7 Sisters Trail Race

7 Sisters.  The Holyoke Range, in Amherst, Massachusetts is the site of this 12-mile, absolutely brutal trail race, which first took place in 1991 and has grown to be quite popular.  It's part of the La Sportiva Mountain Cup series and the WMAC Grand Tree trail series, and is listed by Runner's World magazine as the "Hardest Up/Down Trail Race" in the country:

(http://www.runnersworld.com/trail-racing/americas-best-trail-races?page=single)

This race was on my radar, and back in December one of my friends suggested it (the blame for this insanity can be traced back to well-known instigator Way Hedding), so of course I signed up immediately!  I'm easy like that.  Upon further inspection...this race was legit, well-attended and considered to be a tough, technical and super-hilly trail race.  Sweet!

I really didn't give the race another thought until about a month ago.  I do lots of races, and decided that this one required me to book a hotel room close by so I wouldn't have to deal with a 5 a.m. drive from Connecticut.  Then I dug a little deeper and found out that this wasn't another out-and-back trail run.  This was a bit more.

Greg Hammett had said to me that this race was a different animal.  I trust Greg's opinion, and he was 100% correct.  I consider myself a very good (not fast, but good) trail runner.  I also prefer technical trails, the trickier the better.  I spent time training on hilly, technical trails, and got some good runs in ahead of the race, despite my work schedule.  I was looking forward to this race in ways I can't describe - I love these events!  I get so hyped, and I wasn't even nervous, just excited.  

Drove the two hours from my place on Saturday.  I did packet pickup when I arrived in Amherst...then chatted with the race crew and ran into Beth shortly thereafter!

Swag!  Had to grab the shirt and cap

We drove across the street and scoped out the race start.  I wanted to do a short run on the first part of the course, but I was also starving and wanted to get food, so we met up with Faith and Joe, and the four of us (the other WTAC and assorted crew were arriving in the morning) went for dinner and drinks at the Amherst Brewing Company.  Afterwards, we all bid each other goodnight, and I proceeded to my room, set out my clothes, and didn't sleep until around midnight.

Race morning:

I was up and ready before 6, met the crew for breakfast and we all headed over to "The Bunker," where the race started.  Met the rest of the crew, including WTAC'ers Paul and Carol Ann, and local running stud Don.  We also wrote Cancer Sucks! on our arms to show support for Faith's friend Eileen:

Cancer Sucks!  Stay Strong, Eileen!!!

 After grabbing a few pictures, I cruised over to run the first section of the course.  Yikes!  It quickly turned straight uphill and got tight and technical really quick.

Race day, and off in the distance...

With 500-ish runners ready to go, I knew there was gonna be some serious traffic out there, but I was determined to give it a good effort and have fun at the same time.  I was entered into Wave #2, possibly a mistake on my part but what the Hell, I'm pretty good on this terrain and figured I'd hold my own.  I waffled before the race about what to wear (I chose my singlet) and what to carry (I chose my handheld, filled with electrolyte drink and stored with 3 gels, and left the phone in the truck).  Chatting with local runner and fast dude Kyle, who had parked next to my truck, my choices seemed about right.  I knew it would get very warm very fast up there (forecast was 77 degrees by noon), but that the water/aid stations were spaced 2 miles apart and that I'd be OK, which I was.  I'd also pre-hydrated with several beers the night before ;)...

Funny, the air horn goes off and everyone walks into the woods.  My wave starts, and we all shuffle into the first part of the race.  The first climb was mainly a climb, not a run, and took quite some time.  After that?  I got around people as I could, and soon realized that the descents were as tough as the climbs, and that I would rarely be "bombing the downhills," as I thought I would...

Hey, that's part of the trail!  See the people?  Photo by Beth!

Holy shit.  And the "Sisters" seemed to have multiplied, as the steep downs and ups were relentless.  I counted like 50 Sisters.  The mile 2 station was water, so I filled my bottle, and finished off a nearly empty gallon jug.  Mile 4?  The same.

At "The Porch," I knew it was a walk (required) across the porch of the historic building, then a mile long descent to the turnaround.  Walking across the porch, I was lucky enough to high-five the race leader, who was also walking (when does that ever happen???), and I continued down to the 6-mile mark/turnaround, which looked like a block party!  Tons of goodies, and the best volunteers around.  I made sure to thank everyone I saw helping, because volunteers rock!  We should all lose a few seconds of our race thanking them.  Made it to the turnaround in 1:28...soooo there's a chance to go sub-3?

I must be really annoying, but I cheer on every person I can during races like these.  I'm not going to win, but I'm sure as Hell going to have fun and support my fellow runners.  On the way back to the porch, I started to see my people!  Joe, Carol Ann, Faith, Paul, and at the Porch?  Beth!  She gave me a hug and said she was going to drop.  No problem.  It was hot out on a tough course, and there were many casualties...really, between twisted ankles, dehydration, and who knows what else, I'm surprised there weren't more.  I'm glad I wasn't one.  Tough day!

Finished with the mile-long uphill climb after the turnaround!!!

Gave Beth a hug and continued on.  At the mile 8 water station I ran into Don, who'd twisted his ankle and was waiting for a ride off the mountain.  He told me to get moving, and that he'd see me in the lot.  I kept on, and it seemed like a much longer time to the water station at mile 10...but I was happy, upbeat and loving the course and the pain of the hills, but also really ready to see some finish line!  There are 47 false summits in the last two miles of the course, which scream "This is the last climb!  You're almost there!!!" and...they're not.  Wicked Sisters...

I finally reached the last summit, where a few people were trying to help some dude finish the race, and he was obviously not stable enough to navigate the last stretch of trail.  Dude.  Just stop.  The last downhill is dangerous even if you have your wits about you.  He had a whole posse with him, though, so I continued on to the finish.  I skipped as fast as I could down the loose rock to the bottom of the course, and cruised to the finish in 3:10, good for #151 out of 431 finishers (471 started).  I was thinking sub-3:00 without having seen the course, but I'm stoked about my result!  It means a couple of things: first, that I was assigned to the right group for this race; second, that I'm totally comfortable with technical single track trail races;  and third, that my hydration/fuel/gear choices are good.  I was happy, hurting and never bonked during this race, not once.

Happy post-race me!  Photo by Beth!

Caught up with Beth, who was fine that she DNF'd, and Don, who was not.  Next year, Don!  Wound down and changed up for the ride home.  Saw Paul on my way out, who dropped out due to muscle cramps.  Tough day for Paul.  On the other hand, Paul's wife Carol Ann finished the race like a boss!!!  Faith and Joe also finished the race as well and loved it.

So there!  I'd like to say that everybody should get to experience a race like this.  It's not a course I can adequately describe, and any pictures do not truly do it justice.  Mile for mile, this is the toughest race I've ever done, hands down, a truly epic experience for me and I'll totally be back and striving for Wave #1 next year!  Hopefully with friends again, we had a great time.  If you do want to attempt this race, though?  Here's my two cents' worth: It's a relentlessly hilly, technical, brutal course, one which requires putting serious trail time in the books to even consider attempting.  Seriously.  But if you put in the time, train and get to run this race, it's awesome!!!

A big shout out to the race directors.  You guys put on a Hell of a race, and I'm 100% sold on being there next year.  Your volunteers were great, and the park rangers/officials were friendly and professional.  Thank you again!