Westerly, RI
Sunday, April 15, 2018
The 37th annual edition of Clamdigger would not be a warm one. Just the previous day we hit a high for the year of 61 degrees, whereas today the temps were in the high 30s with high wind. The first smart decision we made was to hold pre and post registration inside rooms in the town beach pavilion. Usually registration is held outside on the deck, but with the cold and wind whipping as we're exchanging registration forms and money, that would not have worked well.
The next challenge was a report that our course markers down in Weekapaug were blowing over in the wind. Unfortunately, the person who set up the markers could not stick around for race time and go on the course as his grandson was waiting for him. Now what?! I drove up to the storage to get orange trail markers and place them on the course near our wooden signs in case more blew over. We were able to shore up the signs against rocks, etc., but in some cases that meant they weren't front and center on the road the way we like them.
Was just finishing setting out flags when I got a call that the Westerly PD wanted to talk to me about some logistics on the race. Got back to the race start, where I was told we had two cruisers to put where we wanted, so I opted for one to lead the race out, and the second one to park with flashing lights at the 5K/5-Mile split and after the last runner went by, to trail the 5-Mile runners. Had scarcely time for a short jog in the beach parking lot when I was told it was time to give pre-race remarks. Kept my remarks brief, having learned over the years that few listen, but emphasized mostly that the 5K/5-Mile split would be just before the bridge where a police cruiser with flashing lights would be parked. I said it should be simple (but it never is): where you see the police cruiser, if you're running 5K, turn left; 5-Mile go straight. Also explained when you finish, turn into the beach parking lot and follow the cones to the finish. (Post-race, I heard some found it confusing at the 5K/5-Mile split, as well as some not knowing to turn into the beach parking lot where we had cones and flags at the finish, so I give up.)
Mile 1: Lined up, and the race went off. I'm in the 5K division. Normally there's a bunch of runners up front that I know, especially from the club, but today that was not to be. Tommy and Mikey were running Boston tomorrow, Vuono usually runs back-to-back Clamdigger AND Boston, but wasn't here today, Jonny was in Bahamas, Chris away on vacation. A guy in blue led out, and quickly a guy in all black with the words "Trainer" on the back of his shirt, and a tall teen went by, and the two of them established the lead. It was tough going into 20mph headwind, but I eventually passed the guy in blue and followed a ways behind Trainer and the teen. First mile 6:32. Ugh! Is this what my increase age and added pounds is doing?
Mile 2: Shortly after Mile 1, we come on the course split with the police cruiser parked at the intersection. Both the teen and Trainer turn left on the 5K course, but at the last minute with WTAC Pres Steve yelling, Trainer turns back and continues on the 5-Miler. Good - it's only the teen ahead of me. Quickly got to the cone turnaround (I hate these, but couldn't find a better alternative when making the course), and the teen's gap on me is narrowing. Reaching back to Atlantic Ave for the stretch home, I caught right up to the teen, and passed him around Mile 2. Is he coming back for me? 6:19. Better. A little.
Mile 3: Concerned that the teen was coming back for me, I pushed it as I could on Atlantic Ave. I ran in the middle of the road, as there were still a number of runners on their outbound leg coming at me. That actually helped this go by faster. The mile went by pretty quickly, both mentally and literally. 5:49 for the 3rd mile split.
Final results: 19:21. 1st overall. Full results.
Certainly the first race I've won in several years. While in some ways I guess I should be excited about that, it's also the slowest 5K road race I've run in many years. I hope more of that slowness is due to the headwinds and less due to inevitably getting older and slower. I won't have a better gauge on that until I run more 5Ks this year. I am glad that this year we didn't have the 18" giant trophy awarded to the winners.
As to the race itself, very happy that we had 198 entrants (158 registrants), especially given the less than optimal weather. On the downsides, we had issues with this year's chowder (both the quality and not being able to get it hot enough), and we had several people go off course and drag more with them. Not our best Clamdigger this year for sure, but I'm confident we'll make it better next year.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
The 37th annual edition of Clamdigger would not be a warm one. Just the previous day we hit a high for the year of 61 degrees, whereas today the temps were in the high 30s with high wind. The first smart decision we made was to hold pre and post registration inside rooms in the town beach pavilion. Usually registration is held outside on the deck, but with the cold and wind whipping as we're exchanging registration forms and money, that would not have worked well.
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| So nice to be able to have a facility where we could have registration indoors today! I made sure to thank the town officials again for letting us use the beach pavilion and offices. |
The next challenge was a report that our course markers down in Weekapaug were blowing over in the wind. Unfortunately, the person who set up the markers could not stick around for race time and go on the course as his grandson was waiting for him. Now what?! I drove up to the storage to get orange trail markers and place them on the course near our wooden signs in case more blew over. We were able to shore up the signs against rocks, etc., but in some cases that meant they weren't front and center on the road the way we like them.
Was just finishing setting out flags when I got a call that the Westerly PD wanted to talk to me about some logistics on the race. Got back to the race start, where I was told we had two cruisers to put where we wanted, so I opted for one to lead the race out, and the second one to park with flashing lights at the 5K/5-Mile split and after the last runner went by, to trail the 5-Mile runners. Had scarcely time for a short jog in the beach parking lot when I was told it was time to give pre-race remarks. Kept my remarks brief, having learned over the years that few listen, but emphasized mostly that the 5K/5-Mile split would be just before the bridge where a police cruiser with flashing lights would be parked. I said it should be simple (but it never is): where you see the police cruiser, if you're running 5K, turn left; 5-Mile go straight. Also explained when you finish, turn into the beach parking lot and follow the cones to the finish. (Post-race, I heard some found it confusing at the 5K/5-Mile split, as well as some not knowing to turn into the beach parking lot where we had cones and flags at the finish, so I give up.)
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| The start. In today's cold and windy weather, very few were wearing shorts and singlets. In fact, I think WTAC'er Cliff and I were the only ones. |
Mile 1: Lined up, and the race went off. I'm in the 5K division. Normally there's a bunch of runners up front that I know, especially from the club, but today that was not to be. Tommy and Mikey were running Boston tomorrow, Vuono usually runs back-to-back Clamdigger AND Boston, but wasn't here today, Jonny was in Bahamas, Chris away on vacation. A guy in blue led out, and quickly a guy in all black with the words "Trainer" on the back of his shirt, and a tall teen went by, and the two of them established the lead. It was tough going into 20mph headwind, but I eventually passed the guy in blue and followed a ways behind Trainer and the teen. First mile 6:32. Ugh! Is this what my increase age and added pounds is doing?
Mile 2: Shortly after Mile 1, we come on the course split with the police cruiser parked at the intersection. Both the teen and Trainer turn left on the 5K course, but at the last minute with WTAC Pres Steve yelling, Trainer turns back and continues on the 5-Miler. Good - it's only the teen ahead of me. Quickly got to the cone turnaround (I hate these, but couldn't find a better alternative when making the course), and the teen's gap on me is narrowing. Reaching back to Atlantic Ave for the stretch home, I caught right up to the teen, and passed him around Mile 2. Is he coming back for me? 6:19. Better. A little.
Mile 3: Concerned that the teen was coming back for me, I pushed it as I could on Atlantic Ave. I ran in the middle of the road, as there were still a number of runners on their outbound leg coming at me. That actually helped this go by faster. The mile went by pretty quickly, both mentally and literally. 5:49 for the 3rd mile split.
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| Finishing up, with a comfortable lead over the 2nd place finisher (in blue behind me). |
Final results: 19:21. 1st overall. Full results.
Certainly the first race I've won in several years. While in some ways I guess I should be excited about that, it's also the slowest 5K road race I've run in many years. I hope more of that slowness is due to the headwinds and less due to inevitably getting older and slower. I won't have a better gauge on that until I run more 5Ks this year. I am glad that this year we didn't have the 18" giant trophy awarded to the winners.
As to the race itself, very happy that we had 198 entrants (158 registrants), especially given the less than optimal weather. On the downsides, we had issues with this year's chowder (both the quality and not being able to get it hot enough), and we had several people go off course and drag more with them. Not our best Clamdigger this year for sure, but I'm confident we'll make it better next year.
I wondered what you were asking about. I was in the back, as my mother pointed out probably Faith and I gabbing and not running fast or paying attention, most moms are good for ego stroking this shocked the shit out of me as my mom is NOT one of those moms. I did notice the signs knocked over on the 5 mile course and had no idea about the course as this was the first time I was ever able to run this race, we could see the people ahead of us and random flags and just trusted them, plus we both knew how to get back to the start if things went totally pear shaped. Perhaps years of running in the woods and getting lost and finding a way out helped? As for the food, I don't eat until well after a race, nothing appeals to me, even with my conservative pace. Steve and Kevin did seem a little concerned about the frozen chowder.
ReplyDeleteAll lessons learned for the next time. It was nice when there was more of a catering service along with the chowder, but these things happen, right? It isn't personal it is what it is. You are kind and apologetic about what the club is at fault for and I believe that goes a long way in people returning to this race and to others. There are races I won't run, even though I have free entries (no shit I actually did place once!) because of the race director and the organization, period.
Nice race, it was brutal on the way out, but it was nice to have that slight push towards the finish, glad you were able to take advantage of it.
Thanks Beth! Sometimes I'm too close to a race or course to realize things that could or do go wrong, hence my asking a number of people (including you) more detailed questions. All in the spirit of making improvements where possible.
DeleteI think we all know a race director or two that when things go wrong, they will blame any one (including runners) and anything but themselves. I don't want to be that RD. To your point, two runners e-mailed me to say that they really appreciated my apology and overall response, and that they will be back next year, and three others responded to say they enjoyed the race.