The journey to becoming a Mountain Goat…USATF NE Mountain series

Running has ~~challenged me~~ changed me! Never would I have imagined almost 3 years ago when I signed up for my first 5k that I would be running mountains for fun! (Keep in mind I was not a “runner” at the time I signed up for my first race, I did it b/c someone challenged me to.) My love-hate relationship with mountain running started when I decided to do the Winter Wild Series this past winter. (I first heard of Winter Wild after completing the Western NH Trail series last year.) I have grown fond of series and who doesn’t like a little challenge? The “perk” for running the USATF NE Mountain series is that everyone who runs the whole series gets to bypass the lottery for the Mt. Washington Auto Road race in 2014. *side note- for some strange reason, a couple races into the Winter Wild series, I decided to enter the lottery for the Mt. Washington race but unfortunately/fortunately for me I didn’t make the lottery for 2013.

J and I when we were still friends, just before the sprint to the finish!

The series started at Sleepy Hollow Mountain Race. I had no idea what to expect. I headed up to VT, drove way out in the middle of no where (Huntington VT) to the Sleepy Hollow Inn Ski and Bike Center. For $15 I was able to camp onsite. I was joining about 10-15 other tent campers and the Inn that was booked with runners as well. I fell asleep listening to the sounds of the night-owls, howling animals, peepers etc. Woke up early, broke down camp, had some PBJ sandwhich and my favorite PB chocochip Lara bar. I wanted/needed coffee but that wasn’t happening. As the other racers were driving in I was getting nervous. This was my first mountain race and my first race where I was RACINGacidotic. I had finally joined the team that week and was meeting Chris to get my race shirt and buff. I proudly changed into my aR gear and headed for the start line. Yikes! I quickly found that I was able to make up time on the down hills and sucked wind on the uphills! In the end my downhill speed paid off and I did finish ahead of some of the runners I had been playing cat and mouse with. I noticed many aR racers on the course and made a friend who almost unfriended me as quickly as we became friends because I forgot to tell him I was going to sprint to the finish. It did make for an interesting finish and was a good ice breaker for me and my new aR team mates. I think I finished 3rd in my age group that race and of course I was excited to earn some bling (lemon bread) for my first mountain race.

I was happy I threw my gloves in my car at the last minute…brr

Next up was Wachusett Mountain race. This race was all up hill to start as we ran up the auto road. It was a chilly/dreary morning and again I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had a strong finish since it was all down hill but didn’t earn any age group bling (place 4th for my age group)but I did stick around to get a raffle prize (subscription to NE Runner magazine).

The finish of the Fell race

Wachusett was followed by Bretton Woods Fell race which was probably my best race in the series. What a difference a week makes. It was the hottest race of the series with temps in the 90’s! We ran up and down the mountains at Bretton Woods ski resort 3 times. There was a safe marked course but you could also make your own course. I chose the safe route with 1 minor change that made a huge difference. I was actually thanked by a fellow runner for consulting with him and choosing that route. As I was heading UP one last time I was fortunate to see the legendary moose that ran across the course. He was just behind me and seconds before he darted out of the woods I could hear him tramping around in the woods, I just thought it was some rogue runners-nope, Bullwinkle wanted to play!

Then there was Ascutney Mountain Run…ugh. All uphill on the road. My worst race but none the less it brought me closer to my coveted Mountain Goat Status. I was still in 3rd place overall at that point but I new I couldn’t hold onto that for long.

<–Thank goodness the camera was there or I would have continued to hike up that darn road.

Hmmm…what was next? Ah yes, LOON mountain race. I had heard all the hype about Loon and this legendary “Upper Walking Boss”…I had no clue! This race was definitely the most challenging for me-physically and mentally. I seriously considered quitting the sport as I was running this race. I had the same ole thoughts I normally do “what the heck was I thinking”, “I am outta my league” etc. BUT I had never wanted to throw in the towel as much as I did during this race. Talk about a love-hate relationship! This race finished on an uphill. I pushed as hard as I could to cross the finish line. I didn’t look around me when I finished and bee lined for my belongings and found the first quiet place I could, sat down and let the tears flow! I was a wreck! Finally I told myself to “suck it up buttercup” (not to mention, I was no longer alone in my quiet place) so I headed to the bathroom changed my clothes and tried real hard to change my attitude! It worked, no one was the wiser. I joined some team mates and we commiserated about the race. Most common theme-hated it but cant wait to do it again next year! Bring it Loon Mountain 2014!

One more race to go after Loon-Cranmore Hill Climb! Cranmore was a multi-purpose race. Not only did it serve as the last race in the series when we would achieve Mountain Goat status, it served as the USA Mountain Running National Championship as well as the NACAC (North American, Caribbean, Central American) Mountain Championships. It was an amazing atmosphere at the race, being around the elite mountain racing athletes was pretty sweet. It was a tough course but Loon was tougher. This course was two loops with the start at the top of the mountain. The course mimicked the World Championship course in Poland since this race is where the USA team members will earn their spots on the team for the championship race. I started fairly strong on the downhill-go figure. I didn’t push it too much though because I knew the uphill would be tough. I ran portions of the first uphill push but I did do some walking…the second loop a lot more walking. My legs were so confused by the fast downhill and the uphill finish! Finishing the final uphill push I could hear the men lining up and cheering on the runners ahead of me…no walking now! I needed to climb that last little bit, no walking in front of the boys. As I entered the starting area I got chills the crowd of men split to let me through and I could hear my team members and 100+ other runners cheering me on. Keep running, Keep running, keep pushing yourself, final “sprint”…UP. I crossed the finish line much faster than I would have without the men cheering behind me, plus my goal was to finish before the men started. I did reach my goal, less than 5 minutes before the men’s start. I finished just under an hour at 58 minutes. What a rush! I ended up finishing 5th in the series for woman, and 3rd in my age group. Damn the women get faster as they get older! ha ha

Reality soon set in- I AM A MOUNTAN GOAT! I have to run Mount Washington next year! June 2014! I am looking forward to the mountain series next year. I am not sure I will do all of the races but Bretton Woods, Loon, and Canmore will definitely be on my “To Do” list! #RunStrong #NoRegrets
+USATF New England @acidoticRACING @runstronginnh
*All racing photos courtesy of Gianina Lindsey SNAPacidotic

acidotic RACING won two team awards and I am proud to have been a part of the Masters (1st place )and Open (second place) teams!