Litchfield Hills Road Race - RunOther

Almost 1300 people lined up on main street to run the race, I seeded myself in the only shaded spot which was about halfway back.
The race is started with a cannon, and since the announcer plugged his ears I did too, good thing b/c damn it is loud!

I start off slowly mainly because I have a long way to go and no were to go as we're all packed in tight.
By the first mile we're spaced out enough so that you can run without too much trouble.
My quads were already hurting by mile 2 so I knew this was going to be a tough day with two little hills followed by a nasty steep hill at mile 6. Just tried to settle into a rhythm.

At the top of the second smaller hill was greeted by the site of a teen puking up something off the side of the course, always a pleasent site.
Was feeling pretty crappy by mile 5 and with the span from 5-6 is nothing but sun it really beat down on me.
Im thinking to myself, "Self you feel this bad in a 7 mile race, what the hell are you thinking wanted to do a half marathon let alone a triathlon!"
Then came the hill, a short walk with a squirt from my bottle and then I attacked. I was really going to try to run the whole thing, Im passing all the walkers but about halfway up my run pace was barely that of the walkers pace so I gave in too, walked almost to the top and then took off running again down the final stretch.
I forgot how long the final stretch was from the top of the hill. The whole time I'm wondering to myself when is this going to end, but I could back down or shuffle b/c I knew my family was there somewhere with camera in hand!
A good loud cheer from my wife and parents about .1 miles from the finish and it gave me the boost I needed to sprint the downhill finish.

Hill training, hands down the biggest limiter of this race.
They call it the Litchfield HILLS road race for a reason.
Next time I race this course I will be training with hill repeats.

Crossed the timing mats, walked around for a little bit to get the heart rate down, took off my chip, then made my way to the food tent (mmm watermelon) then found my family.


Probably pushed a little to hard in miles 2+3, plus no specific hill training. I ran some hilly training runs but to be succesful at this race Hill repeats are going to have to be a must.


Great race with long heritage. Tons of volunteers and supporters, the whole course is closed to traffic. Only grip, 10 pottys, 1300 races plus easily another 2000 spectators. Need more places for pre-race potty!