The PRC had a nice showing for this race. A group of us (Jon Conno; Tony Moscaritolo, Jim Lalonde, Joe Green, Stephen Peciconis, Rob Kerwin and myself) met at the Y to car pool up north. After waiting until 7:20 or so (No Ray?) it was decided that the two 'old timers' in the group would do the driving. Jon 'stop and go' Connor drove 128 the whole way while JOE'bandana' Green opted for the more direct route through Boston (Rte. 1). Jon's way appears to be quicker by a few minutes (of course he was driving over the speed limit!).. At the start of the race we met up with a few other PRC members, Mike Jasko, Walter Burgess and Jim Sweeney. As we were chit chatting away..about what pace we wanted to do etc...the gun sounded without warning. Off we go!

I told Rob that I planned (hoped?!) to run with him the whole way. We settled in to what I thought was a comfortable pace of 8:20 or so into the race I hear a voice call out behnd me 'coming through...I'm being boxed in'. I move over to the side and a 6oish gentleman charges past. Rob says to me "that's great, a man who has over 20 years on us says we're in his way". Less than a mile into the run Rob thinks we may be going a bit fast. I see Mike J not to far ahead and I quickly agree and we slow the pace. We then see Tony up ahead, off to the side of the road leaving his orange vest with a couple and going shirtless the rest of the way. Oops, we find out later that Tony almost pulled a Feliciano...his number was attached to his vest and he had to run back a 1/4 of a mile and get his bib back! Rob and I stayed pretty much on an 8:15 to 8:30 pace for the first 5 miles of rolling hills. Rob spots Jon 'stop and go' up ahead walking. I say to Rob "Oh Oh...I hope he starts running before we reach him.....he'll screw up our pace if he runs with us" (sorry Jon!) sure enough he's running again before we reach him. We lose sight of him for a while but finally catch Jon at around mile 9 or 10 (the only way I EVER catch Jon is when he's walking!). He's been having stomach problems throughout the race but still runs with us for another mile or so. Jon needs to walk again and says he'll see us at the finish by nightfall! I have to stop twice within a minute to tie the same shoe (wet shoelaces!) and Rob graciously slows hs pace each time so I can catch back up to him. We separate a little bit at around the 14 mile mark but are soon running together again. We turn to go up the last (of many!) hills and Rob starts turning it on. can't believe it...he's passing other runners on this steep hill! After I crest I need to dig down to catch up to him and we both go in together. This is my fourth Cape Ann road race in a row for me but the ftrst year that I finally ran faster than my previous year. There's hope for me!

After milling around for a..while Joe, Jim and I head back to Joe's car to change and go back to the Y. Stephen, who drove up with Jon, sees us and asks 'have you seen the other guys? Back at the car we couldn't help to notice Jon's car is gone since it was right next to Joe's. No problem...Stephen takes over the shotgun seat and Jim and I sit in back for the trip back to the Y. Stephen. (the ultra-marathoner) probably could have jogged back if we had left him there too!

Joe's annual Labor day cookout was another success. Lot's of good food and some laughs. I can't wait till next year...for the cookout NOT the run. Thanks Joe. & Karen and Happy 20th Anniversary!