Bear Brook and Beyond

Here I sit the day before my next big race and I have yet to write about last weekend’s amazing running experience. So here it is, lacking some details, a little all over the place but you will get the picture.
Last weekend I ran the 2nd out of 4 big races for me this summer. I was really looking forward to running the Bear Brook Trail “Marathon” this year! I feel much more confident with my distance running than I did last year at this time. Last year Bear Brook was my first “marathon” after recovering from an ITB injury. It is a trail race and I knew one false move could hamper my training for Marine Corp Marathon. I took it easy last year and finished in 5:25. The course ended up being a little over 27 miles. This year the race was even longer and the actual distance was pretty much a surprise until a week before the race. Come to find out those that didn’t follow the Facebook posts had a big shock at the start of the race when myself and a couple others were joking about the distance. A few of them looked a little panicked at the news but we all ran on smiling.

I REALLY wanted a good race!  My public goal (the one I talked about to friends) was to finish with a pace faster than 12:12 which was last year’s pace. I didn’t put any time expectations since this was a different race course. (I hope the Ryan and Kristina keep changing up the distance and the course every year. It adds to the excitement). My secret goal was to finish in the top 10. I kept thinking to a picture that my friend and ultra-running mentor Carolyn posted on my Facebook page:

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That last line really stuck with me. I am smarter than I think I am. I knew what I needed to do I just needed to trust myself to do it. I knew that in order to do this I needed to start the race with confidence. I did just that. For the first 5 miles I was in 3rd place. At the 2 mile mark I knew that my 3rd place was not going to last for long because Bridget and Meghan were not far behind me at the first aid station which was an out and back run so I was shoulder to shoulder with those who were chasing for the front of the pack. I was also in a little cat and mouse game with another runner. I tried my best to keep at a strong pace however she kept slowing down and speeding up. She lost ground on the descents and gained it on the climbs. It was kind of annoying but it was her strategy or running style and it must work for her. It was working for her until Bridget and Meghan closed the gap. Wouldn’t yah know it if they didn’t just swoop me up and take me with them. We were now in 2nd, 3rd, 4th. I thought for sure they would just blow past me but instead we got to talking (it was tough for me, easy for Bridget) and next thing I knew we were creating a lot of distance between us and the runner behind us. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep up forever and I did lose them at some points but I also caught them and spent a good amount of the race running “with” them. Bridget is so positive and generous. She really knew how to keep Megan and I going. Eventually it was just her and Meghan with me trailing behind but I was okay with that. I expected that. We had been passed by another runner and we were passed in another section by the first place woman who had gotten lost and definitely made up for it by blowing past us, stepping on some bees and pissing them off enough to sting Bridget and another male runner on the course. Yikes. Meghan and I slowed up got our bearings and tried our best to go around without getting stung. This race was the first time I really had a chance to run with other women and it was very motivating and fun. Insert secret goal at about mile 6. My mind got racing and I had created a goal of finishing in the top 5. At mile 20ish we passed the girl that passed us earlier on in the race and were now 2, 3 and 4. I definitely ran faster and ran more sections that I probably would have walked if I was on my own. After a pee stop between mile 22 and the finish I found myself running faster than I would have to finish the race. I was trying to catch up with Bridget and Meghan after stopping for a potty break. I never caught up with them but it was definitely a motivator to try. I felt fairly strong on the course however during a few flatter sections I was reminded that my hamstrings and hips were tired and sore. I was almost looking forward to the second run/hike up Catamount so I could stretch my legs out. Now keep in mind all while this was going on could sense that my feet were getting a little beat up. I was wearing my Hoka tarmac trail shoes but they were not helping keep my feet comfortable on the descents. Coming down Catamount I drank my last drop of water…yikes. Over 2 miles to the finish! I should have filled up my bladder at the last aid station but I didn’t want to slow down so I had some Gatorade and made due with the full hand held. Trying to forget the fact that I was needing/wanting water I did my best on the descent from Catamount. Trying to keep some speed yet trying not to cause my feet more pain. This was the surprise I found after the race:

Nasty blisters, ugly runners feet

Once I hit the flat ground I knew the end was near. I had no idea what my overall time was, I just knew what pace I had been running and my total mileage. It was a beautiful morning, no bugs, just enough sunshine and it didn’t really start feeling all that humid until I was on the top of Catamount for the second time. Ryan and Kristina did another great job at creating a fun winding course with just enough ups and downs. The finish was flat except for one small push at the very end. I was still feeling strong (minus the hamstring/hip cramping) and happily came across the finish line and ready to give Bridget and Meghan some running love for helping me push through that course. I finished in 5 hours, 5 minutes. I cut 20 minutes off of last years’ time and yet it was a longer and tougher course! All goals were reached! I could not have been happier and was on a runners high for a few days after. I also finished fourth or you could say 3rd since Bridget and Meghan tied for second crossing the finish line together. 😉

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Meghan, Bridget and I (and Josie too)

 

Here is a great video and interview with the race directors Ryan and Kristina:

What’s next? Tomorrow I face the Escarpment Trail Run. “ The Escarpment Trail Run is very arduous, highly technical, single-track trail run; with nearly 10,000 feet of elevation change over the 18.6 miles. It crosses no roads requiring all aid stations to be backpacked into the trail. Qualifying standards are set in place insuring that all runners have a reasonable chance of finishing within 6 hours.”

Yeah. This is going to be “fun”! Here is a sneak peek video of some of the gnarliest sections of the course:

 

On another note. Please take a minute to vote for my running friend and fellow NH Blogger Sandra Laflamme.  She would like to be on the cover of Runners World Magazine: Vote!

Sandra and I at the start of the Bear Brook.

 Click on the picture to visit Sandra’s Organic Runner Mom blog!