Why run Chicopee Doonst wonders
- Doonst
- Abby Hoffman
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Why run Chicopee Doonst wonders
First race in the 5 Peaks series, at Chicopee ski resort. 5 Peaks has been using wave starts for a couple of years, to deal with the crowds and I must say it usually works well. Then there was today.
I was looking to start in wave 3 but so were several hundred others, seriously 150 or more. so I settled for the start of wave 4, that has worked for me before, only chip time counts for results. Today I was running third in that wave when we hit the first hill. It zig-zagged up a grass ski hill around sections of melting snow. Did I mention that it was hot and sunny? We caught the massive third wave so fast, everyone just walking up the muddy slopes. Slowed to a crawl. At the top it turned into single track, again just one pace no passing. Some tried but didn't get far before giving up. I did think of those in my age group who started earlier getting farther ahead, but I tried not to let it drive me crazy. The single track was rolling and nice running but the crowd would just jam up too often to a walk. Even the second wave after 1/3 of the crowd had finished the sport course, it wasn't a whole lot better. The grass hill was trashed by then, lots of runners sliding around and falling. The single track was quicker but still somebody else's pace. I spent half of the second loop chatting with two women about races we have done. Got past them at a water stop, then finally I had a clear section. Here around 3/4s of the way in I could finally hammer it, and only then realized how easy I had been running. Still a tough and hilly course, very muddy in spots with some fast downhill bunny slopes a meadow wide. I finished having barely broken a sweat, well it was hot. I didn't feel for the most part that I was racing, just stuck in traffic. Also I'm not a big mud fan, so not my favorite course. I finished the 8.7 K (advertised) course in 58:37, 12 out of 29 in my age group and 127 out of 258 overall. I haven't finished so poorly percentage wise in years, but I guess its partly my strategic mistake in starting where I did. The good news is I can now race the Rubble Yell tomorrow, because I didn't race that hard today. Good to see maniac peeps as usual.
Edit: link to pictures.
I was looking to start in wave 3 but so were several hundred others, seriously 150 or more. so I settled for the start of wave 4, that has worked for me before, only chip time counts for results. Today I was running third in that wave when we hit the first hill. It zig-zagged up a grass ski hill around sections of melting snow. Did I mention that it was hot and sunny? We caught the massive third wave so fast, everyone just walking up the muddy slopes. Slowed to a crawl. At the top it turned into single track, again just one pace no passing. Some tried but didn't get far before giving up. I did think of those in my age group who started earlier getting farther ahead, but I tried not to let it drive me crazy. The single track was rolling and nice running but the crowd would just jam up too often to a walk. Even the second wave after 1/3 of the crowd had finished the sport course, it wasn't a whole lot better. The grass hill was trashed by then, lots of runners sliding around and falling. The single track was quicker but still somebody else's pace. I spent half of the second loop chatting with two women about races we have done. Got past them at a water stop, then finally I had a clear section. Here around 3/4s of the way in I could finally hammer it, and only then realized how easy I had been running. Still a tough and hilly course, very muddy in spots with some fast downhill bunny slopes a meadow wide. I finished having barely broken a sweat, well it was hot. I didn't feel for the most part that I was racing, just stuck in traffic. Also I'm not a big mud fan, so not my favorite course. I finished the 8.7 K (advertised) course in 58:37, 12 out of 29 in my age group and 127 out of 258 overall. I haven't finished so poorly percentage wise in years, but I guess its partly my strategic mistake in starting where I did. The good news is I can now race the Rubble Yell tomorrow, because I didn't race that hard today. Good to see maniac peeps as usual.
Edit: link to pictures.
Last edited by Doonst on Wed May 06, 2009 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
- QuickChick
- Lynn Williams
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Too bad about the waves. That's good to know- sounds like you have to almost research past results to see where you should be. See you tomorrow... live and in colour.
"Don’t let negativity rent space in your brain for free. That is how you become a badass…by excavating her from inside you. You don’t have to become someone else. You need to identify the effing awesome parts of you that are your tools to work with, and maximize those." -Lauren Fleshman
Re: Why run Chicopee Doonst wonders
Doonst wrote: I spent half of the second loop chatting with two women about races we have done.
..... I didn't feel for the most part that I was racing.
Ummm....it sounds like you weren't racing...you were busy chatting up the ladies
Were you wearing your funky tights BTW...that is a sure way to get the ladies all hot and bothered
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"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
- Doonst
- Abby Hoffman
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QuickChick wrote:Too bad about the waves. That's good to know- sounds like you have to almost research past results to see where you should be. See you tomorrow... live and in colour.
That's the thing, it was a new course. Previous wave experience has been very positive, but the best ones have 2 lane running to pass and fast downhill sections early on to spread out the crowd. Here it was up, then narrow.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
- Doonst
- Abby Hoffman
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Re: Why run Chicopee Doonst wonders
Jo-Jo wrote:
Were you wearing your funky tights BTW...that is a sure way to get the ladies all hot and bothered
Heather did, I was sporting new shorts in "jungle fever" pattern.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
Re: Why run Chicopee Doonst wonders
Doonst wrote:Jo-Jo wrote:
Were you wearing your funky tights BTW...that is a sure way to get the ladies all hot and bothered
Heather did, I was sporting new shorts in "jungle fever" pattern.
OMG...ROFL..."jungle fever" you say...no wonder the ladies wanted to chat with you
Technophobe Extraordinaire
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
Congrats Doonst!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNLu2gY2-uU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNLu2gY2-uU
- scrumhalfgirl
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- Lynn Williams
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Sorry about the logistical problems.
Benefit of that however was that the ladies actually got to enjoy the Jungle Fever as more than just a blur when you ran by
Benefit of that however was that the ladies actually got to enjoy the Jungle Fever as more than just a blur when you ran by
On the books for 2017:
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50th Birthday!!
Boston Marathon- April 17th what a day- DREAM COME TRUE
Run for Water 10K- May 28th
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- VeloCarrie
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Me thinks it was female strategic thinking to keep the Jungle Boy with them the whole race.
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I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good. ~Harry Potter
Get off the friggin' assfalt and run dirt. ~Strider
What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger.
Sounds frustrating. Hope you make up for it at the Rubble Yell
2009 Highlights
Marathon - 2:54:05 (Mar 22 - Tokyo)
Half - 1:20:00 (Apr 26 - Hartwell)
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Marathon - 2:54:05 (Mar 22 - Tokyo)
Half - 1:20:00 (Apr 26 - Hartwell)
5k - 17:09 (Acura 5k - Jul 19)
800m - 2:16.80 (York U - Jul 28 )
Now - Getting back my running fitness
My training log
Why practice running slow? It comes naturally!
"There are two types of injuries that we older runners get: those that we can run with and those that we can't. And if you're over 30 and don't have one or the other, you aren't training hard enough." - Younger Legs blog
- AirForceRunner
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As if running uphill in the mud isn't frustrating....being stuck in a line to follow that...nothing like running uncomfortable and angry.
Well done all things considered.
Well done all things considered.
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Sulphur Springs 50 miler
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2011 Wishlist
Sulphur Springs 50 miler
Dirty Girls 12 hr night run
Haliburton 100 miler (gulp!)
"Try the meditation of the trail, just walk along looking at the trail at your feet and don't look about and just fall into a trance as the ground zips by..."
-Jack Kerouac
"I am no longer a runner, I am now a father who runs. I will let the running come to me and I will make the most of every km I am fortunate enough to receive."
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That doesn't sound fun, glad you had fun and made the best of it.
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Around the Bay - 1:58
Click>> Race History
ItsMyRun.com
"If I'm running, it will be a good run" - Robbie-T
"I just hope that people look at it and say, 'Hey if this yahoo can do it, then I can do it too.' That'd be cool if people thought that. It's just a matter of putting the miles in and working. It's not so much how much talent you have. I hope." - Brian Sell.
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift." - Pre
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West Grey Runner wrote:Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.
This was the first year at Chicopee. I think we have to give 5Peaks some credit here. It has been described by the second place runner as the toughest course in the series. Logistically, there are some bugs, but no reason to avoid an excellent and well run race series!
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Hey, be careful around me, apparently I'm a chronically offended kind of person...
Hey, be careful around me, apparently I'm a chronically offended kind of person...
- Doonst
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MINI-T wrote:West Grey Runner wrote:Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.
This was the first year at Chicopee. I think we have to give 5Peaks some credit here. It has been described by the second place runner as the toughest course in the series. Logistically, there are some bugs, but no reason to avoid an excellent and well run race series!
Agreed, they put on great races, some of the best in Ontario. They are not this popular for no reason! I am a repeat season pass holder and satisfied customer. Ron come and do Rattlesnake Point for the most fun race in the province!
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
MINI-T wrote:West Grey Runner wrote:Sorry to hear that the race was such a blow out! Think I will stick to the OUS races.
This was the first year at Chicopee. I think we have to give 5Peaks some credit here. It has been described by the second place runner as the toughest course in the series. Logistically, there are some bugs, but no reason to avoid an excellent and well run race series!
I agree as well. A first-year-at-unique-venue bug that can be worked out. You didn't hear it from me, but old man Doonst sealed his own fate by modestly choosing a wave too far back. It wasn't like that for the second wave.
Sorry the race wasn't the best. GREAT job at the RY today though! Were those the Jungle Fever shorts you had on today? If so, I am sure that's why those ladies stuck with you, no????
Lightning
We're going to try this new thing called jogging. Or maybe it's yogging-with a silent "j". Apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild.
-Ron Burgandy
We're going to try this new thing called jogging. Or maybe it's yogging-with a silent "j". Apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild.
-Ron Burgandy
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