5/30/98 Melody Miles 3.225 mile race

This was the third Melody Miles race and one would think that by the third year they would have most of the kinks worked out. I can not imagine what the first one was like. This race was a fundraiser for the local High School music department. Musicians would be playing along the course to encourage us runners. It was run through scenic Hamilton Massachusetts. Before the race started, there were some things that irked me. The race distances were 5 miles and 3.2 miles. I had planned on the 5K (3.1 miles) I asked if it was a 5K and they said no, it is a 3.2 mile race. I have never heard of any other race being that distance. The start and finish were about a half mile apart. There was some confusion on where/how to register. When we got to the start, they decided to have the wheel chair group go first (there were about 10 wheel chair participants which was great), then almost immediately they started the 5 mile group. Right away we, the 3.2 group were sent off. The race started on a very long gradual uphill. Nothing too steep, but it definitely slowed down many runners. Although I started in the front of my group (about 30 runners, one of the smallest races I’ve run), I soon had to pick my way through walkers, wheel chair races, and slower 5 mile runners. Almost from the start I decided to follow a faster 3.2 miler. My thought was to allow him to pick the best route through the slow pokes and just stay on his tail till it cleared out.


After about a half mile, I was still right behind this runner, feeling like I was holding back. The 5 mile runners split off to the right as the 3.2ers kept on straight. I looked ahead, and saw no one, except the one runner I was directly behind. After another minute, I looked back and saw no one. I was surely on the right course, as there was a high school students doing jazz improve on a solo saxophone. The runner I was following was actually running slower than I would have liked to be going. I picked up the pace and ran along side him. I said something about how we were in the lead and way out in front. I asked him what his best 5K time was. He told me some time that was significantly slower than what I knew I could run. I told him my PR, then I picked up the pace and started running solo, in first place!! Although it seemed amazing, indications were that I could actually win this race.

I made the turn and was heading back down the hill, slowly building up space between me and number 2. I was still holding back. It was an unreal experience, this is not supposed to happen. Near the corner of the road and state route 1A, where the park and finish line was set up, a high school rock band was playing All Along The Watchtower. I yelled to them that they sounded great. Number two was at 30 feet behind me and no one else was in sight.

I made the turn onto 1A. A straight flat shot to Patton Park and the finish line. I was running fast, but saving something for the end. If number two was able to catch up I was definitely going to be able to speed up. I can’t believe that I might actually win this race. When should I really put on a sprint? Where is the finish line? Had they said something about the 3.2 and 5 mile races having different finish locations? There were two high school aged kids sitting on the curb, there was some kind of wooden board there too. I slowed down and asked, where is the finish line!!?? “3.2 ends here, 5 miler is down in the park”. I stopped. That was it!!?? The race was over and I never got to make a big finish? Two kids saw my one and only victory??!! Number two finished, shook my hand and congratulated me.

The fun continued: I handed my number tag to the kids. Some 5 mile racers went by, others stopped thinking that was then end of the 5 mile race. Many 3.2 milers kept going, not realizing that this was their finish line. There was no clock, no official timing, no mile markers on the course. I was still in disbelief that I had won.
Time for prizes and recognition. The organizers had acquired a number of nice gift certificates to give as awards. They decided to award the 5 mile race first and allow each winner for each age group to come up and pick a gift certificate off the table. I started getting angry when the aged 70 and over winner (there was only one person in this category) got to go up there and take a nice prize before me. I did finally get my turn and got a $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant, so I should not complain.

22:10
1st place of 30
****

5/15/98 Backshore Run 5 Miles

Back to Gloucester for this mid week evening race. Feeling good and hoping to beat last years time. Weather is nice.

Mile 3 - Oh I just remembered that there is a beached whale carcass over there. Can't see it or smell it from the road, o well.

Mile 5 - Strong finish and pleased with time and PR.

35:16 PR
86th of 463
****

5/2/98 Landmark School 5K

Beverly Farms on the water. Cool and foggy morning. Not very comfortable out, but should be good for running. And yes it was. Just squeaked in under 21 minutes and set a new PR. Very pleased with the race.

20:54 PR
32nd of 137
****

3/29/98 Hibernian 5K

Peabody MA with Jody and Devin. I am sick with bad cold that has settled in my chest. It is unseasonably warm out. Downright hot for March. Or maybe I have a fever too.

I got the job done but it was not fun or easy. I am glad that the girls are having a fun time.

Dave Bortone rocks!!

22:47
36th of 117
**

11/22/97 AGN Turkey Tune Up 5K

I really enjoyed this little race last year. Loop around the "Great Neck" of Ipswich. Hilly but fun. Today it is windy and rainy. Not the best day to be so exposed to ocean breezes. Start off in our little group and soon get all spread out. Big tough hill around mile 2 and the blast of wind at the top is so strong I have to laugh. I feel good though and know I am making good time. Strong finish to the end. Award ceremony in RD's garage because of the rain.

21:02 5K PR
16th of 64 runners 3rd in age group ribbon
****

11/1/97 Trick or Treat Trot 5K

Jody, Devin and I sitting on our bed. Cold heavy rain splattering against the windows. None of us wants to get off the bed, surely no one wants to go outside and then run three miles. We had planned to do it, but it is so cozy here, so wild outside. Its getting late, if we are going to do this we need to get moving and somehow our love of running conquers our desire to stay comfortable.

Drive to Newburyport and at least have a dry school to register and wait till the start. It is so wet, but not super cold. The race is only a 5K. I think I am better off going shirtless than wearing my soon to be soggy t-shirt. All of us crazy runners feel a bond as we start off together. Hard to not be in a good mood. We have a blast running the course and drying off inside. We did it!! We could have so easily not turned out, but now we have made a memory and I have a new 5K PR.

21:18
19th of 85
****

10/5/97 Twin Cities Marathon

Much planning went into this race. Used my frequent flier miles. Convinced my employer to let me visit a collaborator, which paid for the rental car and hotel. Great to visit with Elise and have Ruth running with me. Nice Au Sable reunion weekend.
Race starts at the Metrodome. Looking for a restroom I find that a door to the main stadium is open. I don't think I am supposed to be in here, it is all dark, but nice to get a look at the "field". Back outside we look for markers with time goals and try to line up around the 4 hour mark. By far the largest race I have done, with over 7,000 participants this is a real spectacle. Nice day with temperatures very comfortable. I think it is going to warm up significantly.
Start - Off we go. Takes a couple minutes to get to the start line, with a little jogging, then a traffic jam of people makes us walk.
Mile 1 - Under a bridge and many are hooting and hollering, creating echos and releasing precious stored energy. Ruth and I are a little frustrated with all the crowd so close together and many going very slowly. It takes energy to pass around them and also stay together.
Mile 2 - Ruth has to take a bathroom break. I wait patiently for her. It is quick and we get running again.
Mile 4- Ruth has to stop again!! This time I am a little frustrated but hopefully do not let it show. I wait again and soon we are off.
Mile10 - Nice course, great crowd support. Someone likes my Ben and Jerrys T-shirt.
Mile 16 - Either Ruth is getting faster or I am slowing down. Without a word she moves ahead and I can not keep up. We never really talked about staying together and had no plan to do so. Maybe I assumed that we would. O well, on my own now.
Mile 20 - The walking breaks start. It is very warm now and I and fading fast. Definite lack of energy.
Mile 22- Elise shouting for me, what a treat. She is a great cheerleader and raises my spirits.
Mile 25.5 - Nice downhill to the finish at the state capitol.
Mile 26.2 - Glad to be done. I knew that I was not properly trained and my finish time is what I deserved today.
4:24:30 (10:01/mile)
3210 of 7,100 runners
2nd marathon
****