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The New Haven 20k Road Race occurs every year on Labor Day weekend. 2006 was my third year running it. The race runs practically right past
the house I grew up in, and it really is the reason I began distance running. I had wanted to run it ever since I was
a kid, and in 2004 I finally did it, in a time of 1:58:55. In 2005 I improved to 1:50:56. And my goal for 2006 was to improve again. I was hoping for a time of 1:45, even though I feared that would
be a bit too ambitious.
Then came Monday morning. We all met up again before the race. Strategies were determined. Theresa
was running the 5k so she wouldn't be with the rest of us. Andrew and Trevor weren't there to race, and thus they were
going to pace Alexis and me, respectively. I certainly was there to race, and was out to run as best as I could.
I've really got to hand it to Trevor for a great job of pacing. We were trying to keep an 8:30 pace -- slightly
faster than the necessary 8:35 so that we could build up some spare time. We hit the next two or three miles at just
about exactly 8:30 for each one. I felt I was pushing it a little much and had to back off a bit during the 6th mile.
We passed the halfway point at 54:00 on the clock, and about 53:11 on my watch (gun time vs chip time). That would put
us just ever so slightly off a 8:35 pace. Another goal of mine for this race, by the way, was to run the second half
faster than the first. Usually I get tired in the second half of longer races, and I wanted to finish this one strong.
I was definitely slowing down, but Trevor promised that we'd have a strong finishing kick. We turned onto Whitney
Avenue just before Mile 11 and entered the straightaway that led to the finish line. I was able to slowly gain some
speed until I was giving it all I had after about Mile 12.0. After seeing me at Mile 2, my parents had come down to
see me finish and they were waiting at about Mile 12, but I was utterly focused on my running that I didn't even see them.
I was trying to give it every last bit of energy that I had.
Also, if my watch was correct, that means we did exactly 53:11 for both the first and second halves
of the race! Can't get much more consistent than that! Anyway, I definitely want to thank Trevor for pusing me.
If I were running on my own I don't think I would have made it in that time. He certainly kept me going, especially
near the end when I really wanted to slow down.
So a good time was had by all. It was great to see some of my online running buddies in person, and it was great
to see some family and friends. The only problem was that Maggie was unable to be there because she had to work.
Yes, it's a big deal that my wife wasn't there with me, but I managed to have fun nonetheless. It was pleasure to meet
the 30-something runners and I hope I will be able to see them all again at a race soon. If nothing else, I know I will
see them all online again very soon...
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But before the race, I met up with a few people that I have become friends with via the Cool Running website. The 30-somethings that I met up with were Trevor, Theresa, Alexis and Andrew. First we met Sunday evening at
the race expo, and then we went to Wooster St for a pasta dinner. (Need them carbs!)
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I was hoping for a 1:45, which equates to approximately an 8:35 pace. Trevor and I start off a bit slower
than that, mostly due to the heavy traffic. We passed the first mile marker at about 9:00, which really wasn't a bad
thing. There's nothing worse than starting a race too quickly out of the gate and running out of energy too soon.
After the first mile we picked up speed and actually finished the second mile in about 8:00, giving us 17:00 for two miles
and exactly an 8:30 pace. Also, just before Mile 2 we passed by the corner at the end of my parents' street. My
parents were waiting there to cheer me on and hand me a bottle of Gatorade. I always appreciate the support that my
family shows when they come to watch me race. Thanks Mom and Dad!
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The problem was that there were some hills in the next couple miles. Nothing too steep, but they certainly didn't
help my times. Plus, I was moving at a faster pace than I am used to over that distance. So we started to slip
behind goal pace. Trevor was doing his best to keep me going at speed, but I needed a little rest. (And yes, it
was a little annoying that Trevor was finding the pace so easy, whereas I was beginning to struggle)...
And lo and behold, I came it at 1:46:22. So it wasn't exactly a 1:45, but it was pretty close. And since I didn't really expect to do a 1:45, I was pretty
happy with the result. It was a full 4.5 minutes faster than last year, and since I ain't getting any younger, I think
that's not a bad thing...
My buddy Tony came to see me and the finish line, which I thought was great. Once again, I always appreciate when
my family and friends come to support me in my races. Soon thereafter, Alexis and Andrew crossed the finish line, and
we met up with Theresa who had been waiting around for us since the end of the 5k. The most impressive run of the day,
in fact, was done by Theresa. Her goal time was 40 minutes and she came in at 34:45! Wow, what a way to shatter
the expectations!
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