Chelmsford and friends Alumni XC meet

 My final race of the month was the Chelmsford and friend's alumni XC race.  This was the 13th time I've had the pleasure of racing over the Chelmsford XC course the day after Thanksgiving.  I did a short workout earlier in the week in the hopes of getting my legs turning over.  Maybe that and a long run (12 miles which was only the sixth time I've run longer than 10 all year) on Thanksgiving were not the best ideas leading into the race?  I cut out of work and zipped over to Chelmsford.  It was a little over 40 degrees and sunny, but the wind was gusty making it feel a bit cooler. I quickly said "hello" to race director and long-time friend Keith O'Brien and headed out for a course preview.  The double loop course was in very good shape with only a little slick mud around home plate, otherwise the footing was good.  Mark B and Kevin C were also out blowing the leaves off of the single-track section which was much appreciated.  I felt okay warming up, but after switching into race flats, I did another 1.5 miles and felt flat and sluggish.  O'B lined up the 23 runners for a group picture and sent us on our way. I found myself in the front right away, trying to get out strong but not stupid fast.  If anything, I was a bit conservative. I was surprised to be in the lead, I'd not won here since 2017.  My goal based on my time from last year was to average 640s. I knew from the varying terrain that should be a 630, 700, and 630.  I passed the mile in 638 which wasn't too far off goal pace and pressed hoping for the best.  I was almost dead-on with a 650 second mile but I think the wind on the field really slowed me down and I had a 3:30 next half mile split despite some downhill.  I had glanced back at the end of the field and saw that Kara Haas was maybe 20-30 seconds back.  I was pretty sure if I didn't fall apart, I'd be able to hold on for the win.  The next half was in 318 but I struggled on teh final hill in the last .2 (long course) which was nearly 7-min pace.  That hurt!  I managed to get the win with Kara 44 seconds back (and she had raced on Thanksgiving)!  I closed out the morning with a short 2 mile warm-down with Kara, Jim R, and Kevin C.  We got back just in time for the awards ceremony where I won a "yard of Twinkies".  Sweet!

Chelmsford Alumni XC race - My history

 I'm looking forward to racing in Chelmsford tomorrow!  This will be my 13th time:

Chelmsford Alumni history (my history)

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field                 Senior

11/24/2023   3.2       20:39    3          31                   2         

 

Notes: Ran with Don Fay for about 1m, kept him within 4 seconds until 2.5 then he buried me (20:26).

 

Top 10:

Place    Name   Sex       Age      Cat       High School       Time     Pace

1          Dave Dechellis  M         48        M45      Saugus H.S.      19:42.7 6:10

2          Don Fay            M         50        M50      Billerica Memorial          20:26.5 6:23

3          Dave Dunham   M         59        M55      Billerica Memorial          20:39.0 6:27

4          Rich Molloy       M         49        M45      Westford Academy        21:01.0 6:34

5          Jonathan Morris M         55        M55      Methuen High    21:05.8 6:36

6          Kara Haas         F          53        F50       Westford Academy        21:39.6 6:46

7          Zack Roof         M         43        M40      Baylor School    21:48.7 6:49

8          Jim Rhoades     M         55        M55      Lowell High       22:38.2 7:04

9          Mark Blaisdell    M         66        M65      Wilmington H.S. 22:55.1 7:10

10        Keith O'Brien     M         59        M55      Chelmsford High            24:08.2 7:33

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Senior

11/27/2020   3.2       19:30    3          19        2        

Notes: Scott out right at start, Tony by me at 1m, just couldn't go any faster

Top 10:

Place    Name                           Sex       Age      Cat       High School                   Time            Pace

1          Scott Grandfield             M                                 1983                             18:56            5:55

2          Tony Ly                        M                                 Lowell 2006                   19:16            6:01

3          Dave Dunham               M                                 Billerica 1982                19:30            6:06

4          Wayne Cole                   M                                 Lowell Tech 2002          21:42            6:47

5          Kara Haas                     F                                  Westford Acd 1988        21:44            6:48

6          Tom Doody                   M                                 Chelmsford 1980           21:57            6:52

7          Frank Georges               M                                 Phillips Acd 1995           22:44            7:06

8          Jim Rhoades                 M                                 Lowell 1986                   22:46            7:07

9          Andres Marques            M                                 Brazil                            23:47            7:26

10        Glenn Stewart               M                                 Div Ave HS 1969           23:58            7:29

11        Keith O’Brien                 M                                 Chelmsford 1982           24:09            7:33

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Senior

11/24/2017       3.22      18:41    1          23        1        

Notes: Out hard on my own, tough 2nd mile, good finish.  50 degrees sunny, just a little mud on the baseball field

Top 10

Pl         Time     Name                           High School       Class    Pace

1          18:41    Dave Dunham               Billerica            1982     05:48

2          20:05    Jason Bui                      Lowell                           06:14

3          20:17    Don Fay                        Billerica            1991     06:18

4          22:12    Kara Haas                     Westford Ac      1988     06:54

5          22:34    Eric Beauchesne                        Chelmsford       1988     07:00

6          22:47    Keith O'Brien                 Chelmsford       1982     07:05

7          23:20    Mark Gallagher              Chelmsford       1982     07:15

8          23:34    Dina NagDinoroff           Burlington                     07:19

9          23:39    Mark Blaisdell                Wilmington       1975     07:21

10        24:13    Scott Graham                Chelmsford       1976     07:31

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Senior

11/27/2015       3.25      21:00    3          23        2         

Notes: Couldn't go with O'B and Jason Bui

 

Top 10

1. Jason Bui 20:24

2. Keith O'Brien 20:25

3. Dave Dunham 21:00

4. Bob Kearns 22:00

5. Jim Burke 22:13

6. Kyle O'Brien 22:22

7. Mark Gallagher 22:31

8. Glen Turgiss 23:12

9. Richie Blake 23:18

10. Mark Blaisdell 23:28

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Senior

11/28/2014       3.2       23:26    1          14        1         

Notes: Ran pretty hard, tired from racing day before.  Tied with O’B. 6 inches of snow!

 

Top 10

1          23:26   Dave Dunham   Billerica 1982

1 (tie)   23:26    Keith O’Brien      Chelmsford 1982

3          28:06    Kyle O’Brien       Chelmsford 1985

4          28:20    Colin O’Brien      Chelmsford 2018

5          29:09    Scott Graham     Chelmsford 1976

6          29:15    Richie Blake       Tyngsborough 1990

7          29:29    Mark Gallagher   Chelmsford 1982

8          29:50    Mark Blaisdell     Wilmington 1975

9          33:28    Jim Stronach      Tewksbury 1975

10         33:29    Dave Lapierre     Chelmsford

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Master

11/22/2013       3.25      21:40    3          18        3                     

Notes: Workout ran with Keith O'Brien

 

Top 10

1. Mike Cooney  Brockton High School  20:42

2. Eric Beauchesne  Chelmsford High School  20:43

3. Dave Dunham  Billerica High School  21:50

4. Keith O'Brien Chelmsford High School         21:51

5. Frank Georges Phillips Academy  22:23

6. Mark Gallagher Chelmsford High School         22:30

7. Steve Sartori Lexington High School  23:43

8. Richie Blake  Tyngsborough High School 23:52

9. Glen Turgiss  Chelmsford High School         23:55

10. Mark Blaisdel Wilmington High School         23:58

 

 

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Master

11/23/2012       3.28      19:36    3          24        1                     

Notes: Jogged mile, ran 2nd mile, raced 3rd, then went in with O'B.  First time on the new course due to Drum Hill construction.

 

16^th Annual CHS Alumni 5K XC Race - Chelmsford, MA, November 23, 2012

Chelmsford, Billerica, Tyngsboro Alumni Cross Country Race

Top 10

1. Mike Cooney               Chelmsford                   18:53

2. Sam McGrath              Tyngsboro                      19:27

3. Dave Dunham             Billerica                         19:36.2

4. Keith O'Brien               Chelmsford                   19:36.6

5. Eric Beauchesne          Chelmsford                   20:22

6. Don Fay                     Billerica                         20:37

7. Dave Lapierre              Chelmsford                   21:12

8. Scott Graham              Chelmsford                   21:40

9. Frank Georges             Lowell                          21:45

10. Mark Gallagher           Chelmsford                   21:49

 

 

2010

Top 10

1. Mike Cooney               Brockton High School               20:42

2. Eric Beauchesne          Chelmsford High School           20:43

3. Dave Dunham             Billerica High School                  21:50

4. Keith O'Brien               Chelmsford High School            21:51

5. Frank Georges             Phillips Academy                      22:23

6. Mark Gallagher             Chelmsford High School          22:30

7. Steve Sartori               Lexington High School             23:43

8. Richie Blake                 Tyngsborough High School      23:52

9. Glen Turgiss                Chelmsford High School           23:55

10. Mark Blaisdel              Wilmington High School           23:58

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Master

11/28/2008       3.11      19:56    6          31        4                     

Notes: Easy at the start and progressively faster, not all out but pretty close (!)

 

Top 10

    1 Mike Cooney                47 M CHELMSFORD      MA   18:35  6:00 

    2 Tom Doody             46 M CHELMSFORD      MA   19:21  6:15 

    3 Dave McCarthy         43 M CHELMSFORD      MA   19:22  6:15 

    4 Eric Beauchesne           38 M CHELMSFORD      MA   19:24  6:16 

    5 Dave Hannon                   37 M CHELMSFORD      MA   19:45  6:23 

    6 Dave Dunham              44 M BILLERICA       MA   19:56  6:26 

    7 Donald Fay            35 M BILLERICA       MA   20:02  6:28 

    8 Brad Harkins          21 M TYNGSBORO       MA   20:10  6:31 

    9 Keith O'Brien    44 M CHELMSFORD      MA   20:17  6:33 

   10 Phil Coddaire           M CHELMSFORD      MA   20:43  6:41 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Master

11/23/2007       3.11      18:56    4          20        3                     

Notes: Cooney took off after 2m then Doody went after him, Beauchesne just kept looking to make sure I didn't catch him.

 

Top 10

1 Mike Cooney                       CHELMSFORD  18:18

2 Tom Doody                         CHELMSFORD  18:28

3 Eric Beauchesne                  CHELMSFORD  18:53

4 Dave Dunham                     BILLERICA               18:56

5 Keith O'Brien                        CHELMSFORD  19:54

6 Scott Graham                      CHELMSFORD  20:56

7 Elizabeth Keene                   CHELMSFORD  21:31

8 Patti O'Shaughnessey           CHELMSFORD  21:32

9 Mark Gallagher                    CHELMSFORD  21:33

10 Glen Stewart                     CHELMSFORD  21:55

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field     Master             

11/24/2006       3.11      18:59    4          27        3                     

 

Top 10

1 Mike Cooney                        CHS         18:11

2 Eric Beauchesne                  CHS         18:12

3 Tom Doody                          CHS         18:15

4 Dave Dunham                     BMHS      18:59

5 Brad Harkins                        THS         19:51

6 Patti O'Shaughnessey           CHS         20:05

7 Mike Paglia                          Tewsks    20:26

8 Dave Hannon                      CHS         20:27

9 Keith O'Brien                       CHS         20:31

10 Scott Graham                     CHS         20:55

 

Date                 Dist      Time     Pl         Field                

11/25/2005       3.11      23:05    7                                                        

Notes: Ran through with O'b – four inches of snow & icy spots

 

Top 10

1 Festus Mbuba    22:33

2 Eric Beauchesne 22:34                    CHS 85

3 Tom Doody         22:37                    CHS 80

4 Ryan Hunt          22:40                    CHS 89

5 Dave Hannon      22:46                    CHS 89

6 Dave Corsetti    23:00                    CHS 85

7 Dave Dunham    23:09                    BHS 82

8 Keith O'Brien    23:10                    CHS 82

9 Scott Graham     23:33                    CHS 76

10 Mark Coddaire 24:04