My Profile

@mak506

Brighton, MA Raving since 2022 Active 1 month ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:

    Beach to Beacon

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon

  • I run because:

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (11)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Half Marathon Boston, MA Nov 13, 2022 2:31:59
10 Miler Auburn, NH Aug 27, 2022 1:59:03
8.3 Miler Dover, MA Oct 23, 2022 1:49:01
10K Boston, MA Oct 8, 2022 1:03:45
5 Miler Boston, MA May 22, 2022 49:37
4 Miler Lawrence, MA 2010 44:24
6.2K Woburn, MA Jun 19, 2022 37:45
3.5 Miler Boston, MA Jun 23, 2022 35:37
5K Boston, MA Apr 16, 2022 30:07
3 Miler Haverhill, MA 2010 32:10
1 Miler Cambridge, MA Aug 10, 2023 9:06

Future Races (17)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
10 Miler Portland, ME Apr 28, 2024
10 Miler Newport, RI Jun 2, 2024
10 Miler Stowe, VT Nov 3, 2024
1 Miler Cambridge, MA 2024
10 Miler Salem, MA TBD
10K Portland, OR TBD
10K Ballyvaughan, Ireland TBD
7 Miler Woods Hole, MA TBD
10K Portland, OR TBD
10K Kinvara, Ireland TBD
8 Miler Mackinac Island, MI TBD
10K Kilkenny, Ireland TBD
10 Miler Bronx, NY TBD
10K Brockton, MA TBD
10K Troutdale, OR TBD
10 Miler Chicago, IL TBD
10K Dublin, Ireland TBD

Past Races (29)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
5 Miler Dracut, MA Mar 10, 2024
4 Miler Lawrence, MA Mar 3, 2024
3 Miler Haverhill, MA Feb 25, 2024
1 Miler Cambridge, MA Aug 10, 2023 9:06
3.5 Miler Boston, MA Jun 22, 2023 39:23
10K New York, NY Jun 10, 2023 1:11:18
Half Marathon Boston, MA Nov 13, 2022 2:31:59
8.3 Miler Dover, MA Oct 23, 2022 1:49:01
10K Boston, MA Oct 8, 2022 1:03:45
10 Miler Auburn, NH Aug 27, 2022 1:59:03
1 Miler Cambridge, MA Aug 18, 2022 9:07
10K Cape Elizabeth, ME Aug 6, 2022 1:04:52
10K Boston, MA Jun 26, 2022 1:06:39
3.5 Miler Boston, MA Jun 23, 2022 35:37
6.2K Woburn, MA Jun 19, 2022 37:45
5K Hopkinton, MA Jun 18, 2022 36:20
5 Miler Boston, MA May 22, 2022 49:37
5 Miler Londonderry, NH Apr 30, 2022 52:20
5K Boston, MA Apr 16, 2022 30:07
10K Boston, MA Oct 16, 2021 1:24:25
10K Boston, MA Nov 22, 2020 1:08:43
5K Boston, MA Sep 12, 2020 32:11
3.5 Miler Boston, MA 2020 42:23
10K Boston, MA Oct 14, 2019 1:12:14
3.5 Miler Boston, MA Jun 20, 2019 42:22
4 Miler Lawrence, MA 2010 44:24
3 Miler Haverhill, MA 2010 32:10
5K Boston, MA 2010 34:49
10K Boston, MA 2009 1:05:43

My Raves

My first half and culmination of the BAA Distance Medley. The course was hilly, but pretty (though *just* past peak foliage, which is too bad) and the crowds were amazing. … MORE

My first half and culmination of the BAA Distance Medley. The course was hilly, but pretty (though *just* past peak foliage, which is too bad) and the crowds were amazing. Support during the race was fine–it didn’t wow me but it was fine. Good general swag (yay for thumb loops on the shirt) and the special DM tent was a great perk.

DIFFICULTY
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PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
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SWAG
5

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Aside from the hard spill I took in the last mile due to choosing the wrong distance for my trail experience level, I loved this race. Gorgeous trails, smelled amazing, … MORE

Aside from the hard spill I took in the last mile due to choosing the wrong distance for my trail experience level, I loved this race. Gorgeous trails, smelled amazing, and the signage and occasional human guidance were super—I was in the back of the pack on my own for a fair duration and never worried about getting lost in the woods. First Aid was first rate.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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How am I first to review this race?! A Boston classic and must-run. The course, support, cheer teams, and celebratory atmosphere are fantastic. The only thing I don't enjoy about … MORE

How am I first to review this race?! A Boston classic and must-run. The course, support, cheer teams, and celebratory atmosphere are fantastic.

The only thing I don’t enjoy about this race is the number of participants who run or worse walk more than two-abreast in the middle of the road rather than the right and walkers mis-seeding, so for those working on PRs, it can be annoying. Would love some race etiquette announcements at the start.

The shirt is the reason I never need to buy long sleeve training shirts, the pre-purchase option for the photos is a bargain, and the addition of medals a couple years ago is almost too much! But it’s great.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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I was a little intimidated by this race as it was the longest I'd ever run by 2.5 miles. It turned out to be a great experience. Yes, the hills … MORE

I was a little intimidated by this race as it was the longest I’d ever run by 2.5 miles. It turned out to be a great experience. Yes, the hills were a lot and I did a bit of walking on the ups (definitely wasn’t alone), but the scenery, friendly volunteers, and fellow racers more than made up for that–it felt like we were all in it together. The only thing I didn’t enjoy on the course was the portion of the last mile that was run on a highly slanted curve at the edge of the road. But I parked on the same, not-closed-off, road, so I wouldn’t want to give up the ease of that either!

This is an out of town race for me, but if I were local I’d definitely be a regular! Looking forward to checking out other Millennium races as well.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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Running a mile race on a track is a whole new experience if you've only done 5K and up road races! I went out too fast on tired legs, so … MORE

Running a mile race on a track is a whole new experience if you’ve only done 5K and up road races! I went out too fast on tired legs, so basically bombed, but it was such an interesting race to experience and though it confirmed that I am definitely a distance runner, it has me thinking about running in new ways.

I’m really grateful for the chance to try this out and will definitely work the occasional track mile into my training and do this event annually as possible. Heartbreak did an amazing job organizing (no surprise there) and making it fun. Great tee and surprise casual backpack for swag plus free photos. For those who wanted, there also were fancy Nike track shoes on loan for the race as well, which was cool.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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...and not just because I finally hit a PR I've been working on for a few years either! Where to start? * Amazing, fabulous crowds with signs, sprinklers, hoses, live … MORE

…and not just because I finally hit a PR I’ve been working on for a few years either! Where to start?

* Amazing, fabulous crowds with signs, sprinklers, hoses, live music, and encouragement for what felt like the entire course. Having never run a marathon, this was easily the best crowd support I’ve encountered
* Pretty scenery and decent shade for large portions of the course, though coast doesn’t come into view until near the end
* Well organized, top to bottom

Things I didn’t love were for the most part out of control of the organizers: it was a hot, humid day. There are some hills, including in the last mile. Had it been a cooler day, I mightn’t have minded the hills as much. The t-shirt is fine, but I might have preferred the option to have a medal instead, but I know that gets tricky. For whatever reason my shuttle bus let us off over a half mile from the start, which was great for warming up, but might not be everyone’s preference.

I’m not sure that I’ll run this every year due to the distance from home and cost of having to find a place to stay, but I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to other runners!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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...or at least that is my guess. As a spring or fall race in cooler weather, I might've loved it, but on a hot summer day with no shade in … MORE

…or at least that is my guess. As a spring or fall race in cooler weather, I might’ve loved it, but on a hot summer day with no shade in miles 3-4 it’s a tough one for someone who doesn’t enjoy hot weather running. (On a cooler day, course difficulty would go down to 1-2 shoes.) In ideal circumstances if I were going to run this again, I’d wait till a week before and check the weather before registering, though it’s a frequent sell out. As a result, the course can also be quite crowded.

Production and support are top notch, though, as one would expect from the BAA. T-shirt, medal, and as a bonus, great race photos, although there’s a hefty fee to download them. Highly recommend doing this as part of the distance medley for additional post-race goodies (BEER) and photo ops. I’m glad I ran it, I just wanted more shade!!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This race follows what I think of as the standard Boston 5K course. If you're from out of town, it's probably more impressive, but I find myself a bit bored. … MORE

This race follows what I think of as the standard Boston 5K course. If you’re from out of town, it’s probably more impressive, but I find myself a bit bored.

The organization at the start was confusing, but the course support with water stops and volunteers was great.

Swag is a technical tee advertising the sponsor. It’s nice enough and it is fun to see them around town the rest of the year on fellow runners.

The thing that drives me crazy about this race? All the folks who walk with their friends 3-4 across. It would be one thing if they all stayed to the right, but they’re everywhere. Lots of weaving and dodging required. Perhaps organizers could add some run left/walk right announcements/signage? I know this is supposed to be a team building exercise as much as anything, but improved race etiquette would be great for everyone.

DIFFICULTY
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3
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This is a lovely, rolling course for a great cause. Maybe the prettiest course of all my races this year. Alas, I did the open water swim before and that … MORE

This is a lovely, rolling course for a great cause. Maybe the prettiest course of all my races this year. Alas, I did the open water swim before and that activity always leaves me gasping and coughing for hours after (wonderful in the age of covid!) so it far from my best performance. Organization felt a little casual, but for a small race it was fine. Swag was a plain t-shirt, which again, fine given the cause.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
5
SWAG
2

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I can't believe I'm first to review this one! When I signed up, it felt pricy for a 5-mile race, until I saw how amazing the production, swag, and food … MORE

I can’t believe I’m first to review this one!

When I signed up, it felt pricy for a 5-mile race, until I saw how amazing the production, swag, and food were–plus it includes two beers, PLUS the funds go toward a great cause.

Race day ended up being way hotter than anticipated for May so that was fun. I’d love to run it again in cooler weather. The course is mostly flat (my Garmin registered 82 ft of elevation gain) with decent scenery. It was a bit industrial–some of it fun seaport-themed industrial, some of it blah industrial–but there’s also nice loop around Pleasure Bay.

Great support from volunteers and the crowd. The medal doubles as a bottle opener. The meal ticket was for a help-yourself buffet of sausages, pasta with veg, and salad. Would’ve loved a veg sausage option, but you can’t have everything!

Somehow despite the heat I managed a PR and even though I only planned to have one beer after the race, I slurped down both of the two allotted beers and I didn’t even feel them, although they were delicious!

One tip for the organizers: please, please remove Don’t Stop Believin’ from the finish line playlist. I cannot be the only person who has now heard this one far more times than bearable for one lifetime.

DIFFICULTY
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PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
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Really enjoyed this race and how organized it was given it was the inaugural run. The course overall is lovely--towards the beginning it's a bit office park-y, but soon transitions … MORE

Really enjoyed this race and how organized it was given it was the inaugural run.

The course overall is lovely–towards the beginning it’s a bit office park-y, but soon transitions into lovely rustic trails (the last minute water feature was fun), including the great flat stretch of paved rail trail. Oh yeah, the hill. There’s a decent climb near the beginning and a bit of hilliness here and there. I would have put a 3.5 for the difficulty if that were an option.

I haven’t run a small race in years, so it was fun to be announced as I came in to finish, as was done for nearly everyone. A great race, though, so I hope the field will be bigger next year!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
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This race is all about the energy--it's always a couple days before the marathon and a lot of those runners use it as a shakeout, so you've got runners from … MORE

This race is all about the energy–it’s always a couple days before the marathon and a lot of those runners use it as a shakeout, so you’ve got runners from all over the world.

There are two things I wish were better: first, I last ran this in 2010 and I miss the old course that looped around by the State House and ended on the marathon finish line. I was also underwhelmed by the photos from this year. Weird placement and angles, and very overpriced.

DIFFICULTY
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PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
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SWAG
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