Kiawah Marathon, Kiawah Island, SC 12/13/03

Initial Report by George McVeigh... 968 finished the marathon, 591 men, and 377 women.  We (daughter, Blair) both finished together at #946 & #947 with a time of 6:25:22 at a 14:38 pace.  Weather was 42 at the start and got up to 58,  but there was a 20-25 MPH wind coming off the ocean.  It was rather cold.  Blair ran strong, no complaints, a real trooper.  We did 5 and 1s all the way--  5 Minutes running and 1 minute walking.  That was her strategy, so I supported it.  I found that doing a marathon 3 weeks after a 50 is tough, but OK at this pace.   She is preparing her 1st person first marathon article for our website. 

JFK 50 Mile Run, Boonsboro, MD 11/22/03

TEAM LUNATIC did themselves proud as "personal records" were set during an absolutely beautiful Fall day in the mountains and C&O Canal.  For the 41st Annual JFK 50 Mile, the temperature was 41 degrees for the 5:00 AM start of approximately 300 runners.  The temperature was 45 degrees for the 7:00 AM start for the remainder of the field of approximately 700 runners. The sun was dominant throughout the day as the temperature rose to 64 with a slight breeze.

 

RidgeRunner times were: Billy Lese 9:32:54, Tom Corris 9:35:00, James Moore 11:01:55, Bob Phillips 11:05:03, JC Nieves-Campos 11:16:21, Joe Malinowski 11:28:26, Mary McMurray 11:31:20, John Tempone 12:42:28, and George McVeigh 13:19:37.

 

Report by Mary McMurray... Boy, the pre-dawn weather this year sure beat 2002!  The stars were spectacular, only to be topped by the gorgeous sunrise on top of South Mountain!  My favorite place to be at 7am.  Joe and I took the rocks pretty well this year, setting our pace early on.  Strategy was walking every mile marker on the toe path for a minute or so.  OK, it was more like 3 minutes!  Amy Riggio was great to see at mile 38 and paced us to run the last 12 miles. The best sight of all at the aid stations was my crew man, Mike.  Thank you, honey, for supporting me!  After the race, I changed my clothes in the rest room.  My shoes came off my feet and went straight into the trash! I never want to wear them again!

 

Report by George McVeigh... JFK went much better than last year.  I didn't fall in the mountains and no stitches!  It was a beautiful day - best weather yet!  I met a veteran of many 100 milers we had seen at previous Umstead 100 Milers and JFK's while on the mountain trail.  Her pace was similar to mine so I decided to tag along.  It made the difference on the mountain and in the first 8 miles on the C&O Canal.  That part on the canal is where you start feeling sorry for yourself and thinking of other things that do not hurt. I stayed with Kim for those 8 miles, just ran and stayed at her pace. She sure was steady, finally had to let her go ahead of me.  Running along with her got me through that part of the race though.

 

This year was really different.  I didn't have a pacer (Burl helped in 1998).  The last 8 miles are really tough in the dark when you are doing it alone.  I just pressed on, with the finish line and a kiss from Jean in my mind - and made it!  Thanks go to Jean and Kathy for the great job of crewing for all of us.  It's tough to stand there all day and wait for us to appear - well done!

 

Report by Joe Malinowski... I really made up my mind this year that I was going to have a "breakout" race.  I began in May of this year by going on the Atkins Diet and have lost 40 pounds.  In addition, to my regular training runs, I've introduced a weight training regimen into my schedule to strengthen those areas that have been nagging injuries in the past. What a difference!  I beat my previous JFK best from 7 years ago by 25 minutes!  You can improve with age... and I don't intend to stop now!

 

Mary McMurray and I stayed with such a consistent pace that a few runners mentioned during the race that they could set their watch by us.  We actually had a negative split for the last part of the race!  Mary also had a PR!  Amy Riggio helped us maintain our pace by running in the last 12 miles with us!  You're the greatest!

"Memorial" Turkey Trot 10K Run & 5K Fitness Walk, Lake Ridge, VA 11/16/03

A beautiful, brisk, cool morning greeted the approximately 200 runners and walkers for the club's annual Turkey Trot 10K and 5K Fitness Walk. Norton Compton of Fairfax, VA, took the overall win with a fine 37:16:00.  RidgeRunner, Karen Merrill took the overall female win with fast 44:04:04.  Thanks go out to all our sponsors, local merchants, runners, walkers and... VOLUNTEERS!  A special thanks goes out to our Race Director, Mollie Galloway, who took on this job for her first time... OUTSTANDING JOB, MOLLIE!!!  Jim, Bonnie and Don would be proud!

Marine Corps Marathon, Washington, DC 10/26/03

Report by Joe Malinowski... The early morning was a balmy 58 degrees with high humidity making it extremely hard to decide what to wear. You never know what you'll eventually wear until race time at a Fall marathon! 13 RidgeRunners and 18,000 of their closest "running" friends filled the field for the MCM's "corral" start.  This year it took us 17 minutes to get to the starting line as opposed to the 30 minutes the year before. 

 

This year's course had a few route changes due to road construction and the heightened security that is ever present in our area.  The nice part is that we still didn't have to do the Haines Point portion that has the reputation of being worse part of the MCM.  Maybe next year... NOT!  The day was mostly cloudy, but we did have a good period of sunshine that made it extremely warm and muggy.  Many cases of dehydration occurred and the medical tent was extremely busy.  Even within the RidgeRunners, some experienced nausea and extreme cramping.

 

The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) has also been a "tradition" run for many years for a few of the RidgeRunners. This was George McVeigh's 17th MCM finish (and 29th marathon!) and Joe Malinowski's 22nd consecutive MCM finish (and 48th marathon!).

 

RidgeRunner results were: Karl Mickelson 3:17:19, Danny Bird 4:02:04, JC Neives-Campos 4:16:44, Mary McMurray 4:33:42, Melania Saraniero 4:34:54, Amy Riggio 4:40:53, Joe Malinowski 4:49:15, John Tempone 4:52:25, Burl Hickman 4:50:13, Ernie Fore 5:00:02, Phil Silas 5:08:31, George McVeigh 5:48:27, Bob Hodge 6:12:55 and Mike Johnson with 2:59:04 for the 1/2 marathon before calling it a day with an injury.  Congratulations!!!

Run! Away from Home! Seaside 10 Mile Run, Ocean City, MD 10/25/03

Mollie Galloway reports... that Byron ran the entire race pushing their double jogging stroller with Katie and Kyle inside dressed in costume.  Apparently Kyle slept the entire way!  Mollie was dressed as an "angel".  Mollie didn't say what Byron was wearing though... was it a "bun run?"  Great results though!  Mollie placed 79th out of 328 runners with a great 1:20:07 and Byron (literally in tow!) with a fine 1:32:51.  Congratulations!

Tuck Richards 5K Run/Walk, Marshall, VA, 10/04/03

Report by Joe Malinowski... Saturday morning began with some rain sprinkles and temperatures in high-40s as we drove out to Marshall, VA, for the 4th Annual Tuck Richards 5K Run/Walk.  The run benefits breast cancer research and is held in the honor/remembrance of Tuck Richards who was a member of the Rectortown Methodist Church, the prime sponsor of the run.  It's not a big race by any stretch of the imagination, but the intent is as large as their hearts.  They raised over $6,000 for breast cancer research.  Jim & Rebecca Moore were also at the run.  If you remember, Jim (with Rebecca providing logistical & nutritional support!) ran the complete 370 mile loop of the C&O Canal in July 2001 and collected over $9,500 in donations for breast cancer research.  His wife, Rebecca, is a breast cancer survivor for over 3 years now!

 

RidgeRunner results: Bob Cooper, Amy Riggio & Joe Malinowski 25:20 (Yes, we all tied for 1st Place Overall), Jim Moore 27:44, George McVeigh 30:42, Carolyn Xanten 32:15.  Walkers: Rebecca Moore, Jean McVeigh and Kathy Malinowski 51:56.

 

I won't tell you that there were only about 12 runners and Bob was actually about 30 yards ahead of us and held up for Amy & I.  But, we did beat the members of the Little League team that showed up.  Hey... Bob, George, Jim & I are in our 50s!!!

 

Next year we need more RidgeRunners to come out and run the littlest race with biggest heart!  Thanks for inviting us, Amy!!  Great race, great people & a great time! 

8th Annual Quantico Half-Marathon, Quantico Marine Corps Base, VA, 09/27/03

The 8th running of the Quantico Half-Marathon greeted us with a new start/finish line (Butler Field) and beautiful sunny skies... a great Fall season race!  The results haven't yet been posted by the race organization, but the RidgeRunners did walk "Run" away with awards.  Roger Claussen (21st overall) 1:26:23, Karen Merrill 1:36:54, and Christopher Stutzman 1:47:49 each won 1st place and Carol Housaman 1:39:14 2nd place in their respective age groups.  Also, with great times were Mollie Galloway 1:53:15, JC Nieves-Campos 1:54:32, Vicki Crosby 1:57:22, Amy Riggio 1:59:58, Rob & Melania Saraniero 2:03:13, Joe Malinowski 2:07:13, Pat Johnson 2:09:14, Burl Hickman 2:16:36, Mike Johnson 2:33:24, Bob "Capt. America" Hodge 2:36:24 and George McVeigh 2:38:55.

VHTRC Women's Trail Half-Marathon, Fountainhead Regional Park, VA 09/13/03

There were 162 finishers on a wet day. It had rained all night, but the trail was not too muddy and the footing was relatively good.  RidgeRunners Marty Lindemann, Melania Saraniero & Mary McMurray braved the weather and had great times of 2:29:33, 2:43:24 and 3:03:19 respectively.

The event included all of the usual VHTRC craziness including the option to carry a stuffed animal over the last portion of the trail and the famous Male Cheerleading Squad. 

RidgeRunner "males" also volunteered for aid-stations, runner check-in, trail set-up & finish line activities... Chris Andres, Tom Corris, Mike Johnson, Joe Malinowski, George McVeigh, Bob Phillips, Rob Saraniero, Phil Silas & Harry Wiggins.

US Disciplinary Barracks 10K, Ft. Leavenworth, KS  09/06/03

Report by Pete Im... We've been pretty busy out here getting our act together since we moved and have now gotten back to running a few races here.  Kansas is not as flat as you think!  We ran the US Disciplinary Barracks 10K and it was a "smoker!"  2 miles up-hill right from the start!  Jeanne placed 3rd in her age group and I was just glad to finish.  We miss the RidgeRunners.  Take care and say HI to everyone!

Rock & Roll Half-Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA  09/05/03

Three of our RidgeRunners ran the "end of summer" event that has literally taken over VA Beach during the Labor Day weekend.  Mike & Pat Johnson said it was incredibly humid as some of the runners were exhausted by the 5 mile mark.  Rumor has it that there was a Kelly Bergenstock sighting!!  Results: Pat Johnson & Kelly Bergenstock 2:19:05 and Julie Bishop with a fine 3:37:35. Congratulations!  The picture is Pat, Kelly and Kelly's Aunt & Cousin!

 

Report by Kelly Bergenstock... Let the racing season begin! It was time for the Rock n Roll half marathon and the start of the fall racing season for me! I love this race! Bands, cheerleaders and beer! Oh and yeah..the half marathon! This year proved to be especially challenging. Picture running in hell on the hottest day of the summer and you can just about feel what Pat and I felt like running the race! We watched in horror as runners dropped from heat exhaustion throughout the course! We decided to take things slow and drink as much as possible. We rocked to reggae, rock and even head bangin music! The crowds are awesome and you are never alone! We made it through the entire race without and trauma! Mikie managed to follow our path and meet us at the finish. All in all a great day under very hot conditions. My aunt Kathy and Cousin Kim rolled over the finish line with a time that topped last year! They provided free music, beer and fun all night. I however, went to bed! Getting old! This race is a must do!

Annapolis 10 Mile Run, Annapolis, MD  08/24/03

After putting up with temps & humidity in 90s for the previous 2 weeks, Sunday race morning was actually cold.  At 4:00 AM it was 67 degrees!  This abnormal August weather really made for a great race and our annual "tail-gater" in the parking lot of the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.  The course even threw more hills at us since we were not allowed to run through the Naval Academy grounds due to the heighten security prevalent at military installation.  The RidgeRunners finished with outstanding times: Tom Corris 1:19:17, Bob Phillips 1:21:00; Mollie Galloway 1:22:14, Bob Cooper 1:23:51, JC Neives-Campos 1:23:55, Chris Stutzman 1:24:02, Vicki Crosby 1:27:23, Byron Galloway 1:28:06, Bruce Tweedie 1:31:43, Joe Malinowski 1:33:46, Pat Johnson 1:35:06, Michael Heisey 1:40:05, Burl Hickman 1:41:36, Enith Hickman 1:42:47, George McVeigh 1:51:12, and Florence Hamn 1:52:24.

Barr Trail Mountain Race. Manitou Springs, CO  07/13/03

Phil Silas ran 6 miles up the Barr Trail on Pikes Peak from the Cog Railroad Terminal (7,100 ft) to the Barr Camp (10,200ft) and back.  His brother did a respectable 2:53 and Phil did a 3:13.  Very nice support and lots of random prizes.

36th Annual Grandfather Mountain Marathon. Boone, NC  07/12/03

Report by Joe Malinowski... Like most us who have finished tough races and said, "I swear to never run this one again!"  Last year the GMM had that affect on Roger Claussen, JC Nieves-Campos, Mary McMurray, Jodi Crisp (our daughter) and myself.  26.2 miles straight up a mountain in the pouring rain was an experience we were not ready to try again!  Well, like Tim McGraw's song "The Trouble with NEVER", you will eat your words.  The only taker I had this year was originally our daughter Jodi until she announced that she and her husband, Michael were pregnant!!  Without a blink, Amy Riggio, agreed to run in her place... like leading a lamb to the slaughter!!

 

Boone, NC, is also the campus of Appalachian State University (ASU) where Jodi and our son, Joel graduated a few years ago.  The area and university is one of the best kept secrets on the East coast.  The scenery and mountains are breath taking... literally!  The GMM is actually part of the series of activities held during the "Grandfather Mountain Highland Games & Gathering of Scottish Clans."  This is the largest Scottish clan gathering in the world!  In addition, Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains at 5,964 ft. and the highest recorded observed wind speed was 196 mph on April 18, 1997.  Just a bit of trivia!  The bears are native residents of Grandfather Mountain.

 

Unlike last year, race morning was in the low 60s and a beautiful cloudless sky.  As the gun sounded, we began with 2 laps on the track inside of the ASU Stadium, then thru the campus and out to the highway.  The course changed a bit this year as we immediately began our ascent instead of meandering thru the foothills.  The highway took us to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Somewhere on the Parkway my wheels just plain fell off!  Until I hit the only downhill part (2 miles!), I actually contemplated dropping out.  But, after the downhill I was a new man!  Our half-marathon split was 2:16 and we felt pretty good... for now!

 

The last 13 miles were going to be our real test... it was all up-hill.  Amy & I laughed, swore, talked, didn't talk, tried to breathe, and just wanted it to be OVER!  The overlooks & scenery during our ascent were incredible.  As we entered the GMM finish-line, there were Kathy, Jodi & Michael congratulating us for completing the "most strenuous marathon in America!"  The GMM is a marathon you have got to try.  If for anything, but to say "I did it!"

 

This was Joe's 47th marathon!

 

Report by Amy Riggio... I kind of fell into the position of a "Grandfather Mountain Marathon participant" because of the Malinowski family. Jodi, their daughter, somehow became pregnant just in time to NOT run the GMM.  Go figure!  So, being the sucker that I am, I took Joe and Kathy up on the offer to travel to Boone, NC and run the race. I should have heeded Mary McMurray's advice about the race. Well, it wasn't really advice but ..... take it for what it's worth. Mary's exact words regarding the GMM, "I hated it". OKAY...so why did I decide to run this?

We drove into beautiful Boone, NC, on Friday afternoon and went straight to packet pick-up. There I was supposed to pretend to be Jodi Crisp. Other than the fact that I didn't know ANYTHING about her and that I looked nothing like her, it should have gone smoothly. Not exactly! They needed I.D. Well, I didn't have any (at least that is what I told the Marathon Nazi) and then instead of just walking away and letting it go...I decided to stay and pretend even more. So, the Nazi asked me for my address....hmmm let's see, I don't even know "my" address. Now what? I turned to Joe and he said it for me. Not too obvious. Then she proceeded to ask for "my" birthday. Once again I fell back on Joe's answer. Which was by far the greatest answer ever to the question of "when is your birthday."  Joe's answer, 9. He looked at me and said 9. We were busted. The Marathon Nazi had won and I didn't get my packet until later that night when Jodi picked it up herself.  Just foreshadowing a GREAT race to come!

The next morning, July 12th, we awakened to a GORGEOUS day.  Joe and I made our way to the Appalachian State University Stadium to start the race. The race that sent me to my knees that is!!!  We felt great within the first 10 miles. The hills were coming easily for us and the downhills even EASIER!! Between miles 10-13 the altitude hit my brain and told me that I was feeling better than I really was. I told Joe "if I get in front of you I'll wait for you at the finish"... YEAH RIGHT!!! It ended up that I hit my "wall" at mile 15. It really turned out to be Joe pulling me through the very last bits of the race. Thanks!! I couldn't have done it without you!! And you were right, it was my butt that was hurting all along!! :) The finish turned out to be a celebration of simply not running uphill anymore. I was in pain, I was hungry and I was just ready to hit my bed. Kathy, Jodi and Michael (Jodi's husband) were there at the finish to congratulate us. I know that personally they helped to lift my spirits tremendously when we finished. I needed it. Thanks for the support and extra humor you guys gave me!! I wouldn't have wanted any other support there!!

I have to be truly honest and say that it will NOT be on my marathon schedule for next year, but the experience was something that I will never forget. It is amazing to think that we ran up Grandfather Mountain which is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Joe and I have proven that it can be done. It can be done in pain, it can be done with laughter and it can be done with the simple desire to finish. No need to win, no need to break records just a need to finish. We did that and no one can ever take that away from us. Thanks for the experience Joe!!  Love ya man!!!

Capon Valley 50K, Yellow Spring, WV 05/17/03

Team Lunatic did themselves proud by roaming 31 miles of the finest hills West Virginia has to offer.  Also, to be hospitable, the Race Director threw in a few days of rain, swollen streams and all the mud you will ever want to see.

Kathy Malinowski, Jean McVeigh and Mary Nell "Kelly's Mom" Bergenstock volunteered to work the 13 mile mark aid-station.  Tom Corris & Bob Phillips fresh from the MMT 100 Mile, came to provide support at the start/finish line. And Marty Lindemann, after finishing in 5:26:36 stayed at the finish to cheer us in.  All of you... Thanks for being there!!

Team Lunatic times were: Jerry "Kelly's Dad" Bergenstock 5:32:58, "JC" Neives-Campos 7:01:48, Joe Malinowski 7:06:28, Kelly Bergenstock 7:06:28, Mary McMurray 7:06:29, Amy Riggio 7:06:29 and George McVeigh 7:36:56.

Report by Kelly Bergenstock... Well, it was another beautiful running of the Capon Valley 50K! Cold, rain, mud and a few small climbs (ugghuh), who could ask for more out of Saturday afternoon! I always enjoy going to WV….makes me feel a whole lot better about my dental care, homeowner’s association dues and general self-esteem. I don’t think West Virginia was prepared for Team Lunatic however!

I managed to hoodwink my Dad into running with us for his first ultra. Well… I use the term “running with us” lightly considering he beat us by an hour and a half! Show off! I don’t think he wanted to partake in the 50K photo shoot that was to be our run. Amy and I brought our cameras to capture the action. It seems we made more of the action than captured it! I did manage to learn something about Capon Valley. Did you know that they have a large reserve of natural gas in those mountains? Believe it! We not only heard it…we smelled it! I can’t be sure of the source (uugghum) but I promise you there was an abundance of it.

Joe, Amy, Mary and I trampled through the mud, streams FULL of water and climbed several breathtaking hills! As usual we laughed, ran, walked, posed and generally acted like the lunatics we are! I just can’t put into words how green the scenery was. There is a sight high above the hills that resembles something out of “The Sound of Music.” We saw about 15 deer run across the hill as we were looking down. In the spirit of the moment we began to sing songs from the movie! Joe was starting to resemble Captain VonTrap…that was scary!

As the run progressed we learned that what goes up…must go up again! I swear my brain chooses to forget certain things (like large climbs) about each ultra. I guess that’s why I am dumb enough to come back for more! Joe decided it would be most amusing to him if he jumped in a mud hole and soaked me with mud. Ha ha freakin ha! I, in turn, found a lovely puddle and cleaned us both off! Amy (the poser that she is) sat in a stream full of water in hopes of a cover shot on the website. Or did she fall? I can’t be sure. Either way, she was in the water and Joe and I found it very comical! Mary and I …well we kept the group supplied with fresh, clean mountain air. I’ll let them tell you!

All and all we had a blast! Seven hours went by and we all felt great! It’s nice to run, enjoy yourself and be able to laugh at the things you do! The best part of the day is finishing with close friends and planning to do it again! Hats off to my Dad….you ARE Forrest Gump!

The New Jersey Marathon, Sandy Hook, NJ, 04/27/03

Report by Mary McMurray... Drove up to my old stomping grounds for the New Jersey Marathon.  My Aunt Mary Ethel lives a mile from the start, and my Uncle Jim lives a mile form the finish.  Uncle Billy, by the way, lives at the 14-mile mark.  The course runs along the Jersey Shore, doing 10 miles Sandy Hook, before heading south to Deal, then looping north to Long Branch High School.  The course was déjà vu, very similar to Shamrock.  There is an old army base at Sandy Hook, and they housed Nazi prisoners there in WW II.  You can see New York City from this point, and the old WW II barracks and gun batteries are eerie!

There was not a cloud in the sky, in the 70's.  Damn blanking HOT!!!   The ocean breeze, unfortunately, was cut off by the sea wall heading south along the shore.  I turned to a woman along the way and said, "I feel like I'm in a Betty Crocker Easy Bake Oven," as the sun radiated off the concrete-paved boardwalk at mile 18.   My legs never loosened up, and I had a stitch the first 20 miles.  If my father was not waiting for me at the finish, I may have said screw this.  But I was determined to crawl over the finish line if I had to.  We got some cloud cover and breeze at mile 20, my best 6 miles were the last ones.  Felt good at the finish.  Pulled in at 4:45 and change.  Had a blood blister on my toe, something new and interesting for me.

It was fun seeing the beaches where I spent my childhood to the bars I used to drink in!  The aid was fantastic, water and Ultima at every mile, gels at 2 stops.  A truly sentimental journey for this Jersey Girl.  Incidentally, when the played "Born to Run" over the sound system 15 minutes before the race, I was in the Port-a-John with intestinal distress form my aunt's Italian sausage the night before!

Boston Marathon, Boston, MA, 04/21/03

Report by Dr. Pete Mendel... It was still "Boston" with all of the fans, hype, great expo, and Kenyans, but it was one bear of a race! I again had a relaxed qualifying entry but had trained to still run a  time of around 3:50 which for me is good.  As a training run Shamrock had been 4:01 very relaxed with two port-a-john stops.  The hot topic at the sports medicine symposium Boston weekend had been hyponatremia, and how the pre-race over hydration may be a factor.  Boy were they wrong. Forecast was 48-62 degrees raceday variation.  Waiting all morning until the noon start, temps rose from 40's to 71 degrees by race time!  People had even brought gloves and jackets to the starting line, and since you're trapped there for 4 hours in the morning, there were a lot of discarded jackets for charity. 

 

For me, first I cut my Annapolis long sleeve shirt wrists off at race start to make short sleeves, then at one mile 1, ran up to a firetruck, borrowed bandage scissors, chopped off my tights to shorts and felt better but must have looked like Peter Pan.  Drank plenty of Gatorade frequently and gels.  Felt really on track, running a normal 8 minute pace for 13, then began to cramp up in small muscle fibers of legs, and had to do the electric slide for the last 10 miles to not cramp up completely and become a Boston heat casualty and not finish.  I was really worried about not even finishing! 

 

Felt great cardiovascularly, just couldn't use much push off in the calves and quads or would cramp up.  Last 10 miles took 1 hour longer than the first 10!  But, since Boston 2000 had been marked by a stress fracture of the hip, today was still a blessing as it was a beautiful day for spectators, and when making that final turn after the Citgo sign to the finish line, I was running this time (electric slide style!), smiling,  and thanking God for the ability and chance to even run.  All in all, still a great day and race.  It really shows you how many factors can affect performance in a marathon and why it is such a journey. 
 

Report by Harry Wiggins... I ran Boston yesterday with a PW of 3:30:24, all in all just a bad day, the race went off at Noon with full sun, 71 degrees, 5 mile/hr head wind, could it get worse,? Well, of course, I struggled through the last 5 miles ( a la Bataan Death March), finished with a chip time of 3:28:05, 16 minutes slower than last year, ended up with matching blisters on each foot and said "...why did I do this..." Checked my 5k split times from last year found I was running about a minute and a half slower per 5 k through 15 miles, then I hit the Newton hills and things got worse. The crowds were great, it was a great day for the throngs of people cheering not so good for the runners.  I checked my time from last year against this year the same time this year would have picked up 700 positions over last year, that tells you about the day.