Event #3
Water theme: the Yeti race!

The Yeti race was started about 11 years ago-probably by some crazy yahoo who wanted to run with mukluks on, or something of the sort. It has become a popular event for the fiercely competitive and a few folks ready to tackle something new and a bit foolish. Sound like someone you know? The event is divided into the Sport-5 km and the Enduro 10km.

This challenge was provided by Mandy-a runner-say no more. Thanks Mandy! I don't run; I've never been in an organised event like this so why not give it a go? Simon joined me in this endeavour.

Mount Washington has gotten quite a bit of new snow in the past few weeks, and on Saturday the 28th of January it was minus 8 Celsius and blowing; but the 120 competitors were all ready for it. Even the Yeti man was in good spirits.

We chose a strategic spot to start the race-at the back of the pack- and ran for about 2 minutes out of the gates. We kept up with the non-runner's pack for most of the way. The terrain was hilly from the start. About half way, we met THE HILL. It was not too steep but it seemed to never end! Simon and I were behind a girl dressed as Elvis for the long hill. Simon passed her half way and I tried to follow but my legs felt like lead and I was sucked back behind the Elvis girl and stayed there for the rest of the race.

The track was just wide enough for our snow shoes and in some spots it was knee deep. I tried to jog on the flat spots but could not manage more than a few minutes at a time. The real athletes lapped us-twice! OK so they were very slender, obviously fit, wore runners (no socks) and very small snow shoes. Simon and I were dressed for an outback trek with our heavy boots, day packs. I even had my full first aid kit and extra clothes in my pack. Note to self, if we ever do this again-rent small snow shoes and don't Carry extra gear. It's only 5km!

 So winning time for the 10km was 38 minutes. Simon came in the top 100 (he was 99) at 61 minutes for the 5km. I was 109th with 64 minutes. I think I left part of a lung there on the track...