“Out like a hare in like a tortoise” the Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50K is all but a gratifying memory. On Saturday April 19th 7:45AM I stand with a group of 18 other spirited runners and one illustrious race director. Howie Breinan created the DRB50K 12 years ago for those of us out there who are looking for a little something different than the traditional marathon. I was a little apprehensive about the outcome of the day since my last long distance race was Stone Cat Trail Marathon back in November. But all that faded away when I saw a few familiar New England faces on the scene. I enjoy the morning ChitterChatter as everyone gets reacquainted since the last adventures. In my right hand I hold my water bottle and my left is a map of the Blue Hills Reservation which looks like something my kids just drew on. If you imagine the White Mountains as the grand daddy of backwoods roller coasters then Blue Hills is one of the grand children and to squeeze 31 miles into a park just 8 miles from Boston is very impressive. We roamed thru just about every nook and cranny of the 7,000 acres of woods – traveling over bridal paths, single tracks trails, rolling terrain, dense forest, bushwhacking, switchbacks, and along granite ridges with panoramic Boston Skyline views. With the course laid out and map in hand the group begins the march precisely at 8.
Pink - 9.8 miles The Hare section for the runnable terrain and how fast I progressed though here. Its run or bust with inner thoughts of getting lost I keep my sights on the pack in front of me.
Blue – 6.2 miles The Camel section for the humps along this portion and similar to a camel I was moving comfortably along retaining water and energy for later. The morning moves fast as I make the turn onto the quad crushing Skyline Trail. As I expected here the group fans out as each individual has there own method for traversing over this rocky and hilly section. For me it was a brisk run/walk bouncing from rock to rock power walking the ups and running hard on the downs. With the sun on the rise I feel its warm rays on my back as I scamper on I remember to focus on proper fueling and my energy needs anticipating the long hot day on the Boston horizon. I covered most of this section alone. With a welcome greeting from Howie who is manning the only aid station along the road where the trails merge so the runners pass through here three times. It was good to change into trail stable shoes and drop some extra clothing.
Yellow – 4.3 miles The Snake section for the many twist and turns the course takes and like a snake I slithered along. Back into the aid station I’m in and out during the walk to the next section I feel the effects from the morning pursuit and Skyline Trail. Glancing down at the map is a quick reality check as to just how much more ground there is to cover. One wrong turn and my spirits are down luckily on my way back I run into a familiar face. From here on out Thomas and I remained together pulling one another along. The New England weather hadn’t given me much of a chance to get acclimated to the heat and what probably was a cool 65 degrees felt like 80 degrees. We meander along thru the maze of twist and turns, ups and downs, finally popping out at the Trail Side Museum.
Green – 8.2 miles The Zebra section the trail resembles the black patterns on a zebras back as it zigzags over rolling hills. Thomas and I had a few minor heat cramps in this portion but continued to push the pace. We ran into a few other animals in this section Paul Kearney came barreling down on us, guess he had gone off the course and was making up for the lost time because just as quickly as he came he went. Then Thomas and I spotted a couple other animals up-ahead the trail master Steve Pero and Chris move quickly out of sight. I was feeling the toll of the day’s event by this point so seeing these two off in the distance was fuel for the fire. Thomas had become the navigator and if it wasn’t for his help I would have wandered off the course again for sure.
Orange – 2.6 miles The tortoise section for the shortest distance as I crawled along to the finish at Houghton's Pond.
DRB50K is a local race with lots of character, BIG thank you to all who made it possible and thanks for sharing the experience.
Scan of UltraRunning Magazine write up - 
Race Results
Times truncated to the minute
1. Bob Mathes, NH 6:04
2. Paul Kearney, VT 6:21
3. Jeff List, MA 6:26
4. Garry Harrington, NH 6:35
5. Chris Shanley, MA 6:44
6. Steve Pero, NH 6:45
7. Ryan Prentiss, MA 6:57
7. Thomas Mikkelsen, MA 6:57
9. Damon Lease, VT 8:54
(18 starters)
Training
Easy recovery week supporting the pack of night owls
Week 4 of the couch-to-Corrib Classic 5K
Besides a couple incidents of being heckled and honked at while out on there evening runs the pack is doing spectacular entering week 4 of training. If you’ve done a Google search for beginning 5k running plans you’ve probably found there’s an overwhelming supply of information. The key element to any exercise program is consistency and the focus with 3-4 days of running/walking gradually building a base over an 8-5 week period leading up to the 3.1 mile race. Don’t feel like you have to follow the couch-to-5K to the T, use it as a guideline. Keep going strong.
Upcoming Adventures
Weekly group training runs
Wapack Trail Race on May 10
Deal of the week - Patagonia Capilene T
Sound training advice for the week - Strength Training for runners
YOUTUBE OF THE WEEK Peasall Sisters"O Come Angel Band"
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."
- Inspirational sign
E hele kākou
