First week of August Mike headed up to Newport, Rhode Island for a Cross Country Camp with his high school team. Thursday night I drove up to meet him, I worked in our Riverhead office and then headed out on the Northfork of Long Island to the end, where I cought the Orient Point Ferry. First time on this ferry. I got to the camp and spent the night with them, they were staying at a boarding school. When I arrived that night I meet some pretty cool American running legends.
For those of you who do not know there was a runner around in the last 60s early 70s who is an American legend by the name of Steve Prefontaine. Or Pre. He was a runner out in Oregon who was around in the time of accepting any prize money would mean you were no longer an ameture and lost the chance to represent your country. He Missed a medal at Moscow, by coming 4th, he then was the big hope and heart for running and winning a medal in the following olympics. However he died one night on the roads in a situation that will never be answered, was he drunk or not.
At the Camp we got the honor to meet his coach, Coach Dellinger, roommates and team members from college with this famous runner, along with others that Coach Dellinger had under him over the years.
Friday Morning we got up and went for a run with the group, joined them for breakfast and then listened to the Past Olympians at the camp speak. Then it was time to hit the road for Cape Elizabeth, Maine where I would be meeting my host family to stay with for the weekend.
We arrived and meet the John at the Inn by the sea, which was at the mile mark on the race. John took us to their home just up the road little further, not far from the water. Getting that far north the area started to look more like Canada. Plus the road signs were in KM as well as Miles.
We meet the rest of the family, wife Sue, and daughter Emily. They were very lovely people and Sue and Emily were also running. They also had some other friends staying who were doing the race also, so it was a nice full house.
After relaxing a little Mike and I went for a jog, they lived pretty much on the course so got to run a part of it. Then John took us to see the course, which was very helpful, as it was hillier then the description gave, but looked nice. I enjoyed the views then, not sure what I would see on the day. After checking in for the race we headed home for a nice pasta meal.
The next morning I was up early to get my fuel and wake up for the event. Since we were 1mile from the start there was no rush, but the race did start at 8am. John and Mike dropped me of at the elite tent where I had seats and toilets for just the elite group. It was a nice cool morning perfect weather to run in, especially after all the humidity I have been running in for the past few months.
Race was slightly delayed for some reason so 8.10 we were on our way, with a nice downhill start everyone went out pretty quick, I tried to stay relaxed and came through the first mile in 5.15. After that I was eyeing up each women in front and picking them off. I had no idea where I was placed, but I just kept it going. Then I saw Catherine Ndereba in front of me, now this is an athlete who has won this course 5 times and has 2 silver Olympic Marathon Medals. So now I had this target in front of me with 2miles to go I hit a new gear and I was rolling, I equalled my 5k road pb and set my 4mile pb in 21.30, and 5mile in 26.50. I just had to keep it rolling to the finish. I could see the clock and knew I was on a pretty decent time, now where did this place me?
Start of the Race:
Coming up to the finishing line:
Video of the finish:Passing the next women with Ndereba in my sights now:
More Photos here
More Photos hereI made my way to the elite athlete tent to get some water and I bags. Mike made his way from his VIP tent to tell me I was 5th! I had been hoping for a top 10 finish! 5th I was stoked, also the time of 33.25, was a huge pb.
The course was amazing, the day was perfect. People from Cape Elizabeth were all over the course, they were supporting people everywhere.
Now it was time to cool down and enjoy the beautiful day, we waited for the awards and then headed home to get some home made ice cream from the store just down the road from where were were staying. I also went to check out the water, still in the middle of summer the water was pretty chilly, I just went in to my knees, for a nice ice bath, if it was warmer I may have jumped all the way in. We headed into the town of Portland for a little walk around to see the town - very nice little town.
Then it was off to our lobster feast with out host family, everyone got a Maine lobster - and if your going to have lobster what better place then Maine, so I am told, and now can agree. Plus all sorts of other food and Maine brewed beer and wine. It was a lovely evening and great way to end a good race.
Next day Mike and I got up and went for a run, had some breakfast and headed into Portland to check out the brewery, unfortunately it was closed til later and we did not have time to wait. So we headed to Maine running store to see how they do things. Then it was time to hit the road for our 6hr trip back to Bayport, NY
