Why Faster As A Master?
In 2015, I decided that I wanted to refocus on my running. I had just run a marathon and it wasn’t my event. I wanted to set a big goal. I decided that I wanted to run faster as a master. Having been an Olympic development athlete, at 39 this was a goal that basically could not be accomplished because as we age we are suppose to get slower. I guess I forgot to listen. My focus in high school through college was the 800 meters. In the longer distances I am definitely faster than my 23 year old self. In the shorter distances I am pretty darn close. Even if I don’t accomplish my goal, it is still a worthy goal. Take a look below to see how I am doing. I’ve posted my open & masters times.
1998 Northeastern University Boston Twilight Series
Summer 1998, Can Am Series
Open Personal Best
800 meters 2:08
1000 meters 2:56
1500 meters 4:19
1 mile 4:51
3000 meters 9:42
5000 meters 16:56
6000 meters 23:23
Fall 2020, Training in NYC (photo: Johnny Zhang)
Masters Personal Best
400 meters 1:04
800 meters 2:17
1000 meters 2:57
1500 meters 4:37
1 mile 4:54
3000 meters 10:29
5000 meters 17:57
6000 meters 22:24
10000 meters 37:27
1/2 Marathon 1:24:10
Below are my rankings and race highlights. Masters competitions are fierce. There are many former national high school & collegiate athletes, olympians & olympic development athletes, as well as individuals who got a much later start. What I love is the common bond. Many of us took a break from racing short distances to start our careers & have families. It is fun to hear about everyone’s experiences & to make new friends.
2018 Ridgeview Mile
Rankings
Masters Rankings:
In 2023:
(Outdoor Track) - Not Final - 400 meters US 7th, NCCWMA 10th, World 58th; 800 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 15th; 1500 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 9th; 3000 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 3rd, World 27th
(Indoor Track) - 200 meters US 8th, NCCWMA 11th, World 94th; 400 meters US 5th, NCCWMA 7th, World 50th; 800 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 6th; Mile US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 1st; 3000 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 3rd, World 11th
In 2022:
(Outdoor Track) - 800 meters US 5th, NCCWMA 5th, World 47th; 1500 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 12th; 3000 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 45th
(Indoor Track) - 400 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 3rd; 800 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 3rd; 1500 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 8th; Mile US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 6th; 3000 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 3rd, World 11th
In 2021:
(Outdoor Track) - 400 meters US 4th, NCCWMA 4th, World 29th; 800 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 6th; 1500 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 2nd; Mile US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 3rd; 5000 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 9th
In 2019:
(Outdoor Track) - 800 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 14th; 1500 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 12th
(Indoor Track) - 400 meters US 5th, NCCWMA 7th, World 28th; 800 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 4th; 1500 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 6th; Mile US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 3rd; 3000 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 20th
In 2018:
(Outdoor Track) - 800 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 2nd, World 22nd; 1500 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 25th; Mile US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 5th; 3000 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 33rd.
(Indoor Track) - Injured DNR
In 2017:
(Outdoor Track) 800 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 16th; 1500 meters US 1st, NCCWMA 1st, World 9th
(Indoor Track) 400 meters US 5th, NCCWMA 5th, World 31st; 800 meters US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 5th; Mile US 2nd, NCCWMA 2nd, World 2nd
In 2016:
(Outdoor Track) 1500 meters US 1st, World 13th
(Indoor Track) 800 meters US 3rd, World 9th; 1500 meters US 2nd, World 3rd; Mile US 4th, World 4th
In 2015:
(Outdoor Track) 1500 meters US 1st, World 9th
(Indoor Track) 800 meters US 3rd, World 9th; Mile US 2nd, World 2nd
Post Collegiate Reebok Boston '96-'98:
Silver Medalist DMR USATF Indoor Nationals '98, US Ranking 1500 meters 37th in '98
College '92-'96 @ UMass Amherst:
Cross Country All-Conference Team '93, '95; A-10 1000 meter & 4x800 Champion '96; ECAC 4x800 meter runner up '93 and division 1 school record.
High School '89-'92 @ Marlborough High Massachusetts:
League, District, Class & State awards in 800 meters & cross-country, All New England in 1000 meters.
Racing Highlights
Masters Athlete '14-present Highlights:
USATF Masters 10k Road Championship 1st AG '18
USATF East Regional 800 meter open Champion ‘18
USATF NY Masters Track Athlete of the Year '17
NCCWMA Masters 1500 meter Champion '17
USATF Masters 1500 meter Champion '17
USATF Masters Invitational Program: USATF MIP Indoor Mile 2nd '16, Olympic Trials Outdoor MIP 1500 meter 2nd '16
WMAC 1500 meter Vice Champion '15
3 x 5th Avenue Mile Age Division Champion '14-'16
USATF Indoor Masters Nationals 2nd Place 1 mile & 800 meter '15
USATF Masters 10k Championship 3rd '15
Oakley Mini 10k Masters Champion '15