Races and Adventures

Hot Times, Cold Weather: Hellgate 2008

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So Hellgate has been on my radar for several weeks now and I was pumped at the idea of completing my first 100k. The stories I had heard from other Bimblers (icy weather, treacherous footing, Horton miles, freezing eyeballs) were both daunting and exciting but I loved the idea of adventure and overcoming the challenges. On the other hand, no matter who you are or what races you’ve done, hearing such tales of peril and difficulty is enough to give anyone pause. [Read more…] about Hot Times, Cold Weather: Hellgate 2008

Hellgate 100k

Races and Adventures

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At the end of the race someone asked me why I’ve continued to return to run Hellgate (this was my 6th), because they thought the event had been so hard. Well strangely the fact that it isn’t easy (as no ultras are), is one of the reasons. Then there is the atmosphere created by the race director and other competitors, the start time (12:01 am) and lastly unpredictable factors caused by the weather (OK, so maybe I’m also slightly nuts as well!). [Read more…] about Hellgate 100k

Lil’ Rhody Run Around

Races and Adventures

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I haven’t posted a race report since The Hat……….. so here goes………

Thanks to Allstate for allowing me to run as Virginia Symbathy Zell – and to Shaggy for the cool ride to the race! I was nervous about my most recent ankle injury and concerned that being too careless or too aggressive might prove to be a big problem for me at this one. I don’t have a great track record at this race (I broke a bone in my hand here 2 years ago). I should also mention how much Ticket was missed – it seems it isn’t a trail race without her these days. So I bummed a ride with Shaggy & Scoobie. [Read more…] about Lil’ Rhody Run Around

Mr. Brightside

Races and Adventures

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So I ran my first 50miler yesterday, the Stonecat 50mile in Ipswich, MA, and came away with mixed feelings.

The day started, as they all do, with an alarm going off well before I was ready to get up. After a quick breakfast in the hotel with a couple dozen fellow Stonecat-ers, I was at the check-in site at 5.30am. Got my number, milled around and listened to some music until the RD gave his pre-race speech. He gave us the usual info, what colors to follow, what arrows to look for, what aid would be available and then dropped a gem of a comment and said that they had to adjust the course at the last minute and the total distance would now be a solid 54miles and dropped the term Horton Miles. Now, I fully expect the given distance of a trail course to be taken with a grain of salt, but I’d rather know the total AFTER I’ve ran it. Not before so that I dwell on it throughout the race. So on that bombshell, it was outside to the starting line. [Read more…] about Mr. Brightside

Bimblers Bluff 50K: Exactly What You Think It Isn’t?

Bluff Race Reports, Races and Adventures

The following race report was sent in by runner Siskanna Naynaha

Greetings to all!

Sorry that it’s been so long since my last communication, but things have been so crazy here (I know, you’re sick of hearing that!). In addition to moving from Glastonbury to West Hartford, Connecticut in the last month, Joaquín started school at a new daycare, James started at a new high school, Mekyael has taken on new work territories in addition to New England (namely, northern New Jersey and all of New York except NYC and Long Island), and I have been enjoying teaching a new—to me—class (Latina/o lit) and designing another for spring (Writing Through Research; basically a course in advanced research and writing, which I am focusing on film as a rhetorical “text”). [Read more…] about Bimblers Bluff 50K: Exactly What You Think It Isn’t?

Bimbler’s Bluff 50k(my tree hugging experience)

Bluff Race Reports, Races and Adventures

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The weather could not have been better for my first Ultra Trail Race. As we ran through Timberlands it was quite apparent the storm the night before dumped a whole new thick layer of leaves. The color of the autumn leaves gleamed in the morning sunshine. I coasted through Timberlands touching the old growth trees as I ran by them. I boogied through the race Hill section past the boundary boulders. I yelled at a runner going forward on Race Hill when they should have taken that hard left north into the Genesee Section. Power walked up first long hill. Reassured runners that we were on the right trail once on Red dot. Cruised up to and thru Mattabasset Trail connector (vw green). Carefully navigated gnarly sharp slippery rocks in the Broomstick ledges area. Yelled with excitement on my way down the trail to aid # 2. Met my buddy Nate there. I refueled my water bottle and heard Iggy say “eat like a horse Suds” so I did. Meet and greet with fellow bimblers Iggy and Ticket. Then off up steep trail (escalator) to the top for photo opts. [Read more…] about Bimbler’s Bluff 50k(my tree hugging experience)