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  • Home
  • Join
  • News
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    • Race Calendar
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    • Doc & Mardie Brown 5K
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    • Train: Find a Coach
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Striders News

Race Report: A Return to Running and the Millinocket Marathon 2021

12/27/2021

 
by Ryan Goebel
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.  
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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.
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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.

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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."  
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Alicia Wilcox approaching the finish of the half marathon (Photo by Kevin Morris).
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Striders Erzsie Nagy, Ron Peck, Alicia Wilcox, and Julie Millard ready to run.
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Ron Peck running down the final stretch of the half marathon (Photo by Kevin Morris).
Full Marathon:
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Half Marathon:
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Sorry if we missed any other Striders in the results.  Full results for all runners are found here.

Race Report:  Save Your Breath 5k

12/27/2021

 
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Report by Ryan Goebel with photos by Ron Peck.

On the first Saturday in November, forty-five runners and several walkers showed up to the Kennebec Valley YMCA to run the Save Your Breath 5k.  The race, which follows the Kennebec Rail Trail to Gardiner and back, is an annual fundraiser for the Free ME From Lung Cancer nonprofit organization, which is headed up by our club secretary Deb Violette.
Several Striders were amongst the runners who showed up to race, including Ryan Goebel and Erzsie Nagy who placed 1st male overall and 1st female overall, respectively.  First place netted each of them $100 cash.  Other Striders racing that day included Julie Millard, Alicia Wilcox, Jason Gredlics, Martha Nadeau, Rick Stuart, and Mary Jordan.  It was great to not only see everyone out there running, but that so many of you were wearing Striders gear!

After the race, many of the Striders happily headed to Bateau Brewing in Gardiner for the awards ceremony and some tasty "recovery drinks".

A giant thanks and congratulations also goes out to Deb Violette for putting on an excellent fundraising race! And, special thanks to Ron Peck for staffing the Central Maine Striders table at event.
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Full race results can be found here.
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Race Report: TUCARD 2021

11/1/2021

 
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by Amy Stabins
TUCARD- Maine’s most Terrifically (& Unnecessarily) Complicated Adventure Race and Duathalon.  The race announcement came across my Strider’s FaceBook feed late last December and something inspired me to click through to see what they meant by ‘complicated’- and I was not disappointed.  In that post, interested participants were provided with a map that had the ‘Shadow of the Sparkle Pony’ laid across it, and told that the race would take place within that shadowed area- there is no official route.  The rules were this- racers must use at least two forms of transportation, and time adjustments would be made based on the mode chosen and whether or not the racers were on pavement or gravel/trail. In the months leading up to the race, GPS coordinates for the start and stop points would be released.  And shortly before race day the GPS coordinates for three way points would be sent out.  

I am not super competitive, but I enjoy a challenge.  TUCARD is a race, a puzzle, and a scavenger hunt all in one.  My first challenge was getting to know the area- I had never been to that part of Maine before.  In the months leading up to the race I made five trips up to Orono and ran or biked most of the conservation areas and pocket parks within the Pony’s shadow.  Thirteen hours before the start time I received the email with the way points, and one additional rule- The boglands running through the race area were designated The Bog of Despair.  Every minute spent in the BOD would add ten minutes to the official time.  I planned out what seemed like the logical course to follow, loaded up the bike, and headed up to the race.
At the starting line it quickly became apparent either my fellow racers were planning some epically misguided routes, or that I had missed scouting some crucial areas.  It was too late to re-think my plan, so I forged ahead.  My route took me across the BOD three times…
I arrived at the finish line in 1 hour 29 minutes, more or less in the middle of the pack.  However, my adjusted time was 9 hours and 20 minutes, almost 5 hours behind the next ‘slowest’ racer!  Crossing the BOD three times really hurt me.  And I won the title of ‘Lost Dog’, the racer who covers the most miles (10.32)!
This might have been the most fun I’ve ever had racing- I can’t wait for next year!

Check out the TUCARD website for more information-
 https://www.marshislandtrailrunners.org/tucard​

​2021 Doc and Mardie Brown 5k Race Report

10/11/2021

 
by Drew McCormick
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The kids at the start line for the 1-mile fun run.
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Lining up for the start of the 5k.
-Waking up the morning of the 16th Annual Doc and Mardie Brown 5K, as many of the participants could attest, was a strange morning weather wise. It looked as if it was going to be cool but it wasn't really (mid 70's) and it was as humid as ever. If us Mainers weren't already used to it, the weather may have been downright debilitating. There with that out of the way, on to the race!

Arriving at the Waterville Alfond Youth Center was a little different due to the construction going on in the parking lot, but there was still plenty of room. I parked and got my race bib from some very friendly volunteers, and saw the race director Patrick Guerette zooming around! I informed him I was ecstatic that he would not be able to run this race, and that it gave me a chance for the age bracket win! I then headed right over to the Central Maine Striders tent for some pre-race nerve talk with Kate, Ron, Ryan and Julie which helped as always, I was then off for some warm up miles. There were racers warming up along North Street and everyone was friendly saying good morning to one another.  Just an all around great feel/vibe to the air.

First up was the kids fun run which had an incredible turn out this year and was fun as advertised! I was lucky enough to help a little bit during the race by standing on the last turn directing the kids to the finish. It was a blast seeing the expressions and determination on the kids faces as they rounded the corner for the finish line! Directly after the fun run was the main event...the 5K!

Runners started lining up along the marked area for the race start on North Street headed toward Colby College as always, however road construction prohibited pedestrians from passing along the normal route. Patrick, the fearless race director (mentioned earlier), mastered the art of the pivot and laid out a new dynamic course which incorporated the trail along the Messalonskee stream behind the Alfond Youth Center. As the racers were lining up at the start the mood was light and jovial, Patrick said a few words thanking the sponsors, volunteers and participants then we were off! 

Ron Peck and I charged out head-to-head as we bobbed and weaved through the pack from North Street onto the trail. The low light level in the trail due to the cloud cover made it a little extra difficult to navigate through the roots and frost heaves in the pavement but it was a neat change to the sudden and extended uphill start of the normal 5K race route.

Once we hit the road the race seemed to kick up a notch in speed, (Ron pulled ahead!)  there is something about being in the open air and out of the tree cover.  A fairly quick uphill on Edgemont Ave, then a long turning downhill from West St. onto Gilman St. made up the route until you hit the N Riverside Drive neighborhood where you made a short uphill loop. Just before the entrance to the neighborhood is where I made my glorious passes of Connor Pellerin and Ron Peck!

The plan was then to boogie back to the Alfond Youth Center by way of North street where you made a glorious finish under the big blow up finish line arch! I am happy to say the plan worked and I came in 2nd place with an official time of 18:57! After I caught my breath for a few I was able to socialize again and cheer on friends and other fellow participants.

​The event flowed very smoothly with awards being distributed immediately after the race. The amount of prizes this year was spectacular with there being about 50 participants, a lot were reaping the benefits of their hard work! All in all this is a fantastic race regardless of the course layout. It has a real "hometown" feel as one of the racers, Andrew Catalina, said to me and that's why I personally like it so much. I hope this race continues to grow, if you were on the fence about racing this event in the past have no fear this is a fantastic event that skips all the "tude" and focuses on the FUN! See you at the 17th Annual Doc and Mardie Brown 5K! (PS: Don't forget all Striders get a discount on the race fees!) 

(Full results from the 2021 Doc & Mardie 5k can be found here: https://my.raceresult.com/177915/results)
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Drew heading towards the finish line.

The Quarry Road 8k: Don't Underestimate the Hills, Enjoy Them!

8/9/2020

 
by Jordan Castillo
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​The time is 7:45AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. A few other Striders and I are at the starting line for one of the virtual 8k races within the Quarry Road Summer Series. It’s early, but the heat and humidity are strong. The thick aroma of the dense greenery and freshly cut grass floods my nostrils, and I feel as if I can nearly taste the scenery. Despite feeling a subtle daze, my heart begins to quiver with excitement as I look around at the five-or-so other Striders who are jogging in place, preparing their bodies and minds for the race ahead. And though there aren’t any spectators and it’s not a typical race environment, my body still fills with electric anticipation as I prepare to give it my all in my first ever trail race.
 
I warm up with a few butt-kicker’s, some high-knees, and a few other exercises to get my blood flowing. As the clock nears 8am, I gather with the other Striders (socially-distanced, of course!) at the starting line. To make sure we have plenty of space between each other on the course, we spread out the start times of each runner. This actually makes it a bit more exciting, because each runner has their own personal starting time, so the whole group yells and cheers as each runner takes off onto the course.
 
Finally, after 13 minutes of waiting for the other Striders to start their race, it’s my turn.
 
“Alright, Jordan, you ready?” Ron Peck asks, holding his watch. He glances at the countdown. “Ok. Three, two, one… GO!”
 
I take off like a bullet. I hear a bunch of voices hollering behind me. “Go, Jordan, go! Woo!”
 
About five seconds into the race, I realize I am definitely running too fast. I’m in the middle of marathon training, so eight kilometers doesn’t sound like much. But I can’t sprint for eight kilometers, and I quickly remember what the other Striders told me about the race. They warned me, “Don’t underestimate the hills. You’ll reach what you think is the top, and then suddenly you find yourself at the bottom of another hill!”
 
Find your pace. Find your pace, I tell myself. I settle into an eight-minute-per-mile pace as I steadily ascend the first set of hills tucked away in the back of the Quarry Road trails. The rolling hills remind me of a gentle roller coaster, taking me for a ride on trails flanked on either side by dense Maine forest. I pay close attention to my pace, “changing gears” on the uphills and downhills as if I were riding a bike. All the while, I remember to take in the lush beauty of the trails and to just enjoy the thrill of the race.
 
The hills slowly drain my stamina, but I continue to push forward. It’s only an 8k, it’s only an 8k, I tell myself in an effort to convince my muscles to give it everything they’ve got. As I descend the highest hill in the park, I feel a rush of victory. Just some small up’s and down’s from here on out, I think to myself.
 
After making it past the toughest hills in the race, I feel more confident about running the last segment with a bit more speed. I kick it into a higher gear, determined to see how quickly my legs can carry me through the last few kilometers.
 
I make it to the last hill. My body is yearning for a break and wants to just be done with the race, but my mind knows there is still plenty of energy left for the final stretch. As I near the top of the hill, I break into a full sprint and zero in on the finish line. I faintly hear a few of the Striders yelling. “Jordan, come on! You’re almost there! Go, go, go!” I propel forward as I absorb this encouraging energy. Zooming with my hands held high, I cross the finish line and feel a rush of satisfaction and relief.
 
I glance down at my watch. Thirty-seven minutes. I know I could have run a bit faster, but nonetheless I smile because I know I did well. I turn around and begin cheering as soon as I see the remaining Striders running the final stretch of the race. It turns out our staggered start times led us to finish within just a few minutes of each other, and everyone is soon on the other side of the finish line.
 
To celebrate the completion of our hot, sweaty 8k, we immediately dig in to the donuts a few of us had brought to the course. As we are munching, there is a communal feeling of victory and satisfaction. Yes, things may feel different from a typical race that would include the crowd energy and more runners, but I feel deep gratitude for the sense of true community that exists even in the small group of Striders around me.
 
For those of you out there who miss gathering for regular race events, let me join you by saying I feel the same way. On many days, the effects of the pandemic can feel heavy. But experiences like the virtual Quarry Road Summer Races have served as another example of an important lesson I’ve been learning throughout the past six months. With a bit more effort and creativity, we can continue to (safely) experience community and gather with others for fun events. So, I encourage everyone to reach out to their running friends (Striders and potential future Striders alike!) to come up with some fun, safe ways to continue competing. And especially when you are running on those Quarry Road trails, just remember: don’t underestimate the hills—enjoy them.

Jordan Castillo is the Vice President of the Central Maine Striders and works in admissions at Colby College.

Race Report:  Quarry Road Summer Race Series

8/5/2020

 
by Patty Hallee
Being new to the running scene within the last year, my husband Mike and I decided it would be fun to try something different. So we signed up for the Quarry Road Summer Race Series. We didn’t realize how much different it would be trying to race on a trail vs the road. Trail running definitely requires a lot more work than the road. Again this was our first year and because of the Pandemic we all ran our own race and turned in our time and our GPS maps by Sunday evening. The series runs 9 weeks and starts with a 3k which takes you down the backside of the field by the Yurt and around the Riverside loop. It's not a bad run but still a challenge for an older, inexperienced runner such as myself. It was a fun run and made me want to do better. The next week is a 5k which takes you up around North Koons and back down around the first Riverside loop. North Koons is more of an uphill run, more challenging but still fun. Again it still drives you to want to be better. The third week is an 8K that takes you up around North Koons, back to South Koons and finishes you off running the Riverside loop. South Koons is a little tricky and following the arrows is very important or you can end up running it twice. And don’t let the word South fool you. You aren’t running downhill!!! Then you start over with the 3k week 4, 5k week 5 and the 8k week 6. Week 7 you start back with the 8k, down to 5k and then the 3k week 9. I have found this to be a fun series. We are very fortunate to have the trail system we have in this area that is well maintained by volunteers, and provides shaded spots to run when it’s really hot. I would recommend the Quarry Road Summer Race Series to anyone who is looking to challenge themselves to something a little different. And with next year hopefully being back to some type of normal it will also provide an opportunity to meet other runners in the area.
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Patty Hallee running on the Quarry Road Trails.
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Patty's husband, Mike, at the Quarry Road finish line.
​Patty lives in Waterville. When not running she loves to spend time by the pool and also volunteers at the Unified Champions Club at the Alfond Youth Center.  “Spending time with my son and the other athletes is fun and simply puts a smile on my face.” ​

Meet Our Members:  Jordan Castillo

3/31/2020

 
Jordan Castillo moved to central Maine a couple years ago.  The first time he attended a Central Maine Striders meeting was last December.  By the end of that meeting, he had been voted in as the new club Vice President.  In his short tenure as the VP, he's organized several group runs (and brunches), started the club's Instagram account, and generally been one of the more energetic and enthusiastic club members.  One weekend at brunch this winter, he shared the story of how he started running.  It was such a great story that I asked him if he could write it up for the club webpage and newsletter.  So, just in case you weren't at that brunch, here's Jordan's running story:

"Hey, how about we run a marathon?"

One day after school during my 10th grade year, my dad asked me a question that became the spark to a life-changing journey.
 
“Hey, Jordan, how about we sign up for a marathon?”
 
I turned to him and gawked at this absurd-sounding question. “Dad, what? Are you for real?”
With confidence and excitement, he responded, “Yeah! Your younger brother is going to join, too! C’mon! It’ll be fun!”
After feeling a bit uncertain, I eventually agreed to sign up with my dad and brother for Grandma’s Marathon, set to take place June 20, 2009 in Duluth, MN. I felt like I had no idea what I was signing up for. But if my dad believed I could run a marathon, then so did I.​

​Training began in January, which means I quickly learned how to brave running with near-zero temperatures and snow-covered sidewalks. Our first run was three miles at a slow, jogging pace. It was a slog. At the end of the run, I probably screamed something like, “Dad, how the heck are we going to get up to 26.2 miles? Three miles is enough, this is crazy!”

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I was so excited to finish my first ever marathon... you can tell how tired I was (I'm on the left)!
Slowly, but surely, my brother and I began to see the results of our training. Three miles started to feel like a warm-up distance. I began to feel like I could slow my breath enough to even carry a conversation while running. The first time I finished a 13.1-mile run, I felt like a straight-up champion. Many times, my brother and I would join my dad’s running club for long runs on the weekends. The runners carried such an encouraging, infectious energy. They loved seeing young people like my brother and I training for a such a big race, and it was always motivating to hear their stories about running accomplishments and the goals they were setting for themselves.

​As the weeks passed, I came to believe that finishing a marathon was actually possible—I just had to stick with the training plan and know that my body was capable of carrying me further than I could ever imagine.

​Fast-forward to race day. I had barely slept because I was so nervous and excited. With my green singlet and black running shorts, I joined the other runners in the starting area. It was a clear, sunny day and 6,000 of us were about to embark on this 26.2-mile journey along the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior.
I also need to take a moment to explain what it felt like to be at that starting line. If you’ve ever participated in a race, you know that the race environment is unreal—full of positivity, motivation, excitement, and thrill. The energy is so electric, it’s almost tangible. Another part of my experience is that some of the runners would give looks of delightful surprise to see my brother and I with our race bibs labeled with the word “Marathon.” I knew I wasn’t about to break any world records or anything, but it felt pretty great knowing that I was one of the youngest people in the race. Standing with the thousands of others about to run Grandma’s Marathon, I truly felt like there was no place I’d rather be, nothing I’d rather be doing than finishing my first marathon.

​“3, 2, 1!” 
Bang. And the race began.
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The 2011 Minneapolis Marathon was the first race I did with both my brothers and my dad... we all finished together!
One of my strongest memories of the race is the feeling of camaraderie between my dad, my brother, and me. They always kept me focused on the goal, especially near the end when I felt more fatigued than ever and I began to seriously doubt whether I could finish. I also remember all the fans on the side of the road who encouraged us and handed out free water, Gatorade, salty snacks. Some of the fans even had water hoses to cool us off, and some were literally grilling on the side of the road and giving out hot dogs and hamburgers. There were so many moments during the race when I just felt rushes of gratitude and excitement from seeing all the fans. Crowd support makes such a huge difference!
PictureIn 2012, my dad, brother, and I went to Canada for our first ever INTERNATIONAL marathon! =D
Around mile 23, I started to hit “the wall.” Each step felt like it required ten times the normal amount of effort, and I felt all my muscles ache with each strike of the ground. I actually remember feeling angry and wondering why I was running the race in the first place. My brother was so good at reminding me that this race was possible and that we were going to make it to the end. I was in so much pain, so my brother’s encouragement made a huge difference.

​Without a doubt, the final .2 miles of the race was the most agonizing, challenging part. I remember passing the 26th mile marker and thinking, “Wow! I’m done! We are at the finish line!” But the reality is that .2 miles is still .2 miles. It also didn’t help that there were still a few turns after mile 26, so I couldn’t even see the finish line until a minute or so after passing the final mile marker. When I eventually did see that finish line, though, I ran with everything I had.

“From Lakeville, Minnesota, we have Jordan and Spencer Castillo, about to finish their first Grandma’s Marathon!” The announcer was cheering us on, along with the hundreds of fans lining each side of the road. Those last few seconds of the race seemed to last an eternity, and I couldn’t believe that I was actually about to be done running those 26.2 miles. With a time of just under five hours, my brother and I crossed the finish line. My dad and brother were right there, and we grabbed each other with a sweaty, beautiful embrace. I felt a sudden rush of accomplishment, relief, pride, and overwhelming joy like I’d never felt before. At the age of 16, I had just finished my first marathon.

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Last year's Moose Mountain Trail Marathon... you can tell it's only mile 2, I've still got so much energy! =D
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Moose Mountain Trail Marathon victory photo with the bro's... feeling so fortunate to finish this race with them!
During the drive home, my Dad turned to my brother and me and blurted, “So, who’s ready for the next marathon?”

​“Haha, are you kidding me? Too soon, Dad,” I answered. “Maybe in a month, you can ask me then.” And a few months later, my dad did, in fact, ask me about running Grandma’s Marathon again.

 
“Sure, why not,” I responded with a soft smile.
 
So, the next year, I ran my second Grandma’s Marathon. The year after that, I ran another marathon with my dad, and the year after that, too. Because of that initial nudge from my dad, I have been running long-distance consistently for 11 years now. I am proud to say that last month I completed my tenth marathon in Napa, California (with a PR of 3:29!), and in less than three months I will go back to where it all began to run Grandma’s Marathon again, this time with the intention of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Running has become my stress-reliever, my motivator, my opportunity to center myself and reflect on things like gratitude, well-being, and vision for my life. Running reminds me that I am always capable of more than I might think in a moment, and that our realities are largely defined (and sometimes limited) by our minds. Running has become my way to communicate a mantra to the universe: “I can.”
 
Thanks for reading this story. Each member of the Central Maine Striders community has their own unique “why” behind running, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share about mine.
 
To close, I’d like to leave you with something to reflect on: What is your “why” behind running? And what might your running experience be teaching you?
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I convinced my good friend, Luis, to run Napa Valley Marathon with me last month. Running with friends gives me LIFE!
Thanks for sharing your running story with us, Jordan!  We love the energy and enthusiasm that you've brought to the club.

If any of you would like to be featured in a "Meet Our Members" article, contact us at run@centralmainestriders.com.  We'd be more than happy to publish your running story and/or interview you.

Race Report:  "Local Gem" - Millinocket Marathon and Half

2/28/2020

 
by Julie Millard
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The Millinocket Marathon and Half - Photo by Kevin Morris Photography
Runners are widely known for their questionable idea of fun. For example, running 6 miles up an old logging road in the winter, looping around for an even 13.1, and possibly even doing the whole thing again might seem crazy to some. But with a creative race director, such an event lured 2,000+ runners up to Millinocket, Maine in December!

2019 marked the 5th running of the Millinocket Marathon and Half, the brainchild of Gary Allen, who also directs the Mount Desert Island Marathon and the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay. The race philosophy is simple: “Don’t run Millinocket for what you get; run Millinocket for what you give.” There is no entry fee; instead runners are expected to somehow contribute to the local economy, such as by staying at a local motel, shopping at the artisan fair, and/or eating at the spaghetti supper or pancake breakfast.

My first trip to Maine’s Biggest Small Town was back in 2017, when I was bold enough to register for the full marathon. I attribute this error in judgment to not really grasping the significance of the elevation profile up the Golden Road, which didn’t look like much on paper. Despite the balmy temperature (30 degrees) and clear roads, I quickly learned to respect the course and was relieved to finish both loops before the season’s first snowstorm arrived. Club members Pat and Tracey Cote both ran strong races that day, with Tracey even setting an age-group record that still stands.
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Tracey, Pat, and Julie in Millinocket, 2017
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Julie and Susan running Millinocket in 2019 - photo by Capstone Photography
This year marked my third trip up north, this time running the half with fellow Strider Susan Brooks. Although we drank only water and hot soup at the aid stations, we briefly ran with a woman whose goal was to complete 19 shots of Fireball (in honor of 2019) along the 26.2 miles. (According to the results, she finished the race but it’s unclear about the shots or her physical status at the end.)

Why drive 2 hours to run a potentially frigid race? One reason is that running Millinocket feels epic but is actually quite convenient to central Maine. Another is that the weather could be mild, frigid, or something in between, and gambling on the unknown contributes to the adventure. What you can count on is the warmth of the townspeople and the celebratory feel to the event. As observed by Vice President of the Striders, Jordan Castillo:
“Whenever runners gather for a race, there is a powerful experience of community, empowerment, and ambition. I’ve never seen a greater example of this than at the Millinocket Half Marathon in Northern Maine.

Nowhere else have I seen thousands gather with such enthusiasm in a small, isolated town on a cold December day for a race on rugged, logging roads covered with dirt, ice, and snow. This race is 100% free to all—the organizers only ask that runners and their friends/family support local businesses while in the area for the race.

The hospitality was mind-blowing. So many businesses had posted “WELCOME RUNNERS” signs, and numerous locals approached me to simply thank me for running. One man in particular took my hands in both of his while looking me in the eyes and said, “You have no idea how meaningful this race is to every person in this town. This weekend provides six months of revenue for some businesses. In a lot of ways, we need every person who comes up for this race.”

I was floored. I had never considered how something as simple as running could be so impactful and encouraging for a community like the one in Millinocket. I’m humbled and grateful for the chance to have run 13.1 miles alongside so many others who have chosen to see and support the incredible people of Millinocket, Maine.”
Social media director Sapan Bhatt added the following about the “local gem” called the Millinocket Marathon and Half:
“The course is a 13.1 mile loop, with those participating in the full monty going for a second helping. There’s ample parking by the high school, where locals set up a craft fair full of good buys and some delicious local coffee (shout out to Mainely Coffee, those samples were clutch). The race starts out to much fanfare downtown by the Blue Ox Saloon. From there, runners take off for the first half of the loop on the Golden Road, an old mill passage built by the Great Northern Paper Company connecting Millinocket to Canada. The Golden Road was sanded for the race but the terrain was like running through mash potatoes (spikes recommended). The water stops are especially festive; staffed by volunteers they warmly handout everything from Gatorade to Fireball shots.

The back half of the race was fast and downhill. Runners can easily shave 30 sec a mile as they cruise into downtown. By that point, you’re warmed up and have your adrenaline flowing. For runners like myself who couldn’t get it into gear on the front half through the slush, your legs are relatively fresh and itching to get on the road. The true asset is not the course, but the people. I’ve never raced in a location where the enthusiasm amongst the locals was so pure and so universal. From those handing out drinks to the guys blasting music from their pickup truck to the diners who eagerly inquired about our results (and thanked us for coming!), the community makes this race special.”
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Sapan running Millinocket, 2019 - Photo by Capstone Photography
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 Julie Millard has been a member of the Central Maine Striders since 1991, when she returned to Maine to teach chemistry at Colby College. Her favorite races include the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay and the Sugarloaf Marathon/15K. She is also an avid participant in running events that involve food.
(photo by Kevin Morris Photography)
Have you run a race recently?  We'd love to publish your race report too!  Email us at run@centralmainestriders.com

Race Report - 41st January Thaw

2/1/2020

 
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With the 41st January Thaw on January 19th postponed due to an impending storm, the rescheduled date of January 26th dawned with clear roads and balmy, almost spring-like temperatures. Buoyed by a strong team of volunteers including Gene Roy, Geoff Hill, John Manzer, Harold Shaw, Rob Krickus, Deb Violette, and Lynda McGuire, the race kicked off without a hitch.

The field of 33 included some “old road race veterans” and quite a few new, welcome faces.  Conspicuous among the new faces was a young man, Patrick Caron, from Needham, Massachusetts who just decided to drop in.  The group took off with some donning just shorts and t-shirts for this real January Thaw.  The “outta stata” shot out in a near sprint leaving me to wonder about that pace for 4 1/2 miles but he proved to be the real deal finishing with a time of 23:41.  As far as I can find, this is second only to Todd Coffin’s 1993 course record of 22:01.

CMS runners, Sapan Bhatt and Jordan Castillo, finished second and fourth with times of 27:21 and 30:26 respectively.  They were separated by third place finisher, Blaine Moore of Brunswick in 29:24 running for Team Dirigo.  The first ladies across the finish line were Anya Davidson of Readfield in 6th place overall in 32:07 and Jess Beers of Waterville in 8th place with a time of 33:40.

This was a successful transition year with a strong foundation in place to carry on this longtime tradition led by “new blood” next year.

Thanks to David Colby-Young for his coverage.  As Gene Roy said, “We know we’re putting on a real race when David Colby-Young shows up to take photos.”

Tom McGuire
Race Director

Race results can be found here.

More race photos, courtesy of Maine Running Photos, can be found here.

Downeast Sunrise Relay Recap

8/5/2019

 
The Downeast Sunrise Trail (DEST) relay is one of the great races in Maine. It holds the distinction of being the only overnight relay race in the Pine Tree state and lets competitors enjoy the natural beauty of some of Maine’s quieter camp towns. I was honored to be part of the Central Maine Striders (Streakers?) team with my greatest asset being a reliable (read: available) SUV. 

​Not only was I new to the race, but it’d also be my first time visiting each town along the trail. Ron spent the drive passing on such geographic gems as Eastport being the easternmost city in the US (because Lubec is technically a town). I listened intently as Ron had won a marathon up there a few years back and his insider knowledge of the terrain was bound to
save us valuable minutes. 


After a delicious pizza and pasta dinner, we arrived at the starting point to a mini rave. The Wackos from Waco, a fellow perennial team, were busy weaving glowsticks onto an old mountain bike. This psychedelic figure would always appear at the end of legs; a luminous siren shepherding us to cold water and starchy treats. 
The team took off at 10:30pm with me taking the lead leg. The typical start-line adrenaline was magnified by the reality of running into the wilderness in the dead of night with nothing to guide me except the clearance headlamp I got at Walmart 2 years ago (I knew I should’ve sprung for that Black Diamond). After the first couple of miles, I was able to sink into the moment. The quiet and calm of the trail coupled with the darkness made it feel as if I were running through a sensory deprivation tank. I was able to zone out and let my instincts take over as I passed through marshes and woodlands with the moon to guide the way.

With the first handoff to Tiana, the relay was in full swing. Each rendezvous point was designated by GPS coordinates which greatly helped with navigation (save the occasional detour through a blueberry farm). I was eager to pass the baton to our teammates in car 2 and get a few hours of rest before sunrise. I was surprised to see how many local teams rolled up in campers and sprint vans, as if our expedition was taking us around the whole state rather than a 3 hour drive north. However, incredulity was quickly replaced with envy as I gave the captain’s chair in my Toyota Rav4 the airplane seat tilt. 

The second half was soon underway, with Brian getting to enjoy the namesake of the trail instead of our captain, Julie (I’m sure she’s already consulting almanacs and time splits to recalibrate for next year =). This sunrise also brought one of the hottest days of the summer; air temps reached the mid 90s and the roads were well into the triple digits. We made our way through Machias as the sun picked up. I cost our team a couple min by being on the porcelain (plastic?) throne as Tracey waited to handoff after running a blistering pace for leg 10, but I think we can all agree the extra facilities on the trail were a huge plus. Great legs by Ron, Tiana, Jess, and Pat helped us extend our lead over the Wackos, our Maine rivals. 

We waited in a beautiful park in Eastport overlooking a Canadian island as Pat took us from trail to road and the last exchange. Our closer, Brian, was psyched and ready to go. He slipped into his experimental Nikes that had such rebound, they made Vaporflys look like Bean boots. The heat was beating down on the roads and we stationed our cars along the final stretch to keep our anchorman hydrated and cool. A few minutes later, we crossed the finish as a team to receive some impressive race medals. 
​
The race provided unique challenges and memorable experiences all within the confines of 24 hours. We arrived back in Waterville on Saturday afternoon with a great sense of accomplishment and having seen picturesque locations in some more rural parts of Maine. If you’re looking for a race that will challenge you physically, give you a chance to explore the state, and most importantly spend time with some really cool Striders, look no further than signing up for DEST next year.

                           Striders L to R                                                                                                          
Jess Beers, Ron Peck, Pat Cote, Tracey Cote
Sapan Bhatt, Tiana Thomas, Julie Millard, Brian Morin                                              Brian breaking the speed limit!
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