Race Report for Edaville Rail Run 2009

Today was a good day. The remnants of the tropical storm were rolling through New England and made for a very muddy, wet, and windy trail race. Awesome! I signed up to run the Edaville Rail Run a few weeks ago and have been looking forward to it because this was going to be the first time I have run the same race two consecutive years. Justin and I both ran this race last year. For me, I was using this race as a measure of how much progress I have made in the last year.

John and Vanessa joined us this year, so the more the merrier! John is Justin’s older brother and Vanessa is his better half. My wife informed me last night that the weather channel was calling for a wind advisory and 2 inches of rain, so I took the hint and left the kids home with her.

Edaville Rail Run Group

When we were waiting at the starting line the guy behind us yelled “Mango”. Justin and I both looked and it turned out to be John Vaughn from the Run New England video podcast. We “know” each other from the twitter world, but this was the first time that I have ever met him in person. Nice guy. We chatted a bit and he whipped out his Flip HD cam to record some footage for his show. If you click on the link above to John’s website you’ll see our “interview” at 5:50. It was cool and yet another reminder of how small the world is becoming in the advent of social media. I also kept an eye out for Running Rob and his blue/grey Vibrams, but I did not find him.

As far as the race…I did well. My left knee is still recovering from the marathon, and I know I’m being kind of a tool by continuing to run on it, but it didn’t slow me down too badly on the course. It actually seems more painful after a period of INactivity. Not really sure what to make of that. The course is technically called a trail race, but I wouldn’t call it such. The race is run on mostly dirt and sand roads and is super flat.

The most challenging part of today’s run was the weather. I could care less about the rain. I actually like running in the rain. I got drenched and there was lots of mud and plenty of puddles to run through. I felt like a kid again. The hard part was the wind. We ran into a headwind for the first 2 3/4 miles and then again around mile 3 1/2 to just after 4. The weather channel said ENE winds at 20 knots with gusts up to 30.

Last year I came in 116th overall. This year I came in 47th overall. Last year I ran this course in 40:08. Today I ran it in 36:41!!!!!! I took 3:27 off my time and turned in a new PR for this distance. Considering today’s weather and my stupid left knee I am very happy with that time. Justin (Mango) did well as usual. He ran in 32:34 and took 3rd in his age group. Mind you, this is one week after he completed his 50 mile ultra-marathon. John did well and beat his target time. He also deserves props because he is one week out from having run 12.5 miles. That was his longest run ever. He paced Justin for the last lap of his 50 miler. Vanessa did well and beat her goal time by 6 full minutes! Vanessa is also deserving of some praise because this was her longest race ever. You wouldn’t know it by the way she finished because she looked great and finished strong.

Justin’s mom came out for the race, just like she does every year, and braved the elements as a spectator which in my opinion is harder than running in it.

I know I say this often, but it was a very good way to spend a weekend morning. Next weekend - a local Gobble Gobble 10K. Planning on doing that one with the girls in the stroller. I’m hoping to PR that distance too. Wish me luck.