The Mews Tavern "Gear and Beer 5K":
I did this race in 2010, when I was still a newbie runner. I had to look up my stats to see how I did, and I came in #639 - 26:46 @ 9:08 pace. Assuming I can come in at least 5 minutes faster this time, maybe more? I remember there being a hill right at the beginning of the race, and one at the end, but otherwise it was pretty flat? It's also supposed to be a bit chilly (read: effin' cold and a wind chill) Sunday, even at the race start of High Noon. Looks like I'm carpooling with FiveK and Woolley, and we'll be meeting up with Galoob at the race. I took the liberty of inviting anyone from the WTAC to jump in, as this was a last minute decision for me and the other guys, and either way I think we'll have a respectable showing on Sunday. Then, I SWEAR I'm not doing another race until the Christmas 10K in Newport, promise!!!
Monday, 11-18 - 0
Tuesday, 11-19 - 0
Wednesday, 11-20 - 4 Miles (Trail) - Green Falls run. I decided to go all out for the "Road to the Dam" segment, and of course had a Space Watch fail. I don't think I beat Muddy's CR, but I know it was a personal best for me on this sketchy, technical section, and I was sucking wind when I got to the top. Moving on, I rounded the pond and thought I heard a couple of distant gunshots in the direction I was headed (hunting season sucks!), but I was wearing a lot of blaze orange and continued. Near Dinosaur Caves I heard some voices ahead on the trail, so I cleared my throat loudly to announce my approach. Turned out to be about 15 hikers, also decked out in blaze orange, who graciously moved to the side of the trail to let me through. Thanks! I cruised back on the dirt road to the truck, and pushed the pace for a bit toward the end. Felt good, but got really cold as soon as I stopped. Welcome to Winter :)
Thursday, 11-21 - 2.5 Miles (Trail) - Pequot Trail. I'd wanted to check this section of Blue Blazed trail out for a while, after doing its Rose Hill section a while back. There are plans underway right now to extend this trail all the way to Lantern Hill, which is where it used to end. That would make for 30+ miles of continuous trail...however, the section I did today was rather overgrown with briars and not marked very well in places. Any time on trails is good, though, and I enjoyed getting to check it out!
Friday, 11-22 - 0 Miles
Saturday - 0 Miles
Sunday - Mews Tavern Gear and Beer 5K - 5 Miles (Warmup, Race, "Cooldown") - Official result? 318th of 2000 runners, gun time of 26:00 and a net time of 24:17. To say that I screwed up royally would be an understatement. I had a great time, though! Picked up Woolley and FiveK and we made the drive to Wakefield, found a great parking spot right across from the Mews, and ran a short warmup in the frigid temps. Seriously, low 20's with single digit wind chills, and that wind was howling...In spite of the coldness, the race drew almost 2,000 runners.
And here's where I screwed up: I had to use the bathroom at about 10 minutes to start time, and although the line was long, I figured I had enough time. I was "on deck" when they called two minutes to race start, so I got in, took care of business, and ran up the hill toward the start. I got to the 32:00 runners sign, and people were already running! So now I'm shuffling along, literally walked across the start line, and spent the next 3 miles trying to get around people. Not my best race by a longshot, and if it weren't for the great atmosphere, getting to run with friends, and the free beer afterward, I might have been disappointed? And it's a fundraiser for Easter Seals, so it's a great cause as well. And free beer! Great results by the guys, too! I think Mike came in 4th, Woolley 5th, FiveK was 8th, Seth 25th? So a great showing by the WTAC today, spent a bit after the race chatting with Seth and Amanda (nice PR!), and headed out. Good times...
Sometimes having fun is all you need. Great job!
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