Blessing of the Fleet #22

Narragansett, RI

Friday, July 26, 2024

My 22nd consecutive Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile Race!  Having turned 60 exactly one week prior to the race, I had but one single goal for the race, which I have had in my sights for almost one year:

Blessing of the Fleet course records as of end of last year's race.
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It was the M60+ ("Veterans") course record that I would be going after.

I took it easy with my runs in the three days prior to the race, all while fretting about the weather and getting increasingly nervous about the race, especially in the final 24 hours.

Race day preparations:  I had picked up my bib the Saturday morning prior, right after swimming in the Waterman Eco-Challenge 1-Mile swim.  Because of a major blunder several years back where I left my bib at home and had to run around and start the race late (Yikes!), I had pinned my bib to my singlet days ago.  It's hard to forget your bib when it's pinned to your chest!

All day I ate healthy, drank lots of water, and avoided coffee, the sun, and spending much time at all on my feet.  "The waiting is the hardest part" comes to mind in marathons, and of course this was "only" 10 miles, but I felt Friday was a long day sitting around and counting down the hours and frequently re-visiting my race strategy. (more on that later)

At long last, it was 4:30pm, time to leave for Narragansett.  My routine for the final 90 minutes pre-race pretty much follows the same script every year, which is roughly:

• Jana drives me to the race start, getting as close as she can, when I get out of the car on South Pier Road.
• I catch up with a few runners I recognize near the start (this year it was my sister-in-law Caroline and niece Lucy, and fellow 60+ runner (7-continent marathoner!) Peter Barbera who asked why I couldn't be born two weeks later!).
• Off for an easy-warmup down to my secret* bathroom with flush toilets and running water.  I'll take a pass on the long, long lines for the porta-jon.  At the bathroom (*actually very public, just an advantage of local knowledge) there are ZERO people in front of me!
• I take my final sustenance, which today is a Honey Stinger waffle and a few sips of cold water.
• Finish off my warmup with a run back to the start, finishing off with a few short strides.
• Get to the starting line about ten minutes early, lining up in about fourth row.

Race strategy:  My plan was to front load (or "bank") some time in the first three miles with faster paces, from 5:50 to 6:00.  Then I naturally slow on Miles 4 and 6 especially, and after that I should have enough cushion to be able run the remaining miles 6:10 - 6:15, but can evaluate and adjust as needed.  Is this a recommended approach?  Absolutely not.  But I'm basing it off knowing me, the course, and having the run the Blessing 21 years in a row, looking at my splits and where they consistently slow down and pick up.

Mile 1:  I was lined up next to WTAC teammate Jared Dybas, with Tommy and Shara two rows directly behind us.  There was a clueless woman on the very front row who was wearing a heavy pack with water and let's just say didn't appear that she would be finishing anywhere near the front runners.  We moved to the right so she wouldn't be in our way once the gun went off, and then with little fanfare or notice, we were off.  One minute early, just like last year.

The first tenth of a mile or so can sometimes be downright dangerous with passing slower runners and being passed by runners sprinting out.  This year wasn't bad, as I passed two women quickly who didn't belong on the starting line, but no near collisions as I've sometimes had in the past, and that was it!

Best guess is this is on South Pier

Caught up to friendly rival Dave Principe (Sr) about 1/4 mile in, and said hello, and told him I'm NOT in his age group this year.  He replied, "Thank God!", and I said I was thinking the same.  I think he was just being humble, as he almost always beats me, especially in road races versus trails.  Then he asked me the "awkward" question:  "What are you looking to run today?".  I told him anything sub-62 I would be really happy with.  That was true, although I didn't explain I was really looking to run sub-61:55 as that would have required too much explaining.  He said he was looking to run about the same.

Pic by Jana, at about 0.5 miles in.  Dave Principe is just ahead
of me, and 1st woman just behind me.

Early on in the race, towards the end of Mile 1. 
You can see Dave P two runners behind me now, in light green singlet.

Just around the turn off South Pier and onto Ocean Road, I went every so slightly ahead of Dave.

Mile 1 split 5:46.  A little faster than planned, but it is net downhill.

Mile 2:  Mostly flat on Ocean Road.  I am very surprised to catch and pass Jared.  (I would later find out he ran into some issues during this race.)

Took my first water and feeling smooth.  Mile 2 split 5:55.

Mile 3:  Final full mile on Ocean Road, and final planned sub-6 mile.  All went accordingly to plan in a 5:51.  Feeling good!

Mile 4:  A slight amount of pressure is off, as I hit my first three miles all at a planned sub-6.  I can start to ease up just slightly, although the reality is my Mile 4 splits naturally slow.  As I ease up a bit, the lead woman goes past me.  Let her go; run your own race.

Happy to turn off of Ocean Road.  On the short uphill on Knowlesway, I see Chris Garvin on the left side of the road cheering me on.  In my peripheral vision, I can see at least one of his kids is with him, but when Jana later asked me which one(s), I really had no idea as I was focused straight ahead.  Mile 4 split 6:10.  OK, that's on pace for the plan!

Mile 4, on Knowlesway.
(Pic courtesy of Chris Garvin)

Mile 5:  We turn onto the dreaded Route 108, in full sun and 80°F.  Sure, the humidity is much less than last year, but it's still hot.  I really dislike this section of the course, for the open sun (on years when it's sunny obviously), the proximity to traffic (we have one lane plus the breakdown lane) and walkers clogging up sections (walkers start one hour early and historically this is where I catch them).  I surprise myself in Mile 5 with a split of 6:04.  Good stuff!

Mile 6:  The only full mile on Route 108, and it ends right as we turn off of Route 108.  Walkers are staying to the right, so I have no issue passing them, but as with last year's race they're clogging up the water stops on the right side, so I don't even try.  I know there's a water station at the start of Mile 7 that is more accessible, so I'll just wait for that.  Did I mention it's open sun here?  I am really feeling it, and I know I'll naturally slow here, but I'm disappointed to find my split is a slow 6:27.  Yes, this is the most uphill and most difficult mile for me always, but I thought maybe 6:15 - 6:20.  I'm worried I might not make it.

Mile 7:  As I turn off Route 108 onto the short section of Old Point Judith Road, a woman calls out to me that the shaded section starts here and that I'll be able to pick it back up again.  Fortunately, she's not wrong.  I'm still feeling hot from the open Route 108 section, but it does get better, especially turning onto Kinney next, which is under a canopy of trees.  By going just slightly left onto one of the adjacent lawns, you can run under this cool looking rainbow arch with water coming down from it.  Tempting, real tempting, but it's slightly out of the way of my straight path and I bypass it.  Mile 7 split 6:19.  OK, pace is back in the right direction.  At this and the next two mile splits, I look at my watch time and recalculate the pace I need to beat 61:55 and give me a little cushion.  6:20 pace should do it; I'm feeling cautiously optimistic again!

Here you can see the rainbow watering arch.
(From Chad Rainbows' Blessing video recap)

Mile 8:  Mile 8 is a really exciting mile.  You can sense and draw from the energy of the crowd as you come down Gibson to South Pier.  I see Molly and Sam Alexander on my left, and they're cheering me on, which is always helpful to have crowd support and hear your name called.  I'm real excited to see the Mile 8 marker, and even more excited when I perform the mental math calculation and realize a 6:30 pace will comfortably do it for me.  It is at this point that I know I'm going to break the record!  Mile 8 split 6:14.

Mile 9:  A net downhill mile with a 30' drop after the high school, and then a very slight uphill to Avice Street, which is really party central with parties offering shots and beers to runners, and even free rides down their inflatable water slides!  Despite the attraction of least the third feature, I totally ignore even looking at any of these distractions, and just focus on looking and moving straight ahead.  Turning onto Kingstown Road, my mile split is 6:17.  I just need to run about a 6:40 final mile to break the record!  And this is a downhill mile!  I don't need to "sprint".

Mile 10:  The mile goes by really quickly.  Making the final turn just after Sprague Park, there are a bunch of youngsters holding their hands out for a high-5 slap.  Some years I indulge, but sorry kids, I'm just laser focused today.  I know I have time to spare even, but on that final half-mile stretch I just naturally pick it up a bit.  Mile split 6:08.

Final mile on Kingstown Road;
looking a bit like death.  Just hold on!

Half mile to go!

Final result:  Gun time 61:30, chip time 61:28.  Broke the M60+ course record!  48th overall out of 2,936.

Professional race photo, at finish line.

I did it!!!  That's the smile on my face.
Immediately after finish.
Photo (and cold Powerade) from Jana.

Writing this post six days after the event, someone at this week's Fun Run asked me if my post-race excitement was gone now?  No!  I am still just ecstatic about this one!  Definitely one of my racing highlights of my life!  

Previous record holder:  Post-race, I was wondering, who is this Joe Fernandez who last broke the record in 1993?  Could I possibly reach out to him and congratulate him on holding it for 31 years?  Realizing the math was not in his favor (he would be in his 90s now), I started doing some research.  Unfortunately, I quickly learned that he had passed away a few years back at age 90.  But I also did learn a bit more about him:

• He was from Fairhaven, MA, and ran for the Greater New Bedford Track Club.
• According to his obituary, he started running at age 43 and ran until age 86.  (similarity to me starting at age 39; we'll have to wait [hopefully a long time] to learn my end game)
• He was named the No. 1 runner in the country in his age division in both 1993 and 1994 by Running Times magazine.
• He ran the New Bedford Half Marathon from 1980-2008, the Fairhaven Father's Race for over 40 years in a row, and Bermuda half-marathon and 10K, run on subsequent days, for 16 years in a row.
• He set a 65-plus record in the Providence 5k in 1993 with an 18:00 flat at age 65.  (I struggle to barely get under 18-flat now; can't imagine five years from now).
• He was inducted into USATF Masters Hall of Fame in 2016.

Joe Fernandez, at age 68.
(Sources:  Hathaway Funeral Home obituary,
South Coast Today article)

What went well:

• Let's start with the obvious:  I broke the 31-year old M60+ course record!!!  I seriously did not know if that would be possible, and even had my doubts as I made my way along the race course.
• 1st in age group (M60-69).
• 1st 50+.
• 1st 40+ (1st master).  (To be fair, the 40-49 male field was let's say not the strongest that day.  But as Muddy Puddin' would say, you race who shows up!)
• 3rd overall age-graded, at 87.4%
• I beat David Principe (Sr).  This was not a goal of mine, but my long time frenemy has a much stronger record on beating me in road races we're both in, so this was just the "cherry on top" for my race experience.
• Great race logistics out there, from registration, informative and frequent e-mails, packet pickup, road closures, police presence, and live results shortly after finishing.
• My wife, Jana, for constant support and being there at the finish with ice cold water, cold Powerade, and ice cold wet sports towel.
• My Mom at the finish line to support me (and my sister-in-law and niece).
• Lots of WTAC teammates out there, many taking home their own age group wins.  Special shout-out to Shara for killing it out there with a 63:26, 6th overall female, and 1st in F30-39.

  

  Just a few of my WTAC teammates out there today.
  Left to right:  Matt, me, Jared, Shara, Tom

  
  
• Fun race environment, with so many runners and seafood festival, which Jana and I stayed for.
• Great crowd support along the route.

What could have gone better:

• My race strategy was unconventional, and not one I would either recommend or likely repeat.  But it got me there!
• Route 108:  open sun and 80°F on Route 108.  I knew it was coming, but just hoped the temps would drop by then.  (Again, to be fair, it was about 5 degrees hotter last year and much more humid.)
• No fruit this year.  This was a big one for me, that I will write in to the race committee, in a balanced feedback message.  We have always had sliced oranges and grapes there for as long as I can remember.  After a hot race, I had zero interest in either a hot dog or a dry granola bar.
• Whiners who didn't register in time before sell out.  The race sold out at 4,000 (combined runners and walkers) one week prior to race.  There were multiple e-mails and notices on their website and social media about this in advance.  Numerous runners waited until the last minute and then complained about not getting in, and they're just poor sports in my opinion.  Sign up early!

The 2024 Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile Race may be over, but it's one that I will remember likely forever.

Absolutely thrilled with this one!