Blessing of the Fleet 2018

Despite rarely ever getting to do offseason races due to a demanding HS race schedule, many offseason races feel like "classics" in the way HS races never do. For examples, local races like Schonning, Sailfest, Avondale, or Stavros are classic races in my mind. They each have a distinct and special feel to them that make them more than just another race for me. Perhaps this is because of my race history at these, seeing myself participate in the same races both when I was much younger and now when I am serious/fast, but either way, stepping onto familiar start lines of local road/trail races has a special feeling to it that I rarely found in high school (only a few meets, such as the Ocean State XC Invitational and the Yale Track Classic had such a feeling). One of the highlights of summer racing is not only the freedom to choose races and race strategies, but to return to the races of my childhood. Pretty much any race I competed in several times have a special feeling to them and returning to them is always extremely exciting. Besides the Little Rhody Runaround, no race was more of a classic in mind than the Blessing of the Fleet.

The Blessing always seemed to outdo any other road race. There's a certain feeling and atmosphere behind that sets it completely apart. Yes, it's competitive. Yes, it's a fast and flat course. But that's not what makes the Blessing the Blessing. It's the thousands of runners who toe the line every year, including hundreds that have done it before. It's the unbelievable spectator support the runners receive with groups of people lined up to cheer nearly every 400 meters. It's the small details, like getting to Route 108 and absolutely dying in the brutal heat/humidity before relishing in the shade of Kinney Ave, or finally getting to the finish line next to the Seafood Festival, in front of the towers and ocean and having the amazing feeling of being done with thousands of runners behind you, regardless of your performance. There are so many factors that make Blessing an absolute classic in Road Racing not just for coastal RI residents, but all of New England. Few would dispute this.

Yet, despite this both being a classic race and my first 10-miler all the way back in 2012, it's a race I'm always skeptical to compete in. It's this classic feel, that gives a sense of pressure to do well that I don't usually experience in summer races. I often go back and forth between loving and hating the race, even if I eventually decide on loving it. I skipped it in 2014 and 2017 and was completely on the fence this year. I'm not sure why, but I eventually made my decision and signed up, although felt there was a pressure to do well there that I may not live up, given extremely limited race training. The Blessing comes and goes like any other race, but it always feels like the event of the year due to how big it feels.

Race day rolled around and the 6PM start time both gave me plenty of time to relax and be nervous. Arrived just after 5PM and did a short warm-up solo to the bathroom. Was feeling good and relaxed until I started to get all sweaty on the way back. Met up with Aaron in the field before getting in a couple strides. Got the WTAC group together as I awaited the start talking to Aaron and Tom, extremely nervous. More than anything, I wanted to do well here. But all I could focus on was my singlet was already soaked, the humidity was off the charts, I possibly would have to pee or poop during the race but couldn't right now and especially that I really did not feel ready to run 10 miles under 5:36 pace. I toed the line feel weird about to race a 10 miler. Saw some fast guys like Brian Doyle and surprisingly, Louis Serafini. After exchanging a few good lucks, the gun went off and we were running.

First Four Miles

The first mile of Blessing always completely throws me off. I feel like I'm jogging running 5:30 pace and want to go after everyone ahead of me. The slight downhill makes for a very fast first mile, sometimes the only mile that feels good. I didn't feel as great this year, perhaps with my more aggressive race plan and overall faster pace, but the pace was far from difficult. Unlike 2016, I quickly found myself in the top 20 and had already seen the last of the 60 minute group. This huge Hendricken pack got right in front of me a quarter mile in and I was content to hang on with them. I felt comfortable right there but they were picking it up to a speed I didn't want to get to and I let them go. I was around 5:14 pace at a kilometer and wanted to step back a bit before I kill my race. The Hendricken guys opened up 40 meters on me and there were very few besides between me and the leaders besides them, who were a pack of three in the distance. Jeffery Pedersen, the top 1500/3000 runner in RI this past outdoor season was probably a good 100 meters ahead of me. I had hoped for maybe a high 5:20s mile, but the fast easy start had really gotten to me this year. I hit the mile in 5:20, likely around 20th place. The Hendricken group gave me something to focus on and shoot for in the next 5 miles. They opened up some more ground on me, but their lead never increased too much. We were probably hitting pretty similar splits. Trevor Crawley tucked himself in that group and looked comfortable. I was sure some of them would break eventually and would come back to me. I monitored my pace frequently but never enjoy the Ocean Road section. I was already starting to feel a little uncomfortable, which wasn't a great sign. I am absolutely awful at settling down when I need to and even though I wanted to get down a bunch of 5:33ish miles, I couldn't get down there and was still pushing the pace more than I needed to. I went past a fool who gone out too fast around Windermere. Tried to stay patient from there and feel relaxed. Miles 2 and 3 were both 5:28. The Hendricken group remained just ahead, looking comfortable and relaxed. Perhaps they'd hold it together and destroy me. I had only moved up a few spots since Mile 1 and while I felt decent, I didn't really want to be running and very much wished to be at mile 9 or so. I still managed to keep things relaxed and steady for most of Ocean Road, keeping my distance from the pack ahead but not running any slower than them. I was getting pretty heavy and it was finally mile 4 when my pace would slow down. We came out to the breeze next to Scarborough which I normally would welcome, but it seemed extremely windy and was slowing me and eating all my energy. I watched my average pace slow down further and further and started to get worried even if it probably was a good thing. Jeffery had gone out way too fast and I could see him coming back to the Hendricken guys. Finally took a right turn onto Knowlesway but due to the slight incline I still felt tired and like I was barely moving. Mile 4- 5:40.

Highway Miles

Mile 4 was slower than expected, but if anything the splits had evened out. Unfortunately, Mile 4 was slower due to fatigue rather me running smart. I knew it was crucial to keep it going rather than letting the pace take a hit the way it did Mile 4. It was right around this point I started to feel somewhat crappy, but I felt good enough to stay positive. I was certainly worried about still having 6 to go, but breaking it down into 3 two-mile stretches made it a little easier in my head. It was this stretch where everyone ahead seem to completely fall apart and I made huge jumps in position. The gigantic pack went from 10ish people to around 4 and I caught people every quarter mile or so including Jeff Venter, Sean Meehan and Jeffery Pedersen. It was really tough getting past these guys because all I wanted to do was jog it in with them, but if I didn't get past them it would be much harder to regain that place later on in the race. Mile 5 was 5:35. I got really exhausted on the long stretch on the highway and it was right around there that the rest of the race became a sufferfest that I had to gut out. I went back to sloth mode and dragged myself down a seemingly endless stretch of road. I was getting really hot and looking forward to hitting the shade. Mile 6- 5:40.

Last 4

I was at a pretty solid low 5:30s average pace which was right on target. Still 4 to go and feeling pretty tired wasn't a great sign. I think I still felt much better than 2016, but there really is no feeling good at the Blessing. Usually, the shaded Kinney road breathes some life back into me but I continued to gradually feel worse. I passed Mike Kiernan, who was part of the pack around here. I was tired and no longer running really fast splits but tried to stay focused on cranking out mid-5:30s and finish up. The Hendricken pack was done at this point and was just Jackson Cronin (former EG) and Jordan Dagrin, both 2017 graduates who I had raced in high school. They both seemed really strong and I had no intentions of catching them. I had been told I was top 15 around 5.5 miles, so I thought that meant Top 10 was out of the question. I later heard around mile 7 that I was in 8th. I desperately wanted to maintain this for at least a top 10 finish. I guess I got moving again Mile 7 and hit a 5:33. There were waterstops everywhere at this point, which was great for me as I was seriously overheating at this point. I took every water I could, dumping it over my head for temporary relief. I even told some people to just pour it on me, but they didn't seem to understand English as they just gave me a cold, blank stare. It was right around here that dropping out seemed like a great idea. I still had a entire 2.5 to go and was pretty tired. I just needed to get off South Pier and was almost done. I felt like I was slowing down tremendously at this point and wasn't sure if sub-56 would happen. Mile 8- 5:38. There was some separation with Jackson and Jordan who were just far enough ahead that I couldn't catch them. Mile 9 was really tiring and I felt super slow going up the slight incline up to Avice. Every quarter mile seemed to take forever now and only the fact that I was nearly finished kept me going. Mile 9 was a 5:34, somehow. I was pretty sure I'd get sub-56 at this point, even if I dragged myself in at 5:50 which I thought was likely. I went from feeling bad to absolutely horrible in the last mile. We were on 1A for the longest time when I noticed I was slightly gaining on Jordan and Jackson. Finally made the turn onto Kingstown for the final stretch and it was decision time. I was in 8th but those two guys were right there. I wanted nothing more than to slog into the finish as I was sure both of my goals were in the bag, but they were right there and despite feeling awful, I had a little more in the tank. I thought about how awesome it would be to get 6th and decided I'd go for it. Jackson seemed to be really hurting and passing him wasn't too hard. Jordan was about 15 meters ahead of Jackson however and I was nervous about passing him. I put in a big surge and tried to keep it going, slipping into 6th. I still had 600ish meters to go and wasn't not feeling confident about holding this kick. I was sure Jordan would get me back and I'd place 7th. Put everything I had into that final 400 and came into the finish line 6th overall. Last mile was my fastest at 5:17 but hurt really bad.

I was initially so exhausted and so hot. But I had done it. It was a gamble running this race as I'd either blow up or I wouldn't, yet managed to pull off my best performance of the year and kept the streak of great races at Blessing going, although this may be my very best yet. Really happy to maintain mid-5:30s even feeling like crap. Got through the tough miles and it really paid off. Super psyched with 6th place as well, really glad I got those two at the end. Even though it really hurt, running this was worth it for what may possibly be the best race of my life. I'm already looking ahead to next year with huge goals, hopefully a sub-54 with some actual training and higher mileage/racing from college. Another Blessing of the fleet in the books, have now worked up from 341st place with a 1:17 time (2012 debut) to 6th place in 55:30. Excited for next year, hoping to keep the streak going. Full results here.