Back in early 2000, I decided to try USATF-NE Grand Prix racing, largely due to the Bedford 12k being located near home and an interesting race distance. Returning there Saturday for the 6th time, I found it better than ever.
We expect Grand Prix races to be top quality and this certainly was… Goons only found it lacking beer. The new high school facility and finishing on the track put the race over the top… as usual, the bagpipe start amuses me. Weather was superb and Dad even came to cheer…. yes!! Wait, it gets better.
As usual, the Goons had ridiculous amounts of fun before and after the race. Add in the GTD family including Glenn, Dan, Tina (“the Machina”) and Codfather joining warm-up / cool-down, plus seeing running friends from other clubs, Goats Dave Dunham and Lisa Doucett… seems like a day couldn’t get better.
During most of the race, I had Hanky Spanky in view, but couldn’t catch him… he was trying to catch unshakable Sonic Boom… who was trying to catch perfectly paced Doc… who was trying to catch possessed HCM. Silent Assassin flexed his muscles with a 6:04 pace and the stunning Smokin’ Ivy led the Goon women with 6:25 pace. Taz was just warming up for his 24K the next day. Miss Enforcer followed her plan given upcoming half next weekend.
What about Mountain Goat? Thank you, Professor Fernando… it was a PR for me! My pace averaged 8 seconds per mile faster than my previous best… done by my 5 year younger self. A PR must always be cherished, they don’t come every day… especially as we get older… and I just turned a year older 2 days before… making this day even better. Enforcer retierated the point with the birthday card she presented to me.
After grabbing some water and snacks, Doc, Silent Assassin, HCM & I were walking in the school hallway and USATF-NE director Steve Vaitones said “wait”, holding the list of USATF team finishes. Goons, recognizing we only had like 7 members racing, laughed until Steve’s finger pointed to the list showing Goon masters women won third place!!!! We were in disbelief, he was not kidding!!! I even contributed to the scoring!! Silent Assassin popped me a high five… HUGE day for Goons.
Goonmobile limo had to roll south, so Doc & I finished celebrating on Sunday, and we had lots to celebrate.
MG race info:
** 6th Bedford 12k, USATF-NE Championship
** fastest 12k (PR)
** time 54:10, 7:16 pace (avg 8 seconds per mile faster than previous best)
We expect Grand Prix races to be top quality and this certainly was… Goons only found it lacking beer. The new high school facility and finishing on the track put the race over the top… as usual, the bagpipe start amuses me. Weather was superb and Dad even came to cheer…. yes!! Wait, it gets better.
As usual, the Goons had ridiculous amounts of fun before and after the race. Add in the GTD family including Glenn, Dan, Tina (“the Machina”) and Codfather joining warm-up / cool-down, plus seeing running friends from other clubs, Goats Dave Dunham and Lisa Doucett… seems like a day couldn’t get better.
During most of the race, I had Hanky Spanky in view, but couldn’t catch him… he was trying to catch unshakable Sonic Boom… who was trying to catch perfectly paced Doc… who was trying to catch possessed HCM. Silent Assassin flexed his muscles with a 6:04 pace and the stunning Smokin’ Ivy led the Goon women with 6:25 pace. Taz was just warming up for his 24K the next day. Miss Enforcer followed her plan given upcoming half next weekend.
What about Mountain Goat? Thank you, Professor Fernando… it was a PR for me! My pace averaged 8 seconds per mile faster than my previous best… done by my 5 year younger self. A PR must always be cherished, they don’t come every day… especially as we get older… and I just turned a year older 2 days before… making this day even better. Enforcer retierated the point with the birthday card she presented to me.
After grabbing some water and snacks, Doc, Silent Assassin, HCM & I were walking in the school hallway and USATF-NE director Steve Vaitones said “wait”, holding the list of USATF team finishes. Goons, recognizing we only had like 7 members racing, laughed until Steve’s finger pointed to the list showing Goon masters women won third place!!!! We were in disbelief, he was not kidding!!! I even contributed to the scoring!! Silent Assassin popped me a high five… HUGE day for Goons.
Goonmobile limo had to roll south, so Doc & I finished celebrating on Sunday, and we had lots to celebrate.
MG race info:
** 6th Bedford 12k, USATF-NE Championship
** fastest 12k (PR)
** time 54:10, 7:16 pace (avg 8 seconds per mile faster than previous best)
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