Selected Running Events, News, and Comments:

Nov. 23. At the Turkey Trot 5K,, in top drawer competition, Derek Treadwell & Judson near course record followed closely by Andy Spaulding and Mike Bunker. Sharyn Kingma tops division. Brian and Dan Smith hit PRs. Eve and Gary pull doubles after morning runs up Cadillac. And Fred Merriam, running with a good-sized posse, returns triumphantly to road racing. BDN report.

Gary writes: HUGE congrats to you Judson! Talk about letting your performance do the talking...I can honestly say that you left little doubt that you can run with anyone in Maine by what you did in Brewer today. If there are any skeptics out there let them come on down to the island and race. One thing many of you may not know is Judson personally got some of the key people in that field to run today(Treadwell, Spaulding). He probably could have easily won but instead wanted the best runners to attend to make it a real race. That my friends is the sign of a true champion! Enjoy your spoils Judson, awesome run!

In an email to the Editor, race director Dave Torrey writes: "That race reminded me of the middle 80's and early 90's. In 1992 here are the 1st 5 times. 15:11, 15:14, 15:19, 15:22, 15:57. In 1984 we had 7 guys under 16:00 from 15:28 to 15:49. In fact, in checking back through the 80's and early 90's we always had 5 -7 guys under 16:00. It's good to see that it can happen again. I was beginning to wonder."

Judson writes: Most of you don't know Andy Goupee, but he was one of this areas faster runners a couple of years ago. He ran some fine times of 15:20 and 32:15 for the 5-k/10-k. And made his marathon debut at Sugarloaf winning in 2:40(running his last 10-k in over 40 minutes, ouch) But a good time anyways. I always thought we would be the perfect training partners for trying to qualify for the marathon trials. But all of a sudden he got stomach problems and has been out for the last year and a half, doing little if not any running.

Well today's results at the turkey trot show Andy is on his way back. I believe he was 5th overall running in the 16 range. For Andy who ran this race last year in 24 minutes shows he is one tough mother to come back lke that.

One last thing, Mike Bunker who was 4th today running 15:39 grew up with Andy Goupee and have been lifetime friends.

Keep it going Andy.

And (in a posting to Larry Allen who's offered Dan training advice) Dan Smith writes: OK. Here goes. I was somewhat nervous about this. I woke up early thinking about all of your suggestions.

I got to Brewer early. Drove the first mile 3 times. Counted the poles as you suggested. 30 poles in the first mile. So I thought a 7 pole run and 3 - 4 pole recovery would work.

I ran the first 7 pole segment to see if this was managable. Wasn't bad, little tenderness in the shins. Knock on wood the bursitis issue wasn't going to play a factor today. I timed myself for this short jaunt. Was way to fast for my liking. Stretched and loosened up. Took ibuprohen. At this point had a 2 hours before the race started.

Hung out at registration for a few minutes. Chatted with John and Bonnie.
Ran into Gary outside. He said that it was about time I got Crow gear. (Maybe for the 15K).

Kids race - what a crowd. These kids were fantastic. They came in all shapes and sizes. there were some pretty impressive sub6 year olds in that group.

Okay now 15 mintues till race time announcement. Where to heck are the bathrooms. Found one.

Okay made my way to the start line. What a crowd. This was all quite intimidating. Never been in a crowd like this. Met up with Suzanne Sullivan..we had a good chat waiting for the start.

Start - Lost Suzanne. Got caught up in the start. Didn't pace myself really well. Almost made it through my first segment. Shins seized up. Breathing was pretty good. I found Suzanne at this point. She offered to stay with me for awhile. We went a little way. The shins were getting worse. I sent her along. I would be fine. I managed to get some short bursts in up to 1/2 mile. This pain was unbelievable.

Did a great deal of walking to the turn around. Was that really the half way point? Went through the 1 mile at 15 flat.

Over dressed for this event. I neglected to take my jacket and wind pants off. Didnt' expect the temp to rise on the flat stretch going out to turn around. Took the jacket off.

Made the turn at about 25. At this point, I thought that this wasn't bad. I was on the same pace from the 5K in Bar Harbor. As I headed back up the strectch to the 2M mark, seemed to get by the pain a little. I handed my jacket off to a volunteer just past the 2 mile mark.

I managed to pick up my pole distances at this point. Took shorter recovery times. I came across the RR tracks at about 40min. I got thinking about time at this point.

The crest of the hill was a little taxing. When I crested the hill, Suzanne was coming out to pace me in. She stayed with me right up to the turn in the driveway. Thanks Suzanne, this helped a great deal.

Well, to bring this long story to an end. I finished with a time of ~46:20. This is 2:20 faster than Bar Harbor.

Okay time to regroup and plan out for Spring.

THINGS TO WORK ON:
Pacing
getting the shins in shape.
weight loss
endurance (I think the mile loop near the Y is a good place to start.)

Nov 23. At the Philadelphia Marathon, Kitty Fair, runs 3:26. Chris* Almy 3:19.

Kitty writes: my experience running the Philadelphia Marathon was as close to perfect as they come. The course is both beautiful and fast, basically flat with just a couple minor, almost negligible hills. Down in Philadelphia there are still brightly colored fall leaves on the trees, making the course all the more scenic. The weather conditions couldn't have been better: upper 40s at the start and 50s throughout the race, with some sun throughout. This is a very well-managed race, with good crowd support at key sections of the race. There were some 5600 + runners, which meant lots of people to run with, but not so many that it felt like a stampede. The water stops were only every other mile or so which, after being coddled by the Boston course, felt a little like roughing it to this spoiled runner. On the other hand, one of the wonderful features of the course was the out-and-back part, something I had never experienced in a marathon. This meant that as my pack was reaching miles 17-18, the front runners were going through mile 23-4 and we were able to see and cheer for the elite group as they dashed along. I think we got a surge of inspiration seeing these first-rate competitors on their way to a strong finish. In any case, it was a day to remember all the way around, with many people running best times. Mine turned out to be 3:26:58, my first sub-3:30 and a 6-minute PR. The best part of my run may have been the last 10K. For the first time ever, my pace only slowed by a few seconds per mile in that stretch. Sometime, too, I'll share with people how iffy my training was leading up to this race, a fact that made the day's success even more of a surprise. Needless to say, I would recommend Philadelphia to anyone - no wonder Jane Unger Hahn wrote it up Runner's World as "My Favorite Race."

Chris* writes: I concur with Kitty's remarks. Compared to Boston it's a piece of cake. I went 3:19.31-a P.R. I thank Brian Hubbell in part for letting me run 13 to 14 miles with him in the MDI- good prep. I also am grateful to Gary Allen for allowing me to interlope. In Philly from 17 to 22 I kept thinking this is too good to be true. In Boston it's torture time at that point.

Nov. 23. About the Cadillac group run,

Brian writes: As if the rest of the day's events weren't excitement enough, I want to mention that I saw an awesome performance first thing this morning from Eve's group who ran through some pretty stiff sub-freezing winds to the summit of Cadillac.

Not knowing them, in the Bubble parking lot beforehand I really wasn't sure that they were going to do it with the wind seeming fairly bitter. But that's a bunch of unstoppable kids she's got there and they just seemed to get better humored the whole way up. For me, it was way cool to see them, from my various vantages, just streaming up that auto road.

I hope that Eve will do a better report because she'll get the names right and these kids deserve to be properly recognized. Several of them I recognized from the Halloween and Wildcat runs. I hope (and expect) we see more of this group. They make good crows.

And Eve writes: I had intended the run up Cadillac Mountain on Sunday to be a salute to women's running, but as with most things, it took on a life of it's own. It's just before 9am. I'm on the park loop road headed to Bubble and I pass Peter K. pushing both children past the entrance to Cadillac towards Bubble Pond in a malfunctioning jogger. There's the first page that was left out of my original salute. Women may carry for nine months, but Peter was sure carrying them now. At that moment I am filled with admiration and respect, which is one hell of a springboard for a hop up Cadillac. Brian H. is already in the parking lot waiting to tote dry clothes to the top. Jenny J.,a few weeks out of surgery (Although you would never know it!) arrives with a fresh smile. Danny Wriggins arrives with Henry and Gail Grandgent. Danny is in 6th grade and the only male member of the Islesford Cross-Country team. Danny stayed overnight at Henry and Gail's in Otter Creek to insure that he would make the start time. Danny's father showed up unexpectedly, became infected with the mood, and decided to hike up to the top. Henry and Gail volunteered to drive Peter's children to the top while Peter ran. Dedicated parents and supportive friends, another page left out of my original salute.

The last four runners arrive around 9:30. Jenny and I humorously decide that our next start time will be posted on a curve to allow for expected tardiness. Running with us was Christina Blank 8th grade, Heather Spurling 7th, Frances Blank 6th, and G retchen Blank 6th, who was unable to run because she needs surgery on both feet and will be out of running for two years. They will do one foot at a time. I told her that next time we would all hop to the top and then she could come along. Another page left out. Amy P. showed up with her youngest to wish us well and helped fellow Crow Terrie W. deliver her car to the top. After a few minute warm up around the pond, and a cameo appearance from Gary who had already run up to the top and back, we were off!

We talked; we shared stories of endurance and proper attire (all the girls were in shorts...Jenny had doled out all the extra gear in her car, but tights were not amongst them). We made sure to stick together until it became necessary to let the kids be our guide. As we got closer we were just close enough to each other to howl an audible "woo hoo". Brian deserves a page of his own for making us feel so safe. It was a chilly day, the children were underdressed, they had never run 5 miles (uphill no less), and Gary said it was windy at the top. Brian was never more than half a mile away at any point. He would drive ahead, park for a water stop, run down the hill to check on us at the back, and then run back to his truck to repeat this three or four more times before reaching the top. Just below the summit, which came as a surprise to all, Danny says to me "I shouldn't have eaten those waffles and bacon" (I'll bet he'll never forget that breakfast!) Jenny says Frances chatted her way to the top. Christina was very thankful to have Terrie distracting her and keeping her company as she pushed her way to the top. She said she felt guilty for not responding to Terrie's attemp at chatty distraction. I told her we'd all been there before and that's what running with others was all about. Whether we are distracting others through a tough run, or ourselves being distracted, it makes us all better runners just being in it together. Heather, who is a sponge for running knowledge, fittingly sailed to the top with Peter who's giving nature cannot be outclassed. We were all greeted with cheers, muffins, and Brian's very own "Cadillac Capuccino" which left frothy white moustaches on our smiling faces. Everyone put their warm clothes on. Christina shyly giggled as she suffered through an intense case of the cold leg thigh itch

Final page...I was privileged this day to be allowed to run with four courageous children, other runner's who know what "it's" all about, and to share this with dedicated parents and friends who stay involved. John Murphy said "so I guess this was YOUR favorite run", and having thought about it, no doubt, it was.
That was our Sunday morning.

Nov 15. At the Running of the WIldcats, True Muzzy and Nora Hubbell are first among fun run finishers. Gary Allen and Paula Lunt beat the wind to win 5K, Brian Hubbell is 3rd. Island girls Heather Spurling, Susan Falt, & Amanda Ohmers run strong. Kevin Johnson, Baby Crow, Catlin Kennedy, Bill Pinkham, and Robin Emery take age groups.

Nov 13. John Murphy writes: My son Patrick got the coaches award tonight for his efforts in cross country. It is his second year. He is the second most improved on the team. He never missed a practice and ran home every night after practice. The season is over and he is still running home. I am very proud of him and his efforts. Great Job future Crow, Patrick Murphy!

Nov 9. Judson writes: It was a real good weekend for all from Maine this weekend. First Maine had 3 HS runners in the top 10 at the New England Championships on Saturday. [Ryan O'Keefe was 32nd.] Then in the [USATF] New England Masters Championship 8-k today, Mike Payson, and Bob Winn went 1-2, closely followed by a bunch of dirigo guys including Henri Bouchard of Bar Harbor. In the Open 10-k, Evan ran 32:15 with myself close behind in 32:22, but with the wind and muddy conditions( and both of us forgetting our spikes) I think it was a 31 something effort.

Nov 2. At the New York Marathon, Gary Allen runs a 2:25 negative split to finish at 2:55:25, 260th male, 83rd US male, 15th in age group. This is Gary's 31st sub-3:00 marathon.

From NY, Gary writes: aloha! Yup, negative is the way to run these bad boys.... 1st half 1:28:55 2nd half 1:26:28 Felt great! on a good day for the beach (WARM) Here is a nice 7 mile stretch from 17M to 23M: 6:25, 6:31, 6:29, 6:33, 6:33, 6:29, 6:33.

From NY: Judson writes: Larry, Evan and I got the royal treatment this weekend and were able to experience the marathon in a very cool way. First, we had VIP dinner passes for the pasta feast Saturday night which allowed us to bypass all the lines of runners and go straight to the free food and beer. Although free beer is good beer, I had to admit, MDI's beer is much better. After that the fireworks show started and compared to the show on the 4th of July in Bar Harbor, this one ROCKED. Sunday Morning we were up by 6, but was tough for Evan and I to get up after paying a visit to a couple bars in the city. But we weren't going to miss the chance to see the start of the Marathon. Larry, Gary, Evan and I took the VIP race director bus out to the start where they fed us breakfast and we got to talk with other marathon race directors. By 8:30 we were on top of a double decker bus which seemed to be in the middle of where the runners should be. Little did I know that our bus was going to be used as a divider for the runners. In fact the hundreds of buses they had, had come together to create the running lanes for the runners. It was like art. Larry had warned us about the canon going off to start the race, but I still almost fell off the top of the bus when it finally did go off. Watching 30,000+ runners trying to start was crazy. It must have taken 15 minutes for all the runners to actually go past the starting line. And once gone, the clothes appeared. If one wanted some nice running gear all you had to do is pick it out of the piles they were sweeping it up into. After getting bused back to the finish and getting into our grandstand VIP seats which were only 100 meters from the finish line, we got to watch the first three women break the course record( they start the elite women before everyone else). 20 minutes after the elite men appeared, and I have to say the Americans were very dissappointing. The first came in at 2:18, only a 1 1/4 miles behind the winner. Before Gary finished we got our free boxed lunches from tavern on the green and broke into those without hesitation. The whole time Larry, Evan and I were calling people we knew who had internet access trying to figure out where Gary was. When we heard his 1/2 way split we were psyched and hoped the high of 71 degrees wasn't going to slow him down. When we finally saw Gary coming up to 26 miles we went crazy and screamed as loud as we could. After finally catching up to Gary a couple hours later he looked like he hadn't run anything. Thanks to Gary and Larry for making this marathon experience a most enjoyable one.

Nov 2. Tom MIller writes: I represented the Crow Athletics at a Duathlon in Casa Grande, Arizona on Nov. 2. Distances were 1 1/2 mile run, 11 mile bike, and 4 1/2 mile run. Came in first in the 80 year old division and second in the 70's!! Weather warm but skies were flavored by the fires in California. I wore my Crow singlet with pride! My next race is a 5 K Turkey Trot in Fountain Hills, Az. They have an 80+ division.

Nov 1. Baby Crow is first overall at Falling Leaf 5K.

Nov 1. MDI Boys place 3rd, Girls 8th in XC State B Championship. Ryan O'Keefe wins State class C race, Sumner XC team 3rd.