Frigus 2016: a sNOwshoe 60k

Pre-Race AHH

Let me start this post with putting together some thoughts that I had all of 2016 prior to this race. In the end of 2015, I was feeling good but also had mixed feelings about the course of my life. I had completed 2 ultras that fall, 50k and 50m and had dropped from a 40m race early with a turned ankle. I reflected hard on that turned ankle and am not sure if I dropped because of a mental injury or a physical one. Sure, my ankle hurt, but so what? It wasn’t broken, I knew that… was it the excuse I was looking for to stop? In my life, I was feeling a similar mental injury with my PhD program. I won’t get into the grimy details but I was considering quitting, mastering out, and getting a job. PhD program or ultra marathon, there are highs and lows to each race. Find something to push you through the low and you’ll find the high.

My 2016 training was going well. I was X training with spin classes, lifting weights, and some yoga. I hadn’t really gotten any good long runs in, but instead mastered the art of several short runs in 1 day. I was going on weekend trail adventures, primarily with Jeremy and Erik, to the Blue Hills, Douglas, Leominster, and even a midnight hike up Mt. Chocorua! My longest run was only 14 miles but there were many 10+ mile days were I would run commute EVERYWHERE and those 3-4 mile runs add up. In reality, both types of days are important: long runs and many short runs. Long runs keep your mind ready. They train you to mentally persevere. The short runs are great because they treat the day like an ultra! What is an ultra but a series of short runs anyway? It’s just run 4-5 miles, and then feast on a buffet, rinse, repeat.

Mentally, I was not ready for another ultra. Part of me was doubting my own ability as a competitor or as an ultrarunner. I wasn’t sure if my first two long races were a fluke, something that just kind of happened because I wasn’t expecting much of myself. I had put no mental pressure on myself to succeed in the fall, which could have contributed to why I was able to finish. Now, knowing that I have gone that distance, there is expectation. There is the thought that if I am unable to finish it now, it is because I am bad. I am not good enough. I am a failure. Those are the thoughts that really kill me, in all walks of life. That is why my next ultra race would be so important, I had to prove to myself that I was not a fluke, and that it was not some freak accident that I was able to finish 2 ultras in the fall. I need to prove to myself that I’m not an impostor—another stark parallel to the PhD lifestyle (re: Impostor Syndrome). It would be a mental challenge and in being that, I would learn a lot about myself. So what would be my next race?

Winter Ultra….FRIGUS

February 27^th, Saturday, I competed in The Endurance Society’s Frigus race. My charming friend, Ryan, competed last year (as he does with many Endurance Society events) and had chatted up the race. Last year, he finished 2^nd in the Triathlon race—a 30k snowshoe, 30k XC ski, and 5k sled run event. With last winter in mind, I thought I would spend much of this winter honing my snowshoe skills, getting out to the fells and blue hills snowshoeing with my dog to maintain my sanity, much like I was doing last year. With all the snowshoe practice I was planning on aggregating, I should try my luck at a snowshoe race and instead of signing up for a local 10k or even a half marathon, I am infected by Ryan’s “live large” attitude and signed up for the Frigus 60k snowshoe event—up in Goshen, VT in the middle of the Green Mountains, just a casual 3.5 hour drive from Boston. Plucking a feather from Ryan’s infecting cap, I talked 2 of my Brighton Banger teammates (and favorite weekend warriors) to sign up for races as well—Erik for the 10k XC ski and Jeremy for the 65k Triathlon! Hooray friends who also make poor race decisions!

So one big flaw in the Frigus adventure plan was simply out of our control. Winter 2016 was very unlike winter 2015.  Instead of ending Feb with 6+ feet of snowfall, we had –I don’t know… — maybe 14 inches of snow in Boston total! While I am not wholly disappointed with the lack of ass whooping Mother Nature bestowed upon us this year, it did dramatically decrease my snowshoeing practice down to zero. Yup, I went snowshoeing zero times this winter. Which made me feel hilariously underprepared for a snowshoe ultra in Vermont. For the weeks preceding the race, I knew the VT had more snow than we did but I was on the fence about whether or not I wanted them to have enough to snowshoe in or if I would prefer to just run the race on foot with microspikes.

Even if I did know what I would have preferred, it isn’t as though I really have a choice in the weather. Turns out that there was NOT a large snowpile on the trails around Moosalamoo (where the race was held). I could’ve slogged with snowshoes but they weren’t really necessary and the small sections where they would’ve been useful were not worth taking them for the remainder of the 30k loop.

So Frigus Race Time:

Pack light, right? Didn’t wear the pink Nike sweater, the snowshoes, or the headlamps at all! 

Erik, Jeremy, and I went up to VT Friday night before a Saturday 8am start. This was a last minute decision, since the thought of waking up at 4am to drive there in the morning, run, and then drive home actually made me cry. We were able to sleep on the floor of the Blueberry Inn Ski Center with other members of the race. It was far from a good night’s sleep for me, but I didn’t expect to have one anyway. At least we weren’t in the car for nearly 4 hours that morning! At check in, we learned that 6 people signed up for the tri, including Jeremy! I think that increased his hope as performing well but who knows. I had no idea how many women were competing in the 60k (they condensed the snowshoers and xc skiers into 1 race since neither footwear was necessary).

So cozy

I had NO idea what to wear for the start. I procrastinated by staying in my sleeping bag and trying to psych myself up. Apparently, it was 9 degrees outside, but the forecast predicted 20s and 30s as the day progressed. But, I knew we had a few big climbs up mountains and it could be very cold up there. I wanted to dress for when I heated up but I also didn’t want to risk freezing in case something went wrong. I wore my Nike running tights as my only leg layer, thick thick thick smartwool hiking sock, New Balance WT110s, a short sleeve Underarmor base, Nike tech long sleeve, AND my freaking Mountain Hardware Winter Coat up top. I had a buff and thin gloves as well. I have never started a run in my winter coat and was skeptical but also, wanted to be warm!

Just before the race started I met another 60ker named Amie, who was hanging out with Hannah and Yitzy (friends via Ryan). She, besides being a total badass, talked to me a little about conditions and made me feel good that I at least knew someone else competing in the ultra. This was a hard day for her, recovering from shoulder surgery and only a few weeks away from the Georgia Death Race, he goal should just be to not get injured and enjoy whatever distance she was able to complete. Her hilarious personality made me feel good about getting out to the start with my Nathan 11L Pack with socks and another buff inside, Microspikes, and some food. At 8am on the money, the race started.

The Course: 2 “30k” loops

So the course was to be 2 loops of a 30k. Here is some information about the course.

You get most of the climbing done by mile 4. Each loop only offered maybe 2100ft gain and most of that was done at the very beginning. You start with a small bushwack-esque climb through some thicket up a hill and then are rewarded with a STUNNING view of the sun kissing the mountain range. Don’t linger though because you have a runnable downhill to a road that takes you to the second, longer climb up Mt. Romance. This climb is longer and just a grind. Maybe a mile, mile and a quarter in total length you are just climbing and turning and climbing. It’s a true calf burner, but it’s never undoable. When you get to the top of this climb, you’re rewarded with a rolling downhill 1.5 miles that lead you to a road. You’re on that for another few miles and then you turn into the only Aid Station on the course ~ 8.5-9 miles in. After that you turn up another big hill and then you are rolling through for what feels like forever. Eventually you hit the reservoir and are opened up to an amazing view of the hills and peaks you just climbed! The course continues in this fashion until it joins back with the 10k course. Maybe 1 or 2 small climbs and then you are back at the Start/Finish in 16 miles total (a little short of a 30k… but I wasn’t complaining). 30k racers are done and 60k racers must return for more.

Oh yeah? 

View from a top the first climb

Nice runnable hill

The reservoir

Conditions

The sun was out, the sky was clear, and the temperatures warmed up. While I don’t think it got above freezing, it was pleasant in the sun. The first half of the course was snowpacked for the most part, with maybe 4-5 inches of unpacked snow just on the other side of the summits. There were some stream crossings that were only partially frozen over, making it trick to cross without sticking your foot through into cold water. Microspikes were really helpful for me although I don’t think they were necessary. When you did manage to put your foot through into water, it was hell for a few minutes because snowpack would start accumulating under your foot in the spikes which was difficult to maneuver with. On the second half of the course, it was even more post-holing into water and there were some iffy sections on the second loop where so many people had already post-holed that there was no where to really step. My goal was to be done before the sun went down and it got cold. The conditions certainly slowed me down but they weren’t impossible and they certainly could’ve been worse.

 Loop 1- Mental Cramping

My first loop started well. I started with Amie but she wanted to start slower and I know that, personally, I need to move when I feel good and I felt like moving! I made it to the first AS in good time, and took off for the second leg of loop 1. During this stretch I started doubting myself. I kept thinking that I was sore and tired and slowing down. I wanted to get to the start/finish and stop. All common thoughts for ultra runners at some point, I’m sure. I mean, 16 miles is enough for 1 day, right?

So when I made it to the start/finish, I was smiling and happy and just smiling made me want to go back for more. After all, I finished loop 1 in 3:40, hung out and changed clothes and ate and was out for loop 2 by noon. It was only noon—it would be stupid to stop. Why did I even want to stop—because of pain? I’m not injured, I’m moving well, it’s just pain. Without injury, I have no reason to stop, of course this is painful but in the words of my good friend Ryan “suck it up, buttercup.” Plus, there was an unconfirmed rumor that I was in first place female for the 60k.

Charming Loop 1 selfie 🙂 

Loop 2- Cultivation

I have never raced before thinking that I could win something and, holy shit, did that light a fire. I pushed myself and focused my thoughts on how much it would suck to slow down and get passed. I didn’t even know for sure if I was first female but even the thought that I could win a race made me move. I pushed through the climbs, didn’t linger at the AS, and that final leg, the last 8 miles were slow. My mind was all over the place, I was checking over my shoulder, I had to fall into a trance. I started thinking deeply about a theme my yoga instructor introduced the week preceding my race. She talked about this idea of cultivation. We are natural cultivators of our lives, be it our diets, lifestyles, mantras, or views on justice and the social world. I began to deeply reflect on my own cultivation of myself and my role in the community. I plan on writing a whole post on this idea and what cultivation means to me. It brought me through the wood during this loop and I hope it brings others through their own woods, as well.

After a while I ran into 2 guys—Davey and Shawn—who kept me company for a while and also kept me shuffling along on sections I may otherwise have walked. Closer to the end I ran into Erik and Amie! Amie unfortunately had dropped at 30k and went back for a 10k loop and Erik was out on a stroll to find me. I walked with them for a bit, but then ran in for a 7:58 finish with Shawn and Davey. My second loop was just under 4 hours!

Feeling way better on loop 2 without that giant jacket!

First place? Really?

I was really pleased with my effort, although at the end, I felt good enough to go back out (just like the other time I made it to the start/finish!) which probably means that I did not put enough effort into the race. I always feel like I end races with something left in the tank and I can’t tell if that is good or bad. I would like to compete with everything I have at some point, where I cross the finish line and am unable to take another step. (Kind of like how Jeremy finished, except I would probably try to fuel myself better).

Oh yeah! Jeremy won his race, too and came in ~10 minutes before me. Erik, who was signed up for 10k, actually ran the 30k and would’ve taken 1^st place if he has registered for that race. So overall, Jeremy finished 1/3 (only 2 people finished the tri) and I finished 1/? (only 5 women finished the 60k). BIG DOGS GOTTA EAT.

Big dogs gotta eat. 

A good showing for the Brighton Bangers at our first ever Endurance Society event! I should shout out to Andy Weinberg and Jack Cary for putting on a really great, wholesome and fun event. I wish I could make Infinitus this year (Pinelands is the same weekend) but maybe next year!

As a winner, I got a GIANT medal (which I turned into a coaster) with the ES logo, a crate of goodies, and a free pair of Icebug shoes! Pretty sweet!

Some things:

• Stop overdressing.
• You can unfreeze your water bladder nipple by sticking it under your clothes with your other nipples! Warms it right up!
• You are not a fluke. You are not an impostor.
• Keep in your head to keep out of your head- find a mantra that kicks you in the ass and move.
• Don’t hang out forever at AS, get what you need, change your clothes, and GTFO with a pocket full of cookies.
• Having friends at a race is so much nicer than slogging 50 miles by yourself.