Ras na hEireann Redux American Style
First day of spring and it is 28 outside. Weird weather so far in 06 with a spring-like winter and a winter-like spring.
No internet connection at the new place yet so I will be doing brief work entries for the time being.
The new house absolutely rocks for running. I just run to the end of my street, about 45 seconds, and I am into Sudbury State park which connects to an endless amount of trails. This weekend I found a connection to Hop brook which you can connect to Callahan State park. I can go from Maynard to Sudbury to Framingham almost completely on trails with no more than 800m on actual pavement. Now, I haven't figured out a way to do it with any sort of loop or sense yet but that will come. The loops will just be Sudbury state park, Area 51 North or South (Assabet River Wildlife Refuge depending on which side of Hudson Rd you are on), Hop Brook, or Lake Boon.
Oh yeah, running. Yesterday was the end of the Irish festivities for me. The Ras Na hEireann 5k road race in Somerville was the final competition for a while. It was a good field and a very cold day. 14:59 which I will take just based on my absolute lack of any consistent running last few weeks due to the travel and moving. The race started out very quick for an uphill mile. I did not get any official splits because I think we beat the volunteers to the their marks but I guess I was at about 4:45. Vin Mulvey took it out in about 4:44 with Keith Kelley, Mark Kenneally and myself close behind. Then Mark Kenneally (4 time irish marathon champion) decided enough messing around and threw in a surge to about 4:40 pace and I couldn't hang and dropped from the group of three. About a half mile later keith Kelly took the lead and Vin dropped a out of the lead group. After that it looked as if the Kelly would win but I guess Kenneally strong armed him out in the last mile. I didn't see exactly what happened because I was busy telling myself to just crack 15:00 and take the moral victory. For March 19, it was a very cold, windy day. About 35 at the start with a 20 degree wind chill. Once I lost the pack, the wind became quite a pain in the butt. It was tough going alone, I had hoped that Jason would be up there but he is a busy dude and training is the last thing he has time for. That is my last competition for a while as today marks the start of my serious training for Penn Relay's and the spring season.
This morning Christy and I went on a great run through area 51 north in 32:07 for a nice morning shake out. 4.8 miles I believe but it is hard to gage in the trails.
That is all. It was supposed to be short. I started it at 7:15 this morning but with all the walk-in disruptions, typical of a Monday, I am ending it now at 11:10. Just in time for my run with Justin. Take care everyone.