Our first Spring run has come and gone and 24 of us enjoyed all or part of it. The run started late as my ailing car decided to stop for a break along the grueling 1/4 mile ride to Brueggers. Much like a struggling runner is revived and renewed with a quick drink and a Snickers, this little stall has reinvigorated my limping car, which is a good thing since it was signed up to contribute 3 of the 5 water stops this morning, each stop serving as an opportunity for me to toss out automotive questions to our local mechanic-like experts.
The start of the run followed East Foster St up towards Melrose Common where the route took a right turn to Swains Pond. It’s been reported that the roadkill of the year was spotted there, something you would never guess you would see… somewhere near Swains Pond a dead fish was in the road. I didn’t see it since I was rushing along Main St to water stop 1 at the Citizen’s Bank in Malden. Teresa joined me there and we waited in the windy frigid air for the runners to come. One by one they strided in, Judi and Joe comfortable but quick lead the pack, Brian, Ed, and Audie right behind them. Carol and Mary followed, then Tall Dave, Christina, Ginny, Jose, Lauren, Catherine, Evan, Sue, Joanne, Suzanne, Lois, Pam, Peter, and Matt (I think that’s everyone). Teresa joined them for this leg, out past Oak Grove, along Greenwood to the Fellsway East. Working the hills they went, riding the roller coaster to the next water stop at the knoll by Melrose Middle School. I moved my car, fingers crossed that I would make it, stopping once to grab a hat and gloves from home on my way by. The order of the pack stayed consistent as runners came in, took their cups off the clothesline inside my trunk, downed some Gatorade, clipped their cup back up and raced off towards Saugus.
I joined in here and mixed into the pack chugging down the LynnFells. At Main St in Saugus many of the runners hooked back along Howard to trace the 11 mile “short” route. As spring approaches even the short routes are getting long. I went with the long route runners to Breakheart where, as we approached Judi and Joe came storming out… three miles ahead of us and smiling and high fiving like they weren’t even trying. Liz met up with here, starting her run at mile 10. At Breakheart a sure sign of Spring was evident, park rangers were busily demonstrating the process of maple sugaring, but a few steps in showed we’re still not completely clear of winter where snow and ice still lined the trail on the flat side of the reservation. Our loop around would begin and end with a water stop at Peter’s car, a pleasant bookend to what always proves to be the toughest section of the run… although some have been quoted as noticing that Breakheart isn’t as tough as it was weeks ago.
Leaving Breakheart, we retraced our steps along the LynnFells, back to my car at the knoll where my run would end for the day. I finished this stretch with Suzanne who had a solid, strong run today. One quick drink and she was off without hesitation to tackle the last hill of the day on the LynnFells towards Grimsby’s where the route turned down West Wyoming and back to Main to finish up just short of 18 miles. Peter followed, Matt cut the run slightly short, and Liz, Lois and I piled into my sick little car and drove back to Brueggers without incident.
At Brueggers were smiling faces, the 20 mile run two weeks ago having made 17.8 today a walk in the park. It is amazing to watch, season to season, how that first 18 mile run seems so difficult and the second one seems so much easier… in fact so much so that Brian wasn’t the only one that tacked on a little extra today, a few put in the extra 1/4 mile so they could say they ran 18. Great job everyone.
For those that are wondering, I drove my car for a half hour this afternoon with no oil light, no hesitations. Remember along your marathon journey that sometimes when your internal oil light comes on that sometimes pulling over and regrouping for a second can do wonders… although I suggest keeping your fingers crossed the rest of the run.
I saw the fish! Either a pretty big leap out of the pond or someone realized it might not be the freshest catch to put on the table. Pretty gross.
Judi really helped push/pull me along today and the water stops a huge help. Breakheart, as always, lived up to its name. It never disappoints.
Great job everyone. Outstanding effort by all.
I thought there were several fish, but maybe it was just one big one. Funny how you mention these odd things to each other as you run past them and then you forget all about them. I guess we take all these oddities in stride! haha-get it?
Joanne I loved the comment about the “Sue View” when a group of us almost tripped over eachother trying to look at something Sue C. pointed out in the woods. I chuckled all the way to the Knolls. We all got a good laugh out of that whole moment.
or when you stall out and return to the road, instead of crossing your fingers keep your gloves on-just in case.
Joe is being kind, as usual. He definitely carried me the whole way (if only someone would have actually carried me, now there’s a thought!) I was struggling, especially towards the end, and it was only my desire to keep up with Joe that kept me going.
He also put up with me counting the hills in Breakhart-by the way, that’s 5 long,2 short. Congrats to everyone for taking on this very hilly run today. You’re all ROCK STARS!! And Kudos to all the water stop studs too.
Since the schedule this weekend called for an 18 mile run I decided to head up to Beverly & run the North Shore 30K. I have been warned by several friends that although this race has been held for several years they are still working out the kinks when it comes to race management, course markings & course directions.
With a 10 AM start & temperatures in the low 40s due to an overcast sky the sun fought hard to break it’s way through the clouds & offset the light breeze. As 100 or so runners lined up outside the Beverly Athletic Club (BAC), I could only wonder if the reputation of this race really kept runners away. An a cappella rendition of the nation anthem got us started & from listening to the conversations of several runners at the beginning this race was a tune-up for Boston.
The course was quite picturesque as we travelled along country roads through Beverly into South Hamilton & Wenham surrounded by large beautiful homes.
The course is an out & back event with several rolling hills (Not Jim Carson worthy) with a turnaround at 9.3 miles abutting a lake. The turnaround allowed me to see club members Jennifer Rapaport (floating along as usual) and Ron Siraco (running well) who arrived at the race 1 hour early. A PR in itself.
My game plan for the day was to take it easy, enjoy the day & push the pace after two hours. Since I was feeling pretty good I couldn’t help myself & I started to pick it up at mile 12 through mile 17 (2:42) only to struggle for the last 1.5 miles to finish. All in all not a bad day since I was able to run continuously for 17 miles, my sore Achilles was bearable & the weather turned out great!
The course & police support were very good, although I was misdirected by water stop volunteers at mile 7 only to be brought back to the course by fellow race participants. There were mile markers at every mile except mile 16 supplemented by electronic timing signs along the course. In addition BAC offered post-race showers, something I haven’t seen in a long time; however, the post race spread was minimal. I would recommend this race to everyone training long as well as the 5k since they only had 13 runners. Congratulations to Steve Grande & Susan Markham for placing in their age groups.
I hope to see everyone in Hopkinton next weekend!
Great run yesterday, compared to two weeks ago. Just goes to show to not let a bad run get you down. Even Breakheart didn’t seem so bad. I think Jose planting the Eye of the Tiger song in my head at the beach helped to power through the hills.
You could smell the road kill fish before seeing it. I’m glad Evan identified it, cause I was averting my eyes to the pair of swans on the pond! Sure sign of spring. Thanks for all the support out there; now let’s pray for good weather next Sunday.
Ginny is right about the fish. I had just remarked to Jose about the stench, thinking it was the pond itself. I wasn’t expecting to see a rotting fish. Gross! Thanks to Ginny, Jose, Christina and Dave for keeping me moving quickly through those first 9 miles yesterday. As soon as I broke off to finish up the short route, I lost all my steam. There’s definitely something to be said for the group effect!
Hey Nick- Great to see you on the course! You looked great. I was also an age group placer…..3rd! You are well on your way to Boston!
I was so happy to join you all for this run! The group runs make the distances bearable and gave me the confidence that I’ll get through my half-marathon on Sunday. Seeing the purple crocus in the woods made us hopeful that better weather is coming! Thanks for the water stops and for bringing my GS cookies, Jim.