- Published on
by Mark Fisher
The Central Maine Striders were well represented at this year’s Mount Washington Road Race. The race resumed a single day event with a mass start and all were anticipating a great edition to the summit climb in 2022.
Mother Nature had other plans. For the second time in the race’s history, the organizers made the decision to halt the race at the halfway point in the interest of runner, volunteer and driver safety. The conditions at the top of the mountain Saturday were air temperature of ~30 degrees, sustained 60-70 mph winds with gusts to 100 mph. Sleet and snow and a wind chill of 0-10 degrees. Nice balmy summer weather.
The race was quite comfortable with heavy mist and light rainfall for the duration of the race with the occasional gust of wind, patches of sun and back again. It was at about 3.5 miles when the wrath of the mountain made its initial appearance. The rain/mist mix began to approach a horizontal orientation and it was abundantly clear the organizers of the race made the right choice.
Following a quad busting walk, jog and amble down the mountain another successful MTWRR was in the books.
Ron Paquette and Dean Rasmussen were able to complete their 39th race in a row. Remarkable achievements.
The race was quite comfortable with heavy mist and light rainfall for the duration of the race with the occasional gust of wind, patches of sun and back again. It was at about 3.5 miles when the wrath of the mountain made its initial appearance. The rain/mist mix began to approach a horizontal orientation and it was abundantly clear the organizers of the race made the right choice.
Following a quad busting walk, jog and amble down the mountain another successful MTWRR was in the books.
Ron Paquette and Dean Rasmussen were able to complete their 39th race in a row. Remarkable achievements.
I want to thank in particular the volunteers for this year's event. We shifted from our multiyear Saturday tradition of trash pickup (no jokes here please) to Friday registration parking duty. The weather was pleasant and it was enjoyable to ensure safe entry, parking and exit for all the runners and support people.
Linda Fisher
Beth Keller
Greg Keller
Jon Chapin
Patrick Guerette
Mark Fisher
This is a unique and wonderful event and the organizers again did a great job (we all still feel that additional porta potties would be an excellent idea).
Striders running this year (in no particular order):
Ron Paquette
Dean Rasmussen
John McGinty
Chris Chadwick
Jon Chapin
Patrick Guerette
Mark Fisher
Greg Keller
Mike Lansing
Linda Fisher
Beth Keller
Greg Keller
Jon Chapin
Patrick Guerette
Mark Fisher
This is a unique and wonderful event and the organizers again did a great job (we all still feel that additional porta potties would be an excellent idea).
Striders running this year (in no particular order):
Ron Paquette
Dean Rasmussen
John McGinty
Chris Chadwick
Jon Chapin
Patrick Guerette
Mark Fisher
Greg Keller
Mike Lansing
- Published on
Alternate title: An Aging Runner- The Struggle is Real
2020
First, some background. I started running fairly late in life, in my early 40’s. I had always hated running, but some friends started trail running and it sounded kind of fun so I gave it a try and fell in love. I never wanted to run a marathon- I was running for fun and fitness, and a marathon seemed like it would just be too hard on the body. The longest race I did was the Pineland Farms 25K, which I ran four times. Then I hit my early 50’s and apparently started my mid-life crisis by deciding it was time for a marathon.
Late in 2019 I signed up for the Sugarloaf Marathon. I heard that it's a fairly ‘easy’ course as marathons go, and I’d run the concurrent 15K twice. My training program called for a half marathon in early March, and I was surprised to find one nearby- the Lamoine Half Marathon. It fell on the right weekend and it was FREE. That race went well despite a temperature of 6 degrees with windchill and an extremely hilly course. It was so cold that the race director was encouraging folks that could self-time to start as soon as they were ready to go, rather than waiting for the 8:00 start time. I finished in 2 hours 30 minutes (56th out of 65 finishers plus 2 dnf), and felt quite smug about finishing 26 minutes ahead of a young woman in her late teens. At the time of that race, covid concerns were just beginning to build, and less than a month later Sugarloaf was canceled.
2021
In December of 2020, Sugarloaf was on again! This time my training did not go as well- I really struggled with the longer runs. Lamoine was held virtually and I decided to skip it. When Sugarloaf was canceled again in mid-March, it was almost a relief.
2022
In the fall of 2021 I recommitted to Sugarloaf 2022. My training was going… okay. I was definitely slowing down as I grew older, but plugging along. Time for the Lamoine Half Marathon. The weather was great- a balmy 16 degrees at the start and clear skies. I took advantage of the race’s flexibility and started 45 minutes early. I had listened to a podcast about marathon training and the trainer noted that many people find success with a combination of walking and running. I took that advice to heart and ended up with a time of 2 hours 50 minutes and dead last- uh oh. I was embracing the walking way too much.
The training weeks rolled by. The runs became longer… and then shorter. The Omicron surge came and went and Sugarloaf was a go! I went to pick up my bib the evening before the race only to discover I wasn’t in their system as a registered runner. I frantically searched my phone for a confirmation email… then my RunSignup account… nothing. I swore I REMEMBERED reactivating my deferred registration the previous fall. Luckily the race volunteer could see in their system I was deferred from previous years and had no problem reactivating my registration. Phew.
Race day! The weather was cool and cloudy with some sprinkles. Humid, but luckily the previous day's heat had broken. I felt pretty good for about ⅔ of the race. I had a few abdominal muscle cramps that disappeared with some gatorade and a hotspot on my arch that I put moleskin on. I spent 21 miles with an audiobook for distraction then switched to music. By then my legs and feet were so sore that I had trouble moderating my pace- I just couldn’t feel when I was pushing too hard until I realized my breathing was getting too labored and my heart rate was too high.
My finish time was 5 hours, 23 minutes, 514th out of 540 runners. I crossed the finish line in good spirits and super proud of myself. Two days later and my quads still hurt in a way I have never experienced before. Will I run another marathon? Highly unlikely. But there were times during my training when I thought, “If I can just get through this marathon maybe I’ll quit running.” Now I’m thinking, “Maybe I’ll do the 15K at Sugarloaf next year… and I can try for a better time at Lamoine… and maybe I could do the Augusta half again….”
2020
First, some background. I started running fairly late in life, in my early 40’s. I had always hated running, but some friends started trail running and it sounded kind of fun so I gave it a try and fell in love. I never wanted to run a marathon- I was running for fun and fitness, and a marathon seemed like it would just be too hard on the body. The longest race I did was the Pineland Farms 25K, which I ran four times. Then I hit my early 50’s and apparently started my mid-life crisis by deciding it was time for a marathon.
Late in 2019 I signed up for the Sugarloaf Marathon. I heard that it's a fairly ‘easy’ course as marathons go, and I’d run the concurrent 15K twice. My training program called for a half marathon in early March, and I was surprised to find one nearby- the Lamoine Half Marathon. It fell on the right weekend and it was FREE. That race went well despite a temperature of 6 degrees with windchill and an extremely hilly course. It was so cold that the race director was encouraging folks that could self-time to start as soon as they were ready to go, rather than waiting for the 8:00 start time. I finished in 2 hours 30 minutes (56th out of 65 finishers plus 2 dnf), and felt quite smug about finishing 26 minutes ahead of a young woman in her late teens. At the time of that race, covid concerns were just beginning to build, and less than a month later Sugarloaf was canceled.
2021
In December of 2020, Sugarloaf was on again! This time my training did not go as well- I really struggled with the longer runs. Lamoine was held virtually and I decided to skip it. When Sugarloaf was canceled again in mid-March, it was almost a relief.
2022
In the fall of 2021 I recommitted to Sugarloaf 2022. My training was going… okay. I was definitely slowing down as I grew older, but plugging along. Time for the Lamoine Half Marathon. The weather was great- a balmy 16 degrees at the start and clear skies. I took advantage of the race’s flexibility and started 45 minutes early. I had listened to a podcast about marathon training and the trainer noted that many people find success with a combination of walking and running. I took that advice to heart and ended up with a time of 2 hours 50 minutes and dead last- uh oh. I was embracing the walking way too much.
The training weeks rolled by. The runs became longer… and then shorter. The Omicron surge came and went and Sugarloaf was a go! I went to pick up my bib the evening before the race only to discover I wasn’t in their system as a registered runner. I frantically searched my phone for a confirmation email… then my RunSignup account… nothing. I swore I REMEMBERED reactivating my deferred registration the previous fall. Luckily the race volunteer could see in their system I was deferred from previous years and had no problem reactivating my registration. Phew.
Race day! The weather was cool and cloudy with some sprinkles. Humid, but luckily the previous day's heat had broken. I felt pretty good for about ⅔ of the race. I had a few abdominal muscle cramps that disappeared with some gatorade and a hotspot on my arch that I put moleskin on. I spent 21 miles with an audiobook for distraction then switched to music. By then my legs and feet were so sore that I had trouble moderating my pace- I just couldn’t feel when I was pushing too hard until I realized my breathing was getting too labored and my heart rate was too high.
My finish time was 5 hours, 23 minutes, 514th out of 540 runners. I crossed the finish line in good spirits and super proud of myself. Two days later and my quads still hurt in a way I have never experienced before. Will I run another marathon? Highly unlikely. But there were times during my training when I thought, “If I can just get through this marathon maybe I’ll quit running.” Now I’m thinking, “Maybe I’ll do the 15K at Sugarloaf next year… and I can try for a better time at Lamoine… and maybe I could do the Augusta half again….”
- Published on
There's a nice little writeup in the May 2022 edition of Down East magazine called "Lessons from Maine's Oldest Running Club. There are some quotes from current President Ryan Goebel, as well as from former Presidents Gene Roy and Ron Paquette.
You can buy Down East magazine wherever magazines are sold, or you can buy it online here.
Or view it online here.
You can buy Down East magazine wherever magazines are sold, or you can buy it online here.
Or view it online here.
- Published on
On the 18th of June the Alfond Youth and Community Center will be hosting a sprint triathlon here at the AYCC. The triathlon will consist of a 500 yard swim, a 11.6 mile bike ride and finishing off with a 5K run.
Striders members get 20% off their entrance fee. Check your next newsletter for the discount code!
Striders members get 20% off their entrance fee. Check your next newsletter for the discount code!
- Published on
Mark your calendars! We are planning a club run and social on Saturday, March 12. We'll meet in Hallowell at noon, go for a short run, and then have some food & drinks at the fire pits at Maine Local Market. (If there's enough interest, we could also organize for a long-run group to meet earlier)
Email us at run@centralmainestriders.com by Monday, March 7 since we need to make a reservation for the fire pits.
We hope to see you there!
Email us at run@centralmainestriders.com by Monday, March 7 since we need to make a reservation for the fire pits.
We hope to see you there!
- Published on
A quick note from Mark Fisher, who is coordinating our team for the Mount Washington Road Race this year:
Good day Central Maine Striders
As I write this the lottery for the 61st Mt. Washington Road Race is well underway. This unique running experience is one that will create a lifetime of great memories. Clearly a challenging course this year with "just one hill"!
The team has historically had 5 bibs from the organizers and provided 5 volunteers to support the effort. This year, we are being asked to help out with the parking on Friday, June 17th from 4-8 pm. With the move back this year to a single day race for all, they have aligned volunteers to cover the Saturday event. We have a long standing history of participation in this event and participation and volunteer support keep that viable.
Please reach out to me if you have interest in running this year or can help with our volunteer efforts. I can, when applicable, forward registration information.
Mark Fisher 603-340-1987 or MarkFisher3340@gmail.com
Please reach out to Mark if you are interested, so we can keep the tradition of the Striders being involved at this iconic race alive!
Good day Central Maine Striders
As I write this the lottery for the 61st Mt. Washington Road Race is well underway. This unique running experience is one that will create a lifetime of great memories. Clearly a challenging course this year with "just one hill"!
The team has historically had 5 bibs from the organizers and provided 5 volunteers to support the effort. This year, we are being asked to help out with the parking on Friday, June 17th from 4-8 pm. With the move back this year to a single day race for all, they have aligned volunteers to cover the Saturday event. We have a long standing history of participation in this event and participation and volunteer support keep that viable.
Please reach out to me if you have interest in running this year or can help with our volunteer efforts. I can, when applicable, forward registration information.
Mark Fisher 603-340-1987 or MarkFisher3340@gmail.com
Please reach out to Mark if you are interested, so we can keep the tradition of the Striders being involved at this iconic race alive!
- Published on
By Heather Cable
On January 16th, 21 runners returned for the first [in person] January Thaw since 2020! As runners lined up at the starting line, temperatures were just starting to rise above 10 degrees F. Just a typical winter day in Maine, so no problem!
The race starts at Belgrade Elementary School and travels in a loop briefly on route 27 then turning on to Manchester Rd where runners tackle a series of hills varying in size. A group of runners surged to the front at the start of the race including the men’s first place finisher, Elijah Caret (25:42). As the runners turned onto Manchester rd we became more and more spaced.
As we neared the mile mark, I could already feel the cold and hills setting into my legs and knew to hang back from the pack a bit. After having been sticking to the treadmill for most of the winter and struggling to determine how to dress for such a chilly race, I wasn’t surprised to be feeling it. When we approached mile 3, there was a steady down hill which felt great and gave you an excellent view of the road to come. At that point, I could taste the finish and was starting to feel warm again. I started to push it to the finish line and finished first female in 32:52 with Matthew Meader right behind me in 33:13. The finishers stuck around to cheer for many of the other runners rolling in.
The January Thaw was my first race as a Strider and I’m excited to participate in more runs as a part of this group. The race was certainly not the easiest, but it was likely my coldest! It gives runners a great starting point to the new year and some insight into what areas to work on for upcoming races. (I know I came away with some notes!) While it may be chilly/hilly, it was a fun time! I recommend it to anyone in the area.
Excellent work to all the runners who came out! Thank you to all the volunteers and David Colby Young for the photos!
- Published on
Thanks to all the runners and volunteers who showed up to this race when the temperature at the start was around 11 degrees!
Race photos, courtesy of David Colby Young @ Maine Running Photos, can be found at this link:
2022 CMS Jan Thaw 4.5 Miler Race Photos
Race photos, courtesy of David Colby Young @ Maine Running Photos, can be found at this link:
2022 CMS Jan Thaw 4.5 Miler Race Photos
RESULTS:
All photos provided by David Colby Young / Maine Running Photos
- Published on
We recently asked club members what their greatest running accomplishments of 2021 were. Here's what our club members accomplished this past year:
Derek Huffman: "I ran my first races since high school (20 years) this year. I broke my 42-minute goal for the Fall Classic 10K by finishing in 6th place with a time of 41:41. Jessica, June (7), and Wade (3) Huffman, ran their first races (ever!) in the Quarry Road Summer Running Series. We look forward to many more races in the coming years!"
Amy Stabins: "My greatest accomplishment in 2021 is competing in the TUCARD race. It was in an area I'm unfamiliar with, with people I didn't know, and as I get older I get less and less competitive (ie, I'm likely to come in last...). But the race looked like so much fun and I'm so glad I did it!"
Harold Shaw: "Very simply, to still be running and being healthy enough to run. It seemed that the first half of 2021 was devoted to various injuries and that the older you get the longer it takes for those things to heal so you can do what you love. Now, to get comfortable enough to get back to racing and life will be good again. 😊"
Karl Foss: "My Greatest 2021 running achievement was running 13 miles of the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay. I ran 6.3 miles starting around 11:30 at night and 6.7 miles starting around 6:30 in the morning. I trained hard for it and with the pandemic going on, it was really emotional."
Patrick Guerette: "I had some really great experiences this year; first 100mi, Mt. Washington, Jay Peak 53.1k... but getting an actual win at the Strider Fall Classic, was my first race win in a while. Also, I'd like to add/share that my wife [Kristina Guerette] ran Boston 9 weeks postpartum, I am sure she would love the recognition :-) "
Martha Nadeau: "The Downeast Sunrise Trail Relay: an overnight relay race, 100.7 miles Ellsworth to Eastport. I had relegated this to my 'love to, but I am not good enough to do' list. Glad it didn't stay on that list! My team was awesome and this race was more than I could have imagined. Running in the middle of the night, with only moonlight and a headlight to guide me along the trail in the woods, often being the only person around. So proud of myself and my whole team for not only finishing, but coming in under the expected time."
Laurel King: "My greatest running accomplishment of 2021 was the Mt. Washington Road Race. My time wasn't anything to brag about, but I actually had fun running those 4,650 vertical feet."
Ryan Goebel: "After more than two years of not being able to race due to injury, I returned to racing and even surprised myself on how well I ran in several races, including the Flight Deck Half Marathon, Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k, Save Your Breath 5k, and Millinocket Marathon. It feels great to be back to running regularly and being able to compete."
Beth Bridger: "The best thing that happened in my running world this year was finding a whole bunch of new friends who are just as passionate about running as I am. As much as I love running my body tells me I need to back off. So I'll be volunteering and cheering and telling everyone about the joys of running. One of the best days I had in 2021 was interacting with the Thomas College track & field team during a fundraiser. Seeing the impact that the sport and their coaches have on these athletes reminded me that I absolutely need to continue to be involved with runners and trackies. Here's to a new year a new adventures in running."
Drew McCormick: "I would have to say my biggest (also longest) accomplishment of 2021 was competing in my first marathon at the Maine Marathon held in Portland,ME. I had never experienced the amount of community and passion around the event and the sport of running, I simply found it fantastic."
Susan Brooks: "My greatest running achievement is every day that I lace up my shoes and get out the door. This year has been particularly challenging as I’m coming to terms with ever-slowing runs and races and the need for more time to recover. After fifty (50!) plus years of running I’m learning to cross train with a goal of more rounded fitness that will keep me healthy and injury free as I run on into each decade. It’s still one run at a time and each is an achievement. I did finish 3rd in my age group at the Millinocket Half (290/939 overall)"
Thanks to all of the Striders who sent us their running achievements from this past year. And thanks to all of the Central Maine Striders members, both in this article and not, for making 2021 another great year for the club. We're looking forward to running into the new year with all of you!
- Published on
by Ryan Goebel
Strider President Ryan Goebel very briefly ahead of three former Millinocket Marathon champions -- Rob Ashby, Sarah Mulcahy, and Ryan Collins. (Photo by "Photography by Mike" -- pbmike.com)
The Millinocket Marathon might not be Maine's fastest or most competitive marathon, but it's probably the most famous. Race director Gary Allen started the race in 2015 as a way to help support a Maine community that has struggled since the closing of its mills. Inspired by the ethos of the Burning Man Festival, Allen came up with the innovative idea to make the marathon free to all runners, but with the tacit agreement that they spend money at the shops, restaurants, and hotels in Millinocket and the surrounding area. The inaugural 2015 race, which was only promoted through Facebook, attracted 6 finishers in the full marathon and 42 in the half marathon. Runner's World wrote an article about the first year's race, and the race has continued to grow and attract runners from around the country since then.
Back in 2015, I wasn't living in Maine and had never heard of Millinocket, but I remember seeing that Runner's World article and being intrigued about running this free marathon in a strange, exotic locale known as Millinocket. Lo and behold, a couple years later I found myself moving to Maine. I signed up for the half marathon that year, because a full marathon in the winter in Maine is just too crazy (right?), but my job at the time had other plans and decided to send me out of state that weekend so I couldn't run it. I ended up running the Santa Hustle Half Marathon in Portland the weekend before instead. Although it was cold, it wasn't Millinocket cold. Also, running in the area around the Maine Mall wasn't near as scenic nor fun as running the Golden Road in Millinocket.
I signed up for the Millinocket Half again in 2018, because a full marathon in the winter in Maine is just too crazy (right???) and I was running the New York City Marathon that November. Well, my overconfidence in how many races I could run in one year eventually caught up with me. About a month before New York, I started feeling some pain in my hip/groin area. I still ran the New York Marathon, but had to pull out of the Millinocket Half.
In 2019, I didn't even sign up for Millinocket because I was still injured.
In 2020, I was still struggling to recover and get back into shape from that injury. Also, there was a pandemic raging across the world with no vaccines, so the Millinocket Marathon and Half was cancelled.
In 2019, I didn't even sign up for Millinocket because I was still injured.
In 2020, I was still struggling to recover and get back into shape from that injury. Also, there was a pandemic raging across the world with no vaccines, so the Millinocket Marathon and Half was cancelled.
Enter 2021. I was slowly getting back to running on a regular basis again. Covid vaccines had entered the world. Although I had a series of freak non-running injuries over the summer, myself and the world were slowly returning to racing. I ran in a few of the Quarry Road summer races and the Doc & Mardie 5k. I wasn't running fast, but I was running. I signed up for the Mount Desert Island Marathon as my "big comeback goal race", but then it was cancelled in early September due to concerns regarding the strained medical and emergency services in the area. I immediately signed up for the Millinocket Marathon.... the FULL marathon. As previously stated, running a full marathon in northern Maine in December is crazy. However, with my return to racing, I really, really wanted to finish a marathon before the year ended. I no longer cared about how cold it was going to be or how challenging the course was going to be. For the first time when running a marathon, I wasn't going to care so much about what my finish time was going to be, rather just that I finished.
Fast forward to December. I'm still not injured and my training really started clicking in the last month or two before the marathon. I'm ready. I have no idea what my goal marathon pace is, but I'm ready.
Fast forward to December. I'm still not injured and my training really started clicking in the last month or two before the marathon. I'm ready. I have no idea what my goal marathon pace is, but I'm ready.
While taking advantage of the warming station and bag check at the Elk's Lodge prior to the race, I ran into fellow Strider Rob Krickus who had broken his glasses that morning but was still planning on running the half while semi-blind. I left the Elk's Lodge about 10-15 minutes prior to the marathon start, a luxury that I'd never had in all of the big marathons I'd run previously. Temperatures were only in the teens, but it was sunny and I had plenty of adrenaline pumping through me to keep me warm. On the way to the start line, I saw Ron Peck warming up for the half, had a quick chat with him, and then also saw Julie Millard and Alicia Wilcox getting ready for the half.
Rob Krickus runs up the Golden Road sans glasses. (Photo by Kevin Morris)
Standing at the start line while the national anthem was being sung, the cold (and nerves) started getting to me and I began shivering. Once the cannon went off to signal the start, I ran out with the opening pack trying to warm my body up. My fingers were especially cold and my toes were numb, but I was excited to be back to running a marathon. Relatively quickly, I fell into roughly 12th place. In my mind, I was running a slightly faster pace than I felt like I should be running, but I just wanted my body to warm up. It took close to five miles until I could fully feel my toes.
Normally in a marathon, you don't have to constantly think about where your feet are landing and what the footing is like; however, the Golden Road is effectively frozen dirt and an ice storm went through the area two nights before the marathon. As veteran Strider and Millinocket runner Julie Millard pointed out, "It was the first time I’ve ever raced in Yak Tracks. The conditions on the Golden Road were either the worst I had experienced or it just got inside my head. I was pretty freaked out."
Despite the frozen toes and icier-than-normal road conditions, running up the Golden Road that first time is pretty magical. There's the beautiful view of snow-covered Mount Katahdin and a surprisingly large number of spectators and volunteer water stops along the way.
By the time I got to the turn off the Golden Road just after Mile 6, the magic was starting to wear off. Having already climbed over 500 feet, I was ready for the downhill part of the course. Also, by this point, I was solidly alone in the race. The nearest runners ahead and behind me were at least 30 seconds in either direction. Heading back towards town on Millinocket Road, it was great to be back on pavement, even if there were still a lot of icy patches. However, there were suddenly way less spectators and water stations. It was lonely out there and although this section of the course is "net downhill," there are still significant uphill portions.
Soon before town, I was caught by surprise when the first of the half marathoners passed me (they had started ten minutes after the full marathon start). I didn't try to keep up with him or the next couple half marathoners that passed, but was nice to have someone up ahead that I could see. On one of the hills closest to town, my left calf muscle started tightening up. "Oh no, I'm not even half way," I thought to myself. The calf muscle tightness went away almost as quickly as it had begun, but the thought of it stayed in the back of my mind. I was briefly distracted from those thoughts as I ran down Penobscot Avenue through the center of town. I did my best to soak up the energy of the cheering spectators along the street.
Normally in a marathon, you don't have to constantly think about where your feet are landing and what the footing is like; however, the Golden Road is effectively frozen dirt and an ice storm went through the area two nights before the marathon. As veteran Strider and Millinocket runner Julie Millard pointed out, "It was the first time I’ve ever raced in Yak Tracks. The conditions on the Golden Road were either the worst I had experienced or it just got inside my head. I was pretty freaked out."
Despite the frozen toes and icier-than-normal road conditions, running up the Golden Road that first time is pretty magical. There's the beautiful view of snow-covered Mount Katahdin and a surprisingly large number of spectators and volunteer water stops along the way.
By the time I got to the turn off the Golden Road just after Mile 6, the magic was starting to wear off. Having already climbed over 500 feet, I was ready for the downhill part of the course. Also, by this point, I was solidly alone in the race. The nearest runners ahead and behind me were at least 30 seconds in either direction. Heading back towards town on Millinocket Road, it was great to be back on pavement, even if there were still a lot of icy patches. However, there were suddenly way less spectators and water stations. It was lonely out there and although this section of the course is "net downhill," there are still significant uphill portions.
Soon before town, I was caught by surprise when the first of the half marathoners passed me (they had started ten minutes after the full marathon start). I didn't try to keep up with him or the next couple half marathoners that passed, but was nice to have someone up ahead that I could see. On one of the hills closest to town, my left calf muscle started tightening up. "Oh no, I'm not even half way," I thought to myself. The calf muscle tightness went away almost as quickly as it had begun, but the thought of it stayed in the back of my mind. I was briefly distracted from those thoughts as I ran down Penobscot Avenue through the center of town. I did my best to soak up the energy of the cheering spectators along the street.
Hearing all of the cheering as I turned the corner to begin the second lap was perhaps the most exciting part of the race. But this excitement was very short lived, as there's a pretty steep hill as the course crosses some railroad tracks and heads back out of town towards the Golden Road. This hill hit me like a brick wall. Suddenly, everything hurt. I was only halfway through the race, and I was started to wonder how I was going to finish. Running back onto the Golden Road, it was obvious that most of the spectators and water stops that were there on the first lap had already packed up and were gone. Even the water stations that were still there felt much less energetic. The course really felt lonely now, and I was having a hard time maintaining my pace. My slowest mile of the race was mile 16, about halfway up the Golden Road on the second lap. It was probably around this time where I started passing half marathoners who were walking the course. Normally, I get annoyed at having to pass walkers on a course, but this time I was just happy to have other people around me.
Lap 2 on the Golden Road. The ice beard cometh. (Photo by Kevin Morris)
As I approached the end of the Golden Road, I passed a full marathoner for the first time since the opening miles. This gave me a huge energy boost and I passed another as we ran under the inflatable archway that the Army National Guard volunteers had set up at the top of the Golden Road. Neither of those guys ever caught back up with me.
Back on pavement, I lost count of how many body parts were hurting. I couldn't wait for the race to be finished, but the only way for it to be finished was to keep running. Passing half marathoners who had obviously taken advantage of the free shots of Fireball along the way provided me with brief moments of needed entertainment. As I passed, one of them said, "Dude! Nice ice beard!" Hadn't this guy ever seen a bearded guy get a frosted beard while running in the winter? Eventually, I'd realize that my "ice beard" wasn't your standard frost beard.
Back on pavement, I lost count of how many body parts were hurting. I couldn't wait for the race to be finished, but the only way for it to be finished was to keep running. Passing half marathoners who had obviously taken advantage of the free shots of Fireball along the way provided me with brief moments of needed entertainment. As I passed, one of them said, "Dude! Nice ice beard!" Hadn't this guy ever seen a bearded guy get a frosted beard while running in the winter? Eventually, I'd realize that my "ice beard" wasn't your standard frost beard.
By Mile 25, I just wanted the marathon to be over. This point in a marathon has always been painful, but I've never wanted one to end so badly as I did when I ran down the short, but very steep hill just before Mile 26.
Someone (possibly Martha Nadeau) yelled "Go Striders!" to me a couple blocks before the finish. I gave it everything I had going towards the finish line.
Someone (possibly Martha Nadeau) yelled "Go Striders!" to me a couple blocks before the finish. I gave it everything I had going towards the finish line.
Martha Nadeau and her santa cat pants at the start of the half marathon. She says that her favorite part of the race was when she "was slogging up the back side of the rolling hills, feeling just horrid, when behind [her] comes the first woman marathon runner. First, she compliments [Martha's] (fabulous santa cat) pants and then gives a smile and encouraging words as she cruises by." That's the magic of Millinocket! (Photo by "Photography by Mike" -- pbmike.com)
For me, it was weird crossing the finish line in a smaller marathon like this. There's no giant chute that takes several minutes to emerge from. I crossed the finish line, someone handed me a bottle of water, and I was free. I opened that bottle of water and took a couple of sips as I stumbled around the finish line area. It hurt to walk, but I knew I had to make my way back to the Elk's Lodge to get my bag. As I walked back very slowly, my arm stated hurting from carrying that bottle of water. Truly every part of my body gave everything it could in this race. But I did it. I ran another marathon. It hurt, but felt so good.
My official finish time was 3:12:47, my slowest marathon since my first one in 1999. But, it might be the finish that I'm most proud of. There were times over the last few years when I thought that I may never finish a marathon again. And, especially considering the tough course and conditions, my time was actually pretty good. I finished 9th place overall and achieved a Boston qualifying time for my age. Everything hurt, but it was good.
My official finish time was 3:12:47, my slowest marathon since my first one in 1999. But, it might be the finish that I'm most proud of. There were times over the last few years when I thought that I may never finish a marathon again. And, especially considering the tough course and conditions, my time was actually pretty good. I finished 9th place overall and achieved a Boston qualifying time for my age. Everything hurt, but it was good.
Upon re-entering the Elk's Lodge, another person made a comment about my ice beard. After sitting down inside, I took out my phone to take a selfie and see what my ice beard looked like before it melted too much. At this point, I realized why my ice beard was getting comments. I had a couple icicles hanging from it that looked like a couple of horns. It was definitely the best looking ice beard that I've ever sported.
I think Strider Martha Nadeau summed up the experience perfectly: "This is the Best Worst race ever. While the course itself is challenging, cold, and depressing; the warmth and excitement from the spectators, aid station, and other runners is absolutely amazing!"
I think it took me close to 3 hours (and an order of French fries, potato chips, cheeseburger, and two Cokes) to get enough energy to make my way out of the Elk's Lodge and onto the shuttle bus back to my hotel.
I think Strider Martha Nadeau summed up the experience perfectly: "This is the Best Worst race ever. While the course itself is challenging, cold, and depressing; the warmth and excitement from the spectators, aid station, and other runners is absolutely amazing!"
I think it took me close to 3 hours (and an order of French fries, potato chips, cheeseburger, and two Cokes) to get enough energy to make my way out of the Elk's Lodge and onto the shuttle bus back to my hotel.
Ice beard selfie back at the Elk's Lodge.
If you ever decide to run Millinocket (which I recommend that you do), don't forget that there's also the Crankle 2k the night before (where participants are encouraged to run in costume). I couldn't make it this year since I had to attend an online class at the same time, but I've heard from Julie Millard, Martha Nadeau, and others that it's a lot of fun. Also, shopping at the craft fair and all of the businesses in town before and after the race is well worth it.
Millinocket isn't the easiest marathon or half marathon, but it is perhaps the most magical. After all, Millinocket has the nickname of "The Magic City."
Alicia Wilcox approaching the finish of the half marathon (Photo by Kevin Morris).
Striders Erzsie Nagy, Ron Peck, Alicia Wilcox, and Julie Millard ready to run.
Ron Peck running down the final stretch of the half marathon (Photo by Kevin Morris).
Full Marathon:
Half Marathon:
Sorry if we missed any other Striders in the results. Full results for all runners are found here.