[singlepic=3880,280,200,,left]
Okay, so the race is called Seven Sisters and I believe, though I lost track somewhere along the way, there are actually only seven peaks we went over. Since you have to run out and back shouldn’t this race really be called Seven Sisters plus their twins? And nobody mentions the numerous, and I do mean numerous, quasi and false summits one must traverse to get to the end of this challenging run. From now on I think I will call those the secret cousins that nobody wants to talk about. Sort of the black sheep of the family. Wow, what a family!
The day started with me heading up to the race solo. Shelly Girl had not been feeling well and she made the smart move to stay home and get ready for another day. The drive was uneventful and I found myself at the race at about 7:45 for a 9:00 start. The benefit of my early arrival was getting a great parking spot, registering without any hassle and beating the notorious bathroom lines. One toilet and 250 runners, you be the judge.
Things started picking up shortly after 8:00 when some fellow Bimlers appeared. Suds was a little nervous about the course but full of that Sudsie enthusiasm we all love. Apparently Snowbody had had a rough night because he was not feeling very perky. After a group photo we lined up and got ready to race.
If you have ever run the Sisters you know that the start is basically jamming 250 human beings into a single track trail that goes straight uphill. If you are not up front you will have a heck of a time getting up the first hill, If you are up front you will have a heck of time getting up the first hill. I choose to start near the middle and had a heck of a time getting up the first hill. I thought, welcome to Seven Sisters.
After the first hill there really is not much more to report. For the next twelve miles you are either slugging up a hill or scurrying down a hill. I am not sure if there is more than 100 yards of flat running at any one time in the entire course. Many of the uphills are scrambles that require you, well at least me, to power hike, and many of the downhills are the kind that make you feel one slip away from a major injury. All in all I believe I like the uphills more. On those I was tired but I did not think I was going to kill myself. Plus the constant workout the race put on my legs left me feeling not quite confident that the old boys would hold up on some of the descents.
On and on I went and thankfully got to the finish line in just under two hours and forty six minutes. At first I was a bit disappointed, I had run well but I believed this time was slower than my last escapade with the girls. After speaking with Shelly Girl on the phone I realized I ran a personal best on the course by just over 2 minutes. I got some food and returned to the finish in time to see Snobody, Suds and Promise Land Sandy complete the run. Everyone did a great job and I think Snobody said he ran a PR.
While the Sisters are really tough girls I would definitely recommend this race. The race directors do a nice job, it is a challenge that will make you mentally tougher, there are great views, and if nothing else, the run is a great hill workout! Besides, what other race allows you to run through the balcony of a hotel, twice!
Lefty
To see pictures from the race, click here.
Nice report and pictures!!! So quickly posted. You are making me look bad. Great job everyone. Love those gals.
Wow. talk about dedication. Racing AND writing in one day? now that’s extreme. anyway, you guys did a great job running, nay, conquering all 7 sisters. Good job guys
Lovely writing, reporting, running, and photography Lefty!! 😉 And nice goin Suds and Snobody!
Dear Lefty, Boy it sure sounds like you guys had a “heck of a time getting up the first hill!!” Seriously – congrats on some great efforts out there this weekend – I think I will have to visit the girls next year for sure!!! Thanks for writing a spirited report for us!!!!
IGGY
Nice report Lefty! ShellyGirl, we missed you! Hope you feel better. I first ran 7 Sisters a few years ago and wrote a lurid report for the BS (a bizarre rambling which should be avoided by the squimish!). Needless to say, returning to the girls was yet again a punishing endeavor. I knew I was in trouble at mile 2 as I was joined briefly by the legendary Deb Livingston. At 4 and 1/2 months pregnant she showed no signs of relenting the pace and my weak, unwise attempts to stay with her faded quickly. As Lefty mentioned I did not feel well prior to the race, and so I settled in my head to run as best as I could, but at the turnaround aid station my half way time was my best of my prior 2 Seven Sister half-way mark race times, which, in addition to feeling a bit better, launched me back to the finish with a goal in mind. Thanks to a very dedicated, very well-paced fellow runner who I (and several others) followed beginning at about the 8 mile mark I happily made it to the top of the last hill, looked at my watch, then blasted past everyone in my path to finish in a downhill flurry with a PR (2hour55minutes). Given how the day started I was very happy with the results. Echoing Lefty, and seeing that I have returned twice to this race, I recommend the 7 Sisters trail to all who seek a challenging and picturesque race that includes the hallucinations free of charge. Yes Mr. Bimble, I saw my grandmother on the trail many times yesterday!!
Nice job Lefty, Suds, and Snobody. Gotta get there someday. After I looked at your finish line photo, I had a brief fleeting image of the three of you, as a comedy act, in drag, performing as The Bimble Sisters. Don’t know why, sometimes these things just happen…
Forest,
Your comment makes me think you did run the sisters and had a few of Snobody’s visions. Or maybe, you simply have some odd fantasies all on your own? Lefty
Lefty your report of this race is really good. You explained it in such detail as if I was there . Wait I was. The pictures came out great. Thanks Lefty and Snobody for your support in helping me endure this hard trail race. p.s. did you see the trail troll ? I swore I saw a troll several times and he kept yelling at me to hurry up