2014 Doug Flutie 5K Race Day

D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  -  R a c e   D a y

 

Two years ago Dan and I registered for the Doug Flutie 5K. He had just run a full marathon the year before and still eager to run. I was less excited but went for it. Last year we couldn't run since we were traveling but decided that we would make it a tradition. This year we got our friend Grace to join us.

After training for the last 11 weeks for the race the time had come. While I hardly stuck to my training schedule I felt ready to run the event. We arrived about 9:30am to make sure we got a decent place to park since years past the lot filled up pretty early.

As we waited for the 11:20 start time we went down to the area where the vendor's were and checked out the Dunkin Dounuts, Ben & Jerry's, Mazda & Wegman's booths. Its nice to see some big groups sponsoring a great cause like the Doug Flutie 5K.  By 10:45 we headed up to the start line and did some final stretching before getting in line.

The  5k (3.1 mile) rolling course on suburban roads is USATF sanctioned; certification course MA08013JK.  

After a speech by Doug Flutie we all got in line and shortly there after the gun went off. The course starts behind the Leonard Morse Hospital in Framingham. It immediately went up hill and followed along the hospital drive way to Union street where the group of 724 participants turned right.  We stayed on Union Street for just shy of 1 mil before taking another right onto Woodland Street where we faced the second hill of the race. As we came back down the road a family with their kids had set up a water station. I gladly and appreciatively accepted a cup of water. 3/4 of a mile later we took a right onto Juniper Lane then a left on Clearwater a right on Buckskin Lane and a final right onto Sundance Way. Half way up that road was the 2mile marker. The neighborhood residents were all out cheering for the runners. At the end of the cul-de-sac we ran down an access rode into another lovely neighborhood where we turned left on Moccasin Path and then a right onto Nokomis Way. 

The race continued up and took a left onto Arrow Path before turning left back onto Union Street for the last leg. Just before the entrance to the hospital was the 3 mile marker. It was then I pushed myself and increased the pace to finish strong. I crossed the line at 29:16 / 28:58 (Gun/Net). I finished 203rd I was # 22 out of 43 in the males between 30 to 39. I had an average pace of 9:30. I was pleased because I beat my previous race record of 31:12 by 2:14.

Being the first of the three of us to cross the line I grabbed a water and took a spot to try to capture the other two crossing the line. Dan came in 292nd place but only 2 behind me in the males 30 to 39 division with a time if 31:32 / 31:14 (Gun/Net).

Grace cruised along and finished in 534th place and was 39th out of 53 in the females 20-29 bracket with a time of 40:32 / 40:32 (Gun/Net). I captured a few great shots of her powering up the final hill to the finish line.

Once done we headed down and got a free lunch by race sponsor Wegman's and then a ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. We didn't stick around since we all had to work so we headed home.  It was a great day and a fun race and I am looking forward to next year.

Race Results

 

Race Stats

 

 

 

Final Training Schedule

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7/20	Off	Off	Bravo	Off	Bravo	1.42mi	Off
7/27	1.42mi	Off	Bravo+.87mi	1.41mi	Bravo+.87mi	1.42mi	Off
8/3	1.49mi	Off	400R+.50mi	1.50mi	400R+.50mi	Off	1.50mi
8/10	1.44mi	Off	Bravo	1.75mi	Bravo	Skip	Off
8/17	Skip	Off	Bravo+1.2mi	1.80mi	Bravo+1.2mi	Skip	Off
8/24	Skip	Off	Bravo+1mi	Skip	Bravo+1.4mi	Skip	Off
8/31	1.44mi	Off	Cancelled	Skip	Cancelled	Skip	Off
9/7	Skip	Bravo	Bravo	Skip	Bravo+2.41	Skip	Off
9/14	Skip	Off	Bravo	1.41mi	Skip	3.2mi	Off
9/21	1.42mi	Off	Bravo	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off
9/28	Skip	Off	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off	Off
D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  R a c e   D a y  O c t o b e r   5 t h ,   2 0 1 4

 

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Race Day

Factory of Terror - Worcester

I had seen signs for weeks now about the new haunted house attraction in Worcester and just had to check it out. Located in an abandoned factory building in Worcester's Grafton Hill area is the Factory of Terror. The entrance to the attraction is through an old delivery door where visitors queue up while some of the characters in all their spookiness keep you entertained. Some such characters were the scary clown, the deadly doctor and the silent child.
While you wait you also have a photo opportunity. They take your picture with a few of the props and text you a link to retrieve your group photo after. It was a pretty cool idea and a great way for people to get a reminder of the experience.

After paying the admission price we entered a room where we got a quick introduction to the attraction and a quick scare from yet another actor. As we moved through the next door we entered a more open area that looped around where as you walked along the path you were spooked by hidden actors mixed in amongst the scary props and behind hidden windows. This area while very cool with design wasn't particularly scary.

The next area we entered required 3D glasses which were handed out by a scary fella guarding the entrance. Once inside you were awe inspired but the 3d effect of the colorful and spooky art.

Everything glowed under the blue lights and amplified the feeling that the eyes were following you as you went. Whoever the artist is they did an amazing job and really captured the spookiness of each character.

 

 As we made our way from the maze of eyes and faces we entered a very snug entrance to another spooky and dark section. To pass through you had to squeeze your way through a tight passage. (It was like a balloon entrance that just pressed firmly against you no matter now small or big you are.) Once inside it was darkly lit and you had to follow along the narrow pathway's being greeted by even more actors who used their creepiness to intimidate and spook. Some snuck up close to you only to be discovered when you turned their way.

As we wrapped up the urban alley section we found ourselves finished and walking out the exit door. Over all it took about 15-20 minutes to make our way through the different sections of the Haunted Factory of Terror.

It was a good time and a great evening. I thought the price was fair for a seasonal thrill and I thought the actors really did a great job both spooking and entertaining each and every visitor.

2014 Doug Flutie 5K Training (Week 11)

D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  T r a i n i n g

S t a t u s   R e p o r t

 

With my knee still really tender and painful in the morning I decided to take the week off from running and Bravo and allow myself to heal for race day. Hopefully by then I'll be feeling good and ready to go. If not ill limp through the race but either way I'm going to do it.

Since starting training I have run 29.66 total miles. That is a fraction of what I should have run but over all minus the hurt knee I was happy with my speeds.

I recommend that every able bodied person sign up and runt he Doug Flutie 5k to support Autism. For more information visit the Doug Flutie Foundation, or Doug Flutie 5k Info and Sign-up page.

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
7/20	Off	Off	Bravo	Off	Bravo	1.42mi	Off
7/27	1.42mi	Off	Bravo+.87mi	1.41mi	Bravo+.87mi	1.42mi	Off
8/3	1.49mi	Off	400R+.50mi	1.50mi	400R+.50mi	Off	1.50mi
8/10	1.44mi	Off	Bravo	1.75mi	Bravo	Skip	Off
8/17	Skip	Off	Bravo+1.2mi	1.80mi	Bravo+1.2mi	Skip	Off
8/24	Skip	Off	Bravo+1mi	Skip	Bravo+1.4mi	Skip	Off
8/31	1.44mi	Off	Cancelled	Skip	Cancelled	Skip	Off
9/7	Skip	Bravo	Bravo	Skip	Bravo+2.41	Skip	Off
9/14	Skip	Off	Bravo	1.41mi	Skip	3.2mi	Off
9/21	1.42mi	Off	Bravo	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off
9/28	Skip	Off	Skip	Skip	Skip	Off	Off
D o u g   F l u t i e   5 K  R a c e   D a y  O c t o b e r   5 t h ,   2 0 1 4

Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Race Day