Moose on the Loose Race Report

I left Vermont at 6am to drive the 100 miles to Nashua in New Hampshire. I was 10 days into a 3 week holiday in the US and I was looking forward to taking part in a race. I had found it on Runners World back in May when we booked the holiday but had little idea of what to expect.

The sat-nav got me safely to Nashua but not to the Stellio stadium and the race start. It took several stops in petrol stations and diners to find it. I was greeted with the familiar site of many runners preparing for a race and I felt at home.

I signed in and got my race number and moose t-shirt and get myself sorted. I found out that the course was a 2.5 mile trail run that started and finished in a car park. Of course that meant repeating it 4 times for the 10 mile race which wasn't ideal. I'm not a fan of laps and 4 was going to be tough. It was also the farthest I'd run in a while as my cycling had taken over during the previous 6 months.

I left cold and wet weather in Vermont to find lovely warm weather at the race. In fact, it was more than warm, it was very hot, even at 9am. I'm not used to running in hot weather and I knew it would slow me a little.

The race started a little late as the toilet queue was still long but at 9:10 we got underway. There were about 250 runners in the 10 mile event and about 20 teams doing the relay. Despite the numbers, it never felt too busy and by the halfway point of the first lap, it had really thinned out. I settled into a comfortable pace with a bunch of other runners and finished the first lap without any problems. The 2.5 circuit was very pretty and thankfully partly shaded.

I tried to chat to people as I ran along but no one was in the mood. They all seemed very focused and serious about the event. I guess some people don't like to chat whilst running. I find it helps at times. I did feel the race had a slightly more serious edge that many UK runs. Its not a criticism, just a feeling I got. It was similar with the New York marathon compared to the London marathon. London has many more costumes and people being silly whilst completing the 26.2 miles where as in NY, I saw very few costumes and even the slowest runners seemed steely-eyed and serious. Just a different approach I guess.

By the end of lap 2 I was very warm. I made sure I had a drink at both water stops on each lap but I still felt a bit thirsty. I followed many people's example and poured a cup of water on my head. Thinking about water supplies I did ask the marshal if this was ok, but they said it was fine.

As often happens in races, I found myself with the same people for most of the race. This gave me a good target, first to keep up with them and second to try and pull away in the final lap. At the start of lap four I pushed on and dropped several people and aimed for a fit looking runner who was 100 meters ahead. I slowly reeled him in and passed him. I picked the next target and almost got to him until he kicked and I could not close the gap but didn't fall back, pushing until I crossed the line.

I had a goal of under 1:30 so I was delighted with 1:25. Picking my way through the runners in the last lap really helped. I am very glad I did the race. I got to talk to several people after the race who were all very surprised I had driven all the way from Vermont for the race and couldn't believe I was on holiday from London. Thanks to all the organisers for putting on such a fun event.

Time: 1:25:35
Pace: 8:34 minute miles
Position: 130th
Finishers: 238
1st Place: 0:57:20
Last Place: 2:04:45
Weather: 80 degrees and clear skies

Niagara

A couple more gym runs and some weights. Nothing to write home about.

Niagara Falls is amazing. We got the Maid of the Mist boat that sails really close to the base of the falls which gives you a better idea just how bit they are. It makes you feel small.

Whilst the falls are amazing and well worth the trip, the town of Niagara is terrible. Imagine Blackpool. That's the closest place I can think of. I know popular places always attract tat but the Canadian authorities have basically said anything goes and you have cheap, tatty hotels as far as the eye can see, thousands of burger joints and loads of horrible attractions. Its not a nice place.

We are off to Adirondack National Park tomorrow for a couple of days in the wilderness before we drive back to New York and then home. I intend to run both days in the forest.

Moose on the Loose

I took part in the Moose on the Loose 10 mile race on Sunday. It was in Nashua, Mew Hampshire.

It was a very friendly race with about 300 runners participating in the 4 lap race. Races with laps are not my favourite and given the amount of countryside around I'm not sure why there was not more than 2.5 miles of trail to run in but it was ok.

The race started at 9am but it was still over 75 degrees when we started. By the time we finished it was well into the 80s and very hot. Despite buying extra water, the organisers ran out at the end. I think this was mostly due to people pouring it over their heads as well as drinking it.

I ran a respectable 1:25:10 and came 135th which I was very happy with. Despite very few casual looking runners, I finished about 'mid-table' in the field. Given I've only been back running a few weeks, it was a good days work.

Interesting journey home. As I left Nashua, I wasn't watching my speed and it seems I went 69 in a 55 limit. It was a large, empty dual carriageway but the speed limits are ridiculously low in the US. I know how fast I was going because 5 minutes later a state troopers car was behind me with his lights flashing. I pulled over thinking he was after someone else but it was me. The movie scenario played out with an overweight cop slowly walking to my window and asking for "license and registration please". Once he realised I was not from New York (my car was a rental with NY plates) and I had a spiffing English accent (which got more plum as I spoke) he gave me a ticking off and a written warning before sending me on my way. I was spot on the speed limit all the way home and it took ages.

We are on to Niagara next to see some waterfall.

Running in America

I'm really enjoying my holiday in the States. New York was great. I had a fabulous run at 5am around Central Park. So many other runners and people on road bikes. All with a very friendly atmosphere.

Then it was up to Boston. I didn't know the area so ran in the hotel gym. Very hot and boring but it had to be done as I've been eating some terribly bad food here. Too many burgers. Boston itself was great. A lovely time, very different to many US cities I've been to.

Then we travelled to Vermont. I've never been to this part of America either and it is lovely. The villages and towns are a little twee for my liking but the mountains and endless forests are spectacular. I had a 7 mile run on Wednesday along some hilly roads. It was late in the day but still over 80 degrees. It was a very sweaty run. I've done a couple of other runs so I'm really back in the swing of things.

Brighton Marathon Entered

I have my first big target sorted out. In April 2010, I'll be running my 7th marathon - the Brighton Marathon. Its the first time its being staged and I think its trying to get the same market as the Edinburgh marathon - that is the people who don't get into London. 100,000 people enter the London Marathon each year and only 35,000 get places so there is a lot of people looking for a marathon in April. It seems its going to be a similar size to Edinburgh with 12,000 places available. So it should feel like an occasion but without being too packed.

I'm trying to get my brother to run. We are doing the Brighton 10k together in November so it would be cool if he continues his training to run the marathon with me. He's currently thinking about it.

Weekly runs

My return to running is going well. I did a 5 mile run on Thursday with little problem. It was my Battersea Park route and the weather was ok. I stretched after about 3 miles and felt fine. My quads were ok afterwards.

I was in Devon at the weekend picking up my kids from my Dad's and I took the opportunity to run. I love running around Dartmoor and one route in particular - I think its my favourite training run. Its very hilly but stunning and at 8am on a Sunday morning, there is only the odd tractor on the small lanes. My Dad came with me on the bike and I ran for just over an hour in bright sunshine. I ran up all the hills without a problem and really enjoyed it.

I have missed running and its great to be doing it again. My biggest problem is trying not to do too much too quickly.

Back on the bike

I had a call from my 15 year old nephew during the week to ask if I wanted to go out on a ride. He has recently sold his mountain bike and bought a road bike and was keen to do some riding.

I met him at his house in Keston with Ed on Sunday morning and set off on a 30 mile route I had mapped out and given to Ed for his Garmin.

Samuel had never done more than 24 miles before so this 30 would be a challenge. It also turned out to be a very hilly route. Just south of Keston is the edge of the North Downs and Toys Hill, Ide Hill, Star Hill and Hogtrough Hill are all a challenge.

Samuel did really well. His gears need a tweak, his breaks need tightening and he had a puncture but despite all that, we got up all the hills and needed very little rest. It was around 4,000 feet of climbing which is excellent. He could be a really good cyclist and it won't be long before he's waiting for me.

It was a reasonably sunny day and apart from feeling a little tired, it was a good ride. It was nice to ride on some new hills and I'm sure we'll come back for training as a change to the Surrey Hills. I did 60.5 miles in total.