Feb. 5th, 2011

New Balance Grand Prix MBTA Masters Mile.
Got to the Reggie Lewis Center early and found I was surprisingly not so nervous.
It didn't hurt that I knew a bunch of people in the race, but more than that, I just felt ready.
Jason, Joe, Kent, Sean, Kevin, Francis and then a whole bunch of dudes I've heard about but never met. Some from Philly, some from NY, some from all over New England.
They led us into the holding area about 20 minutes before the 5:20 start. I'd warmed up for 20 minutes and done some pickups, but I could use a little more.
I went out on the track and...wow... this place is gorgeous. I saw some folks I know, saw Kristen and Corbin in the stands and I still wasn't nervous, save for a little concern about my right hammy again being fickle.
I did a few laps, did a few sprints and headed back behind the curtain for the anthem.
They brought us out and made quick work of lining us up as 5000 people looked on.
It was such a big field (17 runners) that they started us in 2 lines and I was on the inside in the back one (worst place to be.) I was quickly deposited into last place, but still went through the first 200 in 33, so that was OK.
Picked off one guy after 2 in 67 seconds and then flirted with moving up a couple spots for the next 4 laps.
Finally on 7, I moved and picked off 3 guys. The last 100 meters was me trying to catch my friend, hero and target (all rolled into one) Jason Cakouros. I did the total "shuffle off this mortal coil" thing and pushed harder than I think I ever have and got him by .15 seconds. Man, he couldn't believe it. I meant it when I told him that if the places were reversed, I know he would have gotten me, because the kind of fight I had in those last 50 meters only comes when chasing, bot being chased. I didn't even see the clock, but I knew it was good.
Found out 10 minutes later-

4:33.

That was so much fun. I haven't been that happy with a race in maybe ever. Great thing is that most of these guys love the track and have been on it for years and I'm just getting into the idea. I'm not saying that in any weird arrogant way, more like holy crap, I can't wait to train more at this and see what I can do next year and the year after that.
I saw what Charlie Kern did to run 4:19 and I'm not saying I'm going to ever get there, but I want more of this and I can't wait to get to work on it and push it more. But first, back to Boston training, which after a race like this, has suddenly become much more fun and appetizing.
Cooled down with Joe and Kent and Jason and I know I'm going cornball again, but these guys really have a way of making this strange new club I'm in a lot of fun to be a part of. Don't let it get out or it might ruin his Somerville street cred, but that Joe O. is about as nice a guy as you'll find in this racing world.
Got to spend the reat of the night with my wonderful wife and son.
Couldn't ask for a better day (though next year I won't be asking, but demanding, sub 4:30.)