MULTI-SPORT & TRAIL NEWS

Trail running is a very varied sport. As some of you know, I transitioned to an ultra runner a few years ago. I built up my racing distance over 3 years from the 50k to the 50 miler to the 100 miler. Each distance has its unique challenges. I know how difficult a 100 mile race is to prepare for and to complete. I decided to give it a go. This race was in the Southeastern section of Wisconsin. The course was mostly run on the Southern Kettle Moraine trail. I was enticed by the description of the course “pine needle forests and green pastures”. Compared to typical New England trail, this trail was smooth and soft. It had the gentle rolling hills we enjoy running on.

I had arranged with the race director to have a pacer run the last 38 miles with me. She was from the area and knew the course well. I had spoken with her by phone before I went to Wisconsin. She had made me a little nervous because she felt that the last section of trail was pretty technically difficult. She said the trail had a lot of roots and rocks. I envisioned BIG rocks. I knew that I would be running thru this section at night so I decided to check out this section of trail. I am glad I did because it relieved my fears. It wasn’t difficult at all. Small rocks were imbedded in the ground. which were definitely a tripping hazard but nothing to worry about.

The race started at 5am (daylight) with nice weather. I ran with my friend Geoff for the first 62 miles. I felt great. We kept a good pace and enjoyed the wild flowers and the conversation. It was hot during the middle of the day. The humidity had risen and we decided to take it easy thru some of the open field sections. That is something about an ultra- walking breaks are necessary for most runners to finish.

I went out feeling great. My pacer had joined us at this point. She was very enthusiastic and tried to be very helpful. My friend dropped out at 70 miles due to nausea. I continued to put one foot in front of the other. We had a fabulous thunder and lightning storm just as we were coming across a field. It was beautiful but a little unnerving. The rain started at about midnight and continued for about 4 hours. I wore a trash bag to keep warm. The night running was difficult as both myself and my pacer had problems with our lights.

We continued to push on from aid station to aid station (about every 5 miles). My pacer had promised me a pancake at mile 95. We arrived to the aid station to a great disappointment. We were too early for pancakes! The grill didn’t get fired up until Sam. I wanted to be done by then. 5 miles is such a longggg way to go when you have already done 95. 1 wanted the finish line so badly. I just kept moving along as fast as I could. My pacer felt I could still finish in under 24 hours but I didn’t think it was possible. When she told me” you only have 3 miles to go!” I looked at my watch and said” I cannot do 3 miles in 33 minutes”. Next thing I know, there is the race director and other runners I had been running with thru the night, cheering me on to a sub 24 hour finish. I was exhilarated!! My time was 23:59:23.

This was a great race. It had no hype and no frills but fabulously organized and easy to follow for both the crew and runners.

CMS trail race the Dam Trail race (9 miles) will be on August 10th in Oxford.

 years (1985-2001). Another super streak was finishing first in the now defunct and legendary Plymouth Rock to Provincetown Relay was 9 consecutive years (1979-1987). A 10 year streak at the Applefest Half Marathon was ended only when the race director excluded non-NH teams from competing. The have been a number of others including a 5 year run at the Super Runners Shop NYC to Peekskill Relay. Yesterday’s win by the CMS men’s open team at Mount Washington was the 13th consecutive for the club (1992-2003). Credit for that streak goes to Dave Dunham.

From Dave Dunham: I just got the guys interested in doing the race (well mostly bullying and double-dog-daring them). The great bunch of friends and teammates at CMS have made the streak possible. Great to see the CMS-ladies come up with a team victory this year. Maybe they are starting a streak of there own!