Chelmsford (and friends) Alumni XC race

 I closed out the month with a return to Chelmsford High School for the “Chelmsford and friends Alumni XC race”. This was the 29^th running of the race put on by Keith O’Brien (Chelmsford Class of 1982). I started attending the race in 2005 and today would be the 13^th time I’d run it (along with 3 times I worked the race due to injuries).  So, not a bad attendance record!  This year I had no intention of racing but figured I could still enjoy the fun by showing up and putting in a workout level effort.

 

On race morning I did my normal 6 miles at the Methuen Rail Trail and then headed into work. I ditched out of work at 9:45 and was warming up on the course just after 10 a.m. Keith O joined me for a little bit of the course preview, and I kept running as I wanted to put in 6 miles before the race. After warming up I grabbed my number and switched into a dry shirt but did not switch into race felts choosing to be smart and stick with my Puma trainers. Kara stopped by and gave me my t-shirt from the All-Terrain-Runner series and then it was off to the line.  O’B gave a quick thanks to everyone and Richie Blake (doubling up as a racer and timer) gave us the “set” and “go”.  Off we went. 

I found myself in fifth place as we headed out around the big field. At ¼ mile we headed into the strong headwind, and I moved up to fourth place. I ran with the younger Haas (14 year-old Ella) to about ¾ mile before pulling ahead.  I was a little surprised to see 7:12 on my watch as I hit the mile.  I had thought sub-8 minute miles and maybe as fast as 7:30’s if I felt good.  Jason Bui and Kara were now well out of sight, and I was on my own.  I hit 2 miles in 14:24, for another 7:12 mile and I felt pretty good despite the heavy shoes and tough wind. I got some nice encouragement from Kara’s dad (Richard Molloy) who was out there competing at age 84, as I passed him on the reverse loop.  I hit three miles in 21:39 (7:15) and then kicked it in for 22:49 over the long (3.16 miles) 5k. Again, I was happily surprised to pick up 3^rd place and run a fairly easy feeling 7:13 pace.  

Had I raced all-out I’d likely have gotten third place anyway, so all in all it was a smart choice.  I picked up a bag of granola for finishing third which was a nice bonus.  Always great to go back and see the same folks year after year.  Thanks again to Keith for his hard work and dedication.

 

Place  Time                                 School                    Pace

1        20:34  Jason Bui      M45    Ayer                       6:31

2        21:57  Kara Haas     F55     Westford Academy  6:57

3        22:49  Dave Dunham  M61    Billerica Memorial              7:13

4        25:02  Ella Haas       F14     Chelmsford High                7:55

5        25:29  Jim Rhoades  M57    Lowell High             8:04

6        25:34  Glen Turgiss  M62    Chelmsford High                8:05

7        25:55  Keith O'Brien M61    Chelmsford High                8:12

8        26:29  Lee Panas     M63    Chelmsford High                8:23

9        26:43  Carolyn McHugh      F35     Chelmsford High                8:27

10      27:20  Amy Molloy   F45     Chelmsford High                8:39

11      27:32  Matt Shapiro M53    Chelmsford High                8:43

12      27:35  Glenn Stewart         M75    Division Avenue H.  8:44

13      27:52  Richie Blake  M56    Tyngsborough H.S.  8:49

14      28:15  Mark Gallagher        M61    Chelmsford High                8:56

15      29:29  Scott Graham          M67    Chelmsford High                9:20

16      29:41  Trish Gabor-Therrien F47   Magnificat H.S.                  9:24

17      31:00  Rick Fijalkowski       M58    Lowell High             9:49

18      44:24  Richard Molloy         M84    Lowell High             14:03

My prize

All-Terrain-Runner Series

 I was happily surprised to find that I finished in second place in the USATF New England All-Terrain-Runner (ATR) series.  I was helped by some top competitors not doing four races and by a couple doing only four and missing out on the higher scoring races.  The series has a quirky scoring system based on the number of finishers in each event.  Typically, that means you (or at least I) score a lot more points at the bigger races (Wachusett Mountain and Doyle 5 mile).   To contrast that the smallest race (Old Goat) would garner most a lot less points.  Mark and Matt Rabasco are good examples with both beating me in the 5 mile (and one at Wach and one at Rachel’s) but my missed race was a low scorer (Old Goat) so my best four narrowly beats both of them.  Fun series getting people out of their comfort zone and trying various disciplines.

Rachel's Run

I ’d had Rachel’s Run on my calendar since it was announced as the “trail” leg of the USATF NE All-Terrain series. I’d only missed the XC race in the series with my injury back in August.  Oddly, Rachel’s has been in the series in the past as the XC leg.  Looking at the course it makes sense as you might call the course a rough cross-country race or an “easy” trail race.  I was a bit worried as my ankles and knee took a real beating after the XC race the previous weekend. I hobbled through my runs for a few days before things started to loosen up.  The short week (six days) turnaround is a little less than I need now into my 6^th decade of racing.  I was a little encouraged that I was feeling a lot better by Friday.  Part of that may have been finally getting back to work after 5 weeks out due to the Government shutdown.  It was good to get back to work and get back to my normal rhythms.

On race morning I headed out before sunrise for an easy 3 miles to loosen up a bit.  The 9:45 start time for the race is at the early end of when I’d attempt a morning run first. I got to Tyngsboro at 8:30 and grabbed my number and said “hi” to many familiar faces.  Such a nice community and so many of my fellow Greater Lowell Road Runners present (I would be wearing GLRR colors for this race).  

I met up with CMS teammate Paul Bazanchuk and we headed out for a preview of the course. Paul noted that it was a bit more “rooty” than he had remembered.  There is also a tough little hill and a tougher (for me) downhill. The course was 1.6 miles and you did the loop twice.  Paul joined me for 2 miles then headed off to finish his prep as he was also returning from injury.  I completed two laps then quickly changed into Hoka XC flats and headed out for another loop.  I like even mileage and although 1.6 miles is a bit more than I’d usually do right before the start it would get me to an even number for the day.

 

I got back to start with just enough time to get a quick drink and head to the start.  It was 42 degrees and drizzling as nearly 100 runners toed the line.  I’d call it ideal conditions for a trail/XC race. I had trouble getting going and 100 meters in had to carefully make my way around a couple of 9-year-old kids who had shot out quickly.  Soon after Trail Troll Dave Hannon sauntered by and noted “I’m not sure what shape I’m in”.  He had beaten me here last year and my hope was to keep him in sight.  I could hear Kara Haas behind me as she chose to wear spikes and the distinct clicking gave her away.  I felt pretty decent getting up and over the hill and thought I was moving well as I neared the end of the first lap.  John Barbour and then Kara both blew by me as we hit the baseball field at the end of lap 1.  John had beaten me by 1:30 last weekend so I was also just hoping to keep him in sight.  I made it up and over the hill again in decent shape and even got to within a couple of steps of Kara by the bottom.  That left about 1 kilometer to go and John and Kara both kicked well as I struggled to just keep from falling apart.  I crossed the line in 23:05 and could not complain with only losing 15 seconds to my time from last year.  I took first in the 6069 age group (but Barbour was 24 seconds ahead winning the 7079). I was surprised to find later (when I finished the scoring for the ATR series) that I ended up taking second in the series!

 

I finished the morning with a nice 4 mile warm-down and then hobbled around the rest of the weekend as my right ankle and right knee became swollen and painful.  It seemed to be not as bad as the previous weekend, so I’m hopeful I can turn it around and race again this week.

 

 

Place  Time   Name            Gen/Age City St                 Div     Div/Tot          Pace

1        19:08  Jacob Wormald        M30    Nashua NH    M3039 1        5:59

2        19:44  Mark Rabasco          M31    Greenfield MA          M3039 2          6:10

3        19:52  Peter Caron   M27    Nashua NH    M2029 1        6:13

4        20:06  Willem Khoo  M19    Medway MA  M1319 1        6:17

5        20:35  James Bernard        M19    Uxbridge MA M1319 2        6:26

6        21:39  David Richardson M42       S Weymouth M4049 1        6:46

7        22:10  Chris Smith   M59    Woburn MA   M5059 1        6:56

8        22:14  John Paquet III       M31    Lowell MA     M3039 3        6:57

9        22:41  John Barbour M71    W Roxbury MA        M7079 1        7:05

10      22:45  Dave Hannon M54    W Roxbury MA        M5059 2        7:07

11      22:52  Kara Haas     F55     Chelmsford MA        F5059 1        7:09

12      23:05  Dave Dunham         M61    Bradford MA  M6069 1        7:13

13      23:42  Andrew Bragg         M56    Pepperell MA M5059 3        7:24

14      24:32  Trish Bourne F61     Tewksbury MA         F6069 1        7:40

15      24:45  Declan Rowley        M9      Westford MA M0112 1        7:44

 

 

Week Ending 11/23/25

 This was a week of changes as I headed back to work after 5 weeks of Government shutdown.  Unfortunately, the locker room/shower is closed until further notice due to some damage and that meant changing in the car and quick “showers” in the bathroom.  If it were summer I’d do the go-to gallon jug shower in the parking lot but with 26 degrees for most mornings, I’ll pass on that.

 

It took me a few days to get my ankles back to a point I could run comfortably.  XC racing apparently is not good for my ankles or knee.  Luckily most of my training is on the flat paved rail trail.  I managed to visit the highest point in my 100^th MA town and 300^th New England town during the week. I also got in 85 miles and raced again.  Along with that I had a great week of viewing the ISS with 5 consecutive days of sightings.  I also put in 2 hours on the bike despite temps in the 30s.  All-in-all it was a good week!

 

Week – 85

Month – 281

Year – 3,751

Life – 166,527

At the town high point in Methuen

Looking Back - November 2020

I spent some vacation time spent bagging towns in Vermont and a few races along the way.  I really wanted to do some longer racing but there have been few chooses out there.  I was reluctant to enter the Manchester half marathon as the entry fee ($102!) was a bit out there.  I submitted a projected time of 1:24 which I felt might be a bit aggressive considering the hilly nature of the course.  With two runners starting every 10 seconds I figured I'd have people to work with.  I ended up seeded 30th in the half-marathon and 22 marathoners also were seeded ahead of me.  The biggest drawback to the time trial start is that you can't race head-to-head so you can be beaten by someone you never see (I lost by 1 second to someone who started WAY behind me).

I saw my prime competition Jeff Walker who I'd beaten by a scant couple of seconds at the 10 mile.  He'd be starting a minute plus behind me so hopefully I wouldn't be seeing him. My goal was to get through the first 5 mile section on the West side of the Merrimack River in control. This course has a LOT of tough long uphills with absolutely brutal SHORT downhills.  I kept thinking "get to the 5m mark and see how you feel".  The tough little hill heading up to downtown got me to 5 miles right at 32 minutes which had me right on goal pace.

At 3 miles           At 9 miles

Six to 8 miles had some tough ups and another steep downhill leading into Livingston park.  I probably pushed it a bit too hard and was really feeling it on this section.  I hit 10 miles in a step over 64 minutes so I was still on pace  I got past Derryfield and was relieved by the downhill on Mammoth road.  I had nothing left so I didn’t have much of a kick.  I was happy to see that I was .4 under my projected time with an official time of 1:23:59.6.  I waited at the end of the chute to see Jeff Walker come in.  He got me by 10 seconds! 

 

Results M50+

1 1:23:49.4   Jeff Walker   M56    Westerly RI

2 1:23:59.6   Dave Dunham         M56    Bradford MA

3 1:29:20.8   Sean Snow    M54    Dunbarton NH

4 1:30:00.8   John Stanzel M59    Manchester NH

5 1:32:59.1   Mark Hecox   M56    Salem NH

After the race I visited “the folks” and dad surprised me with five pair of gloves!  What a funny coincidence!

Next up was the Run to the fall 5k cross-country race at Coe Brown academy in Northwood NH. The race was postponed due to an outbreak in Northwood.  Scott Clark sent out an email asking the "gang" who was up for meeting for a run.  I suggested that we meet up and race the course with whoever from our little group might be interested.  I met up with Scott at 6:30am at Tim's house and was happy to see Senior runners Jay Smith and Mike Barry turn up as well.  We did an easy mile jog over to the course start and dumped our race flats before continuing on for a 2 mile course preview that covered the basics of the multi-loop course.  The footing was very good, but WOW the course was tough with 250' of climb/descent.  We gathered up at 7am with temps in the mid-20s as the sun was just starting to get above the horizon.  It felt pretty fast as we zipped across the field and headed into the woods.  Tim went to the front and Scott and I hung on.  Tim was moving well and although in sight for the most part, I knew he had the win.  It was good to have him out front as the carrot and that helped me gap Scott.  I managed to keep it together and hit the 3 mile mark as Tim was crossing the finish line.  I managed to hold on with a 19:29. Scott came in about 30 seconds later and I got some finish pictures of the guys before we headed off for another 2 miles for a warm-down.

The following week (11/21/20) I headed back to Manchester for the “Jingle Bell 5k”.  There have been very few chances to race this year, so I've tried to take advantage of any opportunities.  This was another event managed by Millennium racing and would feature the time trial start format.  I've been seeding myself at the fast end of what I thought I could do figuring it someone caught me that'd be incentive to try to go with them.

I arrived a little early to give myself plenty of time, got my number and headed out to run the course again.  I switched into racing gear and did another easy mile before heading to the start line.  I was seeded 5th so there was only a 40 second wait after the start and I was off.  From the half to the mile I reeled in the 4th seed and passed him as I hit the mile in 5:48 which was about where I'd hoped to be.  I hit 2 miles in 11:32, but had trouble reading my watch and thought it was 11:42.  I was hurting but tried to work the slight downhill.  I was disappointed when I looked at my watch and saw "18:14".  It wasn't until after I'd done the course again for a warm-down and looked at the results to find that my watch actually read "18:04"!  I was shocked to see my official time was 18:02.5.  Damn!  I'd just missed breaking 18.  This was my fastest (non-downhill) time at 5k since September of 2018.

Jingle Bell Run 5k

1 17:03.4 Sean McCauley   M28    Canterbury, NH

2 17:19.6 Kevin Crowley    M35    Concord, NH

3 17:21.5 Mark Evans        M45    Bedford, MA

4 18:02.5 Dave Dunham    M56    Bradford, MA

5 18:26.5 Heather Stover   F33     Rochester, NH

6 18:48.7 Mark Laprade     M48    Bedford, NH

 

Next up was one of my favorites, the Chelmsford (and friends) Alumni Cross-Country race.  This was my 10^th time running over the last 15 years which ranks this 13^th on my list of “most times raced”.   Keith O’Brien has a lot of fun putting this race on and I’ve enjoyed meeting up with friends/rivals over the years.  I headed over a little early in order to run the course as a warm-up.  Scott Grandfield (who I’d invited) joined me as we checked out the figure 8 course.  O’b lined us up for the socially distanced pre-race photo and we were off.  Scott shot out to the lead and I tried my best to hang close.  My goal was to run around 6-flat pace.  Tony Ly (Lowell Tech & GLRR) was right behind me as we looped the soccer fields.  A few times I had to call out “left” or “right” to Scott as he was indeed having trouble staying on course.   Tony went by me around the mile (5:53) which is always the quickest mile with it being flat or down.  I reached 2 miles in 12:14 but was feeling ragged. I kept it together for the final loop around the school and reached 3 miles in 18:20 and with a kick of everything I had I hit the line in 19:30 for 6:06 pace over the 3.2 mile course.  I was pleased with the effort if not quite the time I wanted.  Scott had a solid run finishing over 30 seconds ahead with Tony half-way between us.  In all 19 finished the race which is pretty typical numbers for this race.  The awards ceremony is always interesting as O’B gives away a lot of unusual items.  I picked up 4 rolls of toilet paper.  Others got cookies, chips, soap, discount steaks, and a box of paper-clips. 

 

Here are a couple pictures from my random travels in Vermont this month