I finally found time today, 7 days and 3 hours after the the race start, to sit down and write about my Hampshire 100 experience. Last week at this time I was working towards the mile 17 intersection where mountain bikers and runners met with my first goal to get to the 24+ mile aid station somewhere around 10am. I was especially looking forward to that part of the race because I would be running within 3 miles where I live and even though I haven’t had experience running on that course I knew right where I was running.
Two weeks prior to the race I finished up teaching summer school and headed to Michigan where I was able to spend a day with my bestie and 5 days with my family. My mom and I caught up on our beach time. I was able to hang out with my nephew. We all had a nice dinner with my brother and cousins the night before I left. I was able to get some running in. Flat. Very flat but I found some nice trails that I will be revisiting on future trips. In the mornings I was able to join my dad and
My nephew William and I
stepmom at the gym while I tried to get in a couple months’ worth of strength training-Everything I should have been doing all along but found it easier to do in the convenience of the gym. Prior to coming to Michigan I learned about my grandmother’s passing and was grateful that I was going to be in Michigan to attend the services and find some closure. Early (2-3am ish) Saturday morning my dad, stepmom, and I were on the road to New Hampshire (NH). This was going to be their first trip out here since I moved to NH 8 years ago. It was a long drive (as usual) and we made it home in time to go pick up Josie and grab a bite to eat. We hiked
On top of Monadnock
Monadnock the next morning and hiked two more mountains throughout the week. I was excited to be able to take them to the White Mountains! They left two days before the race which gave me some time to clear my head and start mentally preparing myself. Saturday morning I tried to relieve some anxiety by driving around and finding the road intersections and figuring out where the aid stations were located. My friend Kristina stopped over and we relaxed and chatted while we waited for my friend Maria to join us. In the back of my mind I was realizing that I had so much left to do but we needed dinner and decided to attend the meeting with the trail boss. After the not-so-informational meeting (that we should have skipped because it pertained mostly to the mountain bikers) Maria and I went back to my place where we frantically started throwing together our drop bags in hopes of a good night sleep. I stayed up a little later because I was a little less prepared and I was having some trouble feeling sleeping. I finally crashed hard and got a good 4 hours sleep. (Good thing I got a full night’s sleep the night before).
Josie scoping out the race course
Maria and I met up with Kristina at the start. I almost forgot my bib-duh. I was nervous, excited, and a little anxious all that same time but thought I was doing a good job at keeping it together for the most part. I had been feeling under trained and there was this fear of the unknown since I had no idea what to expect after mile 32. I tried to think of it as a relaxing long run/hike. I have Maria, Kristina and my friend Carolyn (who was off running the inaugural Eastern States 100 miler and had finished the Hampshire 100 the year before) to thank for their advice and insight as I psyched myself up to run my first 100k.
We all said “good luck” and Kristina lined up at the front of the pack while Maria and I nestled in towards the middle. Maria and I had a deal. She would help me keep it slow in the beginning and I would keep an eye on her fueling. We also agreed that we would hang together as long as we felt comfortable and if one of us felt the need to go there would be no guilt with the separation. Shortly after 5:30 am we got the command to go and were off like a herd of turtles racing not so much against each other but more so against a 14 hour time limit. Kristina was racing against herself and wanted to have a 10 hour finish but feared a looming Achilles injury. She shot off and was leading the way for the pack and Maria and I trudged along at nice conversational pace. I was hoping that Kristina’s Achilles would keep intact for her because she was off to a good start. I was feeling great and enjoyed running parts of the course that I had been on while doing trail work and while
The first view of the day
running the High Bush half a couple of years ago. Soon I was in uncharted territory and enjoyed exploring and having the company of Maria on the trails. We soon hit the first aid station and for the life of me I don’t have a good memory of it but I am certain there were friendly volunteers, I don’t think we stopped at this aid station, if we did it wasn’t for long. We made our way to some double track and gravel roads. Soon the name assignments began. First there was the “man who runs all the hills” and then the mud appeared and there was “shoe in the mud” guy or “Shoezer”. Shoezer ended up being one of the guys we had saved from running off course a couple miles back and as we laughed about the mud he and his friend thanked us for getting them back on course. We hung out with those guys on and off throughout the whole race and had a nice chat with them at the finish. Shoezer’s buddy even ran off course after aid station #3 and ran about 3 miles out of his way before calling the race director to get him back on track. Anyhow back to my race. We ran the familiar back roads after aid station #2 and then headed out on some newly cut trails back into the woods then back to some gravel as we made our way to the pavement I was expecting to see, it led us to the intersection I volunteered at last year. Off to the beach we went (sandy snowmobile/ATV trails). I was starting to hurt a little. I was dreading the flats. This section was real flat and my legs were not liking it one bit. I had a little bit of adrenaline as we neared Hedgehog road, I was excited to hit this road/hill since I had heard about it but had never been up there. I was looking forward to finding out where the trail head was so I could come back for a visit. Hedgehog road is straight up, loose gravel. 
The mountain bikers were dreading this. I had started to enjoy and looked forward to hiking the hills. We crested Hedgehog where I started to get frustrated with some of the mountain bikers. Here they were on all-terrain vehicles and expected us runners to give them the right away on the narrow, less rocky sections of the trail. There was no way I was going to be able to step of and navigate on those rocks with wobbly legs and risk twisting an ankle. I was excited to find the trail head and we ran the hilly gravel road back to the trails. At some point, I can’t remember where exactly it was we hit the power lines and a big climb. I have a story to share about my climb but will save it for later. Eventually we crossed a main road and onto some private property. As we ran onto the property I started to realize where we were and was hoping to see someone I knew. Within a couple of minutes I recognized a family sitting on a big rock along the trail waving and cheering for the runners and mountain bikers. I had a huge adrenaline rush when one of my students came running out to say “Hi” and cheer me on. The next day I got a sweet email from the girl’s mother. She sent a picture and ended the email thanking me for being a strong female role model for her daughter. OMG! Totally made my day getting that email. That made me even more proud of what I had accomplished. The other great thing about being on this property was that I knew that the next aid station was close. It was the 3rd aid station and the first one to have a drop bag. Carolyn had warned me not to get too comfy there and I did my best to get myself reorganized and moving again. Maria still ended up waiting for me, the Ultra running newbie. We took off and I chowed on the tortilla I had packed…nice…hiking up mud…photographer. Yep. She took a nice pic of me feeding my face. We almost immediately started a climb and had a nice hike up a gravel road into some double track. Eventually we were back onto some trails. I knew where I was on a map but wasn’t really sure what to expect in this section. Maria had shared with me that she started to feel some hot spots. She had some issues with blisters a couple weeks back at Vermont 100 and was really hoping that she wouldn’t have any problems since she felt they had been healed. We made our way through the single track, through some logged areas, we found the fiddler in the Morris Family’s back yard and savored some ice cold water they had waiting for the racers. We drank and bathed in it. Mile 26ish. Marathon
The fiddler
complete. We headed into more single and double track back onto dirt roads then onto some paved roads with some hills. Those were some of the most dreadful downhills I have experienced. We made it onto some nice soft pine needle trails and that is where I started to lose Maria. I figured she would catch up. She was stronger than I on the road and I was just happy to be back on the trail. Soon she was not within my sights. I hit the gravel road and slowed up to see if she was coming. As soon as I saw her I ventured out onto another short section of downhill pavement and then back into some aggressive uphill single track. Mile 33. Woo hoo! Entering the twilight zone. Not sure what to expect from my body after this point. The adrenaline kicked in and I was feeling good as I power hiked to a water stop at the top. I refilled with some ice cold water and took another bath. As I was getting ready to leave Maria was arriving. I called out to check in with her, she was good, I was on my way. The next miles were soul searching miles and I was feeling okay. I was rejoicing at the sight of the hills. My body was getting tight and sore but it was manageable. I had already had several woozy stomach situations (you feel like you are going to be sick or have to go number 2 but your really don’t) but I talked myself out of them. It’s funny what the mind can do for you, it can either work against you or work with you and I was determined to have it work with me.
I hit some more pavement and knew exactly where I was. Stopped briefly at a water stop where I read that the next aid station was 1 mile away. I swear that was THE longest mile ever. Not to mention at one point I started a climb, looked behind me and noticed a female runner that wasn’t Maria. Needless to say not only was I now running against the clock, I was running to keep my place. I knew I had to be in 3rd or 4th place. I finally made it UP to the aid station which was anti-climactic since there wasn’t a bathroom or food that interested me. The next woman hit the aid station and I was outta there. Down a very steep gravel road back onto some double and single track. So as you can guess, the next few miles I was running scared but it is what I needed to keep me motivated. I was starting to feel guilty about leaving Maria so early but knew that she would get to the 50 mile mark just fine. I made my way to the next aid station that also seemed like it took forever. I stopped at a water stop to have my pic taken with the 43ish mile sign. I was so excited to be feeling so well at this distance. We then were taken into some fun gnarly single track and then into some daunting logged sections. I was thankful to not be on a bike in that
Trail laced with baby heads.
section. I was also thankful to be running by myself. I knew that I needed to do some of this on my own, at my own pace, not having to worry about holding someone back or holding myself back. It also forced me to provide myself with my own confidence boosters. I finally made it to the next aid station where my 2nd drop bag was. I had packed an extra pair of shoes but after some thinking and discussing with aid station workers I decided not to. There was a water crossing coming and changing now would be a mistake. The word “shit” might have come out of my mouth and I might have apologized profusely as I realized this aid station was manned by girl scouts. Oops! I gotta outta there fairly quickly after refueling since I knew chickiepoo was on my tail. Yep there was a big ole puddle of water. Ankle deep. Made my way through and headed out creating some distance between myself and a couple of guys that headed out with me. This section was fairly easy single and double track and it would eventually lead to the 6th aid station and my final bag drop. The guy who talked me into not changing my shoes ended up catching up to me at this point. He apologized to me because he had said “you wont see anything in this next section that you havent seen up until now” and then bam. Water. I laughed and said no worries and then followed a good distance behind him to the 50 mile aid
Excited to reach the 40 something mile marker as a newbie ultra runner
station. He had spent a good amount of time at the previous aid station, I think he wasn’t doing so well and then was able to fuel and catch his second wind. He must not have stayed long at this aid station because I didn’t see him there but I did see my friend Melissa who had confirmed with me that Kristina ended up dropping out after the 3rd aid station and that I was 3rd woman. I was bummed for Kristina but happy to at least finish 3rd in my first 100k. Granted there were only a handful of female runners but I’ll gladly take 3rd. The race wasn’t over yet. It was 4:30 and I had 12 miles to go. I knew what I was up against because we came down at mile 10 what I was about to go up at mile 50. Mile 50 was also a bail out point. If runners didn’t feel it, they could end the race with a 50 mile finish or risk a DNF and go forward. I was feeling it. I eventually caught up with the guy I had been following before mile 50 (I couldn’t think of a clever name for him)and passed him as we power hiked up a double track leading us to the Crotched Mountain trail head. He whispered “nice job”. I whispered back “thanks, its my first 100k”. He chuckled one of those “oh great, I am dying here and getting chicked by an ultra-newbie” kind of chuckles. I didn’t see him again until he crossed the finish line a little over 15 minutes after me. When I got to the trail junction for Crotched I was in a little shock as it climbed straight up at one point. Oh yes, this is what Carolyn had warned me about. At this point I was
Heading down the Crotched Mountain trails
hoping that Maria took the 50 mile opt out because I was starting to run out of time myself and this was a tough climb. I eventually made it to the trails I had worked on just 3 weeks before. I eventually found a little adrenaline rush as I an down the beautiful handicap accessible trails to the aid station where I found my friend Melissa again! She fed me some Doritos and wished me well. At that point I was wishing I had a new pair of knees. Down hills were brutal. I had around 5 miles to go with over an hour of cushion to finish in 14. I knew the course from this point out which should have made it easier but I was mentally starting to lose it. Tough, tough, tough. I got to the point where I just wanted to walk the flats but had to push myself to keep going (I had tears welling in my eyes). The clock was ticking. I made a wrong turn and put myself a few minutes back. I should have known better, knew that section of the trail but I wasn’t as alert as I needed to be to make the slight left turn. I started to run a little scared not exactly sure who was behind me but eventually settled down to run my own race and just beat that darn clock that was ticking! I got to the last intersection crossing a main road where a wonderful family was directing traffic. The young girls had noise makers and everyone was cheering and congratulating me…it brought tears to my eyes. Not the kind of tears that I had a mile back when I just wanted to be done but instead there were tears of pride and joy! Then one of them said…”less than two miles to go”. I knew I was close but I thought I was closer. Two fricken miles ugh. I was again on trails I had been on for the Highbush half and then I saw it. Pavement. I was never happier to see pavement. Specifically that pavement. The road to victory. Fighting back more happy tears I pulled myself together for a strong run to the finish. I felt like I was running wicked fast but I probably looked like a wounded bear! I crossed the finish line, got my medal and looked around. Not a lot of peeps were at the finish so I walked off to be alone and then I saw Maria. Tears of joy came back as she was there to help me celebrate my first 100k finish. Crap. Tears are welling in my eyes now as I am typing. I am such a sap. Maria ended up taking a 50 mile finish and is planning to tackle the Hampshire 100 again next year. This year was tough for runners and mountain bikers due to trail conditions. Many mountain bikers had finish times that were an hour slower than last year.
The last view of the day
Anyhow Maria and I reminisced about each other’s races; I broke our agreement and apologized for leaving her. She brought me some salt and vinegar Pringles that she sent home with me! Life was good. My body was shot and I was feeling on top of the world. Maria left and I stuck around to get my medal. Me and two fast ladies from Canada. I was the last female to cross the 100k finish line. The second place finisher ended up getting lost just before the last aid station and added 6 miles to her race! She had been in 1st place until that happened and she still finished a half hour ahead of me but not far behind the 1st place finisher. If I hadn’t seen it happen, I wouldn’t have believed it but the “man who runs all of the hills” ran all of the hills. He looked a little worse for wear hobbling around at the finish but he did it! I said goodbye to Shoezer and his buddy and hobbled to my car. Beaming, I made my phone calls to my mom and then to my dad. I got home and the fun began. I couldn’t get out of my car. I wish there was a video camera on me. I looked like a feeble, elderly woman as I rocked back and forth, forwards and backwards trying to get enough momentum to hoist myself out. I made it out and up the stairs. Needless to say I didn’t unpack the car that night. After taking Josie out, I couldn’t bear to take the stairs again. What an adventure that day was. Hampshire 100 was more than just a race for me. It was an experience. I learned a lot about myself that day. I learned that I truly can do anything I set my mind to. I learned that while I was strong enough to finish the race, my recovery would have been a little easier if I had trained more. I also learned that I know a lot about my body and how to fuel and hydrate myself-that had been a concern of mine prior to race day. I learned that I do not want to race anything longer than 100k and I would like to do a 50 miler. After the race I swore that I would be happy just volunteering again next year but as the week went on and as I shared more stories about the race I am starting to feel like I want to do it again. If/when I do it again I really need to be better trained. I want to beat my 13:38 finish time. I am very grateful to Maria for getting me through the first 30 miles and supporting me as a newbie ultra-runner, Carolyn for being my ultra-running Guru and mentor, all my Acidotic team mates who knew I could it even when I doubted myself, and my parents for believing in me every step of the way! Thanks to my friends near and far for the texts and the encouragement as well to all the face book peeps who kept me motivated! I encourage everyone to put something big on their bucket list and check it off sooner rather than later! NO REGRETS!
*side story-While climbing up the power line trail a black fly buzzed in my ear. In an effort to shoo him away I think I ended up shoving him in my ear. I could hear his wings flapping. It sounded like wind. I started to freak out but no one knew what was going on. I was quietly hiking alone while I could hear Maria chatting with another runner about 20 feet behind me. I eventually was able to tip my head and widen the ear canal so the darn thing could escape. I smooshed my blood out of him as he bit me on his way out. Imagine a black fly bite in your ear canal. It drove me crazy! Eventually it went away. Then shortly after mile 24 I was stung by a bee! He stung me through my calf sleeves. The bugs and I have not been playing nice this year!
Nursing a new ITB injury that surfaced shortly after I finished the race
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