Friendly Kitchen 5K, 09.09.11 - women's winner, 9th overall



the college kids dug the Oakley white sunglasses

 I switched a Thursday workout for this Friday night 5K, fundraiser for Friendly Kitchen soup kitchen. Couldn’t understand how fatigued, unmotivated and nervous I felt… go through the moves.


NHTI campus hosts many races… runners familiar with these races likely know the “root canal” tunnel at Delta Dental, plus the scenic Seekamp trail. Doing some of my warm up on trail, I noted a bit of squishy grass, mud… “slip & slide!?!”  Running here made me think of Whirlaway teammate, Heather Searles, national champion from NHTI, won 2008 USCAA Women's Championship plus was all-Academic and all-American three years.  

Lined up in the second row with entertaining group of college cross country runners from NHTI, NEC, Daniel Webster, Nashua (there was a college competition within the race) I seemed to be the only woman starting that far front.

Went off for 6:17 first mile, wasn’t feeling too horrible… a surprise left onto trail and heard myself yelling at the boys “GO, GO, GO!!!!” seeing a puddle the width of the trail. Someone chivalrously extended a hand, but my goat hooves knew what to do. It felt so damn good flying on the trail. Got by Steve Wolfe and couple other guys, then up grassy incline to the road toward “root canal” tunnel. Through my second mile at 6:44 (didn’t look at my splits) and could see the other runners as we looped back. A quick thought tempted my mind, could I be first woman? But, I pushed it out of my head

Rounding into the courtyard, there was a substantial crowd at the finish and I was over the line 20:22 (20:20 watch) and in the chute NHTI coach’s wife, Suzy Seagroves, told me I was women's winner!!! That’s a dream for me, very thrilling !!!  I hadn’t won a race since 2007 and that race only ~70 runners… this was 243… plus I was 9th runner overall!   It added to thrill that last year's women's winner was Heather Searles.

I jogged towards race director/coach Seagroves who said to do my warm-down but get back for awards because I’d won $50 gift certificate for Dick’s Sporting Goods.   Wooo!

Back to the car to change shoes, grab phone to share excitement, then warm-down getting to chat with Delta Dental CEO, Tom Raffio.  Returning from warm-down, my dad arrived to surprise me.  In addition to $50 gift certificate, we were awarded bowls & soup (soup kitchen fundraiser, clever!) and from raffle, I chose OliviaCare peppermint/vanilla soap, exactly right for my mud splattered legs.

NHTI coach Perry Seagroves puts on an exceptional race. Access to the NHTI facilities (student center, easy parking, no wait indoor bathrooms, water fountains, x-c course) and simply knowing what fellow runners like. Also, very cool that entry fee is a donation (you choose amount). Well organized, quick moving awards and raffle with tons of items to choose from.

Full results

Women's winner!!    9th overall of 243       20:22, 6:35 pace



two raffle tables of stuff to choose from

 

NH 10 Miler, Auburn NH 09.03.11 - PR



NH 10 Miler, Auburn

Earlier this year, running friend/NHTI coach Perry Seagroves told me about NH 10 Miler.  Only it's first year, John Mortimer's NH 10 Miler was selected as part of the NH Grand Prix series.  Auburn is located only half-hour drive away, Lake Massabesic an attractive running venue and this fit well into my marathon training.  Two weeks ago, Perry & I "pre-ran" the course with a map and "adventurously" included our own trail portion.

My 10th ever 10 Miler… previous fastest was Yankee Homecoming, Newburyport 2009 (1:14:49). Having an idea of current fitness level, pretty sure this could be a PR day, despite the hills not making it particularly “flat & fast.”   If a really good day, I hoped I could shoot for 1:11


The first few miles, I worked to hang on behind Trevor Ward, Cathy Merra, Ron Abramson and Trish Bourne, but they were stronger than me, so I found my own pace.  In the final few miles, I was able to catch Cathy Merra, who is always strong. I did not take water or Gu during the race, just maintained strong focus.

The last mile was downhill, then heard announcer Andy Schachat’s voice... not much more... the finish area on the lake so welcoming and professional.  As we entered the park area, I passed one kid (34 year old) and I couldn’t believe he wasn’t kicking to challenge me… forget him, the final straight away was like being on the track, I put 11 seconds on him.   Hit my watch at exactly 1:10:00… official time 1:10:01 (7:01 pace)... woooo!!  

How did I improve by 4:48 in 2 years?!?!?  Superb coaching? Advice, support, encouragement from teammates, trackmates?  Hard work? All of it… cherish every bit and every second.  

Grabbed some water, yogurt tube (didn't want to pull an SP @ NB) before a warm-down, made it a 16 mile day.   Put a few pieces of pizza in the car with my new pint glass, swung by Chanel counter at Macy's, then stopped to see Mom... gave her my new long sleeve technical race shirt and she gave me some garden tomatoes, cukes and herbs... nice!!

Full results    1:10:01,  7:01 pace,   PR by 4:48

It was additionally rewarding to contribute 7 points in NH Grand Prix to my secondary team Granite State Racing.