Kingman Farm Moonlight Snowshoe 5K

The last race in the Granite State Snowshow Series (GSSS) was sure to be a challenge.  The race is run as you might have guessed, at night and requires you to wear a headlamp.  So not only are we we a bunch of geeks running in snowshoes, but we're bunch of geeks running in snowshoes with headlamps on.  At least that's what my kids tell me.  Personally I though it was a lot of fun.  Kingman Farm is part of the UNH campus and is a working farm with forests, fields and Hicks Hill.  

As always I showed up to the race early, very early this time.  The race was to start at 6PM and I arrived at the Madbury town hall at 3:15 so I could take a quick run of the course.  I put my Yaktrax on and started heading out.  As I did Chris Dunn, Race Director Extraordinaire drove into the parking lot, followed by his dad Jim.  I greated both of them, then I was off.  The start of the trail was in tough shape with most of the snow melted away.  The good news was the race was not run on this section of the trail.  As I made my way to the starting area the trail improved greatly.  The snow was firm but not 100% ice like at Horse Hill last week.  In additon the trail was very well marked with flags that Chris had put out on Friday.  It was a great run through the woods and the switch backs up Hicks Hill didn't seem to bad.  Then again, I was taking it easy and just enjoying the outdoors.  On the switch backs I noticed that there was a large tree that had been uprooted and presented a footing challenge.  I noted this and would watch out for it during the race.  

I got back to the Town Hall and decided that I needed to change my cleats from the ice cleats to the long cleats.  As I was doing this Double J drove in.  YES I beat him at something!!  Hey, I got to get my wins where I can!!!   I finished up changing my cleats and headed into the Town Hall to relax and sign in.  Sign in was quick and easy.  I then found a quite area in the Town Hall to relax and go over my race strategy.  You see, I was locked in a battle for 3rd place in the GSSS.  I was sitting in 3rd place with Ted Hall only 1 point behind me and Jay Myers 6 points behind me.  So I had to beat Ted and couldn't let Jay beat me by to many positions.  My plan was simple.  Go out fast and hang on for dear life. 

Soon all the runners showed up and packed the Town Hall.  With 15 minutes to go Chris held a meeting outside to go over the course.  It was well marked with flags and seeing everyone had to wear a head lamp nobody should go off course.  With 10 minutes to go we were able to do a couple of strides to get used to running in the snowshoes.  Chris gave the 1 minute warning, 10, 9 9...2, 1, GO!!!  

As I planned, I went out fast.  It was a down hill start and easy to take it out.  Snow was flying everywhere and reflecting off the light from the headlamps.  It was like being in a Nor'Easterner.  The course took a few turns early on and the lead pack was flying.  I was falling off the lead pack.  I tried to hang on but they were too fast for me.  By the 1K mark I could feel my heart rate hitting record highs and I needed to get it under control.  I started to slow down.  By the 2K mark I started to notice something that really started to worry me.  I started to get tunnel vision.  It appeared that I was loosing my vision and all I could see was what was directly in front of me.  The darkness was closing in on me, I needed to do something.  I was getting scared I never experienced anything like this before.  So I backed it down a little more.  People were passing me.  Soon Jay had passed me, I need to keep him near.  We were approaching the 3K mark where there was a field with a slight up hill and tough footing.  I was barely running at this point.  Ted couldn't be far behind me.  I had to regroup and get my feet moving.  Hicks hill was next.  As I started to climb the hill Dan Cooper went past me.   I needed to get going.  I decided to hang on to Dan as long as I could.  The good part of Hicks hill is all the switchbacks.  Each time you hit one you could see how far back the next person was.  I had about a 50 yard led on the next person.  There were 8 switchbacks in all so I kept count so I could plan my final kick.  I was starting to feel better and just kept pushing.  Where was Ted?  I was running scared.  I hit the last switchback and started my kick.  I had something left and was able to push it to the finish.  Right after I crossed the line I was met by Jay.  He congratulated me because he said that he had beaten me by only 4 positions.  Not enough to catch me in the standings.   A few seconds later Ted crossed the finish line with his wife, Liz pushing him.  Really she had her hand on his back and was PUSHING HIM.   So I took 3rd over all in the GSSS. 

 

Later at the award ceremony I learned that I also took 2nd in the 45 and over age category.  For 2nd I received a 1/2 case of Red Hook ESB, Red Hook pint glass and a road ID.  Lastly everyone who ran all 6 races was awarded a GSSS hat.   After the race there was a raffle where I picked up another hat.  So it was a very profitable day for me.  

Before the race I talked to Double J and Steve Wolfe to find out how they were going to run because both of them were going to run the Amherst 10 mile race on Sunday.  Both said they were going to take it easy.  Yeah right.  As soon as Chris said GO they were gone and of course then fished 1, 2.  Jim was way out in front as always.  

I would strongly suggest that if you want something different to do during the winter months, try SS'ing races.  The races are a lot of fun and will push you way beyond your comfort zone.  I can't wait until next year.

Lastly Chris Dunn is one of the best race directors I've ever encountered.