The NEK Resilience Run
Pam was the epitome of resilience on Saturday’s run, toughing it out to complete the marathon with grit and grace after the “wheels came off” at mile 24. Photo by Pascal Cheng.
From Running Director Heidi Caldwell
This past Saturday we put together a low key, unofficial marathon for a group of athletes in our virtual running program. With marathons still being cancelled or postponed, many of these runners were left without a race to work towards this Winter and Spring. After months of training progress, another season without races was a frustrating prospect. And so they asked, “Why don’t we just make it happen together?” A few weeks of collective brainstorming and scheming later, the NEK Resilience Run was born.
As our group is spread across the country, we put together both Craftsbury-based and virtual events, complete with full, half, and marathon relay options. We had relay runners virtually “tagging off” from Maine to Brooklyn to Texas and back via text or FaceTime. Here in Craftsbury, with all participants vaccinated, we were psyched to be able to gather in person after a year spent coaching and chatting over Zoom. We wondered if it might be strange to meet people we’d spent hours talking to - and being open and vulnerable with - through a screen. But somehow it wasn’t, and we quickly fell into a familiar rhythm of pre-run prep and chatter.
Runners and supporters gathered before the start of the run at the top of Hosmer Point Camp.
The Craftsbury course served up a whopping 2,400 feet of elevation gain, all dirt roads, and scenic vista after scenic vista. The run set off from the top of Holiday Hill at Hosmer Point Camp at 7:04am, with six full marathoners and three first-leg relay runners. The route then ran South on Lost Nation Road, past the Center and the groggy cheers from folks milling about campus. From there, the runners descended down to Craftsbury Village before turning North for a long, steady climb through South Albany, by Hartwell Pond, and into Glover. Reaching the halfway mark on Andersonville Road, the first-leg relay runners tagged off the second leggers and sent them off towards Daniels Pond. From Daniels Pond the runners made the long descent down Mud Island Road and Allen Hill to return to Seaver Brook Road, this time running up Seaver Brook’s long steep climb at the 21 mile mark. Back on Creek Road, runners covered the final five miles by running our camp classic ‘Ridge Run’ route in reverse. A series of toilet paper finish lines and hearty cheering awaited each runner back at the Center.
The NEK Resilience Run was a beautiful way to celebrate every runner in our virtual Craftsbury Running community. It takes grit and commitment to stay motivated and to train through months of uncertainty. These runners managed to not only grow as individuals, but to also build a community. The Resilience Run was a way to honor that intentionality; the energy each person put into finding the community and the accountability we were all suddenly missing when COVID hit. What began as a program meant to fill the void left by cancelled summer camps quickly grew into much more. This foray into the virtual world brought a lot of unknowns, mainly: Can we really form meaningful connections and find inspiration over Zoom? The NEK Resilience Run showed that, yes, we can.
Kimberly breaking the TP tape at the half marathon exchange point. Our fearless sparkle leader, Kimberly showed up armed with body glitter and temporary tattoos for everyone. On course she brought her infectious energy and tenacious spirit to her hilly half marathon leg, closing in a hard, fast mile. She then joined the support squad, making sure her fellow runners had the mojo they needed to get to the finish line.
Natalie and Michelle full of smiles out on course. Partners to a duo of brothers, these women are bonded through marriage and through running. Their effusive positivity shone through all 26.2 miles (yes every single mile). To make it all the more impressive, this was Michelle’s first ever marathon! Kudos where kudos are due - Natalie was the first person to make the push for this marathon to happen, and Michelle came up with the name, “NEK Resilience Run”.
Pascal and Pam soaking up the humidity and good company on course on Creek Road, headed North. Finally meeting in person after a year of online friendship, this pair tackled the full marathon together with strength and unflappable determination. Pam and Pascal were assigned as “accountability buddies” in the July virtual camp, and have been there for each other through the good days and the tough days ever since.
Alanna crossing the TP finishing tape just ahead of Jeff. That “superhero couple” who are always stoked for an adventure, these two cruised through the full marathon (plus some) at a consistent clip, slowing only to zig-zag down the steeper downhills to spare their knees some pounding. Alanna was celebrating her 28th birthday with 28 miles, an annual tradition she and Jeff have enjoyed together for the last couple of years.
Ron on Andersonville Road getting hyped to start the second half marathon leg. The stealth energizer bunny, Ron’s laid back demeanor didn’t dampen his killer speed and race day hype. After being tagged off by relay partner (and accountability buddy!) Kimberly, Ron put in a blazing half marathon relay leg in a time of 1:37, and was first to break the TP finishing tape at the Center.
Sarah showing some sass and spunk after her successful first leg of the relay. Psyched for her longest run since an injury sidelined her from marathon training this winter, Sarah took on the first quarter marathon leg with a calm coolness and fierce body art. This winter Sarah was the person who lit the spark that started it all by asking, “My marathon is cancelled again, what should I do now?”
Amy soaking up the day after a speedy (and hilly!) relay leg. Hype woman extraordinaire, Amy split the first half marathon leg with Sarah to run the quarter marathon distance before spending the rest of the day in the van supporting her fellow runners.
Charlie breaking the TP finish line tape to complete his half marathon relay leg. No stranger to long climbs, Charlie ran steady and unfazed as the first leg of his relay team. Yes, that was the hillier half, and yes, he wanted even more hills!
Colleen enjoying the views and dandelions on Andersonville Road before setting out on the second half marathon relay leg. The intrepid independent, Colleen’s spunk and running vest carried her through her half marathon relay leg - no van or first aid assistance needed. And this was just two weeks after she crushed her first ever 50k trail race!
Jen showing off her sweet Subaru support vehicle. The aid station angel who woke up early and dedicated her Saturday morning to cheering on her fellow runners and accountability buddies! Jen’s aid station at mile 16 was a very welcome respite from the grind, complete with Natalie’s homemade maple electrolyte drink mix.
Participant medals for all, made by a few of our resident GRP athletes.
Happy finishers at the end of the NEK Resilience Run. Time for Hosmer swims, good food, and campfire revelry!