Will Run for BEER Series Photos

The LOCO Guy sent a link to photos of the Will Run for BEER Series on the Club LOCO Facebook page on Monday.

They have photos from all of the races in the 2013/2014 Will Run for BEER series. After running the Smuttynose 5K on June 22nd in that heat, it’s hard to believe how cold some of our races were this year.

smuttynose, will run for beer — A nice jacket

There are probably 1,000 photos in the collection. You are sure to find at least one of you.

I enjoyed scanning through the collection and looking at the faces and the look in the rummer’s eyes.

The looks of focus, concentration and determination. The pre-race far-away look that some runners get.

Then there are the on-course photos that also have faces of focus, determination and concentration. You also will see faces in pain with looks of desperation. Eyes that are looking for that next mile marker, water stop or the god damned finish!

Many runners on the courses have big smiles on their faces, waves, high fives and thumbs up. The expressions of the true joy of running. It is awesome to see.

At the finish lines there are still grim and stern looking faces but mostly looks of joy and celebration. No matter how painful it is to get to the finish line, it is always a joy to be on the “finished” side of that line. There is even a proposal at one of the races, I’ll let you find those photos.

The 2014 jacket may be bright, but I like it. It has two inside pockets, one with a pocket on top of where a gel or keys would fit perfectly. It hangs a little lower in the front to give you a little extra wind protection where you need it. It is – a nice running jacket.

Here is the link to Club LOCO’S photos.

Run well my friends!

Andy

Smuttynose Palooza 5K – 2014

The Smuttynose Palooza 5K

Saturday, March 8th, 2014

Smuttynose Palooza 5k road race, LOCO running races

The weather was a crisp mid 20’s according to Accuweather and the breeze was barely noticeable. There were a few patches of ice on the roads but unlike last year, we did not have to jump torrents of ocean water washing down Beach Road or run through mounds of sand washed onto the road by the last high tide.

I managed to place 108th overall out of 903 runners and 18 out of 90 men, 40 to 49 years of age. I ran the race pretty much as hard as I could and ended up in the top 20% of men my age and bested last year’s time by 17 seconds. Not bad.

Continue reading “Smuttynose Palooza 5K – 2014”

Smuttynose Palooza 2014 is on!

I received an email last night from LOCO Mike regarding the Smuttynose Palooza 2014.

Weather forecast for Saturday is 45F with a 7mph breeze. There are still bibs available if you are looking for a fun 5K this weekend. The race is on a Saturday, so you can still get in your Sunday Long Run!

Smuttynose Palooza 2013, race, runner — Ocean over takes runners

This is a tough winter, but last year had its moments. In February 2013 The Half at The Hamptons was cancelled. A big storm was coming up the coast and authorities shut things down. I don’t think the storm ended up being as bad as forecast, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

This photo is at the finish line at the Smuttynose Palooza 2013. The Atlantic was rolling down the streets!

Within a quarter-mile after the start, we had to jump over or run through a section of street that was flooded out. I seem to recall that there was a ton of sand in said street as well. What an adventure: winter running in New England.

I’m looking forward to a comfortable race. 45F with a light breeze is going to be awesome!

Run well my friends.

Andy

A message from LOCO Mike

We Run

What does one write about after the tragic events at the Boston Marathon. As runners we embrace life. With heavy hearts we carry on. It’s what we do.

Running is what’s right in the world. It defines us. It joins us together in worthwhile purpose.

Thank you for being a runner. Even if you don’t call yourself one. Even if you have just started. Even if you don’t know if you are a runner yet . Join us. Runners are great people.

Call yourself a runner at least for today and lets all join in making the world a better place.

Peace – LOCO Mike

Runner since 1969

Will Run for Beer Series – 2013

Will Run for BEER 2013

I just signed up for the last two races I will be running in the #Will Run For Beer Series. This race series is managed by #LOCO Sports in New Hampshire. They have been running the series since 2007 and this will be my third year of participation.

The series of seven races takes place in Southern New Hampshire and North Eastern Massachusetts. The New Year’s Day Race and April Fool’s race are run by local running clubs but still count for the series. If you register for the series and then run five of the seven races you get a nylon wind jacket. It costs $5 to sign up for the series and then you need to register and pay for each race separately.

Not a bad deal, and a great motivator to get out there and run. There are two half marathons in the series, but you don’t need run either one to qualify for the jacket.

It’s a lot of fun and one of the race sponsors is #Smuttynose Brewing Co. Running and cold Smuttynose, what’s not to love? Last year I thought I’d run two or three of their races so I did not register for the series. I ended up running five of the races anyway. If I had registered I’d have another one of their jackets hanging in my closet. This year I’m going for it.

Will run for BEER

If you and your friends are looking for a great series of races you should definitely check out “Will Run For Beer”. Smuttynose is a great sponsor and there is always plenty of beer after the race.

Great Bay Half Marathon 2012

was this Saturday in Newmarket, NH. I traveled to the race with friends and met more once we got there.

The Great Bay Half Marathon has a well deserved reputation for killer hills.

There are three significant hills and it seems like an endless series of smaller hills. Parts of this race are on country roads out in the woods and some of those roads are dirt. I could actually smell the woods! Some of this race is along the coast where you can see The Great Bay on one side and rolling fields on the other side. Just beautiful.

I thought the race was well-organized and my hat is off to Club Loco for producing another great running experience. My friends and I sat in a great pub on Main street for a little too long and missed the last shuttle bus at 3PM. One of Loco Mike’s crew was kind enough to give us a ride out to the industrial park where parking had been well-organized and coordinated for us runners.

I think most of us will be back next year. If you have never run this race, be sure to put it on your calendar for next year. This race is part of the Will Run for Beer Series.

Have a great day and thanks for reading.