Stone Cat 50 Race Report 2009

As I was leaving my driveway on the Friday night before the Stone Cat 50 Miler, I said to Gretchen, lets zero the trip odometer on the car and really see where 50 miles is.  Running mostly in the trails, its hard to quantify that distance in my head.  You know, a lot of loops, out and backs, varied terrain, you get the picture. A couple of years back in Scranton,PA at the Steamtown Marathon, I drove to the start of that marathon to drive the route with Gretchen.  It was the first time I drove the route of a point to point marathon.  Wow, it was long.  I really got a sense of the distance we travel.  So, traveling up I-91 the odometer is clicking away.  We reach Hartford, we are not at 50 miles yet.  We turn onto I-84 East and head all the way to Manchester, near the Buckland Hills Mall, and the odometer finally hits 50 miles.  Holy ***t, this is far.  I know 50 miles is far, but “BLAM”, reality check. Read more

My Bluff Empathy Run

So I find myself in Vermont on Sunday the 25^th, the same day as my fellow Bimblers are challenging themselves to run the Bluff race.  I’m feeling a little sad to not be participating so NOV and I decide we need to step up and challenge ourselves too!  We discuss the rail trail that Forrest suggested but decided, “no, too easy!”.  So we take a look in the book at the concierge desk for trails but they all say “easy”.  After some searching, ah ha, we find what we’re looking for – Camel’s Hump Park in Huntington. Read more

The Bluff 50K Race – A Runner’s Report

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

Not a gecko in sight – Allstate runs the relay

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

A Beautiful day in Bimbledom

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

Quick to the start slow to the finish

This trail run was my 6^th Grand Tree race this year and completing this run would enable me to qualify to apply for the Nipmuck Trial Marathon 2010. It’s sort of an unusual approach to qualify for a race but it’s been fun “playing the game”. After going to Nipmuck earlier this year as a spectator and trail bandit, I decided that’s a must do race. Read more

Adventures of a good Sport

We did it!

Amy, Donni, and I finally achieved our marathon goals, thanks to a TON of bimbler support!  I had always dreamed of running a marathon; but knew I needed a support system to help me with the training.  I couldn’t have reached my goal with out all of the group long runs, hill repeats, track work, and unending advice from all of you!!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! Read more

BREAKNECK!!! … (yell and start running!)

Given the events of the past week, most would probably suggest that I NOT run any race with the name Breakneck 20K.  That was fine with me because after 2 years of running the course with my girl Ticket the novelty of no trail markings, beaver dam crossings and never knowing if we were on the course or not, had frankly lost its appeal.  But given my recent list of injuries and the fact that I had not run a race since Escarpment, I woke up last Saturday contemplating the possibility of going back for round 3.  Read more

Ragnar Relay Report

Hello all.  I am back and recuperated from our “little” jaunt to Boston.   A fun, successful and highly recommended trip.  Vehicle #1 or “The Old Guys Van” as the youngsters in Vehicle #2 referred to us, started off the trip Friday 9/11 at 1 p.m. from Lighthouse.  Bob Francis was our lead off runner going to the Branford Train Station.  Bob had the misfortune of running all 3 of his legs in the pouring rain.  He also benefited from home field advantage because of the 10 teams that started with him, 8 teams got lost within the first ½ mile!  The course was very well marked the whole way, just ask Alex.  Alex, Alex where are you? Read more

Our second date with Curly

This was the second year a group of Bimblers drove up to the Berkshire’s to tackle Curly’s Trail Marathon. With word of course revisions, intended to tame the run, and stunning weather it seemed liked we could expect a great day on the trail.

Shelly Girl is still trying to get her heel issue resolved (Boo!) so it was left to Suds and I to make the 2 hour and 15 minute commute to Pittsfield State Forest and race registration. Upon arrival I noticed one thing, man it was cold! I had not really expected 36 degree weather and we had over an hour to kill before the start of the race. Can you say car heater on full blast! Shortly, Sprinkles and Catamount arrived and we chatted while waiting for the 8:00 a.m. start. Read more

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