Looking back - November 1986

 40 years ago: I raced 3 times in November 1986, closing out my senior year of cross country at the University of Lowell.  I started the month with a third place finish behind Dean Crowe and Are Naakim (both from BC). Crowe won the New England championship with a 24:06 over the 5 mile Franklin Park course around and through the golf course. I finished six seconds back and one second behind Crowe.  

Leading the way at 2 miles in the New Englands                    

In 2^nd place at New Englands

The following week I was leading the NCAA qualifier race in Philadelphia with a little over a mile to go I was sent off course. The first 50 runners were sent the wrong way and the result was the top ranked teams were given a pass to the National Championships. My final college XC race was a windy and warm 10k in Riverside California. I ran with the lead pack for the first 4.5 miles then got buried as the guys with speed took off. I finished in fourth place in 31:09 with mile splits of 4:36/9:52/15:08/20:16/25:24/30:11 over the rolling terrain.

Looking back - November 1981

 45 years ago: I raced 3 times in November 1981, closing out my senior year of cross country (XC) at Billerica High School.  The three races were “podium” finishes for me.  On 11/07/81 I took 2^nd place (15:08) with Steve Perkins (Danvers) first in 14:58 at the State Coaches meet on the 3 mile course in Franklin Park.  Back in those days we raced on the south side of Circuit road.  We’d start down by the Shattuck Hospital and the first half-mile was all uphill, the next mile was on the sidewalk along Circuit drive. The finish changed a few times over my high school years but would generally be back down at the bottom of the bowl.   The following weekend (11/14/81) I managed to knock six seconds off my time taking a win in the State Class meet.

1 Dave Dunham      Billerica                   15:02

2 Shawn Coughlan   Brockton                 15:10

3 Curtis Splain         Attleboro                15:26

4 Paul Partridge       Newton North         15:39

5 Tim Gannon         Beverly                   15:41

6 George Fulk         Newton North         15:45

7 Bob Sheehan       Cambridge R&L       15:48

8 Tom Carleo          Newton North         15:49

9 Helder Braz          Peabody                15:52

10 Jose Rocha         New Bedford         15:59

 

Tri-Captains – Bernie Brown, Jim Sullivan, me

On a cold day (11/21/81) on a very slick trip around the same course I slowed to 15:20 and took third in the Mass State Meet. Chris Gorman (Weymouth) won in 14:56 with Steve Perkins (Peabody) second in 15:16. BMHS teammate Mike Busnach took 42^nd in 16:24 and on the girl’s side Billerica put two in the top 10 with Senior Kathy Norton (6^th – 18:18) and Sophomore Dawn Hartnett (8^th – 18:24).  Full Billerica boys’ results at the state meet: 103 Kevin Healy 17:20, 124 Scott McKinnon 17:46, and 128 Jim Sullivan 17:53, 135 Bernie Brown 18:11.  Due to “Proposition 2 1/2” there was no official State meet as funding had been cut.  This meet was put on thanks to Nike and a bunch of volunteers from the Mass Track & Field Officials Association. 

Week Ending 11/08/26

 Not too many complaints (laugh). Got some decent miles in and even did a little workout on Wednesday. Ankle has been pretty bad for a few weeks and will not improve just hoping so I'll look into the next possible treatment. I may be able to get into a trial for Low Dose Radiation (LDR) treatment. Hoping to make it through the USATF NE XC championships next weekend. I haven't raced in 9 weeks!

Week - 86

Month - 94

Year - 3,447

Life - 170,447

A November record of five 70 degree days in a row

October totals

This was nearly my lowest mileage month this year. Recovering from a torn MCL. I also had the most single run days of any month this year. The two "low" weeks were almost entirely all one run a day.

Week Ending 11/01/26

 Cannot complain about this week...but I will (laugh). Ankle, knees, and adductor all bothersome all week but otherwise felt pretty good. Had my fastest morning run of the year and my fastest 8m run of the year (that is a pretty long run for me). My first 80 mile week since hurting my MCL back in September. Hoping to get in a workout or race before running the USATF NE XC in 2 weeks.

Week - 82

Month - Oct = 260 & Nov. = 8

Year - 3,361

Life - 170,361

Nipmuck Trail Marathon - CR from 1991 lives on

35 years ago I set the still standing course record at the Nipmuck trail marathon breaking Rich Fargo’s 3:07.  The race moved from June to October a few years back, the course remains unchanged. The course featured two out & back runs, first south for 6.5 miles then the northern section for 6.6 miles.   From my training log.  “2 mile warm-up, felt okay. Felt very good, going easy through the ½.  Moved into first at 18 miles and really pushed the last section.  Splits: 6.5 – 41:15, 6.5 43:24, 6.6 48:14, 6.6 49:01.  Petey (Steve Peterson) won the ½ in 1:33:15”.  

Me and Petey in 1991 (at the Lifetime Baystate marathon)

I noted that I passed Petey at 22 miles.  The half marathon ran over the second half of the course (the northern part which was much tougher) and started after the marathon.

Here are the top ten times run at Nipmuck. 1991 was a fast year with three of the top 9 times coming from that year. I recall tucking behind Fargo and Turner for the first 13 miles (out & back south) then gaining some ground on the northern section of the course.

I stopped momentarily at 19+ miles at the turn to pick up a fuel-belt with de-fizzed coke to get me through the last part. The incredible Ben Nephew barely missed the top 10 with his 3:12:08 win in 2009.

1. 3:01:51 Dave Dunham (27) 1991
2. 3:02:45 Kevin McGovern (37) 1995
3. 3:07:05 Rich Fargo (29) 1988
4. 3:07:26 Jim Garcia (35) 1994
5. 3:09:47 Rich Fargo (30) 1989
6. 3:10:27 Rich Fargo (28) 1987
7. 3:10:45 Keith Turner (31) 1991
8. 3:11:17 Gary Burdick (39) 1994
9. 3:11:44 Rich Fargo (32) 1991
10. 3:11:57 Leigh Schmitt (28) 2001

Week Ending 10/25/26

 This was my second week of ramping up miles while lowering time on the Go & Bike. Hoping next week to get back up to 80 miles and cut out the weekday biking. On the good side of the ledger, I had two of my 10 fastest 430am runs during this week (for this year). I've still got some soreness in my knee along with issues with my adductor, right knee and as always painful arthritis in my ankle. Happy to be able to get out there. I got in 7:01 on the bike and Go for a total of (2:30 on the Go = 35 miles and 4:31 on the Bike = 72.9) - 107.9 miles.

Week - 70

Month - 186

Year - 3,279

Life - 170,279