Bottone Mile 2018

Nick Bottone Mile
Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Race background:  The Nick Bottone Track Mile was conceived on a muggy summer evening in 1993 at the Westerly High School track.  The mile format, with multiple heats, continued every year* through 2017, with some editions at Westerly High School and others at Stonington High School.  (Note:  the 2009 event was cancelled due to track flooding.) 

Declining attendance:  As shown in the graph below, the numbers really declined, especially from 2010 on.  It is often difficult to pinpoint the direct causes for declining race participation, and over the last few years, on multiple occasions, numerous efforts were made at restoring a higher number of participants.  These included:

• Moving the race from mid-July to June (when hopefully the track wouldn't be so hot)
• Changing the day of the week (from Tuesday to Friday to Wednesday)
• Heavy promotion
• Incorporating and promoting as part of Fun Run series

Time for a change:  The changes did not pay off.  In fact, the 2017 edition saw a record low 26 runners in the mile, despite multiple efforts.  It was time for a change.  We moved the mile from track to road, placed as last run in Fun Run series, and finally, this change was successful!

 The 2018 race: course  The "easy" route would be to take the 1-mile course of the Fun Run and run that.  In fact, that's what many thought we were doing. With eight turns that seemed to constantly having you turning, while any road course will be slower than a track, the eight turn road route was far from optimal.

Less turns, longer straightaways, faster course.

My sister-in-law and three year old niece finishing up the Kids' Run.

Race time:  A record 93 runners toed the line!  I had the unpleasant task as RD of removing one runner who despite repeated warnings that people need to register for the free race, sign a waiver, and wear a bib, he wanted to argue with me.  After that minor unpleasant dialogue, with bib numbers arranged in ascending order by self-seed times, I seeded the starting positions for the fastest 10 runners.  Given that we would have only heat, and the race is only one mile, that seemed to me the fairest thing to do.

Too many little ones in front and the faster guys (and gals)
stuck behind.

Much better after reseeding the front line.

And we're off...

SNERRO started the race and we all took it out towards Atlantic Ave for the quick turns before the long Crandall stretch.  I had entered a projection time for myself of 6-flat, but I really had no idea what to expect.  My PR is 5:10, but that's on the track and 8 years ago.  Factor in almost no running in the last two months, and zero speedwork, who knows.  Is 6-minutes even realistic?

1/4 mile in on Crandall Avenue I was feeling pretty good.  Watch showed 5:45 pace or so.  There wasn't a lot of jockeying for positions around me.  I passed WHS runner John Turo on the long straightaway and he passed me back just before the turn.  I glanced at my watch at the turn and my average pace had slowed to 5:59.  Ugh.  I would really, really like to finish just sub 6-minutes.  About .4 miles to go, stop looking at the watch and and just pick it up and hang on to the finish.

Finishing up, one second ahead of John Turo.

Just before the final turn, I re-passed John Turo and sprinted it to the finish line.  Colby Makin and Brandy LeClair were ahead of me, but I wasn't catching them.

Final results:  5:43!!  11th overall.  Given my injury and lack of preparation, I was stoked.  Full results here.

With my partner in crime.
Does that singlet make me look fat(ter)?

Weekly Post 13-Aug to 19-Aug-2018

Monday:  5
Met with up T5K for a Stonington XC reconaissance.  Most of the course was in good shape, but there were two areas that will need some chainsaw action.

After hitting up Stonington, it was off to Wahaneeta for round 3 of my battles against wasps.  I believe the third time was the charm.  I didn't realize until yesterday's visit that there were two wasp nests instead of one.  And then I didn't realize until this morning's visit that there were three wasp nests instead of two.  I took perverse pleasure in watching the wasps die and fall to the ground.  With all three wasp nests sprayed and killed, and no more wasps flying around (finally!), I knocked down all three nests, inspected and re-sprayed all the eaves and by George, I think we got them.  How fitting that today in RI is Victory Day, that odd holiday holdover from World War II.  Today victory was mine.

Various pieces of different wasp nests

You will not sting me again

Close-ups of my departed friends top right and lower left.  Good riddance.

Tuesday:  8
Run #1:  Warm-up with Matthew in Mystic.  Matthew was running a hill run (8 x Mistuxet hill), so I figured I'd come along for the ride and company, albeit at a slower pace.  After a short warm-up on the Groton side of the river, it was time for the hills.   I got through three and was done.  The hill was only 70' of elevation gain, but two issues thwarted me:  1) I was winded at the top, 2) hip/nerve bothering me when descending steep section of hill.

Run #2:  Final Stonington Fun Run of the year.  :(  Was afraid I wouldn't be able to run the agreed-upon 7:30 pace with Matthew, but I somehow felt better on this second run and we ran an average 7:00 pace.

Wednesday:  1
One glorious mile.  Bottone Mile, same as it never was.  Separate write-up to follow.

Thursday:  7
Burlingame trails with Matthew and Keith, before both head off to their respective colleges next week.  They were both kind enough to let the old man tag along, so I did my best not to slow them down.  In the first two miles I felt like I was sucking wind and breathing like a dinosaur, but eventually as the trails became more undulating and technical, I actually felt better.  Weird?  No issues at all today!  I know I have a ways to go on my recovery, but this was encouraging!  A refreshing dip in Watchaug Pond was a great post-run treat.

Friday:  6
Another running day with Matthew.  My days of running with him this summer are numbered as he goes off to college next Tuesday.  Sweaty, shirtless shakeout in Watch Hill ending with a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Saturday:  7
Wahaneeta Trail 5K Race.  Separate write-up forthcoming.

Sunday:  0 run, 17 ride
The usual route of late, out to Watch Hill, along the shore to Weekapaug, and a coffee at the Inlet.  Only it started raining pretty good right at the start of the ride, and I was quickly drenched.  Well, we're out there now, so might as well continue.  Fortunately, the rain let up a bit.  Today's coffee was hot for a change, due to the cooler and wet weather.

Weekly mileage:
Run:  34
Ride:  17

Weekly synopsis:  Highest mileage week since the injury in early June!  I was actually thinking of running on Sunday as well to get 40 miles, but chasing miles for me isn't a good strategy.  That would have meant running all 7 days this week, plus almost a 50% increase in mileage.  The only time I had true hip/nerve pain this week was on a steep downhill, and much of the time now I forget about any discomfort while running because it's so mild now.  I need to remind myself to keep doing the PT exercises that I don't like to do, as my core, hamstrings, and balance are all quite poor at present.

Weekly highlight:  Success of the Bottone Mile (both the race as a whole from my RD standpoint, as well as being able to run faster than I had imagined at 5:43).

Weekly lowlight:  Hip/nerve pain on steep downhill reinforced that I'm not ready for steep hills or mountains yet.

Weekly Post: 6-Aug to 12-Aug-2018

Monday:  0

Tuesday:  7
Stonington Fun Run.  4-mile warm-up with Matthew, and then ran the Fun Run itself with Josh.

Wednesday:  3
Final Westerly Fun Run of the season.  With my injury, this was ironically the first one I was able to run since June.  Sad to see these end.  Average pace:  6:32; happy with that.

Thursday:  0
PT session.  Got some new exercises that are stepping it up for me.  Hopping with one foot up onto a low stool and then off is hard enough on my good foot, but on my right foot near impossible without losing my balance and falling.  This will take some time and concentrated effort.  PT sessions and evaluations starting to slow down; next one in three weeks.  No restrictions anymore on speed or distance, but the usual good advice to take it smart, back off when it hurts, and ramp up the mileage gradually.

Friday:  0
Sore

Saturday:  5 run, 2 walk
Parked early at WLT's Barlow Preserve, and 4 miles trails, 1 mile road.  Drenching rain.

Followed this up with meeting Muddy for clearing of Wahaneeta's course in advance of next Saturday's trail race.  Pretty generous of Muddy, especially given that he won't even able to make the race.  Post course clearing, I went back solo at the Land Trust request to check on a wasp nest in the outhouse that was recently sprayed.  Sounds fine.  I went to inspect and unfortunately before I could find the nest area, the wasps found me.  A swarm came after me, and I sprinted away, but not before four of those pests stung me.  THIS IS WAR!  I waited (afar) for them to calm down and now knowing where the nest is, assaulted with what was left of a nearby wasp spray can.  The nest they are rebuilding is pretty big!  Today I lost the battle, but at least not the war.

The rain stopped in time for Matthew's graduation party.
The 22' waterslide was a big hit, even for big kids like me.

Sunday:  9
Gazelle vs The Wasps, Round Two:  First headed to Wahaneeta to rid the outhouse of the wasps to save anyone else from getting stung.  (Ostensibly, looking out for the welfare of other runners is my magnanimous impetus, but the real reason is a personal vendetta to seek revenge against those pests for stinging me yesterday.)    This time I was prepared, or was I?  I snuck up on them in early morning and then double-fisted a blow of contact-killing wasp spray from a spray can in each hand.  I soaked and covered the nest with contact killing foam, and delighted in seeing the demise of their drenched nest as it fell apart and dropped piece by piece to the ground.  I was about to walk away and claim victory, just as a hubbub of wasp activity suddenly ensued and I incredulously watched a good dozen or so still alive and flying towards me.  I ran again and this time was NOT stung.  How could they survive?  When they calmed down and I studied where they were flying to/from, I discovered there was a SECOND wasp nest.  Ugh.  I would call today's battle a draw.  The saga continues ...

After the conclusion of today's wasp battle, I drove to Dave's Coffee in Charlestown and parked on the side street to commence my run.  My dessert (a vanilla iced coffee) would be my needed carrot to complete the run in the event I became recalcitrant in the hazy, hot, and humid weather.  Ran the West Beach, Central Beach, and East Beach neighborhoods and beaches in a 7:20 pace, and generally felt comfortable.  My usual hip/butt discomfort was there a few times, but uncharacteristically was not pervasive throughout the fun.  Got back to Dave's Coffee a smelly, disgusting mess, and was literally dripping sweat as I waited in line.  That iced coffee (which they readied once they saw me) was heavenly.

Weekly Mileage Totals:  24 run, 2 walk

Weekly Synopsis:  While slightly lower than last week's 28, I expect it to ebb and flow a bit and everything is moving in the right direction.

Weekly Highlight:  Running the Fun Run at a 6:32 pace.  And the waterslide, of course.

Weekly Lowlight:  Yeah, the wasps.  Damn it.

Weekly Post: 30-Jul to 5-Aug-2018 - Maine Vacation!

Ah, vacation.  It’s what we live for, right?  A well-deserved respite away from the daily grind of work, not having to dress up, being able to wear shorts and running shirts every day, no schedule to follow, perhaps some down time with family or friends, and maybe going away to a fun place.  For me, the ideal vacation is spending some time in the great outdoors, preferably in a new locale.  We have had two back-to-back awesome summer family vacations (Alaska in ’17 and Iceland in ’16).  This year with so much money going into needed house repairs, the prudent approach was to slash vacation costs and make it a driving/camping vacation. 

Cape Breton Highlands National Park (northern tip of Nova Scotia) was my original thought, but even that takes some money with the ferry crossing from Maine, so that will have to stay on my bucket list for now.

Monday:  5

Let the vacation begin!  Drove up to Camden, Maine. 

After setting up the campsite, Matthew and I went for a run around the campground (Camden Hills State Park).  I was already winded from the hills in the campground, but after our “warmup”, we started the ascent up Mount Battie Auto Road.  1.2 miles and about 700’ of climbing, with two relatively steep sections.  Matthew waited for me at the top, and after a short climb up the tower and taking in the views, back down it was.  Matthew rocketed down the auto road, while I tried hard to back off and run a manageable pace that wouldn’t exacerbate the nerve issue.  Caught up with Matthew at the bottom (only “caught up” because he stopped for 5 minutes or so), and then we took it leisurely for the rest of the run.

Went to dinner at a seafood place in Lincolnville, ME,
and ate outside taking in the salt air.  Fantastic.

Back at the campsite.  First time camping in about three
years.  Just fun and relaxing to be in the outdoors.

Who doesn't love a good campfire?

 Tuesday:  3

So nice to sleep in without any alarm!  Woke up in the tent about 7am and lingered for a bit before going out to run.  Up until now, I’ve been under “orders” from my physical therapist to run no more than every day, but now I can slowly try to ramp it up.  First time I’ve run two days in a row since the injury in early June.  Easy two miles with Jana, and then an easy solo mile.

After a leisurely breakfast and breaking camp, we went into Camden (one of my favorite towns in Maine) and then to Lake Megunticook for a swim.  Spent a week here most summers of my childhood.  Love swimming in the colder waters of Maine lakes.  Headed north to Baxter State Park for the first time in my life.  Route 95 is pretty much deserted and isolated north of Bangor.  Speed limit is 75mph.  After reaching the Togue Pond Gate at Baxter State Park entrance and checking in, it was a long six miles on a dusty washboard dirt road to get up to Abol Campground, where I had booked the only remaining site, a lean-to.  Ranger Dave checked us into the campground, and we cooked dinner on a charcoal grill and propane stove, before sitting around the fire, where I’m now typing my blog on my 5-year old temperamental Surface.   (There’s no cell service for miles, so I’m typing into Word to post later.)

No paved roads, electricity, or plumbing out here in the wilderness.
This cold clear running stream 50' from the campsite would be our source
of water for tonight's stay.

Tonight's sleeping quarters.  Comfy.

Our campsite at Abol.

One of the few things I don't like about my "new" car is the
dearth of space as compared to my old Volvo wagon.
Fortunately I was able to add cross-bars and put my cargo
box on top of the car to carry much of the camping equipment.

Wednesday:  11 mile hike - Mt Katahdin!
There is a time cutoff of 7am for getting to trailhead parking lots in Baxter State Park.  Add in the maximum 20mph on long, winding dirt roads in the park, time for making breakfast and packing up camp, and that meant an early start.  It was a nice 55 degrees when I got up at 5:30am.  Shortly after driving out of the campsite, I thought Matthew was joking when he said he saw a moose in Stump Pond on the side of the road.  No, there she is!

Magnificent moose having her own breakfast

After 16 miles traveling a bumpy dirt road
(from Abol campground to Roaring Brook),
we were ready to exit the car, sign in, and start our hike.

Trail intersections were very well marked.  Our route up would be via
Helon Taylor Trail, and return via Saddle Trail/Chimney Pond.

Matthew had to wait often for his elderly parents
to catch up.  In my defense, you can see at points in the
trail (such as this photo), it was getting really hard
for me to push my walker uphill.

One of many times that I got stuck behind "Jeans Boy".
At this point he looked at the rock incredulously, let out a "WTF",
but somehow figured out how to get up.
At twenty-something, he should be scrambling up these
rocks, but instead the only thing he mastered was non-stop whining and heavy breathing.

Who hikes in jeans?!  Even in northern Maine, the temperature warmed up quickly, and that combined with the sun and climb-inducing sweat made me glad I opted for shorts and a tech shirt.  After one-half mile of easy walking along the Roaring Brook (and it lived up to its name!), we turned off on to the Helon ("Heel-on") Taylor trail, named after a former Baxter State Park supervisor, and the trail got more technical and certainly more steep.

Snack/water break once we got above tree-line

Yes, this is the trail (blue marking), and yes, it's
getting progressively harder.

Jana, just below summit of Pamola Peak,
looking back from where we came

On top of Pamola Peak, now looking at our final ascent,
via Knife Edge (left to right, with Baxter Peak about one o'clock)

This sign is a little weathered, but legible.
1.1 miles to go, but it would be the slowest mile of the whole hike by far, taking
about an hour.

And here's why it will be slow!
(Matthew starting Knife Edge)

So steep that even Matthew is using his hands for
balance here.

Slow going through boulders up the Knife Edge.
It was getting pretty windy up here exposed.

 At a little over 3 hours of moving time and 4,200+' ascent, we made it!  Quite a few people at the top, most having lunch like us (Jana had made sandwiches on grinder rolls the night before), discussing their hike, and taking in the views.  Matthew had arrived earlier than us (of course he had!), and was pointing out a guy about 30 who had just finished up his Appalachian Trail through-hike from Georgia!  His parents were there, and had accompanied him on the last climb.  On the top, there is a plaque recognizing former Maine governor Percival Baxter's donation of the land in 1931 to the State of Maine, with awesome conditions codified into state law, including:

• "shall forever be used for public park and recreational purposes"
• "shall forever be left in the natural wild state"
• "shall forever be kept as a sanctuary for wild beasts and birds"
• [my favorite:] "no roads or ways for motor vehicles shall hereafter ever be constructed therein or thereon"



Katahdin:  had long been on my bucket list, well worth the hike.

In my simplistic boiled down interpretation, if you are standing here at Baxter Peak, you earned your stay here.  No roads, no trains, no chairlifts; you hiked it.  It wasn't easy, but you did it.  No one is here in flip-flops and no one is waiting for a tourist van to drive them back to the base of the mountain.  No deference to the fine state of New Hampshire and our region's highest peak of Mount Washington, but when you stand atop the mighty Katahdin (Abenaki for "the greatest mountain") and you gaze out on the Maine wilderness, with the exception of the weathered wood sign atop Pamola Peak, you see no signs of human civilization in any direction.  No roads are visible, nor buildings, nor other man-made artifacts.  Peaceful and awe-inspiring.

Thursday:  5 run, 4 hike, 1/4 swim
Ran in Lamoine State Park, including run down to Lamoine Beach Park.  Completely winded and beat from yesterday's hike.  Showered and headed into Acadia National Park for the day, where I had more enjoyable activities:

Beehive hike:  Matthew on cliff

Beehive hike:  Sand Beach at Atlantic Ocean in distance
awaits me

55F water temp in Atlantic Ocean did not stop me from running and diving in.
So refreshing!

Hike #2:  Boulder field on the Precipice Trail

View from the top of Precipice Trail on
Champlain Mountain

Friday:  5 run, 2 hike, 1/4 swim
AM:  Hiked Beech Mountain from Echo Lake.  By the time we broke camp, and got breakfast, we had a rather late morning start.  It was already in the mid-80s, so I opted for my thinnest of singlets for the hike.  Quite a few people on this hike.  We got stuck behind a bunch of people on the iron rung ladders, but were able to get past them once on more traditional trails.  Followed up the hike with a dip in Echo Lake, before hitting the road.

Packing up camp for the final time.  I think some of us need to
have sleeping bag rollup class.

Beech Mountain hike:
Matthew waiting at the top of one
of the iron runs

Beech Cliffs:
looking down at Echo Lake beach (to Matthew's left),
where post-hike swimming awaits us

Views from the top of Beech Mountain

PM:  Maudslay Park, Newburyport, MA.  I was getting sleepy on the drive home from Maine, and this was a nice break to wake me up.  Had never even heard of this place before, but Matthew looked it up and found it.  The skies opened up on the way back, and we got drenched.  Back in the parking lot, I just stood in the downpour for a couple of minutes to wash off, before changing into dry clothes for the ride home.

Saturday:  3
We got home very early Saturday morning, somewhere around 12:30am.  Straight to bed and crashed right away.  By the time I got out for a run, I ran into rainstorms again.  Ran in Wahaneeta for the first time in a few months.  Trails in good shape; hopefully the bugs will be gone for the race in 2 weeks.  5 DFKs.

Sunday:  5
Run 4 Kerri.  This was the 17th edition of the race honoring Kerri Bessette, a SK runner who died tragically from meningitis in her college freshman year in 2001.  Pre-race I caught up with Dave Schaad, who told me he had run every single edition of Kerri.  I believe that Mike Crutchley has as well.  I certainly don't have the impressive run that either of the two of them have, but I have run many of the years at Kerri, with my 4-mile PR coming in this race at the age of 51 (23:43).

Just before the start with long time running friends.

Today I would not get close to this pace (5:56), but I had my sights on my first sub-7 run since my injury in early June.  Lined up about 8 rows back and went out at about 6:45 pace.  It was very hot today, but one of the few advantages of recovering is that if you're not going 100% racing, then you're not suffering like the majority of runners out there. 

Other than the sun blinding me, feeling pretty
good on Cards Pond Road at about Mile 2

I ran fairly consistent paces through the first three miles (6:44, 6:43, 6:47).  Starting about 1 mile in, others around me were slowing down and although I just kept the same pace, I started passing a lot of runners and none passed me for the remainder of the race.  That was kind of neat.  So what happened in Mile 4?  Fell apart, right?  No, that was the expectation I had for myself, especially with the uphill run, but I felt pretty good and picked it up a little bit to run a 6:28 mile. 

Steady finish.  Form even looks decent compared to
my usual slumping it in.

Final results:  26:49, 46th out of 456, even grabbed a 3rd place in age group.  Nothing to write home about, but this was my fastest run since the injury two months ago, so I was psyched!  Full results here.

We got to take home some loot today.  Left to right:
Matthew keeping his distance from this questionable crew.
Chris could add a pound or two.
The fat guy on the end could lose a few.  Maybe I can transfer some to Chris?

Later that day:  Finished out the week very happy to save this scared critter
from the blades of the riding mower as he slithered out
just as I cut the engine

Weekly mileage:  
Run 28  Inching up
Hike 17 miles!  Legs are sore
Swim 1/2

Weekly synopsis:  Just a really fun and cool vacation in the state of Maine.  On a national level, Maine is quite small (12th smallest state in the US), but it's obviously the largest state in New England and really offers quite a diverse mix of terrain and features.
The hikes were really fun, and certainly conquering Katahdin was the highlight.  On the run side, both the mileage and pace are slowly improving.  Hoping to see some improved results when I go back to PT next week.  So, no how matter how you slice it, a great week!

Weekly Log 23-Jul to 29-Jul-2018: Blessing of the Fleet

Monday:  10 ride
Easy solo AM ride in the fog in Misquamicut.

Tuesday:  1 walk, 5 run
Walked and wheel-measured the new Bottone Mile course with Paul.  August 15, free, but please pre-register online if you're coming.  Interest in a track mile had dropped way off, so after 24 years on the track, we're switching to a road format.  We'll see how this goes.

Since I had the day off and everyone was still sleeping,
I continued just a little further down to Weekapaug, got an iced coffee
and walked across the street to enjoy it at the breachway.
Pondered retirement and how I imagine it.

Off to a somewhat annual family trip to Beavertail State Park, that we take around my birthday every year.  My great-aunt often told me that she doesn't want or need any more physical gifts, but would just like to spend time with us.  Not sure I appreciated that then, but I do now.  Anyhow, took the day off, as Mark is returning to Florida tomorrow.  Enjoyed a lunch on the grass, playing on the rocks, and some frisbee with Mark and Matthew.  Missing from this year's trip were a visit to the Beavertail native aquarium (it was closed due to roof damage) and a swim.

Leaving aside the religious quote, I thought that this hand-painted
rock was really neat.  Surprised that someone just left it behind on
the seawall.

Picture is too dark, but probably one of the few family pics we'll have of the
four of us together in 2018.  Tempus fugit.

PM:  Ran the Stonington Fun Run, plus 2 miles warm-up, for 5 total.

Wednesday:  3/4 mile swim
Solo swim at Watchaug Pond.  Felt really good.  When I finished up, and elderly lady in the water (she was in a group of 3 doing some kind of exercise and clearly enjoying the social time) came up to me and said something to the effect of "That was quite the swim.  I used to be a lifeguard and had my eye on you the whole time.  You were doing everything right with your strokes."  She was either being overly kind, or her eyesight wasn't too good, but either way, it made my morning.

Brought Mark up to Green Airport for his flight back to Florida.  He won't be back until Thanksgiving now.  Sigh.  I'm actually doing better with it the more times he comes and goes, but I foolishly told him on the ride up that I wish someday he returns to RI to live, to which he retorted, "Dad, there's a 100% chance that I will never live in RI again.".  Soul-crushing.

So many international destinations with a cheap direct flight from RI now.
Definitely interested in any of these for a future trip.

Thursday:  0, PT only
John Ward asked me not to do any other activities on PT days.  I thought I was progressing nicely (which I still think I am overall) until he had me stand with one foot on the edge of a 6" high wooden box, then gradually lower my other foot and back up.  Repeat 10 times.  Piece of cake.
OK, now switch feet.  Stood on my "bad leg", started to lower the other foot, and the knee on the bad leg instantly buckled inward, and my body collapsed towards the floor as I let out a profanity.  (I apologized to the staff and other patients, but they didn't care.)  I have some definite weaknesses I need to work on, and came away with a new set of exercises to be done 3x/weekly.  It may sound silly, but after this 30-minute PT session, I left exhausted.

Friday:  1 walk, 10 run
The Blessing!  No Mikey joining us this time around, as he and a number of other WTAC'ers would be missing this edition, due to injuries, other plans, etc.  My warm-up would ended up being a 1.2 mile walk, as with this injury, it's just so hard to start running again after I've stopped.

Mile 1:  I had bib #27 tonight, which means I'm entitled to start in the front corral (anything less than 100).  I debated starting way back, as I was intending to run 7:30 pace or just under, but I took Mikey's advice and started in the front (maybe 5th row back) instead of weaving in and out of people.  The gun went off, and I thought I was doing a good job holding back until 1/2 mile in when I saw I was running 6:20 pace.  Ugh.  Backed way off, but still finished Mile 1 in 6:48.  Saw Jana and then my Mom spectating.

About 1/2 mile in:  Can you find me in this picture?
Smack dab in the middle of ... not a single runner that I recognize.

Miles 2-4:  I got it a little better under control in Mile 2 (7:05), but then unwittingly picked it up again in Mile 3 (6:57).  Well, clearly 7:30 is not going to work, but how about 7:15?  At the beginning of Mile 4 on Ocean Road, someone called out to me.  It was Patrick Marcum, a LaSalle high school runner from Cumberland who came down to run one of our Pumpkins trail races.  He was injured as well, I fell into his pace talking to him and that slowed me a bit to 7:16.  Finally!

Miles 5-7:  My pace and run with Patrick fell off, as he said he was going to walk the hill up to 108.  Route 108 is always my most dreaded part of the race.  I was drenched by now from the humidity, but at least it had turned cloudy.  I went under every hose and sprinkler I could, and ran the next three miles pretty consistent at 7:01, 7:04, 7:01.

Mile 6:  Waving to Seb as I'm immensely proud of my awesome accomplishment here
of finally catching up to and passing my competition (the three ladies behind me).
Pic by Chris.

Miles 8-Finish:  Often I have a second wind in the last few miles, but I'm starting to get tired now, especially with my dearth of running over the past month.  Dave Principe calls out to me from the side of the road in the shaded neighborhood.  Normally I'm happy to see him NOT running Blessing :), but obviously this year doesn't matter.  I go back and forth with a few familiar runners in the last few miles, including new WTAC'er Eric Ciocca, Turtle Pat Quinn, and NRA's Peter Barbera.

... and we're done.  One of my slowest times ever,
but I got it done.

Full results.  Happy to finish my 16th straight Blessing.  Caught up with friends and frenemies briefly.  Tommy had to head out right after the race, then I talked with Michael Narcissi, Mike Daniels, a few of the Chariho guys, Mac Ordonio, Clay Howland, etc.  Hung around for awards ceremony, and this time it's all Matthew, taking 6th place overall, plus the age group win in a 55:30!  As for my time, trying to stay positive, it's actually faster than I thought and sought, with a 7:09 average pace for 1:11:29.  Next year, it's going to be different.  Next year, I tell you ...

Saturday:  0
Very sore from Blessing.

Sunday:  17 ride
Early morning coastal ride with Mike.  Iced coffee stop at the Innlet, Weekapaug.  Always a good time.  Soreness has dissipated.

Weekly mileage:
Run:  15
Ride:  27
Walk:  1
Swim:  0.75

Weekly synopsis:  So glad I was able to run the Blessing, and I wasn't nearly as dejected with my running time and performance as I feared.  Making gradual progress in my healing/recovery, but as you can see from the July 2017 to July 2018 comparison below, I have a ways to go to get anywhere near my former self:

July 2017:  Solid!

July 2018:  Ugly