Season Finale- 2nd overall, TARC Fells Winter Ultra 40Miles

"So let's go there, to that place where

We sing these broken prayers. where the light shines through

The wound is where the light shines through"- Switchfoot

It's cold, its raw-  In a matter of seconds, I go from the comfort of a warm car, snacks and extra clothing; to the cold trails,; a technical, rolling scramble of rocks and roots; the shivering spectators and a glimmer of light on the horizon, if only we can catch it...TARC Fells Winter Ultra, 40m, 2016-
I Love Ultra running because it strips us of modern day comforts and gets down to the essentials...Can you go the distance?  Do you have what it takes?  Shoes, shorts, water bottle, GO!!...
Well, on this day we needed a few more layers!  I rode the emotional roller coaster of being waitlisted for an event before, at possibly my favorite event, the Wapack 21.5 spring race...I didn't get in...But this time around, I got a spot!  After an awesome fall campaign, I really doubted if I had enough fitness, or enough energy left in the tank for one more race...gulp... the farthest of my racing season!
  But, as a survivor of a NDE (Near Death Experience) and a person with a chronic disease, I have vowed, that in my life, when opportunity comes-a-knockin' I'll answer it!!  With all I've got!
  So my lovely wife booked us a B&B closer to the event, we had some dinner and shopping and went to bed preparing for a long day ahead-  My wife loves sleep and hates mornings, so she is an absolute angel in putting up with my "Ultra habit", so of course, I got up earlier, let her rise at her own pace and we were off to Stoneham, MA, site of the 2016 TARC Winter Ultra-
  I was bummed my uncle couldn't come (he lives in the same town), but I had AMAZING support with one of my best college buddies (Evan, guiatrist at our wedding), my main man Eric coming down to pace me on the last lap (He's become quite the runner in his own right) and of course, Jac to keep the knuckleheads in line and help me cover some 40 miles with just my TNF shorts and SALMING Elements shoes (sponsor plug, you've gotta try these shoes)!!
  First lap was good- I passed every runner in the field...except one- Shoutout to Patrick Caron who is a young runner with great passion and Elite speed...but it didn't helped that I spent the first few minutes in the porta-john (long drive, extra coffee, you know).
  Second lap was a little more casual, solid effort, legs started to notice the terrain, but energy was still high-  Now the interesting thing about the race was that you could choose which direction you went on every loop- after hearing the leaders went right, I ended up staying right the entire way (I am a creature of habit)!  this lap was when I started to encounter some issues-  Mostly with low bloods sugar!  I grabbed a bunch of candy at the halfway aid station and doubled up my gels, but I still slowed and lost time due to low sugars (legs felt ok at this point).  As I headed into the turn-around, I looked at Jacqui and Eric and thought, "maybe one more lap, the 32miler sounds nice"- But knowing Eric was going to join me on lap 5 and the fact that my gels finally kicked in, I rallied for an ugly, but solid 4th lap-

  Once Eric joined me for my last lap, I knew we were all but home free!  I was eager to show him the course, but it quickly became apparent I didn't have much left in the tank.  After a few low spots, we reached halfway aid, and after a few swigs of coke, we were off to the last section of the race.  Eric did a great job in his first time pacing and helped me drag all that was left out of my tired brain and legs.  As we crested the last hill before the home stretch, I surprised him by running the whole thing and we fell into a nice 8minute mile pace "sprint" for the last 200 yards or so...
  A kiss for Jac, a hug for Evan and Eric, a nice "yeti" ornament for second place (Ultra running is all about the Benjamins, kids) and I was ready to eat Every and ANYthing in site!  I love sharing my world of trail and ultra adventures with friends and it means so much to me to have friends out there like last Saturday.

I also dedicated this race to my cousin Chad.  He passed away this fall and his birthday would have been Sunday.  Chad lived with a disease that affected the mitochondria in ones body, the same mitochondria all of the runners used every minute of the race and probably had no idea how important these cells are to everyday activity, to life itself.  I Hope I could honor Chad with my performance and I also Hope to become involved with foundations that help raise awareness for his disease in the future- We Love you and miss you Chad Baker.  Your perseverance through living with mitochondrial disease makes running 40miles seem like a walk in the park.

  Thank you to Salming running for supporting me with amazing road and trail shoes and clothing!  Thank you to all my friends and family for helping at various races and changing social plans based on my needing to run to the cookout, etc.  

  And finally, time to turn in the racer buff for a Race Director hat- Get ready for what promises to be the biggest and craziest Winter Wild yet- 9 mountains, one winter fun run...all in the spirit of Chad Denning and adopting an Active Lifestyle for generations to come-

Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you on the slopes!

@TeamAMP@Winter Wild@Explore4Chad@SalmingRunningNorthAmerica

TARC Winter Ultra 2016 results

September to remember

  We are so blessed to be able to Run Free: To jump over rivers, to dance over technical terrain, to move over the land under the power of our own two feet.
After a relatively mellow month of August running, I really wanted to throw down at some September races and allow all the hard work i've put in the last few months to pay off-
It was awesome because although I'd be missing the VT50 again, the races I chose were my favorite style- medium distance with an emphasis on vertical gain and technicality! A quick synopsis:
Sept 4th- Wapack Fall race- 18m- 1st 2:51
  One of my favorite trails and the turn around point is on the first mountain I ever climbed as a child-  Was able to stay smooth to the turn- around and then hold off the pack on the return trip- I can't wait to come back for the 21Miler in the spring!  A nice weather day with lots of fellow team AMP'ers out there and its always nice to have enough time to give your wife a smooch before the finish line :)

 

Sept. 10th- Farnum Five.5- 5th overall

  First time racing with the Trail T2's from Salming-  Although not as grippy as the Elements, they have a little more under-foot protection...which I needed with my lack of sleep from sir Eric Harbeck's bachelor party the night before...Eric rallied on the last downhill to snag 3rd-  Although a fun time seeing Evan and Jayme crush the course, who knows if we could have hung with the leaders if only we had gone to bed-  YOBO-  You only bachelor (party) once, right?

Sept. 17th- Lost-a-Whole-Lot- 1st overall- 2:34-  After marking the course all week and trying my hand at RDing plus racing, I had low expectations for this one-  However, after early leader Dan got lost, I was able to put in a surge on the second loop to hang with Rob Frost (as Eric bridged back up to us on the long descent). 

  Starting our last loop, I found myself in 5th as I had taken far too long at the aid station-  Well, the local knowledge was my saving grace!  After grinding out the gradual turned technical climb (and scooting by Keith), I was able to reel in the rest of the leaders during a technical one mile section know as the Goat trail-  I tried my best to climb the rest of the hill hard and hammer it home to the finish!  What a day showcasing our local trails, running hard and honoring Chad!  Rob Waryas deserves a lot of credit for creating two amazing courses that challenge runner to use your full quiver of trail running skills!  It was also really amazing to spend some time with Aaron Denning, Chad's brother, who had come up for the race and to take in some fall foliage with his wife Amanda.  The Denning family is amazing and so giving, we are lucky to (still) have them supporting Chad's work and caring about these adventures- It was an honor to have them there!

Sept. 25th- Kismet Cliff Runs- Beast of the East half marathon- 2nd overall 2:31

Photo: William Ulvik

  This one had been on my radar for some time...and it did not disappoint!  Ran with Kanoa King for most of this beast, 13M, almost 4000Climb and technical to boot, my kind of race!  Unfortunately, Tristan Williams was there (and on form) to the tune of a new course record.  This guy is unreal!  I seriously think Tristan can give guys like Sage a run for their money!  Was able to hold of Kanoa and White Mountain man Ryan Welts for second, but nowhere close to Tristan.  Although I am constantly tweaking diet, training, and racing to improve as a runner, I can't even begin to understand how to catch a guy like that.  Anyways, a brilliant grassroots race I can't wait to do again!

  So as the leaves start to change I start to switch hats, from runner to Race Director.  Winter Wild is going to be amazing this year and we'll kick it off with a nice little trail 5k at our local, Storrs Hill, where so many people learn to ski (and ski jump)!!But with good form and a pure joy in fall running, I couldn't help but pencil in one more race for the fall-  Maybe Vulcan's Fury, maybe the new Trapp mountain marathon?  

Hope to see you out there in the mountains and on the trails (remember to wear bright colors)!!!

Special thanks to Salming North America for the fast kicks and cool jerseys!
#TeamAMP #RunSwedish #NononsenseRunning #Explore4Chad

Loon, Whiteface and some other adventures

“isn’t this what it’s all about? The pursuit of happiness…not the race as such, that’s just an excuse to get together…it seems to me that what’s important is the shared experience…for better or for worse this is an incredible moment.”- 

Joe Grant- Ultra Runner

Had a great time running at the Loon mountain race July 3rd...but it was everything but a race for me!  As my running and racing evolves with work, marriage and life, I target different events for different reasons- Unless you are Sage Canaday or Kilian Jornet, your running serves a lot of purposes in life, but it probably doesn't earn you a pay check- So for me, I had a few reasons (and goals) for competing in the Loon mountain race:
1) Test my legs with a race effort (including scouting some of the following weekends Whiteface Sky Run competition)
2) Compete in a National Champs (how can you not when its in your home state)!
3) Do a race that wasn't so long that I couldn't do other things with my wife that day
4) Introduce my friend Dan and his fiance Savannagh to some MUT running and give them a fun day away from Mass in the Whites
5) Pass out some Team AMP shirts!
So I got to the race late, but other than taking the full 7 miles to get into race mode- I had a blast and accomplished all the goals for the day!  It is so exciting to be able to create a trail running/adventure team for people to be a part of in the northern regions of NH and VT and I am excited to see where this takes us as a collective group...
Now to Whiteface...sorry for the lack of pictures (due to the nasty rain adn thunder) but I will attempt to capture one of my best races EVER!
  I have always said my "A" race would be a little longer and a little more techy than most races out there (think Wapack/Escarpment, etc) well finally a technical mountain race in the East (Whiteface Sky Run)!  I had done the Cayuga 50 a few years back and I knew Ian Golden would put on an awesome event...plus, for the second week in a row I would have a chance to compete with some folks I've only seen in magazines!
  I did not position myself well at the start, but that didn't matter too much as we were headed up for the next 3.3M...straight up!  I passed a few folks and settled in, probably around 15th place or so.  I quickly realized I was running right next to Kasie Enman, World Skyrunning champ and all around VT mountain goat-  Chad always told me, if you could keep up with the lead female in a big race, you were doing pretty darn well!  So I introduced myself, started to put my hands on my knees and climb into the misty unknown.  After over 45minutes we hit the summit and after a brief swig of some tailwind I was off to start the long downhill-  I was able to catch one male and pull back in front of Kasie as we entered the start finish for our second "rolling loop"- I grabbed a quick sugar check with my lovely wife and proceeded out onto loop two with Kasie.
  I peered down at my watch and realized I was running 6:20 pace (faster than my half marathon PR) and decided to ease into this loop...after all it was characterized as a "recovery loop". After a few miles it started to climb and really twist and turn, after a quick fall on a wet bridge, I decided to hang with Kasie and see if I couldn't keep up with her and sae some for the last loop-  She commented these trails were a lot like her home trails and VT- I thought they were very similar to the STAB trails right under Ascutney, so I think we were both at home setting a good pace with no folks in sight.  Then, at about mile 14 I decided to see what I could do and upon picking up the pace I finally surged enough to make contact with the next male runner ahead of me-  It was Jason Lantz, past winner of the VT 100 and and all-around awesome dude!
  We shared a few miles before taking a wrong turn before ending loop two- needless to say, neither of us were very happy and all that effort was erased as we went from battling for 9th to 14th and 15th, with two women and three men passing us...part of me was upset, but I quickly regained focus (remembering it even happens to the best ala Jim Walmsley) and all we could do was keep trudging.
  After another quick check with Jac, I grabbed a gel and started my second and last loop on the major climb.  Jason climbed really well for a guy who lives in a relatively flat area and we quickly caught one guy in front of us.  About halfway up the climb Jason increased his pace and left me to try to keep him in sight.  Needless to say, I wouldn't see him again and although I was tired, the rain kept me cool and my Blood sugars were holding fast-  At the summit I grabbed some coke, thanked the volunteers and started to descend one last time, hoping I could reel in somebody!
  Man was that descent slick!  My new Salming Elements shoes did great, but on the second lap of an already wet and steep track, there was not much left for a runner to cling to-  I ran the first part (including a brief 200ft roller climb) well and tried hard to speed up- unfortunately due to the conditions, it was really hard to stay upright, much less increase speed.  I wouldn't see another racer until the finish where I cruisied in, tired and sore- 14th overall, 12th Male- 3:24 over 8k climbing and descending- 16M- 3rd New Englander and a very happy runner indeed!  (1st diabetic lol)
  As always, I have to thank my loving wife for her support, Love and help in making me a successful athlete dspite my diabetes- Also, thank you to my new shoe sponsor Salming for an awesome pair of shoes that handled everything the mountain tried to throw at them and Pearl Izumi, who helped us get some awesome Team AMP jerseys out there!  And finally, thank you to Dexcom, for creating a devise that allows me to keep track of my blood sugars all day and give me the best possible chance at competing well!

  I have been busy with other projects since Whiteface, with some race planning (Winter Wild, wahoo!), working on offering a coaching service, and working for Lebanon recreation- But I am also excited (Personally) for a few more races this summer, namely the Wapack fall race, Lost-a-Whole-Lot in Lebanon and an FKT attempt on the Sunapee-to-Monadnock trail (more to come on that last one soon) :)
  I Hope everyone is having as much fun outdoors this summer as I am and I encourage you to connect with me on any of the stuff I write about (local races and events, coaching, diabetes management, etc.) because I would Love to help out and am truly blessed to have been able to overcome adversity to do these things we all Love!
Happy trails and safe adventures to all!  Don't forget to get out and Explore4Chad!
#RunSwedish #Dexcomwarrior #WNHTRS #TeamAMP

(me handing Eric his award at Frenzy in the Forest :)

Blessed, Stoaked & Awed

Well after trading in the Race Director hat at the end of March, my personal running endeavors have been superb-  If I had to use three describing words to describe the spring and fall I would go with Blessed, Stoaked, and Awed-
Blessed because I am so lucky to be able to do what I do- Thankful for the opportunities to race and train, the ability to put together a strong training plan and to manage my diabetes with some amazing tools-  This Spring I was able to race very focused, score a couple PR's and really work on some weaknesses to become a better well rounded runner-
Great Bay Half Marathon- 9th overall; 1:25:29- Spent a lot of time alone and kept a steady pace- Happy with this result.
TARC 50k- 3rd overall; 4:19:53- Hung with eventual winner for first four laps and then lost him on the last lap, eventually settling for 3rd- High BG numbers lead to a lack of fueling which eventually caught up with me, but confidence building day and Great to have Eric there in the Half marathon
, plus Jacqui and Ashlee giving GREAT support- Good to see friends old and new!!
Pineland 50k- 5th overall; 3:58:01- Couldn't have been happier with my result and 50k PR (by 11 minutes)- Sometimes other runners are just faster!  Stayed strong and smooth and had a fun weekend, again with Jacqui and Eric!
WNHTRS #1-Six in the Stix- 4th overall- 3rd AG
WNHTRS #2- Five and Dime- 2nd overall- 1st AG

  So after some faster, more tame courses to start the season, I am excited to head to the bigger hills and gnarlier trails now!  First off are back-to-back mountain races, with the Loon Mountain running National Champs July 3rd, followed by the whiteface SkyRace in Lake Placid the following week- Time to climb!  For the latter part of the summer I will focus on having fun as a racer or participant at the local Western NH trail series and finally end the season with two awesome adventures: The Wapack fall race, 18Miles of some of the best and toughest single-track in New England, followed by an attempt at an FKT on the Sunapee to Monadnock trail, something that has long been on my mind-  Adam Wilcox has set a stout time to beat of 9:18, but with a good day and a little luck, it may be possible top that mark-  Even with a full crew, a couple pacers and a little party at the end, it will still cost less than traveling to a 50miler (plus we have a wedding Vermont 50 weekend) but maybe we can still catch the event as volunteers...it has been a Blessed running season indeed!
  Whew!  Stoaked and Awed are the two other words I can use to describe the running season and the venture and continuation of work that is Winter Wild and Team AMP- Stoaked was, of course, Chad's Xterra event and ongoing trail run, the spelling of which was a play on the fact that the event is held at "OAK hill".  So I am Stoaked to be able to run Winter Wild and Team AMP (with a capital "Oak") and am so excited about all the possibilities and direction's this project can go in.  We are working on a website, a blog, building a race/adventure team and continuing the legacy of unique and awesome events in this region that challenge body and soul...while Inspiring a lifestyle of Active Living.
  Finally I am continually Awed.  Mostly due to the kindness, excitement and joy that the simple active of collaborating on projects, planning events, and dreaming up adventures has brought to me, my wife and the community we live in.  I am awed by the local Recreation departments and friends in the outdoor industry who are willing to give you a boost to get over a hurdle and the gear support to take things to a new level!  I especially want to thank Lebanon Recreation, friends like PJ Lovely (Newport Rec.), Craig Fraley (Amherst Recreation), Jack Pilla (Pearl Izumi) and Rob W. (Omer and Bobs) and anyone I may have forgotten; and companies like Darn Tough, Icebug footwear, Kahtoola, Pearl Izumi and finally, my personal sponsor for the 2016, Salming Footwear.  I am in Awe that we can collaborate on all these projects working together to make for healthier communities and more creative outdoor adventures...Its a special opportunity we have been given, from a special man who had great vision for adventure and fun- it is an honor to be a part of this movement... see you out on the mountains and trails! #Explore4Chad #TeamAMP #RunSwedish #Dexcomwarrior