2007 Group Run BLOG

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2008 BLOG

I found out where the guys were last week.  They ran at 9:30 to avoid the cold - wimps!!  No just kidding.  In fact it was decided at today's run to move the start time to 11:00 to avoid the worst of the cold.  Sounds good to me.

 

Today it was Frank Georges, Jim Quadros, Dave DeChellis, Joe Donnelly, Joe O'leary and me.  We did the Tyngsboro Bridge to Varnum route.  Joe D and I went to the Rourke for 12.4.  Frank cut it short using the blvd, and the other guys did about 16 using the School St bridge.

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I guess the cold and impeding new year scared you folks off - nobody showed so I ran a route near my house.  A nice solid 13+ at 7:15 pace.

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Hey - where were you guys??  Nobody showed - so I did a solo 7 miles and then went to Colin Gouldson's (HOF member) for the annual Christmas run.  It was a great time.  Lots of HOFers.  That was a 10K run.

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It was me and Katlin Callerey.  We had a nice easy 5K.  Due to the snow (yes we had another major storm) we went to the Aiken St Bridge and then to the Hunts Fall Bridge.

 

I doubled by doing the Rourke/Hunts Falls loop - to finish the day with 11.5.

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Personally - I went to the gym and did the treadmill.

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Cold and windy?  Who cares?  Not me, Jill Trotter and Adrian (sorry Adrian - I didn't get your last name).  We had a solid 13.  Due to the snow (we had a foot on Thursday) we had to improvise a few things and break trail in some places.  We did the Rourke Bridge to Hunts Falls Bridge, plus over to Hovey Rd and it's major hill.  The snow breaking slowed us a bit, so 8:04 was faster than you might think.

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We had a great time!!

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Tough today - the wind was brutal off the river.

 

It was just me and Rick Marcotte.  We ran out to the Rourke and then back to the Aiken St Bridge and back into the warm of the GLRR office.  We struggled on the outbound leg into the wind but got back the investment on the homeward bound leg with the wind behind us.  I was surprised when I looked at the time and saw we did better than 8s.

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I was a lonely runner today

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Very cold - we are not used to this yet!

 

We had Andy Chandonnet, John Byrne, Jill Trotter, Jim Quadros, Jim Rhoades and me.  We did the Tyng Bridge to Rourke Bridge route - using Sherburne/Varnum back roads.

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It took a hardy group today -

We had Jim Stronach, Jeff Haas, Andy Chandonnet (I think) and me.

 

I did the standard treatment plant run.

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Nice to be running in a group again.

 

We had Andy Chandonnet, John Byrne, Jill Trotter, Frank Georges, Jim Rhoades and me.  We did the standard Robin Hill route.

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Awesome!!  Nate finished 7th, beating Meb in the last mile!  He ran a 2:14:56 PR.  Casey gutted out a 2:28:29 on a bad Achilles.  He ran most of the race with his brother Patrick who ran 2:18:35 for 28th.

Read more about it here: http://www.nyrr.org/races/pro/mens_trials/index.asp

and here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_1/hall-puts-on-stunning-dis.shtml

And here are picture's that Frank took while we there: http://www.jimrhoades.com/07/trials/

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Thank goodness - we are almost back to normal - Baystate is done and only the Cape marathon next Sunday awaits.

 

Not a bad day to run - pretty overcast, but also pretty humid.

 

It was Andy Chandonnet, Jim Quadros and me.  We did the standard treatment plant run.

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One of those awesome New England days for running - although the air temp was cool, it felt great!

 

It was Pam Walker, Frank Georges and me.  We all started together on the usual loop out to the Rourke.  We each took slightly different routes back.  I was pressed for time and bailed first.

 

It was great to burn off a bit of the tension of putting the Baystate.

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I was working with Kelly Fleming again this week - to get here ready for the MC Marathon.

 

As good as last week was - this week was horrible - hot and humid.  We had hoped to go farther - but with the brutal heat - it just was not worth it.

 

Good Luck Kelly.

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Great day to run!!

 

We had: Andy Chandonnet, Jeff Haas, newcomer Kelly Fleming and me (glenn).

 

I'm not sure what Andy and Jeff did.

 

I ran with Kelly, who is training for the Marine Core Marathon.  She wanted 11+ at a pace near 10m/mi.  We did exactly that.  We did the Treatment Plant, Stackpole loop and then added a bit more on the river walk - to round it out to 13.5

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On Saturday I was up at Lake Winnipesauke Relay - so no run for me.
One Sunday I was at the Chelmsford 5K and most everyone else was at the Harvard 10 miler.

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Probably the best day of the season - a little cool (OK - cold) to start, but became very comfortable.

 

Good turn out: Dave DeChellis, Andy Chandonnet, Frank Georges, Eric Beauchesne, Jim Quadros, Jim Rhoades, Ben Ndaya, Mike Cooney and me (glenn).

 

I got dropped right away - but it's OK - I still ran my fastest time for this loop.  I didn't feel great (upset stomach), but these strong weekend runs have really kicked in and I was much faster than I thought.

 

I think everyone but me did the 15.5 Tyngsboro, School St loop.  I did the Tyng, Rourke loop with a bit added at the end.

 

Nobody drank any beer?!?!?

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Nice day to run!!  And I got to join the gang.

 

We had: Mark Blaisdell, Andy Chandonnet, Jeff Haas, Jim Stronach and me (glenn).

 

Mark, Andy and me did the treatment plant for 9.5.

 

I think Jeff and Jim turned at University for about 7.5

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Nice day - a little wet - but again I didn't make it - I was working at Moody Kids.

 

Word has it that Mike C, Jim Q, Jim R and Frank were there.

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Brutal day - I was at working at Dracut Old Home 5K - I ran later and got crushed!

Not sure who made this day.  Also this was the day for the Ollie GP race.

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Nice day - but no run for me - I was working at the Mill City 5K.

 

Only Jim Rhoades showed up - everyone else was at Mill City or rest for Cape Ann.

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Nice day.  I can't quite remember everyone who was there - but I think it was: Mark Blaisdell, Andy Chandonnet, Mike Paglia and me (glenn).

 

We planned to the treatment plant on the river walk, but the way was blocked near Aiken St, so we turned back and I added the GoodTimes course to make 11.5.

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Brutal hot day - I think most of us had problems.

 

Pretty small group today: Dave DeChellis, Andy Chandonnet, Johnny Byrne, Jim Quadros, Eric Beauchesne and me (glenn) [did I forget someone??]

 

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge, via Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

 

John and I too it slow.  Jim, Andy and Dave did 20+.  I'm not sure what Eric did.

 

John was in trouble at about 10 and shuffled back in over the Rourke.

 

I went on to the School St bridge for 15.5.

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Saturday, August 25, 8:00AM, downtown Lowell

Brutal hot day.  I was the Chamberas XC race - so I'm not sure who showed up or what they did.

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Sunday, August 19, 7:00AM, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

15.6 Miles, 8:02 pace

Temp 49-60, pretty low humidity, no wind

The best weather day yet!!!  Absolutely beautiful.

 

We had small group today: Dave DeChellis, Andy Chandonnet, Frank Georges, Johnny Bynre and me (glenn).

 

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge, via Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

 

Dave, Andy and Frank took it pretty easy at the start, but after about 3 miles John and I dropped back

 

John stop for water at Sullivan Farms - he has discovered the hose on the side of the building can be used.  Speaking of water sources - John also noticed that on the side of the utility building at the back of the Voc (where we leave out water for the Sunday run) is also a live line - so you can always stop there if you need a drink.

 

Anyway - John and I lost the other guys at Sullivan Farms, and they were gone by the time we got the water and potty stop at the Voc.

 

John and I went on to the School St bridge for 15.6.  On our way to the dump at Steadman St, Andy and Dave caught us, and then Frank passed us.  They went to Aiken St for about 17.5.

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Saturday, August 18, 8:00AM, downtown Lowell

11.5 Miles, 9:12 avg pace

Temp 57-63, low humidity, strong NW wind (up to 18mph)

It was like a fall day - mild temps, dry air and pleanty of wind

 

We had a guest today - Jara Kern.  She has been living in Acton, near Marx, while her husband interns this summer at IBM/Lotus/Notes.

 

Her and I paired up to do 11.5 by doing the treatment plant and then Stackpole to Andover St and back to the start.  We took it easy because I was feeling a little under the weather (well - actually I was out last night playing cards and I only got 3 hours of sleep).  Anyway it was a great run.  The Asian Water Festival was today - so it was fun running through that.

 

I Think besides me and Jara, there were: Pam Walker, Mark Blaisdell, Jim Stronach, Andy Chandonnet and Bryon MacSweeny.

 

I'm not sure what they did - everyone was gone when Jara and I got back.

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Sunday, August 12, 7:00AM, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

15.6 Miles, 7:33 pace

Temp 62-77, Moderate Humidity - 93-66, no wind

Another beautiful day for running - and run we did - at least me and Jeff

 

We had Jim Quadros, Jim Rhoades (the picture man), Joe O'Leary, Eric Beauchesne, Dave DeChellis. Jeff Hass, Mike Paglia and me (glenn); later Johnny Byrne showed up during his solo run

 

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge, via Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

 

The boyz - we're a bit slow today and Jeff and I were pretty fast (for us) early - so we stayed with the pack over the first 5 miles.  Then Jeff and I dropped back a bit.  Mike also fell of the pace and opted to go back on the boulevard - so probably about 10 or 10.5 for him.  Joe had an Achilles problem and walked it in from about 10.5 miles.

 

Jeff and I went to School St for 15.6.  We were about 8 minutes faster than the same route two weeks ago.

 

I assume the Jims, Dave and Eric did the 15.6 loop.

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Saturday, August 11, 8:00AM, downtown Lowell

13.0 Miles, 9:07 avg pace

Temp 57-75, Humidity 65+%, light wind

Nice today - too bad I did run well

 

We ended up with 3 pairs today.

 

We had: Kaitlyn Callery, Mike Paglia, Pam Walker, Jeff Haas, Mark Blaisdell and me (glenn).

 

Mark was a surprise - he's been injured - so it was nice to see him today.

 

JJ was sick this weekend - so Group 1 was me and Kaitlyn.  We did the 5 mile School St loop at 11:00s.

 

Group 2 was Jeff and Mark - they did about 7.5 miles - at what I would guess was 7:40s

 

Group 3 was Pam and Mike.  I assume they did the treatment plant.  I don't know - because after runing with Kaitlyn I went back out.

 

My solo loop was the 8 Mile Rourke to Aiken loop.  I didn't run very well - I'm not sure why.

 

Oh yeah - and as to the vegetation - Mike asked at city hall about it.  It seems they'll be cutting down on both the river and road sides of the path.  I guess it will be nice when it's complete - right now is a bit of mess.

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Sunday, August 5, 7:00AM, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

17.0 Miles, 7:34 pace

Temp 63-72, Lower Humidity - 73-44, light wind N 1-13

As bad yesterday was - today was good - much cooler and drier and it was reflected in the pace.

 

We had Jim Quadros, Jim Rhoades (the picture man), Joe O'Leary;  Andy Chandonnet, Frank Georges, Eric Beauchesne, Tom Doody, Dave DeChellis and me (glenn); later we passed Johnny Byrne

 

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge, via Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

 

I'm not sure what the main pack did - I got separated pretty early.  While 7:30s is quick for me (in training) it's not fast enough for the boyz.

 

It was such a beautiful day - I took it all the way out to University to cross back over the river.  That gave me 17 miles.  I probably could have done more, but I figured it was time to get back.

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Saturday, August 4, 8:00AM, downtown Lowell

9.5 Miles, 9:01 avg pace

Temp 75-80, Humidity 75+%, light wind

Boy has it been hot!!  Just brutal.

 

I think we had three groups today - the reason I'm not sure is that I was told that JJ and Kaitlyn started before I got there.  If either of you reads this - give me an update and I'll add it.

 

So I think we had: Kaitlyn Callery, JJ Buono, Andy Chandonnet, Mike Paglia, Pam Walker, Jim Stronach, Jim Rhoades and me (glenn).

 

With JJ and Kaitlyn in group 1, we broke into two groups.

Group 2: Andy, Mike, and the Jims.  That splintered into Jim S cutting back early, and Mike did Stackpole to get about 10.5-11.  I think Andy and Jim R did the treatment plant.

 

Group 3 was Pam and me.  We did the treatment plant.  We went slow due to the heat.

 

They are cutting down vegetation along the north side of the river.  We understand (from Mike) it is the Army Corp in charge and that it is to protect the river flood walls.  The problem is they seem to be cutting the wrong trees and brush.  Anyway - it has reduced the shade - so it was hotter today.

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Sunday, July 29, 7:00AM, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

15.5 Miles, 8:06 pace

Temp 70-78, High Humidity - 100-75, light wind N 0-10

A brutal running day - very foggy and humid at the start, then the sun came out - dropped the humidity, but cranked up the heat.

A lot of the guys took today off - they are getting ready for Yankee Homecoming - good luck to them.

We had Ben Ndaya, Jim Quadros, Jeff Haas, Johnny Byrne, Jim Rhoades (the picture man), plus new faces: Bryon MacSweeney and Joe O'Leary; and me (glenn).

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge: taking the Dunstable Rd to Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

The run broke into two packs: the lead pack was Ben, Joe, the Jims and fro awhile John.  The back pack was me, Jeff and Bryon.  John fell into no-man's land between the packs at about 4 miles.  Then our pack passed him.  We was a hurtin' dude.

I think John, Joe, and Jim R opted for the Rourke for 12.5.

The rest of us did the Mammoth/School loop for 15.5

 

For most of it I think me, Jeff and Bryon were on about 7:50 pace but faded badly on the last 5 miles to final total pace of 8:06.

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Saturday, July 28, 8:00AM, Boathouse in Lowell

10.5 Miles, 8:48 avg pace

Temp 73-76, Humidity 90%, no wind

Three groups today!!!  Things are looking better on the runs.

 

Not as hot as we expected.

We met at the boathouse - due to the Lowell Folk Festival.

Some new old faces today: John Morrison, Rick Marcotte and Kaitlyn Callery

We also had Andy Chandonnet, Mike Paglia, Jeff Haas, JJ Buono and me (glenn).

 

We ended up with three groups -

Group 1 was Pam, Jeff, Mike and Andy.  Andy split off for 6.4mi.  Pam, Jeff and Mike did the full 9.8 loop (the treatment plant) at about 8:30s.

Group2 was John and Rick.  They went from the boathouse out to the Tyng Bridge.  That was 10.1 for John and Rick looped around to School St for 14.1.  I'm not sure what pace they did.

Group 3 was me, JJ and Kaitlyn who went around the Rourke Bridge and School St for 4 mi - at about 11:00 pace.

 

After the run with JJ and Kaitlyn I added another loop of Rourke and Aiken St for an additional 6.5 miles at tempo pace.

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Sunday, July 22, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

15.4 Miles, 7:45 pace

OK day for running, T 63-72, pretty humid, not much wind

We had Andy Chandonnet, Ben Ndaya, Frank Georges, Jim Quadros, Jeff Haas, Johnny Byrne, Dave DeChellis and me (glenn).

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge: taking the Dunstable Rd to Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

Me, Jeff and John fell off the pace but took the Dunstable Rd fork - for the longer run.

We put a water and coke stop at the back entrance to the Voc school. 

Guys did various routes back to Gold's: Rourke, Bridge, School St, University, Bridge St

I did 15.4 with John and Jeff (taking School St back.) at 7:45 pace

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Saturday, July 21, Downtown Lowell

9.8 Miles, 8:36 pace

A beautiful day for running high 60s, moderate humidity, gusty N wind

A new face - Pam Walker - we like getting new faces

We also had Andy Chandonnet, Jim Stronach, Mike Paglia, Frank Georges and me (glenn).

On our way out to the Rourke - we encountered a kid smoking a fat joint while riding a bike...  so I guess we got more than a runner's high!  Frank took evasive action to get away - the rest of us just plugged on.

Frank and Andy took it to the treatment plant (9.8).

Jim, Mike, me and Pam stayed together - running Pam's pace.  She wanted to do 9s, but we ended up comfortable at 8:30s.

Jim bailed for his usual 7.5

Pam, Mike and me did the whole 9.8.  It was a great run at 8:36 pace.

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Sunday, July 15, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

11.5 Miles, 7:55 pace

We like the 7AM start time (well - at least it has increased the numbers)

Brutal day for running, mid 70s, very humid, gusty SW wind

We had Joe Donnelly, Andy Chandonnet, Ben Ndaya, Frank Georges, Eric Beauchesne, Tom Doody, Jim Quadros, Jeff Haas, Johnny Byrne, Robert Onchaga and me (glenn).

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge: taking the Dunstable Rd to Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

Me, Jeff and Robert fell off the pace and took the short cut (I was still dead from yesterday)

We put a water and coke stop at the back entrance to the Voc school.  We all met back up there.

Guys did various routes back to Gold's: Rourke, Bridge, School St, University, Bridge St

I did 11.5 (taking the Rourke back.) at 7:56

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Saturday, July 14, Downtown Lowell

8.0 Miles, 7:36 pace

Good day for running around 68-70, pretty humid, almost no wind

We had Andy Chandonnet, Jim Stronach, Mike Paglia, Frank Georges and me (glenn).

With no JJ to save me - the pace was way to quick for me...  I might still have been suffering from my late night doing Berna's the day before - anyway the early pace was sub 7s and I crashed.

Frank and Andy took it fast to the treatment plant (9.8).

Mike did 9 (I think)

Jim bailed for his usual 7.5

I crashed and burned for 8 miles at 7:36 and walked it in.

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Sunday, July 8, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

16.2 Miles, 7:32 pace

We moved the start time to 7AM (oh man that is early for me!!) - but it brought the horses!!

Good day for running T 68-74, somewhat humid, almost no wind

Quite a group: Joe Donnelly, Andy Chandonnet, Ben Ndaya, Frank Georges, Eric Beauchesne, Tom Doody, Mike Cooney, Jim Quadros, Jeff Haas, Jim Stronach and me (glenn); plus late Johnny Byrne

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge: taking the Dunstable Rd to Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

Me, Jeff and Jim S fell right off the pace - we did about 7:30s (much faster early on) - the rest of the boys were doing about 6:00 to 6:15.

Jim S bailed out a little after Vinal Sq and went back

Jeff and I took a short cut (Misson Rd) to the Tyng Bridge (we saved about 3/4 mile on the boys).

We put a water and coke stop at the back entrance to the Voc school.  We all met back up there.

Guys did various routes back to Gold's: Rourke, Bridge, School St, University, Bridge St

I did 16.2 (taking University back) at 7:32

Oh yeah - and Johnny B - he showed up at 8 and was told we left an hour ago - Jeff and I saw him on Varnum doing the route in the opposite direction.

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Saturday, July 7, Downtown Lowell

4.5 miles, 9:27 pace
3.6 miles, 7:07 pace

A beautiful day for running around 64-70, somewhat humid, almost no wind

We had Phil with us again!  Awesome.  And another surprise - JJ Buono came.

In addition to Phil and JJ, there was Andy Chandonnet, Paul Kelly, Jim Stronach and me (glenn).

Phil and Andy did the 9.8 loop (to the treatment plant) about about 6:50 (I think)

Paul and Jim went together - but Paul injured his calf and walked it in

JJ and I did 4.5 at about 9:30s, then I tacked on another 3.6.

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Sunday, July 1, Gold's Gym, Chelmsford

12.5 Miles, 7:42 pace

OK day for running started at 60 but went to 82, pretty humid, not much wind

Quite a group: Joe Donnelly, Andy Chandonnet, Ben Ndaya, Dave DeChellis, Robert Onchaga, Johnny Byrne, Frank Georges, Paul Kelly and me (glenn)

We did the Tyngsboro Bridge: taking the Dunstable Rd to Flints Corner route; then Sherburne/Varnum.

Me, Paul, John and Robert went 12.5 (coming back on the Rourke Bridge) at 7:42 pace

The other guys went sub 7s for 16+

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Saturday, June 30, Downtown Lowell

8.3 Miles, 7:32 pace

A beautiful day for running around 70, moderate humidity, not much wind

Phil Riley was a surprise runner - it was great to see him here.

In addition to Phil, there was Andy Chandonnet, Paul Kelly, Jim Stronach and me (glenn).

Phil and Andy did the 9.8 loop (to the treatment plant) about about 6:50 (I think)

Paul and I did 8.3 (came back on Akien) at 7:32 pace

Jim did about 7.5 coming back on School St

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