Bobby Doyle

The final race of the RI Summer Classic trio: Blessing, Run 4 Kerri, Bobby Doyle. It's probably my least favorite of the three. Still a great race, but it's by far the newest of three and the one I have the least history with (Kerri I've been racing since age 8 or so, and Blessing since age 12). However, it does have the best course and is by far the most competitive race in Rhode Island. I actually don't love that latter part, as I'll be competing for 50th place or so in the USATF-NE race whereas I prefer the more low key and less chaotic run 4 kerri field. 

So this year, as I summed up in my Blessing and Kerri post I was just starting out a new block. Blessing went really poorly only one week into training but Kerri was a nice bounce back- averaging 5:22/5:23 pace for the 4 miles. With another week of training, I thought sub-27 was a nice whole number to shoot for- essentially the same as Kerri pace but potential to run faster. I thought this would be a reasonable but also tough goal- could see myself running just under or over. 

This was once again the USATF-NE championship, meaning a loaded field. I did something different this time and raced for Notch Brewing, a team based in Salem, MA. They do decently, but aren't one of the top teams like Tracksmith, BAA or Battle Road. I got an email from the club organizer/manager (after meeting him at the Spring for the Trails race) asking me to join. There were essentially no club dues, so I got a free singlet out of it.

Despite my running trending upwards and now having 3.5 weeks under my belt (probably when I'd do my first race of the block) and plenty of hard efforts, I wasn't looking forward to this. I had spent part of the early week traveling with Dad + Brady around Martha's Vineyard and cape cod. Then another long day Friday in Boston for a concert. Saturday went by in a flash after that late night and sleeping in to recover. Now it was the evening before the race. I was no mood to go after it again post hard and difficult efforts at Blessing and Kerri. And then shortly after the race, I'd have to pack up all my stuff for a drive and move across the country. I guess I'd rather enjoy my final day in RI, relax a bit, have time to pack and prepare to leave. Also felt a little mentally tired from the other two races. Had not I committed to racing for Notch, I may have considered bailing on this one. I probably would have raced regardless as paying the entry fee is typically a commitment for me to race barring significant injury or having a real excuse. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any races I didn't show up to where I was healthy. 

Race day rolled around. Got there comfortably early, picked up by bib and went to meet the Notch team. I thought it would be uncomfortable just setting up in their area when I only knew the one guy, Dan. It did feel a little weird but people were friendly and welcoming. Warmed up with the group feeling a little heavy but not especially bad. They went out and back on the South County bike path, which worked well as there was a bathroom there. A driver cut off the front of the group pretty badly and it was funny when one of the Notch guy yelled "You f***ing a**hole!" as it felt very stereotypical of a Boston-area/Urban MA resident. Not criticizing as the driver was completely in the wrong, but just not something I would say.  

Put on race shoes and singlet. Had plenty of time for everything today. Lined up with the Notch guys probably 5-6 rows back. I think my goal was to go out in 5:20 given the first mile is Downhill and can be really fast. The first half mile was chaotic with how crowded it was. I ended up hitting the mile in 5:16, a little quick. I noted I felt controlled but also pretty heavy. 

The pace was starting to fade a bit on Ocean Road so I picked it up and started the slow process of moving up. I saw teammate Greg up ahead who I thought must be slightly behind pace as he stated his goal was sub 26. Mile 2 in 5:23, which is a slight uphill on Ocean Road. Pretty solid for that segment. 

Mile 3 is by far by the hardest mile in the race with a slight but steady uphill on Windermere the entire time. I remember this part being a beat up road in the past, but was surprising smooth and recently paved for halfway, then the rest of the road was in poor shape. I ran back and forth with a somerville runner who seemed about my age. Slowing a bit with the uphill but overall felt pretty relaxed and controlled. 5:30 for mile 3. I can't remember the 5K split, just that it was significantly off. 

I saw Greg just ahead and decided to pick it up a bit to catch up with him. But then was unintentionally passing him and really moving down this road- Kinney. I didn't have a second wind here at Blessing, but sure did today and kept seeing low 5s on my watch. Ended up really picking up Mile 4 and feeling great with a 5:06. I think I went through 4 miles faster than I did at run 4 kerri, which is always a good feeling. 

Last mile I kept rolling and passing as many people as possible. The somerville runner I had been around had a bit more in the tank and gapped me a little. I caught up to Kenzie Doyle, the UMass lowell runner who wins a lot of these races and went by. With half a mile to go, it was a slight uphill to the finish and I found myself feeling the effort. Finishing was a grind and I got caught by a few runners who measured their effort better, but was able to hold my own in the final stretch into the HS driveway. 26:36 for 48th place. 

Ended up having a great race. In my experience, how you feel going into a race doesn't always indicate how the race will go. I wasn't feeling this one at all and wouldn't have minded skipping it, but ended up with a great result given my fitness at that time. Looking back, Blessing may have been a mistake but I had an excellent progression from Blessing to Kerri to Doyle. From really bad at Blessing to solid out-of-shape racing at Kerri to just really strong running here. Only 13 seconds off what I ran at Clamdigger, despite being much further along in training for that. Encouraging result to work off of heading into the fall. This was also my best Bobby Doyle and while certainly much room to improve, that was a good feeling after being so far off my best at Blessing and not in good enough shape for my best at Kerri. 

4 mile cooldown with Notch, enjoyed running with this team and will probably pick it back up when I return to New England. I think I was 3rd for the team and the team also ended up 3rd in the standings. That's a wrap on the Blessing-Kerri-Doyle trio and my summer racing (technically a few more, but I consider September to be the fall for road racing).