Bedford 12K, USATF-NE Championship

Back in early 2000, I decided to try USATF-NE Grand Prix racing, largely due to the Bedford 12k being located near home and an interesting race distance. Returning there Saturday for the 6th time, I found it better than ever.

We expect Grand Prix races to be top quality and this certainly was… Goons only found it lacking beer. The new high school facility and finishing on the track put the race over the top… as usual, the bagpipe start amuses me. Weather was superb and Dad even came to cheer…. yes!! Wait, it gets better.

As usual, the Goons had ridiculous amounts of fun before and after the race. Add in the GTD family including Glenn, Dan, Tina (“the Machina”) and Codfather joining warm-up / cool-down, plus seeing running friends from other clubs, Goats Dave Dunham and Lisa Doucett… seems like a day couldn’t get better.

During most of the race, I had Hanky Spanky in view, but couldn’t catch him… he was trying to catch unshakable Sonic Boom… who was trying to catch perfectly paced Doc… who was trying to catch possessed HCM. Silent Assassin flexed his muscles with a 6:04 pace and the stunning Smokin’ Ivy led the Goon women with 6:25 pace. Taz was just warming up for his 24K the next day. Miss Enforcer followed her plan given upcoming half next weekend.

What about Mountain Goat? Thank you, Professor Fernando… it was a PR for me! My pace averaged 8 seconds per mile faster than my previous best… done by my 5 year younger self. A PR must always be cherished, they don’t come every day… especially as we get older… and I just turned a year older 2 days before… making this day even better. Enforcer retierated the point with the birthday card she presented to me.

After grabbing some water and snacks, Doc, Silent Assassin, HCM & I were walking in the school hallway and USATF-NE director Steve Vaitones said “wait”, holding the list of USATF team finishes. Goons, recognizing we only had like 7 members racing, laughed until Steve’s finger pointed to the list showing Goon masters women won third place!!!! We were in disbelief, he was not kidding!!! I even contributed to the scoring!! Silent Assassin popped me a high five… HUGE day for Goons.

Goonmobile limo had to roll south, so Doc & I finished celebrating on Sunday, and we had lots to celebrate.

MG race info:
** 6th Bedford 12k, USATF-NE Championship
** fastest 12k (PR)
** time 54:10, 7:16 pace (avg 8 seconds per mile faster than previous best)

Track workout 5.12.09

Track partner, Steph Triage and I were back together again... enjoying the affinity that often seems to develop when runners have shared many workout miles. We agreed that we prefer our workouts on the track, where we can check our 200 splits and see the finish line... we agreed that Professor F's prescribed pace and volume felt ideal to our fitness level... we even nailed the progression properly, working together with a bit of innate communication. Thanks, Steph

Factoring in the perfect weather, amusing coaches, trackmate friends and endorphins... a flawless night "out"

How long ago? Where?

Seeing Betty & Rich Waldman at GTD track workouts reminded me of this photo... hey , no cheating... to play, don't look at the race bibs!

Mother's Day

In photos: Uncle Bill, Mom, Eric (bro), Wendy, Me

Set my alarm... out the door... 16 miles done by 9:40... needed to get done early for Mother's Day with Mom.

I think it was in the 1960's when my grampa Perkins bought the cottages on the ocean in Rye. My Mom and her brothers and sisters spent their summers there and then my generation visited through our childhoods. Wonderful memories. Explore for sea glass, watch the tide, hunt for periwinkles in the rocks, fall asleep listening to the waves. Yesterday, we traveled back to feeling like kids when got together to celebrate Mother's Day at the beach.

Nana died last week, so the beach was the appropriate choice for Mother's Day. Uncle Bill moved to Leadville, Colorado 30 years ago and I had not seen him in more than 25 years! My running is small beans compared to his running & athletic pursuits... i.e. Leadville 100 mile trail race... but, I figured that I share genes with him and seeing the benefits of his remarkable fitness affirms that I have been on the right path for 30 years with my running.

2004 USATF New England Ironrunners

You probably recognize a few faces, even though this photo is old. I'm in the front row... I think Paul McDermott is beside me. Dave Smith, Ken, Herb, Jason, Hillcheck, Will too... everyone just finished Cape Cod Marathon, the last race of the 2004 USATF New England Grand Prix Series... all becoming Ironrunners.

Of course, the challenge is getting UP from the floor after just completing the marathon... wonder how long we just sat there instead of trying to get vertical?

Track workout 5.05.09

Huge turnout despite the drizzle... as Professor Fernando said "the session was full of energy and tremendous support for each other... the concentration and focus were not on the conditions, but the execution of one lap at a time"

Adding to the support, elite GTD runners lined the fence cheering us on and Goon Psycho received his birthday spankings. My group included, Gina, back from her Qualifier at Boston... fellow Goon, Bambam... plus new John. Ahhh, endorphin filled feeling of accomplishment as I drove home.

Postcard above was a race promo from a 2004 photo... cool down after racing in the rain. Can anyone identify the dude wearing #22 ?