yoU Ran Outstanding

I have hesitated to write this report until I have seen official results. After waiting for the results I found out I was listed as URO. I did not know what this stood for. I frantically posted something on the B.S. for some explanation of what is going on. Them I emailed the race director and he said my name appeared as finishing almost 15 minutes faster that I actually ran. URO stands for Under Review by Officials. The R.D. reassured me he would correct the results. Is there someone out there imitating me? I did not ask how this happened. Just wanted it corrected. Meanwhile…

The race venue is in North Central Massachusetts located at another ski resort. Wachusett Mt. is the highest mountain in Mass. east of the Ct. river towering at just over 2230 ft. Just below the summit is some large stands of old growth forest. Some trees are over 350 years old. I got to just get up there and hug one of these.

For some reason the base ski lodge was not available so the scene for the race was in the parking lot. About 300 runners gathered to run up and down this hill. We all walked a quarter mile to the start line. Many runners who were at Northfield are also here. The race started on the paved mountain road. Off we went up the first of many steep hills for about a mile then downhill for about ¾ mile back to the base then up the slopes zigzagging across the mountain. There were at least 3 more real steep ascents. My strategy was to pace with someone who passed me last week going up the hill. I found someone who would allow me to stay on their heals all the way up and most of the way down. My chosen compatible “teammate” was probably 20 years older than me and 20 pounds less. He hardly knew I was behind him due to my nimble running technique that I have learned from Mr. Bimble. So my breathing got harder as we chugged up the last steep. I kept to my mantra “ save energy for downhill”. I heard my teammate giggle as I chanted these words quietly . I wanted to pass but held back and stayed true to my mantra. One of those old growth trees was on the path and I put my arm around it and told it I had to go and could not stay to give you a big hug or I would loose my pacer. I was totally forgiven by that ancient pine and it told me if I was on the mountain again to be sure to visit.

Steadily and strongly I pulled my body to the high point of the coarse. From here a water station and then a 15 minute cruise down to the finish. “Never waste a downhill “.So I put it into high gear and chased my pacer for as long as I could. Down and down we went on wide forest trail using up that energy I saved going up. Soon the downhill cruise flattened out a little and my pacer was way ahead of me. He was now gone and I was on my own running as fast as I could. Just as I began to hear cowbells at the finish the trail changes. There is this abrupt hard left turn into a single track very rocky rooty trail. What a transition from cruising as fast as possible on wide smooth forest road to small single trail. Much of the trail is a blur due to the sweat in my eyes but soon I pop out of the woods and through the finish line at 53:38. Just under my 55 minute goal! Wohoo! This race was just as challenging if not harder as last weeks 10.3k in Northfield. And it was almost two miles shorter than Northfield. The post race activities were refreshed with some bagels and soda. This has been another exciting day on the New England Mountain Series. Can’t wait for next weeks 10 miler in New Hamphshire Race #3.

–Suds

The Ups and Down of Mountain Running : Part 2

May 28,2011

Wachusetts Mtn. Road and Trail Race 4.7 miles

Weather : cool and humid. Mostly Cloudy 68 degrees