USATF New England Half Marathon Championship, New Bedford 3.18.12

Photo courtesy GCS, Trevor Ward

It was my tenth New Bedford Half Marathon and second fastest, and even added some more individual points in USATF NE Grand Prix (standings below) 

Miae Jacobs, Karen Durante, Jose Ortiz and I traveled to the race with Dave Kazanjian, got there in plenty of time.   Other Whirlaway teammates congregated to the van... people changing & clothes everywhere, bagels, bananas, sharing Body Glide, asking Siri for windspeed and Siri's take on Scottish accents.

I'm still rebuilding from posterior tibial tendinitis this winter, then a visit to the orthopedic a few days before the race for a "simple" Baker's cyst prompted x-rays and MRI, so I was going to just be thankful for whatever my body was willing to give me.  
 
Teammate Susan Stirrat and I went into the corral together and she got us closer towards the start line.   Saw Michael Brodeur and Lisa Doucett early on, then Whirlaway teammate, Maria Servin, who is former Olympian from Mexico.  Maria and I ran together a while and she graciously wanted me to stay with her.  Persuading her to go ahead was harder than I expected, what a teammate!  As Maria finally moved away, she smiled "find someone to work with in the wind." 



Photo courtesy Scott Mason

Calf and foot twinges reminded me I had not done much distance training, so changed footstrike hoping to keep movement fluid.   Definitly felt the wind along the ocean, then the ease when we turned the corner.   As we climbed final incline a very loud band caught my attention, then last 2 right turns, but I had no "kick" and was getting passed...  finish line, watch at 1:37:01.   Lisa Doucett crossed right behind me so hug and congratulations.  

Post-race, Whirlaway teammates Chrissy and Scott Anderson generously hosted at their New Bedford home.  Loved the guacamole, soup, fresh crusty rolls.  I saw a magazine cover of Chrissy who's run a 2:28 marathon!! 

Back in the team van, quick Dunkins drive-through, Whirlaway store, then arrived home around 5:00.  Finally, ice bath and out for a post-race beer.

1:37:02,   1:37:08    7:25 pace

Whirlaway won female masters, female seniors and male seniors divisions
RACE RESULTS


USA TRACK & FIELD - NEW ENGLAND
2012 GRAND PRIX
Series Standings after 2 events - Individual  (subject to correction)

WOMEN'S 45-49			10M	13	12K	10K	5M	5K	26	PTS
KAREN MCGAHIE	CMS		9	8						17
TRISH BOURNE	GLRR		8	7						15
SARAH PRESCOTT	WRT		6	5						11
SUZY WEST	CSU		10							10
SIMONETTA PIERGENTIL	WRT			10						10
MARIA SERVIN	WRT			9						9
ALICE MCKEON	CMS		7							7
MAUREEN LARKIN	GNRC			6						6
LISA KLASMAN	GCS		5							5
MARISOL FICARO	NSS		4							4
LOUISE VALOIS	WCRC		3	1						4
SHADI REEDER	CSU			4						4
MELISSA WU	GCS			3						3
BETH WHIPPLE	GSH		2							2
ELAINE METCALF	HHS			2						2
SHARON MIKAELIAN-VKL	MVS		1							1