Rich on Running: Recovery Run brings festive note to West Lynn

Runners brought a festive and fun atmosphere to West Lynn on Sunday for the third annual Hibernians 5K St. Patrick’s Day Recovery Run.From the Irish flag hanging outside Hibernian Hall on Federal Street to the sound of bagpipes to the spectators stretching out their hands to high-five runners, the spirit of everyone involved proved that the event would shine despite the overcast skies (a contrast from the clear morning of race day last year).The course challenged runners early on with the upward incline of Tower Hill. I have to say, it is a steep slope. One thing that has helped me deal with ascents like that is running up the hills of Lynn Woods in the summer. The slope does feel like a tougher angle than the hills I’ve gone up in Somerville ? although to quote the Temptations, maybe that’s “just my imagination, running away with me.”Runners passed Lynn landmarks like schools (Lynn Classical High School) and fire stations (on Tower Hill). People chatted with each other about the course (I heard one runner ask another when the Mile 2 marker would appear) and pointed out things they saw along the way (like the single shoe that mysteriously lay on the concrete). Others tuned in to their iPods.I believe I saw at least one person running with a baby carriage ? and some people ran with their dogs (our terrier, Daisy, waited patiently by the finish line, keeping her eye on two boxers nearby).One element that seems to present a challenge is how to deal with cars along the race route. The police did do a good job managing traffic. However, I saw a couple of confused-looking drivers back out from their driveways, wondering how on earth they would deal with a crowd of runners surging past. I also felt the uncomfortable sensation of hearing a car behind me, and noticing said car swerve into the opposite lane to navigate around the runners. I guess it did provide a push to finish the race faster!And how much of a running community is Lynn? Well, after my girlfriend Laura greeted me at the finish line, we took Daisy for a walk along Kings Beach ? and saw one more runner going full speed by Lynn Shore Drive.Congrats, ChrisOne runner who completed the course for her first-ever 5K was my colleague Chris Stevens, who trained with a group organized by staff from the office of Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy.”It was a good feeling to cross the finish line,” Chris said. “It was nice to see the people I trained with – Mary Chalmers (of the mayor’s office), Lisa Nerich (of Parks & Recreation), Steve (Martin, also of the mayor’s office, who ran with his daughter), who coached us.”She added, “They were excited for me because it was my first race. Steve is so positive. He’s like everybody’s biggest cheering section.”Chris did some morning stretches at home, then arrived at Hibernian Hall about 45 minutes before the start time and followed up with a few more stretches.”I wore no jacket because I knew I would warm up,” she said, adding jokingly, “Steve was always yelling at us for overdressing.”Although it might seem daunting to run a race with hundreds of people, it actually helped Chris meet her goal.”I wasn’t too nervous,” she said. “I wasn’t out to break any records. My biggest goal was to run the whole thing. I was worried about starting too fast.” However, she added, this was impossible due to the heavy turnout.Although it was her first 5K, it was her second time running the course. The first was on a practice run, and this experience helped her climb Tower Hill.”Running the route definitely helped,” she said. “I put my head down (running the hill). I didn’t look at the top.”Chris showed a similar focus in finishing the course, where her husband Rich was waiting for her.”When I crossed the finish line, I never looked at my time,” she said. “I just sort of focused on the blue mat, the end run.”And it’s great to hear she’s talking about running another 5K.”Three-point-one miles is good for me,” she said. “I’d do another. I might do the Breed one in Ma