Not That Goofy Challenge 2014

Picking up bibs for the Jolly Jaunt on a cold but comfortable 
morning in Boston

As if racing wasn't difficult enough, a number of runners are addicted to bigger challenges. There's the popular Goofy Challenge (running the Walt Disney Half Marathon and Marathon back-to-back) and the New Years Double (back-to-back Half or Full Marathons). Then there are the extremists in the Half Marathon Fanatics or Marathon Maniacs inventing their own crazy race combinations. I've seen some of the latter do the Hartford and Newport Marathons back-to-back, and have always viewed these folks with some fascination. Head on over to the San Francisco Marathon page to learn about some other interesting opportunities.

Heading toward the Jolly Jaunt finish.
Photo Credit SOMA

I have yet to feel compelled to to take on one of these marathon challenges, in part because my approach to racing is not particularly conducive to success (or survival). Getting through the first race would be no problem, but finishing within the time limit for the 2nd might be an issue since crawling 26.2 miles takes a long time. After my 6 marathons, it took anywhere from 3 days to a week to feel somewhat comfortable running. In the worst case, I couldn't even walk properly for 6 days. I assume one must adopt a different racing strategy to complete one of these challenges - one that probably involves taking it easy during the first race. Despite always knowing I have a 0% chance of winning, "taking it easy" doesn't seem to be in my arsenal when the starting gun goes off. I fail miserably when attempting to use a races as replacements for training runs, so I don't even register for events anymore unless I'm racing.

By serendipity, I created a challenge for mere mortals like me 2 years ago. I've now dubbed it the "Not That Goofy Challenge" because running 5Ks back-to-back does not require anywhere near the amount of suffering that any of the aforementioned feats do. The Boston Jolly Jaunt, which raises money for Special Olympics Massachusetts, and the Blue Back Mitten Run, which benefits West Hartford's The Town That Cares fund, occur on the first Saturday and Sunday of December respectively. In 2011, some WPI students organized a Jolly Jaunt team and some of my friends wanted to do the Mitten Run. Confronting such a Sophie's Choice, I opted to do both. Since then, the back-to-back 5Ks are my final races of the year as well as a chance to assess my fitness after the summer/fall racing season.

The conditions at this year's Jaunt was by far the best of the 3 I've run. Although it rained/snowed overnight, the course was dry and temperatures were in the upper 30s. Last year's race took place in a cold drizzle, and it was bitterly cold in 2011. The course is fast, flat, and finishes next to Boston Common. The highlight of the race was being passed by a 16 year old girl, who won the women's division, right on the finish line.

It's like Christmas exploded on these four runners.

It was a much colder morning for the Mitten Run (20s), and we were joined by several friends. Both the Jaunt and the Mitten Run have the requisite number of people wearing holiday-themed costumes. It goes without saying that my outfit, complete with a 30+ year-old Cleveland Browns ski hat, was easily the most festive at either races. I am still waiting for my costume prize. Part of the "Not That Goofy Challenge" is seeing how fast you can finish the races. In 2011, I finished in 20:38 and 20:51 (Jolly Jaunt/Mitten Run). In 2012, 19:56 and 19:46. This year, 19:32 and 19:29. I placed 36th at the Jaunt in 2011, 23rd in 2012 and 10th this year. With that kind of progression, I fully expect to win the race easily next year (as long as no one runs any faster).

Thanks for the photobomb Guy Who's Not Running.

The Mitten Run course is significantly harder than  the Jolly Jaunt's, having about a mile of uphill grind in the first half of the race. Despite that, I've managed to run faster on Sunday for 2 years in a row. I can only attribute this to the larger field with more people to chase at the Mitten Run. Either that, or I should be running 5Ks every day until I break the world record. I narrowly edged out the top woman woman on day 2. While congratulating her at the finish, she expressed gratitude for having a pace runner. Helping a fellow runner, even if not by design, seems like a fitting finish to 2013.