Additional Pictures from the 36th Annual Falmouth Road Race

For my full report of this year's Falmouth Road Race, please see my previous blog entry. Below are some pictures I took the day before and the day after the race.

(Above: Pictures from the Falmouth Mile held the day before the race (start time for the women's race is at 6:15p; men's at 6:30p) at Falmouth High School. This year 3 of the men finished under 4 minutes.)

(Above: The town of Woods Hole the day after the race. )

(Above: Coming out of Woods Hole, you make a right down this street (I'm not sure of the name). My favorite view of the race.)

(Above: Left over sign from a spectator.)

(Above: Mile one of the race by the lighthouse.)

(Above: Surf Drive. This is mile 3-5 of the race. Gets me every year as there is no shade on this part of the course. In the background, almost dead center of the picture, you can see Falmouth Heights where the finish line is. )

(Above: The hill towards the end of the course. It's where Steve passed me two years ago when I thought I won the race. It's about 1/2 mile from the finish. When Joan Benoit spoke to the crowd at the award ceremony she said, 'After I climbed THAT hill, I thought 'I will never do this race again.' Then, I cross the finish and say to myself, 'That wasn't so bad!')

36th Annual Falmouth Road Race Report

(Above: The harbor in Woods Hole. A great way to try to relax before the start of the race.)

I always underestimate how important the mind is when it comes to running. You might be able to do something physically, but the mind needs to be just as sharp and focused. Case in point--almost everyone hits the wall when it comes to marathoning. Some have been able to train themselves to not listen to their mind and just endure pain. I remember at last year's Philadelphia marathon, hitting the 20 mile mark in the Manayunk section of the city and saying to myself, 'I don't want to do that last six miles!' I was so familar with that stretch of the road. And, I didn't want to do that to myself. I had a similar experience at this year's Falmouth Road Race.

(Above: The 'green' corral and the start in Woods Hole of the 2008 Falmouth Road Race.)

I had a tough week leading up to the race. I traveled to western Pennsylvania for my uncle's funeral. While there, I found out that another member of family was also ill. I came back from western PA on Thursday. I drove up to Falmouth on Saturday morning. What is normally a six hour drive turned into a 8 1/2 hour drive. I missed the expo at that point. I had enough time to just pick up my number and catch the Falmouth mile. By this time, I had driven over 1200 miles in 5 days.

(Note: The Falmouth mile is run on the track at the local high school. There are separate events for men and women. In the men's event, three of runners finished sub-4:00 miles. I will post pictures from the Falmouth mile (and better pictures of the FRR course) later this week.)

I didn't sleep well that night thinking about things not related to the race. I woke up early and headed down to park my car to take the bus to the start line. As it turned out, the day was a bit muggier and warmer than I like. I don't do hot. I should say I don't do well in hot. But, it wasn't that hot. Actually, it was cool in the shade. It's more accurate to say I don't do sun. Sorry, I don't do well in the sun. And, it was sunny with little cloud cover. Miles 3 through 5 are on Surf Drive with little shade to hide under.

When I got to Wood's Hole, I was thinking about my hydration. Yes, I did the port-a-potty shuffle when I got to the start area. But, it occurred to me that only a few weeks ago, I did a 5 mile race and didn't worry about my hydration hours before the race. Why should this be different? Don't get me wrong. I was drinking enough water the day before. So, I made a decision not to drink while waiting around. This to avoid the last minute bathroom run before the start of the race.

But, I was bored. And, the Gatorade was in front of me. So, I took a cup. Plenty of time. Still and hour and half before the race. So, I drank. And, got in line. And, still I was antsy. So, I took another cup. And, got in line. There. That should do it.

The race started for me at 10:04. This year we were wearing a D chip. It's a disposable tag that, when folded correctly, is shaped like a D. (Mine was more like an O.) The D chip would record your official time. The race was not going to separate your gun time with your chip time. (Which lead me to think, was it possible to start at 10:04, 4 minutes behind the elite runners and still win the race?)

(Above: The two pictures above are at the mile 1 marker. Hard to see, but the top picture shows the lighthouse that is the feature of the race.)

I felt good for the first three miles. My first mile was an 8:30. Perfect. I didn't go out too fast like I normally do. Miles 2-3 are in rolling hills in the shade. I was doing fine. I was relaxed. Taking in the sights and sounds of the race.

After mile 3, starts the sunny part of the course. Around the same time, I was getting urges. From drinking at the start. So, my boredom at the start is going to cost me some time on the clock. But, there is nowhere to go except in the few port-a-potties on the course. Because, at this point, the course is crowded with spectators.

I spot a potty that was empty. But, I wasn't fast enough as someone jumped ahead of me. Do I wait? If I was running against Steve would I wait? I took two steps. Yep. I need to wait.

20 seconds went by, 30, 40, 50, what is he doing? Combing his hair? Finally! All in all, I estimated I lost about 1.5 minutes.

I started up again. And, then, nothing. My legs hurt, my body hurt, my mind hurt. I tried to will myself to continue but kept on stopping. It wasn't until a woman, who was a perfect stranger, tapped me on the back and told me, 'Don't give up! I know you can do it!' did I find a reason to continue.

At the 10k mark, I wanted to quit. I never want to quit. But, I was physically and, more importantly, mentally drained. I was going to walk off the course. Because I was hot and not feeling well. And, I see stretchers around. With people on them. No mas.

(Above: Just after the 10 mark, rounding the curve just before the final hill of the course.)

I took some water and sipped a little. I threw some on me. I saw the scene above. I knew it was less than a mile to go. I walked the hill. The race photographers were there. I didn't care. The race numbers had our names on them this year. I heard strangers cheering 'Joe' on.

(Above: The three pictures above are at the finish line.)

Believe it or not, my mini-cam spurred me on. I wanted to take pictures of the finish line from a runner's point of view. I crossed the line. In 1:07:30. I walked through to the field where refreshments were. Physically, I was fine. Mentally, I was drained.

At the beginning of the week, I wasn't sure if I should go. But I wanted to think about life. I wanted to think about death. I wanted to take stock and make sure I have my priorities straight. I needed to do this on my own. By the end of the day, I had my answers. And, I'm glad I ran Falmouth afterall.

(Notes: If you want to 'run' Falmouth, click on this link http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SPORTS15

and it will give you an opportunity to view the course from start to finish.

Additional pictures of the race can be found on this link: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=MEDIA

As it turned out, I left Cape Cod early because it was raining on Monday morning when I got up. So, I stopped at the New Bedford Whaling Museum on the way home. (http://www.whalingmuseum.org/). Great museum. Really enjoyed it. But, it was pouring rain the whole time I was there. When I left the museum, I got caught in a flash flood. The underpasses on the way back to the highway were flooded. Cars were submerged on the side of the road. I went through water that was up to my door (yes, I know, stupidly) only to get stuck on the road because there was another underpass that was flooded. I thought for sure I was stuck in New Bedford for the day but some semi-trucks went through the water and started to push the water to the side. After about 1 hour delay, I went through with fingers crossed. Perfect end to my week.)

21st Annual MCAP 'Run for the Hill of It' 5 mile Race Report

I wasn't sure I should have been doing this race. Afterall, there were so many reasons not to do it. Because of vacation, my running was inconsistent in June. And, I was coming off an injury

that prevented me from walking let alone running. I was making my way back. Slowly but surely. More slowly than it was surely.

Still, I needed to find out where I was in regarding to the Falmouth Road Race in a few weeks time. And, a work colleague of mine from England wanted to do a race while he was over here. What better way to spend your timeoff in a different country than to run a 5 mile race? What better way, indeed.

The race is held in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. About as suburban as you can get without being in the suburbs. It is run on a path in Fairmont Park called Forbidden Drive next to the Wissahickon Creek. It's a popular spot for runners, walkers, strollers, etc. as it is, not just scenic but very shady. An out and back course. Not much of an elevation drop but rolling hills that seem to go on forever as you return.

I picked up my colleague from his hotel in downtown Philadelphia at 6:30a (as a frame of reference, I'm about a 45 minute drive without traffic from his hotel). We were planning for him to take the train up to Chestnut Hill, but it would have been very tight to pick him up, park, register, go back to the car and run the race. So, off we went for the half hour drive to the site of the race.

(I'm always fascinated to talk to my colleagues from England on what they think of America. One of the things he remarked about was how 'cheap' petrol (gasoline) was in the states. He saw a sign for gas prices and asked me was $4 for a litre or a gallon. I said gallon and he responded, 'Blimey, that's cheap.' In the UK, they pay around $11 a gallon. Lots of public transportation going on over there).

We got there with plenty of time to spare. As we were signing up, my colleague thought it would be a good idea to just put his hotel name down as his address. 'No,' I said, 'I want to see their reaction when they see your home address.' Well, the people behind the desk didn't know what to do. 'You're from England?' was their remark. 'How do we enter this?' As they were debating, we were going back to the car to drop off our goody bag.

As we were waiting for the start of the race, a fellow runner came up to us and asked, 'Have you seen the Phillie Phanatic today?' (pictured above. And you thought it was a picture of my colleague). Startled, I said, 'Am I suppose to?' Plus, I thought, I'm not sure if my colleague is the right person to ask anyway. The fellow runner said, 'Yes, he was here last year and I wanted to get my picture with him and I didn't have my camera at the time. I wanted to be ready this year'. (For those of you who don't know, the Phillie Phanatic is the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team mascot and is considered one of the best sports mascots in the country. Kids and adults in the Philadelphia area love him. People in other areas just don't get him.)

The race was about to start. Temps were in the low 80s (F) with lower humidity. The Phillie Phanatic makes his appearance. He is working the crowd. In his own way, he is saying hello to all. (He doesn't speak) My colleague is talking to me. Suddenly, the PP comes up behind him and wraps his green arms around my colleague and gives him a big hug. My colleague turns around and gives PP a high-five. I told my colleague that kids in Philadelphia would love to have been in his shoes at that moment. The national anthem begins to play. My colleague doesn't know what to do. You see, they don't play the national anthem in England for sporting events. He commented to me how truly unique Americans are.

The race starts. My colleague is way ahead. Doesn't matter. I need to run my race. I look down at my Garmin. I can see the minutes and seconds but no distance or pace. Crap! I think about Frayed Laces July 20, 2008 race report and the comments associated and the issues she had with her Garmin that day. (http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/) I think about the people who I knew that week that had phone problems, cell problems, WiFi problems, internet problems. I immediately think the evildoers have found a way to cripple us. They are taking our communications away. They have jammed the Garmin satellite systems. It is their way of getting back at us. I will have to figure out my pace the old-fashioned way--wait for the first mile marker and see what time it is then.

I am struggling that first mile. I must be going out too fast. Probably a 7:30 pace. I hit the first mile. I was doing 8:30s. 8:30s? Damn. Seems like a lot more effort than an 8:30.

I hit mile 2 at the same pace. I think I am going to die. I'm struggling. And this is a 5-miler? I hit the halfway point and have to slow down. Slowing down forces me to gather myself. Yes, people were passing but I wasn't stopping. And, that's what I felt like doing after mile 2.

I finally found my pace. I wasn't struggling anymore. I had to plow ahead. And, my Garmin awoke. Ok, maybe it wasn't the evildoers afterall. Or maybe it was and they were taking a coffee break and that's why my Garmin was working again. Or, maybe it was the trees that were blocking the satellite links at the start of the race. I still think it was the evildoers.

The last mile is mostly uphill that seemingly goes on forever. You get to a corner, make the turn, to see the next corner. But, with a 100 yards to go, I see the finish. My colleague has already finished and he is cheering me from the sidelines. I want to make sure I break 45 minutes. I do, easily with a 44:17 finish. I'm tired. I'm sweating. But, I feel great. I feel back.

We waited around for the results to be posted. We found him on the sheet. His address shows up as 'England, PA'. The race director said, 'yes, we could hardly believe it but there was a fellow from England in this race! We didn't know what to do so we just put England down as the city.' We both chuckled.

As we were leaving the race, I asked my colleague his thoughts. He loved it. He couldn't believe how well organized it was and the food that was available before and after the race. We ran into the fellow runner looking for PP. "Did you find him?', I shouted. 'Yes,' he said, 'but I forgot my camera again.' Maybe next year.

(Notes: I ran 5+ miles the Thursday before the race at the 'new' old course at TZ Sports. My favorite running store moved from New Britain back to Doylestown, right across the street from where they were previously. They are now sponsoring a Thursday night run on a course that was popular when they were located in Doylestown before. I also ran 6 miles around the lake the day after the race. Again, slow and steady.

This certainly has been the year of not making up my mind. Steve wrote me and wants to do a marathon together afterall. We are now looking at the OBX marathon (http://www.obxmarathon.org/site3.aspx) in Outer Banks, North Carolina on November 9, 2008. I was hestiant to do this as I thought it was going to be all open with little shade. Looking at the website, it doesn't seem to be as open as I first thought. I still haven't ruled out Columbus but this might fit my timing better.)