LEG 019 - Apr 15, 2022
Leg 039 -- Nov 13, 2022
Wilmot to New London
Distance: 5.78 Time: 1:04:09
A wet rainy challenging run. The distance wasn't too far, but the last half of the run was a real grind. I was yet again humbled at how hard it is to run a decent pace up some of these hills - especially the ones that don't want to end!!
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The run started off with a quick steep rise up to Bunker Hill cemetery. Scenic view of the hills in the distance as running around the corner of the cemetery and then onto Wilmot Center Road. The next two miles were enjoyable as the it was relatively flat and led to the small unincorporated hamlet of Elkins with it's frontage of Pleasant Lake. So yes, the first half of the run was "Pleasant" indeed, despite the drizzling rain.
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There's a bit of history to Elkins ... easiest to read via the Wikipedia post .... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elkins,_New_Hampshire ... that talks about the scythe works and small community that built up around it. The post office is right on the water in the very quaint cove. I shot a quick video as I ran through.
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Once past the lake the rain picked up and the category 4 hill began ... and continued all the way until to Colby Sawyer College - which only left 1/4 mile to the finish. This one took more out of me than I had expected. I've learned to never underestimate the difficulty and not get caught up in my overall time, but rather enjoy each run for what it is.
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This one was scenic and I enjoyed looking at the scenery the first half. The second half, until entering New London proper I spent most of the time looking at the pavement and my feet.
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All good - was very happy to have gotten it done and conquered the first full leg in Merrimack. Next up New London to Newbury. I have two courses I'm trying to decide between. The main road (103B) 8 1/2 mile route, or the backroad 13.1 half marathon. Hoping to run it with Haley while she's home for Thanksgiving and figure will wait until then to decide the best option - most direct or the road less traveled.
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Scroll down the page for an announcement from Mascot Mac !!
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Hi RUNNH234 followers .... Mascot Mac here with an exciting announcement. I wanted to bring some added spice to the run postings as a way to encourage people to get out there and try out some of the runs themselves in Merrimack County.
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Starting with Leg 39 I am working with Dave to put a special RUNNH234 golf ball out on the course with a hint on where you can find it if you go looking. Anyone that finds the golf balls - take your picture and send it to dpmgranite@gmail.com and we'll post it up on the site. There may be special gifts (to be worked out) sent to people that show they ran the leg and found the golf balls.
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I'll include a hit with each leg write up with where to look .... and as a special bonus the golfballs include clues to a puzzle that will be revealed at the end of the county.
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So here we go .... first off, the picture below shows the golf ball in it's current resting place, as it was left, to help you with visual search. And here's your written clue:
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Halfway on leg 39 a park with a sign
Where deliveries are made
and the shoreline is fine
is a playground you must pass through
... and wedged between rock and pine
is the golfball waiting for you to find
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If you do opt to look you will find that the area is quite Pleasant!
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Good luck!
Mascot Mac