Task 18: 100 on 100 Heart of Vermont

Because of the email frenzy created by my running friends on race day last year, I developed a strong desire to run 100 on 100 Heart of Vermont Relay this year. What is 100 on 100 you might ask. It is a 100 mile relay divided amongst 6 people each of whom run 3 legs during the course of the day.  The shortest total distance run is a little over 12 miles and the longest (my leg) ended up being a little over 19 (it was advertised as 18.9---that was not the case). Each team starts at different times, based on their projected pace and the ideal is that everyone ends around the same time (you track your friends on other teams by their Facebook posts).  When you get to the last legs of the race, the ultras (those who habitually run ultra-marathons) come screaming past you like this is just a training run for them.  It is not a perfect science as there could be a million reasons your time was not as planned or a group of friends you expect to catch you never do.  Our group was in the second wave to exit the starting line at 5:45am as the sun was just coming up.  We have all determined to get faster for next year so we can start a little later in the day (the fastest group left at 10:00).   

Once the groups were off and running, decorated vans full of runners took off after their runners leap frogging through the transition zones. Some of the vans have done this before and are completely decked out for the day.  My favorites was the "Kingpins", with LED lights and the group with the drum on top that they pounded as they came upon runners.  Every pull off along Route 100 in Vermont was crowded with runners who were there to cheer each other on, and pass water off to their runner.  It is pretty much an all day running party.  You could gauge the difficulty level of the leg based on distance.  Your long legs (for me 8.8) tended to be easier in regards to terrain.  The shorter legs consisted of major climbs or screaming(terrifyingly so) down hills.  My hardest was a 4 mile costume leg up the side of a mountain.  I passed a whole group of people who had stopped to walk and a few others who were struggling with their costumes of choice.  Amazingly enough the lobster ahead of me cruised up the hill with ease.  

It was getting dark as our last two runners completed their legs.  The team finishes together by running as a group through a tunnel of tiki torches.  It is an awesome day, and worth every mile logged. Our team already has the day planned out right down to who is going to run which leg next year and what we are going to pack for food.

Task 17: Backpacking

Task 16 should have happened last year, but to be honest a small amount of fear got in the way of this one.  I grew up backpacking and have been waiting for Little Man to be the right age to bring him.  I had originally planned on going last year, but fear of the weather, him being ready and being on our own kept us away.  After dragging my feet all summer: we finally did it, and it was wonderful.  Little Man was amazing and only once on the way down did he complain, or look like I was going to have to drag him.  I can't say I blame him, at that point the journey was almost over and I was also board with the trail that we hiked out on.  I actually wish we had done it earlier in the summer because I would take him again if cross-country season hadn't started right after our trip.   We had a blast and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

The lodge we stayed in for the night. Notice who does not have the large backpack with all the gear.  

Sunset from the hut.

Yes, this was in fact part of the trail.  If you look closely at the top you can see the blue blaze marking the way.  Little Man did awesome; I thought I was going to have a heart attack. 

View from the top.  

Notice the width of the trail.  My pack almost did not make it. Just another reason to pack light. 

Task 16: Johnson

The whole reason for starting this list was to do the things I have been telling myself I needed, or wanted to do.  Andy thinks this next one is silly, but I can now say I have done it, and I am satisfied.  It is not exciting or thrilling, just simple. 

 

What is that goal you might ask? To stop driving through Johnson and actually stop.  There is a bookstore, coffee shop and the Johnson Woolen Mill that I want to check out.  I drive though this town when we take the back way to my parents, yet have never actually set food in the town.  The last time we drove through, we finally stopped.  We at ate the coffee shop, wandered through the bookstore and The Johnson Woolen Mill.  Done!

Task 15: Road Trip

There are so many places in Vermont that we have yet to explore; it made sense to add a road trip to my list of tasks for  2014.  The funny thing with the route I choose.  There are three major roads that we travel ALL the time that intersect the chosen route.  So here goes, our 2014 road trip through our untraveled parts of Vermont. 

 

To begin our journey we we took Interstate 89 to exit 3 Royalton.  As soon as we got off the Interstate we were greeted with a Vermont tourist trap.  Of course, in the spirit of road tripping, we stopped, wandered around, took pictures with the the farmer dude, grabbed a bottle of water and moved on. 

 Two months ago, when I ran a half marathon just south of our road trip route, my friend had suggested going for burgers afterwards.  We never made it to this amazing place she told me about.  It was purposely planned into this trip, and we did stop.  The Worthy Burger in South Royalton, Vermont does indeed have some of the most amazing burgers and lived up to my expectations.  The burgers are wood fired on Vermont hardwood and are amazing.  While I passed on the turducky burger, we did splurge for Parmesan truffle french fries and tried out the specialty sauces on the condiment bar.  If I run the same half marathon next year, we will stop for burgers. 

 With his belly full, Little Man crashed in the back seat and I was able to enjoy a quiet drive along the river, with classic Vermont views, from the covered bridges, red barns and views of the mountains it was a beautiful day for a drive.   

 

Cheating a bit, the road that intersected out path was one we do occasionally travel and I knew about the amazing ice cream shop we would be passing.  There is a little artisanal ice cream place in Glover Vermont.  Every time we have gone, the ice cream flavors have been slightly different, but always good.  Little Man choose raspberry, which tasted like frozen raspberries off the vine.  I choose Sweet Monkey; banana and caramel.  It did not sound great, but I trusted the woman who ordered before me and gave it a try.  It was wonderful. 

 With our bellies once again full we traveled through Peacham, Vermont; the most photographed town in New England.  Funny thing about Peacham, it is the next town over from where my grandparents lived and I have never been there.  While it was in fact one of the most beautiful towns I have driven through, Little Man was more interested in the boat launch there, where we spent 40 minutes trying to catch frogs.  The end of a perfect road trip.