The New Year! A time for for fresh starts, new beginnings, and of course, a reset of the Grand Prix! The GP page has been updated with the 2012 slate, with dates left as question mark where uncertain. The 2011 point totals are now finalized and linked from the bottom of the page. And the current standings..? Well, no surprise there–we’re all tied. Here’s to another great year of racing with the GNRC crew!
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Congrats to all NTT runners! The expert GNRC website editorial staff spent hours (well, OK, 15 minutes) looking through the race photos and picking out GNRCers from the crowd. The editorial staff apologizes for missed runners. Photos courtesy of Ted Tyler. Results: NORWOOD TURKEY TROT 4 MI. 11/20/11 9 DAVID WOODRUFF 477 30 4/83 M3039 Needham MA 21:57 5:30 76 MARIA CONLEY 72 47 4/83 F4049 Norwood MA 28:29 7:08 81 JEFF WEIDENAAR 451 45 20/77 M4049 Norwood MA 28:36 7:09 91 KRISTA TOOLE 554 37 8/93 F3039 Norwood MA 29:00 7:15 127 TRACY CURRAN 85 40 7/83 F4049 Norwood MA 30:25 7:37 145 MICHAEL GILIO 170 47 34/77 M4049 Dover MA 31:00 7:45 188 TRACEY JONES 224 46 12/83 F4049 Norwood MA 32:24 8:06 205 SUSAN QUINN 378 43 15/83 F4049 Norwood MA 32:58 8:15 247 EILEEN KENNEDY 581 39 22/93 F3039 Scituate MA 34:20 8:35 265 COLIN CASSIDY 56 48 54/79 M4049 Westwood MA 34:37 8:40 386 JENNIFER OLIVER 355 33 43/93 F3039 Norwood MA 37:58 9:30 See you all at the GNRCYO 5K! Spectating a point-to-point marathon is rather like being given a Tolstoy novel with instructions to get all you can from it by reading any one page you like. Do you read the first page, where the threads of the main drama are introduced? Do you read the climactic page, where the clash of opposing forces is resolved, and one emerges triumphant? Or perhaps some page in the middle, of no particular import in itself, but carrying with it a suggestion of the shape of the whole story…? It was in the latter mode that your correspondent spectated the race from the sidelines in Wellesley. At that point Smith was still far out in front, the first runner in sight by a good minute. But the shape of that particular story was already visible in her stride, running swift, but not easy. In a few minutes the men came by, Hall in the front just as last year, looking like a Rift Valley training group out for a long tempo–if you can call 4:50s a tempo pace. This scene was such an exact copy of last year that it was hard to be surprised by Hall’s final results: once again an American CR, once again 4th overall. Then at last the main field, pouring by in torrents. Watching the first Wave come through is an impressive sight. The crowd is entertained by the costumed runners: man in gorilla-suit, Hamburger & Hotdog, caveman running in nothing but a leather breechclout and his number. Still, the runners themselves are the main attraction, because there are so many, and they are hammering out such a great pace. Imagine your correspondent’s surprise when he returned home to see the winning time of 2:03:02! The IAAF may disagree–something about the Boston course being too easy, apparently?–but we Bosties know where the REAL World Record has been set! Congratulations to the all GNRCers who ran and kicked butt, and generally made the most of a cool and beautiful day. Four PRs, and fast times throughout! 3:24:32 Alaimo, John (PR) (GP Results have been updated–contacted dmw about any errors). Club racers split this weekend, with the larger contingent heading to the Vineyard on Saturday for a windy rendition of the island’s 20 miler. A smaller crowd made the shorter trek to Foxboro for the Old Fashioned Ten Miler, which had the allure of proximity and of being hosted by swell folks like the WAMPS (not to mention GP points!). This reporter ran in the OFTM, and doesn’t have much to say about it, actually, aside from it being its own, usual, solidly organized self. Temps were not quite springlike-despite the hope stirred by the sirocco of warm winds that swept over the Boston area Friday evening. Perhaps old man winter will give us a break for Hyannis next weekend. Results: THE 14th MARTHA’S VINEYARD 20 MILER
Feb. 19, 2011 10 3/34 M3539 2:05:56 6:18 Zachary Laidley 38 M 199 East Walpole MA Old Fashioned 10 Miler: 47 1:03:22 6:20 14 20-29 44 M 703 David Woodruff Needham,MA *PR at this distance. GP Results are updated on the tracker page. Today was your correspondent’s first time running the Boston Prep 16 Miler in Derry, NH. Reflecting on the race, two things immediately jump out. #1: Awesome race support. A great number of volunteers toughing it out in the cold to direct traffic and hand out water and gatorade on an exceedingly wintry day. Not to mention all the folks who put out the post-race spread in the middle school caf–they did a great job, hat’s off to all of them! #2: What a strong field! Usually you don’t see such a competitive race outside of seeded fields like Boston–actually, I guess that pretty much just means Boston. Who comes out to a 16 miler in January in New England? The population is pretty much self-selected down to the 300+ days a year running crowd–what some might call addicts! In any case it would not have been a good race for strolling. Your correspondent finished in the bottom 50% of his AG for the first time in a long time–and that was on a good day. The race itself lived up to its rep–hilly, snowy, lots of beautiful snow-fields gleaming in the sun. Warm gatorade sounds like it should be undrinkably gnar, but it turns out it’s pretty good when the temps have only grudgingly crept up into the low teens. My strategy for the day involved a conservative start, constant-effort uphills, followed by rapid windmilling descents down the downhills. It felt effortless–at the time–but the toll ended up higher than I suspected. Much pain over the last two miles! Chicken soup, pizza, hummus wraps, and hot chocolate following the finish all ensured that the day would end up calorie positive. A happy chowing down ensued while waiting for team GNRC to finish trickling in. It was a good turn-out for the club, with 14 members making the trek–great to catch up with the folks I only see at races now that I’ve moved to Needham! Grand Prix has been updated with current standings, which, since this was a Bonus Race, means a massive tie all round. Fun race today–will be seeing you hearty winter-running GNRCers at the OFTM next month. Until then… results: 43 821 David Woodruff M 29 NEEDHAM MA 37 33:27 6:42 35 1:06:50 6:41 37 1:29:21 6:50 1:49:32 6:51 The final race in the GNRC grand prix brought out a fantastic turnout of clubbies, with 25 members crossing the line. The race was also enlivened by the presence of the red-shirted Colonials, who were out in similar force, and a sprinkling of HFC speed demons, including the estimable Kevin Gray. Jingle bells distributed via the registration desk might possibly have confused onlookers into thinking they were under attack by a stampede of deranged reindeer, but, as soon as the pack came within sight, they were no doubt reassured it was only mildly-deranged New England runners, keeping the spirit alive in the yule time of the year. The race started with a lead pack of three going up the first hill together, but by the 1/2 mile point it was down to Gray and this reporter. Gray ran 5:12 through the first mile, with yours truly jingling furiously after him in 5:13. Through the roundabout, and then the leaders were treated to some good Christmas cheers as they passed the stream of runners coming the other direction. The author slipped off the pace, but still held on to PR in 17:19, with Gray well ahead of him in 16:49. Matt MacKenzie returned to club competition with a 10th place overall finish, followed by Dave R in 17th, sealing the deal on his grand prix win. On the women’s side, Maria also put a tidy bow on her GP victory with a resounding 1st place, the nearest competitor two minutes behind her. She was followed by Krista K and Mei-Ling, both of whom were debuting in the Grand Prix, a little late in the year this time, but what the heck! The author, meanwhile, needs to decide if he’s too mature to gloat about going undefeated in regular club competition (and regular here means “not the Handicap Mile”). Ah, who am I kidding, no I’m not! I kicked your butts! Club Results: 2 102 17:19 David Woodruff M OVER Needham 05:35 24 30 21:11 Maria Conley F OVER Norwood 06:50 edit: some photos have been posted over on the HO-HO-HO Race Page for your viewing pleasure. It was a brisk race day here in the Norwood area, the kind where you put off stripping down to shorts until the last possible moment, and despite best efforts, have more or less cooled down again by the time the singer hits the high note in the National Anthem. Just a preview of things to come of course–soon we’ll all be shivering about on narrowly plowed ribbons of pavement that traverse the January snow-fields and having a jolly old time. But, until then, we can enjoy the bracing November running weather! Onto the race then…a heavy turnout by HFC painted the top 10 a predictable shade of green. Your correspond went out with his rivals from the preceding CFC, only to let them slip around mile 2. Last years hopes of cracking the Hurtin’ Top Five thoroughly dashed, he slunk in in exactly the same time as last year, missing a PR by a nose. On the women’s side Maria continues to dominate, as she has ever since the Marathon Sports 5 miler. Won’t someone please give this woman a run for her money? The writer also notes it was especially good to see Psycho out at a club race again! Full results follow (do send me a ping if this is not complete): 15 DAVID WOODDRUFF 564 24 3/18 M2029 Needham MA GREATER NORWOOD RC 23:21 5:51 Congratulations to the GNRC’ers who raced over the weekend! As I was off in Pennsylvania visiting family (not to mention training on some awesome hills), I don’t have any eye-witness reporting for you all, so I’ll just post the results: Newton, MA, November 14, 201071 MELISSA CARON 513 DOVER 45 F 4 40-49 1:36:33 1:36:36 7:22/M
349 DAN BAIR 531 MEDFIELD 42 M 63 40-49 1:52:09 1:52:29 8:33/M Camy’s Run 5K, Walpole 11/13/10 18 20:29 6:36 6 40-49 17 M 231 David Reavill Walpole,MA
32 22:06 7:08 9 40-49 29 M 107 Michael GILIO Dover 83 27:41 8:56 7 01-19 61 M 232 Nathan Cagnon Walpole,MA The 22nd Canton Fall Classic delivered once again with a beautiful, dry day, and moderate temps. Out on the course, however, the racers discovered some stiff winds on the hills, amplifying the already challenging rollers that define the second half of the 10K. Your correspondent ran briefly with HFC hotshots John Sullivan and Bob Ruel, (who, by the way, have no business being that fast as quinquegenarians, seriously), before the two opened up a sizable gap, after which point he mainly focused on making it to the last hill in one piece. Taking a club 1st this year was David Woodruff (aka, me), in 7th place over-all, moving up exactly one place from last year, which just goes to show you what happens when Zach doesn’t show up. Following a few minutes later were the Masked Man, Dave R, then John A, whose monster kick was not quite enough to reel in the 2nd place club finish. Rounding out the male club finishers were Mike G in 45:55, and Colin C in 49:12, decisively breaking the 50 minute barrier. On the woman’s side, Maria and Mo took 3 and 4th place, finishing only 5 seconds apart, followed by Jen in 47:37, and Ange in 1:04:07. All in all a good haul from the prize bench for team GNRC! Your correspondent now needs to make it over to Sharon for his free ice creams… Club Results: 7 David Woodruff 307 29 M Needham MA 37:38 6:04 +18 (+3, p.r.) Big changes in the GNRC Webspace! You are now staring at our club website, v2.0. I’m still working on porting over the content from the old site, so don’t expect everything to be set up yet! While you’re here, however, please subscribe to the RSS feed! Since we’ve moved to wordpress, content authorship should be much easier, so expect a slightly more regular flow of updates from the club. –David W. |
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