A recent ice storm delayed the running of the Paddy Kelly 5 Miler so today it was off to Brockton, Massachusetts for the rescheduled running of a winter time favorite sponsored by the Colonial Road Runners. The Paddy Kelly is the February Grand Prix race for my running club, Thirsty Irish Runners, and it was good to see a strong contingent of TIRs out on the course today.

Due to some residual icy spots thanks to some snow squalls and cold temperatures overnight the course had to be altered a bit but runners were still able to climb up Tower Hill within D.W. Field Park but also had a downhill sprint back down the run that typically is not included thanks to the altered course. Race time temperatures were chilly in the 20’s but when you found the sunny spot running through D.W. Field it felt like a really good winter day of running. The course is a great run through a park that spans Brockton and neighboring Avon and is a great stretch of running.

I ran a decent run today, not my best recent running but certainly not the worst. I have been doing physical therapy due to some nagging soreness in my legs and back and today felt decent while tackling the five mile course. I finished with a time of 43:18, good for 8:39/miles.