The Spring Lake Five

Saturday May 28th was the 35th running of the Spring Lake Five. Early morning fog gave way to hazy sunshine and steamy conditions out on the race course. My official chip time was 39:39. I have run this race 18 times in the last 19 years. If you have never run Spring Lake, this race is a 'must do'. The SL5 is the largest race in New Jersey and the largest five mile race in the nation.

The course is nothing less than spectacular. Some of the highlights include ocean views during the first mile, a trip around Lake Como, running through the picturesque town of Spring Lake and finishing in front of the historic Essex & Sussex House.

Above, I am pictured with my nephew, and future Highlands Hasher Ryan Lee. Ryan participated in the Kids' race on Friday night.

Ridgewood Run - Hot Hot Hot

Update! Ross decided last minute to run the 5k - Dave had already dashed off to Hillsdale and did not notice. Ross finished  in 21:37.

It took about 10 seconds to warm up in the sauna that was Ridgewood. Briefly, Mark Nocito, young gun, clocked a 38:27 (27th OA), Dave legged it out in 40:40 (49th), and Michael Beaudoin closely followed in 40:54 (55th). Not a bad showing out of 1,033 runners.

Dave later went on to march in the Hillsdale Memorial Day Parade in the Wild Thing costume... a new weight loss program.

How'd it go down at Spring Lake Bob?

Got the walking boot today. Two weeks to go...

Who's This Guy?

The guy on the left is Mark Nocito (28). He recently turned in his club declaration to USATF-NJ and mistakenly put down our number! I didn't even know he was running today, but by chance he finished right behind me. Also in the running was Michael Beaudoin (42). Mark finished 2d in age at 18:53. Mike was 4th in age at 19:04 (some guy from Rockaway eased in ahead of him in the final posting...) and I was in at 18:51, 2d in age.
Mike, Mark, and I are definitely in for the Ridgewood 10k. See you there? - Dave

Full results here.

And the beer of the week is Odin's Tipple... whoa!
Let's see... will we get more comments on the new guy or the beer???

Superhero Half Marathon Relay

'Twas the best of times, 'twas the worst of times...
 The Highlands Hashers presented two relay teams at the 2d annual Superhero half marathon in Morristown, NJ. The inter-squad challenge pitted John and Jeff against Brian and Dave. After hours of pouring pounding rain the skies let up to a misty wash of vapor. There was some last minute strategy and gamesmanship, however all wished each other well... In the end, team "I'm with Stoopid" won the male relay championship. A nasty gastrointestinal virus thingy brought team "Alpha-Awesome" disappointing news. Nevertheless, all Hashers ran strong and with admirable effort. And the heavy rains held off.

Note: All the other winning relay teams got cool looking mugs denoting their victor status. We got the leftover women's race gift certificates for haircuts and massages! We're looking into the mug issue.... 
Results here.

Ahh - the simple pleasures of a trail run...

I'm sure many of you guys have not gone all the way back to the beginning of the blog. Click on the following link for a retro video... no numbers... no music... no HD quality. But the fire newt is cool and he almost made it as part of the logo before we decided on the eagle/beer thing.

http://highlandshashers.blogspot.com/2009/05/first-paulinskill-trail-run-14-miles.html

Happy mothers day.

The Road to Rhode Island

This past Sunday, Jeff and John headed up to their old college stomping grounds to participate in the Providence Marathon. The boys were joined by the Highlands Hashers' team coach (who also happens to be Mrs. Jeff) and her friend and honorary Hasher Jennifer, who ran in the half - marathon.

So here it is in a nutshell: Jeff ran very well and bettered his PR by 33 minutes. John hit the wall after mile 19 and struggled to finish. It was a little warm, very sunny, crazy windy at times, and kinda hilly. Not an easy day on the roads. Final results - Jeff: 3:24:51 and John 3:41:11.

New Jersey Marathon

I ran 4:08:59 at the New Jersey Marathon. My first Marathon in ten years!

The weather was spectacular, but deceptively warm. No shade from the blaring sun.

The course was as they say, "flat, fast and scenic". Ocean front start and finish in Long Branch. Marathoners ran through the towns of Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Asbury Park & Ocean Grove.

I was hoping for a little faster time, but leg cramps slowed me down considerably during the second half of the race.