tracksmith

14 18:59 Alejandro Heuck         57        Amherst           MA       GSH

15 18:59 Chris Mancini              42        Swampscott      MA       Tracksmith

16 19:13 Steve Neri                   55        Attleboro          MA       HFC

17 19:24 Frank Nelson              51        Bridgewater      MA       HFC

18 19:42 Dan Verrington           60        Bradford           MA       CMS

19 19:53 Brad Klinedinst           46        Hudson MA       WRT

20 19:59 Dave Dunham            58        Bradford           MA       CMS

21 20:07 Martin Bures               41        Somerville        MA       NETT

32 21:38 James Pawlicki            47        Lynn     MA       CMS

                                                                                   

            50+ Results                                                              

1          17:33    Arthur Besse     50        Templeton        MA       CMS

2          17:46    Dave Dugan      51        Cohasset, MA    Tracksmith

3          18:48    Jason Cakouros 57        Milton, MA        HFC

4          18:59    Alejandro Heuck 57       Amherst, MA     GSH

5          19:13    Steve Neri         55        Attleboro, MA    HFC

6          19:24    Frank Nelson     51        Brdgwater, MA  HFC

7          19:59    Dave Dunham   58        Bradford, MA     CMS