DISQUS

Ron · 2 years ago

Great race report....

I too enjoyed the race immensly and will be back next year. Like you siad the start was a bit of a bottleneck with an uphill to start and the crowds (and the mud) but once it sorted out I never felt crowded on the trail, even when the returning runners were creating traffic in both directions.

Being form this area and hiked on the blue blazed trail of CT alot, I knew the terrain to expect. I admit the amount of water was a bit of surprise but not out of the ordinary.

I found myself running in a nice rythym on the way out as I stuck to my plan of a) walking up hills and b) finding a race veteran and staying on his/her backside.

At the turn around point, I decided to wait for my BIL and ended up waiting for about 13 minutes. As a result, I recovered, but cooled off as well, so I fel the effects of the wind picking up on the return trip. I hung with my BIL for mile 8-13 at a much slower pace than the first half as well. For the final 3 miles I kicked at my normal pace and felt like I finished strong. Down the final hill, I foolishly did not even attempt to avoid the mud & water and plowed right on through to the finish.

I certainly felt like I had more in the tank (and no blisters or hot spots), which gives me a good boost in getting ready for The Soapstone Mtn Half Marathon & The Nipmuck Trail Marathon in the next few weeks. I also can't believe I made it through without taking at least one fall (especially on that one really big ice patch). My final time was 3:37:31, 81st runner in.

I was also very impressed with the race orginization. And the aid stations were well attended and stocked. I made sure to thank the volunteers for standing in the chill and making sure we got what we needed.

I'll be back next year for sure....see you there?

linda brooks · 2 years ago

Very nice race report. Enjoyable to read. I dont enjoy the reports that are all about split times, pace, and porto potties lines. I like to read about what the runner saw and thought and felt while he/she was out there and about the course. Nicely done !

Jamie Howard · 2 years ago

Thanks for your NN race report - I ran it for the 2nd time this year and had a great time (despite being very slow.) It's fun to get someone else's perspective on a local race - most of the reports I find on-line are for big races far from the beautiful northeast. I've posted a link to my own NN ramblings in a reply to your post on the RW forum... once I get the film developed I'll be posting pictures from the course. Have fun at Merrimack this weekend!