When it all comes together...

Another two weeks gone, and what have I done?  Just set a new best time (as a master) in the 10K.

The race was on Fathers’ Day in Springfield, MA (with most of the course in Longmeadow).  It was the 34^th annual running of the JCC Fathers’ Day Race.  This was one of my favorite races back in the day.  This picture is from the same race back in 1982. (Yes, that's me in shape & with hair)

The morning was near perfect weather 55 degrees with about 70% humidity.  I love cool weather with a little humidity.  Usually when it’s like this, I don’t need a water stop for a 5K or 10K.  The race started, and I settled into a comfortable pace, I had a goal of breaking 8:00 per mile pace.  Mile 1, my time was 7:43 and I felt good.  Each mile, I slowed a bit, but not as bad as I thought I might.  The splits for the next 3 miles were also under 8 (7:47, 7:52, 7:57).  Now I had a little time in my favor, and as long as I didn’t implode I could reach my goal.  Mile 5 was my first over 8:00 at 8:08, and mile 6 was a little slower at 8:13.  I pushed in to the finish, and was clocked at a 49:03… 1:52 better than my previous best!  A new MPR (masters personal record).

I took it easy since then, because I know I have a busy July.  At least three races in the first three weeks, including the Finish at the 50, which finishes at the home of the New England Patriots.   As well as the Shipyard/Old Port Half Marathon in which I’m hoping to go under 1:55:00.

Have a happy Fourth of July!

Sh** Happens.

Another weekend, another race.  Today’s race was the Taste of the Valley 5K.  Taste of the Valley is one of the many food festivals that happen in Western Mass, and anytime there’s food, I’m interested.

The race starts & finishes around the West Springfield town common, and has one climb that’s slightly more than a half mile in length.  Luckily the hill is in the first mile, so there’s plenty of recovery time.  My goal was to break 24 minutes, but with a sore knee this morning I was just hoping to run pain free.

During my warm-up it felt good, but continued to hurt if I was standing still or walking.  The race started, and I felt good.  I slowed a little on the uphill, but still managed to make the first mile in 8:00.  Now it was time to pick it up.  I managed to run negative splits for the day (8:00, 7:53, & 7:42).  I finished in 24:16.  Not exactly what I had hoped for, but it’s my best 5K time since January 1^st.

After the race, I took advantage of the $5 food voucher that came with the entry, and had a pulled pork sandwich from “The Ultimate BBQ”.  I followed that up with a fruit cup from “EdibleArrangements” and a “Be Hoppy IPA” from Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, MA

All in all, it was a great day, with one exception.  After the race, I discovered that what I felt hitting the brim of my visor wasn’t an acorn or anything from the tree, it was a gift from one of the little birdies… Sh** Happens!