By Vince Mattera
Every summer I head back to Rhode Island to spend a few weeks at our family summer home in Matunuck Beach. Usually it’s 85 degree sunshine with a cool ocean breeze. This summer was different. Heat and high humidity invaded the seashore and there was no relief for most of the summer.
Prior to venturing back East, I had made plans with a couple of high school friends to run in a local 10-mile road race. The Blessing of the Fleet (boats parade through the harbor and are blessed by the Catholic Church) is generally held on the last weekend in July each year, the event is "kicked off" with a scenic, 10-mile road race on Friday evening. The course, which winds its way through historic Narragansett, is officially sanctioned and listed as one of the top three races of its distance in New England. More than 3,000 runners competed, hailing from all over New England, across the country and around the world.
While I have been to many Blessings of the Fleet events, this year was the first time I have done the run. It was interesting to say the least. While waiting before the start in a sardine-like mass, on a small, rural 2-lane road, I was dripping in sweat. At 6 p.m. it was close to 90 degrees and 90% humidity. The street was tree-lined so there was no wind. When the gun finally sounded, it seemed like a minute before I started walking, then jogging, and close to 2 minutes before I crossed the starting line. I was glad to get the first mile out of the way, and finally to begin running. At mile three I glanced down at my heart rate and I was over 90%. I was running at my typical race pace, so I guess the heat and humidity were making my heart pump harder.
After 7 miles of running in direct sunlight, the course finally turned into a tree lined neighborhood that provided 3 miles of shade. As I approached mile 10, it was difficult to determine where exactly the finish line was located. There was a mob at the end of the road and spectators were crossing in front of 6 finishing chutes that were set up parallel to the road. Some racers were stopping in front of the chutes and mingling with spectators, some were running through the chutes to the end. At the end of the chutes were race officials tearing off bib numbers. Since the race didn’t have chip timing, and no distinct finishing line to cross, I’m still not sure where the race officially ended.
I started my watch as I crossed the starting line, and stopped it as the guy tore of my bib number. My unofficial time was 1:13:20 (about a 7:25 min/mile). I had hoped to finish in 1:10, but all things considered, for me it was a good run.
Not so, for some racers. More than 20 people were taken off the course with heat exhaustion. One gal landed on her head and was taken to the hospital with serious head trauma as a small child wandered in front of her, just ten feet from the finishing area. After the race, it didn’t get any easier. The post-race nutrition area was set up in the street and spectators, who were there for the Seafood Festival, were taking advantage of the free food and drinks. A race like this makes you really appreciate a well-run event. The race kicked off my vacation and afterward I was ready to relax.
The rest of the trip was spend trying to keep cool – body surfing at the beach, sailing, water skiing, wake boarding, and fishing.
After completing the race, Vince is joined by his daughters.
