Hoxie - Thunderbolt 3.8-Mile Snowshoe Race
February 21st, 2009 - Greylock Glen - Adams, MA
&
Greylock Covered Bridge 12.5-Mile Snowshoe Race
February 21st, 2009 - Greylock Glen - Adams, MA

PH and I continued our "two-for-one" event;  two distances with a break in the middle.  You could stop after the Hoxie-Thunderbolt 3.8-miles, or continue for another 8.7-miles (total of 12.5-miles) for the full Covered Bridge experience.

I crossed the line 9th out of 101 in the shorter event, and 7th out of 35 for the full blown Covered Bridge Half Marathon!

I took Tippi out to the Greylock Glen late morning, to mark the "2-4-1" 2009 Version of our Covered Bridge Snowshoe Half-Marathon.  In 2007 we did a similar event, with the Hoxie-Thunderbolt section being 3.5-miles, and the Covered Bridge section hitting 4.5-miles for an eight-mile total.

This was going to be a long day of putting out ribbon, stapling paper arrows and mile-markers to trees, and breaking trail.  I was fortunate to have the dog with me.

I climbed up the Thunderbolt along Hoxie Brook, marking as I went, until finally making it to the turn-a-round point at the shelter.  It was wonderfully sunny, with deep blue sky.  A magical day to be on the mountain, or anywhere outside, really.

While making my way steeply downhill, I spotted a single form slowly making their way up the slope.  Thinking, now who would be out here today, and topping it off messing up my beautiful tracks for tomorrow's event?

As I got close, Tippi went charging off toward the interloper, and before I began apologizing for her aggression, I noticed she was happy and prancing around the human form.  She knew who it was, and I finally did too, PH.

We exchanged incredible greetings, me telling him I sure was happy to have company because it looked like I would be out there into dark.  Paul told me he went into work at 4 a.m. so he could get out to meet me and assist, keeping me company, etc.

We had a fantastic day, albeit a very long one.  The route gps measured over 12.5-miles.  The snow on the Thunderbolt and the Red Gate hadn't been stepped on in a long while, so it met knee depth.

Finished just as dark settled in, with the two best friends anyone could have, Paul and Tippi.  We were ready for the event.

I was able to take a couple of snowmobile rides this month, reenacting some of the old routes I rode as a young teenager.  

The second of the two rides was a bit later, on February 16th, 2009, the same day as the snowshoe on the Cheshire Harbor, Red Gate and Old Adams Road route with Tippi and PH.

Thie snowmobile trip left from Burlingame Hill, and traveled up to Little Egypt and the Tophet Brook, along the Hoosac Range.

The first ride had been on February 3rd, 2009, from Burlingame Hill in Adams to Notch Road in Cheshire.  This included a nice section over Stafford Hill.

The two rides covered a fairly large chunk of ground, and looking back causes me to wonder about exploring on foot in the near future?  In the meantime, here are the two routes together...

Tippi and I met up with Paul H to run on Greylock, this time exploring Red Gate, lower Cheshire Harbor & Old Adams Road for well over 8-miles.

6th Annual Camp Saratoga ~5-Mile Snowshoe Race

February 14th, 2009 - Wilton Wildlife Preserve - Wilton, NY

The Camp Saratoga 5-Mile Snowshoe Race at Wilton Wildlife Preserve was held by my very good friends JC & LC.  

I ended up 9th out of 109 finishers.

Tippi and I explored Williamsburg Woodland Trails area of Goshen and Williamsburg.

Hallockville Pond "I" 5.6-Mile Snowshoe Race
February 8th, 2009 - Dubuque State Forest - Hawley, MA

I directed another event in Hawley, going out early to mark and track, and finished 75th of 78th

Sidehiller 4-Mile Snowshoe Race
February 7th, 2009 - Center Sandwich, NH

61 racers completed this season's Sidehiller event.

I was able to take a couple of snowmobile rides, reenacting some of the old routes I rode as a young teenager.  

The first ride was on February 3rd, 2009, from Burlingame Hill in Adams to Notch Road in Cheshire.  This included a nice section over Stafford Hill.

The second of the two rides was a bit later, on February 16th, 2009.  This route left from Burlingame Hill. and traveled up to Little Egypt and the Tophet Brook, along the Hoosac Range.

The two rides covered a fairly large chunk of ground, and looking back causes me to wonder about exploring on foot in the near future?  In the meantime, here are the two routes together...

10th Annual Saratoga Spa Winterfest 5km Snowshoe Race

February 1st, 2009 - Saratoga Springs, NY

The tenth Saratoga Spa Winterfest 5km Snowshoe Race at Spa Park in Saratoga Springs, New York directed by my friends Laura and Jeff.  I finished 8th of 196 racers!

7th Annual Northfield Mountain 3.8-Mile Snowshoe Race
January 31st, 2009 - Northfield Mountain - Northfield, MA

Good friend DD organized again, and I managed an 25th of 77 racers.

Suffield Swamp & Academy Area snowshoe with Tippi.

 

6th Annual Curly's Record Run 4-Mile Snowshoe Race
January 25th, 2009 - Pittsfield State Forest - Pittsfield, MA

Great day, 10th of 86 finishers.

1st Annual Hoot, Toot & Whistle 5km Snowshoe Race
January 24th, 2009 - Catamount Ski Trail - Readsboro, VT

7th of 87 finishers at the Dion's course. 

5th Annual Brave the Blizzard 3.9-Mile Snowshoe  Race
January 18th, 2009 - Pine Bush Preserve - Guilderland, NY

Snow once again in Guilderland!  I had a pretty good day with 10th of 173 finishers!