Stu's 2011

On Sunday I raced Stu’s 30K, the weather was near perfect for the race.  It was 50, gray, drizzly, and windy, but it is always windy around Wachusett Reservoir.  Terese and I got to the start about an hour before the gun.  She would be cheering me on and acting as my pit person. I brought 3 Hammer Gels with a plan of having one at 5, 15, and 25K.  There were water stops every 2 or 3 miles and Terese had a bottle of Perpetuem for late in the race.  I didn’t warm up much, the plan was to go out slow and ease into things.  I knew things would be tough late in the race due to the fact that I did not do enough long runs.  The race started at 11am and about 400 of us were off to circumnavigate the reservoir.  I went out slow… well slower than normal (6:53).  I slowed it down a bit and started clicking off the miles.    I went through 10K in 46 minutes and felt good.  I pushed through the next 10K in 47minutes.  I felt great up till about 16 miles.  Around there I could start to feel my hamstrings tightening.  I was hit with two cramps in the last half mile, that slowed me to a walk for a few steps. I finished in 2:28 with 53 minutes for the last 10K.  I was right at the pace I wanted to run.  I was happy with the race considering my limited long runs.  Later in the race Terese was accompanied by our friends Jess and Ed, and I heard many people when I got back into Clinton. It was great to have all the support out there along the course. Thanks everyone the cheering really helps when you're hurting!