Pack Monadnock 10 miler

Pack, the third race in the USATF NE mountain running circuit, also served as the 18th race in the Hockomock Swamp Rat (HSR) Grand Prix. Numbers were not significantly up from last year leading one to conclude that many of the "rats" run Pack whether or not it is part of the HSR GP. It may also be that rats in general are the type of people who subject themselves to the mountain circuit each year.	USATF NE Mountain Running Circuit
A large contingent (205) set off from Wilton NH for the summit of Pack Monadnock. Conditions where very good with temperatures in the 60's, overcast skies, and some spits of rain. The lead group formed immediately during the difficult first mile which is entirely uphill. Jim Garcia (CMS), who was recently selected to represent the U.S. in the 100k, showed a speedy side. Garcia put a gap between the chase pack by 10-15 seconds in the first mile. Garcia is an easy target with his highly unofficial "house of the rising sun" yellow shorts. He did call me out before the race for my semi-official hot purple CMS singlet (with racing vents).	House of the Rising Sun yellow shorts.
The chase pack consisted of the top scoring circuit runners thus far. Included were Mike Casner (CMS) the winner at Kearsarge. Rich Bolt (CMS) looking and sounding very strong off of his second place finish at Wachusett. Fergus Cullen (Hartford TC) and Brian Stevens (GCS) keeping CMS from totally dominating the field. George Adams (CMS) and I rounded out the chase pack.
Unfortunately for Garcia the course markings were minimal at best. A sharp right hand turn comes soon after the 1 mile mark. The one mile mark was conspicuously missing. As the group approach the turn, and Garcia went passed it, no one was 100% sure what to do. Casner was the first to realize that we needed to turn, and the shout went out. Garcia quickly reversed direction and blew by us again into the lead.	Course markings were minimal at best
At the two mile mark our group checked watches, 12 flat! It seemed slow, but I felt lousy, a "normal" time for me at 2 would be 11:30 or better. "You guys must've gone out slow... I was right behind yah " noted 10 time Mount Washington runner Steve Peterson. At that point I felt a certain urgency, and upped the pace.	You guys must've gone out slow...
Garcia was reeled in by the pack during the third mile. The pack whittled down to Casner, Bolt, and me. I was leery of the distance and climb remaining, and hoping for the mythical "second wind". Caz made his move just before 3 miles, I had all I could handle trying to stay close to Bolt.	3 miles...
At the 4 mile mark Caz had expanded his lead to 10 seconds over me, Bolt was about midway between us. I moved up to Bolt (dubbed the "aerobic mutant" by the US ski team due to his high score on the O2 uptake test), and passed him just before 5 miles, Caz was up 8 seconds.	4 miles...
In the next mile no change occurred, excepting that we all got a good bit more in oxygen debt. At 6 I sensed that Caz was hurting. He took a couple of looks back, each time he looked I felt a little bit better. Just after the 7 mile mark we hooked up, the final push was on. Caz threw in a couple of tough surges from 7 to 8. I in turn threw in what I thought was the final surge just after the 8 mile mark.	6, 7, 8 miles...
Caz showed he was determined to fight me out every step of the way. We were dead even entering the state park at 8.5. Overheard after the race "pack is an eight mile road race, and a two mile hill climb". I'd say its a pretty tough first eight, then a lung searing two. A quick peek on the first hairpin turn showed that Caz was about 100 yards back. I couldn't see Bolt, but he was moving up steadily.	dead even...
No nine mile mark! Fergus Cullen said after the race "I had no idea how much was left, I looked at my watch and guessed that I must've passed nine". The last 200 meters of the race includes a stretch that is around 30% grade. I did my best Dan Verrington imitation, and watched my feet the entire last 2 minutes of the race.	No nine mile mark!
I took the win in my slowest time at Pack (in three attempts). Rich Bolt passed Casner on the hill, and closed to within 35 seconds of the first. At the top of the lookout tower Rich held court, pointing out the various mountain peaks and trails. Casner finished in third running his own race. After taking some abuse from me about walking on Pack, Caz rightfully inquired "how about some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism".	CONSTRUCTIVE criticism
Upon reflection, Mike ran the way you have to run a mountain race, as hard as you can start to finish. Mountain running is unique as every course is different. For the most part you have to race against the course (and yourself) and not really worry about what everyone else is doing.
I won't pretend to know anything about masters running or women's running, everything that follows about either is taken from the printed results. I did get to view some of the racing going on, as a group of us ran down Pack. It does afford an opportunity to cheer on fellow runners, and check out what teammates are doing whilst warming down.
The circuit competition has really heated up in the male 00-39. Only six points separate the top four. This will be the first time the circuit winner will not have a perfect score (100 in each race). Point totals are however much higher than in the past, this indicates that the competition has been a bit more even. In the male 40-49 Charlie Gunn (UN) has moved to a lead of 40 points over his nearest competitor. He'd need to finish more than an hour behind at Stratton to lose his lead! Cal Cameron (UN) , last years 50-59 winner, has a four point lead over Fred Ross (UN). In the 60-99 Owen Barber has a solid 12 point lead. On the women's side Margo Webber (CMS), the women's circuit champ the last two years, has an 18 point lead over Karlee Kennison (UN). Lisa Doucett (CSU) has pulled away with an 11 point cushion over Nancy Jacovina (UN). Martha Rumley (UN) with 168 points is crushing the competition in the 50-59 category. The only competitor to do at least two races in the 60-99 age group is Barbara Robinson.	Circuit competition has really heated up
Next up in the circuit is the USATF NE mountain running championships at Stratton Mountain on June 27th. The 12k race is 99% grass, and trails, 1% roads. Anything could happen. Currently 38 people have run all three races. Theyll be looking to win the 5 free spots at the 1999 Mount Washington Road Race. Also up for grabs are three spots on the USA mountain running team, and the first ever NE Mountain Championships. At this time 5 former US team members are signed up, also expected to compete is the top French mountain runner Thierry Icart*.