“I believe in redemption.” – Inside Out
I generally don’t care much about single sport events. it’s not what I do per se. But one running race is the exception to the rule: the Block Island Shad Bloom 10k. It’s epic without being silly. Dirt roads, fields, steep climbs, a few stone walls to leap and a good field of athletes make it a classic.
For two of the last 3 years me and local stud Steve Brightman have battled with me nipping him by a single second once, a by a handful of seconds at most the other time. Last year I missed the race to be support in Utah for my coach and Steve went on to smash the course record. Who would win was a pretty interesting question.
Steve later told me his strategy was to take it out fast and surge because he knew that as a long course Tri guy I don’t do a lot of track work. If “not a lot” you mean I haven’t seen a track in 3 years, then yes
He took the first uphill-into-the-wind-mile out in about 5:30, and followed it up with another. I was ok and happy to follow but at mile 2 he started surging and picking it up. Another athlete was also with us. I hung in for the first few efforts but cracked real hard after that. Once the rubber snapped it was over and I found myself 5k into 10k alone in 3rd. If you have ever been dropped you know how it goes: 10m becomes 50m becomes 100m becomes looking over your shoulder and strolling it in. I kept it honest enough to keep my podium spot but it was 2-3 minutes off my best for that course though I wasn’t sore and got to train Sunday. any time I podium in a non Tri event I can’t complain.
Congrats to Steve on smashing it and for being the cover of New England Runner this month; this was one of many wins for him this season.
Also HUGE congrats to Christine on a top finish taking second over all! She lost by 10 seconds in a sprint in the last 500m! What a sick season she is having!






