Looking back - March 2018

 5 Years ago:
I raced the “Easing Heartbreak Hill 5k” in Concord NH, mostly based on the 9am start time but also knowing the NHTI campus is very flat so this would be an opportunity to run a quick time.  I hoped I was ready to break 18 minutes for 5k (about 5:45 per mile). I was one of the first to arrive at the race site which wasn’t surprising as only 50 ran the race last year and I try to get there early to ensure I’m not rushed.  The good thing about an out & back course is that you can see where the competition is without having to peek.  I guessed I had a 30-45 second lead at the turn.  My final time of 16:17 worked out to 5:47 pace which would have put me right around 18 flat for 5k.  I usually don’t stick around for that but figured since I was there, I’d pick up my prize.  I ended up getting my pick of Girl Scout cookies for a prize which was nice! 
 
Easing Heartbreak Hill 5K(2.83m)  Concord, NH - March 3, 2018 Finishers =44
Pl      Div    Name                      Ag S City, St                   Time    Pace 
    1   1/8    DAVE DUNHAM                    53 M  BRADFORD, MA        16:17  5:45
    2   1/1    SOPHIA REYNOLDS             14 F   ANDOVER, NH          17:39  6:14
    3   1/4    MICHAEL POPHAM               36 M  BEDFORD, NH          18:07  6:24
    4   2/8    DAVID AUDET          52 M  CONCORD, NH         18:18  6:28
    5   2/4    PHIL BROGAN          32 M  CONCORD, NH         18:38  6:35

 

The New Bedford half-marathon was the first race in the USATF New England series of 7 road races from 5k-marathon.  I wasn't really feeling ready for "big" racing just yet but was pleased with how quickly I've been able to turn it around.  My stretch goal coming into the race was to run around my time from last year (1:20:48).  This may have been the coldest New Bedford I've ever done with 20 degrees at the start.  As always wind would be a factor but at 15mph it'd be a lot better than the crazy wind from last year.
 
I went out conservatively.  During the worst of the wind I found a pack and was able to "jump on board".  My legs were pretty beat, and I couldn't really go into a kick at the end. I ended up losing a couple of places in the last 1/2 mile but hit the finish in 1:21:07, only 19 seconds behind my time for last year.  

50+ Pl  Chip       Pl           Name                                  Age        Team 

1          1:14:44  67         PETER HAMMER               51         BAA

2          1:18:48  131       DAVID PRINCIPE             50         CMS

3          1:19:42  146       ERIK VANDENDRIES         53         CMS

4          1:20:51  165       CHARLIE BEMIS               55         WRT

5          1:20:55  167       WAYNE LEVY                  52         BAA

6          1:21:05  176       MARK REEDER                 58         GLRR

7          1:21:07  177       DAVE DUNHAM                53         CMS

8          1:21:11  179       BRIAN RUHM                  52         GCS

9          1:21:22  182       SCOTT ANDERSON           53         WRT

10         1:21:50  191       ALEX MCHENRY               52         GMAA

11         1:22:18  202       TERRY MCNATT               53         CSU

12         1:23:13  214       MARTIN TIGHE               59         CMS

 
As I do every March, I headed down to Florida to visit my parents (and do their taxes).  This year I was able to find a race nearby that looked interesting.  I flew down on Saturday still feeling the remnants of New Bedford in my legs and a lousy head-cold stuffing up my sinuses.  On Sunday morn I was up at 5:30am and at 7am we drove the 30 minutes to the Trout Creek State park.  I signed up for the 15km trail race (there was a 5km starting simultaneously).  The 15km would start with a northern 10km loop then finish with the southern 5km loop. 

  It was warming up as about 250 lined up for both races (132 in the 15km), temps were in the low 60s at the start and low 70s at the finish but comfortable in the shade.  I took the lead from the start. 
 
At the top of the 10km loop we popped out on a road and I swung wide telling the guys I was hitting the water-stop.  They both passed on getting water and moved on ahead of me.  The pace really picked up!  At 7.5 I grabbed a water and checked out where 4^th place was (we were headed out of a quarter mile loop) he was not into the loop yet so I had a couple of minutes on him.  Right after that the leader stopped short clutching his hamstring.  I went by him and he offered me a “go after him”.  My legs started to feel very heavy and I was running out of energy over the last mile.  I slowly lost ground and ended up crossing the line 24 seconds back.  First LOSER. 
 
Place   Time    Name                   Age      City                  Pace
    1   1:01:47 Chris Petrock            47   Tampa                    6:38
    2   1:02:11 Dave Dunham                  53   Bradford, MA           6:40
    3   1:04:48 Steve Wilcox                    47   Clearwater               6:57
    4   1:04:50 Chris Liston                      40   Ruskin                     6:57
    5   1:05:49 Roger Hidalgo                  31   Auburndale              7:04

Dad Scored a perfect 29 points in a hand of cribbage (his first) – but I won the Zephyrhills World championships

 
USATF NE 15km championships - This year we had great weather with temps in the mid-40s, a bit of a breeze and sunny skies.  It was a bit crowded over the first mile making it a little tricky cutting tangents.  My goal was to run as close to 6:00 pace as possible which was a bit of a stretch based on my 6:12 pace at the New Bedford 1/2 marathon.
 
I hit 5 miles in 29:57 which was faster than I'd run 5 at the Ribfest last year.  College teammate Jason Cakouros (HFC 50+) passed me right at the 8 mile mark and I had no answer.  I was just trying to not fall apart.  I hit the finish line in 56:22 (chip time) and took 8th in the 50+ (6th in the 50-54). 
 
1        Andrew Gardiner     52      51:39  Boston Athletic Association
2        Nat Larson              55      52:18  Greater Springfield Harriers
3        Kent Lemme           51      53:14  Greater Springfield Harriers
4        Gregory Picklesimer 51      54:39  Somerville Road Runners
5        Mark Reeder           58      55:12  Greater Lowell Road Runners
6        Erik Vandendries     53      55:38  Central Mass Striders
7        Jason Cakouros                 52      56:10  HFC Striders
8        Dave Dunham                   54      56:22  Central Mass Striders
9        Joe O'Leary             50      56:46  Somerville Road Runners
10      Scott Anderson                  53      56:47  Whirlaway Racing Team
                                       
14      Martin Tighe           59      57:54  Central Mass Striders
21      Dan Verrington                  55      59:39  Central Mass Striders
23      Philip Savoy            55      1:00:29         Central Mass Striders
26      Gary Cattarin          55      1:00:50         Central Mass Striders
31      David Lapierre                  54      1:02:24         Central Mass Striders
34      Paul Young             52      1:02:55         Central Mass Striders
86      Shawn O'Connell     51      1:26:12         Central Mass Striders