| Author |
Topic: Swanzey, N.H. Covered Bridges Half Marathon |
henrun
Cool Runner |
 posted Sep-02-2007 07:30 PM
   
On this beautiful Labor Day weekend Marj and I headed up to the southwest corner of N.H. (close to the Vermont border). We stayed overnight in Keene (a college town) where we spent the day enjoying their outdoor music festival. After dinner we retired early and awoke to a clear 40 degree day. Fortunately we had brought along throw-away t-shirts and gloves since we planned to run in singlets.(glad we did)We headed out to the high school for registration. Since this is a small race (approx 700 runners), there was no pick-up until this morning and the race started at 8:30 am. It was a memorial to Elijah Barett (sp?) the race founder who died last week of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. There was a wonderful crew of volunteers who personed the water stops and directed us on the country roads. At the start we saw bherne who had decided last night to run the race. The race was a loop of country roads and about 2 miles of trail and 4 covered bridges. Marj and I as usual started off together. All was well until 3/4 of the way up the trail when I tripped on a trestle and started bleeding profusely from my palms and arm. (I run low to the ground and there's not a trail that hasn't seen my blood.) At the 2 mile water stop, I cleaned it up a bit and tried to stop the bleeding, but kept going. Marj was extremely concerned and stuck with me until I coerced her to run her own race. I was maintaining about a 10+ min pace, but slowed down through the rollers. The scenery was spectacular and the bridges were great fun. Hopefully, I'll be able to post a picture or link as they took pics as we ran out of 2 of the bridges. I lost sight of Marj who seemed to pick up her pace. The last 2 miles were mainly downhill and Marj finished 4 minutes ahead of me at 2:20 and myself at 2:24. We both placed 1/2 in our divisions and took home NH maple syrup as prizes. The race was followed by a extremely tasty barbecue and corn roast. If others learn about this race, it may swell to the point where they'll need a starting chip (it was finishing only). We both had a delightful time and fortunately, I don't think I broke anything except a bruised ego and alot of road rash.
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-02-2007 07:44 PM
Ouch, that sounded like a little more than your average faceplant. When I fall it takes a few days for the collateral damage to surface. Hope nothing pops up for you. You did well, keeping it together and finishing strong. Good Job. Sounded like a great event all in all.
Hardware congrats to the both of you,
jjj
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-02-2007 07:47 PM
First Henry, let me say that I am sorry you fell and were injured. Hope that is okay. Also, yes by all means post a pic or more if you have any. People all over the U.S. have some excitement over those bridges, as you know, and it would be fun to see them. This sounds like a super event, and I agree it will be huge as it goes on. What do you say to a triple registration next year? Mark my words. Spareribs
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Rich in NH
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-02-2007 08:16 PM
I know just the trestle you tripped over Henry, I did a two step in the same spot today to avoid the same fate.I wish I'd known you and Marj were going to be there, I'd have looked you up. I've run this event since its inaugaral 2 years ago and had noticed the changes in the race's web site but didn't know what had happened to Elija Barrett. He owned a running store in Keene and had sponsored a number of races each year. What a shame to lose him... I hope your hands are feeling better and congrats to you and Marj on your awards. [This message has been edited by Rich in NH (edited Sep-02-2007).]
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-02-2007 08:35 PM
Oh Henry! I hope the palms & arms are okay. Congrats on a good run and fun too! Congrats to Marj also ...she just seems to put in good races every time. Continue to run well! Btw - the maple suryp is worth it!
PJ
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henrun
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-02-2007 08:59 PM
I'm a bit more uncomfortable but just took some aspirin.
Rich-sorry we didn't connect. How did you do?
Btw, I gave the wrong number of finishers-just looked at the results and found out that there were just over 300. No wonder I felt lonely out there.
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Rich in NH
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-03-2007 09:46 AM
Henry, 1:53:46. I've been on the comeback trail for a while now and am very happy with that time.I may have seen you finishing. Did you wear a knee brace by any chance? An older gentleman running really hard caught my eye and I suspect it was you...
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henrun
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-03-2007 09:59 AM
Yes, I was that older 'gentleman' and Marj was 'pushing' me on.
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-03-2007 10:44 AM
Ouch! Hope all will be okay from that fall. Congratulations on what sounds like a very nice race.You've got to love NH maple syrup as a prize! I had some just this morning with my waffles.  I think all that biking Marj has been doing is paying off! 
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-03-2007 08:55 PM
Sorry to hear of the 'battle scars' - hope they heal quickly - but delighted to read of the race and the excellent times posted by you and Marg. It sounds like a great event and a nice holiday getaway. Thanks for the report!Skip
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-03-2007 11:11 PM
Henry, anyone who asks, just tell them you took a dirty cross-check into the boards in your last hockey game. What a lovely weekend for you and Marj: an outdoor music festival and topped off by a lovely race (minus the trip and fall) and 1/2 AG awards. Enjoy that maple syrup! [This message has been edited by Sans Souci (edited Sep-04-2007).]
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-04-2007 10:34 AM
What a beautiful setting for a race! That must have been spectacular, although I know I would have fallen as well. Train trestles are very tricky to run over.
Congratulations to you both on great finish times and age group wins too! Real maple syrup, yum!
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La Tortuga
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-04-2007 12:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by henrun:
All was well until 3/4 of the way up the trail when I tripped on a trestle and started bleeding profusely from my palms and arm. (I run low to the ground and there's not a trail that hasn't seen my blood.) At the 2 mile water stop, I cleaned it up a bit and tried to stop the bleeding, but kept going. Marj was extremely concerned and stuck with me until I coerced her to run her own race.
Medical people make the worst patients! Sounds like you two had a wonderful week-end, a well run race and good post-race festivities.
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-04-2007 03:55 PM
Other than the fall, it sounds like a fantastic weekend, henrun. A concert, covered bridges, maple syrup, 1st in AG for both of you, barbeque and corn afterwards. What a neat experience. Congrats to both you and marj.TomS ------------------
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bhearn
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-04-2007 10:06 PM
Good to run into you and Marj at the race, Henry. Sorry about that trestle. I'm pretty sure I know the one that got you. I thought, while stepping over it, "if I hadn't been looking down just then, I'd have tripped".It was indeed a beautiful day, and a beautiful course. Just about perfect conditions. When I got up in the morning I just about decided not to go -- I'd had < 3 hours' sleep after getting in late from the west coast. And I didn't like what the scale said. But I did need a tune-up race that weekend, and I was looking forward to the course. I had a great race: 1:28:58, just about 10 seconds shy of a PR. And I think I left something on the course. Bodes well for Portland in October. No awards for me, though (5/59 M40-49). I did come in 6 seconds ahead of the first woman. Turns out someone had told her the second woman was right behind her, so she was pushing like mad to stay ahead of me! But at 13 I realized I could break 1:29, so I kicked it in hard. My casualty was my skin. I was enjoying soaking up the sun afterwards during the BBQ, but when I got home my shoulders and neck were fried. It was a shame to hear about Elijah. Bob
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maryt
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 05:41 AM
Henry
Sounds like a beautiful weekend except maybe for the bleeding profusely from palms and arm part. Congratulations to you and Marj on your race and awards.
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plumbcrazy
Member |
posted Sep-05-2007 08:54 AM
It sounds like it was a great day for a race. I ran this one last year and really wanted to do it again but I've been roped into running the Reach The Beach so it will have to wait until next year. Sorry to hear about the fall but good to see you stick with it and run a good race. That trail section can be touigh with all the ruts and the old train train bridge. Maybe I'll see you next year. Paul
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bhearn
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 10:43 AM
quote:
Originally posted by henrun:
Hopefully, I'll be able to post a picture or link as they took pics as we ran out of 2 of the bridges.
The photos are up: http://www.capstonephotostore.com/search.php?eventnum=51 And guess whose photos adorn the event photo page?
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bigapplepie
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 11:22 AM
Congratulations on a well run half.
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henrun
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 11:30 AM
Thank you Bob, you saved me from having to figure out how to do it.
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 11:34 AM
How neat is that. Boomer Poster Couple!Bob, do you mean Portland, Oregon? If so, look for a Boomers get-together.
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Bruce Braucher
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 11:34 AM
Congrats on the sticky hardware! Well worth it with the battle scars. Sounds like a beautiful race.
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Coastwalker
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 11:41 AM
Hi Henry,Sorry about the injury, but I'm glad that it looked more serious than it was. I always knew you were one tough runner! You did have fantastic weather for a race in NE, and I'm glad that you and Marj took advantage of it. Keene is a great town, and a lot of fun. Have you ever been there for the Pumpkin Festival? It's amazing (http://www.pumpkinfestival.com/)! Congratulations on your 1/2 finishes, and your nifty NH maple syrup prizes! Jay
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bhearn
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-05-2007 11:47 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Sans Souci:
How neat is that. Boomer Poster Couple!Bob, do you mean Portland, Oregon? If so, look for a Boomers get-together.
Yep. I was planning to run it last year, but ran out of time to train. This year I'm pretty optimistic I can PR -- after 7 marathons, I have yet to beat my first marathon time! But I think I finally ought to be able to.
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Lil Engine
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-06-2007 05:58 PM
1st AG, maple syrup, and beautiful scenery! Hard to beat a day like that!------------------
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"I think I can, I think I can"
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