After 100 meters of the girls varsity race at the Bay State league championships, Margo Gillis was clear of the pack and pulling away. The next 4900 meters didn't change anything as the Newton North junior won the individual title by 24 seconds, running 19:38 over the muddy course at the Coakley Middle School in Norwood.
The girls team title was much tighter, as Milton -- with three runners in the top seven -- eked out a miniscule advantage over Wellesley, 54-56. Newton North finished as sixth team in the girls race. Jaya Tripathi (21st, 22:07), Becca Trayner (33rd, 22:59), Devika Banerjee (51st, 24:21), and Emily Denn (53rd, 24:26) completed North's scoring.
Girls Varsity Results
In the boys varsity race, Weymouth's Steve Sollowin was similarly dominant, opening up a lead in the first 800 meters and gardually lengthening it throughout the race. Sallowin finished in 16:42, 28 seconds ahead of Brookline's Chernet Sisay in 2nd.
Brookline easily earned the team title, taking 2-3-4-10-14-15-16. Newton North had a strong showing, as Ezra Lichtman placed 5th (17:17), Jake Gleason ran a great race to take 7th (17:24), and Dan Ranti placed 11th (17:28). Mike Goldenberg (27th, 18:37) and Mike Weinfeld (30th, 18:46) rounded out the top five for the Tigers.
Boys Varsity Results
October 31, 2009
October 28, 2009
Born to Hunt
In Tuesday's NY Times, an article entitled "The Human Body is Built for Distance" begins with this rhetorical question:
"Does running a marathon push the body further than it is meant to go?"
Sometimes, rhetorical questions about running become tedious, and this is one of those times. The trap-door in the question is the word "meant", which has at least two meanings here. Our bodies might be "meant" to run marathons in the sense that we have certain adaptations that make it possible, even advantageous to go long distances without stopping. On the other hand, it could be that we are not "meant" to run marathons because they're really hard, and they expose most of us to all sorts of risks and insults.
So, let's answer the unanswerable question: yes, human beings were meant to run marathons, and no, as a rule, most of us were not meant to run marathons -- especially when the entry fees are a hundred bucks or more.
The fact is, some of us do run long distances and are better for it. Most of us do not run long distances, and are glad that marathons are not mandatory. Some of us consider ourselves to be runners, and yet have no need or desire to run longer than a few miles at a time.
However -- and I hope you are following my train of thought here -- all of us get hungry and need to eat. The most interesting item in the NY Times article was the link to the study, Persistence Hunting by Modern Hunter-Gatherers. In it, the author describes the modern use of endurance running to track and kill game.
I love the term "persistence hunting" and I love the idea that human beings, running in small packs, can out-smart and out-endure animals like the eland, kudu, gemsbok, hartebeest, duiker, steenbok, cheetah, caracal, and African wild cat. Wow. Doesn't that list, alone, make you want to up your mileage? It turns out, that one of the keys to running down game is chasing them during the hottest part of the day. Humans have a huge advantage in being able to cool themselves via sweating, so all though it's hot out there for everyone, it's a lot hotter for the hartebeest.
So I encourage you to skip the Times article and go right to the paper. And when you're done, instead of picking up Chris McDougall's book, read "Why We Run" by Berndt Heinrich, which offers a unique mix of anthropology, physiology, biography, and first-person race reporting.
And then meet us at 9:00 a.m. Sunday for our weekly hunt.
"Does running a marathon push the body further than it is meant to go?"
Sometimes, rhetorical questions about running become tedious, and this is one of those times. The trap-door in the question is the word "meant", which has at least two meanings here. Our bodies might be "meant" to run marathons in the sense that we have certain adaptations that make it possible, even advantageous to go long distances without stopping. On the other hand, it could be that we are not "meant" to run marathons because they're really hard, and they expose most of us to all sorts of risks and insults.
So, let's answer the unanswerable question: yes, human beings were meant to run marathons, and no, as a rule, most of us were not meant to run marathons -- especially when the entry fees are a hundred bucks or more.
The fact is, some of us do run long distances and are better for it. Most of us do not run long distances, and are glad that marathons are not mandatory. Some of us consider ourselves to be runners, and yet have no need or desire to run longer than a few miles at a time.
However -- and I hope you are following my train of thought here -- all of us get hungry and need to eat. The most interesting item in the NY Times article was the link to the study, Persistence Hunting by Modern Hunter-Gatherers. In it, the author describes the modern use of endurance running to track and kill game.
I love the term "persistence hunting" and I love the idea that human beings, running in small packs, can out-smart and out-endure animals like the eland, kudu, gemsbok, hartebeest, duiker, steenbok, cheetah, caracal, and African wild cat. Wow. Doesn't that list, alone, make you want to up your mileage? It turns out, that one of the keys to running down game is chasing them during the hottest part of the day. Humans have a huge advantage in being able to cool themselves via sweating, so all though it's hot out there for everyone, it's a lot hotter for the hartebeest.
So I encourage you to skip the Times article and go right to the paper. And when you're done, instead of picking up Chris McDougall's book, read "Why We Run" by Berndt Heinrich, which offers a unique mix of anthropology, physiology, biography, and first-person race reporting.
And then meet us at 9:00 a.m. Sunday for our weekly hunt.
October 27, 2009
Those Who Race and Those Who Finish
One of my regular running buddies, Kevin, ran a marathon last Sunday and finished bitterly disappointed in his time (2:58) and place (15th). He had trained for months to run sub 2:50, and had been on pace for the first half of the race and feeling good. Then the wheels came off. He struggled to maintain pace, suffered, but finished -- ingloriously, as he saw it, and has been cursing the marathon ever since.
Oh man, I've been there. I remember the first time I ran Boston. I was in great shape, but for many reasons, the race didn't go well. I went through the half marathon in 1:14, and then crashed and burned in the second half. I suffered -- as much from shame and embarrassment at being passed by hundreds of runners, as from the damage I was inflicting on my muscles. I finished in 2:41, vowing never to run another marathon (I did run several more, eventually).
I couldn't help thinking of this the other day when I read a piece in the NY Times concerning slow runners in marathons.
Plodders Have a Place, but Is It in a Marathon?
The article tries to stir up trouble by finding "hard-core" marathon runners who resent slower marathon runners, who, they say, devalue the marathon experience by completing the distance in six hours or more. The article begins with this juicy quote from a College cross-country coach:
"It’s a joke to run a marathon by walking every other mile or by finishing in six, seven, eight hours... It used to be that running a marathon was worth something — there used to be a pride saying that you ran a marathon, but not anymore. Now it’s, 'How low is the bar?'"
That's pretty harsh.
It's true that more and more people run marathons with no intention of racing. As participation in longer races grows, the median finishing times have become much slower. The "middle of the pack" in many marathons is now around four hours, or over nine minutes per mile. Is that a bad thing?
I think it's important to realize that a marathon is not a single event, but really many events happening simultaneously. For a minority of the participants, the marathon is truly a race -- a competition among runners (and against yourself) in which the idea is to run as fast as you can. With this ambition comes the risk of catastrophe. It is one of the weird ironies of being a fast runner that no matter how poorly your run, and how bad your race, most of the people who know you will see your finish as a major accomplishment and will be baffled by your disappointment.
For the majority of runners in a marathon, however, racing is not the priority, and the race is run at a relatively comfortable pace. I say "comfortable" knowing that even a moderate pace is difficult to maintain over the marathon distance. It's not comfortable after you've been out there for several hours. What I mean is that most runners don't feel compelled to race a marathon; they are content to run it, and if they suffer, to accept that suffering more philosophically.
Where the NY Times goes seriously wrong, I think, is in focusing on the finishing time for a marathon. You can't tell how hard someone ran by looking at their time. Kevin could have done the marathon at training run pace and run 3:10. For another runner with a different profile, 3:10 pace would have been suicidally fast. Who am I to say that a four-hour marathoner is or isn't racing to do their best? And who are any of us to say that a five- or six-hour marathoner isn't putting their heart and soul into a race?
Because there are so many abilities and agendas represented, the field for any marathon lends anonymity to the purposes of the individual runners and makes it impossible to detect who raced it, who ran it just to finish, and who laughed all the way. That's just the way it is, and I think most runners accept the fact.
As for Kevin, right now he thinks racing marathons is dumb. Boy, is he right. But when it works out, and you have that really great race, it is a fantastic feeling. At such moments, the last thing you worry about is whether the course is staying open a few more hours for the plodders. Later, you'll find that all but a few of your running buddies couldn't care less about your time, or whether you raced your heart out or just ran to finish. You'll know the difference, though.
Oh man, I've been there. I remember the first time I ran Boston. I was in great shape, but for many reasons, the race didn't go well. I went through the half marathon in 1:14, and then crashed and burned in the second half. I suffered -- as much from shame and embarrassment at being passed by hundreds of runners, as from the damage I was inflicting on my muscles. I finished in 2:41, vowing never to run another marathon (I did run several more, eventually).
I couldn't help thinking of this the other day when I read a piece in the NY Times concerning slow runners in marathons.
Plodders Have a Place, but Is It in a Marathon?
The article tries to stir up trouble by finding "hard-core" marathon runners who resent slower marathon runners, who, they say, devalue the marathon experience by completing the distance in six hours or more. The article begins with this juicy quote from a College cross-country coach:
"It’s a joke to run a marathon by walking every other mile or by finishing in six, seven, eight hours... It used to be that running a marathon was worth something — there used to be a pride saying that you ran a marathon, but not anymore. Now it’s, 'How low is the bar?'"
That's pretty harsh.
It's true that more and more people run marathons with no intention of racing. As participation in longer races grows, the median finishing times have become much slower. The "middle of the pack" in many marathons is now around four hours, or over nine minutes per mile. Is that a bad thing?
I think it's important to realize that a marathon is not a single event, but really many events happening simultaneously. For a minority of the participants, the marathon is truly a race -- a competition among runners (and against yourself) in which the idea is to run as fast as you can. With this ambition comes the risk of catastrophe. It is one of the weird ironies of being a fast runner that no matter how poorly your run, and how bad your race, most of the people who know you will see your finish as a major accomplishment and will be baffled by your disappointment.
For the majority of runners in a marathon, however, racing is not the priority, and the race is run at a relatively comfortable pace. I say "comfortable" knowing that even a moderate pace is difficult to maintain over the marathon distance. It's not comfortable after you've been out there for several hours. What I mean is that most runners don't feel compelled to race a marathon; they are content to run it, and if they suffer, to accept that suffering more philosophically.
Where the NY Times goes seriously wrong, I think, is in focusing on the finishing time for a marathon. You can't tell how hard someone ran by looking at their time. Kevin could have done the marathon at training run pace and run 3:10. For another runner with a different profile, 3:10 pace would have been suicidally fast. Who am I to say that a four-hour marathoner is or isn't racing to do their best? And who are any of us to say that a five- or six-hour marathoner isn't putting their heart and soul into a race?
Because there are so many abilities and agendas represented, the field for any marathon lends anonymity to the purposes of the individual runners and makes it impossible to detect who raced it, who ran it just to finish, and who laughed all the way. That's just the way it is, and I think most runners accept the fact.
As for Kevin, right now he thinks racing marathons is dumb. Boy, is he right. But when it works out, and you have that really great race, it is a fantastic feeling. At such moments, the last thing you worry about is whether the course is staying open a few more hours for the plodders. Later, you'll find that all but a few of your running buddies couldn't care less about your time, or whether you raced your heart out or just ran to finish. You'll know the difference, though.
October 26, 2009
Mayor's Cup -- An Appreciation
Yes, Mr. Mayor, I have heard about the Boston Athletic Association and the marathon footrace they have been putting on -- quaintly -- on Patriots Day Monday most every year since 1897.
And yes, I have heard that this same venerable organization organizes a half-marathon in early October, and that it is so popular that entries close within 24 hours of registration opening.
Meaning no disrespect to these races, I urge you not to overlook the third jewel in BAA's crown, your own Mayor's Cup, a unique annual celebration of youth, recreational, club, and professional cross-country racing held in the heart of the city. Other cities put on big marathons -- it's big business and good for tourism -- but what other city has something like the Mayor's Cup?
Yesterday, Franklin Park was a ablaze with fall color, as local boy Sean Quigley, a former state champion from Archbishop Williams H.S. in Braintree, won the closest finish in the 20-year history of the Men's 8k race, taking the lead for the first time in the final strides of the race and outleaning last year's winner Jacob Korir.
It was eerily familiar, as I can remember Quigley running neck-and-neck in the final strides with Andy Pitts in the 2002 state championships.
Two other local guys finished in the top ten: Doherty H.S. and Boston College alum Tim Ritchie ran 24:02 for 4th, and O'Bryant and UMass Lowell grad Ruben Sanca ran 24:23 for 7th. Amazing to see former Footlocker champ and Wisconsin product Matt Withrow jogging around after his 9th place finish.
Local club New Balance Boston won both the men's (8K) and women's (5K) team titles.
In the Franklin Park 5K, I scoured the results for NNHS alumni and found one: Charlie Krasnow, NNHS '07, ran 18:17. Arlington's Antony Taylor, a contender for the Mass H.S. state championship, won the race in 16:04.
After the races, I ran into dozens of people I knew, including Brookline Coach Mike Glennon who was there with a volunteer crew.
Complete results of all the races can be found on Cool Running.
Video highlights on YouTube at the links below:
Men's 8K
Women's 5K
And yes, I have heard that this same venerable organization organizes a half-marathon in early October, and that it is so popular that entries close within 24 hours of registration opening.
Meaning no disrespect to these races, I urge you not to overlook the third jewel in BAA's crown, your own Mayor's Cup, a unique annual celebration of youth, recreational, club, and professional cross-country racing held in the heart of the city. Other cities put on big marathons -- it's big business and good for tourism -- but what other city has something like the Mayor's Cup?
Yesterday, Franklin Park was a ablaze with fall color, as local boy Sean Quigley, a former state champion from Archbishop Williams H.S. in Braintree, won the closest finish in the 20-year history of the Men's 8k race, taking the lead for the first time in the final strides of the race and outleaning last year's winner Jacob Korir.
It was eerily familiar, as I can remember Quigley running neck-and-neck in the final strides with Andy Pitts in the 2002 state championships.
Two other local guys finished in the top ten: Doherty H.S. and Boston College alum Tim Ritchie ran 24:02 for 4th, and O'Bryant and UMass Lowell grad Ruben Sanca ran 24:23 for 7th. Amazing to see former Footlocker champ and Wisconsin product Matt Withrow jogging around after his 9th place finish.
Local club New Balance Boston won both the men's (8K) and women's (5K) team titles.
In the Franklin Park 5K, I scoured the results for NNHS alumni and found one: Charlie Krasnow, NNHS '07, ran 18:17. Arlington's Antony Taylor, a contender for the Mass H.S. state championship, won the race in 16:04.
After the races, I ran into dozens of people I knew, including Brookline Coach Mike Glennon who was there with a volunteer crew.
Complete results of all the races can be found on Cool Running.
Video highlights on YouTube at the links below:
Men's 8K
Women's 5K
October 22, 2009
Warriors Get it Done, Drop NN 20-39
What you can say is that Newton North had its day to measure itself against the best team in the league, fought bravely, and fell to a Brookline team that was too fast, and way too deep for the Tigers.
The Brookline boys came to Cold Spring Park yesterday with an unbeaten streak dating back to the days when Gibson, Burnstein, et al. were skinny freshmen. Newton North defended its home course with a team that made the state meet last year, and had trained since then for this day. The results of the meet between two 10-0 teams would decide the league title, and it attracted a big crowd that included family and friends, runners and coaches from other Bay State teams, athletic directors, a school mascot, and the press. Although the result, a 20-39 win for Brookline, wasn't what the Tigers were hoping for, it was a great meet and an exciting day that elevated the profile of cross country.
Brookline's Sisay Chernet won the individual race in 16:22 after battling with North's front pack for much of the race. Christian Sampson took 2nd for the Warriors in 16:34, two seconds ahead of North's Ezra Lichtman in 16:36. Mark Perry outkicked Mike Goldenberg for fourth, 16:39 to 16:40, and at that point, the floodgates opened with six runners finishing between 16:45 and 16:59. Unfortunately for North, it was a flood of red and white, as Brookline's top seven all dipped below 17:00. Jake Gleason (16:54) and Dan Ranti (16:56) finished 9th and 10th, respectively for the Tigers, and Mike Weinfeld (17:31) was North's fifth man in 16th.
Both teams' top fives averaged better than 17:00. The Warriors top five averaged 16:37, while the Tigers averaged 16:55.
And lest we forget, there was a girls meet yesterday at Cold Spring Park, and the NN girls won a close meet, 25-31. Margo Gillis won the race in 19:00, with seniors Susannah Gleason fourth in 21:06 and Jaya Tripathi fifth in 21:20, and sophomore Becca Trayner seventh in 22:08.
Thanks to Henry Finch for the all the photos. You can see more at Henry's Picasa Web Album
October 21, 2009
Looking Back on a Decade of Duals
Two undefeated teams. The final league meet of the year. Runners knowing that this race could define their season. Yes, today Concord Academy meets Portsmouth Abbey to determine the top team in the Eastern Independent League. Oh, was there another important meet scheduled for today?
Of course everyone knows that today is the annual showdown between the two dominant XC programs in the Bay State league. Newton North (undefeated at 10-0, ranked 10th in MSTCA's D1 poll) hosts Brookline (undefeated at 10-0, multiple defending league champions, ranked 4th in the D1 poll) at Cold Spring Park. It will be merely the latest in a long series of titanic struggles between the two schools, a see-saw history in which the two programs trade off stretches of dominance.
I watched my first Brookline-Newton race in October 2000. The Brookline team won with ease, carrying themselves with an imperial confidence. That team -- with Jordan Conover and George McArdle leading the way -- would finish 5th in the State Meet.
In 2001, Brookline fell early in the season to Braintree, ending a five-year unbeaten run. However, the Warriors were still in a position to earn a share of the league title in the final meet of the year against North at Larz Anderson. In that meet, McArdle won, but North freshman Chris Barnicle took second and senior Ben Heidlage took fourth to break up Brookline's front pack. That allowed North's depth to prevail, and the Tigers won 27-32.
For the next three years, North enjoyed its own run of dominance. Led by Barnicle, the Tigers would not lose a dual meet or league meet title. But Brookline was never an easy meet. Well, maybe in 2002, when the Warriors struggled and ran a sub-par race at Cold Spring. But in 2003 and 2004 Brookline was very tough, even for a North team that would go on to win the State Championship in 2004. Those meets, and the league meets, were never taken for granted.
The see-saw shifted again in 2005, with the graduation of seniors Barnicle, Dan Chebot, and Clayton Lloyd. North's unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of a very good Wellesley team, and although the Tigers ran a brave race at Larz Anderson, Brookline's team that featured super sophs Rob Gibson, Mike Burnstein, and Eliot Lehane, along with Adam Kaye, and Matias Carrasco. The Warriors would finish 2nd in the state meet that year, beginning a new run of dominance that has lasted for four years, and counting...
In 2006, Brookline was unstoppable, scoring a perfect 15 at the league meet. In 2007, with the super sophs now seniors, and with the addition of state runner-up David Wilson, the Warriors won the state championship and earned their place as one of the best teams in Massachusetts history.
And while this was happening, as surely as the seasons turn, Newton was rebuilding, dreaming of the day when they would bring an end to the Brookline streak. It very nearly happened last year, as a surprising North team came oh-so-close to beating Brookline on its home course in the showdown meet. With North leading on points late in the race, a North runner collapsed with less than 150 meters to go and Brookline's streak survived another year.
Which brings us to today, and the final meet of the first decade of the 21st century. Newton has been running extremely well, but Brookline is loaded with a mix of tough vets (Brendan Grove, 24th in the All-State meet two years ago as a sophomore) and new talent (Sisay Chernet, 3rd at the Amherst Invitational in 16:19 earlier this year).
So it comes down to today, where the two best teams in the league will write the latest chapter in one of the state's great rivalries. Good luck to both teams, and may the competition bring out the best in the runners who have inherited the legacy of this exciting event.
Of course everyone knows that today is the annual showdown between the two dominant XC programs in the Bay State league. Newton North (undefeated at 10-0, ranked 10th in MSTCA's D1 poll) hosts Brookline (undefeated at 10-0, multiple defending league champions, ranked 4th in the D1 poll) at Cold Spring Park. It will be merely the latest in a long series of titanic struggles between the two schools, a see-saw history in which the two programs trade off stretches of dominance.
I watched my first Brookline-Newton race in October 2000. The Brookline team won with ease, carrying themselves with an imperial confidence. That team -- with Jordan Conover and George McArdle leading the way -- would finish 5th in the State Meet.
In 2001, Brookline fell early in the season to Braintree, ending a five-year unbeaten run. However, the Warriors were still in a position to earn a share of the league title in the final meet of the year against North at Larz Anderson. In that meet, McArdle won, but North freshman Chris Barnicle took second and senior Ben Heidlage took fourth to break up Brookline's front pack. That allowed North's depth to prevail, and the Tigers won 27-32.
For the next three years, North enjoyed its own run of dominance. Led by Barnicle, the Tigers would not lose a dual meet or league meet title. But Brookline was never an easy meet. Well, maybe in 2002, when the Warriors struggled and ran a sub-par race at Cold Spring. But in 2003 and 2004 Brookline was very tough, even for a North team that would go on to win the State Championship in 2004. Those meets, and the league meets, were never taken for granted.
The see-saw shifted again in 2005, with the graduation of seniors Barnicle, Dan Chebot, and Clayton Lloyd. North's unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of a very good Wellesley team, and although the Tigers ran a brave race at Larz Anderson, Brookline's team that featured super sophs Rob Gibson, Mike Burnstein, and Eliot Lehane, along with Adam Kaye, and Matias Carrasco. The Warriors would finish 2nd in the state meet that year, beginning a new run of dominance that has lasted for four years, and counting...
In 2006, Brookline was unstoppable, scoring a perfect 15 at the league meet. In 2007, with the super sophs now seniors, and with the addition of state runner-up David Wilson, the Warriors won the state championship and earned their place as one of the best teams in Massachusetts history.
And while this was happening, as surely as the seasons turn, Newton was rebuilding, dreaming of the day when they would bring an end to the Brookline streak. It very nearly happened last year, as a surprising North team came oh-so-close to beating Brookline on its home course in the showdown meet. With North leading on points late in the race, a North runner collapsed with less than 150 meters to go and Brookline's streak survived another year.
Which brings us to today, and the final meet of the first decade of the 21st century. Newton has been running extremely well, but Brookline is loaded with a mix of tough vets (Brendan Grove, 24th in the All-State meet two years ago as a sophomore) and new talent (Sisay Chernet, 3rd at the Amherst Invitational in 16:19 earlier this year).
So it comes down to today, where the two best teams in the league will write the latest chapter in one of the state's great rivalries. Good luck to both teams, and may the competition bring out the best in the runners who have inherited the legacy of this exciting event.
October 19, 2009
Newton Coaches Quick at Paddy's 3M
On Sunday, in cold and wet conditions, Newton North's boys and girls assistant XC coaches were in action at the Paddy's Pub Shillelagh Shuffle 3M race in West Newton.
Boys coach Shawn Wallace won the race, defeating some serious local talent as he clocked 15:29. Girls coach Brandon Mogayzel ("Mo") placed 16th in 17:10, right behind Maine Hall-of-Fame Runner Paul Hammond.
Boys coach Shawn Wallace won the race, defeating some serious local talent as he clocked 15:29. Girls coach Brandon Mogayzel ("Mo") placed 16th in 17:10, right behind Maine Hall-of-Fame Runner Paul Hammond.
October 18, 2009
NNHS Alumni etc. Results - 10/17/09
On Saturday, Indiana State hosted the NCAA Division I Pre-Nationals, a meet attended by many of the top teams in the country as a preview of the course that will host the DI championships in November. The meet divides competition into two more or less equal races --"blue" and "white" -- with the men running 8K and the women running 6K. New Mexico's Chris Barnicle (NNHS '05) finished 52nd in the white race, running 24:35.6.
Interesting to note that among the women, both individual winners from the 2008 Mass. State meet, Emily Jones and Kristen Kasper, were competing for Georgetown in the Blue race. Jones finished an impressive 22nd in 21:10.8, while Kasper finished 80th in 21:54.8.
Dan Hamilton (NNHS '09) raced on Saturday, as the Univ. of Rochester hosted the Yellowjackets Invitational. Hamilton ran 27:33 for the 8k course.
Faithful friend of NSRP Michael Burnstein (Brookline '08) had a great race yesterday at the Brooks Invitational hosted by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mike ran 24:48 for 8k and was first finisher for Washington University of St. Louis, where he is a sophomore transfer.
Interesting to note that among the women, both individual winners from the 2008 Mass. State meet, Emily Jones and Kristen Kasper, were competing for Georgetown in the Blue race. Jones finished an impressive 22nd in 21:10.8, while Kasper finished 80th in 21:54.8.
Dan Hamilton (NNHS '09) raced on Saturday, as the Univ. of Rochester hosted the Yellowjackets Invitational. Hamilton ran 27:33 for the 8k course.
Faithful friend of NSRP Michael Burnstein (Brookline '08) had a great race yesterday at the Brooks Invitational hosted by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mike ran 24:48 for 8k and was first finisher for Washington University of St. Louis, where he is a sophomore transfer.
October 17, 2009
Gillis Wins Bay State Invitational; Gregorek sub-16:00!
Sophomore Margo Gillis won the Division I Girls race at the Bay State Invitational meet Saturday, running 19:30 on the Northfield Mountain XC course that will be used for the All-State meet November. It's the same course where Jess Barton won the D1 State championship three years ago.
The most impressive run of the day was Johnny Gregorek's 15:56.8 to win the Boys Division 2 race by over 40 seconds. I believe that is the third fastest time ever on the course, behind Ryan Collins' 15:49 (2006), Victor Gras' 15:52 (2003), and just ahead of Andrew Pitts' 15:57 (2001). In other words, 15:56 is a monster time.
The most impressive run of the day was Johnny Gregorek's 15:56.8 to win the Boys Division 2 race by over 40 seconds. I believe that is the third fastest time ever on the course, behind Ryan Collins' 15:49 (2006), Victor Gras' 15:52 (2003), and just ahead of Andrew Pitts' 15:57 (2001). In other words, 15:56 is a monster time.
October 16, 2009
NN Dispatches Wellesley, Awaits Brookline
The NN boys extended their record to a perfect 10-0 on Wednesday by swamping Wellesley 19-43 at Cold Spring Park. Only one team remains on the Tigers' dual meet schedule, the team that owns the other 10-0 record in the Bay State league.
Yes, as they do in so many seasons, Newton and Brookline will settle the Bay State title next Wednesday. The meet will be held at Cold Spring Park and you should be there to watch what will be the best dual meet of the year.
Meanwhile, leading the charge against Wellesley was Ezra Lichtman, who won Wednesday's race in 16:40, two seconds ahead of Wellesley's Tim Robinson. Jake Gleason ran one of his best races of the year to place third in a personal best 16:45, ahead of Dan Ranti's 16:52 in fourth, as North took places 3-8 to easily wrap up the meet.
NNHS Boys Results (from Athletic.net)
The Newton North girls fell to Wellesley, 40-21, as their record dropped to 4-6. Margo Gillis won the race, but Wellesley took the next four spots, and eight of the next nine. According to the Daily News Tribune, Susannah Gleason overcame a fall on the course for sixth place in 21:00. Senior Jaya Tripathi was 11th in 21:38, and sophomore Becca Trayner was 12th in 21:48.
Yes, as they do in so many seasons, Newton and Brookline will settle the Bay State title next Wednesday. The meet will be held at Cold Spring Park and you should be there to watch what will be the best dual meet of the year.
Meanwhile, leading the charge against Wellesley was Ezra Lichtman, who won Wednesday's race in 16:40, two seconds ahead of Wellesley's Tim Robinson. Jake Gleason ran one of his best races of the year to place third in a personal best 16:45, ahead of Dan Ranti's 16:52 in fourth, as North took places 3-8 to easily wrap up the meet.
NNHS Boys Results (from Athletic.net)
1 Ezra Lichtman 16:40 NNHS 11
3 Jake Gleason 16:45 NNHS 12
4 Dan Ranti 16:52 NNHS 11
5 Mike Weinfeld 17:33 NNHS 12
6 Mike Goldenberg 17:34 NNHS 12
7 Sam Fogel 17:48 NNHS 12
8 John Sangiolo 18:20 NNHS 12
10 Nolan Whitehead 18:30 NNHS 12
12 David Demerest 19:16 NNHS 9
13 Jeremy Markson 19:20 NNHS 11
14 Adam Lafleche 19:20 NNHS 12
16 Nathan Harris 19:23 NNHS 12
19 Parker Wells 19:32 NNHS 12
20 Steven Michael 19:34 NNHS 10
21 Chris Keefe 19:40 NNHS 12
22 Evan Harris 19:49 NNHS 10
23 J. Bressler 19:54 NNHS 12
25 Jesse Tripathi 20:16 NNHS 10
27 David Buzby 20:18 NNHS 10
29 Andrew Frank 20:20 NNHS 9
30 Ned Weitzman 20:21 NNHS 9
31 Isaac Feinhaus 20:32 NNHS 10
32 Ben Duvall 20:35 NNHS 10
33 Bernard McSally 20:35 NNHS 10
34 Mike Saminsky 20:37 NNHS 12
35 Thomas Bishop 20:40 NNHS 9
37 Austin Dadmun 21:59 NNHS 10
38 Robert Abbott 22:01 NNHS 10
39 Sam Schamm 22:01 NNHS 10
41 Ian Lund 22:21 NNHS 9
42 Jacob Long 22:41 NNHS 12
43 Chris Strakus 22:44 NNHS 11
44 Eli Landman 22:52 NNHS 10
46 Andrew Xue 23:37 NNHS 9
51 Jacob Maman 24:23 NNHS 11
52 Alex Stukalov 24:40 NNHS 11
The Newton North girls fell to Wellesley, 40-21, as their record dropped to 4-6. Margo Gillis won the race, but Wellesley took the next four spots, and eight of the next nine. According to the Daily News Tribune, Susannah Gleason overcame a fall on the course for sixth place in 21:00. Senior Jaya Tripathi was 11th in 21:38, and sophomore Becca Trayner was 12th in 21:48.
October 12, 2009
DRobb at BAA Half
Dan Robb (NNHS Class of '02) used to run a mean half for Newton North, the "half" being the half-mile, of course. These days Dan, who looks like he could still run 2:00 for 800m, is happier running longer distances, and on Sunday he made his half-marathon debut, running 1:27:19 at the BAA Half-Marathon in Boston. Congratulations, Dan!
October 10, 2009
NNHS Alumni etc. Results - 10/10/09
A lot of racing to report on this weekend, including a big XC meet in Boston, a marathon in Hartford, and other races.
An old friend, Jason Abbott-Dallamora (NNHS Class of '02), finished his first marathon on Saturday, running 3:24:39 at Hartford to finish 229th in a field of over 2200. I spoke with Jason a few days before the race and he had been battling knee and Achilles problems, but was determined to see the race through, and did.
At the Hamilton College Invitational, Dan Hamilton (no relation!) ran 28:21.5 for the 8K course, finishing as fourth man for the University of Rochester team.
Franklin Park hosted the Open New England Championships this morning, and there were lots of NN alums and Bay State alums in attendance, not all of them racing. In the men's varsity race, David Polgar (BU '10) looked very strong as he ran 26:10 for the 4.95 mile course. Seb Putzeys (Northeastern '12) was not too far behind, running 26:46. Ben Chebot ran in the sub-varsity race, finishing in 28:55.
Other Bay Staters and friends of NSRP included Paul Norton (Brandeis) who ran a great race to finish 6th in 24:45, Needham alums Sam Miller (26:52) and Jake Newfield (27:29), and Newton South alums Andrew Wortham (27:05) and Sam Donovan (27:19).
In the women's varsity and sub-varsity races I counted five Bay State alumnae, although I'm sure I must have missed some.
Natick's Rebecca White (Quinnipiac) ran 18:23 to finish 19th overall. Wellesley's Brielle Chabot (Boston College) finished 2nd in the women's sub-varsity race in 18:44, which would have placed her fourth for BC in the varsity race. Tough as nails, is Brielle. Natick's Anya Price (Tufts) ran 20:05, Wellesley's Annamarie Lukes (BU) ran 20:12, and Weymouth's Kristen Mahoney (Stonehill) ran 20:34.
An old friend, Jason Abbott-Dallamora (NNHS Class of '02), finished his first marathon on Saturday, running 3:24:39 at Hartford to finish 229th in a field of over 2200. I spoke with Jason a few days before the race and he had been battling knee and Achilles problems, but was determined to see the race through, and did.
At the Hamilton College Invitational, Dan Hamilton (no relation!) ran 28:21.5 for the 8K course, finishing as fourth man for the University of Rochester team.
Franklin Park hosted the Open New England Championships this morning, and there were lots of NN alums and Bay State alums in attendance, not all of them racing. In the men's varsity race, David Polgar (BU '10) looked very strong as he ran 26:10 for the 4.95 mile course. Seb Putzeys (Northeastern '12) was not too far behind, running 26:46. Ben Chebot ran in the sub-varsity race, finishing in 28:55.
Other Bay Staters and friends of NSRP included Paul Norton (Brandeis) who ran a great race to finish 6th in 24:45, Needham alums Sam Miller (26:52) and Jake Newfield (27:29), and Newton South alums Andrew Wortham (27:05) and Sam Donovan (27:19).
In the women's varsity and sub-varsity races I counted five Bay State alumnae, although I'm sure I must have missed some.
Natick's Rebecca White (Quinnipiac) ran 18:23 to finish 19th overall. Wellesley's Brielle Chabot (Boston College) finished 2nd in the women's sub-varsity race in 18:44, which would have placed her fourth for BC in the varsity race. Tough as nails, is Brielle. Natick's Anya Price (Tufts) ran 20:05, Wellesley's Annamarie Lukes (BU) ran 20:12, and Weymouth's Kristen Mahoney (Stonehill) ran 20:34.
October 09, 2009
New England Collegiate Championships Saturday
Franklin park hosts the New England Collegiate Championships on Saturday, Oct. 10, and this is a great chance to see former Mass. high school runners competing with their college teams.
The schedule of events is:
12:00 p.m. – Women's Sub-Varsity
12:45 p.m. – Women's Varsity
1:30 p.m. – Men's Varsity
2:15 p.m. – Men's Sub-Varsity
The schedule of events is:
12:00 p.m. – Women's Sub-Varsity
12:45 p.m. – Women's Varsity
1:30 p.m. – Men's Varsity
2:15 p.m. – Men's Sub-Varsity
October 07, 2009
NN Boys, Girls Sweep at Norwood
Newton North XC ran at Norwood yesterday, with both the boys and girls teams sweeping against Norwood and Braintree.
The boys (9-0) had four of the top five finishers and six of the top eight to win both meets comfortably, beating Braintree 18-45 and Norwood 16-43. The girls took the top six places, beating Braintree 15-49 and shutting out Norwood 15-50.
In the girls meet, senior captain Susannah Gleason won her first varsity race in a personal best 21:23. She was followed by Margo Gillis, Jaya Tripathi, Devika Banerjee, Shoshana Kruskal (PR 23:18), and Becca Trayner, with Melissa Weikart, Elena Hemler, and Zita Polgar taking eight through tenth.
In the boys meet, juniors Dan Ranti and Ezra Lichtman finished in a virtual tie for first in 17:36. Jake Gleason (17:57) took fourth, with Mike Goldenberg (18:08) fifth, Mike Weinfeld (18:10) seventh, and Sam Fogel (18:15) eighth.
Boys Results (courtesy of Jim Blackburn, via Athletic.net)
The boys (9-0) had four of the top five finishers and six of the top eight to win both meets comfortably, beating Braintree 18-45 and Norwood 16-43. The girls took the top six places, beating Braintree 15-49 and shutting out Norwood 15-50.
In the girls meet, senior captain Susannah Gleason won her first varsity race in a personal best 21:23. She was followed by Margo Gillis, Jaya Tripathi, Devika Banerjee, Shoshana Kruskal (PR 23:18), and Becca Trayner, with Melissa Weikart, Elena Hemler, and Zita Polgar taking eight through tenth.
In the boys meet, juniors Dan Ranti and Ezra Lichtman finished in a virtual tie for first in 17:36. Jake Gleason (17:57) took fourth, with Mike Goldenberg (18:08) fifth, Mike Weinfeld (18:10) seventh, and Sam Fogel (18:15) eighth.
Boys Results (courtesy of Jim Blackburn, via Athletic.net)
1. Dan Ranti 17:36
2. Ezra Lichtman 17:36
4. Jake Gleason 17:57
5. Michael Goldenberg 18:08
7. Mike Weinfeld 18:10
8. Sam Fogel 18:15
12. John Sangiolo 18:56
19. David Demerest 19:21
20. Adam Lafleche 19:26
21. Nathan Harris 19:29
??. Parker Wells 19:52
??. Jeremy Markson 20:16
25. Evan Harris 20:39
26. Isaac Feinhaus 20:41
28. Ned Weitzman 21:01
30. Jesse Tripathi 21:25
32. Ben Duvall 21:34
35. Alex Petitti 21:52
37. Chris Strakus 22:00
38. Bernard McSally 22:13
41. Austin Dadmun 22:23
42. Thomas Bishop 22:31
44. Gabriel Kaplan 22:37
46. Jacob Long 23:01
48. Robert Abbott 23:06
50. Sam Schamm 23:15
53. Eli Landman 24:05
56. Andrew Xue 25:06
57. Jacob Maman 25:13
58. Alex Stukalov 25:21
October 06, 2009
The Revolution Will Not Be Shock Absorbing
You are a runner so you have heard the questions, too. You have heard them from family members, co-workers, and casual acquaintances who tell you they've read this book -- or heard about it -- that says that modern running shoes are responsible for running-related injuries, and that barefoot running is the cure.
Whatever you think about Chris McDougall and his crusade for barefoot running, he has accomplished something that I didn't think possible; he has written a book about running that non-runners find as fascinating as runners. It has quite literally changed the conversation about running.
"Born to Run," subtitled "A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen," is currently #37 on the Amazon.com best seller list. The Washington Post describes the book as an argument that "...running extremely long distances barefoot is the key to health, happiness and longevity. Brand-name footwear, with its gel-based cushioning and elaborate architecture of super-advanced support, is a common cause of athletic injury... And running steadily for hours at a time is not only therapeutic but also natural."
And here's where I have to admit, I haven't read the book.
At first, I was indifferent. I knew about the Tarahumara, and I didn't think there were any great mysteries there. For that matter, I knew about the 1928 and 1929 runs across America, in which participants ran up to 60 miles a day, every day, for two months. Long, long distance running was interesting, no doubt, but surely not to the larger world.
But McDougall didn't just extol the benefits of running barefoot, he said that those expensive running shoes that we buy and replace every year are actually part of the problem, contributing to countless running injuries. With this claim, he got everyone's attention.
I should read the book, I really should. But my natural dislike of fads and revolutionary new ideas that turn out to recycle old ideas had stopped me so far. This just feels like another bandwagon, and I don't like jumping on bandwagons.
But what to do when freshman on my team are doing barefoot runs on the weekend, following the advice of this book (that I haven't read)? What to do when people ask me whether they should buy the "five fingers," a product designed to help you run (nearly) barefoot without cutting or scraping your feet on abrasive surfaces? Sorry, I just don't know what to tell you.
But McDougall is showing up everywhere. He appeared on "The Daily Show" with John Stewart. He is the subject of a New York Times blog column today:
The Roving Runner Goes Barefoot
I feel like the act of wearing shoes means that I am taking sides in a debate that I wandered into, without understanding the positions. Yes, I am still wearing shoes when I run, and I don't think they have hurt me over the last thirty years of running. On the other hand, for three years I have been having my team do barefoot drills -- so which side am I on?
I wonder what will happen if the barefoot movement gets a spokesperson who is also a world-class runner, someone who can claim to have reached the top while training barefoot.
In the mean time, when forced to respond to the book (have I mentioned that I haven't read the book?) I mumble that the human body can adapt to almost anything, and that I think that shod or barefoot, runners will be ok if they give themselves time to get used to the training stress.
But outside my window, the shouts of the revolutionaries echo against the shoe factory walls... "Runners of the World, Unite. You have nothing to lose but your Nikes!
Whatever you think about Chris McDougall and his crusade for barefoot running, he has accomplished something that I didn't think possible; he has written a book about running that non-runners find as fascinating as runners. It has quite literally changed the conversation about running.
"Born to Run," subtitled "A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen," is currently #37 on the Amazon.com best seller list. The Washington Post describes the book as an argument that "...running extremely long distances barefoot is the key to health, happiness and longevity. Brand-name footwear, with its gel-based cushioning and elaborate architecture of super-advanced support, is a common cause of athletic injury... And running steadily for hours at a time is not only therapeutic but also natural."
And here's where I have to admit, I haven't read the book.
At first, I was indifferent. I knew about the Tarahumara, and I didn't think there were any great mysteries there. For that matter, I knew about the 1928 and 1929 runs across America, in which participants ran up to 60 miles a day, every day, for two months. Long, long distance running was interesting, no doubt, but surely not to the larger world.
But McDougall didn't just extol the benefits of running barefoot, he said that those expensive running shoes that we buy and replace every year are actually part of the problem, contributing to countless running injuries. With this claim, he got everyone's attention.
I should read the book, I really should. But my natural dislike of fads and revolutionary new ideas that turn out to recycle old ideas had stopped me so far. This just feels like another bandwagon, and I don't like jumping on bandwagons.
But what to do when freshman on my team are doing barefoot runs on the weekend, following the advice of this book (that I haven't read)? What to do when people ask me whether they should buy the "five fingers," a product designed to help you run (nearly) barefoot without cutting or scraping your feet on abrasive surfaces? Sorry, I just don't know what to tell you.
But McDougall is showing up everywhere. He appeared on "The Daily Show" with John Stewart. He is the subject of a New York Times blog column today:
The Roving Runner Goes Barefoot
I feel like the act of wearing shoes means that I am taking sides in a debate that I wandered into, without understanding the positions. Yes, I am still wearing shoes when I run, and I don't think they have hurt me over the last thirty years of running. On the other hand, for three years I have been having my team do barefoot drills -- so which side am I on?
I wonder what will happen if the barefoot movement gets a spokesperson who is also a world-class runner, someone who can claim to have reached the top while training barefoot.
In the mean time, when forced to respond to the book (have I mentioned that I haven't read the book?) I mumble that the human body can adapt to almost anything, and that I think that shod or barefoot, runners will be ok if they give themselves time to get used to the training stress.
But outside my window, the shouts of the revolutionaries echo against the shoe factory walls... "Runners of the World, Unite. You have nothing to lose but your Nikes!
October 03, 2009
NNHS Alumni Results - 10/2-3/09
It sure felt like cross-country weather this week, and there were quite a few big meets this weekend.
On Friday, Johns Hopkins senior Noah Jampol competed at the Paul Short Invitational (Lehigh, PA), running 27:43 for 8K.
On Saturday, senior transfer Chris Barnicle ran his first cross-country race for New Mexico, finishing 27th in 24:21 at the very deep Notre Dame Invitational.
U. of Rochester freshman Dan Hamilton competed at the Geneseo Invitational, finishing 54th in 27:38.
And in local road race action, sprinter and sometime cross-country runner Dave Cahill (GBTC) ran 19:04 for 5K at the Somerville Homeless Coalition 5K.
On Friday, Johns Hopkins senior Noah Jampol competed at the Paul Short Invitational (Lehigh, PA), running 27:43 for 8K.
On Saturday, senior transfer Chris Barnicle ran his first cross-country race for New Mexico, finishing 27th in 24:21 at the very deep Notre Dame Invitational.
U. of Rochester freshman Dan Hamilton competed at the Geneseo Invitational, finishing 54th in 27:38.
And in local road race action, sprinter and sometime cross-country runner Dave Cahill (GBTC) ran 19:04 for 5K at the Somerville Homeless Coalition 5K.
October 02, 2009
NN Girls Lose Another Close One; Boys Remain Perfect
The first day of October felt a lot more like fall than summer, as the Newton North cross-country team hosted Natick and Milton at Cold Spring Park. The Newton North girls lost both dual meets, falling to Milton 23-33 and losing by a single point to Natick, 28-27.
I haven't seen any results, but assuming the scores of the two meets are correct (the Globe had the NN-Natick score wrong), and piecing together info from daily papers, I'll speculate that finishing order was something like this:
1. NN (Gillis)
2. Milton
3. Milton
4. NN
5. Milton
6. Nat
7. Nat
8. Milton
9. Nat
10. Milton
11. NN
12. Nat
13. Nat
14. NN
15. Mil
16. NN
Remember, I'm guessing, now. It would sure be nice to see results.
No such drama in the boys meet, as Newton North had no trouble with either Milton or Natick, taking the top six places against both teams to win with identical scores of 15-48. Sharing first for the Tigers were Ezra Lichtman and Dan Ranti in 16:37. Mike Goldenberg was 3rd in 16:47, followed by Jake Gleason (17:15), Mike Weinfeld (17:45), and Sam Fogel (17:50). The boys record now stands at 7-0 going into next week's meet against Norwood and Braintree.
I haven't seen any results, but assuming the scores of the two meets are correct (the Globe had the NN-Natick score wrong), and piecing together info from daily papers, I'll speculate that finishing order was something like this:
1. NN (Gillis)
2. Milton
3. Milton
4. NN
5. Milton
6. Nat
7. Nat
8. Milton
9. Nat
10. Milton
11. NN
12. Nat
13. Nat
14. NN
15. Mil
16. NN
Remember, I'm guessing, now. It would sure be nice to see results.
No such drama in the boys meet, as Newton North had no trouble with either Milton or Natick, taking the top six places against both teams to win with identical scores of 15-48. Sharing first for the Tigers were Ezra Lichtman and Dan Ranti in 16:37. Mike Goldenberg was 3rd in 16:47, followed by Jake Gleason (17:15), Mike Weinfeld (17:45), and Sam Fogel (17:50). The boys record now stands at 7-0 going into next week's meet against Norwood and Braintree.
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