You’ve all heard of Mud Season in New England. This weekend it was in full force. We had been enduring sub 35 degree temps, rain and wind, all perfect for setting up an optimal muddy moose trail run. I had my eye on this 14 mile trail course as it was a good way for me to get some longer runs in before my spring goal, the Wapack Trail race on May 10th. This was the 2nd course in the Grand Tree Race Series. A series I have discovered to be a fun, middle distance trail races around my area.
I was thrilled because Birken was game to join me on the 4 mile course. We woke early and headed across the state of New Hampshire up to Wolfeboro, NH. It seems like every where we drive from Dublin, NH it is at least an hour or two to get somewhere.
Temps were chilly…but it was a good running temp. We all started together on the line and set off shortly into Muddy Moose Alley- 1 good km of single track mud. There was really no other way to go other than through. Energy was wasted by going around. The 4 mile and 14 mile course split at about 2 miles. I saw Birki about 1h30 later when he greeted me at the finish.
It was super well organized and attended. I felt good and enjoyed the technical aspects of the course and also the places where I could let things roll in the Hoka’s. Birken greeted me at the finish. I finished up 2nd place overall women and 1st in my age group.
Birken and I each made our age group podiums. Birken finished 2nd in his age group, even after a tough fall in the mud. Kuddos to him for sticking with it! He chose “Chocolate”, the beanie baby prize whose birthday was coincidentally the same day, the same year he was born, 2004. I chose another stuffed moose for Anders for my prize. Even better, no waiting around. What a sensible thing to do is put out prizes for age group podiums and have people choose.
Even better, no waiting around. What a sensible thing to do is put out prizes for age group podiums and have people choose.
We rounded our day with a visit to my high school alma mater, Holderness, and a visit with Phil Peck, a mentor of mine and my son’s god father.
