Super 5k about 1/4 mile in - notice Korynn is running too fast.
Photo by Thomas Cole
Race: Super 5k
Location: Lowell, MA
Goal Time: 19:00
Actual Time: 19:04 (Third Linebacker)
Jim Rhoades' Annual Super Bowl Sunday 5k has become a bit of a club tradition. For the past two years it has been part of the Club's Grand Prix.
The race is the definition of a fast flat 5k. There is a gentle hill from 1/2 mile up to a mile. Then you come back down to 1 1/2 and then its 1.6 miles of flat running next to the river. As long as there is no wind off the Merrimack, it's a full blast race.
It is so fast, that last year's race I broke my 5k PR by a full minute and haven't come within 30 seconds since. This year was not much different. Deb, Tim, Emma and I did a hard workout Saturday (14 miles with 5 miles @ Threshold pace) which Bradley said was silly since he wanted to race the Super 5k.
I went out a little easy this year. (Last year, Tim Harden and I killed the first mile and I never really recovered). About half way up the hill I realized I could charge this hill, have enough time to recover down hill and then blast the second half of the race. Passing Dan and Eva up the hill I did just that.
Recovering down the hill I took the right onto the riverside parkway and in front of me by about 50 yards was Rachel and Tommy B. I just kept them in sight and kept at their same pace. There was very little wind, just enough to throw the snowflakes around.
At mile 2.5, I saw Rachel have a burst. She started to sprint away from Tommy who now looked a little broken. Then I made the tactical decision, slowly bring in Brit. I had half a mile to chase him down.
So slowly but surely, I was pulling back a step at a time from Tommy. The course turns off the parkway at probably 2.9 miles. I was almost in range to make the BIG move. Apparently I was too loud.
When Tommy passed the 3 mile mark I was only 10 yards behind him, but he heard somebody coming up and decided they weren't going to beat him. With all of his strength he sprinted away. I sprinted after but never closed those last 10 yards. I ended up losing by 4 seconds and about 20 yards.
Stupid Limey!
My 19:04 was good enough for third in the linebacker (190-225lb) division.
****
SRR Shoutouts:
Jake Barnett and Megan Hyland won the men's and women's categories respectively
Rachel Shanley (who had sprinted away from me and the Limey - and beat us by over 20 seconds) took second in the women's
There was a double sweep in the 20 -29 category
Men's - Brian Keefe, Matt Fuhrmeister and Todd Prokop
Women's - Andy Marinelli, Korynn and Emma (Andy and Korynn can taste breaking 20)
Chris Klucznik won the 30 year olds
Deb Downs (first time under 20 minutes - BAM!) and Sara Saba took 2nd and 3rd in the 30s
SRR Swept the Men's 40s - Tomas Bok (with a big PR), Chris Smith and John Wichers
Jen R finished second in the Women's 40s
Rory took second in the 50s; Liz Cooney continued her impressive year winning the 50s for women
Pam won the 60s
Linebackers were me in third and John Wichers winning
Fillys were another SRR sweep - Sara Saba, Julie Dragon and Eva
Bradley's not going with us Saturday did pay dividends as he ran a MONSTER 17:22.
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