New England XC Championships, series wrap up

Photos courtesy of Krissy K

Sunday I ran in the New England XC championships at Franklin Park. I got there real early and met some more new teamates and was real excited to compete on a full Masters Team. As we did our warm up I noticed the course was in perfect condition for fast times. When we lined up in our boxes I saw another group of CMS runners gather and we ended up with 12 runners! Outstanding participation for a cross country race. At the start of the race I felt pretty good and hit the first mile around 5:20 and was in sight of teamates Scott Clark and Dave Q. From that point on I couldn't seem to get any momentum and felt like I was jogging but I couldn't go any faster. Runner after runner passed me, several who I hadn't lost to all fall, and I had no response! I gave everything I had on the final kick and actually passed 1 runner. I finished in 28:56 for a new 40+pr, but a hollow one. I really expected to be low 28 or under today and I am not sure what the problem was. On the plus side I think CMS did very well against really tough competition, I have never seen so many fast old guys in one race. I met lots of new people over the course of the fall and love the comradarie of the CMS runners.

Back in August when I was struggling to fit in my long runs for the Baystate Marathon, I decided to skip the marathon and find a different goal for the fall. I picked out the cross country series because I love the sport and knew my friend and former HS teamate Jaime Aubuchon was doing it also. It is very ironic the series would come down to me and Jaime as our Leominster HS team never won anything and was 0-13 our senior year! Although I am pleased with most of my races this fall, I feel my times and efforts have slipped since the first race in August at Carlisle. I really felt I would be able to get faster from then, but each race I struggled more and more. I think I run better off higher milage for some reason. I am going to run Slattery's and a 5k on Thanksgiving to try to get some new 40+ PRs . Then figure out how to train going forward to take the next step up to get where I want to be.