7 Sisters 2015 Race Recap

Courtesy of http://7sisterstrailrace.com/

What do you do the day after running 3 laps of an obstacle course race located on the beach, covering approximately 12 miles?  Why you go "run" the 7 Sisters Trail Race of course! 

Billed as the "Hardest Up/Down Race" by Runners World Magazine on their America's Best Trail Races list.  With a cutoff time of 12:00 for the turnaround.  Whelp, make that 11:30!  Apparently I missed the posts on their Facebook page about the change in cutoff.  What was already going to be a challenge, I had been freaking out for days about now making the cutoff, and I just lost 30 minutes, was now something I seriously thought I would DNF.  

I arrived early with plenty of time to register, use the bathroom, and do what I really love to do: visit with people!  I knew quite a few people running, several who had come out just to spectate the start, and it was a fantastic way to spend the morning.  It wasn't long before we were lining up, I missed the group photo, and we were off.  It is a matter of yards before the trail takes a turn and we are going UP.  The ups and the downs are no joke.  

Up we go.  Photo courtesy of Heather Gannoe
www.relentlessforwardcommotion.com

It was hot.  I was sunburned from the day before.  I had a plan to drink every time my Runkeeper spoke to me which was every 15 minutes and every mile.  This worked well.  I would eat something every 1-2 times she spoke to me and ingest a salt tab every hour or so.  I never bonked.  I never stopped sweating.  Despite my legs feeling brutalized, I never actually felt bad.  

Top of the first section of the ascent after the cutoff.  I MADE THE CUTOFF!!!

I was really worried about making the cutoff.  Luckily for me, despite saying 11:30, they seemed to have adjusted the cutoff to be 2:30 hours from the time your wave started.  I made it, with mere minutes to spare.  I had just enough time to get some fruit, refill my pack, rinse my hands, and get back on the course.  I never got a photo of the view from the Summit House but it was beautiful.  The volunteer at the top told me if I hurried, I should catch a pair of females who were just ahead of me. That running together keeps you motivated.  So I moved, as fast as I could.  I finally caught up to them!

Heidi, Marie, and Cat.  What amazing people.  I had a great time with them.  Heidi was struggling, so I did what I do best.  I figured out where she was hurting, helped get her moving, rubbed out her butt, and got her to smile.  Marie was moving slowly as she had rolled her ankle, bad enough to slow her down but not so bad she didn't make the cutoff!  Cat was amazing. Turns out we have mutual friends. After staying with them for quite a while, I had to keep moving as my legs were wanting to tighten up.  I could hear them off and on and when I came in to the last aid station, signaling we had two miles to go, I was able to see them come in.  Heidi, despite her pain, was adamant that she was going to finish.  I had to hug her before moving on again.

The LAST tiny bit of downhill before rounding the corner to the finish!

Luckily they took off not much later and we were able to semi stay together the rest of the race. Coming down the last hill together and seeing the finish line. We all dug deep and gave everything we had left to give.  My friends cheering at the finish and willing to hug my sweaty nasty self was amazing.  Thank you all for the support.  I cannot wait for next year.

WE DID IT!

My official results! 429. Hannah Hawley, 33, VT 5:51:23 out of 434 finishers, 471 started.

Recovery #chocolatemilk with my 7 Sisters hat.  That pattern? That's the elevation!

Frigus 2015 Race Recap

For the second time in my life, I let Andy Weinberg talk me into doing a race that I was convinced was beyond my capabilities.

The Endurance Society's second event.  Frigus.  A winter race with the options of a 10k, 30k, or 60 snowshoe; 10k, 30k, 60k back-country ski; 5k sled run; and combined, 30k ski, 30k snowshow, 5k sled run.

I wanted to sign up for the 10k snowshoe.  I ended up signing up for the 30k snowshoe.

Taking place at Blueberry Hill Inn in Brandon, Vermont, with packet picket offered Friday evening in addition to Saturday morning.  While a room could be booked at the Inn, it was rather pricey.  They also offered space in the upper loft of the ski lodge where we could drop a sleeping pad and sleeping bag.  We had access to bathrooms and running water and a place to sleep that couldn't be closer if we tried to the start for $12.  Arriving early meant that time could be spent with other racers and the race directors.  I couldn't imagine starting the race any other way.

With packet pickup, we were provided with our bib, a t-shirt (reminded me of our NE Spahtens shirts in the male cut) that were unisex size but super soft.  We signed waivers, confirmed our distance and were given the option to change it, and were reminded of our start times.  They had the finishers medals on display, as well as the winners certificates, and the winners Endurance Society etched maple syrup bottles.

A great evening of visiting with friends, a decent nights sleep, and it was morning and the air was buzzing with the energy for the day.  The morning was spent visiting, hugging, feeling nervous about the race!  The temperatures were in the single digits when we started with the highs promised to be in the low twenties.

All the skiers were to start at 7:15, all the snowshoers were to start at 8:15, and the 5k sledders at 9:15.  Andy called out that all heats would be starting on time.  10 minute and 5 minute warnings were given, that a brief meeting was to be held before each heat started and they wouldn't be waiting if you weren't there.

Andy instructed everyone to get behind the start line for the skiers, a combination of 10k, 30k, 60k, and combined racers.  They were given there briefing and off they went.  An hour later, the snowshoers were given the same.  We had 2 miles of gradual up, 2 miles of steep up.  We would have one aid station at approximately the halfway point.

And we were off.

Neely Fortune, Mathieu Lo, and I decided to stay together, walk the course, have fun, push ourselves to finish.

The first section of the course was for all 3 distances.  At some point the 10k would turn off and we would continue on.  It was incredibly inspiring to watch Mark Webb crutch his way up the hill, taking on the 10k.  I was able to have a glass of wine with Amy Parulis and her father as they were doing a party lap 10k to celebrate his birthday.  I tackled Mathieu, my way of passing along Ilene's hello.  Got a hug from the fantastic Richard Ricciardi.

The course was beautiful.  Mountains, streams, lakes, snow.  We went uphill, downhill, flats, up and down.  We passed my next home, crossed some bridges, saw some skiers out for a jaunt, snowmobilers, and we were at the aid station.  Greg Tappin was there with a smile and my chocolate milk and gluten free pretzels for me!  While we were there, we were lapped by a 60k skier.  He was flying!

We were told we were approximately halfway.  On we went.  We would get passed by more 60k snowshoers, Drew lapped us on his way to a 2nd place finish, listened to music, and start to feel our bodies breaking down.  Hip flexors, knees, chafing.

It wasn't long before the finish line was in sight.  My own personal cheering section was waiting for me.  I hurt.  I wanted to cry. I did it!  I hugged Lisa Klinkenberg, looked at the ground, and laid down.  I was exhausted.  I was given my medal and mustered the energy to stand up and get inside where there was chili and warmth.

There was a fire outside to enjoy and racers still on course.  We enjoyed the fire, the sunset, and cheered racers as they came through.  Since the course didn't close until midnight, there was a bit of time left to wait.  Having been in the back of the pack too many times to count, whenever possible, I like to be there to greet finishers.

We took a trip up to the aid station in hopes of catching friends and cheering them on.  We missed Amanda and Billy, helped out Ryan with encouragement to keep going since if he finished he would be the 2nd place finisher for the combined, cheered on Shannon and Doug, visited with Jane and Ted, and heard from Eric that he hadn't passed Liza and Jordan.  Worried that they were headed back to base, we headed back ourselves.

The fire needed stoking, racers were finishing, and eventually we got word that Liza and Jordan were still on course and would be finishing close to midnight.  It was an amazing atmosphere.

Overall, The Endurance Society nailed it.  There seemed to be no issues at registration, they didn't run out of medals, race directors were visible and available.  No one got lost, the event started on time, everything that was promised was delivered.

My Official Results: 8:04:05 for the 30k Snowshoe
Next year: make my first lap faster than this year... and still go out to finish the 60k!!!

I cannot wait for Infinitus!

Panic in the Dark 2013 - Race Recap

photo Panic in the Dark

This past Saturday, Stacey and I made our way to Lowell, MA for a 5k race unlike any other.  This race, Panic in the Dark, was a 5k obstacle race that had its own twist with zombies and scares.

photo courtesy of Vince Rhee & NE Spahtens

Running with the New England Spahtens meant we had the largest team and is always a great time!  Fred Smith of Smithfest Events sure knows how to put on an event.  As largest team, we had personalized shirts with the event logo on the front and our team logo on the back!  I am so excited to wear my t-shirt.  Major kudos.

Stacey and I knew we were going to be battle buddies and also signed on to run with Sandy and Amy who don't do well with the scares and had Kandice, James, and Jasmine running as protectors with us.  James was key for getting over a few of the walls. Thanks James!

The event started off with our wave being led out a hallway, provided with a headlamp if we didn't bring one, and led into a room for quick overview of the rules.  The film was interrupted with an emergency broadcast telling us that the zombie apocalypse was upon us.  Thumping on the doors was getting louder and zombies jumped out immediately after an guard member came out urging us to move out to the bus.  Through the hallways we went with more zombies before emerging outside and loading a bus that would hopefully take us to a safe zone.  I wasn't sure Sandy and Amy would make it out successfully and continue but they did! 

As we pulled into the safe zone, we were met by a swat team member who managed to maintain character even with our crazy group.  We were being dumped into the middle of a hoard and would need to be quick to escape with our lives.  Off the bus we went and we were racing down the road with gunfire and zombies abound.  

There was a great use of natural landscaping, some great scares with zombies and chainsaws.  While some zombies jumped out a bit too soon, many were able to get a scare from Sandy and Amy.  Our journey took us through a school bus with a zombie reaching down from the roof, a school with mouse traps and a zombie who knew Sandy's name.  She wasn't too happy about that and took off pulling Amy along with her death grip.  The spiked shoulder guy managed to sneak up on us after we passed him and sent Sandy and Amy running.  There was a bouncy house complete with zombie clowns. I think they were the most terrifying!  A super fun pumpkin carry, walls, Roller Derby zombies, and it was over.  I ran faster than I usually do and was definitely out of breath by the end.

I had a blast running with friends, enjoying the scares of friends, and being able to protect those who weren't sure they would even make it to the start line.  You ladies are amazing!

Matt Davis of Obstacle Racing Media

My trip would not have been possible without Matt Davis of Obstacle Racing Media and Paul Jones of New England Spahtens! A caption contest on the New England Spahtens Facebook page that was sponsored by Matt of ORM with the prize being an entry into Panic in the Dark.  I won. I was psyched and made sure to hunt Matt down before making the long trek home to thank him.  

Review: Camelbak Quick Grip w/ Podium Bottle

There are times I go out for runs or hikes or even walks but I don't want to carry my backpack with bladder. I also don't want to have to deal with carrying a water bottle. While you do carry this water bottle, it has a nifty grip that allows you to strap it to your hand so that you are holding it but not.
Confusing? Take a look:

The Camelbak Quick Grip allows you to slide your hand in between it and the water bottle. You tighten the strap and you can let the water bottle hang.  I love not having to hold onto the bottle, therefor my hand doesn't cramp up.  It even has this nifty little pocket for stashing my keys and ID. 
For short trips I wish the bottle was a bit smaller but overall I love having it to use when I don't want a backpack but want to bring water with me.

Day 1: Challenge Accepted

Today is the First of November. I have set a challenge for myself to post daily for the entire month.  I also challenged Kris over at Healthy Livings a Bitch to post daily as well. Here we go!

I never have been a daily food photographer and I don't plan to start now. If I make or eat something that looks utterly fantastic and work photographing I will. 

I woke up to go running this morning and had a text waiting that due to the rain my buddy was canceling.  I wasn't feeling super hot and not looking forward to crawling out of bed so I was okay with the decision.  Let's just say that 5am and I haven't become friends yet.
The only to not getting up and going by myself is that I don't have the time today in my schedule to get the run later.  I am okay with that as well.  I will get in some activity tomorrow and then I am getting scared at Panic in the Dark.  As someone who used to be afraid of the dark, it will be quite the occasion! I could handle ORTC Shale Hill's Halloween Run, I can handle this.  Looking forward to it actually.  (I'll post a link to my race recap from Shale Hill once I have it finished.)

Today also starts NaNoWriMo and I am participating again this year.  My story is a zombie tale:
What happens when you sign up for a Zombie Run obstacle course race and it turns out they let loose real zombies? What happens when you find out that the government was behind the outbreak? For this team of survivors, the answers are never what they seem. 
As I write, no matter how the story is going, I plan to post.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

Review: Dandycase Waterproof Case

I have a bad habit of taking my phone places I shouldn't.  I like to take it out in the kayak, tubing down the river, out in the rain, all places that if I wasn't super careful I could ruin my phone.  With two different events on my horizon, the first being the Spartan Sprint in Amesbury along with a Hurricane Heat, the second being PaddlePower, a two day kayak down the Connecticut River. I wanted something that would protect my phone, that would also allow me to use the camera, Instagram, and Twitter.  After some searching on Amazon.com and reading of reviews, I decided upon the DandyCase Waterproof Case.
When the case came, I followed the directions and put a paper towel in the case and submerged it fully in the sink.  After drying the case of completely, I inspected the paper towel and it was bone dry.  Perfect.  Fast forward a few days and I was at the Spartan Sprint and ready for my Hurricane Heat.  Into the case went my phone and into my backpack went the case.  After 3 hours of sweat, water, and mud, I was pulling the case back out. My phone was bone dry, I was able to leave it in the case to take photos, send some text messages, everything I asked for.  This coming weekend is PaddlePower and I will be taking it out on the water.  Can't wait!

Sporting the DandyCase in between the Hurricane Heat and the Team Heat.