Feel Good Farm Snowshoe Race

Last year I was a spectator at Feel Good Farm. I don't remember why, but I didn't race that day (I guess I was smarter then). I instead opted for taking pictures of the 12 folks who raced. I remember a couple of things about that race: the snow was DEEP and the climb was pretty tough. The course was still two loops but they were generally two clockwise loops.

Fast forward to this past weekend for the 2010 version (results) and lots of things had changed.
First, only a handful from last year returned (including a carload of Tuesday Night Turtles) but the popularity of the Granite State Snowshoe Series brought out a bunch of new folks, 104 finishers to be exact.
Second, the conditions were night and day. A week of unseasonably warm temps (including mid 40's on race day) melted away a lot of the snow on the exposed slopes of Moose Mt. Some sections (including some steep downhills) were borderline unshoeable (I think I just made up a word). Lots of rocks, exposed ledge, iced dirt, tree branches. In fact, everything except the preferred snow.

Not Today

I should be posting a race report (Feel Good Farm Snowshoe Race), but not today.
The last couple of days have been hard physically and emotionally. Generally, physical issues I can handle and I try not to use it as an excuse. I like to train almost as much as I like to race. Today was different. This race was different. I raced today with a heavy heart and with some guilt.
My faithful dog of 10 years (Molly) had been really sick recently. Deb and I were up a lot last night keeping an eye on her to make sure she was ok. This morning we had yet another vet appointment to see if there was something they could do for her. Her appt. was at the same time of the snowshoe race this morning. I should have skipped the race...but I didn't.
I was completely drained when I finished and once I caught my breath, called to see how she was doing. It was not good news so I left immediately, stopping at home to pick up my kids and then heading to the vets. We had time to say goodbye and not much more. At 2pm she passed away. She was a good dog. We'll all miss her.

Ten Times Fast

What a great night at track last night. Group 1 had its largest showing of the year with maybe 10 folks stepping up. It definitely is a lot easier doing these workouts with a pack of runners. It's also nice when everyone generally runs consistent laps (like last night), allowing you to seed yourself appropriately and really get into a nice groove.
The workout was 10 x 400's with 200 rest. I think most of the group ran in the low 70's to mid 80's range for the repeats. I had a chance to try out my new shoes, Asics Hyperspeed-4's which arrived in the mail on Monday. Considering I've run in Hyperspeed 2's and 3's previously, it wasn't really that exciting.

The stats:

1. 400m   77 sec
2. 400m   76 sec
3. 400m   76 sec
4. 400m   76 sec
5. 400m   75 sec (lots of traffic, which for some reason makes us ran faster)
   
6. 400m   76 sec
7. 400m   76 sec
8. 400m   75 sec
9. 400m   73 sec (fast finish on tired legs)
   
10. 400m   73 sec (fast finish on tired legs)
    

 Very pleased with the effort last night, but like I said earlier, a lot has to do with everyone running consistent laps. It helps to avoid the natural desire to want to race folks. Felt strong, felt fast.

Now if I can only get it to translate into running faster in a race :-)

Turner Trail Snowshoe Race

This weekend I opted for the 2nd WMAC snowshoe series race (Turner Trail 5M) instead of the 'local' Olde Salem Green Classic. My decision to travel 6 hrs with jj and dd and be within spittin' distance of New York was based on a longer and potentially harder course. After last weeks sprint I was really looking for something different and boy did I find it.
For now, I'll skip over the details of the ride out. That could be a post all by itself. Let's just say it was amusing and entertaining.
Turner Trail (results), located in Pittsfield State Forest (Pittsfield,MA) is now one of my favorite snowshoe races, and one of the hardest. About an hr before race time Jim Johnson, Dave Dunham and myself did a 3M warm-up on snowshoes up an access road and then back down the last 1 and 1/2 miles or so on the actual course, meeting up with Tim Van Orden on the way down. The course would be run in reverse of last years race and would be a little longer.

Weekly Snowshoe Training Runs in Horse Hill (Merrimack)

I ran into Michael Amarello last night while going for a snowshoe run at the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. He mentioned he has been trying to organized bi-weekly snowshoe training runs on Tues and Thurs nights (7pm) from the Amherst Rd parking lot. The conditions are excellent and the trails are in great shape so if you're looking for a group run at night, email Michael at michael@MooseMilers.com and let him know.

He'll also post updates on his "back from the dead" running club website: Moose Milers RC. Michael will be traveling next week so no run on Tuesday. However, I told him I'll take anyone who wants to go out on Thursday night. All are welcome, but we will be running. It will not be a snowshoe hike :-)

4 x Awful

I've been dreading this workout ever since indoor track began 6 weeks ago. I prefer 800's or even 400's with short recovery. Well tonight we did 4 x 1 mile repeats with 800 recovery. I never got into a comfortable groove or pace, and my 400 splits were all over the board. Normally I have a good sense of pace but not tonight. I felt off all night. Maybe it was my negative attitude towards this particular workout. The goal going in was to run consistent 85s quarters (5:40 pace). Although my times weren't that bad, the splits were. Trust me.
I stuck with it anyways and finished the workout....with lots of complaining.

mile 1   5:43
mile 2   5:40
mile 3   5:49
mile 4   5:49

Kingman Farm Soldout - Good or Bad?

Well, 3 days after registration opened, the Kingman Farm Moonlight Snowshoe race has SOLD OUT. All 125 spots have been filled. Who would have guessed a snowshoe race selling out....in 3 days (other than Chris Dunn)???

I suppose it's good because it shows that Chris and acidotic RACING really know how to organize a unique and fantastic event. In two short seasons it has become the highlight of the local snowshoe racing season for a heck of a lot of folks. I dare you to find one negative comment from anyone concerning this race.

Of course the bad is it may have become too popular. I know a few snowshoe veterans liked the low-key, smallish crowds that historically made up a typical snowshoe race. For some, bigger isn't always better. Me personally, I welcome the growth and local interest in snowshoeing and snowshoe racing. Well run events are always going to be popular (and probably sellout), whether it's a snowshoe race, road race, trail race or relay race. However, I may have been telling  a different story if I didn't get into Kingman!