This Weekend on the Trails

Saturday, February 2

Exeter Snowshoe Hullabaloo 4M - Exeter, NH
Four miles of tight, twisted single track in Henderson-Swazey Woods. Plenty of small hills to keep you breathing hard the entire way.  I don't think this will go off as a snowshoe race.  There just isn't enough snow in the area.  Check the race website for updates.  Maybe it will end up being a trail race. It's all good!

Winter Wild Uphill Series, Ragged Mountain - Danbury, NH
Run, snowshoe or ski 3 miles up to the summit and back down again along an established ski trail.  Unorthodox but fun! 







Sunday, February 3

Cape Cod Frozen Fat 25K & 50K Options - Barnstable,MA
This race is on Sandy Neck beach in the middle of the winter so conditions can be brutal.  Cold temps, strong headwinds and soft, shifting sands are the norm.  This race is not for wimps. Sounds like a good time to me.  Actually, some of my ultra running friends (see photo) have done this race (more than once) and they raved about it.  I hang with some crazy people!

This Weekend on the Trails

Saturday, January 26

Side-Hiller 4M Snowshoe Race, Center Sandwich, NH

The course is a mix of single-track and groomed trails. Three miles are in the woods with rolling hills and one steep 200 foot up and down hill as you enter the woods. The race is part of the WMAC/Dion and Granite State Snowshoe Race Series so you can earn double points without running double miles or paying double entry fees. Now that's a deal you can't pass up!

Tubbs' Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer 3K & 5K, Stratton Mountain, VT
Here's your chance to wear pink and raise money for a worthy cause.

Sunday, January 27

Curley's Record Run 3.7M Snowshoe Race, Pittsfield, MA

The race is held in Pittsfield State Forest and is a grueling mix of double and single track trails that climb almost 700 feet in one mile then descend about 800 feet down a 1920's ski race trail. There a saying that goes something like this, "The race is very popular with snowshoers, especially just before the race.

Curley's course elevation profile.

Yikes!  Glad I'm sitting out this one.

The race is part of the WMAC/Dion Snowshoe Race Series and is also the Massachusetts and Connecticut Championship race for 2013.

Bellville Pond 10K Trail Race, North Kingstown, RI

A trail race in January?  Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about!  This scenic 10K course follows rolling wooded trails through Ryan Park. 

This Weekend On The Trails

I decided to resurrect my "Weekend on the Trails" posts. I stopped doing this a couple of years ago (maybe longer) because I was too busy training and racing to keep up with this series.  Now I have plenty of free time to search the internet for the best races in the greater New England area so you can spend your time doing something more productive. Like watching reality TV. :-)   OK, let's get to it!

Saturday, January 19

Hoot -Toot, and Whistle 5K Snowshoe Race, Readsboro, VT

The course is point to point, very gentle grade single track on the Catamount Trail. The Catamont is the longest XC ski and snowshoe trail in North America. It travels 300 miles from Readsboro to Canada along the Deerfield River on the Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington Narrow Gauge Train Rail Bed.  Fear not, you don't have to run 300 miles, only 3! This race is part of the WMAC/Dion Showshoe Race Series.

Whitaker Woods 4M Snowshoe Scramble, North Conway, NH

The course consists of groomed trail and twisty singletrack.  I hear the groomed trails are very fast but snow cover in the denser woods is a little spotty but adequate. This is based on recent recon done by Kevin Tilton and Jim Johnson.  This race is part of the Granite State Snowshoe Series.


Sunday, January 20

Bradbury Squall 3.5M Snowshoe Race, Pownal, ME
I don't now anything about the course other than it's in Bradbury Mountain State Park and does include singletrack trail.  The race is hosted by Trail Monster Running so you know it will be a first-class event.

Yes, I know this a very lean race schedule but it's winter in New England. What can you expect?  Just hold your horses, there will be more than you can handle soon enough.

Happy racing!

Feel Good Farm Snowshoe Race Report

Race # 2 in the Granite State Snowshoe Series was held yesterday at Feel Good Farm in Lyndeborough, NH [results]. I’m considering filing a false advertizing complaint with the GSSS race committee. This race was nothing like its idyllic name implied. Four torturous climbs up and over 878 foot high Moose Mountain left me far from ‘feeling good’. The animals on the farm seemed happy though, especially the horse roaming around the open field parking lot prior to the start of the race.

I went out for a short warm up on the course with a few of my DRR teammates. I could see that the snow cover was minimal or non-existent in some spots. The warmer than usual temperatures over the past two days must have contributed to a significant amount of melt. When I got back to the parking lot I saw Steve and we went out for a warm up on the roads. Emily was just pulling into the farm as we were leaving. Late again!

The race started in an open field with about a 100 yard sprint to the single-track that entered into the woods. I was somewhere near the middle of the 116 person pack when we hit the woods. The course stared to climb up a small hill early on and then down a short, steep descent. Soon, we approached a rocky brook crossing which brought the train to a stop and backed things up a bit. After the brook, the real climbing began up Moose Mountain.

Single-track train up small climb.

Still strong but not for long.

Most of the people around me were walking the hill. I was no exception. I could tell a few people behind me were better climbers so I pulled off trail to let them pass. Once cresting the hill there was a long, twisting descent down the backside of the mountain. This would have been a fun, fast descent had there been adequate snow cover. Unfortunately, the trail was almost completely bare and there were many exposed large rock and roots on the way down. It was hazardous going for shoers and snowshoes alike. More on that later.

After some more twisting single-track running in the valley, the course headed back up Moose Mountain from another direction. This climb was more deceptive the than the first. The first climb was almost a straight shot up the mountain. The second was more like, climb, turn a corner, climb again, turn another corner, and climb some more. I kept thinking, “When will this thing end?” Eventually it did and it was another dive down the mountain over more rocks and roots and then some flat running back to the start/finish area and out for loop number two.

My version of 'flipping the bird' to RD Mike when he said I was looking good. He lies.

By the time I hit Moose Mountain for the third time I was completing drained. I was having a difficult time making any progress up the mountain. I mean more difficult than usual! I had bought some food with me to eat on the drive to the race but forgot to eat it. Duh! I think the lack of calories caught up to me and I was bonking. Who knew you could ‘hit the wall’ after 2 miles! Steve caught and passed me near the top of climb number three. I told him I was crashing hard and he offered some of his food and drink. Although I was in serious need of both I declined. Steve was having a good race and I didn’t want him to slow down and babysit me even if it was only for a couple of minutes.

Soon, Steve was long gone but the passing of me by others continued for the remainder of the second loop. I think I lost about 20 places in the last 1.5 miles. Emily was the last to pass me about ¼ mile from the finish line. She went by me with her usual smile and some words that I could not understand because my brain was completely drained of glycogen! I tried to hang on to her so I wouldn’t get passed anymore and it worked. I was very happy to cross the finish line. Very tired too!

Steve finishes with a smile.

Emily is smiling too as she nears the finish.

Unlike Steve and Emiliy, I cried when I saw the finish line.

After the race I noticed I had broken the toe cleats off both of my shoes and tore completely through one of the bindings. I think it happened on the first descent down the mountain when I hit a lot of rocks. I was having difficulty during the race getting traction on the climbs but thought it was due to fatigue. I’m sure the lack of cleats contributed to me slipping around. I don’t think the broken shoes made that much of a difference in the outcome of the race. It just wasn’t my day.

Crazy climbing course profile.

All photos in this post courtesy of Kristen Kozlosky. See all of her photos of the Feel Good Farm race here.

More photos of the race by Scott Mason.

Beaver Brook Snowshoe Race Report

Today, the first race of the 2010 Granite State Snowshoe Series was held in Hollis, NH at Beaver Brook [results]. Snow had fallen throughout the night and into the morning making for excellent trail conditions. I was a little concerned about my general snowshoe conditioning going into this race. I had only done two short snowshoe runs this winter and both of them were pitiful.

I left home with ample time to make it for the 11:30 start. With light snow still falling and slick roads I knew traffic would be moving slower than normal. The drive was going well until I hit a long backup on Rt 3. It was only moving about 20 miles per hour so I guessed there must have been an accident up ahead. Those who have driven with me know I'm not the most patient driver and after two miles of creeping along I was getting annoyed. After another mile of slow going, traffic started to move again.

Pulling into the parking lot I immediately saw the yellow Xterra of Double J. No surprise. Jim races every weekend, sometimes both days. Also there was Steve Wolfe, Scott Graham, Dave Dunham and a host of other speedy guys. After checking in at the registration desk I went out on the snow-covered roads for a warm-up. I had my screw shoes with me so traction wasn't an issue.

After returning from the warm-up I spent some time talking with friend and fellow ultra runner Steve L and a few members of the Dungeon Rock Racing Team before the race started. It was Steve's first snowshoe race and he asked me if he should stop and take some pictures during the race. Steve loves taking pictures and I really enjoy checking out his photos and the hilarious captions he comes up with. I didn't want to discourage him but told him if he stops to take pictures in a race this short he may end up dead last. Yep, he takes A LOT of pictures!

Photos by Scott Mason here.

The race started in an open field an immediately went gradually uphill. I had positioned myself in the middle of the pack and was eating snow from the rooster tails kicked up from the runners ahead of me. Fun stuff! After about 150 yards the course made a U-turn onto a wide trail. The field became bottle-necked and I came to a stop for a few seconds. Once rounding the turn there was a little more running room but still everyone was packed in tight.

Photo by Scott Mason (taken from Coolrunning.com)

The first half mile was all downhill, not too steep, but a nice gradual grade that made for some easy running. I tried to keep my pace in check here because we would have to run back up this hill to the finish and I wanted to have something left in the tank for the return trip. I started getting frustrated being caught up in the slow pace so I started to run wide off trail so I could pass slower runners. I DID NOT yell "slow runners to the right" (yes, I actually heard someone yell that before!) but instead told the runner ahead of me I was passing to the left (or right) so we wouldn't get tangled up.

I went thought the first mile in 9:11 yet still manage to pass several runners. The second mile was basically flat so I worked on maintaining my 9 minute pace and holding, or improving my position. Not much later, the lead runners were already heading back towards me. Double J was in the lead followed by the above named suspects. It was cool to see everyone coming in the opposite direction even though I then knew how far back I was from the leaders. I continued to pass runners and hit the mile two split in 8:54.

Then the climbing began! By this time the field had thinned out quite a bit and I could only see three people ahead of me. I am a poor uphill runner so I expected to get passed at any moment. I could hear footsteps behind me so I just kept plodding along trying not to slow too much on the climb. The footsteps were getting softer and soon I could not hear them anymore. I actually dropped someone on a hill. A rare and unexpected feat for me.

I passed two of the three people ahead of me (one fell down so that made it easy) and when I reached the third, the finish line was about 200 yards away. I encouraged the other runner to kick it in and he listened. Oh boy did he listen! He took off like he was shot from a cannon. I followed him to the finish and crossed the line in 23 flat (posted as 23:10 in official results). The race was advertized as a 5K but it was least a half mile short. This was the first snowshoe race that I didn't have to walk part of the course and also the first time I was never passed. But it was also the easiest course I have raced so far. I have a feeling this won’t happen again all season.

The snow’s still falling….

2010 Snowshoe Racing Season Approaches

With the month of December just around the corner I finally decided to post the 2010 Snowshoe Race Schedules here (see sidebar). I’ve been slow to do this because it means admitting to myself that my favorite trail running season is just about over. I have one more fall race in early December and then I’ll be trading my trail shoes for snow shoes. Old man winter can be a grumpy old man but snowshoe racing helps get me through the long, cold New England winter.

Much like ultra running, snowshoe racing in New England is growing in popularity. This is reflected in the number of new races on the GSSS 2010 calendar, growing from 6 races in 2009 to 9 this year. The WMAC/Dion series also added another race to their schedule bringing the total number of races in this series to 18. This growth in the sport is both good and bad in my opinion. On the up side it allows us more opportunities to get out and enjoy a sport we love dearly. On the downside it makes for a crowd at races which diminishes the intimacy and solitude of running in snow-cover forests.


It’s going to be a very busy winter.

2009 Granite State Snowshoe Series - Final Results

01.10.09 Pooh Hill 8.5K Snowshoe Scramble - Results

01.31.09 Cobble Mountain Snowshoe Classic - Results

02.07.09 Sidehiller Snowshoe Race - Results

02.08.09 Frosty's Dash for a Cure - Results

02.14.09 Horse Hill 7K Snowshoe Race - Results

02.21.09 Kingman Farm Moonlight 5K Snowshoe Results

Final Rankings - Men

Final Rankings - Women

Final Rankings - Teams

Granite State Snowshoe Series Final Standings

Well, the 2009 Granite State Snowshoe Series is in the books and the final standings have been posted. I finished 18th out of 165 male racers and my team, Dungeon Rock Racing finished 2nd overall. I guess I don't suck at this as much as I thought I did! In all fairness, many (but not all) of the people I beat ran fewer races than I did. Obviously, you can't score points if you don't race. But that's what I like about race series. A middle of the pack runner can still do well if they have the motivation and determination to push themselves through many races. Some people just aren't willing to pay the price.

My hat's off to Chris Dunn, Race Director Extraordinaire, who made running this series very rewarding. Chris is the RD for 3 quality races in the series and a great ambassador for the sport. He also manages to obtain an unbelievable amount of sponsorship so that almost everyone goes home from his races with some type of award or prize.

Women's Rankings

Men's Rankings

Team Rankings

See you next season.......

Kingman Farm Moonlight 5K Snowshoe Race Report

Kingman Farm is the final race in the newly formed Granite State Snowshoe Series, and also the only night snowshoe race in New England to the best of my knowledge. Dungeon Rock Racing fielded their strongest team for this final challenge in an attempt to break Acidotic RACING's vise-like grip on first place finishes. AD won the first five races of the series in convincing fashion with DRR placing second each time. The team race was close and heated as this friendly competition came down to the wire. DRR had a strong showing placing 3 runners in the top 10 and 7 in the top 20. Acidotic countered with 4 finishers in the top 10 and 9 in the top 2o. In the end, Acidotic eeked out a victory by the slimmest of margins, defeating my beloved team by a mere 10 points. OK, Acidotic, wait until next year! At least we outnumbered them this time and won the case of Widmer Hefeweizen for bringing the biggest team. Mmm, Mmm good!

Pirate booty from Kingman Farm Race

There was also a race within the race between top master's runners Patrick S (DRR), Scott G (AD) and snowshoe racing newcomer Danny C (DRR). Scotty G used his road speed to take it out hard like he always does but Patrick kept in contact and used his strength on the hills to reel Scott back in and win by 1:11. The race wasn't over though because Danny C was lurking in the shadows waiting to make his move if either Patrick or Scotty faltered. Danny finished strong but Scott was able to hold him off to take second by oo:09.

There's not much to say about the open competition. Double J was there so we all knew the outcome before the race even started. Jim had already won 4 of the last 5 GSSS races by wide margins and I expected he would do the same at Kingman Farm. Double J claims to be directionally challenged so there was some hope for his rivals if Jim got lost in the darkness and went off the course. Alas, it didn't happen, and Double J cruised to his 5th win in 6 races.

As far as my own race is concerned, I was pleased with my effort at Kingman Farm. My conditioning is still poor having run only 58 miles in December and 87 in January. I never expected to be competitive in any of these races but I have been most disappointed in my lack of mental toughness. I had been giving up way too early in the first 3 races, letting the course, and other racers, defeat me without putting up much of a fight. This was my 4th snowshoe race and I think I finally got my mind in the right place.

The starting line was narrow allowing only about 5 runners across in each row. With approximately 120 shoers toeing the line this had the potential to be a dangerous start. Thoughts of being trampled by many claw-footed psycho-runners convinced me to seed myself near the front. With the command of "GO" the sprint was on! Almost immediately my teammate Eric, who was on my right, went down after someone stepped on the back of his snowshoe. I took a quick look back as people went left, right and OVER him. He got up quickly and seemed to be fine so I continued on. His adrenaline must have kicked in as soon after he blasted past me and went on to run his best race on the series. Geez, maybe I should have gotten stomped on too!

I went out very fast to escape the carnage but I was worried I would pay for it later in the race, and I did to some degree. The first 2 kilometers were mainly flat, double-track with little rollers here and there, but overall the course was gradually losing elevation. I averaged a 5:25 pace for he first 2K and thought I may be somewhere in the top 30. The course started to climb here but it wasn't too bad until it got to a section of switchbacks. I started to struggle a bit here so I took a look back to see if anyone was behind me. There was a long train on my heels!

This is were I usually crack but this time I kept pushing up the hill. I did not want to lose any places not so much for myself but, to protect the team score. Nearing the top of the hill, on some twisting single-track, I finally had to take a walking break. I stepped to the side and asked two runners if they wanted to pass. They accepted, and as they went past, I latched on to them. I vowed not to give up any more places!

After cresting the hill I made a long, screaming descent on perilous switchbacks, dodging trees in the darkness. I could hear the clatter of snowshoes behind me so I poured on the coals. The sounds faded as I descended and then got louder when the trail leveled off. This told me I was a better descender than those following me so I knew I had an advantage. I continued on my kamikaze mission not wanting to give up any places so close to the finish. I reached the bottom of the hill and sprinted the final 200 yards to the finish.


View Larger Map

I finished 36th out of 107 runners but that really isn't important. The thing that matters most to me is that I finally showed some guts in a snowshoe race and pushed myself even though I was feeling like poop! I'm almost sad to see the series come to an end. It's been a lot of fun running as a member of a team and being part of a friendly rivalry. You know who I'm talking about! I've also made some new friends along the way, people I never would have met if not for snowshoe racing. Isn't that what it's all about?

So long for now my new friends. See you on the trails......

Horse Hill 7K Snowshoe Race Report Update

I ran the Horse Hill Snowshoe race this morning, my 3rd race in three weekends. Great weather, an awesome course and a surprise guest made for a very fun day! Horse Hill is race #5 of 6 in the Granite State Snowshoe Series. Aw, shucks, does that mean I only get to torture myself one more time? For those of you wishing to join me in this foolish endeavor all I can say is sorry folks, Kingman Farm, the final race in the series, is already sold out!

I arrived early for the race hoping to get one of the few parking spots at the trail head. I was happy to see there were still a few remaining and after parking I went to greet Michael A, the RD, and pick up my race number. Even though it was a bright, sunny morning, there was a cold wind whipping through the parking lot so I retreated to my truck, strategically parked in the sun, to relax and warm stay before the race.

As I waited in my truck I could see many of the usual suspects gathering for the race. All the fast guys were there, Jim "Double J" Johnson, Chris Dunn, Steve W and Scott "PHAT" G. It was shaping up to be another very competitive race but it was doubtful if anyone could stop Double J. He has owned the series winning 3 of the last 4 races by wide margins. Soon, many of my DRR teammates arrived and we went out for a pre-race warm up on the course. The snow was frozen and firm meaning this would be produce some fast times today, with the exception of yours truly.

Back at the parking lot I was pleasantly surprise by the arrival of Emily "Trail Pixie" ! I have been prodding her all winter the come out for a snowshoe race but other commitments, and perhaps a little fear of the unknown, had kept her away until today. Although Emily got lost and arrived at the race with just a few minutes to spare she was still in her usual cheerful mood with a smile on her face. I was also very happy to finally meet Laurel Valley after the race.


Trail Pixie and me

The race start was flat and fast and the field was strung out in no time at all. I started out near the rear and stayed there throughout the race. After about 200 yards of flat double-track the course turned left onto the wooded single-track. The single track twisted it's way down to a slightly lower elevation where we had to leap over a narrow flow of running water. After that, we hit the first of several climbs.

The hill started out at a manageable grade but then became steeper as the climb progressed. I walked a little on the steepest section and then began running again when the angle eased a bit. I thought I had crested the hill but the the course turned right and began climbing again. This part wasn't too bad and I was able to continue running.

Around 1K I entered a series of switchbacks that descended the side of a steep hill. Flying down the hill along the twisting single-track was a blast. I was really enjoying myself here but my joy was short-lived when I realized I would have to climb this section of trail on the way back to the finish. Shoot me now! At the bottom of the hill the trail continued to snake its way through thickly wooded forest. It was here when I noticed some pain and tightness in my left achilles. It stayed that way for the remainder of the race but it really didn't effect my running in any way.

At the 2K mark I hit Horse Hill, another long and perhaps steepest hill of the race. It was here where I stopped to tighten the straps on one of my snowshoe that was loose from the start of the race. When I pulled off the trail to fix the strap I was passed by three runners. They continued moving quickly up the hill and I never made contact with them again. I fact, I never saw another runner between the 2K and the 6K marks. It was like I was on a training run alone in the woods. Ok, back to the hill, I walked it of course! Were you ever in doubt?

After the long climb there was some easier running as the course made a long, gradual descent along some power lines. Once off the power lines the course made its way though deep woods with a lot of twists and turns along the way. This was my favorite part of the race probably because it was also the flattest! Unfortunately, this is where I also got lazy. Since I was tired and all alone out here, I really didn't have the motivation to push myself. My pace slowed and I just tried to put on foot in front of the other.

I finally made my way back to the Blodgett Hill with its series of switchbacks. This time I had to climb them. I ran a little, walked a little, and repeated that process until I made it to the top. I decided I should at least try to run hard for the last 1K to the finish. I flew down a steep hill and turned onto the final stretch to the finish. This is where I saw another runner but he was too far ahead to catch with only a few hundred yards to the finish line. I continued to push hard and crossed the line in 30th place.


A defeated Dan crosses the finish line.
(Photo courtesy of Steve Wolfe.)

Horse Hill is probably my favorite course in the series so far, mainly for its abundance of single-track trail. Cobble Mountain is a close second with the insane descent being its highlight.

Double J smoked the field once again winning by almost six minutes. DRR had another strong showing with Patrick S and Dan C finishing in the top ten and first time snowshoe racer Emily T finishing 3rd female and first in her age group. Great job Emily, Dan and Patrick. Once again, DRR finished second behind acidotic RACING in the team scoring. This is becoming a bad habit.

Wait till next week!!

Frosty's Dash for a Cure - Snowshoe Race Report

Have you noticed a theme to my posts lately? They all involve snow. I have to say that winter is my least favorite season in New England but I am learning to cope with it. My introduction to snowshoe racing this year has given me an opportunity to challenge myself in new ways and turn the dreaded winter blues into an appreciation of Mother Nature’s harsher side. I guess it’s something like the expression, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” My new motto is, “When Mother Nature dumps 12 inches of F@#%&ing snow on you, strap on your snowshoes and make tracks.”

This weekend, I was back on the road to New Hampshire to compete in the Frosty’s Dash for a Cure 5K race. Frosty’s is race # 4 in the Granite State Snowshoe Series and race #2 in my long and illustrious snowshoe racing career. HA! I wanted to improve on my performance from the previous week where I had to take several walking breaks because of the difficult terrain. Frosty’s race is run on the grounds of the Atkinson Country Club so I was pretty sure there wouldn’t be any mountains to climb. Fingers crossed!

Checking in for the race was a little confusing. Frosty’s is also a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis so there was a lot of activity happening in the function room before the race. A helpful volunteer walked me to the registration area where I got my number and race shirt. After registration I went back to the function room to look for my fellow Dungeon Rock Racing teammates. They were all very easy to locate wearing their bright orange team singlets.

We had several new faces show up this week. Most, if not all of them, were “virgin” snowshoe racers. Matt the triathlete, Kathey the California surfer girl, Eric the strong one, the husband and wife team of Steve and Deb, and Art brought along his two daughters. I wonder, did they volunteer for this or did Art issue a parental directive? Hmm, not sure about that one. After introductions, we sat around for a while just to make sure there weren’t any other later comers. DRR had a good turnout, 11 people, despite the fact that 4 of our top racers couldn’t make it due to other commitments.

Before the race Bill, Matt and I went out for a warm-up run on the course. The course terrain was much easier than last week’s race. It was mostly gently rolling hills with flat sections in between. I was happy to see there were no monster hills. Unfortunately, the warmer than normal overnight and morning temperatures had softened the snow considerably. Even though the track had been groomed with a snowmobile, the snow was still soft and had the consistency of mashed potatoes. The wind was also very strong and because the race was on a golf course there was no hiding from it. This would not be an easy race.

Lining up for the start of the race I met Steve Wolfe, Chris Dunn and Scott Graham from Acidotic Racing. Steve, Scott and I were the only three brave enough (foolish?) to wear shorts. I knew if I was lining up with these guys I was in the wrong place. They are way faster than me but I decided to stay up near the front. There were over 140 shoers in this race and I didn’t want to get trapped in back at the start and lose a lot of time, and places, right from the start.

The race was off and after a 50 yard sprint we turned left down a short hill and onto the golf course. I took it out pretty hard (for me) and was in maybe the top 25 in the first ¼ mile. I wasn’t very far behind teammate Bill M , he’s another fast guy, so I knew this pace would catch up to me sooner or later. I decided to stick with it and hold on for as long as possible.

The footing on the course was very difficult. I couldn’t get any real traction or grip when pushing off. I tried weaving from side to side looking for firmer snow but it was nowhere to be found. I went through the first mile around 9:30 and feeling good. Right after the mile mark I was passed by two guys moving easily over the snow. At least it looked that way to me. Shorty after that I was passed by two female runners. One of these women was Laurel Valley from Maine. She went on to finish 3rd female overall. I later learned that earlier in the week, Laurel had gone on a 20 mile snowshoe run in the woods of Maine covering the distance in 3:45! Seriously, how is this possible? She is one tough lady. This is one reason why it’s never bothered me to lose to a woman. If she trains hard, and races harder than me, she deserves to beat me. Simple as that.

My pace was starting to slow as the course began to get into a series of rolling hills. None of them were particularly large but my poor early pacing, and the softness of the snow were beginning to wear me down. I had to take a couple of short walking breaks over the hills to get my breathing and heart rate back to earth. During these breaks I was passed by two more runners. I was beginning to get a little pissed at myself for walking and letting people go by without a fight. Right now I just don’t have the competitive drive to push myself past the pain threshold and keep driving when the race gets tough. I hope I can get that back before long.

With about a ½ mile to go I could see the finish line after cresting the last hill. I had no desire to pick up the pace so I was hoping no one came up to contest the final ¼ mile of the race. Wouldn’t you know I began to hear footsteps behind me? I glanced over my shoulder and could see a female runner moving up fast. I knew I couldn’t hold her off at my current pace but I didn’t have much left in the tank at this point. I made a half-hearted attempt to kick it in but to no avail. With about 30 yards to go, she went by me like I had cinder blocks strapped to my feet!

I finished 28th out of 140+ runners so I was happy with my placement if not my effort. Once again DRR finished second behind Acidotic Racing in the team competition. Jim Johnson was the overall winner, his 3rd win in four Granite State Series starts. The female winner was fast moving Kim Webster who finished 8th place overall. Next up is the Horse Hill 7K in Merrimack, NH. I always get a little worried when I see the word “Hill” or “Mountain” in the race title. This one won’t be easy, but then again, are they ever?

Make tracks…..

Cobble Mountain Snowshoe Race Report

Today I drove 2 hours north to Gunstock Resort in Gilford, NH to run my first snowshoe race, The Cobble Mountain Snowshoe Classic 6K. Cobble Mountain is the 2nd race in the Granite State Snowshoe Race Series. A few miles out from Gunstock I was stopped at a red light when someone behind me honked their horn. I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw it was fellow Dungeon Rock Racing teammates Bill M, Dan C and Steph C. Before long we were parked and heading to the registration area to pick up our race numbers.

Most snowshoe races are bare-boned events. Registration often takes place at a table set up in the middle of the woods. This race was different. Registration was in a very large, heated cabin. It was awesome to be able to stay warm before and after the race and to have a place to store your gear. Registration went smoothly and I began preparing myself for the race.

Big Stu's ready to rumble!

Pre-race warm up.

The Race:
The race started on groomed cross-country trails and after a short descent began a long gradual uphill. I expected the groomed trails to be much firmer than they were but I suspect the 1.5 feet of new powder that fell a few days earlier made for the spongy trail conditions. After the long uphill there was a long descent and I started passing several runners. It was difficult to get any real traction in the spongy, uneven snow but I was feeling pretty good at this time.

The feeling didn’t last for long as the next 1.5 kilometers were a series of uphills followed by a flat section followed by more uphills. In fact, there was so much elevation gain that I was beginning to think this was The Hill, Cobble Mountain, but it wasn't. This was just a warm up for the real McCoy. At 2 kilometers the course turned left into the woods for a twisting single-track bushwhack through knee deep powder. Although the snow was very soft it wasn't that bad because the terrain was mostly flat. After the single-track, it was back onto the groomed cross-country trail.

At 3 km the course turned again for more single track running in the woods. It didn’t take long for it to hit me; this was the climb up Cobble Mountain! It was on this long, steep, twisting climb that I really began to struggle. It was impossible for me to run up this mountain. The best I could do was to power hike it. The climb was so steep, and the snow so soft, that the runners before me left indentations in the snow that resembled steps. By placing my snowshoes in these “steps” I was able to make the climb a little easier.

I kept glancing over my shoulder to see if anyone was behind me. There was a string of runners to my rear but each time I looked back they did not appear to be gaining any ground on me. I really wanted to get off this mountain but each time I looked up all I could see was the sky and more trees. Would this monster ever end? I’m not sure how long, or how high this climb was but I know I was on the side of this mountain for at least 5-7 minutes. Finally, I reached the top and the RDs dad was there to offer some encouragement.

The descent down Cobble Mountain was insane! It was very steep, the snow was very deep, and the single-track snaked its way to the bottom. On the steepest sections I leaned back on my snowshoes and actually skied down the trail! Although this made for a very fast descent I had no control over my direction. This was dangerous since the trail had many sharp turns. I had to be very careful to stay in the blazed trail because one step outside the single track would surely have resulted in me being swallowed up waist deep in the powder. This was my favorite part of the race ;-)

At the bottom of Cobble Mountain was the 4 km mark and the course turned back onto the groomed cross-country trail. The trail was shaded here and the snow was much firmer. I started to recover a bit and I picked up my pace on a very long downhill section. I don't remember much about the race between kilometers 4 and 5. I guess I just zoned out. With about 1/4 mile to go there was one last hill to climb. I tried to run it but could only made it about halfway before I had to walk. After cresting the hill I ran down to an open field and could see the finish line about 200 yards away. The snow was very soft in the field but I sprinted as fast as I could to the finish crossing the line in 51:31. I felt like I was going to vomit. I wouldn’t think that was possible from running a 14 minute pace!

Race Director, Chris J. Dunn did a great job of marking the course, recruiting awesome volunteers and obtaining numerous sponsors. The post race raffle included a pair of Kahtoola snowshoes, 12 packs of Red Hook beer, 22 oz bottles of Double Black stout, YakTraxs, hats, a subscription to Trail Runner magazine and lots of other swag. Several members of Dungeon Rock Racing walked away with 12 packs of Red Hook, bottles of DB stout and Art was the lucky winner of the Kahtoola snowshoes!

Steph finishing with a smile.

Art finishing strong.

After the race, I met Jim Johnson, aka Double J Running, the winner of the first two Granite State Series races and a top finisher in several WMAC/Dion races as well this year. He is one of the best shoers in New England. Jim is a very cool guy, friendly, easy to talk with, and not a hint of cockiness. I wish him well at next weekend’s races.

Although team DRR was missing their top guns, Crystal Anthony and Chris Smith, we managed to get two shoers on the podium. Patrick Smith was first Master’s and Mike Doyle placed third in the Masters division. Mike ran a great race and I believe this is only his first snowshoe race! Patrick also won the Master’s Division at the Pooh Hill race. Congratulations to both of them. Once again DRR placed second in the team division behind Acidotic Racing. Acidotic combined speed up front (six finishers in the top ten) and team turnout (21 total racers) to take the title.



Acidotic may have the finished with the most points, but DRR has more beer! (Photo courtesy of Patrick Smith)

Here are a few things I learned from my first snowshoe race.
1. As hard as you think racing is snowshoes would be; it’s even harder than that.
2. Mankind (that includes you ladies) was not meant to run in snowshoes.
3. Uphills are my enemy.
4. Mountains are my mortal enemy.
5. Snowshoes make bad skis.
6. Snowshoe racing is fun, I think…maybe.

Next up: Frosty’s Dash for a Cure 5k.

Until next time…..