My love for Mountains

Today I changed my heading. Mountains. I love the mountains.... its in my email address since the early 90's (nanskimtn was born a LONG time ago!) and also taking photos of the mountains and as magnificent as they are in person - - a photo does no justice. It is cool to see my photography as a part of my header.... the header previous was a photo I took from the Continental Divide taken from Jackal Hut in Vail when I tripped out west with Jana. Currently my header is the vista from top of Panorama shot with my Nikon D50 before dinner at the lodge with Steve & the Reads. It is a photo that reminds me of my favorite place to be - on skis - in the mountains - - and now with the mountain running (no time for photos with this kind of view) - but more vistas to enjoy and share! I am most comfortable with my "skin" when in the mountains!

I love blogger -- it is so intuitive for creating a blog that fits.... adding all my little widgets and coding from the blogroll to the nikeplus brags on my runs to challenges and pictures with little notes that make it uniquely me.
Here are some other favorites from Nancy E Photography!

(top to bottom)

Mt. Snow, VT - with the Snow Princesses on Lower Carinthia
Continental Divide at night - Vail, CO
Panorama, BC Canada - view from mid mountain
Kicking Horse, BC, Canada- lift line in the fore front gives it that special skiing feeling!

Nike Women's Marathon Map

Looking at the course map for Nike - - we start at Union Square and then head out to the Golden Gate bridge, run along the water and out to the zoo and back around to finish at the Great Highway.

Overall series female honors - La Sportiva Mountain Series

From Dave Dunham's story linked to coolrunning.com to recap the results from Ascutney for female finishers:
On the Women’s side Dorcas Wonsavage (CSU) had an impressive run at Ascutney. Her winning time (37:56) was the 5th best time ever, and the 2nd fastest ever for 40+. Laurie Greenberg was close behind, running the 8th fastest time at Ascutney. Abby Woods (CMS) rounded out the top three in 38:51. Nancy Cook finished in 4th place running the 6th best 40+ times, and Donna Smyth (CSU) was 5th running the 10th best 40+ time.


For the women, first time series participant Nancy Cook took home top honors and $250 winning the series with 461.17 points. She finished 2nd at Loon, 4th at Cranmore, 7th at both Northfield and Pack, and 10th at Wachusett. Donna Smyth ($150) was second with 442.68 points. She placed 5th at Cranmore, 6th at Loon, 13th at Pack and 15th at Wachusett. Kathy Hurst won $100 for third place with 439.89 points, she was the overall series champion in 2005.

Here is the link to the story - - and the picture of the mountain goats to be published on the USATF site and La Sportiva sites soon too! 59 Goats finished all 6 of the races. The overall finish points and results are posted too! Looking at all time finishers, I am listed as 32nd for overall point leaders and am the only one on the list for less than 7 races.... definitely a highlight for me (a consistent finisher). : ) Looking back at the series I remember not knowing when to or if to push at Wachusset, (not a great finish for me, but that was my first mountain run), Pack felt the same way, although I like the 10 miler (forgot my race bib on that one - remember?)... Northfield was the massive downhill that is NOT my strength (just send me UP - - please!!), Lost on the ski trails at Cranmore definitely hurt my finish and well maybe I finally got it together at Loon. (my favorite - although the toughest of the group in my mind). Ascutney was short and sweet (but almost too short for my liking) - - and I now LOVE the trails. Love to train in the back woods and can't wait to find another trail race to run!

What's next?
First family time, waterskiing on the boat, long distance training focused on the Nike Women's marathon in SF. The Applefest 1/2 marathon and looking for a 1/2 in early September to round out the training plan moving into being in top shape for San Fransisco. Although now that I have the "bug" I would love to find a trail race to do soon! : )

Happy Trails!

Ascutney Mountain Run - VT - 2nd place master, 5th woman!

Race results were posted today ---
34th overall
Time: 40:20
Nancy Cook F 40-49
2nd in age group
Belchertown MA
Pace per mile: 0:10:37
2nd place in age group

Dorcas was first with a 35:56 which makes me a little over 4 min behind her
Jenny was fourth with a 39:39, which puts me 41 secs behind her!

What does it mean to be a Mountain Goat - USATF NE?

Statistics of the Mountain Goat accomplishments:
* Approximately 35 miles over 8 weeks
* 11987 feet of elevation ascended
* 5100 feet of elevation descended

Mt. Washington Lottery bypass is given to all Mountain Goats.....

Here is the picture of the group of mountain goats that have completed all 6 races and another picture of just the women goats! Those that have their hands raised are first year goats!

What a great series and challenging sport to get into - I am very glad I made the commitment.

What does it mean to be a mountain goat?
1. You took on the challenge and the commitment to run 6 mountain races in New England - mostly uphill, but some with some crazy dangerous downhills as well.
2. You crossed the start line in rain, lightning, beating down heat and sunshine - - and proceeded with trust that the course was well marked to get you up and down (in some cases only) to the finish line
3. You support the sport of track and field - USATF member and promote running to others, inherently by finishing all these crazy races and talking about it!

Cool. Yes indeed an accomplishment. But mostly very cool to finish all 6 and then on top of it for me to rank among these amazing runners! I have achieved yet another level of athletics that I may not have imagined I would take on even 2 years ago... Very cool indeed.

Mt. Ascutney Mountain Climb

The last race of the series.... all pavement... all uphill... it leveled out a little near the top and ended in the parking lot. Quite a challenge, but only 3.8 miles. I could see the lead women most of the way until it started switchbacks closer to the top. Dorcas (a master) won for the women and Abby was third. Jenny (the first place girl from Loon) was right ahead of me and I was less than a minute behind her. The second place girl I didn't recognize, but it is cool how you see the same racers at these events. I ended up 5th overall and 2nd master. And I fulfilled the goal to be a mountain goat!

From top to bottom: Dorcas (first place woman) who is a cross country ski champion, Eric Blake (first place male), Jenny (my buddy who has challenged me the past 2 races) and then me at the finish line at the top of the mountain.

Running Raw video of Loon Mtn pre-race course review

Check out this video! Pretty funny but honest commentary about the steep section of the course....

"Cruel" is the word.... how you go past the finish at the top of the gondola and then have yet to climb the steepest section of the course.....

The last day of Tball

Another favorite photo from yesterday.. Schuyler's last day of Tball. He loves sports of all kinds.... and loves to be with the other kids... Chloe, Austin and others were really a lot of fun for him to spend time with this summer....

Classic foot shot of Schuyler - love it!

C5A

While photographing Schuyler at UMASS soccer academy a C5A flew overhead. I love this photo!

We often see these airplanes fly over our home in Belchertown as one of the largest air force bases in the country - Westover Airforce Base. There is an air show in September that we hope to go to and really see the base.

photos of the C5A aircraft
These planes are monstrous!

Photos from Loon

Leading the way in the La Sportiva Series!

La Sportiva Rankings

Photos and Race Story from the White Mountain Milers Blog


Number one woman (overall and best 4 of 5)
Number one in age (master) - best 4 of 5
Possible Mountain Goat - if I finish next weekend I am a mountain goat!

Very, VERY cool!

2nd woman at the Loon Mountain Race!

We went to Winnepasaukee the night before to test drive a boat and stayed at our favorite campground at Gunstock, knowing that they had plenty of sites and my quest for a cheap place to stay didn't land me anything near Loon. It was a good night on the water and a great meal at Patricks in Guilford, NH.

We forgot our sleeping bag so we went to Wal-Mart and picked up a $20 Coleman bag that would get us through the night, as well as a little lantern and some other supplies too. The inflatable mattress didn't make it but 2 hours, so every 2 hours through the night we woke up to inflate and try to get some more shut eye. Waking up on time, showering and out to check out and on our way to Loon, not knowing how long it would take and questioning the start time (I thought it was 9:30)...

The start was scheduled for 9 AM which left me no time to register and get warmed up to the start line, but turned out to be fine and no worries - - I was there for the start and milling my way to the front of the pack where I like to be. My starts are a little fast, but I like to keep track of the competition and see the girls as they pass me (if they do). Uphill - the terrain map showed this race as all uphill, so I was fore-warned... Mostly work roads swithing back and forth across the mountain, the uphill was steep and the downhill had some spots of craziness on the trail. Goal: stay injury free! :)

Well only one girl successfully passed me, her name was "Jenny" from Bethlehem (and a younger age grouper) and was nice when i finally caught up to her. I passed her a few times, but was pretty happy being in 2nd, hoping the others were far behind... but not knowing and thinking of the possibility of actually winning this thing was pretty motivating. I reached the gondola and was only 1 min behind her.... down a sharp hill and then up around the corner "Upper Walking Boss" was a black diamond trail and they wanted us to run it... It was a power hike. I didn't look back, just was swinging my arms and power hiking as best I could to maybe catch Jenny - but not to stop. Keep going - keep looking up at the top... it took quite a while. At the top we flew over the top and really really fast downhill (where Jenny took off!) and I followed until the short steep uphill to the finish line. I made it! Second woman - I was really psyched! Uphill is my strength and I beat both girls from last week that beat me (2nd and 3rd from Cranmore). I felt great - congratulated everyone and drank a ton of water watching others finish. It was great! These people are all very nice and a lot are repeats each weekend, including Kathy from Fitzwilliam (who I got to know at Northfield) and Kat from Franconia...

Here is the course description:
Course Description

The course starts at a dirt parking area along the Pemigewasset River and winds its way through the road/parking area to the service trails heading up Loon Mountain. It follows a combination of dirt trail/service roads and ski trails to the Summit Lodge at the top of the Gondola, then works its way over and up North Peak and back over to the top of the Gondola. This is an ascent-only race. The race averages approximately a 10% grade with some sections of more than 20%.



My rank for the series should have me in first - still waiting for that post, but the Loon results are out.
From Cool Running
I was 34 out of 170 finishers
Time: 65:15
2nd overall woman
1st master woman

I won a pair of Inov-8 mountain running shoes, Hammer Gel and a Fuel belt.
I am a happy girl!

Sport specific training and staying injury free!

Now after running 4 of 6 of this mountain series, I am starting to get it and get into it just a little more... thinking when I am running, listening to my nikeplus coaches, Joan & Alberto.... thinking about the fact that I am out on the trail at least twice a week for specific training that really helps my results and prep for these races.

Tips that I have learned.
1. Sport specific helps you to gear up for the situation you are going to race in. If you are mountain running you need to run trails and uphills in particular. If you are road running, flat and pavement is fine, and so on....

2. Focus on the trail, firm landing is necessary to stay injury free. Keep your eyes open for the solid landing spot for your foot so not to turn an ankle or twist your knee (coming from someone who has had both issues). Look for rocks, stumps, dips in the trail, trees, branches sticking out in the trail, side hill and the best path to take so you can keep moving at the pace you have an not slow down.

3. Did I say keep your eyes open? Yes - keep them open and forward. Kind of like skiing, you don't want the snow snakes to get you - so look ahead. I had some sweat in my eye today - running at 1 PM wasn't so "cool" if you know what I mean.... and it was really hard to see.. so maybe a sweatband to clear your face, but always - yes - keep your eyes open. My ankle is still sore from last weekend, after the girl past me I was working to catch her and was looking TOO far ahead. Look to where your foot wants to land, needs to land, when you are on the trail. It is pretty intense running trails because of that footing issue, but such an accomplishment and a work out!

4. Don't look back. Not even for competition. Just assume they are RIGHT behind you (15 pony tails on your back - as Steve would say). If you see them it may psych you out, and they are pacing with you anyway, so wait until they pass you to pour it on, or at least let them get close enough so you can save your energy - obviously they are pushing to catch you.

5. Know the course. It is tough to "drive" a mountain course, but it is good to know the terrain so you know what is in store for you. Be prepared in all aspects. Drink a lot of fluid the day before and the morning and eat something for breakfast and bring GU along just in case you feel low or the race goes beyond 45 min.

6. Stretch & refuel. The most important part of staying injury free is the stretching. I am notorious for NOT stretching, so I need to remind myself. Refuel - watch out for dehydration, keep drinking after the event and any post fuel option you like (mine option is Physique from Shaklee - LOVE it!) you will feel like new if you refuel right!

That's all for now - - Loon is Sunday morning and we are going boating all weekend - so it should be fun - and I promise to KEEP MY EYES open! Wish me luck - need to keep that leaders jersey amongst those other FAST western MASS women!

My ACS girls.... friends across the country!

Kyla, Naomi Jane & Shawn in front of Stats in Atlanta on my visit last week.




Naomi, Jane Shawn & me!

I love this group of women... I feel so blessed when I connect with friends from all over the country and it "clicks".

Kyla
I met her probably 7 years ago when she worked for Mid South division as the Relay Director. She was the luminaria chair of the first Celebration on the Hill. Always friendly and nice, and a friend of Shawn's, so when she left the Society and wanted to come back Shawn would connect us all together to search for suitable positions so we could get her back in the Society.... then she was finally hired by Jim and works on my team now as the Manager of the NTP for Strides and other projects. We talk daily it seems and really lend eachother's ear to one another when needed. Mostly work related, but also personal, we have become really good friends. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee and drives to Atlanta in 1 1/2 hours. She has 2 teenage kids that she loves so much.... A very stylish person with a beautiful smile!

Jane
She has worked for the Society for 30 years - starting in the Florida Division and then to National. I met Jane back when the NTP started and she was working with Quest Diagnostics. She always had such good insight to corporations and from the income side of the house - - how to incorporate all that "we" do into the relationships. We have worked together very closely now since then (almost 8 years now) and go to the RFL Summit together every year. I have served on many workgroups with and for Jane - - and our friendship has also evolved throughout the years. She is a really sweet and smart person that I have come to know and really enjoy her company at these events. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, is the president of her garden club and has finally found the man of her dreams! : ) (we have that in common too)

Naomi
Naomi rocks... she is a real "can do" person. In life and in her job, which she is the analyst of data for our corporate group and does an amazing job. I am always impressed with her response time and commitment to get it all done for everybody. Her dry sense of humor and straight shooter personality really adds life to data - which not many have that skill. I love working with her and I really have had a great time getting to know her and her son and husband through various newsletters they send to update on the happenings of the family. She lives on a 200 acre lake outside of Atlanta and is boating this weekend. She stays in shape with exercise .... and our common bond at meetings is our love for good coffee (gourmet) black and hot coffee! We laugh about it every meeting. I have known Naomi for about 3 years now and each year we get closer and closer as friends too. She made this interactive power point to analyze my birthday. Very cute indeed - and a true friend to remember my birthday in a special way.

Shawn
I have some other posts about Shawn, as we have been very close through some very hard times. For me and for her. She has been there for me as a really close friend, although she lives in Paducah, Kentucky, it seems as though she was right next door when I needed her the most. She is currently going through a tough time in her life since her daughter Hilary was in this horrible car accident. You have to check Hillary's blog to see the latest, but it seems like there is always something happening and the prayers are needed daily. I have a link right on my blog to the Hilablog and read it at least once a week. Shawn will always be my dear friend. I miss her daily chats, but know she has so much going on... and that we will always have a connection.

My friends mean so much to me - - and I have so many great ones spread all over this country... Atlanta, Chattanooga, Paducah & more!