The weekly update...

TRAIL RACE – NIPMUCK TRAIL MARATHON (ASHFORD, CT): Here’s a general description of this race from a trail runner I found off the web, " ...I have no desire to risk my life and health running with you lunatics. ‘Dear Friends, Warning: It is possible to get a serious injury in this race’.” So big congrats to Brenda “SoCal Bombshell” Smith for taking this on. And as she says “I happily didn’t finish last”. Sounds like just finishing is huge at this event.

RUNNING-VOLUNTEERING – DEVIL’S CHASE 6.66MI (SALEM, MA 10/29/11): The Comp runners may not have shown up, but the team Comp water stop volunteers were ready and on their game to deliver to over 1,400 runners with water and Gatorade and some good ‘ol fashion spookyness. Thanks Capt Jen “DiVinci” Linanne, Denise “TRX-girl” Murphy, Big Stu Greeley, Anne “Kneemodel” Noga, Mighty-John Young and Erin “Crash” Bennett in helping Capt P to make the Comp stop the tops on the Devil’s course. See attached for a pict of the Comp Spook Crew (the tongue belongs to Erin B).

CYCLOCROSS – CANTON CUP (CANTON, MA 10/29/11): Another big Comp day on the Cyclocross circuit as 7 roll up to the line in some big 100+ fields. Congrats to Admiral Bucketlist Bill Morse (23^rd) in leading comp in the maters 55+, Catherine “Cat” Quinn (22^nd) in leading Comp in the Women CAT3,4 race followed by Nancy “Wrapper-Happy” Hatfield (28^th), and big congrats to Iron-Jay Curry (25^th) leading Comp in the Mens CAT 4 race, followed by Dan Super-Cooper (55^th), Eric “Quiet Assassin” Whewell (60^th) and Capt Kurt “Ironmuppet Elmo” Maw (80^th). Great improvement by the boys from last year’s Canton Cup as Jay, Dan and Kurt moved up dozens of spots as the Orange continues to move closer to the front. See “Race Results” below for a full detailed race report and results from Capt Kurt filling in for the ESPN Ocho-X. For some Comp action photos, see attached

TRIATHLON – MIAMI 70.3 HALF IRONMAN (MIAMI, FL 10/30/11): Oh the warmth, sunshine and beautiful weather of Miami, NOT. As Ironmom Heather Mackesy and Kapt Kid Kosmo Dave Boyle woke to thunder and a deep water race start in the wind and rain (you sure you weren’t in New England?). Congrats to both in braving the conditions, patience with 25 waves of starters (that’s Huge!) and finishing and setting good race indicators for 2012 (that includes IM FL). And big congrats to Kosmo in shedding more bike demons, averaging 19.4 mph on a windswept course. See “Race Results” below for Kosmo’s full race write-up on this event and complete results.

TRAIL RACE – G.A.C. STONE CAT TRAIL MARATHON AND 50 MILER (IPSWICH, MA 11/5/11): Congrats to Sal “the Panama Shadow” Genovese in completing his first trail 50-miler in 10:38:25, good for 67^th of 150. That’s a long-ass day. Also congrats to the Comp 4 in completing the trail marathon, led by Iron-Jay Curry in 52^nd of 200, followed by Admiral Bucketlist Bill Morse in 105^th, Richie “Metallurgist” Lewis in 162st and Big-Stu Greeley in 166st. And kudos to Brenda “SoCal Bombshell” Smith in pacing/supporting a friend in the 50-miler for a marathon herself. This race put on by G.A.C. is known for its great food on the trail and post race schwag, and it didn’t disappoint as all finishers received a banquet on the trails and sweet zip pullover.

RUNNING – ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON (NY, NY 11/6/11): Big congrats to Comp finishers Warren “Flash” MacPhail and Brett “Pants-on-Fire” Richardson in at 4:00 and 4:23, respectively, at the ING NYC Marathon. A little fast Orange in the Big Apple. From the sounds of it, it was just as tough to prepare for the 4-hour wait at the start as it was to run for 4hours on the course. But a rewarding experience it is in the Big Apple and per recommendation of Flash, a must event for all marathoners. See “Race Results” below for a quick report from Flash, as he was just off his 3hour goal through 13.1 miles, but the long wait at the start came back to haunt the hamstrings in the second half.

RUNNING – MANCHESTER CITY MARATHON (MANCHESTER, NH 11/6/11): Another big congrats to our marathoners, as Cheryl “Rockstar” Alden claims another PR, shaving 9 minutes off last year’s time with a brilliant 3:43:10 (8^th in age) in Manchester City. If Boston was still open it would have been a BQ time for 2012, but for 2013 with the qual changes, its 3 minutes shy. But never fear, with the “Rockstar’s” consistant PR efforts, a 3:40 is in the bag for next year.

CYCLOCROSS – NORTHHAMPTON VERGE NECCS CYCLOCROSS (NORTHAMPTON, MA 11/5&6/11): Now this is Cross, race temps in the 20s, frozen ground changing to mud, sweet stuff. Congrats to Eric “Quite Assassin” Whewell in competing CAT4 both days in fields that topped out in the 130s, finishing 113 on day one after some mechanicals and an improvement to 58th on day 2. Also congrats to Catherine “Cat” Quinn and Greta “The Great” Wilson on day 2 in the Amateur Women’s race placing 67^th and 73^rd respectively, with smiles. Scott “Wooly” Wilson was also on hand for day 2, but if rumors are correct, was DQ’d (for a beer handout?). When was that illegal in Cross? Its bonus points at Ice Weasels! Hey, its cool in all the Belgium races! Take note, say no to the suds in a VERGE NECCS series event. See “Race Report” for another ESPN Ocho-X report from our Comp correspondent on this 2-day event.