I'm pleased with my running in 2006. I seem to have honed in on a pace between 6:55 to 7:05 for 8K and 10K races; my 7:11 pace for last year's Hangover Classic is an anomaly due to the inch of fresh snow and slush that covered much of the first half of the course.
My highlight of the year was the 20:05 I ran in the Pelham 5K. I know that on the right day, on the right course, I have a sub-20 in me. But I didn't expect to come that close in this race. I owe my great time completely to a fellow named Dan Houston, who came in fifth place right behind me. I led Dan by about 40 or 50 feet for most of the race, but out of the blue at about the two and a half mile mark he blew by me. I was shocked, demoralized at first, and then just pissed. I knew the course well and planned my counter attack. I passed Dan at a full sprint with about 200 yards to go, and I didn't look back or let off the gas until the finish line. I don't know whether I'm happier about my finish time, or by not letting Dan's late race move take the fight out of me. Either way, my hat is off to Dan for a great race.
| Race | Date | Overall Place/Finishers | Division Place/Finishers | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hangover 10K | 01/01/06 | 95/299 | 33/70 | 44:40 | 7:11 |
| Cigna 5K | 08/10/06 | 426/4260 | 53/272 | 21:36 | 6:57 |
| Lundgren 5K | 08/19/06 | 30/287 | 4/45 | 20:58 | 6:45 |
| Union Leader 8K | 09/09/06 | 72/299 | 28/60 | 35:01 | 7:03 |
| Pelham 5K | 10/07/06 | 4/90 | 2/7 | 20:05 | 6:28 |
| Bridges 10K | 10/14/06 | 25/181 | 8/24 | 44:01 | 7:06 |
| Feaster Five 8K | 11/23/06 | 144/2334 | 39/384 | 34:19 | 6:55 |
I managed to stay (relatively) injury free all year. Here's to repeating that in 2007!
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