Feeling Frosty at the Frosty Loomis Snowshoe 10k Race--Hammond Hill State Forest

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am please to bring to you my report on the Frosty Loomis Snowshoe race that took place Jan 31st of 2015 for the inaugural event. It was a cold morning and with this race, I ended up networking with a bunch of guys where we would run the course Wednesday nights in Hammond Hill. I found that having the chance to run the course has not only helped me in terms of snowshoe running shape, but also helped me for race day.

As a first year race, it was exciting to have a snowshoe race for people in Central New York in a location that is close for those living in Ithaca, Cortland and Binghamton as there has not been such a race in quite some time. The Finger Lakes Running Club helped put on the event as the Frosty Loomis Snowshoe race's Main Sponsor. I was excited to have some fun and to have the opportunity to get another quality snowshoe race in the books.


Leading up to the event, it was wonderful to be able to spend many Wednesday and/or Thursday Nights with a crew of Ithacans running out along the course we would navigate on race-day. I felt very strong coming into the race though as classes had just begun, I was a little tired coming into the event.


After marking the course with Boris, one of the RDs through a cold snowy morning that had me propel my car into a little bit of deep snow (no one was hurt including the car), I was gearing up to run somewhere around sub 50 minutes for the course.

For anyone that knows Hammond Hill State Forest, there are some solid hills to the course, great views, and a solid challenge for the snowshoe running enthusiast. In the 10k course, it begins with a solid 2 miles of gradual uphill climbing followed by a few short uphill bursts and small downhills. Once by the 5k, the course levels out then begins a roller-coaster ride of hills with 2 solid downhills. Then you climb up the steep snow-drift area up a nice long half-mile climb followed by a flat plateau and some downhills. The finish is a nice last-mile downhill finish back to the warming hut.

My guess is that this course gains about 1,200-200 feet in elevation in the 6.0 miles of the race course.  It is a balanced course perfect to simulate any type of course lay-out for Snowshoe Nationals.

Race-day was a cold morning with temps in the -5 to single digits with sunshine and some strong gusts. I had all of my Mammut gear to keep me nice and warm and even two pairs of gloves to warm those hands of mine up. I soon found out that running mits are the way to go if you want to ensure you keep all of your fingers in-tact.

We arrived at the line and then departed for the race. I immediately took to the lead and started to push up the steep hills of the first 2 miles.  I was huffing and puffing as my legs started to fatigue quicker than what I would have liked. But what really got to me was the cold air on my face in the first mile had frozen my face to the point where my skin felt like leather. I kept smacking and rubbing my face to get some warmth and blood-flow going to the region. I also had freezing cold hands as they burned through the climbs of the opening miles. I had a decent lead maybe 20 seconds or so to spare. As I came through the 5k point, my face was beginning to warm-up and my hands began to heat up some too ...except for my left pinkie finger!  I kept clutching that darn pinkie as I was running up and down the hills of the course.  In the first few miles, I wanted to drop out because I felt super cold to the point where I was a little worried about frost-bite. I split the 5k somewhere near 21 minutes and the early hot pace through the rutted snow path was taking its toll on my body. I began to relax into a slower pace to recover some and then make a push the last mile.

Miles 4-5 had me slow-down a significant amount yet I still could not see anyone else behind me. With about 30 minutes elapsed, I felt it was time to slowly stride out more on the flats, hammer the down-hills and then charge the remaining uphills. I regained my tempo back to the early pace I was running to begin the race. Once I saw the sign labeled, "Finishline" I knew I was a mile away. I picked up my pace faster than I have ever run in a race in snowshoes next to the Bend, Oregon Snowshoe Nationals and hammered to the finishline.

I came across the line exclaiming a "Loomis!" in honor of freezing my body for 6 miles of sheer winter wonderland bliss. I ran around 46:56 which for the 6.0 mile race was about 7:50's which for a day which had me on low energy-levels and tired from a 90-mile training week, I was very pleased to run the way I did.  It was not my prettiest race, but all in all, it was a solid day out on the trails.

It was great to converse with everyone as they came across the finishline. Boris and Eric and the crew did such a great job organizing the event and I think everyone had a wonderful time.

This is the point in my story where I thank Mammut North America for being a company that has inspired me to reach for new heights in my running, Boom Nutrition for keeping me going with energy gels chock-full of fruit goodness  as a gel before each race has proven to be a huge success, Redfeather Snowshoes for working with me and for giving me snowshoes that have changed the way I train and race, Karhu/Craft North America for great training shoes along with Mammut to keep me running light and fast as well as the best baselayer in the industry, Fits Socks for the best fitting athletic socks around and for keeping my feet super insulated. And to my new team: Red Newt Racing/Mountain Peak Fitness for helping me in my endurance racing endeavors for 2015 and beyond.

CockaDoodle Shoe 10k Jan 18th--Adirondack Powder- First Big Snowshoe Race of the Season

It is time!  After a lovely winter break, it is finally time to lace-up those snowshoes and get after it! I am so very excited to see what the season brings and I cannot wait to race well!

I have been diligently putting in more volume running after the flu (10-15 miles a day) to get myself back to where I was with the Fall in top shape. It has been tough getting in the efforts but I have managed to do my best.

My first snowshoe race will be the Cockadoodle Shoe 10k up in Saranac, NY near Plattsburgh.  It will be a fun drive up through the Adirondacks on Friday and I am excited to run fast and get the ball rolling for snowshoe racing. I am looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity of racing on a solid course that has had some strong competition up-front. And you never know what can happen when first place is $150 dollars the largest prize purse I have ever heard of in snowshoe running. Currently, the snow has melted here in Cortland but hopefully there is still some up in the North Country for this race.  It is going to be a great year of racing as I feel very fit and rested enough to be able to perform at a high level. Of course you never know what might happen leading up to a race or even in daily training but the name of the game is to place yourself out there for success. I wish everyone a fun winter for the last few months and even when it is cold outside, all it takes is that first step outside to get yourself going.

A cold snowy run this holiday season

Here is a link to the race website: http://cockadoodleshoe.com

Sunrise on a lovely Cortland, NY morning

Link to write-up on the Highland Forest 10k: http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/qualify-for-the-14th-annual-snowshoe-championships/




Cockadoodle Shoe 10k Race Report---Post-holing, falling, and Running Fast

So Saturday's race did not turn out the way I had envisioned it. I felt like I could run comfortable through the first half and then show my speed and strength and charge home for the win. Boy, was I wrong. Not only was the competition fierce, but I probably had my worst snowshoe race to date which sounds crazy if you look at the results so let me explain…..


The trip all began on a Friday morning. I loaded up my car with my belongings, filled up with gas and headed the 5 hours to Saranac, NY right near Plattsburgh.  It was a long drive but very interesting. It was fun to pass Watertown, St. Lawrence University, Potsdam, Malone, and then the small Adirondack towns of the North Country. My intent was to make it to the race course before the sun would set so that I could preview the course before the next day…RACE DAY!

I was able to make it out to the course by around 3, just enough time to jog the course before night-fall. I would be staying with Jeremy Drowne, the race director of the Cockadoodle Shoe 10k and his family and I was excited for the whole experience.

The layout of the course

The course was in decent condition considering most of the snow in Cortland was all gone and a recent warm spell almost made this race not possible. I had the chance to jog the course the day prior and though the course felt fast, I had a decent post-hole tumble down a steep hill and then realized that I probably should take it easy. The snow was so hard-packed that a lot of it was hollow so though it looked solid one weight-bearing step and boom , you would fall right through.  I got in about a 5.5 mile run of the course and then proceeded to link up with Jeremy, the race director. I really appreciate him and his family's kind hospitality and the pizza was AWESOME!!! I got myself all ready, laid out my gear as is the tradition and then hit the futon for a nice night's sleep. The next day was going to be a big day!  We woke up around 7ish and with a nice breakfast it was time to head to the Land Trust.

MY RACE DAY CLOTHING:::::

*2 Pairs of Fits Light Trail Socks

*Craft Flex Tight

*Dion Snowshoe Hat

*Mammut MTR 141 Thermal Top (Warm and Flexy)

*Mammut MTR 71 T-shirt

*Craft Hybrid Weather Glove

*Kala Patar Tech Hoody (Best Mammut Top around!)

After a 45 minute drive to the race site, I decided to check-in and run around the course to warm-up and just relax before the start. Here is what I saw:

New Land Trust Course Markers!  

*Acidotic Racing Shirt!

Nice crisp cool day

The Main Lodge (Registration)

Sign-up booth inside

RACE-PREP:

I raced with my trusty Dion snowshoe 121's, Standard Cleat because of the hard-packed snow and the speed-velcro binding system. I love Dion Snowshoes because they are interchangeable and they have some simple style. The white with the slight orange really sets them apart.  Light, Durable, Fast, and Comfortable describe Dions in a nutshell.  I took my nice jog of about a mile and a half of the course just trying to get my bearings with the footing which was going to be interesting because of the hard-packed snow that was not groomed so it was extremely uneven. Due to the unstable course conditions (the day earlier I ate it BAD on a pot-hole) I knew that tightening my binding system as tight as I could would help make a difference. What you will see is that this day was just not my day.

Race-Shirt

I snapped this photo about 15 minutes before the race would begin.  It was time and I was relaxed and poised to run a very fast time. I traveled 4.5 hours of the chance to run a very quick time and to hopefully win the race in dramatic fashion.

RACE-TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The race was a once around 10k loop. The first 5k would be with the 5k racers and then the loop would split for the final 5k of the race. We lined up in a open meadow with lovely views of the Adirondack Mountains in the distance and this set the stage for a big-time event. I did some strides waiting for the rest of the about 80 or so runners to reach the starting line.

(Photos are credited to the New Land Trust Website!)

Once we all gathered, it was photo time and off we went with a loud "GO!" from the timers.  From the start I kept catching pot-holes on the snow as I positioned myself right with the front pack of about 4 of us. I was with Matt M, Mitch and Jeremy Drowne (Race Director).  I told Jeremy that no World Records would be made today with all of the falling and slipping. I fought for second position behind Jeremy then quickly took to the front. behind the lodge we hit our first downhill which I used my reckless speed and opened up a nice gap only 2 minutes into the race. The pace felt comfortable and my plan was to run in control through 5k then blitz the last 5k once I had separated myself from the rest of the group.  The downside to the race was that I was going to post-hole like 20 times in the race with 5 times actually getting stuck under the snow layer with my foot trapped in half a foot of thick ice. Yeah, it was bad!

So what happened to me that gave me such a hard time. Well, on the first downhill section, I hit the snow funny and my heel-binding loosened.  As we crested the first steep uphill, I made it almost to the top and had to stop and re-fasten my snowshoe as it was slipping off. That was the first mistake. I went from first to 5th as a waisted a good minute and a half fixing the binding.  Once I had the shoes all figured out, I sprinted down the hill and started the chase. I caught everyone very quickly and then proceeded to catch Matt M. and then just drafted behind him. I thought that Jeremy was long gone so it was a race for second. Not knowing Matt was first place, I drafted right behind him for about a mile and a half before passing. Then I turned on the jets and started striding out. I was now going for first place though I thought I was in second but truly I was leading the race. I did alright with the adverse snow conditions and danced along the course. I would hit a pot-hole every now and then but nothing to stop me in my tracks.  I had made it to the 5k point running really relaxed and in control. I turned on the jets some more then up the trail I had my first accident. I got stuck in the snow as I panicked and tried to punch the ice around my snowshoe so I could get out of the pothole. I sat there for a good minute and a half trying to free my foot. When I did, Matt passed me and off I was to try and catch him.  I had lost sight of him then could see him in the trees. Boom! I am stuck again! I yelled some bad words as I could not believe this twice. I lost another minute.  Off I was to catch Matt again and this time I caught him. I drafted behind him a little more then took the lead again. This time I was getting tired. I had already made this 10k a sprint for me. I now put the pedal down and of course it happened again! ARE YOU KIDDING ME I THOUGHT TO MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT IS GOING ON??????!!!!!

Matt as he passes me again tells me to move backwards. I try that and still my snowshoe is stuck so bad in the snow the only way to get it out is to punch the ice around the lip where my shoe lays buried. I get it free after maybe another minute and a half and off I go again. By this point my race mentality is over! I am so DONE with the RACE!  I have waisted so much time maybe a whole 5 minutes almost a mile of the race dealing with stopping!  I was not going to win the prize money and I was not having fun anymore. I just wanted this thing to end after getting severely stuck! I cannot STRESS how STUCK I WAS. MY FOOT WAS Buried 4 inches deep in crusty snow with solid ice making-up the layers of the snow and the hole was perfect so that the frame of my snowshoe would catch about 4 inches of ice on either side.  So the race ends with me finally catching Matt again on the exposed barn loop. It was a slight uphill and man I felt like I was running so slow. I looked behind and saw a Paul Smith's runner approaching and I thought to myself we have to move to avoid being caught. I surged ahead and passed Matt. I was so tired at this point. With still some energy in the tank, I slowed my pace a little even though I was pushing hard. I could hear the clamor of snowshoes right behind me.  With about 55 meters to go I get passed by Bob Bolton.  I find out that I was in first before he passed me!  

I was a little shocked to find that I lost out on the prize money because of me being complacent. If I wanted to out kick Bob, then I would of secured first.  I thought we were fighting for second and as he passed me I thought it was no point to challenge with second and third place pretty much the same in terms of awards.  Boy did I learn my lesson.  It was great to race such solid competition in a snowshoe race which I have not had since Nationals. It helped push me and also those guys too to very fast times.

Myself at the finish

*I will admit I was mad at myself for how I raced.  I had a very bad day for me in snowshoe running.  As I look back on the race I was really being hard on myself. I feel like second let down my friends, family, my father, my lovely girlfriend Ashlee and my sponsors who give me these chances to show my stuff.  It was a long drive back home. I felt dejected and defeated. It was tough. I was worried what my Mammut staff would think of me. I was worried. But looking back on the race, the experience, it was a successful trip. I met some awesome people, made some great friends,  raced some great competition, and the top three ran 44 minutes flat which is like 7:06 a mile. What does that mean? Perhaps I averaged 6:30's the majority of the race maybe even faster?  I felt strong the whole way and had some give left. I think I will be even hungrier for my other races and for Nationals. With a tough race at Nationals last year, I want to not only make the team but shoot for a number one placing. I know this sounds like a stretch but I really believe in myself this year and I truly think I am capable of doing something I have never done before.  If I did not post-hole that race, I might have run sub 40 minutes for the 10k. I can only wonder what time I could run on that course. I have a race for redemption Jan 26th at Highland Forest. It is the NY State Championships again and I am the defending champ.  I love this course because it is the perfect balance of everything that is snowshoe. It has ups and downs, hard packed snow, loose snow, creeks, logs, and all kinds of obstacles. What I learned from this race is that running is great but I should not always be so hard on myself. I can always redeem myself and run to my potential.  And most importantly, it should be fun.  I have had some nice training runs this week leading up to the race and really I have felt like I am really fit for snowshoe running. For the first time, I was not dying in a snowshoe race and actually felt not so bad!  Maybe I am starting to get the hang of this stuff!

I would like to take this moment to thank all my friends, family, supporters and my running sponsors: Mammut North America, Acidotic Racing, Dion Snowshoes, Fits Socks, Karhu/Craft for all their support of my dreams.  

My next post will be titled: "Race for Redemption" on the Highland Forest Snowshoe 10k

I am excited to see where this sport takes me and boy do I have a fire burning inside.  Think of Catniss from the Hunger Games.  I am going to go for it!

Thank you Matt, Jeremy, and Mitch for being awesome!

A link of the race coverage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FVJ3EShKcE

Over the Mountains--From the Adirondacks to Mammut Headquarters and Back!

Let me begin by saying that my Trip out to Burlington, Vermont was Amazing!!!!!  I had some travel difficulties that I will explain in my post, but overall, it was well worth it.  Here's Why:

1. I had the chance to see the Adirondack Region for the first time

2. I set a summit record of Gore Mountain (3,600 feet in 2 miles)

3. I met all the amazing people at Mammut

4. I got some cool Mammut stuff

5. I got to see a little of Burlington, VT

6. I took a Ferry on the way back!

7. I saw some great fall foliage!

Leaving the farm country of Cortland, NY

Sign at Hoxie Gorge State Forest

Hoxie Gorge State Forest near Cortland, NY

Ok, so my story begins with me heading out in my Honda Accord on a perilous journey, through the wilds of the Adirondack region.  I began my trip from Cortland, NY around 9am. The plan was to be in Burlington around 1-2 to preview the HQ and get to meet everyone at the Mammut race/event.

I headed out to Syracuse then to the Utica area then out into the southern section of the Adirondacks near Lake Pleasant.  The drive was going great.  Around noon or so I would stop for a detour at Gore Mountain because while on this trip I desperately wanted to peak bag my first high Adirondack peak. Because of limited time, I thought that Gore Mountain would be a easy mountain to find and run up and down with not getting lost.  Driving into the Adirondack region was better than I imagined. There was lovely trees, rivers, mountains that are unlike any other mountains I have ever seen. The whole wilderness experience was awe-inspiring. Reading about the region in my Park Management classes was so amazing to know all of this intell and knowledge about the Adirondack Park but to actually see it was something special.  As I drooled out my window like a dog going for some yummy steak, I was fully enamored with the whole Adirondack Ethos!  Winding along the road passing through little towns and villages I just fell in love with the place the same as many others have before me.  In no-time I had made it to Gore Mountain.  Ok, it was time for a peak summit.  I got my running vest ready, my phone to map my run on Strava, my running shorts and gear and off I went.

Here are some photos I took on the descent of Gore Mountain:

Trail Map--Going from Base Lodge to Top Summit

Base Lodge

Mammut MTR 141 shoes!

High Peaks in the Distance--Had to be careful with the cliff drop-off

THe Road to the Peak

***The Run---Well, the run started off...HARD! I was gasping for breath from the get-go.  Running up a steep ski slope is tough work and really is a grind.  I slogged up the slope little by little with the occasional power-hike thrown in there to allow for the body to rest a little.  Before I knew it, I was right near the summit. I mentally pushed and told myself "Push Cole, Push!!!" Before I knew it, I had made it to the observation deck at the top and some burly-looking grounds guys came out and asked my what I was doing. We went into detailed conversation about the Escarpment Run in the Catskills and how it is crazy and that I should look into that race. I do not know if I have the ability of signing up for a body thrashing as that race I have been told is a body-thrashing type of race.  After about 20 minutes or so to reach the summit. I took some sweet photos and then headed for the dowhill fun.  It was interesting to feel the cool air as the base was at the time at 56 degrees and at the summit it felt like the 40's. I was very pleased with the run.

The Top only a few hundred feet away

What a view up near 3,000 feet

The photos do not do the views justice! It was breath-taking seeing both the Adirondack High Peaks on one side and the Green Mountains in Vermont on the other side!

Coming down the slope--Beautiful Fall Foliage at Gore Mountain

***I headed back to my car and pushed off for the rest of my trip. The time was now near 1:20 or so.  

As soon as  I got back on the main road, I looked and saw that my phone was almost dead.  Oh no!  I did not print out any maps or anything so how am I supposed to make it.  As soon as I was heading to Interstate 87 which I knew I had to get off near Ticonderoga to catch a bridge across to Vermont where I would take 22A North to Vermont 7 into Burlington.  Before I could do anything, my phone died. It was at the worst possible time!

WOW I AM GOING TO BE LOST!!!!!

This is what I exclaimed in the car. I was so angry.  I grab a car charger from my glove box and of course it is not working. I pull-off to the side of the road and then continue to plug and re-plug the jack, then my phone, then the jack, then my phone.  Of course, it is still not working.  This was perfect. My whole family is going to think I fell of the face of the planet. I had my regular charger but I would need to find a store where someone would allow for me to use their jack.  I used my best navigation skills and followed the signs for the Adirondack Highway (I-87).  I rounded the loop onto the highway and it was nice getting to go faster.  OK, so if I keep going north I could stop in Plattsburgh and then take the ferry over or I could get off near Ticonderoga and charge my phone, grab some lunch and figure this out (this is what I thought).  So I re-grouped and thought getting off near Ticonderoga I was close enough where I could potentially figure out where I needed to go. I saw a sign for Ticonderoga and BAM I was off of that interstate. At this point I followed the signs and was doing a great job. I saw some notes of a Champlain Bridge so I headed that way because maybe that was the bridge.  I needed gas really bad as I was almost out so I needed to stop badly.  Luckily I entered a 4-way intersection and took the route into Ticonderoga.  I stopped and filled up my car and then proceeded to a Walmart I saw earlier at the 4-way.  Off I went, grabbed some lunch at a nearby BK (Burger King) I know that is not good runner food at all and then went to look at some maps and get a car charger.  To make a long story short, I drove to the Ft. Ticonderoga bridge hoping I could get across. Oh, and that car charger I bought, it was not working.  So I was waiting for the ferry to come with a long 10 car line.  I got out of my car and noticed that the ferry could only shuttle one car across at a time. Great, I would be there all night.  So, I went back into town. This time, I went straight into the downtown and stopped at a small bed and breakfast and talked to a little old woman who directed me to take 9N to Crown Point and then take that bridge over. YES!!! I was back in business.  I flew to my car and off to 9N I went. I crossed that same 4-way intersection for the 4th time and then headed to 9N.   I noticed flashing lights in the distance a mile from the intersection and ....GREAT, a cop car had blocked off the road.  Apparently, there was a really bad fatal accident that had the road blocked off from Ticonderoga to Crown Point!  Well, I have no idea where to go now so I stopped in a local CVS Pharmacy.  I stopped in and was helped by some girls telling me to take this mill road.  I entered that 4 way intersection not knowing where to go  and used my best guess down the one road I had yet to go.  I followed it and it seemed like a lost cause until I passed a mill and kept going.  About 5 miles later, I made the turn onto 9N into Crown Point!  From here, I had lost that 2.5 hours of getting lost and still had at least an hour and a half to go. I eventually crossed the Crown Point Bridge into Vermont and I let out a huge sigh of relief.  

Vermont Bound-----I navigated the Vermont country roads and luckily had nice solid road signs were I found myself heading into Burlington.  I had made great time and decided to charge my phone so that  I could find the hotel.  I stopped at a local liquor store and was helped by some nice ladies.  I sat around and was glade to have my phone somewhat alive. There was a bunch of traffic but that was a good sign. I crossed some interstate road and landed at my La Quinta Hotel for the night. Sweet. Finally after a long 8 hour plus trip, I had made it.  I got some dinner and then rested up for the next day.

The Stampy Stomp 15k--Mammut Heaven!

THE PRE-RACE:::::

 

It was great to finally meet the staff at Mammut.  I enjoyed having the chance to meet everyone and help with a little of the set-up (team morale at least).  It was a crisp day and I was ready to have some fun. My real focus was going to be for the Can-lake 50 miler to set a new course record there the following weekend.  I was still in a little of recovery mode from the Virgil Crest Ultra where I ran the current course record in 8 hours.  I was feeling a little beat-up from the race but nothing where my training was sidelined.  It was a great set-up at the event and for a first-year event, excited filled the air.

It was a lovely day, nice and cool.  

THe Mammut Tent

All the Amazing Shoes!!!!!!

New 2013 and 2014 Models! I will be rocking the light blue kits for 2014!!!!

The Mascot--Stampy--Coolest Logo Ever

THE RACE--------

The Fast Start at the Stampy Stomp 15k

 

The race went out hard which I have no done in a trail race in a while.  I latched on with a fast individual as we winded through the lush rolling hills of Vermont. I remained relaxed through 5k as we went back and forth with pace changes probably running around 6-7 minutes a mile.  The next section had the hills. Little did I know, we had some technical winding single-track and a few steep climbs.  At that point I gave the 1st place runner a little space-probably too much in terms of trying to close on some flat sections. Little did I know, there really was not any fast flat sections on the course besides the eventual finish.  I hung tough as 1st just slipped away from view. The way the trail was twisting and turning, I was a little hesitant on the downhills afraid to twist my already weakened ankle from a training run during the middle of the week.  I conceded first. I let him get away and tired to close the gap but I could not. Next year, I am going for it at the gun!  I finished 2nd running close to an hour for the run which was not too bad. We ran pretty quick! 

The Awards:::::

$200 Mammut Gift Card!!!!!  Trust me, at Mammut, they go big!  For Overall and age group awards, this race far surpassed some of the best events out there!  You need to be there next year!

It was an incredible event and an incredible day!   I really had a wonderful time with everyone in Vermont and I look forward to next year. On the way back, I also got to ride a ferry back to New York which was a fabulous suggestion. The views were spectacular and overall, it was a much easier trip home.  Thank you to Bill, Gribbin, Joanna, Tim, Everyone at Mammut! Thank you again.

 

2014 is going to be the year!  With my races at Virgil and the Can-lake, it is time to start looking to my next big challenges: Tussey Mountainback, Snowshoe Nationals, Worlds in snowshoe, Cayuga Trails, the Adirondack Marathon, maybe the Madcity 100k, the Manitou's Revenge, the ADK 80k and many other races and endeavors. Time to build on what strides we have made in 2013!