Chunky Dunk Duathlon 2013

It's that time of year again, time to go Chunky Dunk at Albie lake! I have actually been looking forward to this race because I know I can do it and it's fun!

I was packing to head to New Hampshire and couldn't decided what I wanted to wear, I know the typical female problem. However this is a very important thing to consider. You really need to worry about chaffing! I opted to go with wearing my First Descents trisuit with my First Descents t-shirt for the run. I already knew it would work well because I wore it for the triathlon so I followed the cardinal rule and didn't try anything new! It turned out to be a good choice!

The morning of the race we arrived at Albie beach around 7:20am. The first thing you need to do is get your race bib and get your number written on your arms. Sara got hers first she was excited because she got number 33 which was her age. Then it was my turn, I was number 1! Haha another up side of being an Achorn, put it's at the top of the alphabet! They added a paddleboard option for the race this year so when we got our shirts they were giving out paddleboard shirts. I asked if there was a way for me to trade in that shirt for a Chunky Dunk shirt since I was doing that and not the paddleboard race. That was when they realized they were giving out the wrong shirts! Luckily we got the right shirts! However when I was walking back over to tell Sara to go switch her shirt she was realizing they gave her the wrong bib number. She was in fact number 65 so when she went back they had to fix it. She ended up with block numbers to cover the 33 they had already written!

After all that was figured out it was time to setup our transition areas. Which basically meant setting everything up on a picnic table on the beach!

I had everything I needed, even my FD shirt for the run! Now we just had to wait for start time.

When they finally announced it was 8:15am and that all racers needed to be on the beach we headed over. As I was walking over someone approached me and asked, "Hey how did you get a FD trisuit?" I was first off surprised that someone recognized FD but thrilled at the same time. After chatting for a minute; which also meant we weren't listening to the annoucements; it turns out we were both Alumni of First Descents! Rev it was so nice to meet you and hopefully you will get a FD trisuit too! I love when my FD world gets smaller and smaller! We decided we would meet up after the race!

After that I did pay attention long enough to hear that all the waves were starting together in the water. We all walked into the water and waited.

The horn sounds and we were off. I was doing fairly well but it was extremely difficult to see the buoys. I thought I was sighting well until  I realized I was looking at the wrong buoy so instead of being on the outside of the triangle I was kind of in the middle of it. When I finally got myself back on track I was sure I had added time to my swim from last year. I got more and more excited the closer I got to the shore! I finally got to a point where I could touch the bottom so it was time to stand up!

Not only had I not added time to my swim despite getting slightly off course a few times I actually took almost 3 minutes off!

Swim: 21:39

I actually did run to transition which doesn't usually happen. I was much better prepared for transition this time then last year. I got my sneakers on, FD t-shirt, visor, race bib, Garmin and sunglasses. Then I was ready to hit the run!

Transition time: 2:51 (1 minute faster than last year)

I went into the run feeling really good. I had my cheering team back on the beach of Lewis, Nick, My mom and Janet that gave me a little extra boost. They all made sure to tell how well I was I doing on time! I immediately started with my run intervals. I love this run because it is a trail run so you get some great scenery and let's face trail runs are easier on your legs then pavement because they are more forgiving. I pushed myself to really stick with the running intervals. I may have varied them periodically but I never just walked or gave up on the run which I was happy about. I even actually passed some people this time around which almost never happens. As I ran there were lots of people yelling thins like good job, keep it up, you got this. I made sure to give it right back! It is great to cheer your fellow racers on! On my way back Sara and I crossed paths and cheered each other on with a high five. I couldn't wait to be done but I still felt pretty good! I finally got to the parking lot of Albie beach and decided I was going to run all the way from there until I crossed the finish line and I did it!

Run time: 40:28 (a little under 2 minutes faster than last year)
Over All Time: 1:04:56!! almost 6 minutes faster!!

I was so excited!I got to cross the finish to my cheering section which also included Rev my fellow FD alumni! She had done the swim part of the Chunky Dunk and waited for me to finish. As it turns out she had met my mother and they chatted for a little bit. But it was nice to have an extra cheerleader there, who wouldn't like that? We even got a picture together!

I had decided to head out back onto the course to finish with Sara and just as I was walking out she was coming in! She did it and we cheered her on all the way to the finish!

While we were waiting they started to do the awards. Sara asked when they were done all done were her last place award was? She ended up getting us both an award which was a Chunky Dunk Duathlon beer mug!

After we packed up and headed home we both had to have a photo session with our t-shirts!

We then went and had lunch with Holly (the race director) and learned some new things about what's on the horizons for next year!

Since neither of us drink beer however we put our beer mugs to good use later on that night with some frozen grapes and wine...yum!

Oh and did I mention I got to kayaking too? That was just as exciting as the Chunky Dunk if not slightly more exciting!

Thanks to everyone for making this a fantastic weekend! I had lots of fun, a new PR for the chunky dunk and got so some paddling!

Thanks Sara and Janet for opening your home to us yet again! It was great!

Smuttynose Palooza 5k Race Report

This is a little later than normal but better late than never!

I believed I was fairly prepared for this race. Aside from the Santa 5k I did in December this was going to be the first time I was running outside. I was interested to see if treadmill running was doing anything for me or if in fact it might be even hurting me. I started my race preparations by constantly checking their website to make sure the race was still going on due to all the snow and such. However they announced that everything was still on. I then discovered that I had an hour and half drive...woohoo! Luckily my husband surprised me by talking the morning off to come with me so I wouldn't have to be alone.

We got there around 8:30am and picked all my race stuff. I picked up a friends as well who couldn't make it. Got myself dressed and ready to hit the road. The great thing about this race was that it was at the Blue Ocean Music Hall which was great cause that meant all the runners and cheerers could wait inside in a warm place before having to run in the cold. Oh yeah and fantastic bathrooms as well (which is always great when you are used to using port-a-potties at most 5k's) the morning was very pleasant. They announced that it was time for the runners to go out to the start.

We all started to head out. As we got to the end of the driveway a giant wave crashed into the street and basically flooded the whole start lane. Luckily I hadn't actually walked into the start lane yet and avoided getting soaked before running. I have to admit waves crashing onto the run course was definitely a whole new experience for me. I went around to other side of the parking lot and stood at the very back in hopes of avoiding any other waves coming our way.

photo curtisey of runwithken.com - trying to avoid the waves/huge puddles

The race started and we all took off...walking. One because there were so many people and it is always difficult to have a running start when your so close together and two because there was so much water and sand everyone was trying their best to avoid it so their feet weren't wet and cold for the run. After we got past that the rest of the course was pretty clear. There were some spots that had black ice but my general rule is to avoid any wet pavement.

The course itself was pretty easy mostly flat, only very small inclines which was a nice treat. I set a goal for myself to finish in under 40 minutes. My last 5k was somewhere around 42 minutes so I thought that was a realistic goal. It was nice to see the aray of people doing this race. There were the "elites" who were finishing when I was just getting to mile marker 1 then there were your average folk and families. I have to say I always love to see families doing this kind of stuff. Based on my own childhood of always being inactive and over weight and working with children on a daily basis I understand all to well how important physical activity is as well as spending time with their parents, siblings, etc. and then there were the walkers which I am always equally excited to see because at least they are doing what they can and getting out there moving. I LOVE IT!

I tried to keep up my normal run route of running half mile, tenth mile break, then quarter mile runs with tenth mile walk. It took a lot more effort and I was exhausted by then end. I actually was thinking how in the world am I going to do 6.5 miles after swimming and running? The triathlon is only four month away, AAAHHH!

I remember realizing that I only had one more left turn and then the finish line was right there. That the most exciting thing ever. I was so thrilled when I crossed that finish line!

I ended up missing my goal by 4 seconds. I crossed the finish with a time for 40:03, trust me when I say those 4 second will be gone next time, I will find a way! I made it all the way through the race without getting soaked which was a huge accomplishment. Lots of others were not so lucky.

After the race was fun. They had an assortment of things set up for all the runners. There was pizza, yogurt, fruit, water, cereal/granola. The line was slightly long but after going inside to change and coming back it was a lot shorter. They even let my husband eat when in most cases that stuff is just for the runners. Oh yea and who can forget the beer...

When we got back into the music hall I made the mistake of asking my husband if he wanted a beer. That is when he told me while I was running he had already been drinking. I am not sure that was an even compromise. But regardless since I don't drink beer at least I know he got whatever would have been mine. There was also a karaoke contest after the race which we did not stay for but the schedule of singers was full so I am sure everyone had fun with that.

All in all despite the "damage" from the snow storm and the occasion wave coming onto the course this was a really good race. It was well organized, an easy course and the post race was very inviting! I think this is one I will be doing again. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers for all your hard work!