Happy Labor Day all! It has been a great couple months of running since I last reported on the Boilermaker. All capped off today with the 79th Annual Around Cape Ann 25K.
Labor day means "hills" in my mind. There is no shortage of them in Gloucester and Rockport and it seems as if the Around Cape Ann 25K finds a way to run them all. Mentally and physically, Cape Ann will get you ready for any fall marathon because it is that challenging.
Some of the best runners around New England usually make there way to Gloucester to challenge themselves against the elements and fellow runners. There was no shortage of great runners this morning and when I arrived, I was hoping to make some noise in my age group. I had finished as high as 19th overall and 5th in my age group but had never been able to crack into the awards. Today was different, so I told myself.
The pace early felt perfect. Especially in Cape Ann, you have to keep the adrenaline at bay so that you have something left for those last few miles. I went out around a 6:05 pace and maintained around there till about halfway. I had began the race in 5th place and had moved up into 3rd by the time 8 miles were finished. My consistent pace and high ranking motivated me to push onward. Around 12 miles, I saw a nice spectator who confirmed that I was running 3rd. It is always funny when you get out there and your overall standing surprises you so much that you have to ask others.
Driven by excitment at this point, I continued to push. Hoping that I could close in on the 2nd overall runner. Around 13 miles, one of my good friends from Marathon Sports (Amy) was out on the course cheering me on. It felt great seeing her and her boyfriend. At that point in the race you look forward to seeing any familiar faces you can find.
Around 14 miles, the course was beginning to take it toll on me. I gave a quick peak behind me as I cam around a large turn and could see the next runner working hard to catch me. I attempted to stay positive and push as hard as I could so that the gap never got small enough. My effort and consistancy had paid off as I had more than enough to hold on for my "3rd place finish".
Waiting at the finish line was my mom and my good friend's the Mirabile. They began to congratulate me on my 2nd place finish and I corrected them, saying I had finished 3rd. They continued to claim that they only saw one person come in before me but I knew there had been two runners out there in front of me. Confussed and excitted at the prospect of 2nd, I walked up to the timing company to see how many runners they had recorded before me. The answer, "one"! Turns out the 2nd place runner had been unable to finish to the race.
My age group award will have to wait for another day because today I was good to enough to get an overall award. In a summer, consumed by the Olympics. The metal I won today was surrounded by silver. Meb would be proud!
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