The 27th running of the Nipmuck Marathon was Nipmuck Dave’s last one as race director. True to form his last pre-race briefing was unique in that it contained just a few words regarding the trails and the hazards of running them. Instead he positioned six volunteers (myself amongst them) around the assembled runners with boom boxes. [Read more…] about Changing of the guard at Nipmuck
There Is Nothing Like Your First Ultra!
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Last fall, after the Bluff Relay, I decided that it was time to challenge myself and push myself to do a longer trail race. Many were talking about a Spring 50K and I found myself interested in the conversation. It was finally decided that Pineland Farms was the race and many Bimblers were going to participate. What a great way to do my first ultra race, in the company of friends! I gave in and registered. There was no turning back once I saw my name on the official list of runners. I was committed. [Read more…] about There Is Nothing Like Your First Ultra!
Along the Trail of GUs – Bear Mountain 50 Mile
5:00 AM Start. Last shuttle to the Start from parking area is 4:15 AM. Okay, that means I need to leave my house by 2:00 AM. Get everything ready the night before and a 1:30 wake up it is. I awoke when I heard my teenage son go to bed at 1:15. Ironic, as youth goes to bed, maturity awakes to take on a 50 mile race in the mountains. Well I said mature not smart. [Read more…] about Along the Trail of GUs – Bear Mountain 50 Mile
Running bear
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If you are a lover of trail running like me and Shelly Girl well then you have to run Bear Mountain. I mean, the name alone was enough to get us to register and toe the line. Think about it. Question: “Where did you run last weekend?” Answer: “I ran Bear Mountain”. Sounds cool! [Read more…] about Running bear
The power of one
First, now I know why NO ONE will tell you exactly what to expect at Seven Sisters; they don’t want to scare you off! Had I known the extent of the climbs, the steepness of the downhills or the sharpness of the rocks, I might have thought twice about signing up (NOT). [Read more…] about The power of one
Birds of a feather flock… No sleep till Brooklyn… 5 Boro Bike Tour!!
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Ultra lead us to the 5 Boro following Bucky’s awesome plan to start out in front with the VIP’s ahead of the pack – 35,000 bikers lined up in Battery Park. Brilliant…no, a genius plan! It also started with breakfast at the deli – $3.15 for a sandwich and coffee. The top level was all open seating – so much room they installed a fake garden in the middle of the room oh oh oh and private bathrooms too. I have never seen so much space and comfort available downtown before! Even better, the cyclists would be coming right up the road we were overlooking and we could jump in at will! So after a 4 am meet up in Branford (ouchie) a few text messages to Allstate and Gazelle (already in NYC with a friend – we’ll call him ‘Red Feather’….) Forrest, Ultra, Downhill, Mogul, JoAnne, John and I began the amazing logistics of traveling on the train with our bikes into the city with all the ‘other’ crazy bikers in the dark. 
Ultra wanted us to decorate our helmets so that we could see each other above the crowds and gave me the assignment if I was willing to accept it. So, 13 in the extended group needed props…. not a problem and it worked! [Read more…] about Birds of a feather flock… No sleep till Brooklyn… 5 Boro Bike Tour!!