RunFasterDaddy

Race Report for Hangover Classic 10K and Polar Bear Plunge

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

Race Report for Mayor Higgins Hot Chocolate Run 2009

Today was the Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton, MA. I ran this race last year with Justin, but this year we fielded a larger contingent. My wife and girls came for the race, and I ran with Justin and Christina, Val, Kathy, and Doug. Kathy’s family was able to join us too. After the race we all headed over to Fitzwilly’s and had a nice post-race beverage and lunch.

A brief recap only today. I ran what I thought was a mediocre race. I just didn’t ever feel like I was in my race groove. That being it said, it did start to snow a little bit somewhere between mile 1 and 2 and flurry or not, I thought that was really cool. I was hoping for some snow prior to the race.

I was also hoping for a somewhat better race time. Last week I was running mile repeats on the track in the 6:55 range, so why can’t I just string them together and come up with a sub 21 5K? Well, for one I guess is that my track workout was completely flat and the course naturally had some hills. The other obvious reason is that I had 800 meters to jog and recover between each of those mile repeats. Despite my lackluster day, compared to last year, I shaved off 2:24. I finished in 22:17 and placed 216 out of 1618. More importantly though I had a very enjoyable day with friends and family.

This race is the annual fundraiser for Safe Passage, an organization that provides support to women and children dealing with domestic violence. This year’s race raised $90,000 (a new record!!!!).

I went to bed last night feeling fine, but this morning I awoke with my nagging left lateral knee pain. My leg also felt a little weak coming down the stairs. I need to be more diligent about my IT Band stretching, because it is only going to get worse as my mileage increases for February’s marathon training.

It dawned on me that this was my last race for 2009. Kind of depressing. I managed to run 26 races in 2009. So how did I cheer myself up? Picked out my first 2010 race of course. Justin and I and hopefully Kathy and Val too are going to the Hangover Classic on New Year’s Day. What could be a better way to ring in the New Year than running a 10K with some friends and then jumping into the Atlantic Ocean Polar Bear Plunge-Style? Having that event sponsored by a beer company of course!

Below are some pictures. Click to enlarge: