[Sherpa John]

For those of you who live in the New England area, you may have heard (or have run) the Boston Prep 16-Miler in Derry, NH<br><br>
The race is brutal for its hills, and by ITSELF is a great training race for ultra-running. However, this year I'm planning on making it a grueling long run.<br><br>
The plan is to start at 7:00am and run the course in reverse. At the starting line, we'll turn around for the 10am start time, and run the official 16 with the rest of the runners.<br><br>
If bib pick-up becomes a problem doing it this way, then we'll plan to run the race, and then run it again post race.<br><br>
Last year the high temp during the race was -12. I won;t tell you what the windchill was. In 2006, it was 48 degrees! You just never know!<br><br>
Here is the race link: <a href="http://gdtc.org/bostonprep.php" target="_blank">http://gdtc.org/bostonprep.php</a><br><a href="http://gdtc.org/main.php" target="_blank">http://gdtc.org/main.php</a><br><br>
The race fills up fast so.. if we're going to do it. We must register soon!

 

[Sherpa John]

The plan is now to run the course BEFORE the race.. 16 Miles, pick up our bib numbers and race packet... and then run the 16 as participants in the race.<br><br>
Any takers?<br><br>
If its as cold as it was last year during the race (never got above -13).. We're only running the race and not doing a double. We're Sally's

 

[Thor]

What kind of pace do you intend to carry? If the weather is cheery, I might be interested in going twice. As it is, I'll probably log an extra 10 miles for marathon distance.

 

[Sherpa John]

Pace?? Uhhh... hmmm,... well... maybe run the first 16 mile loop in 2:45 and then try to run the 2nd in the same amount of time or.. 3 hours. I don;t know.. don't really think about it.. I just... you know.... RUN

 

[bikernate]

I'm in. Were meeting at 6:30 am to run it first once before the race. Anybody else want to join us?<br>
Nate

 

[Thor]

I'm seriously interested in joining...<br><br>
So, is the plan to run one loop, head into registration to pick up numbers, then join the race for the official start?<br><br>
Also, and probably a really bad question, but will either of you stash Gatorade/water, or will you carry all you need for the first loop? If I join you guys, I'm not worried about the second loop, as they'll be aid stations where I can refill bottles, but I know I'll need one refill for the first loop or have to suck it up and bring as much as I can on me.<br><br>
One more: Where will we meet, 6:30 am at the school where registration is? Or elsewhere?

 

[bikernate]

I will be carrying everything I need in a camelback. We'll run it, then head into registration, get our bib's etc.. then run/race the race. We'll meet at:<br><br>
The Derry Village School<br>
28 S Main St, Derry, NH<br>
(Its right on By-pass 2<img alt="cool.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif"><br><br>
Nate

 

[Sherpa John]

What Nate Said... Meet at the school at 6:30.<br>
Plan is to have run Loop one by 9/9:30.<br><br>
Go inside, grab the bibs, have road runners look at us like we're crazy.. and then run the loop again.<br><br>
Supposed to be gorgeous weather! Highs around 38 degrees and Partly Cloudy. Only thing that sucks is that its all on Pavement. <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif"><br><br>
I'm wearing a fanny pack with 2 hand helds for loop one. Aid stations and one hand held for loop two. Its gonna be great.<br><br>
The Roster:<br>
Me<br>
Bikernate<br>
Jeff Waldron<br><br>
Maybes:<br>
Thor<br>
LeeDennis

 

[Thor]

I'm in. See you at 6:30 am.

 

[Sherpa John]

It'll be great to have you on our 32+ mile romp!<img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><br><br><img alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_dprzGZbBnRI/RbUtwW0jUoI/AAAAAAAAACk/3Aa1_rZTYtg/s400/bp_trans.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[Thor]

Thanks, man. Looking forward to the challenge.<br><br>
Ignore me if I start whinning after mile 13 of the first loop, but that will only be because I can only carry just under 30 ozs of fluid on me, and if I don't plant any, I'll start searching for clean snow by the side of the road. But ignore me. It's just that I tend to drink a lot. The second time around will be easy, as I can refill at aid stations.<br><br>
Also, there are two schools very near each other. One is where the registration is, and the second is where the finish line is. Unless I hear otherwise I will assume we are meeting in front of the school where registration is -- the main school.

 

[Sherpa John]

Thor... The finish line is at West Running Brook.<br>
Race reg is at the Derry Village School. Nate posted the Derry Village school's address up above.. scroll up. We're meeting there.<br><br>
Its going to take you 13 miles to start whininig?! Typically I start whining at this race after 6... where we meet the first REAL hill. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Thor]

Stuff me full of decent enough stories and I won't start whinning until mile 25 or later, even on a course like Derry. And you guys, being ultraheads, MUST have a lot of good ones. See, I'm an ultra wannabe. I've shelved my ultra desires for a long while because I still have things to reach for in Ironman and marathon; but the desire is there, so I scour all stories of 50 and 100 mile race strategies.

 

[Thor]

From the Boston Prep e-mail notice sent just tonight:<br><br>
"We will have a packet pickup on Saturday if you would like to come up early and pick up your shirt and chip at First Parish Church in East Derry. The church is located at 47 East Derry Road. We will be there between 4 and 8 PM Saturday. Race day pick up starts at 8 AM at Derry Village School."<br><br>
So if you live nearby and have some free time on Saturday, you could pick up you shirt, chip and number. I'm far enough where I'll probably just pick up after the first loop, hit my car to drop crap off and refuel and fill water bottles, maybe change an under shirt, and be on for the hard part.

 

[Sherpa John]

Yeah... we'll be back in time to hit our cars for sure. Arriving as early as we are.. we'll be nabbing the BEST spots. We should put signs on our windshields that say, "All ready running the course... see you for round TWO" That would mortify some folks for sure <img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif"><br><br>
We'll be fine. I sent an e-mail to the RD about us... he'll get back to me tonight.<br><br>
I'm psyched! But hey... if you've never run the Prep.. Be Afraid.. be VERY afraid <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif"> Wait till you see these hills

 

[Thor]

I've done Derry the last few years, plus I work close enough where at noon time when the weather is more friendlier for the bike, I do repeats on a few of the hills on the course. A guy I sometimes ride with has his ultimate favorite downhill where he can hit 50 mph on the bike on a stretch that goes on for like 3 miles. We will run up it on Sunday. Twice!<br><br>
Yeah, fear Derry if you don't know the course. It's a tough one.

 

[Thor]

SherpaBoy, BikerNate, Jeffie, Lee:<br><br>
Awesome run this morning. Thanks for the company. Was a fun time. It's amazing how fast the miles fly by, even daunting hilly ones, in good company.<br><br>
You know, I've done Derry the last several years, sometimes even racing from the gun, other times only from mile 11, but never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine doing that damn course twice. And to make it even more challenging, the snow that just wouldn't stop falling.<br><br>
Thanks again, mates!

 

[bikernate]

That was a great run! I don't think that most of the other runners who were trying to seriously run appreciated our loudness and sense of humour. I had a great time today, thanks everybody!<br>
Nate

 

[NBjunkie]

I just wanted to say:<br><br><img alt="notworthy.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif"><br><br>
you guys are amazing that did the loop 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br><br><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

 

[Sherpa John]

I had a blast. I'm still laughing at our none-sense. Some folks need to lighten up. lol I did hear a few laughing at and with us though.<br><br>
We gotta do it again sometime... I'll start planning the next "stupid" adventure.<br><br>
My report will be up tomorrow.<br>
SJ