http://offtrack.disqus.com/enWed, 11 Apr 2007 13:55:39 -0000http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/offtrack/2007/04/08/n-nipmuck-report/#comment-1923390<p>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!</p>Jamie HowardWed, 11 Apr 2007 13:55:39 -0000http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/offtrack/2007/04/08/n-nipmuck-report/#comment-1923389<p>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 !</p>linda brooksMon, 09 Apr 2007 00:58:51 -0000http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/offtrack/2007/04/08/n-nipmuck-report/#comment-1923388<p>Great race report....<br><br>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.</br></p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>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 &amp; water and plowed right on through to the finish.</p><br><p>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 &amp; 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.</p><br><p>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.</p><br><p>I'll be back next year for sure....see you there?</p>RonSun, 08 Apr 2007 17:46:49 -0000