Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon

I bumped into Bruce Lessels last year at the Wildcat Pentathlon, a race consisting of a run, downriver paddle, bike, hike, and ski. Bruce and his cohorts of the West County Old Stars had the great idea of creating a race just like that of the Wildcat Wildfire, but here in beautiful Western MA. Why not, we may have possibly one of the best venues in Charlemont, Monroe, and Rowe, MA.

Top of the run! Looking below at the Warfield House

In its inaugural running, the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon features some of the best of what is offered in Western MA. The race consists of a 5 mile trail run,  23 mile road bike ride, 5 mile class 1 and 2 downriver kayak, a hike/run/scramble up Berkshire East, and ski run to the finish. Sounds like a challenge heh? Well there is more! The run includes 1100ft of climbing through mud, rocks, roots, jeep roads and single track (and amazing views with bag pipes!) The bike includes over 2400 feet elevation gain, 2000 ft in the first 12 miles straight up to the wonderful little town of Monroe with the townspeople out cheering you on.. The paddle is down the chilly 40 degree waters of the Deerfield (don't dump!) and the ski has variable spring conditions and gates with a finish at the lodge of Berkshire East and a BBC in a pint glass waiting for you!

Run route
Bike Route

The view from the Warfield House

Charlie, Katherine, Crystal and I took residence at the Warfield House for the weekend.  What a cool place!  When we weren't hurting ourselves during the race or pondering over what to wear, we chased chickens around the barn, talked with the goats, and 'hang' with the horses. (Yup, there is a private joke there for my comrades!) Friends, I cant talk up this place enough. What a great B and B.
 
http://www.warfieldhouseinn.com/

Crystal trying to get breakfast

The challenge with these in-between season races are logistics. There was a forecast for 1-2 inches of snow for the race and we had to decide between slow and safe or fast and risky for the bike. I decide to set up my bike with the slower 28mm tire the night before figuring I would have time in the morning to change them back.  In the morning, the roads were dry, but after a lengthy mandatory meeting, time ran out and there would be no time for a tire change. Bad time management on my part...i was riding the big wheels.

Charlie and I setting up skis and snowboard prior to the race.

We started the race at the bottom of one of the ski slopes. The trail in front of us was covered in mud. I was loving it already! We ran through the mud and into Charlemont as we were greeted by locals, volunteers, and neighbors sitting out on their lawns in the chilly, damp 40 degree air. I cant speak highly enough of the support that the town of Charlemont gave. THANK YOU!! The run quickly turned onto Riddel Road which  became a dirt road and then a muddy dirt road. As we climbed Josh and I pulled ahead of the other competitors.  As we approached the top of the hill, the sound of bagpipes filled the air as we overlooked a beautiful view! Josh and I hammered down the Sound of Music field and headed back into the woods. I really enjoyed running the trails with Josh. We competed but also helped each other as we searched for the pink ribbons. The run ended with a super fast descent. My new Inov-8 x-Talon 190s gripped the trail beautifully!

Josh and I racing over the field

The bike course was part beautiful, part suffrage, and another part suffrage.  The climb up to Monroe was long and steep and I rode the granny gear most of the way. From the top, the descent was steep, fast, and somewhat dangerous. For this reason the race organizers "neutralized" the descent. Riders where not suppose to go more than 15 mph. Volunteers let cyclists know when they entered the neutralized zone, but then i was not sure where it ended. Next year, I think having signs informing cyclists where the zone ends would be helpful. Also volunteers told me that  the front riders where riding quite a bit faster than I was. I would have only saved 10 or so seconds but then again I lost 3rd place by 3 or 4 seconds. Fifteen mph on a steep descent is really difficult to maintain without burning out your breaks. I think 20 mph would be a better limit and keep riders at a closer speed. Regardless, I'm happy that no accidents happened.

With the lack of snow and rain, the river was quite a bit lower than it usually is at this time of the year. Usually the river would be running at 2000cfs. On this day, it was only about 800 cfs of dam release water. Low, but still plenty enough water to race in if you can follow the lines. Reminders of the floods brought on by hurricane Irene where evident on all the banks of the river. Huge trees, branches, and limbs where piled up 20 feet high, maybe more.   I felt sluggish in the low water as i tried to find the best lines. I definitely missed a few lines of current and the low water got me stuck on a few rocks.

Nice move Katherine!!

This was Charlie's first multi-sport with a kayak leg. Charlie rented a kayak from Zoar Outfitters and with very little kayak experience, and almost no down-river kayak experience he was able to get down the river with no problem. He said he loved it! Time to get him into a faster boat!

This was also Katherine's first roll as support crew. Look at her go!...she had no idea what she got herself into! One of the reasons I love this type of race is working with a support crew..it becomes a team event even racing as an individual. Though at first Katherine may have been a bit hesitant to the role of support, I think she ended up having a really good time!

I pulled up to the river bank to see my support ace Crystal wildly ringing the cow bell...yup..i got the best support crew! I slipped on my running shoes and went running off to the hike. After sitting in the boat for 44 minutes, I was feeling the excess lactic acid built up in my hamstring and the muscles were not liking it.







 
I got to my back pack and headed up the slope...The hike was a bit slow but as I reached the top i was still holding 3rd place. As i got the skis off my back pack, which took much longer than I planned, I noticed my boots where on the wrong skis. Duh! I did not want to waste time switching them, so I left them as is. Then as I was getting my feet into the boots, I couldn't loosen my buckle to get into the boot..argh...utter, pure frustration, intensified by fatigue. (I'm sure if i wasn't tired, i would have no problem with any of these chores). The hike to ski transition took me 5 minutes, just enough time for the 4th place guy to catch up. I skied down the slope, dealing with the mismatched skis and taking a fall where the snow turned to mud. Then at the end of the snow covered slope, I got the skis off, ran towards the end, and lost by just a couple seconds just as Jonathan Swan passed me at the finish.

Whats left after the snow-less summer like winter. I m in the mud after loosing balance. Jonathan is on my tail...

I was certainly disappointed mainly because its was a frustrating finish. Regardless Jonathan Swan had a great race and deserve the spot on the podium. Next year I will be back with a better ski set-up and will be sure to double check my gear before the race!

This race was a huge success mainly because of the volunteers and folks that came out to make this race fun and safe.  Pictured right is Coach, 83 years old. He first directed runners down the streets of Charelmont and then was at the finish 3 hours later to shake hands and offer praise to the participants. Thanks for the support coach!

Josh Wins!!!  Good job Josh

Josh had a great race winning the BraveHeart solo division and placing ahead all but 2 teams. He is a machine! Watch out for him at Tuckerman's Inferno this year!

Mike McCusker and Bruce Lessels did a fantastic job putting this race together. Pictured right is Mike with our dedicated bagpiper. Mike led the award ceremonies and recognition in an enthusiastic Scottish accent, adding a great finishing touch to the whole event ( left).






This is my type of event and i hope it continues to grow. When i think of adventure racing, this is it! To top it off, the race benefits local land preservation and local education. I'm already looking forward to next year!

The Team!

Beers after the race...do we look tired?

Gorillas in the River: Blackstone Training

2012 Tuckerman's Inferno/Wildcat Pentathlon Kayak Training  at the Blackstone River

Molly!

 

Ernie! Nice Boat!

Smooth!

Mellisa! Looking Good

  










 

Our Fearless Leader! Mark!

Oh no! This Gorilla was stuck in a strainer! Poor guy...we should do something!

Towing the Gorilla to safety...boy was he heavy!

 

We towed the gorilla to the portage before the dam. There he sits to smile upon the next group of kayakers!

The End

Jones 10 Miler

   Jones-ing for a 10 miler!

  The DH Jones 10 miler road race is the first race in the New England Racing Series sponsored by my local running club, Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club. Six hundred plus runners from all over New England lined up looking to race for their teams. This wasn't another  run-of the mill St Pats day race. There where some tough competitors looking to win some cash. All one had to do was to look at the various colors and team shirts at the start line to realize people here meant business. I was glad that i stayed up late last night eaten fondu and drinking wine...(sarcasm!!)

While at registration, i was happy to bounce into friend and fellow racer Dave. Dave is a strong age grouper and amazing skier and hiker that has been on several winning Tuckerman's Inferno Teams. Now I felt i had a purpose for the race, to keep Dave in sight.

The Jones course is exceptional, running through the quiet hills of Amherst, and over some dirt roads through Shrewsbury. Weather was breezy with temps in the 20s.

As the race progressed  I quickly spotted Dave. We spent the entire racing trading positions. For most of the first half I led, then between miles 5-9 Dave took the lead. He pushed the pace, moved ahead and I was sure that I lost him. I looked around for someone to keep me moving. Amazingly enough i caught him at the last half mile and with the last turn and 200 yds to the finish, I was able to pass and finish 1 second ahead of him. It was a great ending, but one should be aware that Dave is at lest 10 years older than me. The true victory will be if I am still running like he does now in 10 years.

The race brought tough competitors with a top time of 51:12, a 5:08 pace. I finished at 131 out of 603 with a 1:03 time, 6:19 pace. To put the competition in perspective, at this years St pats race, i finished 48th out of 7,000. There where lots of fast people at the Jones!!

This was my first 10 mile race in many years and I was glad with my time. The knee was feeling good and i am ready for more. This could be a sign for good things to come! Maybe fondu and beer the night before does make good race prep food!

 

Mt Toby Trail Race

With my success at the Monroe Dunbar Trail Run, I set my sights on the Mt Toby Trail Run. Mt Toby is not nearly as technical, running over mostly fireroads and some easier single track, yet its still a good distance of 14 miles with about 2000ft or so elevation gain.

It was a chilly start, but the temps warmed up as trail ascended .  With relatively easy footing, i was able to push ahead at the start and position myself well before the climb. After 2 or 3 miles the climb to Mt Toby began. It was steep but not unbearable. I moved into a fast hike only once as pitch of the trail got real steep and my heart rate pushed 190 beats per minute.  Being a strong hill runner, I was able pass several runners on the way up but I knew there would be a good chance i would see them again on the descent.

The turn around point is the summit, touch the gate of the water tower , throw down a gu, and go! I usually don't like out and backs but i enjoyed seeing other runners coming up the hill and exchanging cheers of 'nice job' and ' your almost there'. The descent was fast. I let me legs pick up some acceleration and let gravity do its thing as the angle of fireroad descended steeper. I felt like a deer, galloping over rocks, picking the best lines, and feeling the cool air against my face. Sure enough though 2 runners that i passed on the uphill flew right by me. Impressive. Once again, i was burned on the descent.

I caught up to the two runners after the trail leveled off. For the last 4 miles the three of us hammered out the run, trading positions frequently. As the we exited the woods and onto a 1/2 mile pavement stretch before the finish, we pushed pace harded. One of the runners was left behind and myself and the other runner sprinted for the finish. I gave whatever i had left but he had more, beating me by about 10 seconds...he threw down one hell of a sprint.

I finished 16th overall. Not too bad since my intention was just to complete the race and have fun without competing. Well, i should have figured i couldn't put myself in a race without becoming a little competitive.

Mt Toby is a perfect race for any seasoned road runner to transition into a trail runner.If your interesed in giveing a trail race a try, this is a great one!

    

Ari,  Casey, Paul, Brian (Duff), Me        

Monroe Dunbar Brook Trail Race



I love trail races!  Trail races are not your standard  'gravel' bike path or level high school x-country course, but rather rocky granite filled single track, deep pockets of mud, waist level river crossings, and sometimes straight-up bushwhacking. The Monroe Dunbar race was just that.

I have wanted to run this race for the last few years but with my chronic knee conditions from an accident and surgery years earlier, I was hesitant to run the distance and challenging terrain. In fact, the last time i ran a distance over 10 miles on a technical trail was in 2003. Yet, I had a good year running and with time well spent on better foot placement and strength training, i was ready to finally give this race a whirl.

The course was essential up the mountain for 2000 or so feet over 5 miles, then back down to the start in a loop. After the first mile, the climbing began. There was just enough room for 1 person to progress up the slippery slope at a time. As the trail got steeper runners would progress into a fast hike to prevent their heart rate becoming to high. I was feeling pretty good so when I had the chance I passed on the switchbacks.

After reaching the summit the trail followed first a fire road on the ridge line then veered into some herd path that required more focus to the ground and the air as rocks and tree limbs seemed to pop out of nowhere.

The descent was especially sketchy. The trail was quite steep with lots of moss covered granite and roots. I was cautious as i followed a line to safely place my feet. Yet as i was moving forward, i could hear yelps from behind. They had to be animals, they where moving so fast. Nope, they were humans...fast humans In a short moment a runner passed by my in a full sprint. He was certainly moving at a 6 minute mile pace. Then several other runners followed.  Apparently, my strength in the uphill does not compare to the ability to run like a gazelle down a single track trail.  I have some practice to do if I'm going to compete in next year trail race series.

I finished the race feeling incredible. It has been such a long time that i have been involved in a trail race this long and technical, and now, i cant wait for the next one.

Oh...and the post race food was incredible....chili, meatball subs, all sorts of homemade banana breads, baking goods, pasta salad, and more, right by the shores of the deerfield river. For the 15 or so dollars, you get yourself one hell of an event!