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Comments: Last year, I seeded myself too far back, and had to dodge a ton of people for the first mile. This year, I got right near the front and had no issues getting around my fellow 10 mile competitors. It was challenging, however, getting around the 5k racers who had started ten minutes earlier, and were walking or jogging slowly. This is an issue every year, and just one of the unique things about this race. Just have to deal with it. No biggie. I ran a 10 miler back in March in 6:11's or thereabouts, so I've had it in my head that I could reach for sixes in this race. Unfortunately, it was 99 degrees out, and I just biked over 150 miles last weekend, and 700 over July, so my run focus has not been there. Plus my legs were just plain tired from the weekend. However, I went ahead and set my forerunner "training partner" feature to pace me at 6 minute miles in case I could really suprise myself and bang it out. What would you do differently?: I do wish I had been a little more realistic with my goals given the circumstances, because I definitely started out too fast. My first five miles got progressively slower, as I realized I just didn't have "it" on this day. I am usually more comfortable starting slower, and picking off people as I go. Last night, I got passed more than I think I ever have before. I also have to add that this is the first time in a long time, maybe ever, that I have really seriously considered just stopping. I mean, in every race, in mid suffer, I ask myself why the heck I'm out there, but last night I was truly contemplating the quickest way back to my car from the midpoint of the course. Glad i stuck it out, even though the results were not what I had hoped for.  Post race
Warm down: jogged/walked out to find Mom around mile 9, and back. What limited your ability to perform faster: Heat - no taper. Not as much run focus in July. Event comments: One of the things I love about this race is the crowd support. Despite the weather, there were thousands of people around the course. Downtown Newburyport was packed with people cheering and clapping. There were TONS of people outside thier homes with hoses, water cups, buckets, squirt guns etc... I had a blast with the kids handing off waters, and reaching for high fives etc.. The finish was lined solid with enthusiastic folks cheering me up the last hill. (Brutal uphill finish - BTW) An added bonus was hearing, and seeing my Mom at mile 9 just as I was really starting to wonder if I would make it. I heard a "Go Dave!" as I passed by and managed to smile and wave. That was a boost. Then, around mile 9.5, I heard my old high school coach start going nuts, and yelling and cheering for me. I had seen him very briefly right at the start, so I wasn't suprised to hear him, but it sure was quite a boost as I was suffering through the last 1/2 mile. It brought me right back to my days in high school (20 years ago!?!?!) when he would be screaming his head off for us. Then, he snuck up the back way to the finish line, and met me as I crossed. I did a double take as I had just heard him a half mile back and around the corner. We caught up for a few minutes, and then I had to go look for my Mom. This race was really well organized and supported. Tons, and tons of people helping out. One of my favorites, without a doubt. Last updated: 2006-06-21 12:00 AM
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United States
Yankee Homecoming Roadrace
99F / 37C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 60/984
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 8/109
It was a ittle hectic geting to Newburyport after work on a Tuesday night, but managed to get there with a few minutes to spare. On the drive down, I went through two water bottles, plus had been drinking aggressively all day, as it was forcast to be 100+ degrees for this race. I also had a hammer gel on the car ride to top off my energy sources. I think I'll stick with the Gu.
For warm-up I jogged from my car to the registration area, got my chip and T-shirt, and jogged back to the car to put my T-shirt away, and then back till to the start. The whole T-short logistics issue continue to be a pain! I like getting race shirts, but it's always a challenge to stash them during the race.