Here we are, Monday morning and still no results from Friday’s Danvers Kiwanis 5 Miler. There were a few problems with timing and a stray walker or two mixing in with the runners. Results should be posted on coolrunning soon.
Until those pesky results are posted, we can enjoy the story of a first place finish by Annie Rose Willis. Great job Annie!
Annie Rose Willis after her first place victory
Norton, Willis take top spots
By Joe Jasinski STAFF WRITER
DANVERS — Four-hundred runners stood in 77-degree humidity at the intersection of Cabot Road and Exeter Street, eager to take that first step.
At 6:32 p.m., longtime race chairman Wayne Comeau sounded an air horn, commencing the 25th Danvers Kiwanis Five Mile Road Race.
Less than 25 minutes later, Harry Norton (24:53) completed the course first overall. Twenty-nine seconds later, Dan Vassallo (25:22) finished in second.
The two, both first-time runners in the Kiwanis race, ran stride-for-stride for the first two miles before Norton (a 2008 Dartmouth graduate) pulled ahead. The two have been competing against each other since the Cape Ann League; Norton went to North Reading High and Vassallo (a 2007 Colby graduate) attended Wilmington.
It was a familiar finish.
“Too many times to count,” Norton said when asked how many times he’s faced Vassallo.
“I think I beat you once,” Vassallo joked.
Vassallo finished 24th overall in the 2008 Boston Marathon. Norton, a British citizen, will return home to compete in a British national competition later this summer.
With a time of 32:20, Annie Rose Willis placed first in the women’s division. A Danvers native, Willis ran track at Bishop Fenwick and is now the track coach at Holten Richmond Middle School in Danvers.
“Seeing people I knew everywhere while I was running was awesome,” Willis said. “A lot of my students are running in this race, too.”
Less than 24 hours earlier, Willis ran in the Fiesta Five Road Race (5K) in Gloucester. She was the third women to finish (19:38) and placed 35th overall. After running in the Kiwanis race for the first time last night, Willis will be back next year to defend her women’s crown, she said.
A Danvers winner encapsulates the spirit of the race, which has regained popularity since becoming affiliated with the annual Danvers Family Festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
“It’s a Danvers thing,” Comeau said.
The chairman has been involved with the race for some 27 years, even before the Kiwanis Club began heading up the operation in 1984. When the race’s attendance began declining in its middle years (with sometimes only 150-200 runners), Comeau was one of the few who continued volunteering. Without his continued engagement, the race could not have experienced the resuscitation is has, Kiwanis Club Treasurer Alan Hartnett said. (Hartnett has been involved with the race since 1990.)
The club raised an estimated $3,000 from this year’s races, which also includes a two-mile walk. Money raised will go toward the seven community involvement-based scholarships the Kiwanis Club gives to high school students.
Father’s Day might have been a total wash out for some sports but not for runners looking to pick up a race. Here are some race results from Sunday June 21, 2009…Father’s Day!
Rockport Father’s Day 5K and 10K
5K
3 545 David Long 2/19 M3039 Beverly MA 17:48 5:44
14 646 Anne Willis 3/16 F2029 Danvers MA 20:36 6:38
16 570 T.R. Ramsdell 4/21 M4049 Beverly MA 21:00 6:46
10K
1 867 Scott Carrier 1/11 M3039 Beverly MA 39:28 6:21
13 801 Matt Adams 4/11 M3039 Beverly MA 44:23 7:09
17 824 Gail M. Gordon 2/7 F3039 Lynn MA 46:01 7:25
24 805 Daniel J. Barrett 7/19 M4049 Lynn MA 47:49 7:42
Revere Beach 5k
2 TIM SHORT 220 2/5 M1929 28 BURLINGTON MA 20:03 6:28 2/29 M
12 KARRA CHEEVER 219 4/16 F1929 25 BEVERLY MA 22:47 7:20 5/28 F
30 BETH O'GRADY 211 ½ F4049 49 SALEM MA 27:04 8:43 9/28 F
35 DOUG BOLLEN 210 4/4 M5059 50 SALEM MA 27:30 8:52 24/29 M
39 JOHN MCDONOUGH 221 7/7 M4049 46 NAHANT MA WICKED 27:59 9:01 27/29 M
Road racing on Fathers Day Weekend in New England started off with one of the most popular mountain races around, the Mount Washington Road Race. While there might only be one hill during this race, it’s the longest and most challenging hill any runner will probably ever face. The race is 7.6 miles and has runners traveling along the Auto Road. Now that may seem like a an easy race, but with an average grade of 11.5 %, with other sections being 18% and the final 50 yards a astonishing 22%, this is no piece of cake race. Oh, and did I mention that the only way to get into this race in the first place is through a lottery system?
With the challenge laid out before them Bill Morse, Steph Cooper, Shari Hewson, and Ken Hewson, battled the only hill that the race had and below are the results from the race. Congratulations to all of them on a great race! Way to represent Wicked!!
482 39/73 William Morse 58M Dracut MA 41 1:52:57 14:52
832 46/50 Stephanie Cooper 41F Salem MA W86 2:20:10 18:27
888 41/45 Shari Hewson 46 F Beverly MA W158 2:33:31 20:12
890 93/93 Kenneth Hewson 41 M Beverly MA 389 2:33:50 20:15
Keep up on the latest news and events with the Wicked Running Club!
*Updated with additional race results!
CLUB NOTES… official club biz and reminders-
Good luck to Bill Morse, Steph Cooper, Shari Hewson, Ken Hewson, and Bruce Campbell who will be representing Wicked this weekend at the Mt. Washington Road Race!!
Group Runs: Wicked offers 3 official organized runs during the week. If you are looking for a group of people to run with on different days or different times than the official Club runs, feel free to email the entire club at wicked@googlegroups.com.
Saturdays 8am at Forest River Park
The next Monday night slow run on June 22nd will start from Lynch Park park in lot in Beverly MA at 6:30 pm. The rules are the same. All are welcome, no place is too slow! For more info please email John Mahoney at john@wickedrunningclub.com
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:30 starting at the Front Street Café.
-Our next Board meeting is July 6th, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Instead of meeting at the Senior Center in Salem, we will be meeting at the Tavern in the Square on Washington Street in Salem. All Club members are welcome to attend. If you would like to suggest an item for the agenda, please email Tim Short @ tim.short1@gmail.com
-Our Grand Prix race will be the Danvers Kiwanis Club 5-Miler on June 26th at 6:30 pm. For a race application click here.
Club Day at The Sports Spa
Where? The Sports Spa in Woburn MA
When? July 11th, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Why? Come and check out the Alter G Treadmill and have your questions answered about fitness and running by Wicked member and Certified Active Release Technique Practitioner Mike Toomey.
Check out the Sub-4 Minute Mile, by Nate Jenkins on the Alter G
“Wicked Kidz” Races
Where? Forest River Park
When? July 18, 2009 at 9 a.m.
Why? Come and cheer on younger runners as they compete in either the 1/2 mile or the mile. Volunteers are needed! If you would like to volunteer please email Tim Short at tim.short1@gmail.com.
Check it out on Facebook or for more information contact Race Director Doug Bollen at dbollen@salem.com.
Come and celebrate Wicked Running Club’s 5th Anniversary!!! This event is open to all WRC members and their families! We hope you can make it!
One of the many things that will be happening during the party will be a photo slide show with music. Please pick 1-2 photos by July 13th if you would like your photo(s) to be in the slide show. Photos can be of you before being a member of the Wicked Running Club, but it would be great if you could send in at least one photo of yourself in some Wicked Gear! As for the music, pick the names of 2 songs by July 10th. Send both Photos and songs to Tim Short at tim.short1@gmail.com. We will then have a vote to decide the top 5 songs during the weekend, with results announced on Monday the 13th.
Wicked Grand Prix Series Standings Updated on 6/7/09
Prime BEEF 5k at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba July 6th, 2009
Rodney Furr 4th overall (1st Master) 22:05
Market Square Day 10 K June 13. 2009
19 10/235 M3039 38:02 38:03 6:08 David Long 35 M 485 Beverly MA
Great Lincoln Steeplechase June 14, 2009
Jenny Lincoln 127 F ?? 42:09
Richard Tomlins 032 M 44 45:20
Bill Morse 084 M 58 53:23
Elizabeth Touchette 016 F 26 55:02
Stephen Touchette 015 M 54 55:20
Alison Phelan 021 F 44 59:51
William Shea 020 M 58 60:47
Deb Touchette 014 F 53 61:02
Allison Rourke 011 F 34 63:48
Shannon O'Donnell 012 F 45 71:19
1st Annual Burlington Rotary & Meals on Wheels 5K June 14, 2009
1 1/10 M0129 17:59 5:48 James Deluca 25 M 233 Beverly MA
2 2/10 M0129 18:45 6:03 Timothy Short 28 M 246 Burlington MA
26 2/16 F4049 25:00 8:03 Beth O'Grady 48 F 253 Salem MA
31 4/5 M5059 25:52 8:20 Douglas Bollen 50 M 252 Salem MA
16th Annual Louise Rossetti Women’s 5k June 17, 2009
24 Kerry Phelan 5/13 F1419 PEABODY 22:09 7:08
49 Beth O'Grady 14/103 F4049 SALEM WICKED 24:10 7:47
83 Mary Tuttle 32/109 F3039 SALEM 25:38 8:15
123 Stacy Adams 51/109 F3039 BEVERLY 27:11 8:45
147 Sarah Coffey 55/109 F3039 SALEM 28:17 9:07
162 Marie Gesnaldo 17/41 F5059 PELHAM 28:58 9:20
163 Angel Green 64/109 F3039 LYNN 28:58 9:20 PR!
201 Anna Sousa 80/109 F3039 SALEM 30:38 9:52
From Tammy Moschella
This is an awesome race! June 28th. Some minor hills but it’s relatively flat course, great barbeque after with a guitar player and it’s at a bar so you can get a cold beer afterwards! Parking fills quickly so get there EARLY!
I plan on making a day of it. I would love to have some company out there! Let me know if you are interested in joining us. I think Lester, Carol and Angel are going to do it with me. The more the merrier I always say!
From Beth O’Grady
For anyone who got shut out of the New Charles River Run on Sunday, June 28, there is a 5 mile race in South Boston at 10 a.m. the same day, the 26th Annual POW-MIA Race for Freedom, link: http://www.coolrunning.com/major/09/powmia/
It is a very flat waterfront course- same as the Jim Kane Sugar Bowl 5 Miler for those who have run it. www.newcharlesriverrun.com
From Doug Bollen
Historic Salem’s First Annual Heritage Days 5K Road Race
August 2, 2009 at 9 a.m. at 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970
Race Day registration from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Entry Fee:
$18 before July 1, 2009;
$20 from July 2 – July 31, 2009
$25 on race day
Proceeds from the race will go toward publishing the Historic Salem Home owner’s Handbook
Register Early: Shirts for the first 100 entrants!
Salem Park, Recreation & Community Services Department
Present:
The Derby Street Mile Run!
Friday, August 21, 2009
in Salem , Mass, 7:00pm & 7:15pm
Race starts on Fort Ave & finishes at Pickering Wharf !
Entry fee: $14 pre-race day $15 on race day, USTFA Certified code MA07017JK
Awesome Technical short sleeve shirts given to first 300 entrants!!
NEW this year- two races, enter your choice “Family or Competitive” Run
Competitive run 7:00 pm – Top 3 in age groups will receive awards in Competitive run
Family Run 7:15pm – all runners in Family run will receive medals
Post Race: at Waterfront Hotel & Suites – refreshments, water, soda, and fruit
Information: Contact the Salem Park , Recreation & Community Services (978) 744-0180 or
Email: dbollen@salem.com
Wicked Fall Marathon Survey
Sure the calendar says June, but before you know it the leaves will start to change colors and that can only me one thing! It’s time to plan for your Fall Marathon! Wicked Runners have been know to travel all over the country, and sometimes out of the country to take on a race that measures 26.2 miles. Below is a list people that will be running in a marathon this fall. If you don’t see your name up here and would like to let everyone in Wicked Nation know what race you will be doing, feel free to send the race info to the wicked weekly mail box at wicked.weekly.newsletter@gmail.com!
Bay State Marathon October 18th, 2009
Dan Barrett
Gail Gordon
Tim Short
Rich Tomlins
Matt Adams
Marine Corps Marathon October 25, 2009
Kerry Gertz
Newport Amica Marathon October 28th, 2009
Darla Johnson
Vermont 50 MT Bike or Ultra Run (5ok) September 27, 2009
Karen Giroux
Steph Cooper
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon November 7th, 2009
Keep up on the latest news and events with the Wicked Running Club!
CLUB NOTES… official club biz and reminders-
Group Runs: Wicked offers 3 official organized runs during the week. If you are looking for a group of people to run with on different days or different times than the official Club runs, feel free to email the entire club at wicked@googlegroups.com.
Saturdays 8am at Forest River Park
Mondays 6:30pm starting near Salem State South Campus. For more details email John Mahoney at john@wickedrunningclub.com
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:30 starting at the Front Street Café.
-Our next Board meeting is July 6th, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Instead of meeting at the Senior Center in Salem, we will be meeting at the Tavern in the Square on Washington Street in Salem. All Club members are welcome to attend. If you would like to suggest an item for the agenda, please email Tim Short @ tim.short1@gmail.com
-Our Grand Prix race will be the Danvers Kiwanis Club 5-Miler on June 26th at 6:30 pm. For a race application click here.
Club Day at The Sports Spa
Where? The Sports Spa in Woburn MA
When? July 11th, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Why? Come and check out the Alter G Treadmill and have your questions answered about fitness and running by Wicked member and Certified Active Release Technique Practitioner Mike Toomey.
Check out the Sub-4 Minute Mile, by Nate Jenkins on the Alter G
“Wicked Kidz” Races
Where? Forest River Park
When? July 18, 2009 at 9 a.m.
Why? Come and cheer on younger runners as they compete in either the 1/2 mile or the mile. Volunteers are needed! If you would like to volunteer please email Tim Short at tim.short1@gmail.com.
Check it out on Facebook or for more information contact Race Director Doug Bollen at dbollen@salem.com.
Sure the calendar says June, but before you know it the leaves will start to change colors and that can only me one thing! It’s time to plan for your Fall Marathon! Wicked Runners have been know to travel all over the country, and sometimes out of the country to take on a race that measures 26.2 miles. Below is a list people that will be running in a marathon this fall. If you don’t see your name up here and would like to let everyone in Wicked Nation know what race you will be doing, feel free to send the race info to the wicked weekly mail box at wicked.weekly.newsletter@gmail.com!
Bay State Marathon October 18th, 2009
Dan Barrett
Gail Gordon
Tim Short
Rich Tomlins
Marine Corps Marathon October 25, 2009
Kerry Gertz
Newport Amica Marathon October 28th, 2009
Darla Johnson
Vermont 50 MT Bike or Ultra Run (5ok) September 27, 2009
Karen Giroux
Steph Cooper
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon November 7th, 2009
Melissa Jaynes
Wicked Grand Prix Series Standings Updated on 6/7/09
No Results!!! If you would like to have your results posted please send them to wicked.weekly.newsletter@gmail.com!
From Tim Short
Angel Green is running in the Inov-8 USATF-NE Goat Series and wanted to let everyone in Wicked know how she was doing. Her next race is tomorrow. Lets all wish Angel Good Luck!
By Angel Green
I am trying my feet out at mountain running and have unofficial entered the Inov-8 USATF-NE Mountain Goat Series. If I officially register myself and complete all 6 races I will automatically bypass the 2010 Mt. Washington lottery.
Race #1 5/23/09 Wachusett Mountain Road/Trail Race 5.1 Miles Princeton, MA (Due to road changes, the course was longer than the 4.3 that was advertised) #327 of 335 Runners 1:10:42
I may have finished toward the tail end of both these races, but I think I’ve made huge accomplishments since I started running regularly a year ago. Never would I have dreamed I could run more than a couple miles let alone running mountains. This last race was special as it has been the furthest distance I’ve ever run and the most challenging. The last time I ran a similar distance was February at the stew chase which measured 9.5 miles with only one major hill. You can imagine running toward the top of a mountain is a bit more difficult.
My next race is the Northfield Mountain 10K race June 13th 2009
From David Long
I’m running the Market Square Day 10K in Portsmouth on June 13th. If a club has 5 runners, they can be scored against other teams. Hope to see some other Wicked red jerseys there!http://www.proportsmouth.org/MSDRoadRace.cfm
From Tammy Moschella
This is an awesome race! June 28th. Some minor hills but it’s relatively flat course, great barbeque after with a guitar player and it’s at a bar so you can get a cold beer afterwards! Parking fills quickly so get there EARLY!
I plan on making a day of it. I would love to have some company out there! Let me know if you are interested in joining us. I think Lester, Carol and Angel are going to do it with me. The more the merrier I always say!
Wicked Women… Hope to see you at the Louise Rosetti 5k, Wed. 6/17, 6:30 PM, Lynch Park, Beverly. Nice route for a nice woman in memory of her daughter. For race application click here. Or to sign up on line click here.
From Doug Bollen
Historic Salem’s First Annual Heritage Days 5K Road Race
August 2, 2009 at 9 a.m. at 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970
Race Day registration from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Entry Fee:
$18 before July 1, 2009;
$20 from July 2 – July 31, 2009
$25 on race day
Proceeds from the race will go toward publishing the Historic Salem Home owner’s Handbook
New logo for the “Wicked Kidz” Race created by Wicked Member Michele Campbell
The official logo for the 1st Annual “Wicked Kidz” 1/2 Mile & 1 Mile Race is out and it’s Wicked Awesome! The logo is the creation of fellow Wicked Member Michele Campbell. The “Wicked Kidz” Race will take place on Saturday July 18th at 9 a.m. at Forest River Park. If you know any “Kidz” that would be interested in running in the race please feel free to click here to download the race applications. Our good friends over at Chick-fil-A of Peabody who have sponsored the Wicked Frosty Four the past two years will be a sponsor for the “Wicked Kidz” Race. There is a need for volunteers on Race day, if you are available and would like to volunteer please email Tim Short at tim.short1@gmail.com.
Keep up on the latest news and events with the Wicked Running Club!
CLUB NOTES… official club biz and reminders-
Group Runs: Wicked offers 3 official organized runs during the week. If you are looking for a group of people to run with on different days or different times than the official Club runs, feel free to email the entire club at wicked@googlegroups.com.
Saturdays 8am at Forest River Park
Mondays 6:30pm starting near Salem State South Campus. For more details email John Mahoney at john@wickedrunningclub.com
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:30 starting at the Front Street Café.
-Our next Board meeting is July 6th, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Instead of meeting at the Senior Center in Salem, we will be meeting at the Tavern in the Square on Washington Street in Salem. All Club members are welcome to attend. If you would like to suggest an item for the agenda, please email Tim Short @ tim.short1@gmail.com
-Our Grand Prix race will be the Danvers Kiwanis Club 5-Miler on June 26th at 6:30 pm. For a race application click here.
Club Day at The Sports Spa
Where? The Sports Spa in Woburn MA
When? July 11th, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Why? Come and check out the Alter G Treadmill and have your questions answered about fitness and running by Wicked member and Certified Active Release Technique Practitioner Mike Toomey.
Check out the Sub-4 Minute Mile, by Nate Jenkins on the Alter G
“Wicked Kidz” Races
Where? Forest River Park
When? July 18, 2009 at 9 a.m.
Why? Come and cheer on younger runners as they compete in either the 1/2 mile or the mile. Volunteers are needed! If you would like to volunteer please email Tim Short at tim.short1@gmail.com.
Check it out on Facebook or for more information contact Race Director Doug Bollen at dbollen@salem.com.
Sure the calendar says June, but before you know it the leaves will start to change colors and that can only me one thing! It’s time to plan for your Fall Marathon! Wicked Runners have been know to travel all over the country, and sometimes out of the country to take on a race that measures 26.2 miles. Below is a list people that will be running in a marathon this fall. If you don’t see your name up here and would like to let everyone in Wicked Nation know what race you will be doing, feel free to send the race info to the wicked weekly mail box at wicked.weekly.newsletter@gmail.com!
Bay State Marathon October 18th, 2009
Dan Barrett
Gail Gordon
Tim Short
Rich Tomlins
Marine Corps Marathon October 25, 2009
Kerry Gertz
Newport Amica Marathon October 28th, 2009
Darla Johnson
Vermont 50 MT Bike or Ultra Run (5ok) September 27, 2009
Karen Giroux
Steph Cooper
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon November 7th, 2009
Melissa Jaynes
Wicked Grand Prix Series Standings Updated on 6/7/09
I’m running the Market Square Day 10K in Portsmouth on June 13th. If a club has 5 runners, they can be scored against other teams. Hope to see some other Wicked red jerseys there!http://www.proportsmouth.org/MSDRoadRace.cfm
From Tammy Moschella
This is an awesome race! June 28th. Some minor hills but it’s relatively flat course, great barbeque after with a guitar player and it’s at a bar so you can get a cold beer afterwards! Parking fills quickly so get there EARLY!
I plan on making a day of it. I would love to have some company out there! Let me know if you are interested in joining us. I think Lester, Carol and Angel are going to do it with me. The more the merrier I always say!
Wicked Women… Hope to see you at the Louise Rosetti 5k, Wed. 6/17, 6:30 PM, Lynch Park, Beverly. Nice route for a nice woman in memory of her daughter. For race application click here. Or to sign up on line click here.
From Doug Bollen
Historic Salem’s First Annual Heritage Days 5K Road Race
August 2, 2009 at 9 a.m. at 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970
Race Day registration from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Entry Fee:
$18 before July 1, 2009;
$20 from July 2 – July 31, 2009
$25 on race day
Proceeds from the race will go toward publishing the Historic Salem Home owner’s Handbook
The “Wicked Kidz” of the Wicked Running Club have been tearing it up at area road races recently. Back in the middle of May, Kyle Hewson ran like the wind at the Our 2 Angels race in Lynn, taking top spot in his age group. On Memorial day, new members Joe & Rebecca Weston took on the Kids portion of the Swampscott Dory Run. Joe took first place in the 1 lap race! Way to go to!! To view more photos from the 32nd Annual Dory Run head on over to photobucket.com!
Melissa Jaynes recently finished her first marathon in Burlington VT. Melissa joined Wicked a little over a year ago and has been running for less than 2 years. Here is her account of the monumentous day.
We got up early Saturday, jogged with the dog, and then drove 3.5 hours into Burlington where we went straight to the hotel with the marathon expo and packets for the runners. I grabbed my t-shirt, timing chip, and official runner’s bag. I got number 146—whew can you say early registration? There are over 3,000 marathoners! We wandered through the exhibitor area and grabbed our first nibble of some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Ben and Jerry’s factory is in Burlington so you will see that name come up a lot throughout this monologue. We walked around the beautiful town of Burlington, checked into the hotel, took a nap (nerves, what nerves), and then drove to Stowe for dinner at Pie in the Sky pizza. I had a big bowl of spaghetti with meatballs and ate it all—clean plate club! Then, off to lay out everything and go to sleep.
THE RACE
I took the bus from the hotel to the start at 7:00 and lined up between the 4:00 and 4:30 markers. Once the gun went off and I crossed the start, I was forced to keep my pace down due to the large number of people clumped around me. I used this as an opportunity to check out my surroundings, the crowd, and the increasing rain. Hey—I have run in rain before—anyone remember the Eastern States race this year, so I knew what I was in for and I loved that race. At mile 3 I got my first cheer from my support group (my husband, training partner (who had to back out) and her husband. I waved fanatically because I was so happy to see them and to hear my name.
Then, I laughed at a guy with a sign reading “you are not almost there.” Reality check! The rain picked up some more and by mile 5 I was officially soaked and the water poured off my hat anytime I turned my head. I found myself thinking that this Nike hat was one of the smartest purchases ever. We looped down and around a point giving us middle packers (woo hoo, I was just shy of the middle of the pack) our first sight of the wheel chair competitors and the lead runners. The first woman looked amazingly strong! Better yet, I saw there were a LOT of people behind me and I cheered them on as I passed by them. Then, I looked down and noticed my pale blue shorts were stuck to me and definitely had turned see-through—I wondered if all those people also noticed. Didn’t matter—on I went! We looped back through town and I saw my supporters again at mile 9 along the brick walkway and shops through downtown. I felt my smile broaden and my pace quicken. Wooo girl, no need to be running under a 9 minute pace at mile 9—slow it down.
I backed down again but felt amazing and naturally kept the pace up through our run along the outskirts of town—past the Lake Champlain chocolate factory (ohh, note-to-self to come back here) and along part of the bike trail. At mile 13.1 a lot of the relay runners were celebrating being done—I was celebrating being halfway done and just enjoyed the additional crowds the exchange point brought. Ha, the “not almost there” guy appeared again just after the exchange and I gave him a big smile. That smile got me through to mile 15—the famous “assault on battery” and the largest hill in the race. As I turned the corner I heard Alison Phelan’s voice in my head coaching me up the hill and wait–drums. There was a large group of taiko drummers at the base of the hill and metal barriers with tons of people going up and up as far as I could see. Halfway up the hill I felt the burn, I was still slower than my set pace, and then—my cheering section. They had stationed themselves at the halfway point in the hill and were cheering me up and up.
At mile 18, right at the entryway of the mulched bike trail, I saw my second downed runner—the aid was already called, but this person didn’t look good. Just keep going and . . .legs, check, heart rate, check, energy, check. . . I start to feel myself slow a little through the second neighborhood, but was still running a solid pace and felt great. Some kids were “playing” musical instruments in their driveway and I picked it up to escape:) We hit the biggest steepest downhill in the race at mile 21. Whew, I felt those quads kick in and they started to quiver. I told myself that I had felt this before and knew to just keep pushing and it will subside—it did by mile 22.5. I heard “lookin’ good 146” and hoped it was true and that this stranger’s support is not from me looking like I needed the support. Regardless, I gave the thumbs up and continued on enjoying the view of Lake Champlain and the bike trail. Then I heard “3 miles left, almost there” and realize. . “clearly this person is a liar and didn’t communicate with the guy with the sign!” Comparatively speaking yes, I am closer to the finish than the start, but my Wicked friends have warned that these 3 miles can be very very hard. Wait—I recognized a white baseball cap—I saw my Carlisle friend up ahead (ran the last training 22 miler together) and caught her. She seemed hot and was dumping water on herself. I kept up my pace knowing if I stopped or slowed it would hurt. Then she caught up to me with just 1.5 miles left—I thought we’ve got this and the pace picked up. The crowd thickened immensely and the cheers were amazing. Just before the big mile 26 sign I saw my support group again! I waved, gave them thanks for their cheers, and tried to memorize the smile showing, beneath the camera, on my husband’s face.
Now, where is that darn finish line? My Garmin says I am done!!! The thick crowd continued and so did I. . . I heard the announcer say that all those crossing the finish line were well ahead of the national average for men and women. Woohooo. Alison reached back and grabbed my hand as we crossed the finish! What a great feeling! A woman lifted my foot onto a bench and removed the timing chip from my shoe and said “way to go.” Another man put a medal around my neck while another wrapped me in a mylar blanket. The weight of the metal hit me physically and mentally. I instantly headed for the massage tent, our meeting place, with my fellow finisher and her partner in tow. I felt like I just needed to keep walking or shuffling, it hurt to stop. What? no line for a massage. I hopped in line and apologized numerous times to the woman about being so wet and all. I mean, water rushed out of my shoe when I took it off and she was touching my socked foot! I looked up and saw my husband smiling at me on the other side of the tent and gave him my biggest smile back. He was brave enough to hug me, as was my training partner, and we chatted about how I felt. They monitored my shaking, I was suddenly freezing, and pulled the clothes out of my bag for me before ushering me to the Ben and Jerry’s truck—yup,Ben and Jerry’s at the finish. I actually had to force it down because I wasn’t the least bit hungry. On the way back to the busses it was more clothes and a forced additional Gu for calories. Man—that stuff is nasty when you are running and intolerable when you stand still!
Finally, thanks so much to all of my Wicked awesome Wicked Running friends–I have valued the friendships I have made through the club more than any of you could realize (especially being a new New Englander). I loved training with those of you running Boston and watching you cross your own finish line in April. Thank you all for the tips, companionship, and most of all supportive friendship!
Annie Rose Willis after her first place victory
