Northern Nipmuck Trail Race

Race #1 of the Grand Tree series, the Northern Nipmuck Trail Race, was held today. The Mayor and myself were the sole representatives from BimbleLand, but evidence of Mr. Bimble’s reach was evident. Several Bimbler’s Bluff Buffs (Say that 3 times fast) were adorning many runners and one runner asked us how this course compared to the Bimbler’s Bash. Many familiar faces were seen including Charlie Iselin. Mayor and I were discussing when we had last run this race, and we both remembered it as the year that IGGY had the “bark” incident, two years ago.

The weather was great at the beginning of the race, high 40’s and overcast. It wouldn’t remain that way. Moving across the street we got the 4 minute to start warning, and two minutes later the “go”. Many conversations were cut short by the localized time warp and the field started the race up a long hill. The course is 16 miles long, 8 out and 8 back, and is gently undulating to the tune of 3000′ of elevation climb. The course is very technical with almost constant rocks and roots. The overnight rain made the course exceptionally treacherous. The overnight rain also made the numerous streams flow rapidly and made for some beautiful sites. IGGY came to my mind again, about how she would appreciate this beauty.

I was having a good run on the outbound leg. I was trying to push, but not use all of my energy. In my mind I had set my time goals as under 3 hours a dream, before 3:10 my realistic goal, and after that please, just beat my last time of 3:22. As I started up the beginning hill, I was being passed by many people. I had to run my own race, so I wasn’t drawn into keeping up with them yet, and mentally said, “I’ll see you later”. After a few miles, I started passing those same people. After passing several more people, I found myself alone approaching the turn around at mile 8. I love my alone time in the races. Just me, nature and the race. Kind of Zen-like. This allows me to keep to my race. Running along a ridge with some more beautiful views you come down to the aid station/turn around. My watch said 1:30 exactly. I thought to myself, I would have to run a negative split to beat the 3 hour time. I was feeling good. Lets see.
Climbing out of the aid station and back along the ridge, I passed several more runners. People were being very tentative in the slippery conditions. Perfect for gaining on them and passing them. The weather was also taking a turn for the worst, with a cold wind picking up and rain starting.

I came into the aid station at mile 12 at about 2:20. Five minutes over where I needed to be. Oh well, I guess goal number two was to be aimed for. I didn’t stop at that aid station and just thanked the two guys working for helping out. On the last 3 miles I latched onto a small group of guys that were running at a good pace. This was a faster pace than I thought I could maintain, but it gave me the focus to keep pushing and not to slow. I was going at such a fast pace, I actually thought I might make the three hour mark. I knew the last mile, give or take, was downhill and I was looking forward to that. I actually lost the group on a few occasions, but caught up with them on the downhills. As a group we passed several more runners, and this kept giving me strength. I think I passed at least 20 people in the race. I told you I would see you later. I was right on the group’s tail, and actually almost stepped on one of them when he fell about 100 feet from the finish line. I stopped and gave him a hand up and let him go ahead of me. I felt he had earned that right over the last 3 miles. My finish time was 3:04 and some seconds. The official times have not been posted as of this post time. Needless to say, I was very happy with my race.

The Mayor, who had traveled from Seattle to race, finished in 2:55 and some seconds.

The weather on the return leg got progressively worse. The temperature had dropped to the low 40’s and it was now pouring. Mayor and I both had numb hands at the finish that needed to be thawed by the fire and we were soaked through. Race director Jim Campiformio did a wonderful job again with his race.

Another fun adventure on the Nipmuck Trail.