Three years ago, I ran the Vermont 10 Miler in Stowe, Vermont.
I have mentioned this race before, and I'm mentioning it again.
Because after a 2 year hiatus, I'm back.
If you recall, my friends and I raced the 2nd Annual race in 2018.
In 2019, strong storms rolled through the Northeast, and caused power outages, washed out roads, and generally quite a bit of damage to Stowe. The storms ended up cancelling the race.
We all know what happened in 2020.
So, now we're back.
Racing has returned for the most part. Yes, there has been some changes.
Some races require masks, others don't.
Some have been flat out cancelled (like Ironman Mont-Tremblant, aka The BHAG).
But, most have made accommodations, and most races have done whatever it takes to race again.
As far as I know, no race has been called out for being a "super spreader" event.
Regardless, after a surprisingly solid 1/2 marathon in October, this 10 miler should be a piece of cake.
Did I mention it is in Stowe?
Vermont?
Yes...the "hills" of Vermont.
I run a lot of hills where I live, but not usually 4 miles non stop.
Did I also mention that I have a really bad case of the "I don't wanna's"?
Regardless, my friends and I travelled to Stowe and enjoyed a weekend of running hills, riding bikes, enjoying each other's company and absolutely gorgeous weather!
It was awesome!
Except for the race.
We all finished and enjoyed our time on course, but my race was not "fun". So I made it fun.
I woke up not feeling well race morning, as well as having some pretty strong lower back pain. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I definitely was not 100%.
Also remember those "I don't wannas" I tend to suffer from? Well, those came back to bite me in the butt. A couple of 5 mile runs before the race meant that my training was not where it should be.
However, I came, I saw, I ran, I finished.
I stopped many times to walk...my back just not wanting to work with me, and those hills just making it tough.
Downhill was almost worse.
So, I make the choice to just enjoy the day. there was not a cloud in the sky. The mountains were stunning. And off in the distance, you could see snow on Mt. Mansfield.
And after I finished, we talked about doing it again next year.
The weekend also included talk about what other "epic shit" we were going to do in 2022.
There was talk of a Spring 1/2 marathon.
A 3-day bike trip along the Erie Canal Trail, with the plan to finish the entire route over the course of three years (about a 125 miles each trip).
We talked about backpacking again in the fall. This time maybe a two night overnight instead of one.
The other thing we decided...we enjoyed each other's company.
After the amount of time we have spent together over the past 5 years, we are not "tired" of each other. Even the 4 hour car ride did not wear us out. We still had plenty to talk about.
That is something that is rare...and special.
So, when the time comes, we will sign up again for the 2022 Vermont 10 Miler.
And support each other, and the crazy things we decide to do.
Here's to another great year of friendship, racing and just being active.
Sounds like 2022 could be pretty awesome!
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