The Pilgrim Congress

Let it be known that I am not an athlete, but this is an example of what it might look like if I was:

Scary, huh?  Well though I am not an athlete, I am a masochist, and in keeping with my desire for self inflicted pain I have taken up a little hobby called running. When the whips and chains just aren’t enough for you anymore, run! And if you like a little humiliation with your severe discomfort, enter a race and run in front of other people! That’s what I did, and man was it AWESOME.

So for all of you other masochists out there here are some upcoming races for you to enjoy. Comment with your own races, because really what the hell do I know?

Maine

• Back Bay Cove 5K Series, Portland, ME:  Can you say free?  Because I can and the sound of it is like unicorns playing in rainbows.
• MDI YMCA 10K and Fun Run, Bar Harbor, ME:  Good cause, and come on, perfect excuse to head up to Bar Harbor.
• Billy’s Chowder House 5K, Wells, ME: Just an  FYI for you, word on the street is that there is some sort of chowder bar for the runners.  Nothing says “RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN FOR 3 MILES” like a belly full of clams and their broth.  Mmmmmm.

Massachusetts

• Strawberry Shortcake 10K and Fun Run, Plympton, MA:  I hear there’s cake involved.  I’m sold.
• Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle, Somerville, MA:  I grew up on the Mystic and am therefore totally biased in including this race on my list for which there is no criteria to be included.  In the interest of full disclosure, that river is really fucking dirty.  Or at least it was when I was a kid.  Its where I caught my first communicable disease.  Oh, the memories!
• Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon, Newton, MA:  If you’re planning on running the Boston Marathon maybe you should try this first.  If it makes you cry like a lady then I think you need to train harder.

New Hampshire

• Will Run For Beer 5K, Newmarket, NH:  I’ve got nothing to add here.  I mean, awesome.
• Western NH Trail Running Series, Western NH:  A series of seven events for only $85, pretty sweet deal if you’re uber active and the what not.  Not to mention that Western NH is really gorgeous, highly underrated area of New England.  Oh, and you get free socks when you register.  Socks!
• Moose on the Loose 10 Mile Race and Relay, Nashua, NH:  I’m all about the relay.  Less pain for me, and I’m pretty sure there are batons involved.

Rhode Island

• Norman Bird Sanctuary 5K, Middletown, RI:  The course is supposed to be beautiful, but more importantly its for a good cause.  Come on people, think of the birds!
• Blessing of the Fleet 10 Mile Road Race, Narragansett, RI:  Who doesn’t love Narragansett?  And you’re blessing something or other with your glorious running and subsequent leg pain.  Amen.
• Red Rooster Ramble 5 Mile Road Race Series, Warren, RI:  First off, someone loves alliteration (or as I like to call it the lazy man’s naming device).  Secondly, these people seem pretty serious about running.  Everyone in this running club could totally kick my ass.  I hope no one tells them that I made fun of their name.

Vermont

• Run for Jesus,  Swanton Village, VT:  Okay, so this is only a one mile race, but its for JESUS.  I’m going just to see this big rock that God’s Vision Retreat is bragging about all over their website.  And there’s totally a t-shirt.  A t-shirt which I would totally wear with a deathly serious face as I explain to strangers that I run for Jesus.
• Capital City 10K Stampede, Montpelier, VT:  Having never stampeded myself, I’m intruiged.  And frightened.
• 100 on 100 Relay, Stowe, VT:  So, yeah, its exactly what it sounds like, 100 miles split between 6 people.  Want the cherry?  It totally starts at the von Trapp Family Lodge.  I voulnteer to be the first leg and I promise to sing “doe a deer, a female deer” the whole time as a gift to my fellow runners.  I only know that one line though.  Hopefully, that doesn’t irritate anyone.  Now I just need 5 more people…  Melissa?  Adam?  Bueller?

Connecticut

• The Iron Horse Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, Simsbury, CT:  3 events, one day, pick your poison.  And its called the Iron Horse, totally badass name.  Sponsored by Amica, which surprises me.  I feel like it should be called the Cautious Old Lady In A Crown Vic Half Marathon. 10K, and 5K.
• Red Dress Run For Women 5K, Hartford, CT:  It is totally acceptable to run this race in a red dress (seriously, check out the site), which means I will be there with something short and slutty on, running like my pimp is chasing me.
• Holcomb Farm Benefit 10K, West Granby, CT:  I hear there are 2 water stations and a great looking t-shirt.  Sold!

Note: I’ll be volunteering at the Harpoon 5 Miler for ALS in just a couple of weeks, so be on the lookout for a recap in the near future. Oh, and Internet? I signed up for a half marathon in October. You may want to clear your calendar in order to attend my funeral.