Nipmuck…NIP####; black oozing mud, lots of it; single track trail that stretched the definition, rocks, boulders and more rocks and boulders; RELENTLESS undulating hills, that some flatlanders might describe as mountainous; saw deer, cows, horses, squirrel, beaver, rabbit, snake, gargantuan flying insects of all type, ticks, ducks, goose, assorted birds, alas no moose or sasquatch, although the environs suited other than human habitation.

Sounds like a bunch of fun, huh? Actually it was. The 19th Nipmuck Trail Marathon included about 150 dedicated, determined, generally foolish diehard trail nuts. The race organizer, Dave Raczkowski, set the tone with a 10 minute recorded explanation and warning of the course's treacherous twists, hazards and pitfalls. Dave then proceeded to dutifully remind everyone that they were shirking their religious obligations, and commenced to substitute his own slightly irreverent praise to the nature gods, with appropriate thanks, but added a good GODDAMMIT, just to be not too prim. Someday someone will have to explain to me why it takes the type who is not really deranged, but to an outsider might be viewed as such, to be a Director for a trail event.

The course was hard and fairly hilly, but scenery and pristine woods more than counterbalanced forging fields of muck, creeks and a few small rock climbs. The course consists of two out-and-backs in different directions, from a central start and finish. The first half is a bit more forgiving than the second which prior participants described as tough and technical; to me that turned out to mean more rocks, and hills.

I completed the first half (actually a bit shorter than half) at a reasonable time for me--around 2:15ish, after having slowed down from a too-fast 10 min beginning pace, when I realized at the mile 6 turnaround I was only bit behind the lead runners. I felt great at this point, maybe more due to fact that the temperature started at mid 60's and had only progressed to lower 70's on its ultimate climb well into 80's by the time I finished, plus I was loading myself with a mix of Gatorade & water from my backpack, some goodies at stops, and by now one caffienated gel. Volunteers were super, and although I only passed a few quick words to other runners, brief talk, occasionally conversation to those I hitched up with was informative.

My first big mistake came right before mile 14 while I was steaming down a steep and rocky section trying to stay with a group I had been with since about mile 6, by going faster on the downhills. An unfriendly geologic specimen nipped my ankle and put me down flat. By this time I should have realized, my feet were not always being placed where my mind intended them, and downhills should be at jog-type pace, not bounding; so I got up, mind more bruised than body, and walked it off for ½ mile or so. The rest of the "technical" second half was actually more enjoyable, after my face plant experience, either because my brain or body was on half empty, or slowing down a bit allowed my mind to wander more and really take in the surroundings. In any case I finished, still running at about a 13 min pace, near 6 hours.

Throughout the race I took in LOTS of water, took advantage of every one of about 6 stops for at least 15 - 30 second break and minor nourishment, since I've had many negative hot weather race experiences that I did not want to repeat. I felt not too bad at end, all things considered, and still spry enough to walk around a bit, chat and enjoy post race with the small eclectic group sticking around. I even sold a couple on the FAT ASS 50, after correcting their misconception that Delaware can't have " real trail." I drove the 5-6 hours home, carrying a nifty Nipmuck memento of a small sawn tree trunk with blue blaze and course marker, of the type we used to chart our way on the run.