Last race of the year

One more race popped up before the year was done. Patchogue Kiwanis Toy Run. This is in the town next door to me, 2miles away from the start line. Best thing was that they decided to put on some prize money, $100 for the win and $100 for under 18mins. So of course I had to go down there and race.

It was a cold morning, but a good crowd turned out and the little pub in Patchogue was hopping at 9am in the morning, of course there was a free beer for all competitors at the end to warm the insides with a local brew.

The race started and I headed out with the few top guys from the Island who showed up, I tried to keep them in my sights as long as possible, as they pulled me through the course in a personal best road 5k time of 16.34

results here

I felt good, but was hurting a little as Mike and I had gone out the night before to a Bah Mitzvah. I had never gone to one before. One of the Drs I work for, it was his youngest daughter. I didn't have the rest that I would normally have before a race, but a little local race like this I can get away with and still pick up some cash. So it was a good day.

The year 2010 was a successful one for me and the running. I started on a good note, had a little niggle and got right back into it for the summer months where I pounded the road and the track with personals bests all around and a little bit of cash to go in hand.

All of this with the help from the Saucony Hurricanes program.

But most of all thanks to the Boys and Girls from Sayville Running Co who helped keep me going on Tuesday nights and to the boys including Mike who hammered out work outs with me and long runs through river road. In the cold of the winter and the heat and humidity of the summer. This group of runners coming back week after week has such an encouragement and support for each other and helps get me going on those rough days.

Also the person who gets the biggest thanks is Mike, day after day going for runs and pushing me out the door to be the best I can be. The support he has provided in the races and training has been wonderful.

I also can not forget the support I get from back home in NZ and all of Mikes family.

I hope everyone had a successful and enjoyable 2010 and hope 2011 is even better yet!

I am back to give you a update on my races.

October 16th; Oyster Bay 5k

I had taken a little down time with the running - had completely stopped running for a week, I had so much time after work I didn't know what to do with myself! But that was short lived and I was soon back into the swing of things. This raced popped up and had a prize purse of $500 all for the winner. So I had to race it.

I headed up to the hilly town of Oyster Bay on a cold and windy day, the course 1.5miles uphill, 1.5miles downhill!

Since I had taken the break I wasn't sure of my fitness levels and this was the first work out and would be the longest run in a while.

I headed out and had a girl sit on my shoulder, now Long Island running community is large, but you know most of the runners up front, this one I had no idea who she was, so the battle was on. It was ok in the end I ended with the win in a time of 17.14

Results

October 31st; Sleepy Hollow 5k

Another race was put on with a little bit of prize money, $100 for the win and then another $100 for the record. Unfortunately last year I ran to fast and put a pretty quick time on the course. So I am still getting back into shape after the time off and not that fast just yet, but I figure $100 is still not a bad day at the office. So I head to Massapequa to run around the little lake, half the run is on smooth trails, the other half paved footpath.

I win the race in 17.09, running solo most of the way, the guy winner was too far in front.

Results

November 25th; Manchester Road Race

Turkey Day. You could be anywhere in the country and find a race nearby to do on this day and then go home and stuff yourself like a turkey. I go and find one that is not on the Island, one Mike and I have to travel for, but its not just any Turkey Trot, this is one of the oldest race in the USA. This was the 74th running of the event, held in Manchester, CT. With the year selling out at the Max 15,000 people, it was going to be a good year. The Elite fields for the men and women were looking fast.

Mike and I headed up to Manchester on Wednesday 24th to the hotel in which we were being put up in, with a little confusion with the check in we final got our room and headed out on the course for a run over it. slight downhill 1st mile, uphill 2nd mile, downhill 3rd mile flat 4th and flat and downhill till the end for a 4.748 miles, starting and ending at the same place.

The elite athletes and VIP (Mike) along with alot of the volunteers then had a nice pasta dinner put on for us, then it was back to the hotel for a good night rest before the start in the morning.

Thursday 25th my driver Mike (Big Thanks) got me to the start of the course and we had our elite quarters to hang out in while we watched the thousands of others make their way in the cold to the start. It was a cold, crisp morning, but it was warming up a little.

I lined up and got ready to see how the training had been going, against a tough field. I headed out at a quick pace and I was still behind at the first mile, but all those hills in NZ were good for something, as I made my way up to the leaders, the downhill they got a little gap and then I was chasing them without closing on them for the rest of the race.

With the last straight coming I was in 5th, but the girl in front was fading, could I get her? I was trying, but she saw me and she kicked, only to stop 10mtrs in front of the finish, I had my chance for an extra $500 I was still moving forward and I passed her before she realised the mistake she had made. - Lesson to you all out there, always run through the finishing line!

I was very pleased how the race had gone against some tough athletes and first major race since my break.

Full Results

Here is a Video of the race, courtesy of Mike P