Race Report for the Dan Barry Memorial 5 Miler

Today I ran in a local road race called the Dan Barry Memorial 5-miler. It also goes by “The Potato Race”. Reason for this will be self-evident if you read on. April worked last night, so I loaded up the kids and decided to run this as a stroller race. Bear in mind that not only is this the first race I have run post-marathon, but it is actually the first TIME I have run since last Sunday’s marathon. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel.

My good friend Val decided to join us for the race. I think this is the longest race we have run together so far. We got to the race an hour early and chatted while the kids played in the elementary school playground.

Aubrey in the playground

McKenna enjoying the perfect Fall weather

At noon, the gun fired and off we went. I started near the back of the pack and went out slowly for the first 1/2 mile. After the field thinned out I fell into my pace and ran the first mile in 7:19. I could tell early on that my legs were not quite right. My breathing and heart rate were fine, but I just didn’t have my usual kick. Usually when I run races with the stroller I take full advantage of the downhills and really soar, but today I just couldn’t. My left foot still feels bruised near where I have the blister and I think as a result I was running funny on that foot, because by mile 4 my left knee was killing me.

In the end I averaged a 7:48 pace and finished the flat 5 mile course in 39:02. Not too badly for racing with the stroller, but it was also a big dose of reality that I’m not quite fully recovered from the Cape. I’m running a half-marathon next weekend (with the girls in the stroller) and after today’s run I know not to expect anything too great. Nevertheless, it’ll be fun.

Val did well and turned in a very respectable time of 46:43. I’m proud of her for finishing her longest race thus far and excited that not only is she doing the Hot Chocolate run with me, but also plans to do her first cross county race (a 6 miler) with me after Thanksgiving. I’m hoping I can get her hooked on trail running.

Val being chased by her pony tail

Today’s race was very fun, for a few reasons. This was the first race I had run with Val in quite long time. It was great to hang out with her again, especially since we don’t see too much of each other now that I’m in grad school. My daughters absolutely adore her too. It was also really cool, because I met Doug McCrae today, in person that is.

Doug and I

Here’s a good example of how truly small the world is. Justin and I started recording our podcast (Run That By Me Again) a few months ago. Shortly after we started it up, we got listed by Nigel on his podcast in England. Doug, an avid runner and running podcast listener, stumbled onto our podcast and contacted me via email after he followed a link back to my blog and discovered that we were actually at many of the same races. Doug must have recognized me, or more likely my girls in the stroller, and came over to introduce himself. We chatted a bit after the race. Very nice guy and pretty speedy too. Hopefully we’ll hook up again at the Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton. I also had a chance to talk with Pete Westover. Another nice guy. Congrats to Pete for qualifying for Boston. After talking to him I decided I am definitely doing the Burlington VT marathon next year.

The post race was great. They had a DJ playing music and tons of food. I’m talking hot dogs, veggie and meat lasagana, popcorn, baked potatoes, cookies, and drinks. Almost everyone stayed. They also handed out 5 pounds of locally grown potatoes to everyone who ran the race. Not sure why, but it was kind of cool.

Anyway, here are some pics from the day. (Click to enlarge):

Val with her Potato Prize

The girls, spuds and I