Deb and I last year about to go on a 35 mile run on the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail in Washington, NH.
Back awhile ago when I started writing this blog, it was only because we were asked to be on a running team, the Wasatch Speedgoat Mountain Racing Team. One of the requirements was to maintain a blog for the purpose of discussing our training and racing, but most of all to get the sponsors logos and websites out there to the readers. It was a fun time being on the team....I was on the initial team that was formed early in 2008 and Deb was added in July of that year. We were the first of several married couples on the team.
As time goes on things always change and recently the team was suspended until further notice, due to many things that I won't get into. I always felt privileged to be on the team and we did get some minor perks from the sponsors...not so much free, but healthy discounts.
Let's face it...Deb and I are mid to back of the pack and other than age group, we'd not win a thing. I'm going to be 60 in several weeks and Deb's 57, we're not anywhere near the front. I also always felt like I didn't belong on any sponsored team because of that, we had Olga who was winning races and several other standouts, while Deb and I were just and happily in the mid to back of most races.
So without going on and on, I just wanted to say that one thing I've always said was that when I was no longer on the team, this blog would die. I have not been told that we are not on the team, but it's in hibernation, a new roster will be announced next year and I might want to move on. I don't have time to write it and also feel that blogging is sort of bragging about what you have done and I by no means fit that description. So that ends it...
Deb and I at the 2010 VHTRC Ring with the colors on
Several other bits of news is that the Bear is this weekend and no, there won't be a race report here. Deb is not running and had to withdraw from Wasatch due to some issues related to her truck accident back in December, but she'll be back. I will go back to what I did pre blog and just tell my buds how it went by email. At the Bear I will be wearing the blue train colors of my club, the VHTRC...which is what I did pre Goats ;-)
Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey, NH.
Where Deb and I were married in 2001, 10 years ago this October,
fittingly shown in Winter, which it is for most of the year there
On another note, Deb and I discussed moving back to New Hampshire someday and initially I didn't want to think of it, but the more I do, the more I feel that is home. Deb really misses the area, her artist friends and the grand daughters and I wouldn't be unhappy to move back. It won't happen for a few years and may not, but the discussion has begun.
So that's it...life goes on and after this weekend I'll know whether I'm ever running another 100 mile race again, this is what I'm hoping to see before 30 hours has elapsed ;-)
15 comments:
I've enjoyed reading your blog, especially because of your "middle of the pack" status. As a new ultrarunner, I appreciate your candor and ability to tell it like it is - from experience, from someone who holds down a day job and whose life isn't all about running.
All the best as you continue your running pursuits. Thanks for letting a total stranger follow along, and for sharing some great New England routes for me to try.
I've kind of been debating a bit with myself over whether blogging is bragging or not. I think that as long as other people enjoying reading it, sharing is certainly a positive thing in the end.
With that, I'd like to say that your blog has been a pleasure to read ever since I discovered it a few years ago. Thank you. :)
PS: I wondered where you guys were t Wasatch.
Perogoats,
We will miss you in the blogosphere!! Have you guys considered getting on Facebook? That is where all the VHTRC chat is these days, and you don't want to miss any of it:-) glad to see Steve sporting the Blue Train at The Bear. Have a great adventure, and keep us posted on your travels. Stay healthy and happy trails...
S
Steve and Deb, make sure you keep me in the email loop! Sure would like to see you on the trails again soon.
Dear Steve and Deb. It's been a priveledge to know you better through the team, and I enjoyed your chatter on the email list so much...you were the most vocal (spoke a lot) when it came to communication, and I, personally, appreciated it. The team was not about winning, it was about sharing the passion, and I believe we all did that. But I surely understand the notion of "life moves on". There is a season for everything, and, also not going into details of hybernation of the team, I think it's a natural progress for me anyway. I wish you best - at Bear, and anywhere else, to Deb - a full recovery and more great paintings (which we still would like to purchase one of), hope to see ya'll around. And last, but not least - I can't freakin' believe you plan to move back! After all the trouble moving to NM...yep, there is a season for everything, I guess:) Best in this as well.
I'll miss reading about your and Deb's adventures, Steve. I'll always think of you as an ultrarunning mentor. I caught a couple of glimpses of Mt. Monadnock from the Pisgah course last weekend and thought of you guys. Long may you run.....
Sorry to read that you are going to stop blogging, Steve. My blog began as part of the Montrail thing but evolved into more of a journal since it is THE place I document my little adventures. (Like you, I still don't "do" Facebook!!) Hopefully those who might see blogging as "bragging" aren't the ones actually reading your blog.
Now about moving back East... WHAAAAT?????? Chris and I are in NH/VT as I write this. The Presidentials got SNOW last week already!
Thanks, everyone...I'm glad people did enjoy reading it, but I found I posted less and less, but my photos will keep on coming and in those will be my race reports.
As for moving back, like I said it's in discussion, not something that is going to happen. We are just keeping the option open. We now have chickens and might soon have a horse. The more animals we tie ourselves down with, the less races we can go to and the lower the chance of moving back to NH.
Susan....glad you enjoyed the blog, maybe someday we'll be re-enjoying those nice NH trails again. Have you don'e Wapack yet? One of my favorites...
Adam, congrats on your 8th place at Wasatch, you're up there with the big boys now! If you had a blog, I would have commented that ;-)
Sophie, we were once on FB and deleted our accounts, it got to be too much ;-)The VHTRC mail will have to be our news source, that and the website.
Olga, one nice thing about the team was becoming lifetime friends with you and Larry. See you at the Grand Canyon in 4 weeks :-)
Kimba, see you at the Ring someday! ;-)You ran awesome at this last one!
Bozobreath....what's with THAT name! Still in stealth mode? Wish you were joining me at the Bear again! The Prezi's are awesome, enjoy them...
:( I'm gonna miss reading about your adventures here. Maybe add me to your e-mail list :)
Good luck at the Bear this weekend!!
Well, Steve, front, mid, back, DNF, DNS -- wherever in or out the race you are -- I will miss this blog more than any other. Seriously, if I could put my foot down, I would -- and you're absolutely wrong in your assessment that this blog is in any way bragging. I've always been overwhelmed by your generosity in the sport, whether here or in the many first glimpses I've gotten from your photos of courses I've then gone on to run. "So that's Massanutten! So that's Wasatch!" I've said, then found myself there, you leading me a little bit of the way.
Let's fire up the Pemi Loop in a few years. See you and Deb at the trailhead.
Forgot to wish you well at The Bear this weekend. Good luck!!
Sue
PS: I am on C's computer, hence "Bozobreath"....!
Thanks, Paige...it will be fun, even though my harem won't be with me this year.
Brennan, thanks a alot. Oh and the Pemi is my all time favorite trail loop in the Whites! (Especially on a hot, muggy day)
About the blog, everytime I wrote a RR, I got this feeling that "Who the Eff cares?" So it's just me..
Thanks, Ms.Bozobreath ;-) I hope I remember the places we went off course last year so I don't repeat, especially the place Chris "sent" us ;-)
Not to hijack your comments section, but I actually do have a blog. With a Wasatch report, even: adamiata.blogspot.com
Let me know if you guys are back in NH for a Pemi Looop or anything.
Wow, a complete turnaround in attitude from your speedgoat report, which I read with interest, having ran it twice (slowly). So what happened at Bear, you were hours ahead of me. I dropped also, after losing 2hrs with a missed turn, and not eating after earlier nausea. With more experience I could have soldiered on and finished; I'm starting to see the attraction of 100's: an almost military level of comradery in completing the mission.
I always appreciated your advice and kind words in regards to my blog...but it is better to see you two in person so now I just need to get out there to visit three of my fav people....
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