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