Sunday, 12/13/2015 to Saturday, 12/19/2015 - Reindeer Run 5K

I ran twice (yes, only twice) this week, 4.5 miles.

Sunday, 12/13/2015: Rest day

I was gimpy after 15.17 miles of the "Winter" Trail Festival the day before so I stayed in. I watched the Buffalo Bills - Philadelphia Eagles game. The Bills found another way to lose, 20-23, link here. Their slim playoff hope became even slimmer.

Monday, 12/14/2015 to Friday, 12/18/2015: 4 days of OT and a rest day.

I worked OT on Monday through Thursday and Friday was the usual rest day before a race on Saturday.

Friday was a kind of bittersweet day. It was my last day at Synergy Global Solutions. I had worked there since 4/13/2009. I had been lucky enough to have managed the network printers of Koday CG&S, then ITT, then ITT Space Systems Division, and then Harris. Harris decided to go with Ricoh and line of printers instead which was kind of a forgone conclusion since all the other Harris facilities are using Ricoh printers. It took a bit of doing but I will start for Ricoh on Monday morning to manage the Ricoh printers that I have been working OT to put in for the past three weeks. It has been choatic because there was largely no project plan, just "seat of the pants" learning about Ricoh printers and little education of the user community of the change.

Saturday, 12/19/2015: 2 runs of 1.35 and Reindeer Run 5K, 27F, 54% RH, 12 mph W wind, wind chill 16F, sunny

Today was my third Reindeer Run 5K, the second on the new course that doesn't run on what is left of the Inner Loop. I was up early like usual and cut it kind of close when I started to get ready at 6:50 AM. I was out the door at 7:20 AM. I felt the wind and went right back inside for a short sleeve tech to put under my Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve tech. I arrived down at the Strong Museum of Play (SMOP) in  about 15 minutes.

It took a bit of gumption to get out of the car. I know it's been warm this winter this winter but this up and down in temperature takes a bit to get used to. I got out for a 1.35 mile warmup run at 8:23, link here.

I met up with Prem Kumar before the start. He told me that he had hurt his knee during last week's Winter Trail Festival (WTF) ... he had run Snow Cheap #1 on Wednesday and was at today's Reindeer Run 5K. Runners are a different breed ... lol! I wished him luck and made my way to the start line. I lined up in my usual sport about 10 yards behind the leaders.


And ... we were off! I eased my way up to speed while I eased my way around slower runners. It was cold and I could definitely feel the wind when it was in my face.

The start ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith

I concentrated on just running and having a good time. I tried to keep up my pace during mile 2 which is where I usually have a slow mile.

Coming up on mile 2 ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Just past the Freddie - Sue Bridge ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith

Soon enough we were heading back to the SMOP. I picked up a bit ... onward ... and done in 22:12. I met up with Prem and found that he had run a 22:11. He ended up being 3rd in him M40-44 age group which he found out after he went home.

Post race selfie with the antler on!

I was happy with my time of 22:12. It turned out to be my slowest 5K of my 9 in 2015. Geek alert:
My splits were pretty good: 7:14, 7:17, 7:01 and 6:40 over the last 0.11 mile. There is always good grub after this race: subs, cookies and some nutrition bars. I found out that I was 9th in my age group so I didn't stay for the awards. I was 118th out of 1694, link here. I was 9th out of 59 in my M50-59 age group, link here.

Soon enough, I was home with the obligatory coffee and my feet up in the recliner. My 58th and last race of 2015 was in the books. I don't think I will race as many next year. It is going to be hard to weed out some races. I did like each one of them!

Sunday, 12/6/2015 to Saturday, 12/12/2015 - "Winter Trail Festival" 15 Miles

I ran 3 times this week, 29.32 miles.

Sunday, 12/6/2015: 13.1 miles, 1:47:16, 8:11 pace, 30F, 100% RH, calmy, light fog to sunny.

I was up early around 7 AM for my first, yes only the first, run of December. It was very foggy so I waited until 9 AM before I headed out for a really nice and early run. I decided to try out a new route that I knew was close to a half marathon.


I didn't really like the route with its run on sidewalk down Long Pond Rd and a long stretch on Latta Rd facing 2 lanes of oncoming traffic with a kind of narrow shoulder. My splits were: 8:11, 8:08, 8:12, 8:09, 8:03, 8:13, 8:25 8:02, 7:59, 7:59, 8:09, 8:23, 8:36 and 7:38 over the last 0.1 mile.

After a bit (OK, 2 mugs) of required coffee I watched the Bill home game against the Houston Texans. The Bills won their latest "must win game to make the playoffs", 30-21, link here.

Monday, 12/7/2015 through Friday, 12/11/2015: Zero miles.

Another week of overtime ... only 48.5 hours this week. The only day without OT was Thursday. I had to leave early for a drug screen before I am hired by Ricoh. I got home before 4:30 PM for the first time in a couple of weeks. Christine and I made it a date night. We headed out for a dinner (1/4 pounders, fries and large milkshakes) at McDonald's (courtesy of a couple coupons) and then over to Wegmans. Exciting stuff but more exciting than coming home bone tired, eating and then going to bed.

Saturday, 12/12/2015: 2 runs of 1.05 and WTF of 15.17 miles, 43F, 81% RH, calm, overcast.

Today was the second Winter Trail Festival (WTF), a TrailsROC race, down at Wadhams Lodge in Powder Mills Park. It was also my only second(!) run of December. It was a 5 mile loop with races of 5, 10 and 15 miles. I chose the 15 mile version just like I did last year. Last year, the weather was 20F with about 6 inches of snow on the course. This year it was 43F at the start. I chose my CW-X shorts, 1/4 zip Brooks long sleeve top, heavy running gloves and Brooks beanie. Christine chose to stay home so I got down to the venue at 9:10 AM in plenty of time for the 10 AM start. I met up with Prem Kumar, Mike Maynadasy and Andy Ciaio. I met another reader (besides my wife) of this blog, Colin Bailey. He said he had run Sehgahunda this year in 6:15 after running my blogposts. I got out for a 1.05 mile out and back warmup run at 9:37 pace, link here.

I got my warmup run done 5 minutes before the race start and rushed a bit to strip my Brooks jacket, get a bathroom break and a swig of water in. I had my 10 ounce hand bottle of water and 2 HammerGels in an Amphipod pod clipped to my shorts. I lined up next to Andy Ciaio ... who I knew I wouldn't see again.


And ... we were off! I settled in for a long 15 mile trail race. This race was one of loops. Each loop was long enough to have its own character.

The start ... photo courtesy of Alex Tong of the Ascend Collective

Loop 1: I set up a fast but kind of nice and easy trail pace. I jockeyed back and bantered a bit with Mike Meynadasy. First he was ahead and then I was ahead. I said "Hi" to Heather Bailey Ostrander (HBO) as I walked up the hill she was doing TrailsROC volunteering on. I did notice the 12 pack of Miller Lite that she had perched on the top of it. The first time up Hell on Root (a short and steep uphill with a rope to help out) was OK.

Loop 2: Mike left me behind when I stopped for a long swig of water and a bit of walking when I started the second loop. I slowed down a bit as I developed a bit of pain in my left knee. It wasn't too bad so I continued onward. HBO could tell that I didn't feel as well when I came to her hill. I caught up to Tina Pellegrin just as I got to Hell on Root. She was going up for her first time. I had both of my HammerGels before the end of this loop. I thought about stopping but I had signed up for three loops.

My second time up Hell on Root ... photo courtesy of Alex Tong of the Ascend Collective

Loop 3: I soon regretted starting the third loop. I decided to walk it in after mile 12. HBO gave me a dose of Amica that she told me to place under my tongue. She said that it would help without the side effects of NSAIDs while exercising. I took it, thanked her and continued onward. I tried to run or shuffle a bit but my left knee hurt. My right heel started to hurt a bit too so I just walked. I wanted to run but I decided it was best to walk since I didn't want to really injure myself. The last time up Hell on Root hurt a bit but I put one foot in front of the other ... onward. Soon enough I was in the home stretch in sight of the finish line. I saw some people behind me so I managed to get up to something that resembled a slow run. Done in 3:21:21. I was exhausted. I ambled up (OK, limped) to the lodge and ate what they had left ... a bagel, potato chips and a few cookies.

I have done this race twice now. Each time it has beat me up. Last year I managed a 3:34:10 in 20F and 6 inches of snow. This I managed a 3:21:21 with poor nutrition (only 2 HammerGels). Maybe I should rethink my minimalist approach and start to carry more water and nutrition on long trail runs. I did notice that the course only had water at its one aid station. Last year it was better stocked with some delicious donut holes..

Anyway, my splits were: 9:49, 9:34, 10:32, 10:57, 10:21, 11:39, 10:47, 13:04, 13:14, 12:12, 15:14, 12:48, 17:40, 20:21, 20:41 and 19:47 over the last 0.17 miles. I was 39th out of 50, 6th out of 8 in my M50-59 age group, link here. Andy Ciaio finished in 2:33:51, Mike Maynadasy finished in 2:44:42, Prem Kuma finished in 2:45:31 and Colin Bailey finished in 3:03:25. The 10 mile results are here and the 5 mile results are here.

I manged to drive home and get myself in the door. Then I remember just putting myself on the couch and vegging the rest of the day. I ached and it hurt to walk. Climbing the stairs to the bathroom was a slow process. Well ... another race, my 57th of 2015.

Sunday, 11/29/2015 to Saturday, 12/5/2015 - Freezeroo #1 (DNS)

I ran once this week for 12 miles.

Sunday, 11/29/2015: 12 miles, 1:39:04, 8:15 pace, 34F, 69% RH, 5 mph W wind, wind chill 29F, sunny to partly cloudy.

Garmin Connect Activity for An out to E Manitou Rd and back

I got out for a nice and easy out to East Manitou Rd and back. Nothing special. My splits were: 8:25, 8:08, 8:12, 8:18, 8:10, 8:14, 8::13, 8:19, 8:12, 8:23, 8:18, 8:11

I watched the Buffalo Bill play the Kansas City Chiefs out in KC. The Bills seemed like they could do no wrong in the first half. Sammy Watkins was on fire: 6 catches for 158 yards and 2 TDs. The Bills were leading at half, 15-14. KC made some adjustments in the second half and won 30-22, link here. The Bills fall to 5-6 while KC is riding a 5 game winning streak after starting 1-5 for a 6-5 record. It does look like the Bill playoff drought will increase to 16 years.

Monday, 11/30/2015 to Saturday, 12/5/2015: Zero miles.

I had to work serious overtime at work. Here is my story ... strap in. Right now I work for Synergy Global Solutions, www.synergygs.com, as a Printer Concierge for Exelis (now Harris). Basically I manage the 195 network printers for 4 buildings; 800 Lee Rd, 332 Initiative Drive, 400 Initiative Drive and 2696 Manitou Rd. This involves making sure that they all work, ordering toner, replacing toner and clearing jams. I have been doing it 6.5 years. Well ... this location of Harris decided to go with Ricoh for all their network printers ... just like all the Harris locations. I was offered a position with Ricoh luckily ... else I would be unemployed. Ricoh wanted to have all the network printers switched out before December 1st which was impossible since no printers arrived before Wednesday, 11/18. I am still working for Synergy but I am replacing all their printers with Ricoh printers. This week was crazy ... 8, 10, 14, 11.5, 10.5 and 10.5 for 64.5 hours. Next week will be same. I don't even know when I will be a Ricoh employee yet.

So ... I missed Freezeroo #1 because I had work OT. Not a bad reason ... cha-ching!

Sunday, 11/22/2015 to Saturday, 11/28/2015 - Race with Grace 10K

I ran 4 times this week, 30.56 miles

Sunday, 11/22/2015: 12 miles, 1:42:25, 8:32 pace, 37F, 70% RH, 14 mph W wind, wunny.

I don't usually do group runs but I needed a long run. I hadn't run with Fleet Feet for a long time and running from Fleet Feet Armory to Ridgeway or ROCnar just spoke to me. So ... I geared up and got 'er done.

It was a bit chilly and windy so I wore my CW-X tights, Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, Brooks jacket, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I drove down to Fleet Feet Armory and arrived about 15 minutes early. I saw that Saucony was there demoing their new EverRun shoe. I decided to try out their Glide 9 running shoes from a young guy named Greg.

Pre ROCnar - photo courtesy of Kim Smith

Ellen reminded us that it was not a race and that cake would be served at 11:15 AM. But ... I started out with the lead group like usual. I don't dawdle but I did set up my nice and easy pace around 8 or 8:20 pace. Jim McLaughlin was part of the lead group so I tried to keep him at least visible as we ended down Culver Ave, Monroe Ave, Highland Ave, S Clinton Ave, out to Brighton Town Park and out onto the Erie Canal Path.

Running in Brighton Town Park - photo courtesty of Kim Smut

Halfway point with Barry Cherney on his bike - photo courtesy of Sue Scheuch

The west wind was a bit chilly. I saw Barb Boutillier out for a run while I was in Genesee Valley Park. I got a bit confused following the Canal Path over the Genesee River. The path could have used a few more signs but I managed to cross the two footbridges that I needed to. I met up with Jim McLaughlin at the halfway point where Fleet Feet had set up an aid station. I had a cup of water and a donut hole. I started back out with him but he soon pulled ahead again. I started to pass a few early starters and say "Hi" as I passed. Soon enough I was at Fleet Feet Ridgeway. My wife, Christine, came in and we enjoyed a bit of cake. This event was well chronicled since it was a Fleet Feet event. So ... there were pictures on Facebook.

Boots and Ellen - photo courtesy of Fleet Feet Rochester Facebook page

The delicious cake - photo courtesy of Fleet Feet Rochester Facebook page

My impression of the Saucony Glide 9 running shoes is that they are a bit more comfy than my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 running shoes with only 9.3 miles. I didn't really want to give them back ... but I did. There wasn't any specials on them but if I can find them on sale and I need running shoes I will try out. I did have a surprise of a bloody right toe when I took off my shoes but I think that was because I hadn't cut my toenails for longer than I should have.

Saucony Greg after the ROCnar

My feet as of 11/22/2015 ... the 2nd toes on each foot are due to the recent DCSR, the blood is due to an uncut toenail and not due to trying on the Saucony Glide 9 running shoes.

Monday, 11/23/2015: Rest day ... nothing unusual.

The Buffalo Bills played a rare Monday night game against the New England Patriots. The Bill lost ... again nothing unusual. The score was at least close, 13-20, link here.

Tuesday, 11/24/2015: OT day ... gotta work for a living. I didn't get out of work until 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, 11/25/2015: Rest day.

I got an early Christmas present in the mail ... a refurbished Garmin Vivofit 2 from Ebay for $55. Now I can catalog all the steps I take all day at work or on a run.

Thursday, 11/26/2015: 2 runs of 2 miles and Race with Grace 10K, 46F. 49% RH, 5 mph SSW wind, wind chill 44F, overcast.

Today was my 56th race of the year, 12th 2015 Rochester Runner of the Year (RROY) and 4th Race with Grace 10K. I woke up like usual ... early enough to do the previous night's dishes that escaped the dishwasher and early enough to get ready and get to the First Bible Baptist Church about an hour early. I had dressed a bit warm ... CW-tights, long sleeve tech, heavy running gloves. I headed in to get my bib and swag. I received a 25th anniversary RwG jacket since I was of the first 200 registered. I wore it when I took a really nice and slow warmup run of 2 miles at 8:52 pace, link here. I did find out that the wind out of the south would make a head wind coming back to the FBBC.

A nice RwG jacket ... a keeper for sure!

I was a bit sweaty when I got done and had 10 minutes before the race. I thought I would be too hot with my CW-X tights. So ... I went to the Equinox and changed into my shorts while hundreds of runners were walking by heading to the start. I still made it to the start in plenty of time. I saw Prem Kumar, Andy Ciaio, Mark Herberger along with Tom Butler and his wife Amy before the race.

Just after the start - photo courtesy of Tim Matthews

Just a few more seconds after the start - photo courtesy of Tim Matthews

And ... we were off! I started off a bit since I had calmed down. I settled into a nice race pace and started to move up a bit. I caught up to Heather Patterson about 1/2 mile in. She said "Hi". I kept pace with her for a hundred yards before I let her go ... I knew better. Wilt Alston and Frank Quattrone was a bit ahead so I kept pace with them.

Racing in my orange Fleet Feet hat

Wilt let up at mile 3. Frank forged a bit ahead. I bypassed the two aid stations as I closed the gap with Frank. The turn back onto Manitou Rd south toward FBBC dead into the wind made the 1.5 miles long and longer. I knew better than to look up and see the turn into the parking lot so far ahead.

Just after the turn into the FBBC parking lot - photo courtesy of Tim Matthews

I caught up to Frank and passed him as we got to the parking lot entrance. I brought it up to a sprint and ... done with 6.26 miles in 45:57 by my Garmin.

I headed inside the FBBC for the excellent post race grub. I chose 1/2 of bagel, chocolate milk and an apple. I met up with Joe Ciecierega who had fnished 5 seconds behind me and congratulated Heather who had just missed a sub 45 by 2 seconds. Her husband, Chris, had spectated. Andy finished in 43:54, Mark finished in 44:31, Heather finished in 45:04, Frank finished in 46:06, Tom and Amy Butler finished in 1:30:32. I did OK, 45:58, 140th out of 1122, 6th out of 77 in my M50-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 7:03:16, 7:12, 7:37, 7:22, 7:42 and 6:46 over the last 0.26 mile. I ended up placing 3rd in my M55-59 age group in the 2015 RROY standing, link here.

Update on 2/2/2016: I found that 17 men did the entire Westside 30K Series (NCA 5K, Finish Strong 15K and Race with Grace 10K), link here. I placed 5th in 2:17:31 (NCA 5K - 21:55, Finish Strong 15K - 1:09:38, Race with Grace 10K - 45:58) and 1st out of 4 in my M50-59 age group.

I didn't stay too much longer ... I had to get home, shower ... and go get two of my kids (Michael from Newark and Karen from Farmington) for Thanksgiving dinner. David drove up from Scottsville.

Our 2015 Thanksgiving dinner

My darling wife and I (OK, mostly my darling wife) worked to get our Thanksgiving dinner on the table by 4 PM. We did discover that we needed more oven real estate. The turkey cooked up real fine in the oven but also prevented the sides that Christine had cooked the previous two days from warming up enough even after the turkey was out and cooling. So ... we made due. My kids are picky eaters anyways. Though ... everyone did like the apple pie for dessert! I had a lot to eat and wasn't awake enough to drive Michael and Karen home so Christine did.

Friday, 11/27/2015: 10.3 miles, 1:26:43, 8:25 pace, 57F, 55% RH, 11 mph SSW wind, overcast.

My Garmin Connect Activity for A nice and slow long run

I needed to get out to clear my head so I got dressed and got out. I stuck up a really nice and easy long run pace and got 'er done. My splits were: 8:14, 8:16, 8:15, 8:11, 8:12, 8:35, 8:23, 8:20, 8:21, 9:17 and 8:39. A train was blocking Greenleaf Rd when I got close so I made a bypass down the railroad tracks for a few hundred yards to go away it. I surely wasn't going to go back and go the long way around.

Christine's daughter, Beth, and her finance, Nick, got into town from Lakewood OH around 10 PM. We had fixed up the 2nd bedroom for them to stay in. We had brought our old queen bed and put it into the 2nd bedroom. Our master bedroom got the new queen bed from Charlotte Appliance. Both are comfy.

Saturday, 11/28/2015: Rest day.

I decided that today was a rest day ... well, I did sleep in until 8:37 AM with guests in the townhouse. We had a nice breakfast and then made it out to the Jell-O Gallery in Le Roy. It's a nice little museum dedicated to that tasty treat that the US buys 9 of every second.

Nick, Beth , myself and Christine (left to right)

We went back and had a second Thanksgiving dinner before Beth and Nick went out with friends to the Genesee Brew House.

Monday, 11/16/2015 to Saturday, 11/21/2015

I ran once during 6 days ... boo!

Monday, 11/16/2015 to Friday, 11/20/2015

Life got in the way. Monday was your basic rest day after 3 days of running. Tuesday was "still hurting in my right hip" day. Wednesday was "worked late" day. Thursday was "take my youngest son, David, to America's Best to get glasses" day. Friday was "go back to America's Best to pay with my HSA instead of my ESL" day. So ... life got in the way.

Saturday, 11/21/2015: 9.3 miles, 1:16:20, 8:12 pace, 36F, 75% RH, calm, overcast.


I finally got out and on the road with my brand spanking new Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 shoes on Saturday morning. It was cold so I dressed in my brand spanking new CW-X tights, along with my Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I stuck up a nice and easy pace on my usual 15K route.

I started to develop a hot spot on one of my left toes about halfway in but ... what can you do? I wasn't going to stop so I kept on running. I tried to spread my left foot while I ran ... it might have helped. I think I stopped before I developed a blister. My splits were: 8:06, 8:10, 8:07, 8:09, 8:32, 8:02, 8:09, 8:23, 8:14 and 8:05 over the last 0.3 mile.

11/13/2015-11/15/2015 - Dirt Cheap Stage Race

My seventh Dirt Cheap Stage Race. The past six were of the 3 races in 2 days format. Race #1, a 3 mile race, held in time trial format on Saturday at 9 AM, Race #2, a 5 mile race, at 1 PM at Devil's Bathtub with its infamous stair climb finish and Race #3, a 11 mile race, at 9 AM on Sunday. This year had race #1 held in the dark on Friday night at 6:30 PM.

11/13/2015: 3.16 miles, 32:34, 10:18 pace, 41F, 65% RH, 16 mph W wind, wind chill 33F, overcast.

I took all my gear to work so I could go out to Mendon Ponds Park straight after work. I took most of my cold weather gear. I chose my old CW-X tight, Darn Tough socks, a yellow long sleeve tech, a white short sleeve tech, Brooks beanie, Brooks jacket, heavy running gloves along with my trusty Salomon SpeedCross trail shoes. Oh ... it was cold, dark and windy outside so I wished it had more at first.

There was no parking by the race venue up on Pond Rd so I parked in the approved parking lot at the corner of Douglas Rd and Pond Rd. Then I hiked up to the road to race venue to get my bib. I was really surprised ... YJR had sunshine (a big ass construction light) and a nice tent to hold their post race festivities.

The DCSR #1 start and finish lines ... the rest of the course was dark - photo courtesy of Fleet Feet Rochester

I was surprised when I got 229 as my bib ... picking up my bib late meant that I got a really high number. A really high number times 5 seconds per number meant that I had wait almost 20 minutes after the race start before I started. So ... I spent it shivering in the tent talking to Jady Simmons who had a slightly lower number. I took off my Brooks jacket just before I got in line because I knew I would warm up.

The time trial lineup before the start of DCSR #1 - photo courtesy of Fleet Feet Rochester

I didn't warm up at all and just hopped around a bit as I waited my turn to go. Ellen reminded me to turn on my headlamp when I got up to the start line.


And ... I was off! I wasn't warm so I started nice and easy as I went up, up and up for the first 1/2 mile. I kept my pace at nice and easy as much as I could and kept scanning the ground with my headlamp looking for roots and rocks. I started passing runners and giving them encouragement or just a "hey". I concentrated on keeping myself upright while motoring past slower runners and yielding to faster runners behind me. One thing I did notice is that I thought I was running a longer distance than I actually. I thought each mile was actually two, lol! Soon enough I could hear the sounds of the finish line and ... done in 32:34!

A post DCSR #1 selfie

I had a some chips, a banana and couple of hot dogs for my post race grub. Another excellent YJR race. They have this down to a science! I put on a hoodie and my Brooks jacket pretty soon after the race. I didn't want to get chilled. I did pretty well, I was 72nd out of 254, 11th out of 27 in my M50-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 9:49, 11:26, 10:05 and 7:43 over the last 0.16 mile.

Saturday, 11/14/2015: 2 runs of 0.83 and DCSR #2 of 4.67 miles, 37F, 60% RH, 16 mph W wind, wind chill 28F, overcast.

DCSR #2 started at 10 AM so I could sleep in just a bit. I think I woke up at 6:30 AM. I had just thrown my running clothing into a corner in the bedroom last night so I just put it back on. The temperature and weather hadn't changed any ... it was just daylight not nighttime. I drove down to Mendon Ponds Park again ... this time to Devil's Bathtub. I got a parking spot about halfway up the hill about 50 minutes before race start. I met up with Prem Kumar, Andy Ciaio and Mike M. I got out for a warmup run of 0.83 miles at 9:04 pace, link here. I didn't get a chance to have a swig of water before the race because I cut it too close. I moistened my mouth with what little spit I had and waited for the start.


And .... we were off! DCSR #2 is a repeat of the 5 mile Dirt Cheap race at Devil's Bathtub with a mass start on top of the hill with the infamous stair climb finish.

The start of DCSR #2 - photo courtesy of Tom Rossborough

I got up to speed quickly. I passed Prem about 1/2 mile in and gave him a fist bump. I followed Mike Maynadasy straight through the mud fields and passed about 4 runners who were trying to dance around the edges to try not to get muddy. Boom! I passed Mike at the apex of a right turn at about mile 3.

I think this was somewhere in the first half of DCSR #2 - photo courtesy of Tom Rossborough

Climbing up Cardiac Hill - photo courtesy of Kim Smith

Cresting up Cardiac Hill - photo courtesy of Kim Smith

I went straight through the creek crossing instead of taking the bridge. The flags led us straight through ... so did I. It did help wash the mud off. Soon enough the course led us to the stairs. I ran up them and was more than happy to stop ... and done in 44:53. I went straight to the Equinox for water and to put my hoodie. I had a banana and apple after the race.

I did pretty well again. I was 56th out of 267, 7th out of 28 in my M50-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:09, 9:59, 10:28, 8:29 and 11:39 over the last 0.67 mile. Andy finished in 43:27, Mike finished in 45:08 and Prem finished in 46:39.

Sunday, 11/15/2015: 1:48:15, 10.40 miles, 10:24 pace, 46F, 66% RH, 10 mph SW wind, wind chill 42F, partly cloudy.

I thought I had set my weekend alarm at 6:15 AM but instead it went off at 5:45 AM. No matter ... I got up, got dressed and went downstairs to finish the dishes from last night. I knew the drill ... eat a pre-race bowl of cereal, got dressed with the same clothing as yesterday and Friday night, make sure I had all my gear, get out and get down to Mendon Ponds Park about a hour before the race start. The wrinkle today was twofold: my trail shoes were still damp from yesterday and it was a bit warmer. So I just put on my damp trail shoes and changed to my new CW-X capris and my calf sleeves. I felt that the calf sleeves would help my legs with the 11 trail miles of DCSR #3.

I got down to the Beach parking lot around 50 minutes before the race start. I found the parking lot about 80% full. I found out that about 100 runners had taken the 7:45 AM early start. I met up with Prem Kumar, Mike Maynasdasy and Andy Ciaio before the race. I decided to carry my 10 ounce water bottle and 1 gel so I knew I would have water during this cupless race.

I didn't hear as much of Ellen's pre-race comments that I usually do ... I had some business in the bathroom. I knew it by heart: "Follow the pink flags, don't follow the runner in front of you, if you get lost it's your fault!"


 And ... we were off! This was a long trail race so I knew to pace myself. I settled in ... nice and easy, run the flats and downs and walk the hills that I couldn't run. Still ... I did start out a bit fast and didn't walk any hills for at least three miles.

One thing I did notice was all the photographers on the course. Fleet Feet's Kim Smith and Barb Boutillier took 443 and 699 pictures respectively. Anita Cornell took 117 pictures and Tom Rossborough took 376 pictures. 1635 pictures ... wow!

photo courtesy of Tom Rossborough

This is before mile 3 since I still had my Brooks beanie on - photo courtesy of Kim Smith

I passed Prem around mile 3. I passed a guy who was limping around mile 3 also. I heard him say that he had rolled his ankle. I later learned via Facebook that he had broke his ankle ... but also finished. Of course there was a pic, lol! I also remember seeing Charlie Sabatini out for a walk ... the 81 year old running legend.

photo courtesy of Kim Smith

I took a gel and refilled my water bottle at mile 5. I had a chuckle when I came upon Stacy Maier dressed up as a trail shark at mile 5.85. I got a high five as I passed her.

Stacy Maier as the trail shark ... dum, dum, dum - photo courtesy of Tom Rossborough

photo courtesy of Tom Rossborough

I pressed onward. Prem was right behind as I picked my way through and around the bog. He passed when I stopped to take some water and a couple of breaths. Onward. I staggered a bit as I crested a hill and had to take a swig of water to steady myself. I saw Sean Hendrick as I went up a hill ... he was yelling out "Climbing hills builds hair on your chest" ... I'm sure I got more today. I filled my water bottle as I got to Devil's Bathtub at mile 9. This time we ran down the infamous stairs. I was on the home stretch ... one foot in front of the other ... I could hear the sounds of the finish line ... I saw Jeff Rose at the bottom of the last hill. I gritted my teeth, launched myself up ... and done in 1:48:16!

Gritting my teeth for the finish of DCSR #3? Check! - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

The coveted 2015 DCSR #3 hoodie sure did feel nice!

I quickly got in line to get my 2015 DCSR #3 hoodie. I had earned it, I wanted it and I quickly changed into it. Nice! I had some pasta, a banana and an apple for my post race fuel. I hung around for a while and swapped some running stories with Andy and Mike.

I did OK. I didn't trip or draw any blood. I finished 57th out of 241, 8th out of 27 in my M50-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:53, 9:11, 11:02, 10:11, 10:30, 9:47, 9:32, 11:53, 13:17, 10:06 and 9:37 over the last 0.4 mile. I finished 7th out of 23 in the series M50-59 age group, link here.

The DCSR is an event full of stories for lots of trail runners. Some pics from DCSR #3.

Andy Ciaio finished in 1:40:40, 28 seconds behind his son, Ben - photo courtesy of Kim Smith

Mike Meynadasy finished in 1:54:14 - photo courtesy of Kim Smith

Bambi Jasmin finished in 1:54:46 - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Barry Cherney completed his first DCSR and race #3 in 2:13:44 - photo courtesy of Barb Bouutillier

Beth Spingar finished in 3:12:22

Chris O'Brien (in blue) finished in 1:51:38

Jim McLaughlin and Courtney Abeln finished in 2:16:47, a 28 minute PR for her - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Danielle Feligno finished in 1:52:32

Jady Simmons finished in 2:28:44

Prem Kumar finished in 1:44:59

Ron Heerkens Jr fell on his water bottle (which knocked the wind out of him) and finished in 1:56:34 - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Tina Pellegrin finished in 3:03:00 - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Tom Butler finished in 2:39:00 - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Amy Lord finished her first DCSR and finished race #3 in 3:00:00 - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

Rick Conrad rolled (broke) his ankle early and ran/walked the rest of the way to finish in 2:38:11 - photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

I have done this race since its inception 7 years and will do it again at the drop of a hat. It's fun, challenging and a bit grueling. Did I mention fun?