October by the numbers- speeding into the off-season

One of my favorite professional runners, Sage Canaday, has a saying he often repeats, "Any surface, any distance"- Well, I didn't get Every surface this summer, but I sure ticked off a lot of them...and became a stronger, more passionate runner in the meantime.  While I am still excited to pursue the ambiance of the bigger, more competitive races in the near future, the Fastest Known Times of routes in NH and VT, as well as our classic races, like the Wapack and 7 Sisters, motivate me just as much as any- Its been a Great year of racing and training and I am proud of how far I've come.  Thankful and content, I must take a break from racing for a few months to let my legs recover so I can do it all again in 2018!

Some 2017 stats- Three 50k's, One trail marathon, One 21.5m trail race, One 18 mile trail race, one 28m Adventure race, One trail half marathon and One road 5K
Highest finish: 9th  Best finish: 1st
Over 2500m run and hiked, 300K vert climbed so far in 2017-
*Made podium appearance five times
Longest race: 34.2m (Ragged 50k+)  Shortest race: Trick or Trot 5K
Longest training run- 17.8m  Most ascent- 6381ft
Most miles added to a race: 2.2 Joe English

Sharing the podium with friend and one of the best trail runners in America- Aliza Lapierre

This blog catalogs my adventures, lessons and stories in mountain and ultra running around New England and I also Hope it inspires others to take on their own adventures and goals.  As the name implies, it is an honor to be among a hearty and downright amazing group of outdoor athletes in the East that are amongst the best in the country.  May we continue to rise up and strengthen one another on the Eastern terrain that sharpens legs and hearts.
  As I mentioned earlier, I Hope next year to get to some of the bigger races- Maybe some more TNF races?  A return to the Cayuga 50m National Champs?  VT 100?  JFK 50?  First things first, its time to rest and recover, rebuild and restore...and its time for Winter Wild!
*Thank you to Salming Running North America!  I have used the Trail 2, 3 and 5 and the Elements for my trail and mountain adventures, and the Distance and En Route for backroad running and the occasional speed sesh!  With the forthcoming OT Comp, Salming provides a full quiver of arrows with which to attack any terrain or any surface!

https://shopsalmingusa.com/  [Baker20 at checkout for 20% savings]

*Thank you Julbo- I have worn Julbo shades almost as log as I've done Ultras- Although not an official sponsor of mine, they make great shades with an excellent prescription clip system that is fantastic and their customer service is Awesome- I wore the Aero model this summer
*Thank you Team AMP active- Our little trail and adventure team is growing up!  Its an honor to share the trails and push the envelope on the roads and trails with this awesome group, each with their own stories of adventure and overcoming- Life is better lived out in community
*Thank you Jacqui- Running being an inherently solo adventure, it is important to have a partner who understands/supports/tolerates you're habit- If running makes me a better person, Jacqui's support doubles that possibility
*Thank you Jesus- As a person of Christian faith, I Hope to inspire others to seek adventure and also find purpose beyond themselves- Some say nature is their church- Nature, the Mountains and the community of outdoor athletes can certainly help us find the greater good, perhaps the running community and communities of faith are not so different after all-  In that sunrise, beautiful mountain single-track, the runners high, or a big goal accomplished, we find connectedness and a Love for thy neighbor that has a profound impact on our souls- This is why we keep coming back, this is why we love our tribe... Happy trails and may the chill of winter inspire us to new heights for the rest of 2017 and beyond!
#NoNonsense #InspireActiveLiving #Explore4Chad

September Race update

Greetings all!  Happy Fall!  I am hard at work setting up the UDA 5K at Storrs Hill ski area, Winter Wild 17/18 and selling some #NoNonsense Salming shoes!

I Hope your training, racing and adventuring are all going well!!  Here are some of the events I've been racing this past month or so...

Sept 3rd Wapack fall race 18m NH  5th place- 2:53

  Cold, wet and dark- The remnants of hurricane Harvey made running the Wapack Ridgeline quite interesting to say the least- Luckily it started to dry out on our return trip- I caught last years 2nd place runner in the last mile, but other than that, the effort left a lot to be desired.  Kanoa King, Brian Ruseiki and Jon Mcinerny ran well in tough conditions to sweep the top 3 spots.

Sept 16th Mettallak adventure- short course w Danny Ouellette NH  First Place 2 man Team 4:03  28+ Miles Mt. Bike/Canoe/Run/Trek/Mt. Bike

  Easily the best day of racing this summer- What a magical adventure in the North country!  Dan and I started riding mountain bikes together in middle school, raced road bikes for years and now are re-united as he has ventured into trail running, mt. bike racing and now duathlon??  Dan's a strong guy, and although he was a little tired out on the run portion, we had enough of a gap on the Canadians to bring home the W-  What a great course, beautiful trails of the North country- Highly recommended and we'll be sure to be back next year! #TeamAMPactive

Sept 24rd Kismet Cliff Beast of the East half marathon NH  3rd Place 2:39

  Super hot for this fall classic, when you toe the line with Tristan Williams, you are pretty much guaranteeing the race is now a battle for second!  I fought hard through some diabetes issues and even though I ran in 4th/5th much of the day, I was gifted a podium spot as two runners missed the last turn around the lake.  Beautiful day in the mountains!  Lots of strong AMPers in the Beast and little Beast!!

  So this week I am tapering for the Stowe Mountain marathon-  This is going to be a special one for me because the Catamount Ultra 50K, held on the same trails in the summer, is the only race I have ever quit.  Back in 2015, I started the race after a long work week and I had been in a bit of a rut that summer...I think mostly because I was spending so much time running alone and really missing my faithful training partner Chad Denning- So for the first time ever, I just decided to turn around and run back to the start line-  All of the racers I ran into immediately told me to turn around, I was headed the wrong way!  I knew it, but my heart was heavy and I needed a different sort of experience that day-  After I told Jacqui what I was doing and officially dropped out, we spent the rest of the day chasing people around the course offering encouragement and laughing; I went swimming, drinking some great beer, and exploring Stowe with Jacqui, ultimately finding a little peace I was struggling to find.  

  Sometimes we need to experience these low points to make a breakthrough or really value what we have in life.  As endurance athletes we are constantly pushing through or just grunting out "one more mile", but it takes self awareness and maturity to sometimes slow down or even take a break.  I have had lofty aspirations in endurance sports and still do- But you've got to do your best to keep a balance with your relationships and keep the mind and spirit nourished too; Running, especially distance running, is about more than just killer quads!  So with my body a little tired from a long season, I have decided to shut it down after Stowe and focus on the M-S greenway FKT next spring.

  So this weekend, I Hope to race to the top of my ability and find some redemption, but I also want to be present and get ready for a break in my own personal running- It's been a good season overall-  Plus, as I like to say, its time to put on the RD hat and let focus on other people's racing for a few months :)

You can keep tabs on my adventures by following me on Strava or instagram @BrandoRuns-

Please feel free to reach out if I can be of help in any of your goals and dreams via running, hiking, mountain biking, nutrition, and training...and what Salmings to wear!

Its an honor to be able to do this for a living and I love the community that is continuing to make each other better and better, in body and mind; my co-conpsirators of Team AMP active and all the athletes and adventurers of New England.

Until next time- Cheers and Happy trails!

#Explore4Chad #InspireActiveLiving #NoNonsense running

  Photo Credit: Jillian Grenier

Thanks for the support:

@TeamAMPactive @OmerandBobssportshop @SalmingRunningNorthAmerica @JulboUSA

  

Ragged 75 and 50K NE Champs and late summer racing

Hello and Happy trails!  The spring was frequently wet and cloudy in the North East, but since the start of June the trail running has been phenomenal, the forests green, and the rivers and streams flowing beautifully- It is a good time to be a trail runner in New Hampshire!

  This blog will be heavy on words and short on pictures- Be sure to check my strava (link on the side) and instagram (@BrandoRuns) for more frequent updates on my personal running adventures-

  After a strong showing at the June 10th TNF Massachusetts race, the remainder of June and July were spent having fun running with friends, working on setting up races, and starting as the NE sales rep for Salming Running North America-  All the while I was prepping to run really hard at the Ragged 75 stage race and 50k, a race that is near and dear to my heart-  

  The highlight of July was pacing Marek Telus to a sub 20 hr finish at his first VT100- He gave everything he had and just squeeked under that 20hr goal- We even paced the man himself, Hal Koerner at about mile 90- It was amazing to witness and a Joy to be a part of-  I have know paced the "who's who" of athletes at VT 100 and VT 50 and Marek was no different- Bravo!

  The plan was to get stronger and stronger throughout the summer, then run a few key workouts and vert weeks before the Ragged 50k, now the New England champs-  training went about as well as it could and I was primed for the battle- So were a few others!  Long story short, the race went about how you would think on paper- Patrick started fast and held on for the win, He's a seriously fast dude; Brian, after 2 hard, but unchallenged days, still had enough energy in the tank to hold off us challengers for 2nd; Iain used his "old man" strength and British toughness to hang with Andrew midway, bridge to Brian and then gut out a 3rd place.  Andrew held strong after Iain surged and wouldn't let me reel him in over Raged, despite my best efforts.  I had to settle for 5th.  My race was relatively uneventful, sans the last climb up Ragged, whether, it was actually it or not, I lost it thinking I was seeing Moosilauke.  The mountain where Chads journey ended, and yet his works, his events and his spirits were rolling, strong and true- What better way to end an adventure on the old SRK.  My good buddy Eric cruised in just under 6 hours for a solid finish, especially given his lack of training.  Jacqui and Rob were an incredible team to help crew us AMPers, we all would have slowed without their help!!

  Despite a little pity party from miles 12-20, I ran pretty well overall and have a few small changes to make for my next long race.  Steady improvement over time has been my M.O., and although I went into 2 more competitive races with high expectations this summer, I really ran well, despite my disappointment in the outcomes.  Some days others are just faster than you, but if you don't run your own race, you risk finishing well off your potential.

  The next few races I have on the horizon are really exciting and fun, from half marathon all the way to a 50m fkt attempt.  Just ordered this shoe, which should help keep the quads a little more fresh in the waning miles of the longer races on tap.

Other than that, I think my mental game can use a bit of a boost- I have greatly enjoyed running, racing and training with some awesome people this year, but I havn't quite found that "eye of the tiger" competitive drive or the mindfullness to dig deep in certain situations...that being said, this weekends race has already sparked a fire in my belly.

Remaining race schedule:

Sept 3rd Wapack fall race 18m NH

Sept 16th Mettallak adventure race- short course w Danny Ouellette NH

Sept 24rd Kismet Cliff Beast of the East half marathon NH

Oct 15th Stowe Marathon VT

Nov 4th Sunapee-to-Monadnock fkt attempt NH

Thank You for the support Salming Running North America, Team AMP active, Darn Tough socks, Julbo eyewear and of course,  Jac, who makes all this possible-

Happy trails!!

Spring Season- Steady Progress

Spring and into the early summer has been a Great time of running and enjoying the great outdoors in NH, plus a nice trip to NC/SC!
Jacqui and I were able to escape to Asheville, NC for about a week in April to spend some time relaxing, running, hiking and drinking local beers (me)!  I'd highly recommend the area, it was almost as if Bend OR, Burlington, VT and North Conway had a baby and plopped her down in the South for the rest of the country to enjoy- Awesome time and fun change of Pace!  We were able to hit two "high Points" of Mt Mitchell, NC and Sassafras Mountain, SC in two consecutive days and we were able to visit with my Aunt and Uncle, Jimmy and Janice Baker, plus my cousin Cameron who was down for a surprise visit- quite the refreshing trip indeed!  Luckily, there were no snake sightings!

  I originally intended on doing 7 Sisters, but registered too late-  that meant I had the opportunity to return to a race close to my heart, the Joe English trail challenge-
May 7th Joe English Trail challenge 25K  6th Overall-  The short of it is, that this is a great race- technical and twisty with just enough climbing to test your early season legs-  Held the emotions in check (first time racing since Chad and I shared the win in '14) and seeing last years super fast time, I figured I could run my own race and shoot to better my 2014 time.  Enjoyed some miles alone, then spent a few lovely miles running with La Sportiva badass Kristina Folcik.  I started to pull away from her (ironically) at the section of trail named after Chad- It was fitting to be in the groove at this time.  As I exited Chads section and set my sights on a nice finish, I forgot to pay attention to signage-  At about mile 11 I spent a few minutes without seeing one of the well placed ground flags- uh-oh.  After a few minutes of pushing on, I realized I had already been on this section of trail-  Luckily I was able to get my bearings and catch onto another runner, but the damage was done-  He noted his GPS read 11.5...mine was at 13+...an extra few miles and I had to settle for 6th place-  Great day overall and thankful to return to the Denning loop!  Jac did a solid time in the 12k and my buddy Danny even won the 5k!
(Shorter recaps for the next 2 races):

May 13th- Wapack and Back 21.5  5th Overall 3:32
  One of my very favorites (and one you have to register for early now)... the "Mighty Wapack" as Jeremy calls it, did not dissapoint.  Decent weather and a super fast field, we set 5 of the top ten times in the races history in 2017!!  Kudos to all the runners who crushed this brutal course and great to see the crowd that calls this type of race "fun"- Special shoutout to Emily Biolsi for her rockin' 2nd overall on the ladies side- woot woot!
May 28th- Pineland Farms Trail fest- crewing/pacing
I Love Pineland for so many reasons and it was amazing to see so many friends find success this year-  Special shoutout to Eric for crushing his first Ultra...we've got to figure out the cramping, but he'll find his way through, he always does!

June 10th- TNF ECS MA  3rd overall, 1st American
  Sometimes you put it together!  Just a few days ago was one of those days, a race I will remember for a LONG time-  I knew when I saw the course that this was going to be a hard race (actually prompted me to "drop" to the 50k), but exciting the type of race I enjoy and excel on.  Actually Ultra legend Dean Karnazes said it was the hardest 50k TNF has put on, now thats saying something!
We had a lead group of 5 up the first summit (7ish miles) and it shattered on the descent, but at least 4 runners caught back on for the next climb (9+miles)- After I stopped to pickup my race vest and diabetes kit, I lost a little ground to a Canadian, a Brit and an Ashburnham dude (where I grew up in Mass), but I was able to catch Mike fairly quick, and although he's a strong dude, I could tell his first Ultra was going to be a learning experience-  I Hope to be seeing a lot of this guy in the future though!  The ridgleine on the MidState was gorgeous, but so hard and the loops in Leominster state forest drained whatever energy we had left.  Finally the return trip to Wachusett on the Midsate was an absolute slog- Luckily I was able to pick up 50 milers as I went and finally earn some distance from 4th place in the 50k.  I wish I knew just how close I was to second, because I would have pushed much harder (at least mentally) in the last two miles.  One final climb up to a quick descent down Redemption rock and I was home-  One of the slowest 50K's i've run at 5:40, but at 6k vert and with rocks and roots galore- I'll take it...plus there was crowd surfing!

A special thanks to Dan Ouelette, Savanah Rae, and of course Jac for chasing me around the mountain and helping bring me back after with pickles and gatorade at the finish-  A Special shoutout to fellow diabetic racers Casey (marathon podium finisher) and Ryan Noonan, joining the Ultra marathon club despite a tough blood sugar day, boo-yeah!
A little recovery is on hand first, but my initial plan for the summer/fall looks like this, with key races in Bold:
7/8-9- Whiteface VK & Skyrace NY
7/15- Crewing/Pacing VT 100
7/29- Innaugural Team AMP gathering/party NH
8/13- USATF-NE 50k trail Champs, Ragged 50K NH
9/24- Kismet Cliff run-Beast of the East half marathon NH
9/30- NH marathon NH
11/18- JFK 50m  MD
and of course, other adventures and Fun along the way-

Thanks for reading and Happy Trails; May you find what your looking for out there!

Follow along at Instagram: @BrandoRuns & @TeamAMPactive

#Explore4Chad #Nononsense #SalmingRunningNorthAmerica #InspireActiveLiving #RunDiabetes #MountainRunning #AdventureOn #Runventure #NovemberProject

Also: I Love Salming so much, I get to start selling them #SneakPeak #TrailT5

Starting off 2017...chilly

Hey All,
Quick recap from my first race of the season, Runamuck 50k!  No cool pictures, but some quick insight into the race and my upcoming plans-
First off- Super Stoaked to be again running in Salming footwear and clothing for the 2017 season- Their shoes have been solid and the line offers a shoe for every situation or event-  I can't seem to killl my favorite pair, the Elements (500+miles, still comfy and grippy)!  However, the shoe choice for Runamuck was the road/trail hybrid, the Salming T2-  Great support and just enough tread for the icy/muddy roads of VT-

  I am feeling more fit than EVER heading into the spring- It has been awesome to run with Eric and Iain (among others) quite a bit this winter and hone some consistent weeks and months in the hills and lower mountains of our region.  Normally I open my season with a fast race, the last two years it has been the Great Bay half marathon.  This year I chose something a little more up my alley (but still not a strong suit) by opening up '17 at the Runamuck 50k-  50k/Dirt Roads/3600ft vert
  I made two major mistakes at the race:
1) I chose to wear shorts- Although the temperature was not terrible 35-40 degrees, the wind brought that down quite a bit- Plus there was quite a bit of snow flurries flying every which way-  My legs got really cold after a couple hours and although I originally thought they were cramping, it makes more sense that they experienced increase soreness and a decrease in flexibility due to the cold-  I felt more like I had run 50 miles at the finish!
2) I ran right through the first aid station!  For some reason I had in my head that Jac would be up ahead at the next turn, but that must have been a dream-  Luckily 'ol EMS pal Kendra was at the mile 18 turn with some water (and cookies)-  But as any runner could attest, you can't race at your best with a lack of water and calories (Because I missed Jacqui, I couldn't grab the insulin needed to start consuming food)-
I went from battling for third around mile 12 to losing 5 spots between miles 23-30.  It is super demoralizing to be passed late in a long race, but I just didn't have any fight left after 3 hours had passed-  The good news is that Both these mistakes can and will be corrected quite easily in the future-  For one it should be warm from here until at least September, and two, my wife (and/or crew) need to make a more specific plan for next race- Well, thats settled, now all I need to do is run faster!
  Runamuck is a fun, simple race that helps provide a tough challenge to start the year, and gets folks ready for the type of experience they are to expect come July at Vermont 100- The dirt roads of Vermont are cruel beasts, not to be taken lightly-  Hats off to race director Jonathon Vass and another speedy performance from Brian Rusieki, who continues to inspire with his strength and long-term consistency at the front of the pack!  Also, no matter the results or expectations, its quickly erased when you get to share stories and battle scars with friends like Mike Tegart, Jeremy Merrit, Zak Wieluns and Astrid Hoyt!  If it wasn't so cold, we could have stayed longer!
  I have some ideas on where I'm headed for races and adventures this year, but we'll get through the first half of the summer first-  My schedule is:
May 6th- Seven Sisters- 12m
May 13th- Wapack- 21.5m
May 27/28- Pineland Farms crewing Team AMP active
June 10th- TNF MA 50m or 50K

  Excited to get back to my strengths as a technical trail and mountain runner-  Very excited to mix it up at the front and see how far I can go in this sport-  Blessed to be able to pursue this lifestyle and be a part of an amazing community!  Thanks for the support and I Hope to see you out there on the trails and in the mountains!