Bob's Magic Formula Keeps Working

Bob continues to find success in his new age group,  this time winning it by about 17 minutes, thanks in large part to his continued consumption of...BEET JUICE! Here's his report:

"Sunday I came in first in my age group in a tough wet muddy 5.5 mile Summer Solstice Trail Run at Gay City state park in Hebron, CT. In the attached photo, I am holding the key to my success in one hand and the fruit of my labors in the other."

Mini Ponies Stampede Through Belmont at Brendan's 5K

The Mini Ponies galloped through the  12th Annual Brendan's Home Run 5K race in Belmont this weekend. Here's a report from Karyn M-M who hosted NETTers at her place after the race for a brunch.

"We had a nice time -- we ran over to the track from my house. Slava, Chrissy, Martin and Lincoln met us
there, as did Ron and Louie. Along the course we saw NETTer/NYCer Deb Robertson -- who is very noticeably  pregnant! We invited her to come along to brunch, which she did.

Everyone ran well. Noah and Marshall dueled it out and Noah edged out Marshall in the last 100 meters (he swears he didn't use CP's elbow trick…though I'm not sure) and came in ahead by a hair (PR for Noah and 1st place in his age group for Marshall).  Slava, Chris and Mary ran well. So did Daniel, who hadn't raced in about 2 years. Amanda was happy with her run as well.  The gang jogged back to my house for brunch, which included beet salad (wish I'd had it before the race!). Tina, Nicholas, Emma and Dustin joined us for brunch. All in all an
excellent NETT day."

By the numbers, NETT was all over the age group results with a 1st, two seconds, a fourth and on and on.

To see more pictures check NETT on The Facebook here.

NETT Brings Support to Great Lincoln Steeplechase

A few NETT members came out to support the Great Lincoln Steeplechase, one of our favorite low-key

trail races in the area. Marshall and Bob went 1-3 in their age groups and Marshall even provided the medals for the race winners!

Also on hand were Frank, Tina, Emma, Karen and Mary to volunteer at the race, lending a hand at the finish line and in other areas. 

As always race director Pete Foley put on a great event. While we always want this race to be healthy, we also love that it hasn't grown out of control over the years. 

See the results here.

NETT's Inside Take on the Vermont City Marathon and Relay

Now that the NETT crew from the Vermont City Marathon and relay finally dried out from all that rain, Eminem sent in their race report.

"I cannot say enough about what a resolute team we have. Despite unbelievably bad weather -- powerful rain, temps that felt like mid-30s, and very strong winds -- no one even considered backing out. Not even Soggy Shoes Cyrulik!

Everyone was at their appointed spots at their appointed times, everyone ran as though the sun was shining. Marshall doled extra sets of warm clothing to under-prepared team mates, Noah stood shivering at the starting line in his NETT singlet, Tina provided her hotel room for soggy mini ponies between running legs, and Amanda ran nine miles just to keep me company. Daniel -- who didn't have to run at all…I had recommended he stay home -- stood out at mile 20 waiting for me to arrive, (after waiting for Noah at his transition) and ran through puddles to pace me to the finish line at 3:57.

And Frank and Emma (dressed fashionably from head to toe in rain gear) watched the start and the finish. As for Zack and Chris, they ran as though propelled by beet juice and refined sugar. (Okay…they WERE propelled by beet juice and refined sugar). 

I wouldn't recommend running a "Marathon Splashdown" (as the Burlington Free Press called it), but if you're going to run one, my recommendation would be to join NETT first.

The Chrono Track results have more info than the coolrunning ones.  They divide the relay into all the various categories -- so you can see that NETT came 2nd out of 383 teams:

 http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-1873 

The individual ones are cool on Chrono track too -- you see the person's stats, as well as a video of the person finishing: http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-1873 (You just type the person's name in). Tina's official finishing time was 3:54:10; mine was 3:57:33 NETT's relay time was 2:51:11."

NETT "Pours" it On at Vermont City Marathon

Despite the rain, wind and cold, a crew of the heartiest Mini Ponies galloped to success at the Vermont City Marathon this weekend.

First off, big congrats to Eminen for earning that elusive Boston qualifier in very poor conditions. She ran a strong and steady 3:58. Tina was just in front of Karyn running a 3:55 while pulling double duty, running the first half of the mixed relay with Marshall. Their mixed relay team, by the way, was 7th in their division (mixed masters) out of 55 teams.

The NETT five-person relay team of Captain Fluff  Smith, Soggy Shoes Cyrulik, Poker Face Mahoney, Little Skittles, and Beetlejuice Schwartz kicked complete arse by throwing down a 2:51 good for sixth place out of more than 700 teams. As a mixed team, no less. That's a 6:32 average pace.

To see full results go here.

To see some photos go to the Facebook here.

It was a very successful day all around despite some very difficult conditions. It's a big testament to the strength and teamwork that makes NETT what it is.

NETT Takes Five of Top Seven Spots at Walpole 5 for the Fourth

A gaggle of Mini Ponies took to the woods of Walpole today at the Walpole 5 for the Fourth, a XC hosted by the new club, the Walpole Rebel Runners, in Chris Smith's hometown to raise money for Walpole's Fourth of July Celebration. The NETT results were impressive on all levels.

Here's Mary's report of the day:

"The Walpole Trail Race (5 for the 4th) was a nice event.  It was on the trails behind the Walpole HS (Chris Smith's old stomping ground).  It was a small low key trail race (perfect for NETT).  The trails weren't very technical, 1/2 of the race was on a gravel fire road, so it was a very runnable event.

In total, there were 6 mini ponies at the race but only 5 mini pony runners.  Dave did not race, since he's recovering from a 'small cold'.  Dave ended up unintentionally volunteering at the turn around point (an out and back that they didn't have a volunteer at).

Chris Smith battled with a high schooler (or so I'm told) and won the race.  He was followed by Big Ben (3rd overall), then Marshall (not sure of his place - but I assume he would've won his age group), followed by Me (2nd woman) and then Amanda (3rd woman).

At the start of the race Amanda said she was going to just "jog" the run and was worried that she shouldn't have worn her NETT shirt as she'd embarrass our group  - obviously she came in 3rd and was no where near an embarrassment :)

Big Ben entertained (as usual) providing random tidbits of knowledge - ask him about the difference between a Rotary vs a Round-a-bout."

Marshall added his take on the day as well:

"Mary graciously let me overtake her about a half mile from the finish because
she knew that my spirits can always use a boost. I certainly appreciate the 10
miles that she was forced to run Saturday making it possible for me to run with
her today.Toughest part of the day was having Amanda doing an IT band recovery 2 mile jog
and then lighting it up for the 3rd mile and almost catching Mary and me at the
finish.

And ya gotta watch those warm down runs.... someone put a brand new root in the
trail and I hit the ground with every part of the front of my body which was
probably lucky since I seem to have escaped unscathed."

It was a fun day with some of the core NETTers.

NETT Sets a Good Mood on Moody Street

Two NETT members rocked the streets of Waltham at the Moody Street 5k this weekend, winning their divisions.  Slava took 5th overall (out of 1,089 runners) in a time of 17:54, good for first in his division. Patrick was 10th overall and also first in his division with a time of 18:54.

Congrats!