Six in the Stix and a ski jump?

Saturday was my first time racing at Team Amp’s Six in the Stix Trail Race. It was a hot and sticky morning in NH do running in the woods sounded like a perfect idea. Before the race I quietly warmed up on the trail and this was one of the first things that I encountered . . .

This might be the quickest way to the finish!

Too bad I forgot my skis

A little ski jumping anyone?
I was hot before the race got started and felt antsy to get going. The energy of the racers was high as we entered the woods and I quickly found my pace as we entered the woods for some uphill. The woods were cool and the footing was soft.
Every time I get on the trails I feel like a kid on an adventure through green fairy land. The air always feels refreshing and the woods always seem magical even when i am pushing the pace. How do you feel when you are on the trails? Racing or just out for a fun run?
This race was my favorite distance. I know I can push hard through the finish and have begun to find my speed. The downhill came at about 3 miles in. I have been working hard on my downhill running. I’ve found it’s best to stay loose and let gravity take over. Running down is all about watching your footing while at the same time being just on the edge of out of control.
The race finished near the ski jump on the track. The loop around the track was a little jolting after being on the trail but I pushed to the finish in 49:56. I ended up third in my age group which landed me a spot on the “podium.”

Psyched about my 3rd place finish and even more excited about enjoying some pancakes and my prize syrup.

The prize was sweet-maple syrup! Yes, please!
I hope to hit the trails again soon for another awesome trail race.
Happy running and get out there hit the trail!

Syrup anyone?

Related articles

• Six in the Stix Trail Race (organicrunnermom.com)
• Conquering Cannon Mountain (organicrunnermom.com)

Six in the Stix Trail Race

Tomorrow will be another day of fun racing. I am headed to Newport, NH to run in the town forest at The Six in the Stix trail race. This race is a part of the Western NH Trail Race Series put on by Team Amp (Same organizers as the Winter Wild Series).

Trail Running Adventures

Trail running and racing is one of my favorite things to do. My first real experience with trail running began when I moved to Barnet, VT and began running on the Kingdom Trails with a bunch of runners who like to call themselves the Kingdom Krazies. We would spend countless hours running the endless trails, uphill and down, up the mountain, through the winding beautiful Vermont wilderness. How could you not fall in love with trail running? Racing on trails means going fast and the additional challenge of navigating the rocky/root covered terrain (roots sometimes being referred to as chicken necks which I think is hilarious) sometimes made slick by the rain. Racing on the trails brings a huge endorphin rush but at the same time a weird sense of calm that comes from the intense focus required for the fancy footwork as well from the crisp fresh air in the woods and sounds on the trails.

I welcome the adventure that awaits tomorrow. What adventures do you have planned?

Related articles

• 5 Peaks Trail Running Series (mec.ca)
• Going Greenbelt: 5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Trail Running (willrunforglitter.com)

Conquering Cannon Mountain

Sunday was the first annual Littleton Bike and Fitness “Sufferfest” at Cannon Mountain. It was a cloudless day and hot. I arrived at the start at the Franconia Inn where around 100 mountain bikers and runners prepared to tackle the daunting trail and mountain course.

Dave Harkless, owner of Littleton Bike and Fitness

Bridget and I met up with some of the other Pete and Gerry’s Organic Chicks before the start. Of course we had to show our chick power in our cute Skirt Sports skirts. What is more bada$$ than a strong woman racing to the top of a 3,150 ft mountain?

Strong Chicks in Skirts (Skirt Sports)

Ready to Conquer Cannon

Best Training Partner and Friend

The race started with mountain bikers first followed by eager runners. Not sure how to pace this and still unsure of my post-marathon legs I decided to race and have a blast. The first part was on beautiful trails through the woods. The air was pretty motionless and hot. I was definitely glad I chose to bring my camelbak.

Ready to Suffer

On your marks, get set, bike! I mean hike!

Runners Ready to climb

Ham Branch Trail. Beautiful

On the move

The trails wound around until we came out of the woods at the base of Mitersill adjacent to Cannon Mountain. At that point the climbing commenced and running turned into a steady power hike. I was definitely happy to be on foot and not on bike. The mountain bikers had to hike too either pushing bikes or carrying them. They definitely endured the true “sufferfest!”

Are you ready? It’s time to start going up!

I guess the chairlift is not an option

Mittersill

I think one of these trails is called “Gremlin.”

Echo Lake . . .a swim would be nice right about now!

Beautiful view of Franconia, NH

Tough chick on the mountain

It was very hot on the way up so I was happy to be able to cool off along the way with fresh mountain water from the cold mountain streams. The volunteers handing out water were definitely busy and very appreciated!
I was thrilled to finish in a time of 1:33.28 and was psyched to find my friend Bridget the overall women’s winner in a blazing time of 1:13! The cheering at the top was extra awesome with super chick Tricia giving the racers energy into the finish line. Toni chick pushed hard to the top making a stellar comeback from a donkey related shoulder injury this winter (true story!).

I made it! What an awesome adventure!

Fastest chick in a blazing 1:13!

Go Toni! Go! Pete and Gerry’s Organic Chicks were speedy up the mountain!

Way to push it to the finish on your bike!!

Love ya’ B!

Pete and Gerry’s Organic Chicks! Challenge Accepted and Acoomplished!

Ready for the ride back down on the tram!

Overall the race was a blast! The tram ride down was definitely welcome though (we rode in ketchup). I will definitely be back for more next year!

Related articles

• Organic Runner Mom vs. Cannon Mountain (organicrunnermom.com)
• Sufferfest (organicrunnermom.com)
• Be Proud (organicrunnermom.com)

Organic Runner Mom vs. Cannon Mountain

Run for yourself. Find peace before the start.

Tomorrow it is me against the mountain (for the first annual Sufferfest). I am looking forward to racing up Cannon Mountain tomorrow. This will be a race just for me. No expectations.  Get out there have some fun and run my own race. It is often easy to forget that part of running and racing . . . but that is my first and only goal tomorrow. Finishing the race at the summit will be an added bonus with the views as the reward at the end! (and I might even get to win some of our Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs at the race like I did during Winter Wild).

3,150 of climbing from the Franconia Inn to the top of Cannon

I will be needing my “extreme protein” to make it to the top of the mountain!

Related articles

• Sufferfest (organicrunnermom.com)
• Popular Attractions Ready to Open for the Season in the White Mountains (thetipsheet.typepad.com)
• Be Proud (organicrunnermom.com)

Happy National Running Day!

I run . . .

Why do you run? What races or runs do you have planned this weekend that fulfill your need to run?

Related Links:

• http://www.happyfitmama.com/2012/06/06/snacks-on-the-run-wiaw/
• http://www.mile-posts.com/
• http://www.runningwithattitude.com/2012/06/national-running-day.html
• http://womensrunning.com/blog/happy-national-running-day-2012/
• http://www.runningday.org/