The race was, in many ways, a “pumped-up” version of last year’s race. In 2008, the inaugural running of the Bimblers Bluff 50K Trail Race was nearly flawless. This year, the good parts got even better, and new goodies were added. A very practical AND stylish technical long sleeve shirt was a nice surprise. A new custom designed Buff made for an appreciated companion to last year’s finishers’ award. Goodies in our race bag, handouts from the major sponsor (Poron), and a carb-load meal the night before all added to the “value” of the race. [Read more...]

To date, this will be my longest race.  I’ll be running the relay today with Iggy.  We’re calling ourselves ‘Team Bimblettes’.  I’ve been very excited about participating and the day certainly did not disappoint.  It’s been quite the training plan…  Bites of the Bluff, multiple falls, bee stings, fun runs…  All leading up to race day. [Read more...]

This report is not really about my run today but more about the day itself.  It was perfect! Of course we all know the weather was spectacular and the course was certainly a Bimbler course. Translation? Hard! What made me smile the most had nothing to do with running. [Read more...]

The following race report was sent in by runner Siskanna Naynaha

Greetings to all!

Sorry that it’s been so long since my last communication, but things have been so crazy here (I know, you’re sick of hearing that!). In addition to moving from Glastonbury to West Hartford, Connecticut in the last month, Joaquín started school at a new daycare, James started at a new high school, Mekyael has taken on new work territories in addition to New England (namely, northern New Jersey and all of New York except NYC and Long Island), and I have been enjoying teaching a new—to me—class (Latina/o lit) and designing another for spring (Writing Through Research; basically a course in advanced research and writing, which I am focusing on film as a rhetorical “text”). [Read more...]

The weather could not have been better for my first Ultra Trail Race. As we ran through Timberlands it was quite apparent the storm the night before dumped a whole new thick layer of leaves. The color of the autumn leaves gleamed in the morning sunshine. I coasted through Timberlands touching the old growth trees as I ran by them. I boogied through the race Hill section past the boundary boulders. I yelled at a runner going forward on Race Hill when they should have taken that hard left north into the Genesee Section. Power walked up first long hill. Reassured runners that we were on the right trail once on Red dot. Cruised up to and thru Mattabasset Trail connector (vw green). Carefully navigated gnarly sharp slippery rocks in the Broomstick ledges area. Yelled with excitement on my way down the trail to aid # 2. Met my buddy Nate there. I refueled my water bottle and heard Iggy say “eat like a horse Suds” so I did. Meet and greet with fellow bimblers Iggy and Ticket. Then off up steep trail (escalator) to the top for photo opts. [Read more...]

As I sit here in my room, with my lap top, on a day quite the opposite of what the weather was like for the Bluff—it’s hard to believe that it’s just been three days since I completed my very first Ultra Marathon Distance Race!!! I can’t help but want to replay Sunday over and over again in my head, because I had such a GREAT experience…and now it is just a memory.

(First I would like to say that Shellygirl and I  took a casual run up and over Bluff Head Tuesday evening…mainly cause we were in search of my long sleeve black shirt I had taken off just past where the photographer was positioned on race day. We couldn’t find it, so if anyone knows the whereabouts of it give me a holler! Oh, and Shellygirl found a pink and black ribbon still attached to a branch—so she took it as a souvenir and tied it on her rearview mirror!) Now back to me and my memorable first time……….

[Read more...]