36th Annual Jones Group Realtors 10 Mile Race (USATF)

The first race of the 2010 NE-USATF Grand Prix Series (results) brought me to Amherst,MA this weekend with family in tow. I raced here last year and did pretty well (for me). It's a tough 10-miler with lots of hills and running consistent splits is out of the question. In fact, checking your watch is only going to frustrate you. The delta between my fastest and slowest mile was over a minute. Surprisingly I like this course.
I did a minimalist warm up of about 2 miles and then headed back to the truck to get ready. We parked about 50m from the start so it was pretty convenient. I asked Deb to take some pics at the start so she headed down a ways with the kids to setup shop.

These USATF races are stacked so I seeded myself pretty deep in the pack, right next to Mike Wright and Paul Doe. Last year I struggled on the hills in mile 3 and 4 so my plan this year was to go out a bit easier. Boy, was it easier. Too easy in fact but I didn't panic and just settled in until I could get some running room. By mile 2 I was running comfortably with Paul Doe nearby. He eventually would go by in mile 3 but I kept him in my sights. Last year it felt like I was passed by people the entire race, this year was just the opposite. I was picking people off the entire race. The hills went by pretty quick and fortunately the dirt road wasn't icy this year...just muddy.

Near the finish

I stopped checking my watch after 3 miles. Like I said, it just frustrates you because your pace varies so much on this course. I just focused on the guy/girl in front of me and tried to reel in the next runner. That was my plan for the race. I passed Paul Doe and shortly after, John Pajer (CMS) during mile 7 and 8 and just kept hammering. Deep down I was hoping to get close to an hour. That would be a huge PR but I didn't want to look at my watch and put any additional pressure on me. I was running as hard as I could and that's all I could do.

photo credit - KrissyK (The glare)

This is one race where it really helps to know the course. I was prepared for the hills and knew about the 'false' finish. You actually run by the finish line before doing a 200m loop and head back across the line. As I came around the last corner I could see the clock in the distance show just over 60 minutes. Cool. I ran the last 100m as fast as I could, passing a runner just prior to the finish line. I remember her glaring at me as I went by and Kristen caught the action. It is a race after all. No hard feelings...

I finished in 1:00:25 (6:02 pace), good for 94th overall and a new PR by over 2 minutes.
First 5 miles  30:56
Last 5 miles   29:29
Always happy to negative split any race.

Splits for the day:
Mile 1     6:09
Mile 2     5:34
Mile 3     6:23
Mile 4     6:33
Mile 5     6:17
Mile 6     5:52
Mile 7     5:32
Mile 8     6:03
Mile 9     5:48
Mile 10   6:14

Deb took some pics of the start and also got a few of the Gate City Striders finishing up.
Pics from Start
Random Striders

Additional pics can be found here:
KrissyK
DoubleD

Ben, me, Jess after the race

Gate City Striders had a great showing with 41 runners.

Place	Name	Age	Sex	Time	Pace	Town
43	Rich Smith	40	M	0:57:02	05:43	Enfield, NH
65	Todd Callaghan	40	M	0:58:18	05:50	Somerville, MA
94	Steve Wolfe	45	M	1:00:25	06:03	Merrimack, NH
118	Randy Macneill	48	M	1:01:46	06:11	Epping, NH
134	Michael Wright	42	M	1:03:07	06:19	Milford, NH
209	Karen Pattelena	41	F	1:08:05	06:49	Hollis, NH
219	Ken Snow	54	M	1:08:28	06:51	Nashua, NH
227	Bonnie Ritchotte	37	F	1:08:59	06:54	Littleton, NH
235	Chuck Landry	54	M	1:09:58	07:00	Plainfield, NH
237	Justin Platt	44	M	1:10:02	07:01	Amherst, NH
238	Trevor Ward	60	M	1:10:04	07:01	Merrimack, NH
260	Rich Stockdale	59	M	1:11:22	07:09	Mason, NH
264	Cassie Wright	14	F	1:11:29	07:09	Milford, NH
268	Karen Long	44	F	1:11:49	07:11	Nashua, NH
275	Tammy Gaffey	42	F	1:12:12	07:14	Pepperell, MA
283	Tom Kolb	54	M	1:12:40	07:16	Merrimack, NH
306	Jim Velino	49	M	1:13:40	07:22	Amherst, NH
310	Jim Belanger	55	M	1:13:47	07:23	Nashua, NH
312	Joe Noonan	65	M	1:13:53	07:24	Lexington, MA
335	Milt Schumacher	65	M	1:15:27	07:33	Northscituate, RI
354	Carla Chandler	44	F	1:16:31	07:40	Plainfield, NH
360	Jim Long	36	M	1:16:43	07:41	Lunenburg, MA
364	David Contrada	52	M	1:16:59	07:42	Nashua, NH
376	Janice Platt	44	F	1:17:47	07:47	Amherst, NH
378	Azeddine Jakib	44	M	1:17:51	07:48	Nashua, NH
379	John Lewicke	62	M	1:17:53	07:48	Mason, NH
387	Lisa Klasman	46	F	1:18:31	07:52	Hollis, NH
401	Sue Donovan	42	F	1:19:13	07:56	Billerica, MA
412	Damian Rowe	56	M	1:19:55	08:00	Wilton, NH
414	Alison Findon	38	F	1:19:59	08:00	Enfield, NH
439	Denny Leblanc	67	M	1:21:49	08:11	Nashua, NH
440	Oliver McMahon	57	M	1:21:52	08:12	Nashua, NH
446	Paul Joyce	52	M	1:22:18	08:14	Milford, NH
472	Laura Joyce	41	F	1:23:31	08:22	Milford, NH
543	Aline Kenney	61	F	1:29:36	08:58	Nashua, NH
612	Emily Strong	60	F	1:36:34	09:40	Nashua, NH
647	Laura Rallis	39	F	1:41:01	10:07	Amherst, NH
658	Jennifer Vincent	36	F	1:43:42	10:23	Bedford, NH
664	Terry Kenney	69	M	1:47:15	10:44	Nashua, NH
681	Suzanne Long	53	F	1:56:58	11:42	Nashua, NH
682	Jennifer Mack	36	F	1:57:04	11:43	Milford, NH