I got through my double race weekend with a few naps. Then life got in the way of running for several weeks.
Maple Madness 5K
The Maple Syrup race was awesome, as always. Drier than the last few years but still cold enough to huddle by the bonfire. The hills were dreadful, as expected. And I thought I had seen somewhere that the course had changed a little bit so it felt like there were more hills. When I asked my running friend who also ran it, she said it seemed a little easier. An experienced triathloner would say that.
The shot of fresh maple syrup during one of the uphills was amazing. The cute little shot glass was too small to lick the very bottom of the syrup. But I did lick my sticky fingers.
As I hiked my way up the hill that I thought was not there last year, I assumed there’s no way I’m going to match my time of 45 minutes 42 seconds from last year. Especially since I was trying to take it slow so I don’t DNF the 15K the next day.
I made my way through the terrain, passed the rock quarry and a stockpile of explosives. Hit the dead zone of cell service and my music cut out. As I made my way down the mountain thinking “this sucks” at each step to fill the lack of music passing through my ear drums, I passed the beautiful syrup tap lines in all the trees. The tap lines meant I was almost done. Got passed by multiple 10Kers whizzing by. Meaning they lapped me and would finish their 2 laps for the 10K before I finished my 5K. A couple of them tossed a “Good job” my way as my 40+ year old legs trotted along at a 12:30 pace for the last downhill mile. Contrary to the 18:07 walking pace uphill for the first mile.
I crossed the finish line in a net time of 46 minutes 27 seconds. Thankful that it was fairly close to last years’ pace. Got my beautiful maple leaf shaped bottle of syrup and ate several pancakes and fresh sausage patties.
There was a nap at some point during the day.
Chenango Forks XV
The next morning was the 15K. I got to bib pick up late and hustled to the start line that was nearly a quarter mile away. About a minute after I got to the start line, we were off. And I DFLed the entire race. I would slingshot with my friend who volunteered to pack up the aid stations after the last runner. I’d pick up my water, hear words of encouragement from him, then get passed by him in his vehicle on his way to the next aid station. Waiting for me to pass so he could pack up the table. The trials of a slow runner.
It took 2 hours 1 minute 35 seconds but I finished. And then I napped again.
