Belmont to the Coast 2 Cure NF
"Running has given me many things but the greatest gift has been the people it has brought into my life" - Unknown
This past Saturday, I was humbled by the support and friendships I have made in both the running and NF communities over the years.
Saturday I tackled my 4th Coast to Cure NF charity event (running not cycling). This year I decided rather then do one of the loops (I have done the 24, 66, and 40 mile routes over the past 3 years), I would start at my house, run up to Manchester, and join the course mid route. In order to make my run more interesting, I incorporated in loops of Nahant and Marblehead.
At
3am, Lisa, Becca, Paula, and myself, left my house in Belmont and
headed east. The fact that I had not one or two, but three people
willing to run with me was simply awesome. Originally the ladies were
just going to run the 18 miles out to Nahant, but once Paula joined in,
she told Lisa and Becca they were required to run 22 with her, as that
was what was in her training plan.
We started out by taking route 60 through Arlington and Medford in Malden. Once in Malden, we picked up the Northern Strand bike path which took us up to Lynn. I ran this path back in 2017 as part of Run Your Age so I was a least familiar with the path. It starts out paved and well lit and eventually devolves into dirt single track.
The first 8 miles were largely uneventful. The weather was near perfect, around 50 degrees, and without a sole up it was peaceful running down what are normally busy roads.
We started out a little bit over 9 minute pace and held it pretty consistent. Once on the path, I asked Paula about her recent trip to Florence and the disaster trip home (23 hours total) and before I knew it we were flying. If you ever need a group to run faster, simply bring up something that irritates one of them and let them vent.
At mile 13, the trail turned into narrow single track as we went through a marshy area along the Saugus river. There were even times when there were flimsy foot bridges over the water. To make matters worse, the four of us were largely running with the light produced solely from my head lamp. Behind me all I could here from Paula and Becca was "We didn't sign up for this." Meanwhile, Lisa was telling them "It's an adventure."
Less
then a mile later, we were out of the woods (literally) and after a few
more miles and couple of turns through the side streets of Lynn we were at
the coast and entering Nahant. I have wanted to run around Nahant for a
while and this was the perfect opportunity. We managed to time
our arrival perfectly to see the sun coming up; a beautiful orange
color.
We were now 18 miles in. This is where Doug met up with us who would join me for the next 24 miles (Doug also biked to / from Nahant to tack on 38 miles to his run). The five us ran the perimeter of Nahant and then stopped at Dunkins on Little Nahant. This is also where Becca's husband Joe met up with us to take the women home (Joe had also met up with a friend for an early morning bike ride). 22 miles down and all before 7am.
For those of you that don't drink coffee, you really are missing out. For long runs it is really common for peoples moods to fluctuate and that morning was no exception. There was a bit of whining at the beginning with "I can't believe you made me get up at 2:30AM" but then turned positive as we hit a groove. By mile 22 as people were getting tired, the whining was making a resurgence. But luckily coffee fixed the problem. The last conversation with Paula went along these lines.
After
a small coffee and a bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast wrap, Doug and I
got back to work. We took the Lynn shore through Swampscott and then ran a lap around Marblehead. We
also picked the pace up considerably. With the cool weather the run was
feeling effortless. This is where I needed to be in my training with
under 1 month until the Midstate 100. Now over halfway through,
I was in good spirits and believed that I wouldn't have any trouble finishing.
At
mile 37 we crossed from Salem into Beverly on the 1A bridge over the
Danvers river. I had run across this back in 2017 as well and
remembered the awesome view we had way up above the water. Shortly
after this Doug mentioned that he didn't think he was fully recovered
yet from his marathon. Doug was nearly 20 miles into this run, after
biking 19 miles, and casually mentions he is feeling a bit tired. All I
could do was laugh (For the record Doug ran a 2:48 marathon 2 weeks prior
to this and still joined me for 24).
The Beverly coast is another section of the run that is just beautiful. One of the sections here includes a number of buildings from Endicott College including Pete Frates (Inventor of the Ice Bucket Challenge, one of the most effective fundraising campaigns ever) Hall. Being that this run was a fundraiser, I felt a sense of pride as ran by and stronger sense of purpose.
At mile 42, we reached the Beverly Farms train station and it was time to say goodbye to Doug. Doug had about 4 hours to take a train back to Lynn and then bike the 18ish miles home before his son's soccer game.
The next 8 miles were largely uneventful. Without Doug pushing the pace I slowed a bit, but still kept most of the miles sub 9. I crossed through Manchester and then into Essex. My legs were starting to get sore from the pounding, but I had no issue with my energy levels.
At mile 50 I reached the final aid station for the bike ride. As I came jogging in two volunteers smiled at me and said "We've heard about you." A moment later Patrick, another NF parent I know, smiles at me and says "Scot you running the whole thing this year?" I reply with "Just 60" and then the two of us repeat "Just 60" a few more times laughing. A few minutes later, Amy and her sisters arrive on their bikes. Finally after a peanut butter and fluff sandwich I head out. 10 miles to go.
Over the final 10 miles I was able to still keep a pretty good pace. I slowed a bit, but the hills rolled a little more then they did during the earlier miles. As I ran up the final incline in Stage Fort Park they announced my name and the fact that I left my house at 3am. I raised my arms in triumph.
-- Total Time: 10:06 -- Moving Time -- 8:45 -- 8:49 / mile -- GPS Track --
After a bit of hydration, I sat down with my victory beer.
Special thanks to:
Scot
Next up
This past Saturday, I was humbled by the support and friendships I have made in both the running and NF communities over the years.
Saturday I tackled my 4th Coast to Cure NF charity event (running not cycling). This year I decided rather then do one of the loops (I have done the 24, 66, and 40 mile routes over the past 3 years), I would start at my house, run up to Manchester, and join the course mid route. In order to make my run more interesting, I incorporated in loops of Nahant and Marblehead.
 |
| 3:06AM Heading out from Belmont |
We started out by taking route 60 through Arlington and Medford in Malden. Once in Malden, we picked up the Northern Strand bike path which took us up to Lynn. I ran this path back in 2017 as part of Run Your Age so I was a least familiar with the path. It starts out paved and well lit and eventually devolves into dirt single track.
The first 8 miles were largely uneventful. The weather was near perfect, around 50 degrees, and without a sole up it was peaceful running down what are normally busy roads.
We started out a little bit over 9 minute pace and held it pretty consistent. Once on the path, I asked Paula about her recent trip to Florence and the disaster trip home (23 hours total) and before I knew it we were flying. If you ever need a group to run faster, simply bring up something that irritates one of them and let them vent.
At mile 13, the trail turned into narrow single track as we went through a marshy area along the Saugus river. There were even times when there were flimsy foot bridges over the water. To make matters worse, the four of us were largely running with the light produced solely from my head lamp. Behind me all I could here from Paula and Becca was "We didn't sign up for this." Meanwhile, Lisa was telling them "It's an adventure."
 |
| 5:57AM: Sun rising over Nahant |
We were now 18 miles in. This is where Doug met up with us who would join me for the next 24 miles (Doug also biked to / from Nahant to tack on 38 miles to his run). The five us ran the perimeter of Nahant and then stopped at Dunkins on Little Nahant. This is also where Becca's husband Joe met up with us to take the women home (Joe had also met up with a friend for an early morning bike ride). 22 miles down and all before 7am.
For those of you that don't drink coffee, you really are missing out. For long runs it is really common for peoples moods to fluctuate and that morning was no exception. There was a bit of whining at the beginning with "I can't believe you made me get up at 2:30AM" but then turned positive as we hit a groove. By mile 22 as people were getting tired, the whining was making a resurgence. But luckily coffee fixed the problem. The last conversation with Paula went along these lines.
"That was so far.
I can't believe I've signed up for another marathon.
What was I thinking."
Break for sip of coffee and mood improves.
"I'm definitely going to need a nap today."
Second sip of coffee.
"That was a lot fun."
Miracle drug I tell you.
 |
| 7:03AM Before the ladies headed home |
I was in good spirits and believed that I wouldn't have any trouble finishing.
 |
| 9:24AM Crossing the Danvers River |
 |
| 10:06AM Doug onto the Train |
At mile 42, we reached the Beverly Farms train station and it was time to say goodbye to Doug. Doug had about 4 hours to take a train back to Lynn and then bike the 18ish miles home before his son's soccer game.
The next 8 miles were largely uneventful. Without Doug pushing the pace I slowed a bit, but still kept most of the miles sub 9. I crossed through Manchester and then into Essex. My legs were starting to get sore from the pounding, but I had no issue with my energy levels.
At mile 50 I reached the final aid station for the bike ride. As I came jogging in two volunteers smiled at me and said "We've heard about you." A moment later Patrick, another NF parent I know, smiles at me and says "Scot you running the whole thing this year?" I reply with "Just 60" and then the two of us repeat "Just 60" a few more times laughing. A few minutes later, Amy and her sisters arrive on their bikes. Finally after a peanut butter and fluff sandwich I head out. 10 miles to go.
 |
| 1:12PM The Finish |
Over the final 10 miles I was able to still keep a pretty good pace. I slowed a bit, but the hills rolled a little more then they did during the earlier miles. As I ran up the final incline in Stage Fort Park they announced my name and the fact that I left my house at 3am. I raised my arms in triumph.
-- Total Time: 10:06 -- Moving Time -- 8:45 -- 8:49 / mile -- GPS Track --
After a bit of hydration, I sat down with my victory beer.
Special thanks to:
 |
| Amy coming into the finish |
- NF Northeast for putting on another awesome event (even if I kind of made up my own event to coincide with it).
- Lisa, Becca, Paula, and Doug for running with me (and getting up earlier then they ever imagined)
- Amy for supporting me through this and still cycling the event
- Laura, Meryl, and Seth for joining us
- My parents for watching the kids
- Everyone who contributed to our fundraising and / or voiced their support
- Amy and I raised a total of $1300 for the event this year
Scot
 |
| 1:22PM Victory |
- TARC Fall Classic 9/28
- Midstate 100 10/12
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