Monadnock Regional Milers

As I’ve mentioned in other columns, I really love running in the fall. While I don’t mind running in the snow or rain, and even enjoy it from time to time, the fact that the footing can be bad, upping the opportunity for injury, makes winter and spring running just a bit more dangerous. The fall, with it’s no bugs, crisp mornings and evenings, and the benefit of cross country to keep me occupied, is just a step up from the rest of the other seasons.

In addition to the better weather, I’ve always seen the fall as the opportunity to get a good long race in. With the likelihood for cool race conditions, the fall begs for the opportunity to get a season PR before old man winter sets in making things all the more unlikely. For the past 20 years or so I’ve looked forward to some half marathon or marathon in October to gear up for and use as a focus for my training.

This year I believe the target race is the Newmarket Half making its debut October 29th. A product of the LOCO race team, the same people that bring you Half at the Hamptons and the Will Run for Beer 5K, this race is set to run you through LOCOs back yard, starting and finishing at the Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket. Listed as scenic with rolling hills, it seems the appropriate endeavor for the day after the Divisional championships for cross country. An hour closer than the White Mountain Milers half marathon, it allows for me to drive up in the morning and back in the afternoon.

As I work back into getting in shape, a few down weeks due to a broken big toe, the challenge seems appropriate and elusive enough to help me concentrate over the next four weeks. While I sit on a background of mileage and training, this latest interruption, and the subsequent getting back into shape, seems to get more difficult as the years pass. I know my Christmas wish is going to be an injury free year, just training and running.

I have no plans or goals for this one. At least none other than finishing and fanning the flame of training and racing. It’s been too easy to stand back at practices, and run the watch and count the laps. I like the ability to observe but miss the ability to feel the workout. I’m hoping to re-catch the bug, to desire to crank it up, rip haaaad, and get some work done. And with this being fall, my favorite season for running, I think I stand a chance. See you out there.

November 25th – VRC Alumni and Friends Cross Country Race, noon time, open to all friends of VRC and Mascenic alumni. To be followed by post race Soupapalooza at the new Smith residence and end point of the Dead Possum Half marathon. 36 Fairbanks Road, New Ipswich, NH