Yesterday was the 29th Annual Hangover Classic in Salisbury Beach, MA. They had a 5K course and a 10K course. I ran the 10K course and took advantage of the optional Polar Bear Plunge after the race. Justin, Kathy and Val also ran this race and all three of them, as well as Justin’s Mom, proved that they were cool by doing the ocean dip too.
I wasn’t feeling tip/top for this race. Justin asked me before the race how I felt I was going to do. I predicted a 48 minute time. Justin sped off, as per usual and Val and Kathy ran together. I fell into a comfortable pace and around the beginning of the second loop (10K course was just a two loop run of the 5K course) I decided that I didn’t feel too awful. At the 4 mile water/beer station I opted for the beer. Why? Because they had beer. By mile 5 I was regretting that choice. I felt like I was going to hurl. The problem was though that I did the math in my head and figured out that if I pushed it for the final 1.2 miles I would end up with a PR for the race. So, I choked down the vomit feeling and ran.
I ended up with a new 10K PR, 46:28 (7:29 pace) and finished 135th out of 427. It was a fast field. My last 10K I was a little slower and took third in my age group and this race I doubt I was top 20 in my age bracket. Last year Justin ran the course in a 39 something and took first in his AG. This year he took two minutes off his time and ran it in 37:13. He didn’t podium this year. That is amazing to me. The top 16 people ran the 10K in a 5 something pace.
Kathy and Val both ran well. I was proud of Kathy for pushing through some cramp issues and Val ran her longest race yet (with me anyway) despite her New Year’s Eve hangover.
Then the real fun started. We all jumped in the ocean. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. (click to enlarge):
I'm cheesy. Plain and simple.
Kathy Val and I before the race.
Justin at the starting line
Kathy and Val on the course. I ran with my camera.
Justin, Justin's mom, Me, Kathy, and Val heading in to the ocean
Val getting pounded in the surf
Justin and I headed in for our second time
Congrats! Good for you to push through and continue to do so well. Also, the pictures of plunge do speak for themselves. However, I was just in Maine and the thought of jumping into the Atlantic is absurd…You are all better than me! Good job to all! Memories w/ friends and family..tough to beat:)
nice way to kick off 2010…the ending looks like fun! Took a victory dip after the VA Beach Rock & Roll 1/2 but it was about 90 degrees outside
Wow, that looks cold!!! Awesome time on the run, really great PR.
[...] 10K of my live. I ran it in 57:21 (compare that to New Year’s Day’s race time of 46:26). I did just get a bit of good news though. When the results were first published I found my name [...]