2008 Group Run BLOG

Current BLOG

Again nobody showed - probably still due to the ice storm we had Thursday.

 

I did the Robin hill route to see the extent of the damage - it was bad.  Almost the entire 12 miles of running was along areas with no power.  It is going to take a long time to clean this up.

 

I was glad to use the shower at Golds!

---

Nobody showed - probably due to the ice storm we had Thursday.

 

I did the new Fort Hill route that I scouted last week and added a loop to Aiken at the end.  The wind by the end was bitter cold. 

 

The damage on Fort Hill was extensive - there were a lot of places I had to walk around ice and downed trees.  I decided to avoid the trails and stick to roads.

 

I was glad to use the hot shower at the office afterwards.

---

It was me and Ray Jacques again.  Ray was saving it for Sunday's Mill Cities (he had the long leg).  So we just did an easy 5 miles - School St to Hunt Falls and back.  Afterwards I did an exploratory run over to Fort Hill and South Lowell, along the Concord River.  It was interesting and I'll be doing it again next week.

---

I ran with Liam Skinner.  We had a pretty nicer run on the usual long run course - out to the Tyng Bridge.

 

It was pretty cold, but at least the wind had died down, and no black ice.

---

Nobody showed up - perhaps because there was brutal black ice everywhere.  So perhaps it was just as well.

---

I was at Slattery's Turkey Trot

---

Ray Jacques showed up to keep me company.  He took a page from Andy C's book and ran 2 miles from his house to the office.  Then we proceeded on the standard Rourke Bridge loop.  We were supposed to go slower, by the pace was more like 8:05 to 8:10 on the way to the Rourke because the wind was killer cold.  We just wanted to get that first 4 miles done and get the wind at our backs.

 

Once we made the turn on the other side of the river and start the trip back, it was much nicer.  I took it back over the Aiken St Bridge for 8 miles.  Ray stayed on and headed to the treatment plant and then home for a total of about 13 miles.

---

Jill and Jim ran later (9AM I think) - I went solo at 7:30

---

No show

---

I was running in the USATF-NE XC Masters Championship at Franklin Park.

---

Nobody showed up.

---

I was timing the TIP 5K in Lawrence

---

No body showed up.

---

I ran the Cape Cod Marathon

---

No body showed up.

---

I ran the Bobby Bell in Haverhill

---

Last run with Alex Gomez - he's running Baystate next week.

 

We did old treatment plant run (out to the Rourke, back to the treatment plant, then to the office).  We then added a loop to School St to get about 13.

 

It was a nice easy run.

---

I was in Syracuse with Andy Chandonnet, Mark Blaisdell, Bill Dixon and Mark Corbett for the USATF National 5K Road Race Team Championship.

---

I was on my way to Syracuse.

---

Can't remember why - but I think no one showed up

---

I ran with Alex - we started out too fast, so eventually the humidity caught up to us.

---

I was timing the Run for Ryan's Cup 5K in Chelmsford.

---

I can't remember everyone who was there.  I know I ran with Alex and we ran into Paul Kelly along the way.  He joined us for about 10 miles.

 

We did the Baystate course - this was by far our best run yet.  Solid pace and we held it nicely!

---

I was sick!!

---

Good crew today - Alex Gomez, Dave Wood, Ray Jenks, Andy Chandonnet, Jim Quadros.

 

Andy and Jim teamed up for better pace.  Alex, Dave, Ray and me ran the 1st 3 miles together.  Then Dave and Ray went over the Rourke and back for about 7-8 miles.

 

Alex and me went on.  I was unable to stay with Alex.  Turns out I was sick (but didn't know it at the point).  I  lost him at about 7 miles.  Alex went on to do about 20 miles.

---

Not sure who was there.  I ran for about 16 miles with John Byrne.

 

We did the usual Tyng Bridge loop, then ran to School St. and back to Gold's.  I added a loop around the dump to get 18.  It was brutal hot and humid.

---

I was in Dracut timing the Dracut Old Home 5K

---

I'm filing this from my running log - I can't remember everyone who was there...  Andy and Jill for sure.

 

I ran with them towards the Tyng Bridge, but since I'm running the Cape Ann race tomorrow, I broke off at the little park/trials off of Dunstable Rd.

---

Alex Gomez was back, as was Dave Wood, plus Phil Coddaire was there.

 

This time we did the course right - out past the Rourke, left on Grosvenor, right on Princeton, and out to the Tyng Bridge.  Back on the Bvld and then we added the water treatment plant.

 

The early pace was a bit aggressive (we averaged 8:03 over the 1st 10 miles) so we had to slow it down for the last 7.5.  It was kind of humid, so we struggled a bit.

---

I'm not sure what the gang did - I was timing the Marcia Lemkin 5K.  I ran 10 miles afterward.

---

Gayle Oulighan and Alex Gomez were back, plus a new comer Dave Wood.

 

Gayle and I did the 8 mile route - Rourke back to Aiken and then to the office.

 

Dave was doing his first run a long time (months??).  He ran it out to about mile 3 and headed home.

 

Alex did the Tyng bridge.

 

After running with Gayle I went out to find Alex.  Like last week I couldn't find him, so I started back.  On my way back I found him (or rather he found me) and we finished up on the water treatment plant run.  Alex did 20 and I finished with almost 11.

 

Alex was looking great for a guy who'd run 16 miles.

 

We later found out why I could never find Alex - he was crossing to the north west side of the river at the Rourke and running the course backwards.  So when I've been looking for him on the north side, he's been on the south side.

---

Good crowd today (Wow!  2 days in a row - this is nice).  We had: Paul Kelly, Andy Chandonnet, Liam Skinner, John Byrne (nice to see him back), Jill Trotter (nice to see her as well), Adrian, Jimmy Rhoades and me for a total of 8.

 

The thoroughbreds - Jimmy, Andy and Liam took it out pretty quick (sub 7s) making one group.  Jill and Adrian were another and then John, me and Paul strung out for the 3rd group.

 

We did the out to the Tyng Bridge by way of Flints Corner and then to the Voc for a water stop.

 

I think from there - Jill, Adrian, Liam and Jimmy did the back to Gold's for 12.  Andy went to the University for 16.3.  I left John and Paul, who also did 12 and went to University (just not as fast as Andy) and then rounded it out to 16.5

---

No this is most like it - we had 7 runners today!

Gayle Oulighan, Alex Gomez, David Penn, Jason Haroutunian, Adam Sheer, Andy Chandonnet and me (glenn).

 

Different folks did different things - Gayle and I did the 4.5 mile route (turning at School St) and added on to make it a 5 miler.  The guys headed past School St.  Adam and Andy did the water treatment plant (about 10) and were the quickest.  After my run with Gayle I went back out to run the basic routes backwards and check on folks.  I found Adam and Andy as they were about a mile from the finish.  I somehow missed Jason and David - I think they got on the south side of the river before I found them. 

 

Alex went the full Tyng Bridge run, so I went looking for him and almost missed him too.  He also made to the south side before School St.  Fortunately he spotted me on my way back at the ball park.  So we finished up together.  He was on his 18th mile and looked real good - so I think it was a good day for him.

 

I'm pretty sure everyone got what they came for - so we'll call this day a success!

---

It was Paul Kelly, Andy Chandonnet and me.  We ran into Johnny Byrne out on the roads.  That was nice - we haven't seen John in months.  He says he'll be back next Sunday!

 

Paul and I did the 12 mile Tyng Bridge loop.  We all (except John) had run Bridge of Flowers so we took it pretty easy.  Andy added on at the end to make 15.5

---

How'd it go?  For the team great - we won Senior's again by about 8 mins.  For me - don't ask!

---

Ran on my own - 14.2 @ 7:50

---

Phil Coddaire, Andy Chandonnet and me.

 

I ran the sewer plant loop (9.5) and added on Kerouac and Boarding House parks.  After the Rourke I told Phil and Andy to drop me so they could get in 12, which they did.

---

Ran on my own - 14 @ 7:47

---

Phil Coddaire came back.  Also we had Mark Blaisdell and visitor to Lowell.  I think his name was Bob, he's the brother or brother-in-law of the pastor of St Anne's on Merrimack St.

 

Phil and Mark teamed up and ran 10 miles (the sewer plant plus a bit more).  Bob and I ran the 8 mile Rourke to Aiken St bridges loop, and then I added a mile.

---

Just me and Andy - We did a variation of the Tyng bridge loop by running around the back of the dump on Steadman and Smith Sts to make 14 miles.

 

It was a good run for me - Andy is tireless and keeps the pace strong!

---

Phil Coddaire came.  Plus a newbie - Joel (I think).  Also Andy Chandonnet was there.

 

It was pretty damn hot!  Joel and I did the 8 mile Rourke to Aiken St bridges loop.  I for one was glad to be done.  Phil and Andy did the full 9.5 sewer treatment plant loop.

---

I did 13.1 @ 7:45

---

I know Jonathan Mackenzie was there, and maybe somebody else.  We did the 8 mile Rourke to Aiken St bridges loop.

---

I did 12 @ 7:45

---

Again no one showed - I guess we need to re-think this.  I went home and ran there.

I was on my own - I guess no one wanted to run in Lowell.  I did the Rourke Bridge to Aiken St  route.

I was working at the Spring Fling Triathlon with Bill Rozen

---

Ran with Jimmy Shelton and a new face - Julie.  It was a great day for running. 

 

We did a modified version of the water treatment plant run.  We ran to School, crossed the river.  Then we ran the river to the treatment plant and back.  We dropped Jimmy at about 4 miles - but that was OK - he added on for almost 7 miles.

---

I was working at the Lowell Fire Fighters race with Dave Camire.

---

Was at the Medical 6K race in Nashua.  After we got everyone on the start line, John  Barbour and I ran the course, plus some extra.

---

Ran with Andy Chandonnet.  Andy is racing tomorrow at the Medical 6K and I'm still coming back so we took it pretty easy.

---

Today I was helping at the the Westford Road Race.  Another win for Ben in the 10K.

---

Starting my comeback. 

 

Andrea and Jimmy Shelton showed up.  We followed the same plan as April 19th.  The first run was modified version of GoodTimes.

 

Then I did a 5 mile checkout run.

---

Today I was helping at the the Tewksbury Pleasant Mile 5K put on by Peter Molloy for the Tewksbury track team.  Ben arrived 5 minutes before the gun.  No problem - he won easily and then went to Groton to win the 10K.  You might have read about it in the paper.

---

I rolled my ankle on Thursday. 

---

Today was the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials race.  Jill Trotter, Jill's friend (??), Scotty Graham, Beth Linstad, Nick Mullen, Jimmy Shelton, and Rich Blake carpooled down.  Jimmy and Rich took pictures.  You can see Rich's pictures here.

 

We watched the start and then made our way to the Mass Ave bridge (about 3.5 miles into the race).  By the time we got there a mystery women had a 40 second lead.  For some dopy reason the BAA failed to provide named bibs.  So the crowd was left to wonder who the hell was running.  Yeah a few of the high profile names were recognizable, but even the competitors had no idea who grabbed the lead.

 

From there we made to the Memorial Drive tunnel under Mass Ave.  This was the 6/12/18/24 mile marks and a few steps away was the 7/13/19/25 mile marks.  There we found Nate Jenkins.  Fortunately Nate knows like half the field, personally.  So he filled everyone in on the top runners.  As you know by now the mystery women was Magdalena Boulet.  She ran a great race.  She started at 5:45s and held that pretty much the whole way, despite having to run solo most of the time.  Of course the big story was the beat down administered by Deena Kastor.  She race the first 18 with the pack, letting Magdalena get a lead of just under 2 minutes.  Then Deena shifted gears and took the pace down to about 5:20s.  It didn't take long to grab the lead and win easily.

 

You should have been there - maybe next time you will be.

---

I know you all read my claim to run your pace and think he doesn't really mean it.  He likes to run fast.  Not true - I want people at all levels to come and run.  Today Andrea Shelton took us up on the offer.  Jonathan McKenzie and ma ran with Andrea on a what is basically the GoodTimes course.  We had a good time and we are were both pleased to see Andrea out there.  Over the long run (pun intended) having a variety of paces will help the everyone.

 

After our run with Andrea, Jonathan and I did a second run around the School St loop for 4.5 miles.  This run was also kept at a recovery pace of 10:00.

 

I can run fast, if I have to, but trust me, I'd rather have Saturday's like this.

---

I ran tempo at Doyle's pub race - so I missed this run.  If you were there - send me mail and I'll update this entry.

---

The foreboding weather (and the upcoming Boston Marathon?) limited this run to just me and Andy.  I needed a recovery day - so we took it easy.

---

Pretty close to a carbon copy of yesterday.  Less wet, but more wind.

 

Andy Chandonnet and Andriy (Andre) Danylov were back for more and we were joined by Liam Skinner.  Distance was the goal today.  We're all pretty sick of Tyngsboro (the bridge, not the town), so like last week we headed for Robin Hill and then Mill Road to Turnpike.

---

 

We're back to our normal group runs from the GLRR office in downtown Lowell.  It's nice to be back.

 

Wet and cold weather brought out only Andy Chandonnet and Andriy (Andre) Danylov.  We did the normal Rourke Bridge loop.  I struggled a bit and so cut it short to 8 miles via Aiken St.  Andy and Andre did the full water treatment plant loop for 9.5 (at probably about 7:30-7:20)

---

Today it was the Rhoades boys - Jim and Jeff, Liam Skinner and me.  We started with Robin Hill.  Jim and Liam were out front and ended up doing Mill Road for 14+.  I was in the middle (faster than Jeff, but not has fast as Jim and Liam).  I needed 16, so I did Warren Rd to Turnpike and then sort of wandered until I got my 16.  I think Jeff took it straight back to the gym for about 9 miles.

---

 

This was the  fourth and final training session on the Boston Course.

It was another fine running day.  Cool with a bit of tail wind.

 

We had 12 runners out there: Jill Trotter, Andy Chandonnet, Andriy (Andy) Danylov, Scotty Graham, MaryBeth McKinney, Amy Molloy, Krista Byam, Alyssa McNeil, Abdul, Candice, and Ally Maslowski.

 

Everyone (except Jill, free lanced a bit) did the entire course, and Candice who missed the turn onto Commonwealth did even more.

 

Pace varied - fastest was (I think) Andy who appeared to be doing near 7s.  Most of the front group was doing about 7:30-7:40.  The rest did about 8:15 to 9:00.

 

Mucho thanks to our volunteers this week: Mark Corbett (again) and Peter Molloy.  We could not have done without them.

---

Being Easter Sunday - there was an understandably small group.  It was Keith O'bs and Megan and a new face, Ray Boutotte and me.  O'bs, Megan and Ray wanted to do about 5-6.  We did Nabnassett - but it turned out to be more like 7 to 7.5, which was a bit too long.  But it was a nice day to run.

---

 

This was the  third of our four training sessions on the Boston Course.

Finally a good weather day!!  It was bright and sunny.  There was a strong west wind (5-20mph), but that was fine for the runners (although a bit cold for the volunteers).  Several remark, now if we can have this on race day!

 

We had lots of runners today - 15 in all.  So we had quite a few groups.  Not all did Hopkinton to Boston College, so I'll mention the groups and what I think they did.

 

Jill Trotter, Andy Chandonnet, Andriy (Andy) Danylov and Nate were the led group.  They started at about 7:30 pace, so I suspect they we're about 7:40 for the day.  They did the whole route for about 21.5 miles.

 

Next was our ladies from last week: MaryBeth McKinney, Amy Molloy, Krista Byam and Alyssa.  They appeared to be running about the same as last week - which was about an 8:25 pace.  They also did the whole trip to Boston College - for 21.5 miles.

 

Next was a new duo: Ally Maslowski and Kathleen Ralls (I think?).  Both are new members, so this was the first they met - but it was a great match.  They ran the whole 21.5 together.  It looked like the pace was about 9:00.

 

Following them we had Kate Maslowski (Ally sister) and Kathy Paganis (a friend of Sue's).  They hammered out 18 miles at about 11:00 (which was a bit quicker than they expected).

 

We also had two group run the Wellesley-BC section.  That was Paul Kelly and Mike Ballerini.  They also wanted to "see" the course, so they followed us to Hopkinton and then drove to Wellesley where they did an out and back run (basically similar to week 1 & 2).  I'm not sure what pace they did.

 

And last, but certainly not least, Bill and Joanne Harriman got out there today.  They plan to run the final 10 of the marathon, so they again trained on the Newton-BC section (as an out and back).  My guess is they were similar to last week, which as about 12:00 pace.

 

Mucho thanks to our volunteers this week: Jessica (again) and JJ Buono.  We could not have done without them.

 

Next week's plan is the same as this week.
Send me mail if you can help - I think I need at least 2 additional volunteers.

---

Rumor has it that there was a good crew at Gold's (while I was in New Bedford running the half marathon).  Andriy (Andre) Danylov was there (he unfortunately missed us on Saturday - so this was his long run.  Also there were John Byrne and Liam Skinner and I think a couple of others.  I know Andre did the Tyngsboro to Aiken bridges - so that's about 20.  I'm not sure what the other guys did.

---

This was the  second of our four training sessions on the Boston Course.

This time the weather did not cooperate.  It was snowing when our 5 runners started out.  It never got really bad, but it was wet for the whole 3 hours and, of course cold.

 

We had two groups -
MaryBeth McKinney, Amy Molloy and Krista Byam ran the whole route from Natick to Boston College (and a bit past it).
Bill and Joanne Harriman ran pretty much last week's route from, Wellesley to almost Boston College (about 10 miles).

 

We provided water stops for long group in Wellesley and at the Newton Cemetery.  This gave them four places to get water.  The Harriman's used the Cemetery stop (out and back).

 

We also monitored the course to make sure, given the weather, everyone was doing OK.

 

The ladies did great!  They are looking for 3:40 on race day, and that is pretty much what they ran today.  So - looking good!

 

Volunteering were Mark Corbett, Jessica Costa and me.

 

Next week it is Hopkinton to Boston College - point to point.

---

We had a contingent of Westford marathoners this morning - Gerard Ottaviano, Ann Lewin, Lori ? and Jill Trotter.  Add to that (given the earlier start) some old faces: John Byrne and Mark Farren, and of course me.  So we had a pretty good group.

The marathon group was there to get ready for Boston (or Vermont City) by doing a 22 milers.  So we did the Tyngsboro Bridge loop, via Sherburne.  The marathon group went on to Aiken St and back (along with a bit of improvisation) for their 22.

John, Mark and me did the junior 12 mile loop via the Rourke.

 

Last week was windy - but this week was wicked windy.  It was only three degrees colder - but it was brutal going out.  As it was last week, after the first 6 the wind was mostly behind us and the pace quickened substantially. 

---

This was the  first of our four training sessions on the Boston Course.

The weather threatened to be pretty awful, but a 3 hour window opened where the rain pretty much stopped and running conditions became perfect. I think the threat of bad weather kept a lot of folks away. Too bad - you missed a perfect day.

 

Our runners were: Scotty Graham, Andy Chandonnet, Andriy Danylov and Frank Georges.
Volunteering were Jessica Costa and me.

 

The starting point was Wellesley Hills, at the train station. They ran out to Boston College and back. Jessica and me meet them at the Cemetery (about 4 miles in and 8 miles back) to hand out water and Gatorade.

 

Because we had a small group, Jessica provided transportation down and became our support van. Frank also drove down.

 

All in all - it went well.

We'll be training again next week and we'll figure out exactly what we'll do sometime in the coming week.

---

It was Jill Trotter, Dave DeChellis, Andriy Danylov (new member) and me.  We did the usual (lately) Tyngsboro Bridge route.  Andriy and I did the Rourke Bridge for 12+ miles.  Dave and Jill did School St for 15+.

It was very windy on the first half of the run (out to Tyngsboro), but the run back was not so bad.  The sun was bright and the wind at our back made the run home fairly pleasant.

 

As postscript - this was Dave's last weekend workout with us for a while. On Tuesday his daughter Jessica was born.

---

I can't remember the last time we gave in to the weather.  The usual plan is to run regardless of the weather, put in this case the heavy snow and narrow streets caused us to give in.  I did run later - in my case at about 3:30P.  It was fine then.
 

Note: The next 4 weeks we will be doing group runs on the Boston Marathon course.  You can find additional details on the group run page.  We will return to group runs from the office on April 5TH.

---

I ran earlier with Jeff Hass and Keith O'Brien.  Keith and me worked at the US Indoor Nationals at Reggie Lewis - so we needed to get our work in early.  We ran from Jeff's house.  He brutalized with a hilly 13 miler around Hagget's Pond.

---

It was a great finish to the Fudgcicle series.  The weather was very seasonable.  Today was the Twosome race.  Everyone races with a partner - it's great fun and just for fun - so no results.

After the race is the Fudgcicle Awards Breakfast.  Join us again next year.

---

I had babysitting duties - so no run for me.  I hear that Jill Trotter, Dave DeChellis and Kara Haas were there.  There were others - but I can't recall what I was told (it sucks getting old).

---

Another great Fudgcicle day - you wanted to run as fast as you could because it was COLD.

54 runners braved the cold.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 7.

---

It started as a great day to run.  Nice and mild.  The rain came on during the last 20-25 miuntes.  I'm glad we finished before the cold and sleet came.

 

It was Jill Trotter, Dave DeChellis, Liam Skinner, Jim Rhoades and me.  Jill and I dropped off the pace at about 4 miles and did the Tyngsboro Bridge/Rourke Bridge 12 miler.  The others did about 16-17 (I think).

---

A nice day to race.  We had 41 Fudgie runners.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 6.

---

I didn't run today.  I was in Phoenix - yes that Phoenix.  A bit disappointing, but  great time none the less.  I still can't believe they lost.

---

I didn't make it - but is was a great day to run and 56 did run.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 5

---

Tough day to run - it was me, Jeff and Andy.  We ran over to Hagget's Pond

---

It was a Fudgcicle day - a nice crisp 15-17 degrees.

Another good sized field of 56.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 4

---

Baby it's cold!!  Well is wasn't that cold - but it was windy.

 

This week it was Jim Quadros, Dave DeChellis, Joe O'leary, Jim Rhoades and me.  Joe D is at the Pats game and Frank was recovering form 18 yesterday.

 

We did the usual Tyngsboro loop.  Me and Jim Q took the short route back at the Rourke.  The others did at least 16.

---

Another big herd - 64 today.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 3

---

I don't know what they did.  I was in Phoenix at the Rock'n'Roll Marathon.  So I did 26.2 at 7:11 pace :-)

---

Another amazing turn out of 63 people!  Congrats to all who ran.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 2

---

Another good marathon prep day.  We had Frank Georges, Jim Quadros, Dave DeChellis, Joe Donnelly, Joe O'leary, Johhny Byrne and me.

 

We again did the Tyngsboro Bridge to Varnum route.  John and I fell of the pace.  John ran from home so he already had miles before we started.  I'm taking it easy for Phoenix next week.  So John and I too the Rourke Bridge.  John went home from the bridge.  I found Frank coming in.  The rest of the guys did about 18+.

---

An astounding 66 people ran in this morning's race!!!  It was the biggest field any of us can remember.  Congrats to all who ran.  You can see the results here: Fudgcicle Results - Week 1