Random jibberish & The Hyner preview

The ongoing trek towards the 25th annual VT100 has reached a really rough patch over the last month.  I had been on pace and broke my longest streak (65 days) of 2 miles or more from two years ago.  The plan was to continue for as long as i could, even while running snowshoe marathons and fat ass 50k's.

After the reschedule of the Hammy Slammy IV (Recap coming), we had to put down my old cat Mr. Buttons.   This might not seem like a big deal to most people, but he had been my post-run nap buddy for the last decade.  While trying to cope with that, I managed to get one of the worst head colds in my life, that spread to a sinus infection.  After three weeks of zero days with coughing fits, and lack of sleep, I was finally able to get out and hike this past Sunday.   It was the first time I've been in the woods since our group put on the Foxley back in March (Another Recap still in draft form).

Only now, 4 weeks later, can i touch my nose without feeling like I've been punched.   It feels good to be able to be active again, which is great because i'm 3 days from one of the toughest events on my spring training schedule.  The Hyner Challenge.

“Our course is designed to reward those who have trained and punish those who haven’t!”

I'm not confident for this race in the least.  Nor do i expect to set any PRs.  I think my only saving grace for survival is the fact that this thing is a hikers course.  I've always maintained that no, i'm not a good runner, but i'll out hike half of the field given the correct terrain.  Last year was the first year of the 50k addition to the event, and most recaps (1 & 2 , my favorites) on the interwebs state that you can only run 20-25% of the course.  Well now, you're talking right up my alley!

To make things worse, Leah's dad has a hotel room for the night before.  A dry, warm....BED?!?  The running gods frown upon this behavior.  I've learned few things, but as an ultra runner, to pay proper homage to the gods.  You are supposed to sleep in your car or on the ground, in the cold and wet as a pre-race sacrifice in hopes that they will go easy on you on race day.

Ha, I'm doomed.  Bring on the punishment.  I can't wait!

2013 Peak Snowshoe Marathon Recap

Saturday March 2, 2013

Leah and I arrive in Pittsfield as we always do.  A bit groggy from spending the night prior at our home away  from home in Stockbridge at 'The Strong's'  house.  As per usual, amazing food, great wine, and a soak in the hot tub makes for a rough go when you're told you're going to run on snowshoes for a marathon the following day.

Oddly enough i feel more ready for this than i have in any years past.  I haven't really run this race alone in years.  I'd always had at least one or more teammates to keep me company on the trail.  Rik and Steve had decided to start ahead of the pack with Delbac (who'd been going since noon the day prior) about an hour ahead of me.  I was a bit bummed out, but i knew their pace would be much slower, so my goal now was to try to catch them.  Mike warned me that the trails were a bit more narrow and that the pace was drastically slower than previous years thanks to his insider knowledge.   Leah gave me a good luck kiss and took over role behind the volunteer table and I was off.

Lap one was basically a blur.  A long climb up the stairs and then the labyrinth to the top as per usual.  The pack was much smaller this year because they staggered the start for the first time in the events history.  This turned out to be a great asset for me.  I was able to pace myself between other runners that were planning on 4 laps as well  versus the one lap fun runners, that would either blast way ahead, or lag about and chatter with their friends.   I reached the bottom again in amazing time, 1:54:46.  I think Leah was as surprised to see me as i was surprised at my time.  I asked her how long ago Rik and Steve came through, "only 30 minutes ago."   Ha! The chase was on!  I headed back out onto the trail in pursuit.

It was half way to the top at Cabin 2 that I looked ahead and saw too figures, just hanging out at the aid station.  I laughed and thought, how could i have made up that much time so quickly?  It didn't take too long to realize how i had. "I haven't run a step since Pisgah in September."   I shook my head and corrected him saying, "well we did that turkey trot right?"   Needless to say, running hadn't been on either of these guys radars, never mind 13.1 miles on snowshoes.  After 1/8th of a mile Steve was keeping up with me, but Rik was falling way behind.  Steven, a 16 year old coming off spring break grumbled, "this race was over before it started."  Stating that he'd spent most of his vacation on the ski slopes and dominating his first person shooter from the warmth of the couch.  While it was great to catch up, the now slower pace was starting to let my sweat freeze on my fleece.  At the first 50' section that we could trot we did, with a dramatic (in hindsight, hilarious) side effect of once we stopped.  As i turned back to see how much space i'd put between us I saw Steve cramp up and tipped over like he had just been tazed.   I offered him some of my salt tabs only to find out that he can't take pills.  Once Rik caught up, he helped him break the capsules in half and pour them into his mouth.  While I don't recommend this behavior to anyone, it seemed to do the trick and we all marched on toward Cabin 1 at the summit.    At the summit I yelled back, I've got to go, i'm freezing and took off down the trail.

It wasn't long before i started catching all of the fun runners at the bottom.  Somehow i was passing them in leaps and bounds.   I had managed to finished the second lap sub 2 hours again (1:59:03).  The trouble this time is that the finish line was packed with one lap finishers.  It was a mad house. I had Leah put in only half of the water because i wanted to get out of there and off i went.  How big of a mistake this was...

I reached cabin 2 to find Thomas spooning out hot vegetable soup from a Gatorade jug.  "Would you like some soup?"  "BOY WOULD I!"  I responded enthusiastically.  This was just what the doctor ordered.  I was in one hell of a slump.  A typical lap 3 for me.  The joy of the first two laps over, the knowledge of having to do this AGAIN still looming.  With the warmth and food in my belly I make quick work to get to the top.  I take a few big gulps of water and then hear the dreaded 'burble' of the camelbak.   For those that own and use one,  you know the sound i just described.  The sound of, you have about two sips left before you run dry.   I spend much of the remainder of this lap alone in the woods.  Not even seeing any forms of life ahead or behind me on the trail.   I was dehydrated, alone, hungry, just plain miserable.  Even though i made it back in 2:14:22, the look on my face explains where i was mentally.  

Leah takes charge of her crewing duty like the pro she is and restocks my pack while I change my snowshoe, socks, shoes, the works.  I wolf down two large cups of the same veggie soup and Leah suits up to join me for her 'fun run' on my lap 4.   She fills me in on her day of volunteering, I mumble some words about how nice the trails have been even though i'm still fighting out of my gloom and doom of lap 3.

While i trudge ahead just trying to finish this bloody thing, Leah stops and takes photos any chance she can get.  Looking back her enthusiasm was greatly appreciated.  At the time however i'm pretty sure i didn't feel that way.

With about a mile ago the trail starts to really stay at a downgrade, and Leah says she's going to run it in.  To which of course, I take as a challenge and try to match her pace.  The only hope i have is that I know where the course turns and climbs so i'm able to save my energy for the spots where i can make up the most ground on her.   I'm sure she was going easy on me as I was able to catch her by the temporary bridge.

Leah and I walked across the finish line in 8:41:57.  A respectable time indeed.  Had I not been foolish with my water, nutrition, and gear i think a sub 8 hour would have been achievable.  The trail conditions were far better than they had been in the last few years.  I'm already excited to return to Amee Farm in June for my tour in the nettles of Bloodroot.

2013 - Who We Are - Part 2

The Family:
You all know Rik, the ever stubborn father of the group and reason we're out there. Steven, who ran the last 16 miles of the Peak Ultra last June, and has spent countless hours crewing for Rik and I. Kate, we're still trying to get out and run a race with us, but you've probably seen her at an aid station or two.

Rik, the patriarch of the team, continues to be the veteran and senior voice.  He's been passing on his wisdom of minimal training, maximum suffering on race day to Steven, the youngest member of the team.  Rumor has it that Rik is going to test Steven's spirit this summer at the Peak 50k. 


The Moose:
Greg got this name based on how he is when we hike. Always plodding along and crashing thru the brush, but generally happy to be out there. Like moose, you rarely see them run, but when you do, you make sure you get out of their way. Often times, pie is used as an incentive. His wife's love for Moose helped with the nickname.

Greg joined his wife (Mandiee) in March of 2012 and ran his first ½ marathon.  Two months later faced a year old pinky swear and ran his first 25k in May with “Tink” at Pineland Farms.  He’s currently the most and least dedicated of the group, hating it so much in-mind pre-run, but happy with the accomplishment once finished.    His greatest weakness is that the group all knows that he’s easily swayed away from a run with a frosty beer or perhaps a Scorpion Bowl.


The Gazelle:
A name that fits Mandiee perfectly, in pink obviously. Her long legs gives her amazing speed and the ability to bound over objects on the trails. After years of telling her that she had the build of a runner and should give it a shot. We got her to finish her first 5k in July of 2010.

While Mandiee still thinks she’s not the best runner of the group, her ability to ‘bound’ down the trails still amazes us.   She brings the core strength to the group due to Pilates and line dancing making the rest of us humble during ab work outs and yoga nights.  After finishing her a first 10k in May of 2011 she pressed forward finishing her first half marathon in March of 2012.   To ensure a much needed break from running, she and the moose are currently expecting little Barkevious Mason in the spring of 2013

The Puma - "NHPuma":
Loni's been known as Puma to me for as long as I've known her. While she may not be as quick as a puma in a sprint, but her feline like ability to silently watch from a distance, survey her surroundings and will wear you down with her un-slowing pace.

Loni is the first Non-“Robert” member of Team Robert joined in crewing and pacing for many years before finally participating.  In true team form and jumping in with both feet, she decided her first race should be a triathlon.  In the summer of 2006 she finished the Contoocook Carry and has continued to move on to bigger and better things.  She’s responsible and the host of most of our Fox Forest Fat Ass Summer Series Trail Runs and knows the woods of Fox forest better than anyone I know.  Having finished countless 5ks, ½ marathons, road marathons, trail marathons, and 50ks she still has her eyes set on breaking the 50 mile mark.  In the fall of 2012 she set a personal best of 47 miles at the Vermont50.  She hopes to finally get the monkey off her back in 2013.


The Ferret - "Tink": 
Common characteristics of the ferret are; curious, persistent, and fearless. All makes perfect sense to me. Leah's fearless hockey playing is what attracted me to her in the first place. Her curiosity is what got her into running with me, and if you read her blogshe's very persistent in her research amongst other things. A once non-runner "unless being chased" is really coming into her own finishing a half marathon on the roads and in the woods in 2010.

Leah's come a long way in two years.  Along with many shorter runs she's finished a road and trail marathon.  Section hiked on the MS Greenway, Long Trail, and Appalachian Trail.  Climbed the infamous Mount Katahdin in the deep woods of Maine.  Dawned goalie gear for the first time and has led her team to only their second championship in 15 seasons.  In true family form she’s teamed up with her father to run the Vermont50 relay...twice.  And has crewed me and the team at countless events.  

The Rabbit - "Taps":
Grant, being a brewer of beer and having 5 beers on tap at any given time made the moniker an instant hit. He's taken the enthusiasm that he has for making beer and put it into running. The rabbit name character was an instant fit as he continues to be the fastest of the group holding team fastest times in most distances.  

Since 2011 he's finished several 50ks including setting a PR and Team-Best at Pinelands in May of the same year.  He finished his first marathon at Stonecat later the same year.  Hiked the entire Belknap Range in one day, and this fall finally eclipsed the 50 mile mark at the Vermont50.  He's currently training for the VT100 in July and the most important race he’ll ever run, his marriage to “Wicks” in June. 


The Wolf/4-Leaf:
Always the leader of the pack, Josh's token, fittingly, is the wolf. Sometimes playful and bounding with joy, sometimes all-business hunting through the woods with a purpose, but always looking out for each member of the group. The four-leafed clover paw pad on the wolf is a nod to Josh's trail name, earned when he found the lucky plant on the Long Trail. (Although I've been running with a 4leaf clover on my water belt for the better part of 2 years prior)

In 2011, I finished 3 more 50ks and another 50 miler.   Following that up with 6 50ks and and 50  miler in 2012.  While i feel like i'm the leader of the pack, i'm often the most lost.  With training ranging from 2 miles a day for over two months, to weeks on end in a endless run of Zero Days.    I go from streaks of endless energy to days where i can't seem to put on my shoes.    I am certainly a person of extremes.  I suppose this is why I went from a 5k to a 50 miler all of those years ago.  I think, like most ultra runners we all have a flame or spark that pushes us on in the rough times of a race.  Right now, my flame is faint,  I've got a lot of work to do before July...

2013 - Who We Are - Part 1

What's Team Robert's mission statement? 

Published October of 2008

"Team Robert, I suppose you could say, was founded back in the early 90s when my father dragged me out to run my first 5k with him. Years later I paced him at the Vermont 100 and the following fall he introduced me first hand into the world of ultra running at the Vermont 50 where we ran side by side for 50 miles. Since that September weekend back in 2000, running has been something my friends and family know me for. It’s something that I've been able to share with many of them. Anything from just sharing stories, to getting them to take their first steps on a couch to 5k program, to watching them surpass any distance I've ever run by running the Vermont 100 themselves.

I've created Team Robert so we can share our journeys not only on the roads and in the woods but also in cyberspace. So we can have a meeting place online to talk about upcoming races, training schedules, events, and race reports. Eventually, I’d love to see the “family” grow enough that we can start fund raising for a charity to be named when the time arises."


Published January 2011
...was a question i faced a few weeks back.

I'd never thought about this before. The name was yelled at Rik and I at the Vermont 100 years ago. It stuck, later that fall i created a blog and got shirts, but then it kinda petered out. It was just a cool display of my artwork that i could share with my family and girlfriend at the time. To run trails? too common. To hike and camp? too specific. To get outdoors? too broad. The short answer is, i didn't have one, and to be honest, I still don't have one.

Here's a snippet of what hit my Inbox last week written by my lovely girlfriend that i think sums it up more than anything I have written.

"Team Robert started as a family team. In Josh's (and so many of our) words, "Friends are the family that you choose." When you spend hours on the trail with someone, they know you on a deep level. When you train with people weekend after weekend, they see the good and bad. We've been through a lot together, on and off the trail, and we're all family: a team. We're planning on many outdoor events together, and it would be great to have support of a team even when we're not close to each other."

Published in January 2012 in Steve Latours Book ( Link)
"Josh started running ultras by accident in 2000 when his pop Rik needed a pacer at VT 100 then a partner at VT 50 and he's never looked back. The founder of Team Robert, along with his father Rik and brother Steve, he leads the rag-tag band of runners of all levels in various adventures, challenging minds, bodies, and livers. Josh loves introducing people to running of all distances, preferring to share his miles with friends and friendly people at all times."

"...Hillsboro Trail Runners aka Team Robert. I am a proud member of this group even though i never go to any event they sponsor.  Why?  Because they think that running ten miles and drinking ten beers fit together seamlessly....I'm giving them benefit of the doubt.  It is probably more like five miles and twenty beers."

"..i met up with the members of Team Robert.  Now, the lot of them had thought the best way to spend the night before a long race was to go from brewery to brewery quaffing ales to all hours of the night and the wee hours of the morning."

Here and Now in 2013
Hillsboro Trail Runners / Team Robert is just a group of my friends and family that run, hike and go on wooded adventures.  We're all getting older.  We've all got full schedules.  So i created this group as a way for us to keep in touch, to all gather and train together for a shared goal.  Some years it's been our annual Pineland Farms running/camping trip.  Other years it's been disappearing into the deep woods of Maine to hike Katahdin.  This coming year it's going to be focused on Grant and I finishing the Vermont 100 in July.  Then helping Loni finish her first 50 at the Vermont 50 in the fall.

We run/yoga/snowshoe/kayak/hike/cross train at least once a week and put on a fun Summer Fat Ass Running series winding around the back roads of Hillsboro and within Fox Forest.  Our skill levels run from non-runners that do one race a year with us (a two miler that involves beer and hot dogs) to the skilled veteran of my father Rik who's been running Ultras for 20 years.  Our pace is generally dictated by our slowest runner and normally averages out to 10min/miles so don't be intimidated to join us, .  And no, even if you DO join us, we won't force you to have our traditional post run frosty beverage.

Hope to see you on the trails.

Update & Hammy Slammy IV Preview

January came and went with a flash.  Our two group runs fell flat when no one showed any interest.  Half of the group is injured and immensely under trained.  So I've been opting out of travel and doing my training locally in Fox, on the roads and a trip to the Pack Monadnocks.  I'm up to day 43 of the 2 mile or more streak of 2013, add in my 50 push-ups and 100 sit ups a day i'm feeling like i'm starting to break out of the typical winter slums of February.

Last weekend, our 16 mile rail trail run turned into a brutal and unexpectedly hard 6 mile snowshoe after the winter storm Nemo dumped 24" onto the trail.  It was a startling reminder to the daunting task I have ahead of me at the Peak Snowshoe Marathon in 3 weeks.

A week BEFORE the Peak snowshoe i'll be continuing to carry the torch on a fat ass that Sherpa and I concocted back in 2010.  A long two loop 50k that follows the riverbanks of the Contoocook from Hillsboro to Henniker and back again.  As always the course remains the same and is on the roads so it will be rain/snow/shine.   February 24th, 9am.

2010 - Recap
2011 - Run Details that are 90% the same

So needless to say i'm getting miles in, but I feel WAY behind on where i need to be for July.  Thankfully my races are starting to near on the radar, as is spring thaw, and that means mud season and more fun in the woods.

Feel free to sign up for our "club" on facebook or click the email me link on the right sidebar if you'd like any further information on our weekly group runs, monthly 'challenges', or longer training runs.

~4Leaf~

2012 Year in Review

This has been a strange year of blogging. I feel like I've accomplished so much, and yet so little.  At times i had so much content, and at others I felt like I had content but I was busy gardening and being...well...UNPLUGGED from this thing.  I know it's unheard of right?  But their are so many wines, breads and ciders to make, and so many new fruits/veggies to grow and cultivate.  And only so many hours of daylight to share with friends and family.

My goals for 2013 are very large and daunting and yet, feel so far away that so far, i'm hardly worried.  My 7 in 7 i'd say was a half success, finishing every RACE i had signed up for and only wimping out on the FA's.  Which, looking back, is good because I've got one hell of a mountain to climb in 2013 on my way to the Vermont 100.  I'm hoping Sherpa's Annual Streak Challenge will boost a change of heart as the days start to become longer.  And for my poor readers (ha, as if you exist) I hope to have a lot more content in the coming months as I run several new and old races in preparation for the big event in July.  And perhaps some non-running content regarding my exploration into the world of making my own wine/cider and breads.

Race Breakdown:
Non-Ultra Races - 9
Ultra's - 6
Fat Ass's - 6

Additional Nerd-esk breakdowns

None available this year.  I lost almost 6 weeks of running records when someone "cough" leah "cough" erased my white board.  After that I couldn't bring myself to try to fake in those numbers or credit myself with a true year tally.  Better luck next year.

And always, my year end video.  Can't wait for 2013!!
(sorry, not mobile friendly due to our wonderful copyright laws)
2012 - YIR

Hillsboro Trail Runners/Team Robert 2013 Schedule

Jan:

13th - Frozen Caboose 25M
19th - Thank God the Holidays are Over Party

27th - Winter Blahs 25/50k (Bear Brook)












Feb:
10th - Hillsboro Rail Trail E2E2E
24th - Hammy Slammy in Hill-a-bamy IV - aka Birthday Run (32 on 32)

Mar:
2nd - Peak Snowshoe Marathon
16-17th - 10th Annual St Patties Day Bash
24th -Foxley Book Hunt













April:
20th - Hyner 50k
28th - Muddy Moose 14 Miler

May:
5th - Cinco de Mile













11th - Wapack 'n' Back
28-30th - Pineland Farms Running/Camping Weekend













June:
1st - Peak 54
8th - 5 & dime 10k 
23rd - Pats Peak FA V1 - 50k

July:

19-21st - Vermont100

27th - Bear Brook Trail Marathon (Crew)

Aug:
3rd - Moosalamoo Ultra

18th - Hampshire 100
TBD - Section Hike

Sept:
1st - Jay Peak 50k
15th - Pisgah 50k
29th - Vermont 50



Oct:
6th - Pinnacle Ultra Challege  50k
12th - Oktoberfest in Hillsboro (Details to Follow)
13th - Oktoberfest in Windsor

26th - Ghost Train Trail Run Ultra (Crew)

Nov:
TBD
Dec:
TBD

2012 - 19th Annual Vermont 50M Recap

Sunday September 30, 2012

Again...for the long time readers, if you want a more complete recap of the course filled with photos please refer to (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010  & 2011)  For this years highlights, read on.

(nom nom i love ice cream)

After enjoying an evening eating and drinking at Harpoon the three of us quickly get our gear together.  We've all been here before. Nothing new.  Just standard pre-race jitters and shuffling.  Many unfamiliar faces this year.  The rain seems to be holding off but the air is thick with fog and humidity.  It feels like it's only a matter of time.

The miles fly by quickly as Grant and I run with Roy and "Roy's Friend" from GAC.  At the same time I chat up a young woman from New York and another VT50 'virgin' named Chris.  We talk about the trail ahead, what to expect, how to eat, what we've done for training, and why we are here.  It's a mixed bag of, "i don't know"  "because it seemed like a good idea at the time."   I always get a real kick out of running with fresh blood.  One of these years i might train and be ahead of them (but don't count on it).

The rain started somewhere around mile 8 and we were half soaked thru by the time we saw our faithful crew (Leah) at Schoolhouse

Grant and I get out of the aid station a measly 5 minutes ahead of Loni, Steve, Joe and Andy.  Which is either a testimate to how slow we were taking the first part of the course, or really how fast THEY were going.  I had promised Chris that at our current pace we'd finish somewhere around 11:30 no problem.  He seemed a bit baffled that i could predict that with no watch. 

With the long middle stretch ahead of us Leah realized she had a few hours to burn.  Just down the road from the School house aid station were these ghoulish little monsters.  I really wish she had warned me that she took these photos.  Quite a shock when unloading the photos the next day, i think they took some of my soul.

I'm a little bummed that Grant and Chris aren't able to enjoy the view from the top of Garvin in the blowing wind and rain.   I found a way to amuse myself by saying,  "more cheese Gromit" in front of the aid station staff while piling extra cheese on my sandwich.  A volunteer responded, "wensleydale?"  We share a laugh and take off.

(Before the rain came)

(same view after/during the rain)

The three of us 'run' (run in quotes because the photos don't lie) into the new aid station (Formally Dugdale's) in high spirits.  It's at the finish line of the VT100, Grants goal for 2013.  I tell him when he's at this spot again, he'll be finishing his first 100 miler.  The long stretches of walking in this middle section had done a number on Grant's feet so he took the time to change out his shoes and socks, i made friends with the aid station crew and ate and drank my weight in soup and turkey sandwiches.

Again we get out of the aid station just ahead of Steve and Loni who are smiling away and enjoying their muddy day on the trails.   We catch a biker or two, then 4 or 5 runners, then more runners and bikers in the next section of single track.  I tell Grant that he should check that cooler over there.  BEER! He proclaims.  It's been many a year since there's actually been beer left in that cooler by the time I've got here.  The trail is slippery in spots and we laugh as we slide between the trees. 

We get threw Falloon's pretty quickly and return to the single track that overlaps the VT100 course.  They've logged the area on the top side of the VT 100 (Silver Hill) field so the trail seems brand news again.     Then Chris and I share in the horror that was Grant's GU/Port-a-John experience.  And how there was a completely eaten and half eaten GU next to the seat.  We try to make each other gag over the next few miles painting a picture of what kind of monster would eat a GU while sitting on a pot-a-potty toilet. We decide in the end it had to be a mountain biker. 

When we get to Linda's we know we're well under the cut off.  So it's smooth sailing from here.  Somewhere around the "5 miles to go sign" Chris turns and says, "Thanks so much guys, i don't know if i could have done it without you" and zips ahead of us down the trail.  It was clear to see that he had been holding back most of the day in wonders of what exactly would happen once he broke the 30 mile/8 hour mark.  Within two turns he was long out of site.  Grant and I continued our standard walk a bit -jog a bit that had gotten us this far, between the bursts of rain.  

It's pouring buckets when we turn the corner towards Johnson's where Leah happily awaits.  The sky's have opened up and we are now soaked to the bone.  Leah greats us with a jig from beneath her umbrella.  I turn to Grant and tell him that we've done it.  It's 3 miles to go, we're ahead of the cut offs.  We could walk it in and still make it.  So grab whatever you need and lets get this thing over with.

We've managed to not let anyone pass us and proceed to pass another 2-3 bikers and 3-5 runners since Laura's.  But then out of nowhere, a fella we had passed what feels like hours before screams past us.  "Back from the dead I see" i proclaim to him.  "I just want to be done with this" He says in jest over his shoulder as he disappears around the next bend.  Grant and I couldn't agree more.  We keep checking over our shoulders expecting to see Steve or Loni catching us at the very end.  Instead we point ahead to a biker and say, "lets catch that guy and beat him."  The course on the slopes had changed a bit so it wasn't as quite a straight shot as years past and the rain, mud and rocks aided our lead over the poor biker.   I tell Grant to go ahead but he's determined that we finish side by side and we haul towards the finish line in the time of 11:32:47.  Not bad, i was only off two and a half minutes from my promised time without having a clue.

Chris had finished about 15 minutes ahead of us.  He OBVIOUSLY was holding WAY back all day if he had been able to put 15 minutes on us in 5 miles.  See kids, training is key!!  Steve L rolled in just over the 12 hour mark.  I was surprised that we had managed to keep that much of a lead on him after he smoked us last year.  Loni sadly had missed the cut off at Johnson's by 10 minutes, but it still was a personal best for her on the course. And now she's got something to shoot for for next years 20th annual bash.

Another great day on the trails.  Looking forward to seeing what they come up with for their 20th annual next September already.

2012 - Susquehanna Super Hike - Recap

Saturday September 8th, 2012

Leah and I had rolled into town at 1:30 AM and got a dreamy 3 and a half hours of sleep before the 5 AM wake up call.  We were joining Leah's Dad Peter and his girlfriend Lois for the Susquehanna Super Hike.  A 28.4 mile point to point race on the Keystone Trails in Pennsylvania.  Thankfully, Peter and Lois had left a car at the end of the point to point race so we got to sleep an extra 30 minutes.  

The rain had let up before we arrived at the starting campground but we were still treated with a foggy and humid start.  It was equally refreshing as it was odd leaving my New England Ultra running community   It was the first start in a long time that i didn't recognize a single face.

(I snap a photo of hawks circling above...omen?)

Like all ultras the starting line consisted of a quiet murmur followed by someone yelling out GO!  The laid back feel of this event put me at ease very early.  And since it was an ultra run AND hike the field was littered with what seemed like elite runners, and just regular Joe's like myself that were just going to go for a 30 mile hike on a whim.   Lois, the most trained by far disappeared quickly at the first climb.  I feel in pace a few runners behind Peter who was chatting up with another local runner.  Leah a few strides behind myself.   The trail popped out onto a back country road and we went past a few nice homes, and then this spectacle   The home didn't appear to have any kind of wooden roof, but just tarps.  And yet, somehow there were 3-4 emasculate chimneys.  Another runner suspected that he must be a mason.

(Crazy tarp house in the woods that had amazing chimneys)

Before too long on the road we ducked back into the woods and dropped down along a green winding single track hugged the edge of a stream.  It was amazingly refreshing.  If only it wasn't so dark and misty i might have been able to get a few photos worth a dang.

After we switch backed our way out of the stream bed we were treated to our first overlook of the day. The volunteer here stated that on a clear day you could see all of the way to the bridge that we'd cross 10 miles from here.  Sadly today we were only able to see to the river.

After another steep decent through some really old growth we were back at the starting line having completed our first 5 mile lolly pop loop and would head south on the Mason Dixon Trail.   The damage from Hurricane Irene and the other storms that rolled through Pennsylvania was still noticeable a year later.  It became very obvious why they had to postpone the 2011 running.

The Mason Dixon Trail shares a lot of farm roads similar to the MS Greenway here in NH.  Except rather than abandoned farm and carriage roads, they still are used often here in Soy bean/Corn and Amish country so they were amazing well used and kept up

Peter, Leah, and I fall into a good ultra pace of shuffling the downs, and hiking the climbs.  The clicking of our hiking sticks ticking at a nice rhythm on the hard pack.   We pass a deer farm at the turn and climb towards the first aid station.  Peter laughs and says, "in a state where we have the most deer strikes due to over-population of course we have to farm them too."   The aid station is a bustle.  There are a TON of runners/hikers and volunteers but somehow they all seem to have the chaos in check.  I still have plenty of fluids and food so i help myself to the chomps and a Payday candy bar.  I haven't had a candy bar never mind a Payday in YEARS.  It's a delightful treat.  From the aid station you descend along a wonderful green tunnel back into the woods and down toward the river.

The trail follows the river very closely at times (within 3-4 feet) which is very cool and refreshing.  That is of course until you run right next to a sign that says this.

Thankfully we again are climbing and getting higher along the ridge that borders the river.  The sun even decides to show itself for the next couple of miles so i'm suddenly in very good spirits.  The thought of us having come down to a wonderfully scenic course and being denied the scenery wasn't sitting well with me.

The climb is short and sweet, and after another stream crossing we drop back down towards the river and pass the remains of an old mill.  I stand in it for a bit waiting for the Bouncing Belanger's to catch up to me. 

As we approach the second aid station.  (The unofficial half way point in my brain) we come to Lock 12.  An old restored lock that was once a series of locks to help cargo move along the once un-level Susquehanna River.

(I couldn't resist getting a shot from the inside.  The bridge at the back of this shot is where we cross over)

We restock again at the aid station. The heat is getting to some of the runners/hikers.  I overhear a race volunteer saying that the big storms that are coming in should be here in the next few hours and that people that wanted to avoid them need to get going.   That was all i needed to hear and we took off across the bridge.  The longest, most paved, WORST part of the course.  Thankfully it had a decent sized shoulder, but the trucks and cars going by at 40-50mph didn't really put us that at ease.  The horse a buggy was a nice touch though.

The trails are just starting to get fun Peter says.  He does a race that goes from the Finish line south to the park where we take our next break in a field.  The trails ahead are going to get very rocky and challenging.  Leah groans, I beam with excitement.  

Some of the rocks here are amazing in size.  The trail builders/maintainers have put together a great winding trail between, under, above, and along amazing outcrops and over streams. I snap as many photos as possible in the next stretch driving other runners crazy as i zip past them, and then stop and soak my bandanna in the cool water and snap more photos while they pass me.  

(of course i found a feather and stuck it in my visor)

I ask Peter how much longer do we boulder like this?  I'm having a blast but Leah's feet were all sorts of beat up and she seemed to have stopped having fun a time ago.   He says at least 5 or 6 more miles.  I'm not sure if Leah heard him or saw the dark storm clouds moving in, or maybe even the constant rumble of thunder that seemed to be reaching defining levels.  Either way she made sad face and continued to plod along.  At the next stream crossing I shrug and just splash thru it vs trying to avoid the water.  I figure we're going to get soaked anyways.

(I didn't take this, but it gives you a good idea)

Boy was I under estimating that statement. It got as dark as dusk, and then the skies opened up like nothing i had seen since along the ridge with Rik back at the 2009 MMT.  The wind howled, trying to blow us off the ridge.  The rain coming down sideways and the trail slowly turned from single track trail to flooded stream bed.  I laughed and proclaimed "is that the best you got?!?"  Leah and Peter slowed a bit and cautiously trotted along as to not slip and fall. I splashed ahead like a little kid laughing and jumping in every deep puddle i can find. Sliding down the muddy slopes grabbing onto trees like a lunatic.

The rain lets up a bit as we catch up onto an older runner that's in trouble.  He's staggering all over the place and isn't really with it.  We catch him around the same time as two other runners.  The military build guy grabs the runner before he falls over.  We sit him down on a log and talk to him a bit.  I give him two fruit cups and a GU and he wolfs down the food.  He hadn't eaten anything in some time he said.  Poor guy.  He looked like he weighed all of 80lbs soaking wet.  We try to walk with him and the other two for a bit before Peter heads off ahead to see if he can find a road crossing.  Other runners come roaring past and don't even look up or offer any help.   After what feels like forever Kim? I think her name was, a young runner i had spoke with earlier in the day who was a EMT and Nurse showed up on the scene.  She seamlessly went from racer to EMT and had him answer a slue of questions.  In the meantime a few of the other runners that had stopped had got in contact with the race officials and help was on the way.  There was nothing left that Leah or I could do so we left the remaining runners and headed off to finish our own race.   

After climbing up the "soul crushing climb" the trail followed the contours to a cool cave that we had to half drop into and then walk along.  Thankfully it was short so i didn't freak out too bad.  

(Thru the caves)

Before too long we popped out on a brandy new paved road which appeared to lead to no where.  We followed it for 50 feet or so before ducking back into the woods on a super slippery muddy single track trail that ran along some residences that appeared to be good with woodwork. 

(Amish RV?)

At the last turn the course follows another tributary away from the Susquehanna which has some wonderful homes (and scary ones) built on the hillside.  A local resident has dixie cups and beer out for races.  Well, to be fair, he had Gatorade and water, but was drinking beer and offered.  At 27 miles into a 28 mile race, soaked to the bone, who could turn that down?

(Wait...you have Yuengling?)

(A brief visit of Pappa Smurf)

(This is what happens when you use too much Miracle Grow)

Leah and I splashed over the finish line a shade under 10 hours.  Peter about 20 minutes ahead of us.  Lois another 10 ahead of him.  It was one hell of a wild ride.  The course was amazing.  The first half so run-able with almost unbearable humidity and scorching sun in the soy bean fields. The second half so rocky and filled with boulders, stream crossings, cold caverns, and thunderstorms.   (Footnote here for reference. These storms ended up being the same band of storms that caused all of the local Tornado-watches/power outages)  The volunteers were great.  The food supplies at the aid stations and the finish line were one of the best I've EVER.  I certainly won't make the drive an annual event, but this is certainly one i'd really like to do again.