Another half today. Unfortunately, Marj is still recovering from her knee problems and a bad cold. So, although she was available for support and even ran me in for the last 1/4 mile, I missed her running presence. The half (if you read Deez4boys report) is part of the Eastern States 20 miler. They used to have a 10 miler but, since halfs seem to be a more popular distance these days, it ws expanded last year. It starts at the same time as the 20 miler but 7 miles down the road and finishes at the same point in Ma. That seemed to be a bit confusing since there was no separate finish line for the 2 races and some of the 20 milers, alas, were posted as half finishers. We arrived early and I got my number and chip and Tshirt. There were only 4 port-potties at the start which made for long lines just before race time. The weather remained winter-like and I wavered between shorts and running pants-the pants won out. Fortunately, as we ran along the coast we had a tail wind. The bright sun also helped. It's a beautiful course, mostly next to the ocean. I had lived in the area for a number of years (where I started my 'running career') and saw a number of old friends. I started out a little faster than I had planned to but maintained a steady pace throughout and finished with a sprint as Marj ran me in. I was 6 min. faster than my last half for a time of 2:24:44 and about the same time as most of my finished in the last 2 years. I was 2/2, having been beaten by 4 min. by one of my fellow 65+ club members who recently turned 80 and, as I found out at the award ceremony, has been an outstanding runner since his high school days. No shame in losing to someone that illustrious. . Incidentally I felt good all the way-no cramps and no knee problems. I took one GU at the 7 mile mark and 1 package of electrolyte jelly beans 30 min. before the race started (they really work). It was a fun race and a great way to spend a day at the sea .

hi henrun, congratulations on having a great run and finishing 6 minutes faster! I'm glad Marj was able to run you in, too. As for the illustrious 80 year old, I'm in awe! He reminds me of my friend Bing, who turns 80 this year. He's challenged me to run the Long Beach Half Marathon so he can smoke me before he goes to Athens to run his final full marathon. I plan on giving him a great workout. Marj, I hope you recover from your knee trouble soon.

Hi Henry, I'm so glad that you had a good run on your old stomping grounds! It's too bad that Marj was under the weather, but nice that she was there for moral support. It must have been a real treat to have her run the last 1/4 mile with you! Eastern States changed from a 10-miler to a half because the restaurant where the 10-miler used to start was torn down and replaced by expensive condos overlooking the salt marsh near Rye Harbor. So there was no place for registration, port-a-potties, etc. With Wallis Sands beach so close to the 13.2 mile mark, it seemed a natural to replace the 10-miler with a half. You did great, finishing 6 minutes faster than your last half, and having no cramps or knee pains. Congratulations on a terrific race, another AG award, and a great day by the ocean! Please tell Marj we hope she gets over her knee problems and her cold quickly. Jay

nice job Henry!! you looked amazing when i saw you leaving the Ashworth - sorry i was so cold and my legs were so crampy that i couldn't stay out and talk longer but i'm sure there will be other times - i may meet you at the April run in Dedham!! congrats on your 6 minute faster finish - that's awesome!! glad Marj could be there with you and hope she is feeling better and back to running soon!!

Nice race, henrun. Good job on beating your last half by 6 minutes. Congrats on a good job. Healing vibes to marj. TomS

Great race Henry! {{{ Marj's knee and sniffles }}}} That is an excellent finishing time and congrats on the 6 minute jump over your last 1/2! You mentioned electrolyte jelly beans ??? Never heard of those before, do you know who makes them? arf

Thanks all. Marj is recovering quite well, although the bronchitis like symptoms are slowly clearing. She's getting her knee re-examined on Monday. Hasn't kept her from biiking daily to work. I used my last package of beans-so, thanks Bob. Not only are they effective, they taste good.

Henry, was the guy that finished in fornt (here I'm going to most likely butcher his name) John Caramoada? I guess he's the x-country coach in our town and there was a little blurb in the local paper that he had won his age group in the run to the border 1/2. Just curious. Kevin