USATF New England 8 Mile Championship, Stowe VT, PR!

Photo courtesy Krissy K

8th visit to the USATF New England 8 Mile Championship race in Stowe, Vermont... PR! 

Three weeks ago, a hamstring injury left me walking home 2.5 miles on a 5 mile run, so I did everything I could to rehab it in time for Stowe... I hadn't missed a USATF New England Championship in 11 years (81 races).    Non-stop icing, home ultrasound, anti-inflammatories, gentle stretching, foam rolling,  PT etc.  An hour a day on elliptical instead of running, then only easy running on treadmill with hamstring "wrapped" and no running downhill until just 2 days before the race.   I usually hit the track twice a week, so very worried I was losing too much fitness, but forced myself to take it easy.

Whirlaway team stayed at Commodores Inn, had dinner together then Kaz took us out for Creemee.   Joe Donnelly had his laser & muscle stimulator machine, Susan Stirrat located the ice machine, I had my ultra-sound and foam roller...  injuries weren't going to stop us.   Fun squeezing six of us in Reno's small car to pick up our numbers.   Christin Doneski and I got to the start, saw lots of friends and warmed up with the team.   It was a cross-country start and Whirlaway had 3 "boxes" on the line, so I lined up near front.   I reminded myself to not go out too fast, then stayed with Stephen Peckiconis who has been racing similar pace as me. 

My word for the day became "glide" (don't tweak hamstring) and focus on endurance.  I don't usually grab water but it was a warm day so made attempts to drink some.    Before the bike path, Whirlaway teammates Petra Platt and Cathy Pearce came by me looking strong.    Petra was flying and I worked to stay with Cathy, an incredible runner.    We worked together as a team... Petra said that when she was following me, she keyed-off me because I was doing a great job with the tangents, then Cathy kept me pushing towards the end.  On the final section, I misjudged distance to the finish so surged early, then I still had to continue pushing hard a ways until the finish line!  Crossed the finish line, reminded myself not to pass out and was pretty sure it was a PR!!   

Had a memorable warm-down on recreation trail with Christin Doneski & Cathy Pearce... did a double-take seeing this rocket in the woods, then large yellow spoons hanging from a tree!  Returned to check race results which confirmed a PR!!  Exceptionally thankful that it came together so well and very proud of Whirlaway teams which finished 1st place for Master's Men and Women, Senior Men.  Second Place in Woman Seniors. Third place Open Men and fourth place to Open Women!!!

Photo courtesy Krissy K

Commodores allowed us a late check-out so filled the tub with cold water and added ice for 12 minute recovery ice bath... filled another ice bag for 2 hour drive home and savored the post-race PR feeling!!   8th and fastest 8 miler... being on Whirlaway team (was 5th WRT Master Woman)... loving every bit of it right now...  all beyond what I could ever have hoped for.
 
Thanks very much to Whirlaway, GTD Coach Braz and friends for all the support and kindness!! 
 
Official time:  56:13.5   7:02 pace,  PR!!!
 
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