Blessing of the Fleet 2022

 

Narragansett, RI

Friday, July 29, 2022

This would be my 20th consecutive running of the Blessing of the Fleet!  I've run it in extreme heat, thunderstorms with driving rain, while suffering from rheumatic issues, and even ran the virtual offering in 2020 just to keep the streak going.  Whatever 2022 threw at me during this race, I would not be missing it!

When asked for my time goal in this year's race, I tended to answer that anything sub-63 would be good, when my secret personal goal was really a PR (60:52 in 2015).  So how am I going to get there?  Well, since I'll probably run an extra 1/10 mile out on the course, that really means I'll have to run very close to a 6-flat average pace.  And given that I nearly always slow down a bit on the warmer sections on Route 108 (Miles 5 and 6), I'm going to need to "put some time in the bank" (something generally not recommended) and run closer to 5:50 in the first few miles.

Warm-up:  Arrived at the start with plenty of time (thanks to Jana chauffeuring me and her dealing with finding a parking spot) and leisurely went for a 1.5 mile warm-up.  Caught up with many runners pre-race.  This year, I actually remembered to bring my WTAC singlet, my race bib, and even water.  So far, so good.  It was hot (82°F is far from ideal racing temps), but not sunny and not terribly humid.

Front half:  The days of seeded bibs for the first 100 Blessing runners are unfortunately in the rear-view mirror, so I made sure to be at the starting line five minutes prior to the gun.  Lined up about four rows back, exchanged pleasantries with a few runners, invited teammate Dave in to my cramped and sweltering row, and basically waited for the gun to go off.

As usual once the gun went off, the chaos ensued.  I have learned in the first mile that you will push and get pushed and I am particularly focused on not going down, not getting tripped, and watching out for that sidewalk on the left side of the course as you race down South Pier Road in a thick sea of humanity.  Mile 1 split is a fast (for me) 5:45.  OK, faster than I was looking for; time to settle in.

About 1/2 mile into the race

In Mile 2, I see Dave Principe and Daniel Hawkins just ahead of me.  Both are faster than me, but I make a note to keep Dave at least in my sights, and that helps with the pacing.  Mile 2 split 5:59.  In Mile 3, I catch up to a group that both Principe and Hawkins are running in and run with that group for a while until it breaks up.  I am on the left side of the group and Principe on the far right, so I can't tell how he's doing, but Hawkins is failing the breathing test as he's breathing harder than me.  Mile 3 split 5:54.  OK, so far holding on to the plan with the first 3 miles sub-6.

In Mile 4, I go past Hawkins, but Principe goes ahead of me.  Mile 4 is always slightly slower for me, as we go past Scarborough Beach, and right for a short uphill on Knowlesway.  I definitely lose time here as I run a 6:13.

Mile 5 is often rough with the sun baking you on Route 108.  And unfortunately, the sun has come out now.  But I'm feeling good here and I run what I believe to be my fastest Mile 5 split ever at 5:56, passing Dave Principe in the process.  I know not to count him out, but still I'm optimistic half-way through the race as I am pretty much dead even with my 2015 PR race.

Back half:  Unfortunately my momentum slowed in Mile 6, in the second and final mile on Route 108, my least favorite part of the course.  Busy road, open sun, and hot.  I got re-passed by Dave Principe for the last time and slowed all the way to a 6:16 mile.  At this point, I was still optimistic that I could pick the pace up back close to 6-flat once I turned off 108, as I have sometimes gotten a second wind here, but alas this was not to be.  I felt like I was pushing hard, but the next three miles all came in slow at 6:11, 6:13, and mile 9 was my slowest at 6:20.  Yikes.  What's up with that?

Mile 10 is a fast mile, as 1) it's a gradual but net downhill, and 2) the anticipation of finishing gives me the motivation to nearly sprint.  I run what I believe is my fastest Mile 10 ever at 5:48, but after my slow Miles 6-9, it is not enough.

Sprint to the finish

Final result:  61:01, 2nd (to Principe) in age group out of 162, 73rd overall of 2,112.  Full results here.

Catching up with teammates post-race

I ended up finishing just nine seconds off my all-time PR, so I guess I can't complain too loudly.  I have every intention of coming back next year to have a go at it again.  That will be my final Blessing in my current age group, so while I'll welcome the opportunity to race in a new age group, I'm also cognizant that as I'm pushing sixty my PR chances are diminishing.

Speaking of age, on a positive note, I'm very happy on an age-adjusted basis to have run 3rd overall:

It may not be a perfect system, but it's the only age-grading we have,
and it gives me confidence.