Pie Run 2024

 

Middletown, RI

Thanksgiving Day 2024

This was my 4th time running in Newport County YMCA's annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Run.  Previous years running this race:

• 2016:  30:08
• 2019:  31:01
• 2022:  29:20

Picked up Keith and the four of us (including Brady and Jana) were off.  On the way over, Keith asked if I had a goal in mind.  I explained that just two years ago I ran 29:20, and said anything sub-30 I would be happy with.  When I asked him the same, he had a smarter answer of having A, B, and C goals.  I do often have those, but typically reserve that wider range for goal races (of which this was not one).

It was forecast to be raining and windy during the race, but when we arrived at the Newport County Y, we remarked that it didn't seem that bad.  Did we luck out?  Wishful thinking as we were still about 75 minutes before race start.  We got a really good parking spot almost in view of the start/finish line.  Wind was "only" 10mph as went for a warm-up run with Brady and Keith, and it was not raining (yet).

I went for a 2-mile run, and Keith continued on for another 2.  I had plenty of time to change into race gear, including singlet and NB NYC Marathon Elite V3 shoes.  Opted to go inside to use "real" bathrooms and stretch a bit, coming back outside with just ten minutes to go.  Ran a few strides and just two minutes before race start, Keith and I took off and handed our quarter-zips to Jana for safe keeping until the finish.

The timer motioned for us to move right up to the starting mats.  I noticed the timer was on oxygen, and I'm thinking this can't be good.  Unfortunately with a dog barking repeatedly, I couldn't hear any of the race instructions.  If there were any mention that we were about to start or a countdown, I didn't hear it, and all of a sudden a gun went off (I heard that!) and it was time to go.

Start of race.  In blue singlet and blue cap.

Mile 1:  Wind had increased to 13mph and just a few raindrops now.  As with many races, a bunch of runners blew past me at the start, and many of the them I had re-passed by the end of the mile.  Mile 1 split 6:03.  Not where I wanted to be, but it's still early.

Mile 2:  We continue out to Easton's point in a partial headwind.  I'm still passing a few people here, but feel like I'm barely moving.  Mile 2 split is a 6:18.  Yeah, this race is about over for me in terms of a sub-30 shot.

Mile 3:  Holy moly, headwind picked up with gusts of over 20mph as we head down Sachuest Point Road to the turnaround.  I see the lead trio heading back towards me.  This is rough.  6:21.

Mile 4:  Turned around and headed towards home.  We're with the wind now, but we do have a 100' climb up past St George's.  6:24.  

Mile 5:  Final mile downhill with the wind.  I actually pass a couple of runners here and have a fast 5:37 closing mile, but my race is shot.  

Finishing in light rain

Final result:  31:02, 15th of 667 overall, 1st in age group.  Full results here

Besides winning my age group, I was also the first 50+ today, and I was one second off from being 1st master.  But in terms of time goals, not only did I miss sub-30, I didn't break sub-31 even.  I try to rationalize this with the wind obviously a factor.

I am getting cold standing around in the wind and rain, so I head out immediately for a cool-down with Keith and Jacob Mageira (and Brady!).  Post cool-down, I take a hot shower at the YMCA, get my award for a 1st place age group finish, and we're out of there.

Age group award:
Sweet potato pie,
and a bag containing a winter hat
and a $15 gift card to Custom House

Stopped at Custom House on the way out to redeem our gift cards, but unfortunately they're closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Today's race didn't go my way, but weather was clearly a factor and I'll be back.