Winter Wild Championship at Bretton Woods photos coutesy of snapACIDOTIC

Challenging myself racing up a mountain–It’s Winter Wild!

The Winter Wild Series Championship at Bretton Woods Ski Resort (NH) definitely rounded out the winter mountain running series with a bang.  I woke up on race day to a surprisingly gorgeous, fluffy, 6 inches of fresh powder just outside my doorstep. Ironically being the closest race to home this was the slowest drive due to the star wars like snowflakes coming directly at the windshield as we headed to the mountain. I picked up my friend Bridget (Series Champion Age Group 30-39 and most awesome training partner) and we were both geared up to conquer the mountain.

This would be the 7th mountain course that we would tackle together this winter. This seems like an awesome feat especially since these races all take place in the wee hours of the morning in the middle of frozen New Hampshire winter. The community of racers had developed an excellent camaraderie over the course of the series joining together on the morning of the race with wide smiles and energized excitement.

After determining how many layers to wear (and of course being the day before St. Paddy’s Day I was decked out in all green, even my Skirt Sports running skirt), and putting my MICROspikes on over my new favorite trail shoe (the Montrail Mountain Masochist–Appropriately named don’t you think!) Bridget and I headed out to check out the snow and to warm-up. While the fresh powder may seem great for the skiers and snowboarders it added an additional challenge for the runners. The trick was to find  the best surface to gain the most solid traction. We ran up the narrow snow mobile path carved in the sweet powder meeting fellow runner Brandon Baker on the trail. We all agreed that running in the untouched powder actually seemed to be less slippery and offer more purchase than the groomed section of trail.

After a nice warm-up to get the blood pumping and the breathing going we headed to the starting line to find our friendly competitors. I absolutely love the energy at the start of these races, all racers counting down to the start in unison wearing spikes (like something out of medieval times), with boards strapped to their backs and feet (snowboards and skis). As soon as the race starts an extreme quiet falls over the field of runners. The only sounds to be heard for the trek up the slope are the sounds of breathing and crunching, and the shushing of skis.  The climb is more gradual than some of the races have been but goes on for TWO MILES! I quickly move over into a corridor of soft powder parallel to the groomed corduroy (skiers delight).  I focus on my own strength. I use my legs and remind myself of all of the work on the mountains and on tough runs through the winter that have built my quads, hamstrings and calves for power. I use my upper-body to find a rhythm and propel myself up. I focus on my breathing working to use calm power as I challenge myself to keep up with the other runners. The field is strong and the women in the front of the pack work in a tight group to challenge each other. The determination is incredible. Each runner/racer works through their own challenges trading places with strategic passes all the way to the top. It is beautiful on the mountain. A moment to capture in your mind.

Reaching the top is exhilarating and the sweat now dripping is a reward for the effort of the climb. I round the corner with an amazing female competitor just on my heels. On the way down my feet disappear into clouds of powder. Each footfall has a soft landing. You feel like you are gliding almost flying. The kid inside of me lets go and I run with a crazy smile and determination (one minor setback on the way down, a shoelace becomes untied–I worry that my shoe may fly off but run harder anyways). As I close in towards the finish line I hear Bridget and Amy cheering and glimpse the pink jacket of awesome runner Sarah out of the corner of my eye. I passed her on the way up but could not hold her off into the finish line. I finish in a time of 41:15 for a 4.25 mile mountain course. I am thrilled and the endorphins are rushing.

The Winter Wild Series ends for the year at Bretton Woods and I find myself finishing as 2nd Woman Overall in My Age Group 30-39. What an amazing experience to be a part of. This race series has helped me not only to fine tune my body with some super intense speed-work but also to fine tune my mind for the season ahead of challenging races. I am stronger and I have mental toughness and motivation to get out and go for it–Boston Marathon here I come! I challenge you like I challenged the mountains all winter long!

A big thank you to Chad Denning of Team Amp for putting on the amazing Winter Wild Race Series and also to acidoticRACING for hosting the series championship! Congratulations to all of the racers for an amazing series. I hope you had as much crazy winter wild fun as I did!

I can’t wait to see you all out on the trails and in the mountains this spring and summer!

Link Love:

Where the Wild Things Are-Outdoor Mom

Three Incredible Days With Lots of Incredible People-DangerGirl

Winter Wild Course Preview-Irongirl and Ultrarunning Boy

Winter Wild at Suicide 6-Photos by Nanci

2013 Winter Wild Championship-snapACIDOTIC 

Amy (2), Me (3), Bridget (1) in AG 30-39, Girls Gone #WinterWild

These women runners are ready to conquer a mountain. Just take a look at the smiles and feel the determination within each of these strong women. This is is what every woman should possess.

Lately I have been simply in awe of the amazing women athletes in my life and who I have met at races. I was educated at an all girls school for K-12 where I was always taught that women can achieve whatever goals they set their minds to. Inspirational women were in front of our classes as our teachers and were brought in to share stories of how they built their dreams through hard work and determination. These powerful life lessons have stuck with me into my own adulthood and also now raising a daughter as well as being a female athlete. I want to surround myself with this positive energy.

The mountain at Winter Wild at Mt. Sunapee greets us with a steep climb to the top.  When you are running up a mountain you can hear the sound of your heart beating. The energy of the racers on the mountain is palpable. It is silent except for the sound of breathing and effort and the crunching of snow beneath each determined step. You push yourself to move at a pace right on the edge of total discomfort. At Sunapee, my health had returned to 100% and my fire is burning to challenge the women runners on the mountain.

#Inspire–Ferdinand Foch-French Military Strategist

You can become whatever you dream.  Believe in yourself and set your “soul on fire (Foch).” See the spirit and the power in others and let it motivate you! 

The race starts just as the sun has cast an early morning glow over the mountain and the energy of the racers is raw and electric. Underneath the smiles exchanged at the start I know that the other women runners will attach the mountain with the same grit as me. I want to challenge myself on the mountain today. I want to go fast with no regrets of holding anything back. Too often in life (as is mirrored in a race setting) we convince ourselves that ok is good enough when really we could be going for more. This is something I have always struggled with. It is easy to talk yourself out of your dreams and getting what you want thinking someone ahead of you is smarter or stronger. I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to get to where I want to be because my effort physically and mentally has been everything.

The women runners are tough as we climb. A strong pack. I work hard to pass women runners who had passed me at other races and use the adrenaline from passing them to help carry me. I focus on my training partner Bridget up ahead and use her energy to help pull me. I want to find the same strength that she possesses when she heads out on the race course. Even though Amy who I had passed earlier on the trail catches me again as we come to the last push to the top I continue in my own hard push to the crest.

Mass start of the Winter Wild Mountain Race at Mt. Sunapee (Photo courtesy of snapACIDOTIC)

When I reach the top (really cool photo HERE) I take a deep breath and prepare for the fast and descent back to the finish. The downhill is the fun part. Racing down you just have to let it all go and trust that your body won’t get ahead of your legs or vice versa. On the way down the energy of the racers changes and the sounds of grunts from hard effort turn to almost childlike yells of glee. How can you not enjoy that! When I am going down I let my body take over and enjoy the ride. The effort pays of with a 40:30 finish for 4 miles up and down Mt. Sunapee–Good enough for a 3rd place in my age group and closing the gap on the powerhouse women runners ahead of me.

This kind of energy is contagious . . . get out there and conquer your own mountain!

Mt. Sunapee Winter Wild–Going for it! (Photo courtesy of snapACIDOTIC), #TeamIgnite

If you want to join in the Winter Wild  fun and the experience the awesome Women of Winter Wild challenging the mountain, there are two races left for the season. This weekend the race is at Whaleback Mountain and you can even bring your dog! Or you can join me and the other awesome Winter Wilders (women runners let’s do this!) at Bretton Woods for the Championship on March 16. I’ll be the one running up the mountain in my green Skirt Sports Skirt in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day.

Link Love:

Winter Wild Mountain Running Adventure Race Recap and Race #2 at Suicide Six

Confidence

Winter Motivation

#MotivationMonday

I’ve got big dreams for what I want to do with running and am surrounded by such inspirational people who have dreamed amazing dreams, focused on their goals and dedicated themselves to making their dreams a reality. I want that reality too! Now, if only I could get over this wicked cold virus so I could get back down to business! I am trying to heed the advice of my coach Denise (The Sustainable Athlete) and take it easy but it’s hard. Just when I was feeling my strongest physically and mentally my immune system crashed. It’s pretty hard to avoid getting sick when you spend your days with little ones who want to snuggle and need help blowing their cute little noses all day.

The Boston Marathon is in about 7 weeks or so and training was a complete bust last week. I ran once on my treadmill and ran the Winter Wild Mountain Race on Saturday Morning at Pat’s Peak. Running the mountain race probably wasn’t the best decision since I was not feeling in 100% health and I had to get up at 3:30 in the morning to get to the race on time. But you know what it’s like when you are a crazy runner–I had to do the race to get my points for the series since I am currently holding steady in second place.

Sweet 2-lap 4 mile mountain race course at Pat’s Peak (yes, I even run up mountains in the winter in my Skirt Sports!)

The weather on Winter Wild Race Day was gorgeous. Light snow was falling and the temperatures were in the high 20′s. WARM! Unfortunately for the runners (in MICROspikes) the running surface was a bit mushy under foot making footing a bit tricky especially on the way down the mountain. The racers on skis and snowboards (“Heavy Metal” division) were loving the conditions though! I was happy to be at the race on such a beautiful morning with some of my favorite runners and competitors. Before the race I warmed up on the ski hill and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the sun just starting to paint the sky in pastel hues. When we lined up at the starting line it was just perfect seeing the smiles and feeling the positive energy coming from this somewhat crazy group of athletes. There were many kids at the race too trying to win money for the athletic programs at their schools through Michele Obama’s “Let’s Move!” Campaign. To be totally honest though I’m not sure who had bigger smiles, the kids or the adults.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel as I headed up the mountain but quickly discovered that I had no “Go Power.” My body felt like a noodle . . . not strong at all. Usually when I get to the top of the mountain and am ready to descend I am able to switch gears and just go for it. Not this time however, there just wasn’t any more . . . Have you ever felt like that during a race? So, I just decided to run and have fun . . . as fun as you can have running 4 miles on a 2-lap mountain race course. Even feeling less than 100% I still managed to pull of a third place finish in my age group which I was pleased with. My prize, a sweet Winter Wild beer mug!

Cheers to another awesome Winter Wild Mountain Race at Pat’s Peak!

There are three races left in the Winter Wild Race Series. One is a dog race at Whaleback Mountain. I am not sure if my crazy cairn terrier Lucy is up for the challenge but my friends and I had some good laughs imagining Lucy riding in a sled behind me up the trail.

Crazy Lucy AKA “The Scrambler”

The final two Winter Wild Mountain races are at Mt. Sunapee and the Championship is at Bretton Woods right before St. Patty’s Day so be prepared for a mas of runners clad in green descending down the mountain at morning’s first light!

So now, it’s time to nurse myself back to 100% health and get back to some serious Boston Marathon training. I dream about a marthon PR at Boston and I am ready for the challenege.

Now I am going to make a giant pot of chicken noodle soup when I am done writing, I am going to drink a lot of water, take my vitamins, and go to sleep early like a good girl! I want my body to be able to function like a well oiled machine on marathon day and the focus and hard work begins now. Even though it’s been tough to take it easy, I know in the long run my body will thank me and hopefully I will reap the rewards of some amazing race results this spring!

I dream of being a faster stronger tougher mountain and trail runner. What about you?

I AM READY. BRING. IT. ON!

Oh and just for a little extra challenge for my race schedule this summer I have entered the lottery for the Mt. Washington Road Race again. Fingers Crossed that I will get an entry this year. I will keep you posted!

Am I crazy? The ultimate Mountain Road Race Challenge–The Mount Washington Road Race

How do you stay motivated and focused when you get sick?

#MotivationMonday Link Love

Marathon Monday Week 1: Happy Fit Mama

Monday Motivation: Little Fancy Nancy

Training Truths NYC Half Week 6: Running Escapades

34 Ways to get in 30 minutes: Food & Fun on the Run

Two Races in 16 Hours: Dangergirl 

I Love Trail Running

Valentine’s Day and a love of trail running

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, a great time to reflect on love and what makes you happy. When I run I am happiest when I am trail running and this is why:

I love trail running

1. I love trail running in the woods.  It is quiet in the woods. I love the sounds of the birds and the loves rustling against each other. I love hearing the sound of the snow or leaves crunching beneath your feet. I love the smell of the trees and the earth . . . fresh mud after a rainfall, pine needles. I love the sunlight peeking through the leaves as your feet softly hit the carpet moss, leaves and   gently packed soil.
2. Trail running has saved me from the dark depths of depression. It is my therapy. It is my release. I am healed by the rush of endorphins, the fresh air, and the Vitamin D.
3. I love coming around the corner on a trail only to discover a surprising view . . . an unexpected waterfall, a sweeping postcard view, a hidden cabin in the woods.
4. I love trail running because it requires intense focus (you have to pay attention or a root might suddenly leave you with your nose in the dirt).
5. I love trail running because it has allowed me to learn to love being alone. I am a true extrovert (ESFJ according to the Myers-Briggs) so being by myself has always been a challenge but now I relish the escape into the peaceful and quiet woods.
6. Trail Running has helped me to become more adventurous and to set more goals. I want to run up mountains and run longer distances and to see new places.
7. I have discovered some of my best friends through trail running. We can run together in complete silence or talk the entire time even while pushing up big hills and it is fun either way.
8. I love trail running because I live in Northern  New Hampshire where trails are hidden everywhere so why wouldn’t you choose to run on the trails instead of the road?
9. Running on trails at night can be an amazing adventure especially if the moon is full.
10. Trail running makes me happy . . .it’s just that simple

Why do you love to trail run?

Why do you love to run? Join the #RUNCHAT Valentine’s Day Challenge and spread the love of running.

If you want to join in with “spreading the love of running,” #RUNCHAT is hosting a Valentine’s Day contest with some sweet prizes from Sparkly Soul and StrideBox to name a few. All you need to do is this, “The challenge is simple: make a list of 5-10 things you love about running. Blog about it and then post a link in our comments . . .to find out more please click HERE.

Link Love:

Motivation: Running Outside My Comfort Zone & Women Who Inspire

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Runners

Blizzards make for some crazy racing!–DangerGirl

Why I love Running–Happy Fit Mama

Spread the love of running– The #RUNCHAT

Why Do You Love Running? (The#RunChat Valentine’s Challenge)–Perspicacity

A List: Why I Love Running–Kate Muehe

On running–Planes, Trains and Running Shoes

When the forecast calls for a blizzard (#NEMO), get out and go for a trail run.

(disclaimer: don’t go out if conditions are not safe i.e. blizzard like conditions)

Here are some scenes from my run and Blizzard #NEMO earlier today . I can’t wait for the storm to subside so we can get outside and play with the kids! I also want to do some post blizzard cross country skiing and mountain running!

This ice was hiding under the snow for the majority of my trail run. I was wishing I had my yak traks or MICROspikes. Right after I took the video I slipped and fell on my rear

Beautiful quiet trail run in the woods today.

The sky above.

Check out the giant blocks of ice dumped on the river break last week after the ice jams broke during the end of January thaw.

Beginnings of the blizzard on our playhouse.

What kind of training  is on your schedule during the blizzard and after the snowpocolypse?

Motivation . . .

It’s Monday and wow! am I tired! I will have to dig deep to find my motivation for the week ahead. What about you? What will you do to find your motivation this week to get out and run? . . . do you have a big race coming up? Are you training for a marathon or do you just have some personal fitness, health and wellness goals that you are trying to achieve in your everyday life?

Here are my goals for the week to help me keep my motivation and hopefully I will be able to check my goals off the list at the end of the week.

Organic Runner Mom’s Weekly Goals

1. Go to BED earlier!!!! I am so busy these days–Running around taking care of my busy kids (ages 4 and 2), Working for our family business (Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs), Fulfilling the weekly requirements for my Health Coaching Program (Integrative Institute of Nutrition), and of course TRAINING for the Boston Marathon. I am in the habit of going to bed WAY too late which has got to change!
2. Make at least 2 new recipes! (Check HERE for last weeks new delicious recipe!)
3. Clean and Organize the toys. This clutter post holidays is driving me NUTS! Do you have any awesome systems for organizing your home?
4. Complete core strengthening exercises twice this week because those abs of steel are not going to happen on their own unless perhaps you use the “As Seen on TV AB BELT” which claims to tone your abs through muscle stimulation without any exercise at all!!! (REALLY?!?!?)
   

   The AB BELT!

5. Do some YOGA to achieve some inner-peace. 
   

   My little yogis in training

6. RUN!!!!! The next Winter Wild Mountain Running race is coming up this weekend at Ragged Mountain (Check out the race details from last year HERE) and I need to work hard to maintain my standings in the series (currently 2nd overall in my Age Group!).

Winter Wild Mountain Running Series–If you take on this winter challenge brought to you by Team Amp (Chad Denning) you might be the winner of some Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs in the awesome post race raffle!

(make sure you notice the “photo bomb” by fellow #Fitfluential and blogger “BigzigFitness” in the back. He is now hooked on this crazy mountain running series thanks to me!)

And now for some extra motivation and entertainment for you today and the rest of the week here are my kids doing their early morning “Winter Wild” mountain running race at our house.

What Goals do you have for yourself this week to keep up your motivation?

 

Mountain Running=an adventure in the Winter Wild Mountains of New England

The Winter Wild Mountain Running Series kicked off last weekend at Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts.  I absolutely love this mountain running series because it is a totally unique race adventure.

Get Winter Wild

The races all begin early in the morning at ski areas before the lifts open and the skiers and snowboards hit the slopes.  You can pick your mode of transport up (and down the mountain). For me the choice is easy–Kahtoola MICROspikes and my trusty Broooks Adrenaline GTS.  For my friend Meghan, a powerhouse on skate skis will be seen racing up and speeding down the mountain on her skinny nordic skis with ease. Racers in the “Heavy Metal” category can be seen on the mountain in snowshoes, or skinning up and skiing down, or hiking up and snowboarding down.  The races are a mass start of crazed athletes seeking the early morning endorphin rush to kick off the day.

Winter Wild Mountain Running

I did not feel as warmed up as I could have been at the race last week and felt sluggish at the start. Tomorrow morning I plan to go for a longer warm-up to get my muscles warm and my breathing adjusted to the colder temperatures.  I am also going to focus more on using my upper body to help propel me up the mountain. I feel as though I did not utilize the strength in my arms to help when running (and hiking) up the mountain. One of my goals for the series is to improve my up-mountain running (which will also have the added-bonus of building muscle strength).

Winter Wild Mountain Running

The run down the mountain was a different story. At the summit I refocused my energy and began the descent. The snow was perfect! A snowy corduroy runway! I have learned that to be a better downhill runner you have to allow gravity to do the work. It is very easy to waste a lot of energy on the way down by slowing yourself down each time your foot-strikes the snow. I allowed my strides to lengthen and tried to stay relaxed. I was thankful for the strong footing provided by my MICROspikes. I was proud of my strong finish on the downhill. I worked hard to catch another woman racer on the way down(who I later discovered was a fellow Colby College Class of ’99 Alum!).  As I raced into the finish I had two fast men on my tail (one of whom was wearing a kilt). I did NOT want to get passed by them and pushed hard through the soft snow at the bottom through the finish line.

The energy of all of the racers was high at the finish with a lot of smiles (perhaps from simply being finished) from the awesome Winter Wild race Adventure. I can’t wait to go back for more this weekend as the series continues at Suicide 6 Ski Resort in picturesque Woodstock Vermont. Plus, now I have to defend my third place finish in my age group (30-39) from the Wachusett Mountain Race!

Fast Mountain Running Chicks-Top 3 in age group 30-39

Here is the course map for tomorrow mornings mountain running adventure. This time the distance of the race is 3.0 Miles which means two laps of the mountain! Wish me luck!

Suicide 6 Ski Resort in Woodstock, VT

Winter Wild-Winter Fun Race Series

 Link Love:

Happy New Year!!!-Dangergirl

King of the Hill-Trail Runner Magazine

It’s Time to Get winter Wild-Organic Runner Mom

Fitness Friday-Training For an Ultramarathon-Fitness, Health, and Happiness

Snowshoeing in Snowbird-Run to the Finish

Winter Wild Mountain Running Series starts NOW!

First of all Happy New Year! Secondly, I hope you are ready to get Winter Wild again! Well, I am! It is time for the Team Amp Winter Wild Mountain Running Series to start up again and just in time for the arctic weather to arrive! If running up a mountain in the winter in New Hampshire is too much for you then I hope at least that you will follow my journey through this epic winter mountain running series.

Winter Wild-Winter Fun Race Series

Wachusett Mountain-Winter Wild Mountain Running Series

 This weekend the mountain running series starts out at Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts.  The race begins at 7 a.m. (before the skiiers hit the slopes) which hopefully means a r sunrise as an additional reward to the extreme endorphin rush after reaching the summit and racing back down the mountain! Last year I had never raced the Winter Wild Mountain Running Event before so each race brought new confidence and additional strength. I finished the series last year in 3rd place overall in my age group which was awesome. This year I am “hungry” to be faster on the mountain and hope to improve my finish times. This year I have spent a lot of time mountain running and trail running and have added additional core and strength training to my workouts. Hopefully I will feel stronger on the first climb this Saturday.

You are probably wondering how to get extra traction on the climb to the summit. The answer for me is a sweet pair of MicroSpikes from Kahtooola. These easy to wear crampons are amazing traction on freshly groomed mountain corduroy. This is especially beneficial on the run down the mountain when speeds borderline out of control.

Are you feeling motivated to join me yet? Well, maybe mountain running is not your thing but if you live in New England the best thing to do to ward off the winter blues is to bundle up, get outside and “play” in the snow. I can’t about your winter “play.”

A Perfect Day in the Outdoors

Link Love:

King of the Hill-Trail Runner Magazine writes about the growing popularity of winter mountain running races including Winter Wild

Post Exercise Stiffness-Team Amp

Running in the Winter:Tips-Team Amp

Top 10 Tips for Winter Running-Montrail Blog

How I Survive Winter Running-Carrots N’ Cake

Winter Running Tips-ZOOMA Women’s Race Series

#OrganicHolidayHappiness Challenge . . .

Happiness is . . .  Finishing your run at the top of a mountain where the view goes on forever and the mountains and sky surround you.

Sweet reward-Top of the Zealand Falls Trail in the White Mountains of NH

I have always wanted to run the Zealand Falls Trail in the White Mountains. I finally had the opportunity to do it with my friend Meghan. the day we picked to go turned out to be a clear, warm (warm being the 30-’s) day.  We enjoyed a nice relaxed pace up to the hut, a a power hike to the summit (which required the use of microspikes although we did spend some time slipping and sliding on the icy chutes along the trail).  The view at the top was absolutely spectacular and definitely worth the trip to the top.  The top of a mountain is a place to meditate, to think, and to just breathe.

Reward yourself

Challenge yourself with something new-an adventure run, a new trail, running with a new friend.  You never know what the rewards will be along the way.

Be Positive #LifeisGood

quote from Ferdinand Foch

It’s time to set goals and realize your dreams. Set your “soul on fire.”

Tomorrow on the blog-a recap of the CircumBurke Challenge III, a 24 mile trail running race or mountain biking race around the base of Burke Mountain (Thank you Kingdom Trails!).

What race/challenge did you do/accomplish over the weekend?

Please remember to vote for my blog . . .

Top 25 Health Wellness Moms 2012 on Circle of Moms