North Country Endurance Challenge 2014

One hour and forty five minutes after packing up two separate cars, Jeff and I left Northfield and arrived at my parents house in Fryeburg. One car or two? Would Jeff leave before awards or should we all head north together? These were the last minute decisions being mulled over in the driveway before heading out to the race. Fortunately, the dogs (Dudli & Ryder) would spend the weekend with my gracious parents, the dog-sitters.

We loaded Jeff’s VW with 3 people, 2 bikes, 1 long kayak (borrowed from Chad), food, overnight stuff, and a whole bunch of race gear. With a little less ground clearance then we started with, we took off for Pittsburg, NH. (I learned last year that Pittsfield is as far north as you can go in NH without crossing into Canada; it’s a LONG way up.)

Jo M. Wood Photography

Jo M. Wood Photography

We headed straight to racer registration at the Pittsburg Fire Dept. With a quick pasta dinner, a mandatory meeting, and a review of my gear & directions, we were set. This year, I was fortunate to have Jeff and my sister, Jen, as supporters. They were organized, directionally prepared with the maps, and eager for the race to start.

We watched a quick inspirational video of the race from it’s inaugural year then left the Fire Department and headed to our overnight accommodations. By far, we were the luckiest team when it came to lodging. We stayed at the guest house of Steve Ellis- town Selectman. His property is the start line. That’s right-the start line! That meant a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning and front row parking. In my book, that’s as good as it gets!

My mom, Emily, and I had stayed at Steve’s guest house the year before with several other people (during my first North Country Endurance event). It’s a beautiful place right on the water (which is the first 4 mile paddle leg of the race). The ‘guest house’ is loaded with animals that have been professionally taxitermied- loons, coyotes, deer, bear, baby moose, Fisher cats. You name it, he probably has it. In all honestly, it’s a little startling when you wake up in the dark at 4:30am to prep for race start, but we were grateful for a bed to sleep in and the wonderful hospitality.

Jo M. Wood Photography

The race started with a cannon blast and racers running to their kayaks. I was 8th or so in the pack. Not as fast as the guys in the Epic kayaks… but fast enough. I struggled to keep my kayak from veering to the right, but nothing I couldn’t compensate for. (And nothing a little additional training couldn’t have taken care of, I’m sure.) We made a quick transition to a 3 mile run. With wet feet, and wearing the same outfit, I made my way on single-track & double track trail towards the second 5 mile paddle. I past one team on the run, and was passed by two other men running along together. It was so early into the race at this point, it didn’t bother me too much.

Jo M. Wood Photography

The second kayak was long. It’s a long straight paddle that seems to take FOREVER. I held my position- staying with the two men who caught me on the run. My team had planned our transition from this leg thoroughly. Jeff would meet me at the water’s edge as I jumped out leaving him with Chad’s boat, paddle, & my pfd. I’d run the short 1/2 mile to the Transition Area (TA) and find Jen, who was patiently waiting with my bike and bike gear.

Jo M. Wood Photography

I hopped on my bike for a short 35 (ish) minute spin (wearing my soaking wet running short and all), to the next TA where I’d transition to the long run. This was the run that everyone was lost on last year. This year, however, the course was well marked and about 10 miles long (a bit longer then in previous years). I ran the entire leg by myself- not a single person in sight- and met Jeff on his bike just before the next TA. I was beat! This is the race leg that really had me feeling sluggish. I tried not to be too hard on myself- having just completed the 80 mile Emerald Necklace course 2 weeks beforehand- but I was slow! Real slow. Running wasn’t something my body wanted to be doing and I was glad to be transitioning to the bike.

I swapped into my bike gear again- bike shorts (over my new dry running shorts), helmet, gloves, glasses, and shoes. I was beat. The run was long- endless, really- and I just didn’t have the oomph that I wanted. But I slogged on… after some food, water, and inspiration from my support crew. (Did I mentioned that they were the best!)

Jo M. Wood Photography

I biked towards The Balsams which included some significant uphill. Then I met my crew and prepared for a mountain run up and over the ski hill. I felt mentally ready for the climb, but once I reached the top, and needed to run across the summit and down the technical trail on the other side, I felt my heavy legs and the fatigue of Emerald Necklace. (On the back side of the mountain there was a man being attended to by the EMS crew. I’m not sure what had happened- heat stroke, a twisted ankle… it was hard to tell. But he was only about 1/4 mile from the next transition area.)

Follow me!

At the bottom of the run I jumped back onto the bike (one of the last 2 race legs)! My race crew (Jeff and Jen) were waiting for me, as they had been at every other transition area. They knew I’d be tired, but they were there with moral support, food, water, and more words of encouragement. (I really couldn’t have done it without them!) These last few bike legs weren’t easy. There was lots of climbing- loose gravel roads and steep 4 wheeler trails. The best part (*read with sarcasm) was the heavy rain that came in on this leg. It poured. I was soaked. The first rain started just as I was riding up through the clearcuts along the open dirt roads. Wind, open spaces, and rain. It was SO cold. My tank top, bib shorts, shoes, gloves, EVERYTHING was soaking wet. EVERYTHING. I knew I was in trouble being as cold as I was while peddling uphill; I just couldn’t get warm. I also couldn’t recall if I’d dip back into the woods for the decent, or if I’d be left in the open wind, but I knew I was going to freeze before seeing my support crew again at the next TA.

I got there.. and was I ever glad to see them! I had just ridden down slick, muddy double track and past several curious 4 wheelers. One guy even stopped to remark, “tell me you don’t think that is FUN!” I’m sure I looked terrible- soaking wet, covered in mud, and probably blue in color. “No,” I shared, “not at the moment.”

That was true. I was ready to be warm & dry & across the finishline. But, alas, one more bike leg.

I met Jeff and Jen waiting for me at the TA. As I said, I was REALLY glad to see them. They were outside standing in the pouring rain. Not only had they requested fresh veggies for me to eat, Jen had Bonito chips ready (which, in that moment, were more delicious then anything I had ever eaten), and a dry long sleeved shirt. THE long sleeved shirt I has been dreaming of for the past 20 minutes of my bike ride. Amazing! This was another moment where you realize just how important your support is. Instantly I knew, “OK… I can make it to the end.”

I peddled on. The last leg went SO quickly. I was prepared for a long peddle, but before I knew it I was out on the pavement and pulling into the parking lot behind the pub (aka: the finish line). Boy was that a good moment! I was the first woman across the finish line, despite dragging throughout the entire race for 9 hours and 45 minutes. My support crew was there for me with dry clothes, a hot shower, and big smiles.