Millennium Mile

I kicked off the new year with a return to Londonderry for the Millennium Mile.  This would be my fourth time running the predominately downhill mile.  The old course started near the middle school and headed southeast, the new version started in about the same area but headed northwest the total drop of 90’ was about the same in either direction but then newer course climbed 11’ from .75 to .9 miles whereas the old course only climbed 2’ over the same distance.  There was a stiff 15mph breeze which would be a headwind that would make this a less than ideal day despite temps approaching 50 degrees at the 2 p.m. start time.

I ran 5 miles in the morning and felt a lot better than expected.  I should have known that was a bad sign.  I killed time all morning just trying to get to noon when I could hit the road.  I got my number and had time to chat with race director John Mortimer before heading out for a warm-up.  It was great seeing so many familiar faces!  I did a 3 mile run heading down the course to check it out (I’d run this version back in 2021).  After that, I got on my race gear and headed out for another mile with some strides.  I felt terrible on the first couple but then loosened up.  My goal was sub-5 (I’d run 5:01 back in 2021) which would put me around 30-40^th place.  I lined up in the second row which seemed appropriate based on where I thought I’d finish.  Nearly 1,100 shot off like it was a 100 meter sprint.  I had MANY pass me in the first 100 meters but after that I was not passed the entire race, which is about the only good thing I’ll take out of this.  I started passing groups of people by about 200 meters and would keep passing the fast starters right to the finish.  I never looked at my splits until after the race, I just ran as hard as I could.  I could not believe when I saw the clock for the first time and it was already well over 5 minutes.  Ugh.  I gave my  all but only managed a 5:19 which is as fast as I ran in an unaided mile back in May.  I did notice that everyone on Strava including me came up with 1.02 or 1.03 for the distance.  That doesn’t sound like much but is as much as 10 seconds.  I managed to take second in the 55-59 age group (and 4^th in the 50-59) which is something.  Peter Kashulines ran an excellent 4:59 to win, and I’m sure he was also disappointed as it was 10 seconds slower than his 55-59 age group record he set in 2021.

I finished the afternoon with a run back up the course and then a 2 mile warm-down around the apple orchards.  I managed to make a youngsters day giving him my award which was a nice Millennium Mile coffee mug.

All-time 55+ (all sub 5:30's)

1	4:49	Peter	Kashulines	57	2021
2	4:52	Mark	Hecox	55	2020
3	4:55	Scott	Grandfield	55	2021
4	4:59	Jeff	Weatherhead	55	2006
5	4:59	Peter	Kashulines	59	2023
6	5:01	Ken	Houle	56	2003
7	5:01	Dave	Dunham	56	2021
8	5:02	Stan	Dutton	58	2002
9	5:07	Rich	Marion	59	2021
10	5:08	Judge	Jones	58	2008
11	5:08	Michael	Dufour	55	2020
12	5:09	Stan	Dutton	59	2003
13	5:12	Doug	Shattuck	55	2018
14	5:16	John	Noland	56	2019
15	5:18	Eric	Krathwohl	55	2009
16	5:19	Dave	Dunham	58	2023
17	5:20	Richard	Molloy	59	2000
18	5:20	Jeff	Walker	58	2023
19	5:22	Brian	Mahoney	55	2005
20	5:22	James	Miller	57	2019
21	5:23	Bill	Tidd	59	2022
22	5:24	Brian	Mahoney	57	2007
23	5:26	Bob	Gillis	56	2012
24	5:26	Fil	Faria	58	2023
25	5:27	Kevin	Buckley	56	2004
26	5:27	Bob	Gillis	55	2011