I closed out the month with a return to Chelmsford High School for the “Chelmsford and friends Alumni XC race”. This was the 29th 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 13th 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 3rd 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
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