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| the college kids dug the Oakley white sunglasses |
NHTI campus hosts many races… runners familiar with these races likely know the “root canal” tunnel at Delta Dental, plus the scenic Seekamp trail. Doing some of my warm up on trail, I noted a bit of squishy grass, mud… “slip & slide!?!” Running here made me think of Whirlaway teammate, Heather Searles, national champion from NHTI, won 2008 USCAA Women's Championship plus was all-Academic and all-American three years.
Lined up in the second row with entertaining group of college cross country runners from NHTI, NEC, Daniel Webster, Nashua (there was a college competition within the race) I seemed to be the only woman starting that far front.
Went off for 6:17 first mile, wasn’t feeling too horrible… a surprise left onto trail and heard myself yelling at the boys “GO, GO, GO!!!!” seeing a puddle the width of the trail. Someone chivalrously extended a hand, but my goat hooves knew what to do. It felt so damn good flying on the trail. Got by Steve Wolfe and couple other guys, then up grassy incline to the road toward “root canal” tunnel. Through my second mile at 6:44 (didn’t look at my splits) and could see the other runners as we looped back. A quick thought tempted my mind, could I be first woman? But, I pushed it out of my head
Rounding into the courtyard, there was a substantial crowd at the finish and I was over the line 20:22 (20:20 watch) and in the chute NHTI coach’s wife, Suzy Seagroves, told me I was women's winner!!! That’s a dream for me, very thrilling !!! I hadn’t won a race since 2007 and that race only ~70 runners… this was 243… plus I was 9th runner overall! It added to thrill that last year's women's winner was Heather Searles.
I jogged towards race director/coach Seagroves who said to do my warm-down but get back for awards because I’d won $50 gift certificate for Dick’s Sporting Goods. Wooo!
Back to the car to change shoes, grab phone to share excitement, then warm-down getting to chat with Delta Dental CEO, Tom Raffio. Returning from warm-down, my dad arrived to surprise me. In addition to $50 gift certificate, we were awarded bowls & soup (soup kitchen fundraiser, clever!) and from raffle, I chose OliviaCare peppermint/vanilla soap, exactly right for my mud splattered legs.
NHTI coach Perry Seagroves puts on an exceptional race. Access to the NHTI facilities (student center, easy parking, no wait indoor bathrooms, water fountains, x-c course) and simply knowing what fellow runners like. Also, very cool that entry fee is a donation (you choose amount). Well organized, quick moving awards and raffle with tons of items to choose from.
Full results
Women's winner!! 9th overall of 243 20:22, 6:35 pace
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| two raffle tables of stuff to choose from |
1 comment:
Nice race Sarah. Good time and a win too - can't complain about that!
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