USATF New England 5 Mile Championship, Carver 7.30.11, PR



Scott Mason photo, warm-up strides

Up at 4:00 a.m. and met Christin Doneski and Brandon Newbould for 2 hour ride to Carver.  Easily through Boston, we found the race, parked near other Whirlaway runners and Scott Mason (Flash).

After a warm-up and strides, bunched in for the start.   Petra Platt said we should move further forward towards the line... smart... we pushed forward.  Wish I studied the couse map better, I thought the course would turn right... I'll remember next time.  Went through the first mile at 6:13, about 30 seconds faster than I expected.  Cathy Pearce calmed me, "it's okay, it was downhill."  I stayed with Cathy through first water stop, she handed me her cup... love the teamwork.



Scott Mason photo. Trish's arm beside me.
Behind me, Cathy Merra in lime,
Tom Derderian in red



Cathy pulled ahead.  I pushed to catch Tom Derderian and #1 senior runner Cathy Merra.   Soon as I got past them, I had to walk a few steps through last water stop and they went right past me.

Utterly exhausted, I again caught Tom & Cathy, but found myself side by side with GLRR runner Trish Bourne for a half mile sprint.

Trish had beaten me by 1 second at Rhody.  Although I beat her by almost 3 minutes at Stowe, this was more her distance.  Now we were inches apart, kicking with everything.

Paul Hammond and Dave Dunham were both yelling to me and I saw photographer Ted Tyler on a stool directly in front of us in the middle of the road.  Neither Trish nor I would relent and lose a step going to the side of Ted, so we went straight at Ted.  Closer and closer until I had no choice but to dodge to the right of Ted or collide and Trish stayed on her line... incredible fight by Trish, she got me by 1 second.   Bonky after the warm-down, I didn't even remember how it ended... I had to ask Trish to tell me!




Coming towards photographer Ted Tyler, with Trish



Ready to collide with photographer Ted Tyler

Whirlaway Male and Female Masters teams took first!  So did our Male and Female Seniors teams.  Female Open took first and Open Male took third. All the teams did a great job.  Congratulations to everyone who ran well on a very warm day!  

Thank you Fernando, Whirlaway and running friends!!

My previous fastest 5 miler was Ollie 2005, this was a PR by 96 seconds and my 6th PR this year.  Feeling like a very lucky girl, savoring and not taking it for granted!!

33:48  6:46   pace  full results