- Published on
by Heather Cable
For some reason, I have always been compelled to get a hot dog costume and run in it… It’s probably because going around saying, “well hot dawg!” is oddly compelling. On October 29th, I finally decided to give it a try at the Wicked 10k with my brother and his wife, dressed as mustard and ketchup, respectively, who were running the 5k.
The race was full of other runners wearing a variety of costumes which made for an interesting and fun experience. The day started off cool which was perfect considering the full body hot dog costume I was wearing. As I toed the line, I figured I would just take it easy and have fun with it. Shooting for my typical easy run pace. That all changed when the air horn went off signaling the start.
As the run started, my legs were moving surprisingly comfortably despite the outfit I chose to wear. Since there was a dual start for the 5k/10k, there was no way to tell who was competing in which event or gage where I was in the 10k pack, so I just tried to maintain the comfortably hard pace. Once we completed the first loop, 10k runners continued for a second and the field decreased to me and another runner I had been with for nearly the whole race. It was at this point that I realized I may win this thing… as a hot dog. We cruised along the beautiful coastal course for a second loop and came in for the finish. I was the first hot dog finisher/first female finisher!
The race was full of other runners wearing a variety of costumes which made for an interesting and fun experience. The day started off cool which was perfect considering the full body hot dog costume I was wearing. As I toed the line, I figured I would just take it easy and have fun with it. Shooting for my typical easy run pace. That all changed when the air horn went off signaling the start.
As the run started, my legs were moving surprisingly comfortably despite the outfit I chose to wear. Since there was a dual start for the 5k/10k, there was no way to tell who was competing in which event or gage where I was in the 10k pack, so I just tried to maintain the comfortably hard pace. Once we completed the first loop, 10k runners continued for a second and the field decreased to me and another runner I had been with for nearly the whole race. It was at this point that I realized I may win this thing… as a hot dog. We cruised along the beautiful coastal course for a second loop and came in for the finish. I was the first hot dog finisher/first female finisher!
Full results from the 2022 Wicked 5k & 10k in Kennebunk can be found here:
www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=224442&utm_source=resultEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=emailResults
Race photos can be found here:
jumpshare.com/b/ifApTVgZW9UfytWGWuxf/nI47qu4kOuwkCuSGveY0
www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=224442&utm_source=resultEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=emailResults
Race photos can be found here:
jumpshare.com/b/ifApTVgZW9UfytWGWuxf/nI47qu4kOuwkCuSGveY0
Note from the editor: On the very next day, Heather ran a very difficult 15k course at the Quarry Road Trailfest in Waterville dressed as a hamburger.
- Published on
by Heather Cable
On Saturday, October 15th 42 runners gathered at the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Augusta for the Save Your Breath 5k. This event is a fundraiser to help support Free ME from Lung Cancer's mission to conduct research, help uninsured high-risk patients get access to early detection via low dose CT scans, help single-family low-income homeowners get access to radon air abatement systems, and to establish Covid relief funds in Maine hospitals to help keep the high-risk patients and front-line workers safe.
Sapan Bhatt
Heather Cable
Lindsey Madison
There was a great showing for Central Maine Striders! Sapan Bhatt was the 2nd male finishing with a time of 18:44.43 behind 1st place male finisher Kyle Simmons of Lewiston who had a time of 17:51.54. Heather Cable finished as the 1st overall female finisher with a time of 19:56.35, while Lindsey Madison was first for her age group. Jason Gredlics and Karl Foss rounded out the Striders finishers with times of 33:40.07 and 44:39.18, respectively.
Jason Gredlics
Karl Foss
More Save Your Breath 5k photos, courtesy of Maine Running Photos, can be found here.
Full Results
1 320 Kyle Simmons 17:51.54 5:45 37 M Lewiston
2 312 Sapan Bhatt 18:44.43 6:03 33 M Waterville
3 372 Benjamin DeMerchant 19:49.74 6:24 35 M Augusta
4 394 Heather Cable 19:56.35 6:26 29 F Augusta
5 386 Preston Walling 21:21.30 6:53 29 M Gardiner
6 318 Steven Dubois 21:45.63 7:01 50 M Lisbon Falls
7 384 Adam Schoff 22:08.24 7:08 38 M Farmington
8 395 Heather Freeman 22:57.35 7:24 27 F Smithfield
9 331 Alice Cregg 23:37.71 7:37 51 F Buckfield
10 385 Sarah Martin 23:53.38 7:42 56 F starks
11 344 Phoebe Olcott 24:09.95 7:47 11 F Brunswick
12 382 Susan A Olcott 24:12.04 7:48 45 F Brunswick
13 397 Lindsey Madison 25:03.85 8:05 34 F Waterville
14 307 Ryan Grant 25:52.47 8:21 13 M Sabattus
15 398 Lizzie Baker 25:57.13 8:22 41 F Harpswell
16 373 Bart Shattuck 26:04.80 8:25 65 M Winslow
17 327 Marsha Brown 26:47.15 8:38 44 F Augusta
18 336 Tina McGillicuddy 27:48.15 8:58 43 F Lisbon
19 349 Rikki Garcia 27:50.34 8:59 31 F Clinton
20 399 Dylan Dillaway 28:14.38 9:06 44 M Vassalboro
21 313 Leah Hultstrom 29:47.28 9:36 21 F York
22 326 Johnida Dockens 29:49.09 9:37 50 F Searsport
23 319 Sue Kistenmacher 30:57.81 9:59 68 F Farmingdale
24 370 Julie Keithley 31:10.43 10:03 51 F Chelsea
25 392 Catharine Audette 31:49.56 10:16 43 F Winthrop
26 388 Vicki Bennett 32:08.04 10:22 52 F Weld
27 371 Carol Hope 32:12.23 10:23 56 F Sutton
28 314 Lauren Schoff 32:54.53 10:37 22 F Cape Neddick
29 317 Nathan McGillicuddy 33:05.60 10:40 13 M Lisbon
30 329 Jason Gredlics 33:40.07 10:52 33 M South Portland
31 375 Jennifer Small 34:02.70 10:59 53 F Richmond
32 393 Melissa Hannon 34:53.91 11:15 52 F Kents Hill
33 383 Norann Garcia 35:42.51 11:31 33 F Clinton
34 321 Kasey Hutchinson 37:41.22 12:09 2 F Gardiner
35 376 Rebecca L Grant 38:00.96 12:15 42 F Sabattus
36 389 Reagan Grant 38:01.04 12:16 11 F Sabattus
37 379 Nancy Morin 39:19.32 12:41 51 F Winthrop
38 323 Taylor Coutts 43:33.46 14:03 12 F Augusta
39 325 Samantha Coutts 44:23.12 14:19 40 F Augusta
40 390 KARL FOSS 44:39.18 14:24 41 M Waterville
41 396 Marcus Hall 44:39.26 14:24 44 M Waterville
42 324 Holly Morgan 57:28.71 18:32 43 F Augusta
Full Results
1 320 Kyle Simmons 17:51.54 5:45 37 M Lewiston
2 312 Sapan Bhatt 18:44.43 6:03 33 M Waterville
3 372 Benjamin DeMerchant 19:49.74 6:24 35 M Augusta
4 394 Heather Cable 19:56.35 6:26 29 F Augusta
5 386 Preston Walling 21:21.30 6:53 29 M Gardiner
6 318 Steven Dubois 21:45.63 7:01 50 M Lisbon Falls
7 384 Adam Schoff 22:08.24 7:08 38 M Farmington
8 395 Heather Freeman 22:57.35 7:24 27 F Smithfield
9 331 Alice Cregg 23:37.71 7:37 51 F Buckfield
10 385 Sarah Martin 23:53.38 7:42 56 F starks
11 344 Phoebe Olcott 24:09.95 7:47 11 F Brunswick
12 382 Susan A Olcott 24:12.04 7:48 45 F Brunswick
13 397 Lindsey Madison 25:03.85 8:05 34 F Waterville
14 307 Ryan Grant 25:52.47 8:21 13 M Sabattus
15 398 Lizzie Baker 25:57.13 8:22 41 F Harpswell
16 373 Bart Shattuck 26:04.80 8:25 65 M Winslow
17 327 Marsha Brown 26:47.15 8:38 44 F Augusta
18 336 Tina McGillicuddy 27:48.15 8:58 43 F Lisbon
19 349 Rikki Garcia 27:50.34 8:59 31 F Clinton
20 399 Dylan Dillaway 28:14.38 9:06 44 M Vassalboro
21 313 Leah Hultstrom 29:47.28 9:36 21 F York
22 326 Johnida Dockens 29:49.09 9:37 50 F Searsport
23 319 Sue Kistenmacher 30:57.81 9:59 68 F Farmingdale
24 370 Julie Keithley 31:10.43 10:03 51 F Chelsea
25 392 Catharine Audette 31:49.56 10:16 43 F Winthrop
26 388 Vicki Bennett 32:08.04 10:22 52 F Weld
27 371 Carol Hope 32:12.23 10:23 56 F Sutton
28 314 Lauren Schoff 32:54.53 10:37 22 F Cape Neddick
29 317 Nathan McGillicuddy 33:05.60 10:40 13 M Lisbon
30 329 Jason Gredlics 33:40.07 10:52 33 M South Portland
31 375 Jennifer Small 34:02.70 10:59 53 F Richmond
32 393 Melissa Hannon 34:53.91 11:15 52 F Kents Hill
33 383 Norann Garcia 35:42.51 11:31 33 F Clinton
34 321 Kasey Hutchinson 37:41.22 12:09 2 F Gardiner
35 376 Rebecca L Grant 38:00.96 12:15 42 F Sabattus
36 389 Reagan Grant 38:01.04 12:16 11 F Sabattus
37 379 Nancy Morin 39:19.32 12:41 51 F Winthrop
38 323 Taylor Coutts 43:33.46 14:03 12 F Augusta
39 325 Samantha Coutts 44:23.12 14:19 40 F Augusta
40 390 KARL FOSS 44:39.18 14:24 41 M Waterville
41 396 Marcus Hall 44:39.26 14:24 44 M Waterville
42 324 Holly Morgan 57:28.71 18:32 43 F Augusta
- Published on
by Ryan Goebel
The start of the 2022 Fall Classic 10k (photo by Alicia MacLeay).
On October 9th, runners and volunteers gathered at Waterville's Quarry Road Recreation Area for the 3rd annual Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k road race. Beautiful fall colors graced the trees and frost covered the ground as runners checked in for the race on this cool Sunday morning.
Before the start of the race, it appeared that the men's race had the potential for a speedy battle between Bar Harbor's Judson Cake, former Thomas College runner Harrison Mosher, and Messalonskee High runner Pierce Coughlin, with Striders Drew McCormick and Ron Peck hoping to stick with the pack. For the women's race, Strider Heather Cable looked to be the favorite amongst the open runners, but the Master's Women division looked to be tight with one-third of all runners falling into this category.
In the end, Harrison Mosher took the crown with a time of 36:27, besting JudsonCake by 31 seconds. However, Cake did earn the prize for the top Men's Master runner. Heather Cable did indeed nab the overall woman's spot with a time of 42:18, nearly seven minutes ahead of the next fastest woman. Strider Katherine Collins grabbed the award for the fastest Women's Master runner, with a time of 49:38.
Before the start of the race, it appeared that the men's race had the potential for a speedy battle between Bar Harbor's Judson Cake, former Thomas College runner Harrison Mosher, and Messalonskee High runner Pierce Coughlin, with Striders Drew McCormick and Ron Peck hoping to stick with the pack. For the women's race, Strider Heather Cable looked to be the favorite amongst the open runners, but the Master's Women division looked to be tight with one-third of all runners falling into this category.
In the end, Harrison Mosher took the crown with a time of 36:27, besting JudsonCake by 31 seconds. However, Cake did earn the prize for the top Men's Master runner. Heather Cable did indeed nab the overall woman's spot with a time of 42:18, nearly seven minutes ahead of the next fastest woman. Strider Katherine Collins grabbed the award for the fastest Women's Master runner, with a time of 49:38.
A special shout-out goes to Charlie Tauber of Houston, Texas, who planned his fall vacation to Maine around our race. He told us that he had a few days off work, wanted to see some fall colors in Maine, and wanted to run a 10k while here. Thankfully, he found our race on runningintheusa.com.
Thanks to all of the Striders and local community members who continue to make this race possible by volunteering and running it.
Central Maine Striders Finish Places, Times, and Divisions
(MO=Men's Open, MM=Men's Masters, WO=Women's Open, and WM=Women's Masters):
4 - Ron Peck 38:50 MM
5 - Andrew (Drew) McCormick 40:14 MO
6 - Heather Cable 42:18 WO
7 - Derek Huffman 43:01 MO
9 - Dan Taylor 48:34 MM
12 - Jon Chapin 49:29 MM
13 - Katherine Collins 49:38 WM
14 - Julie Millard 50:54 WM
16 - Lindsey Madison 52:21 WO
17 - Dawn Gee 54:09 WM
21 - Jarrod Dumas 57:32 MM
24 - Laurel King 1:00:25 WM
26 - David Benn 1:06:44 MM
28 - Jason Gredlics 1:07:30 MO
29 - Martha Nadeau 1:10:04 WM
33 - Gi Reed 1:13:09 WM
36 - Jim Moore 1:40:18 MM
For more photos from the race, go to our Facebook album.
Thanks to all of the Striders and local community members who continue to make this race possible by volunteering and running it.
Central Maine Striders Finish Places, Times, and Divisions
(MO=Men's Open, MM=Men's Masters, WO=Women's Open, and WM=Women's Masters):
4 - Ron Peck 38:50 MM
5 - Andrew (Drew) McCormick 40:14 MO
6 - Heather Cable 42:18 WO
7 - Derek Huffman 43:01 MO
9 - Dan Taylor 48:34 MM
12 - Jon Chapin 49:29 MM
13 - Katherine Collins 49:38 WM
14 - Julie Millard 50:54 WM
16 - Lindsey Madison 52:21 WO
17 - Dawn Gee 54:09 WM
21 - Jarrod Dumas 57:32 MM
24 - Laurel King 1:00:25 WM
26 - David Benn 1:06:44 MM
28 - Jason Gredlics 1:07:30 MO
29 - Martha Nadeau 1:10:04 WM
33 - Gi Reed 1:13:09 WM
36 - Jim Moore 1:40:18 MM
For more photos from the race, go to our Facebook album.
Men's Open Winner: Harrison Mosher
Women's Open Winner: Heather Cable
Men's Masters Winner: Judson Cake
Women's Masters Winner: Katherine Collins
- Published on
by Ron Peck and Ryan Goebel
The Central Maine Striders met on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 11th to honor the memory of Eliza Fletcher, a dedicated runner who was abducted while on her morning run in Tennessee and later murdered. Running communities across the country have held events to "Finish Eliza's Run" to mourn a fellow runner and raise awareness that all people deserve a safe environment to enjoy the outdoors. About twenty members of the Striders met for a moment of reflection led by club Vice President Kate Scott, then ran 3-6 miles in memory of Fletcher.
- Published on
by Ryan Goebel with photos from the AYCC
Joshua Way, Men's Overall Champion
Vanessa Holman, Women's Overall Champion
On Saturday, August 20, runners gathered at the Waterville Alfond Youth Center for the annual Doc and Mardie Brown 5k. Former Central Maine Striders members, Doc and Mardie Brown exemplified the spirit of our club, with both of them being active well into their 90's. This run is held in their honor and even includes an award for the oldest finisher.
After running a modified course laster year due to construction on Mayflower Hill Drive, the race returned to its traditional course which includes running up the big hill from North Street to Colby College in the first mile. While almost every runner who has ever run this race has very strong opinions about this hill, most runners can agree that it's (mostly) downhill for the last 2 miles of the race.
From start to finish, the race was led by Joshua Way, former Waterville resident and young speedster who was temporarily back in the state with his family. The last time that Way ran Doc & Mardie was 2020, which was also the last time the course including the big North Street hill. That year, as a 14-year old, he placed second to Eli Caret. This year, Way finished with a blistering fast time of 16:41, which not only improved upon his time from 2020, but also bested Caret's time from that year.
Andrew Knightly, a 50-year old runner who drove down from Orono for the race, came in 2nd with a time of 17:57. Braden Rioux, a Winslow High School runner, placed third with a time of 18:43. Rounding out the top 5 were Striders Ryan Goebel (18:46) and Drew McCormick (19:04).
Leading the women were Messalonskee High School cross country coach Vanessa Holman (22:17) and Winslow High School runner Addison Pellerin (22:30).
Longtime Strider Ron Paquette once again picked up the award for the oldest finisher. At the awards ceremony, he joked with Race Director Patrick Guerette that he should stop reminding him that Paquette is the oldest. Guerette replied that it must not bother Paquette too much, because he keeps coming back every year.
Besides the ten children that completed the youth fun run, this year's 5k featured some impressive times by a couple of future all-star runners, including 10-year-old Sawyer Wess (24:38) and 8-year-old Cora Wess (32:30). Keep an eye out for these two in future Doc & Mardie 5k's and other area races!
Official Results for the 2022 Doc & Mardie 5k: https://my.raceresult.com/215715/results
Youth 1-Mile Fun Run Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/10338#resultSetId-334089
Photos: https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/ME/Waterville/DocMardie5kandYouth1MileFunRun
After running a modified course laster year due to construction on Mayflower Hill Drive, the race returned to its traditional course which includes running up the big hill from North Street to Colby College in the first mile. While almost every runner who has ever run this race has very strong opinions about this hill, most runners can agree that it's (mostly) downhill for the last 2 miles of the race.
From start to finish, the race was led by Joshua Way, former Waterville resident and young speedster who was temporarily back in the state with his family. The last time that Way ran Doc & Mardie was 2020, which was also the last time the course including the big North Street hill. That year, as a 14-year old, he placed second to Eli Caret. This year, Way finished with a blistering fast time of 16:41, which not only improved upon his time from 2020, but also bested Caret's time from that year.
Andrew Knightly, a 50-year old runner who drove down from Orono for the race, came in 2nd with a time of 17:57. Braden Rioux, a Winslow High School runner, placed third with a time of 18:43. Rounding out the top 5 were Striders Ryan Goebel (18:46) and Drew McCormick (19:04).
Leading the women were Messalonskee High School cross country coach Vanessa Holman (22:17) and Winslow High School runner Addison Pellerin (22:30).
Longtime Strider Ron Paquette once again picked up the award for the oldest finisher. At the awards ceremony, he joked with Race Director Patrick Guerette that he should stop reminding him that Paquette is the oldest. Guerette replied that it must not bother Paquette too much, because he keeps coming back every year.
Besides the ten children that completed the youth fun run, this year's 5k featured some impressive times by a couple of future all-star runners, including 10-year-old Sawyer Wess (24:38) and 8-year-old Cora Wess (32:30). Keep an eye out for these two in future Doc & Mardie 5k's and other area races!
Official Results for the 2022 Doc & Mardie 5k: https://my.raceresult.com/215715/results
Youth 1-Mile Fun Run Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/10338#resultSetId-334089
Photos: https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/ME/Waterville/DocMardie5kandYouth1MileFunRun
CMS President racing to a 4th place finish overall and 1st in the Men's 40-49 age group.
Drew McCormick, who was 5th overall, receiving the award for 1st in the Men's 30-39 age group.
Martha Nadeau chasing down the runner in front of her as she nears the finish line.
Longtime Strider David Benn securing his 1st place finish in the Men's 70 & up age group.
Race Director Patrick Guerette awarding Donnajean Pohlman with the medal for 1st place in the Women's 70 & up age group.
Maine Running Hall of Fame member, longtime Strider, and repeat winner of the Doc & Mardie Oldest Finisher Award (81 years old), Ron Paquette.
- Published on
by Ryan Goebel with photos from Quarry Road Trails
The start of the final 3k race of the summer series.
The summer of 2022 marked another summer of Tuesday night trail racing at Quarry Road Trails in Waterville. This year was a transitional year, as there was a gap between outgoing Quarry Road program director Justin Fereshetian and the new program director Jeff Tucker. In the meantime, Patrick Guerette, Koren Coughlin, and a team of other volunteers including many Central Maine Striders stepped up to keep the series going.
Zach Ross narrowly edged Pierce Coughlin for the overall series win. Alanna McDonough was the top overall female runner. Patrick Guerette (3rd place overall) achieved the highest place amongst Central Maine Striders members, with Vice President Kate Scott getting the highest place amongst the women Striders.
On August 16 after the final race of the series, race director Jeff Tucker handed out series awards and conducted a lucky draw raffle in which a lot of the runners who stuck around won some fabulous prizes.
Thank you to all of the runners and volunteers who continue to make this series a success year after year!
Zach Ross narrowly edged Pierce Coughlin for the overall series win. Alanna McDonough was the top overall female runner. Patrick Guerette (3rd place overall) achieved the highest place amongst Central Maine Striders members, with Vice President Kate Scott getting the highest place amongst the women Striders.
On August 16 after the final race of the series, race director Jeff Tucker handed out series awards and conducted a lucky draw raffle in which a lot of the runners who stuck around won some fabulous prizes.
Thank you to all of the runners and volunteers who continue to make this series a success year after year!
Zach Ross and Alanna McDonough, the overall male and female winners of the series.
2022 Quarry Road Summer Race Series age group winners.
- 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 2022nd 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.
- 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!
