GoatMom and I arrived at number pick-up and from moment we got out of the car, running friends everywhere!

Wandered around von Trapp grounds and Smugglers' Notch, ate riverside at Matterhorn (I scoped best sushi, Mom preferred cooked).  Hit pre-race party, saw Fitz, Michelle, Tom Derderian, Taz... fun to discover Bob Fitzgerald of NE Runner Magazine also graduated from Northfield-Mt Hermon School.   

Back at B&B, cooler of GoatKick ingredients, comfy beds.   B&B had a great breakfast, but coffee and banana were better pre-race.  We lined up and I went out quickly at 6:45... only checked my first 2 mile spilts, then just focused... not limiting what my body would be willing to give me.   Whirlaway runners seemed to be around me a lot of the race.... Nancy Corsaro, Lisa Zappala early miles... others in later miles.

I've raced Stowe 6 times prior and was hoping to break my previous PR of 1:01:41... reminding myself of that, plus some other some mental tricks, I pushed hard and crossed the line 56:29!!  Woo!!  Janos Makos encouraged me in the final stretch to the finish, he knew me and was able to talk... I didn't figure out it was him until we finished. 

Renegade (Rick Bayko) and I warmed-down...  introduced GoatMom to more buddies, checked results... 56:29 is 7:04 pace... extra woooo!  This is certainly gonna need some more celebrating!  Thanks PRof Fernando, GTD, Goons & training buddies!  GoatMom loved being part and waved the skull & crossbones flag!   Goons at Stowe:  Taz, Tina the Machina, Puma, Renegade, Goatie, Mr. Gambino

6:45, 7:01, 7:11, 6:35, 7:07, 7:17, 7:10, 7:17

Photo: courtesy Tom Derderian

Goon Nation Rejoice!!!!  Bentley, Tank & Wesley are pleased to announce the blessing of Goonism! Ruff ! Ruff ! Ruff !

He is one fast runner (2:20:00 marathon).....The best sports photographer www.scottmasonphoto.com... Huge supporter of the  running community and an all around great guy.  

Your founding Goons are pleased and honored to announce our newest Goon, Mr. Scott Mason!  Scott has been blessed with the official Goon Name of "FLASH".  He is a fast runner and great photographer.

Flash was presented his Official Goon Welcoming Singlet by 3 Goons who became Mountain Goats.  Pictured is Taz, Thunder God and Doctor Death presenting Flash his singlet at the Mt. Ascutney post race party. 

Welcome Flash !

Doctor Death:-/, Mountain Goat, Judge, Hill Checker and the entire Goon Family...Ruff, Ruff, Ruff !!!!

Goon chicks, Cougar and Mamacita, along with the entire Goon Squad want to send out Huge Goon High Fives to Taz and Thunder God for their great runs at the 50th Mt. Washington Road Race.  Both Taz and Thunder God ran great times!

 

After running the Boston Marathon, most of us want to recover, get back into training and start planning our spring and summer race schedule.  My first entry back to racing was the Law Enforcement 5 Miler in May.  My time was respectable and I came home with an award and a baseline on my fitness.  Next up, a 5K.

A lot of the Goons were doing the fast 5K in Hollis and I planned on joining the party, but there was a stronger pull that put a possible PR aside and instead help out my community.  You may know my husband is a police officer and since we moved to Middleton, we got to know the Police Chief and some officers in the department.  They are big supporters of the Special Olympic Torch run, which brings awareness and financial support for the Special Olympic athletes.  Inspiring athletes and men (and women) in uniform.  What could be better than that!  The Chief had mentioned he would like us to participate in the race.  Well, maybe “mentioned” is not a strong enough word.  He literally stopped me and Mamacita during a run in near my house to give us an application!

The course was a point to point, so we parked at the Beverly Hospital in Danvers and waited to get on a school bus to take us to the start.  Well, Mamacita thought there were going to be big crowds, since there were 4 school buses to get us to the start.  There were actually about 100 participants!  You could feel it was a small local race, since everyone seemed to know each other.  I think there were actually more police officers for the course support than runners!  That was fine with me.  

Per the Professor, Mamacita and I got off the bus and did our warm up.  They shot the gun (not a real one…) and we were off.  The first mile had a lot of downhill, so I tried not to go out too fast.

Oops…I just didn’t want to lose sight of Mamacita, and we definitely were a little speedy for the first mile.   Mile 2 – not so bad.  Then came the hills.  Actually one kind of big hill.  OK, stay uncomfortably, uncomfortable and don’t give up!  Take a left, into the driveway of the State Police building which was of course uphill.  And wait, there’s more.  Go behind the building – where is that damn clock! I finally saw it at 21:33.  I had hoped to break 7s, which I did.   Of course I wanted to be closer to 21, but that will come.  I better get some benefits from those tough track workouts.

The best part was after the race.  I was with my husband, my friends a great group of dedicated volunteers.  There was a yummy BBQ and inspiring speeches by the Special Olympics athletes.  I know I run, because I love it.  But isn’t it great we get to have fun, get in shape and help our community all at the same time.