Notes
Base conditions: 73 and partly cloudy. Summit Conditions: 45 degrees and 40-50 MPH winds. Left Loudon by 4:40 with Devin and Debbie in tow. We headed up 93, through twin Mountain, took a right on rt 115, then another right all the way down into Gorham and then the auto road. We wound up getting there by 6:55 and got the number and then headed back through Gorham and ate at Mary's Pizza. We were eating by 7:45 and I had a nice chicken brocolli alfreado and a ceasar salad. We were back to the Royalty Inn by 8:30 and had two nice king size beds. It was 146$ but I would stay there again. We got up and were leaving for the autoroad by 7:10 and I think next year we should be leaving at 7:00. There was a bit of traffic, but I met up with Princic and found a nice driver to drive our gear to the top and back down again. We warmed up what I would consider a bit early, but got in 1.5 and then a bunch of strides. The Cannon blew up at 9 and we were off. The plan was to go conservative for mile one and I hit 8:13 stride for stride with Princic. I was hot and sticky for the first two miles and then the cool air started to help a bit. The only problem was that by mile 3 the winds had started to WHIP! The goal in my head was "YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WALK!" This kept me focused as I was really struggling against the wind and to lift my legs quickly by mile 4. I went through Half at exaclty 37:00 and knew I had to run pretty well to break 1:20:00 with the wind. I was kind of jockeying back and forth with a couple people, but did get passed by a handful during the race. I knew it was going to be tough for everyone and just kept pushing. A big mental boost was to just get through mile five as it has the most climbing in it. The big thing was that the wind switched to our backs for most of 5 and really helped keep the time down. Usually 5 is the slowest mile but for me it was actually mile 6 because the wind was straight back in our faces and getting worse! There were gusts of well over 40-45 MPH for sure. I would say the toughest conditions I have run in so far. When I got to the cow pasture I tried to pick it up a bit, but it wasnt happening. The last .6 I did gain some time and ran tough as the wind was again at my back. A minute per tenth is a good solid finish and I was there. I ran hard up the wall and knew I was just under 1:21 but didnt make the goal of sub 1:20:00. I will say that if the wind wasnt a factor I would have been in the 1:17:00 range as I finished 42nd overall. I am not estatic, but certainly not dissapointed with the amount of training I can get in with missing all of April with my allergies each year. Dan and I ran back down fairly quick and it was a good day with a soak in the river and a brew after to boot. This is still my favorite race of each year and I hope that I will be able to run it for the next 40 years! I love representing NH at this race and grinding for all I am worth.