RunningAHEAD - Topic: Grand Tree Race Series

oldguysrule

posted: 3/24/2008 at 12:49 PM

Is anyone running any of the trail races in the series? I plan on doing the following: Northern Nipmuck, 16 mi, Union, CT (maybe) XTERRA Merrimack River Trail Run, 10 mi, Andover, MA Soapstone Mountain, 14.5 mi, Stafford Springs, CT Northfield Mt., 10.3K, Northfield MA Skyline Trail Race, 7.2 mi, Blue Hills Milton MA Oxford Dam Race, 10.5 mi, Oxford MA Diamond Hill Run, 22.5K, Diamond Hill Park, RI Groton Forest, 9.5 mi, Groton MA Busa Bushwack, 9.3 mi ,Framingham MA Stone Cat Ale, 26.2 or 50 mi, Ipswich MA (maybe) If you've never run any of their races should should give them a try. All are well organized and a lot of fun. You can see the complete list of races at http://runwmac.com/gt2008/gt08-races.html Hope to meet some of you there! My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

Only the lead dog has a different view. My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

TrailSurfer

Husband and father of 4

posted: 3/24/2008 at 3:13 PM

They sound fun. I'm on the west coast though. May be one of these days. I am running an 22 K Xterra race on May 10.

Find the fun.

oldguysrule

posted: 3/24/2008 at 4:34 PM

Hey TrailSurfer You are lucky to be on west coast. You have way more trail races there than we do here on the east. Good luck with your race in May. Have fun!!

Only the lead dog has a different view. My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

ultrachick

Ultrachick

posted: 3/24/2008 at 9:42 PM

I did Seven Sisters, Nipmuck Marathon, Pisgah 50K and Stone Cat 50 last year. It is a great series here in the East. My boyfriend Jack also did Northern Nipmuck which we were just discussing about going to. I'm looking at Seven Sisters and Nipmuck Marathon again and possibly Stone Cat. They are a little bit of a hike from VT but worth it. Kelly

If you never go fast, you'll never go fast.

oldguysrule

posted: 3/25/2008 at 8:00 AM

Hey Kelly A bunch of use in my running group are thinking about doing the Jay Mountain Ultra this year (although I still need to get healthy first). Have you done that one? Any advice? Dan My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

Only the lead dog has a different view. My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

ultrachick

Ultrachick

posted: 3/25/2008 at 2:22 PM
modified: 3/25/2008 at 2:23 PM

I've done the full marathon the past 2 years. It is a blast! It's everything you read about it. It can be muddy, you run 3-5 miles in a river, you go up to the top of Jay and back down, you're on trails that seem like they were just cut the day before so if you're not careful you miss a turn. It's the coolest race! I beat all the 40 year olds last year and just turned 40 on the 15th so I'm hoping to do well this year. My only advice is to train your quads for the downhill. The top of Jay is around mile 9 and you go down some expert slope that has long grass that can be slippery from the dew, loose rock/gravel as well. Going down Jay is the biggest downhill but the rest of the race won't be much fun if your quads are shot. Last year the full was around 33 miles and half was around 19. So choose your poison. Wink

Kelly The picture of me to the left was at last year's race.

If you never go fast, you'll never go fast.

oldguysrule

posted: 3/25/2008 at 10:40 PM

Kelly Sounds really cool. Especially the river running thing. I think most of my friends want to do the full. I have plantar fasciitis in both feet so I would probably opt for the Half, if I can make it at all. Congrats on beating all the 40 y/o. Hope you do it again this time around. Dan

Only the lead dog has a different view. My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

dironstarr

posted: 8/14/2008 at 8:34 PM
modified: 8/14/2008 at 8:34 PM

So Dan...did you do Jay? Perhaps we passed each other out there.... I run ostly the Grand Tree Series throughout the year (Nipmuck (both), 7 Sisters, Soapstone, Pisgah, Stone cat & Breakneck). Great series and great group of runners. You mail your Stone Cat app in yet? I did the 50 last year and had a blast. See ya' there.... http://journals.aol.com/dironstarr/a-running-fool/ Security is mostly a superstition..... Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.

Security is mostly a superstition.....Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all. http://journals.aol.com/dironstarr/a-running-fool/

oldguysrule

posted: 8/20/2008 at 8:52 AM

Hi Diron No, it wasn't me. I haven't recovered from multiple injuries as quickly as I thought I would so I haven't done any races this year. I am planning to do a couple of upcoming Grand Tree races as training runs. Wapack, Diamond Hill and maybe Breakneck. My only race will be the Stone Cat Marathon. Even there I won’t worry about time. My goal is just to finish unscathed. I really enjoyed reading your Jay race report. Great photos and very descriptive. It almost made me feel that I was there. I don’t know how you can remember so many details after enduring such a mind-boggling "journey" Dan http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

Only the lead dog has a different view. My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

dironstarr

posted: 8/22/2008 at 4:35 PM

Too be honest Dan, I'm not sure how I remember the stuff either. I think it has more to do with how I "feel" and then I assosciate that feeling with what and where I was in the race. Maybe I'll see you at Stone Cat, I am still "up in the air" about doing it this year. Depends how I feel after the VT 50.

Security is mostly a superstition.....Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all. http://journals.aol.com/dironstarr/a-running-fool/

oldguysrule

posted: 8/26/2008 at 9:03 AM

diron good luck at the VT50. I have a few friends running it also. hope you can make it to stonecat. Dan

Only the lead dog has a different view. My Blog http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

Trail Runners

Grand Tree Race Series (Read 226 times)