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In 2021 I competed in my first TUCARD, Maine’s most Terrifically (& Unnecessarily) Complicated Adventure Race and Duathalon. You can read that race report HERE if you want to understand the next few paragraphs of this write up. Or better yet, google the TUCARD website.
In 2022, the organizers changed things up. This year participants were given starting and ending points, and a list of coordinates that MIGHT be waypoints on race day. This was a bonus for me, as I’m largely unfamiliar with the Old Town area and being able to scout the actual locations was extremely helpful. The night before race day we were given our final instructions- in order to know which locations were official waypoints, we could go to the point furthest from the start to visit ‘The Oracle’ who would provide the correct list of waypoints. Option two was to skip The Oracle and just visit as many points as possible with the hope of hitting the right ones- this could be a big time saver or a wild goose chase. The third option was to go to a point that was the furthest from the start in the opposite direction and get a ‘Golden Ticket’ which would allow you to skip all other waypoints. The Golden Ticket would require wading through a mucky wetland, but could get you across the finish line first. At this point in my narrative you may be thinking that this explanation makes no sense- I will refer you back to the race name…
In the 2021 TUCARD I earned the award title ‘Lost Puppy’, as the racer that covered the most distance. In honor of my difficulties with Time and Relative Distance in Space during that race, I donned my TARDIS dress for this race (see photo). The race went smoothly for me- I chose The Oracle option, and was happy to see that I was well prepared to hit the correct waypoints. My primary transport was an old mountain bike, but I also ran some stretches of rough single track and paddled across the Stillwater River.
Finish time in the TUCARD requires a complicated formula based on racing surface and mode of transport. In the end I was 18th across the finish line, but ranked 17th overall (out of 21, a mix of teams and individuals). This year I also earned the title of Puppy Dog- the racer who had the most fun- thanks to running the whole thing in the TARDIS dress.
I believe that I am the only Central Maine Strider to enter this race- it's a ton of fun and I encourage you to check it out when you are planning your 2023 racing season!
In 2022, the organizers changed things up. This year participants were given starting and ending points, and a list of coordinates that MIGHT be waypoints on race day. This was a bonus for me, as I’m largely unfamiliar with the Old Town area and being able to scout the actual locations was extremely helpful. The night before race day we were given our final instructions- in order to know which locations were official waypoints, we could go to the point furthest from the start to visit ‘The Oracle’ who would provide the correct list of waypoints. Option two was to skip The Oracle and just visit as many points as possible with the hope of hitting the right ones- this could be a big time saver or a wild goose chase. The third option was to go to a point that was the furthest from the start in the opposite direction and get a ‘Golden Ticket’ which would allow you to skip all other waypoints. The Golden Ticket would require wading through a mucky wetland, but could get you across the finish line first. At this point in my narrative you may be thinking that this explanation makes no sense- I will refer you back to the race name…
In the 2021 TUCARD I earned the award title ‘Lost Puppy’, as the racer that covered the most distance. In honor of my difficulties with Time and Relative Distance in Space during that race, I donned my TARDIS dress for this race (see photo). The race went smoothly for me- I chose The Oracle option, and was happy to see that I was well prepared to hit the correct waypoints. My primary transport was an old mountain bike, but I also ran some stretches of rough single track and paddled across the Stillwater River.
Finish time in the TUCARD requires a complicated formula based on racing surface and mode of transport. In the end I was 18th across the finish line, but ranked 17th overall (out of 21, a mix of teams and individuals). This year I also earned the title of Puppy Dog- the racer who had the most fun- thanks to running the whole thing in the TARDIS dress.
I believe that I am the only Central Maine Strider to enter this race- it's a ton of fun and I encourage you to check it out when you are planning your 2023 racing season!
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by Ryan Goebel
To kick off the summer racing season, the Central Maine Striders will be hosting a pizza party following the first Quarry Road trail race of the summer. Stick around after the 3k race on June 20th for some pizza and socializing. If the weather isn't accommodating for eating pizza outside, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule for another date.
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pizza-on-white-ceramic-plate-5903101/
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by Ryan Goebel
We've recently purchased a limited number of custom Central Maine Striders socks. As discussed at recent club meetings, these socks will be given to any Central Maine Strider member who volunteers at an event. The member must be representing the Striders at the event they volunteer for. Examples of qualifying events include the Ironman 70.3 Maine, high school track meets (if and only if they are there as a Strider, and not just as a parent or coach), Quarry Road Summer Race Series, Fall Classic 10k, etc. If you aren't sure if whether your volunteer duties qualify you for a pair of socks, please contact us. Also, the socks will be limited to one pair per membership. We only have 25 pairs of crew socks and 25 pairs of ankle socks.
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By Julie Millard, Ryan Goebel, and ChatGPT
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-woman-tying-her-white-sneakers-on-running-track-3763869/
The Central Maine Striders are excited to announce our new High School Outreach Committee, focused on supporting local high school cross country and indoor/outdoor track runners in Central Maine. As a community-oriented running club, we believe in the importance of fostering young talent and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. To that end, we are reaching out to local coaches for ways that we can support their athletes. Examples could include assistance with the purchase of running gear, discounted race entry fees, and volunteers for track meets. We hope that this initiative will provide high school runners in our area with the resources they need to achieve their running goals. Martha Nadeau will lead the committee, but we encourage all members of our club to participate and contribute to this effort, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact that we can make together.
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Calling all Striders!
Many club members volunteered at the Ironman 70.3 Maine in Augusta last year and some actually COMPETED in the event (Go Andrew Catalina!). This year, we have decided to formalize our volunteering participation in order to secure a grant from the corporation to support our club. If you are available on July 30, 2023, then please consider volunteering for the event under the Central Maine Striders umbrella. It is likely that we will be working the swim leg, where we will get to see sunrise from the beautiful Kennebec River. Please reach out to Martha Nadeau (Veggie60@roadrunner.com) and Julie Millard (jtmillar@colby.edu) for more information about the event.
Many club members volunteered at the Ironman 70.3 Maine in Augusta last year and some actually COMPETED in the event (Go Andrew Catalina!). This year, we have decided to formalize our volunteering participation in order to secure a grant from the corporation to support our club. If you are available on July 30, 2023, then please consider volunteering for the event under the Central Maine Striders umbrella. It is likely that we will be working the swim leg, where we will get to see sunrise from the beautiful Kennebec River. Please reach out to Martha Nadeau (Veggie60@roadrunner.com) and Julie Millard (jtmillar@colby.edu) for more information about the event.
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By Martha Nadeau
According to the race organizers:
"THIS SCENIC COURSE ON THE ST. GEORGE PENINSULA BEGINS AT DRIFT INN BEACH IN PORT CLYDE. IT OFFERS SOME FANTASTIC VIEWS OF THE MAINE COAST AS IT WINDS ITS WAY TOWARDS THE LIGHTHOUSE, DOWN THROUGH THE VILLAGE OF PORT CLYDE, AND ENDING BACK AT DRIFT INN BEACH".
This annual race is located just south of Rockland/Thomaston, for those not familiar with the area. After a 1-1/2 drive from my house, the small parking lot had already been filled and I had to locate parking on the road, which isn't easy to find since the road is fairly narrow. Having done this race before, I was aware this might be the case and allowed some extra time. Snagging a prime spot, I head to the folding table set-up in the small dirt parking lot, to register. Registration can be done ahead, by printing out the form and sending a check for $15 or on race day for $20, between 7:30-8:30. T-shirts were guaranteed, if registered ahead, but I lucked out and there were choices available to me. This parking lot is also where the port-o-potties are located. TMI? I don't think so.
Following the kids fun run, at 8:30, the 5k starts at Drift Inn Beach, heading uphill, taking a left turn up and down the hilly road to the amazing turnaround that is Marshall Point lighthouse (cue Forrest Gump-yep, the lighthouse from the movie). While the turn stops short of the lighthouse, itself (because it would be a nightmare for all those runners to crowd the walkway out and back-and selfies?-who could resist that opportunity? The race would come to a standstill.) We take a turn around an orange cone, and with the ocean on our side, we head back down and then another uphill, taking a left that opens to a view of the Port Clyde waterfront, and a nice recovery downhill to take in the scene. Passing the Monhegan ferry terminal and the ice cream store, the right turn takes us through a quinessential Maine small town. Yep, the Post Office is decorated with lobster traps. A last right turn, with a brief, but brutal uphill, leads back downhill to the finish line, where the volunteers record times with pen and paper. This year I wanted the whole experience, so I ran the lowtide flats, to jump into the ocean. After everyone had finished, awards were handed out and prizes given to fastest overall and age group winners.
It is a must to go to the lighthouse and visit the museum. If you have patience, you may even get a picture alone at the lighthouse.
This race is part of an annual festival, complete with yard sale and cornhole tournament. Details will be available on their website (but not easily found) at www.stgeorgemaine.com and on Facebook at St George Parks & Rec.
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Did you know that you can now buy Central Maine Striders gear online through B&B Embroidery & Ink in Oakland, Maine? They carry short-sleeve and long-sleeve tech shirts and hoodies, in multiple colors in both men's and women's variations, as well as beanies. Go to https://shop.bbembmaine.com/Central-Maine-Striders_c92.htm to start shopping now!
Of course, you can still buy the classic blue tech shirts, singlets, hoodies, and hats from Joseph's Sporting Goods in Waterville, Maine by stopping by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive or calling them at (207) 660-6676.
To see photos and a description of all Central Maine Striders items for sale from both places, please go to: www.centralmainestriders.com/shop.html.
Please note that we do not set the prices for any of the items, nor do we receive any of the proceeds. However, we encourage you to support both of these local central Maine businesses.
Please note that we do not set the prices for any of the items, nor do we receive any of the proceeds. However, we encourage you to support both of these local central Maine businesses.
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At our December club meeting, the following members were voted to be Central Maine Striders officers for 2023:
Ryan Goebel, President
Ryan started running in high school, mainly because his best friend told him he should. Together, they were two of the top runners on a team that was the top-ranked cross country team going into the state finals. Unfortunately, the whole team came down with the flu that week and finished last at the state meet. Other than a brief period when he trained for his first marathon in his senior year of college, Ryan didn't really get back into running seriously until his late 30's. What started out as attempting to run a 5k under 20 minutes has turned into 6 consecutive marathons faster than the Boston Marathon qualifying standard for his age.
When he's not running, Ryan works as a business intelligence analyst at Unum and obsesses over traveling to new countries around the world. He lives in Waterville with his wife Suegene and pet bunny Zuzu.
Ryan is entering his fourth and final year as the Central Maine Striders club president.
Ryan started running in high school, mainly because his best friend told him he should. Together, they were two of the top runners on a team that was the top-ranked cross country team going into the state finals. Unfortunately, the whole team came down with the flu that week and finished last at the state meet. Other than a brief period when he trained for his first marathon in his senior year of college, Ryan didn't really get back into running seriously until his late 30's. What started out as attempting to run a 5k under 20 minutes has turned into 6 consecutive marathons faster than the Boston Marathon qualifying standard for his age.
When he's not running, Ryan works as a business intelligence analyst at Unum and obsesses over traveling to new countries around the world. He lives in Waterville with his wife Suegene and pet bunny Zuzu.
Ryan is entering his fourth and final year as the Central Maine Striders club president.
Ron Peck, Treasurer:
Ron's running career began in his senior year of high school where he was coaxed into joining the cross country team. After this introduction, he stopped nearly all exercise for about 10 years until getting into triathlons. He quickly discovered that the running part was much more to his liking than swimming (hard to breathe underwater) and cycling (bicycles are complex mechanical devices). Ron enjoys running all distances from 5k to marathons and could be convinced to try an ultra someday. Aside from running, Ron enjoys walking his dog through the woods while listening to history podcasts. To pay for running gear and race entry fees, Ron works at Colby College as a biology professor. He lives in Waterville with his wife, Toshiko, and two teenage daughters.
Ron's running career began in his senior year of high school where he was coaxed into joining the cross country team. After this introduction, he stopped nearly all exercise for about 10 years until getting into triathlons. He quickly discovered that the running part was much more to his liking than swimming (hard to breathe underwater) and cycling (bicycles are complex mechanical devices). Ron enjoys running all distances from 5k to marathons and could be convinced to try an ultra someday. Aside from running, Ron enjoys walking his dog through the woods while listening to history podcasts. To pay for running gear and race entry fees, Ron works at Colby College as a biology professor. He lives in Waterville with his wife, Toshiko, and two teenage daughters.
Amy Stabins, Secretary:
Amy didn’t become a regular runner until her early 40’s. At that time, she fell in love with trail running. Last spring she ran her first (and probably only) marathon at Sugarloaf. Her favorite race is TUCARD, where she earned the titles of Lost Dog in 2021 (athlete who covered the most distance) and Puppy Dog in 2022 (athlete who had the most fun, for running the race in a TARDIS dress). Amy is married to Henning (casual runner), and has two kids- Alison (committed trail runner) and Lukas (joined cross country for his senior year of high school but mostly a casual runner). She works as a substitute teacher at Winslow High School and as a member of the Kennebec Water District board of Trustees. Her other hobbies include hiking, camping, cooking, xbox gaming, reading, quilting, and knitting.
Amy didn’t become a regular runner until her early 40’s. At that time, she fell in love with trail running. Last spring she ran her first (and probably only) marathon at Sugarloaf. Her favorite race is TUCARD, where she earned the titles of Lost Dog in 2021 (athlete who covered the most distance) and Puppy Dog in 2022 (athlete who had the most fun, for running the race in a TARDIS dress). Amy is married to Henning (casual runner), and has two kids- Alison (committed trail runner) and Lukas (joined cross country for his senior year of high school but mostly a casual runner). She works as a substitute teacher at Winslow High School and as a member of the Kennebec Water District board of Trustees. Her other hobbies include hiking, camping, cooking, xbox gaming, reading, quilting, and knitting.
At the meeting, the board of directors was also reappointed. The board of directors consists of: Patrick Guerette, Alicia MacLeay, Tom McGuire, Julie Millard, Ron Paquette, and Ron Peck.
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At the December meeting, awards were given to Striders in three categories:
For their running achievements while representing the Central Maine Striders during the year, Ron Peck and Heather Cable were given "Strider of the Year" awards.
For their invaluable assistance with the operations of the club during the year (often behind-the-scenes), Kate Scott and Amy Stabins were recognized with "President's Awards."
For their unstoppable positive spirit while representing the Central Maine Striders during the year, Martha Nadeau and Drew McCormick were given "Strider Spirit Awards".
All award winners received gift cards to Fleet Feet Running. Thanks to each and every one of you for continuing to represent the Central Maine Striders!
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by Sapan Bhatt
The 44th edition of the Central Maine Striders January Thaw was a great success! Held every year since 1980, this race has been a staple of Maine’s winter road races for decades. Turnout was excellent for this edition, with 36 runners and many more in family and support staff.
The conditions were 26-degrees F and windy but with plenty of sun. The loop is about 4.5 miles (thankfully for me probably a little short of this) starting with a three-quarter mile surge out from the school to Augusta Road. Huge shout out to the volunteers who stood in the cold to direct runners at each turn. The first 1.5 miles felt like running into a headwind, hoping your initial adrenaline would last until your body mechanics are warm enough to take over. Your pre-race routine becomes crucial in these conditions. I saw many participants doing strides and stretches on the school road. I opted for the warm enclaves of Planet Fitness where I can listen to my Taylor Swift pump up playlist in comfort, and then drove to the race to get there just in time for the start.
The second left on the course takes you into a nice downhill on Rt 175. You can catch your breath while beautiful farmland flanks you. A few more rolling hills and before you know it you’re making your final turn back on the school road with the finish line right in the student drop-off zone. That final turn is the perfect signal to unleash your final surge with the finish line maybe 600m away.
Beyond the great course and volunteers, the post race scene was an absolute delight. Coffee, hot chocolate, homemade mini muffins, hand warmers, even free running books! I was surprised and excited to see so many new faces at the race, including an individual who was doing his first road race! The trophy was a beautifully crafted key/running medal holder, gift card to Lamey Wellehan Shoes, and a custom bookmark/ribbon. Put this race on your calendar to see what the 2024 edition has in store! In the meantime, 2023 is shaping up to be a great year of running and racing; I’m excited to strengthen old connections, make new connections and run new courses. Hope to see you on the roads!
The conditions were 26-degrees F and windy but with plenty of sun. The loop is about 4.5 miles (thankfully for me probably a little short of this) starting with a three-quarter mile surge out from the school to Augusta Road. Huge shout out to the volunteers who stood in the cold to direct runners at each turn. The first 1.5 miles felt like running into a headwind, hoping your initial adrenaline would last until your body mechanics are warm enough to take over. Your pre-race routine becomes crucial in these conditions. I saw many participants doing strides and stretches on the school road. I opted for the warm enclaves of Planet Fitness where I can listen to my Taylor Swift pump up playlist in comfort, and then drove to the race to get there just in time for the start.
The second left on the course takes you into a nice downhill on Rt 175. You can catch your breath while beautiful farmland flanks you. A few more rolling hills and before you know it you’re making your final turn back on the school road with the finish line right in the student drop-off zone. That final turn is the perfect signal to unleash your final surge with the finish line maybe 600m away.
Beyond the great course and volunteers, the post race scene was an absolute delight. Coffee, hot chocolate, homemade mini muffins, hand warmers, even free running books! I was surprised and excited to see so many new faces at the race, including an individual who was doing his first road race! The trophy was a beautifully crafted key/running medal holder, gift card to Lamey Wellehan Shoes, and a custom bookmark/ribbon. Put this race on your calendar to see what the 2024 edition has in store! In the meantime, 2023 is shaping up to be a great year of running and racing; I’m excited to strengthen old connections, make new connections and run new courses. Hope to see you on the roads!
