Ghost Train Rail Trail 60M, Brookline, New Hampshire 2,2 RESULTS VIMEO October 26, 2013 - Signing up for races well in advance has become a standard for participating in ultra running events, but life has a way of sometimes derailing the best laid ambitions, leaving one questioning why they are even toeing the line when they may be neither prepared nor have the time for such challenging distractions. I was looking forward to rolling through a level hundred miles in New Hampshire and crushing my previous personal best, but knew as the time approached that I was probably foolish in even showing up due to my otherwise "fullish" schedule and insufficient training. Throwing all good sense to the wind, Mike Monyak and I rolled north with a devil-may-care attitude. Let the dice fall where they may. Given the seasonally cool temperatures expected we opted to stay at a warm hotel with a roof and shower and cable TV even (I'm almost embarrassed to confess). What happened to the days when I'd think nothing of shivering in a tent the night before an event? Life's just getting too comfortable. Even the Ghost Train event seemed mild by comparison to many of the other races I had done this year, bragging in advance that it had none of that vertical nonsense of other races. I wonder if I am getting soft!!! Naw. Ghost Train sounded like a fun time and good opportunity to let the legs roll unimpeded by roots and rocks. A part of me was excited to see what I could do on little to no training. The other part of me was terrified at the prospect that immediately following the race: I would have to drive back the nine hours to PA where I would be picking up a moving truck the next day, then pack the truck for two days before driving twelve hours to North Carolina where I would have to unpack for two days, then drive back to PA. Could I really run a hundred miles and do all of that back to back to back??? Insane. But at least, one might say, it was in character! So 0 dark early we toed the line at Camp Tevya next to a little covered bridge and proceeded to follow a crushed limestone rail trail in 25 degree temps. Despite stripping down for the start, I was comfortable. I eased into a good tempo early, sharing the trail once again with my buddy Mike for awhile, just like old times. Mike is always one step short of an ambulance ride, so I give him a lot of credit for fighting to hold onto the dream while bearing the pain of career-ending debility. He fights the good fight, but struggles to hold the line. The route is an out-and-back for 7.5 miles each way, mostly level with some climbing through the woods and a half mile of running along a road each way. It is such a trail that one can build momentum and target a good time. Aid was appropriately spaced and very helpful. The trail was adorned by beaucoup carved pumpkins which were lit up at night and the occasional ghost along the way to keep it light-hearted. A recording of a train echoed within the tunnel we passed through each time - below, making for a nice touch in keeping with the theme of this event. Each turn concluded with a run through the pedestrian covered bridge - below, adding to the character of the day's experience. . |