I’d run my own first-ever marathon that spring, but this one sounded tougher, wilder, and a much more exclusive experience. There were several thousand runners in my first marathon. Nipmuck usually tops off around 150.

I would have liked to have done Nipmuck then, but it was too soon, or too late, depending how you sight it. I’ve been hearing about the race ever since. I hear that the race director won’t let you run unless you have completed qualifying races. I hear it consists of two different out-and-back sections. I hear the second is both longer and far tougher than the first, and includes a mile-long hill that’s the only paved section on the course. I hear it’s often brutally hot.

I wanted it bad.

I was woefully disappointed that my injury (and the stern advice of my physical therapist) put racing out of the question for a while. I asked Dave if he needed any help, thinking I could find an excuse to at least loaf around the race, but he e-mailed that he was all set, thanks.

So Michelle headed down alone, for a third year in a row, to run what will always be, to me, her race. Here’s her take on it:

Nipmuck has a special place in my heart because I first ran the marathon as a way to help my students heal from the loss of a teacher. It was the first marathon I had ever run, and still my absolute favorite.

Miss Troy went home sick from school one day in March 2005 and never came back. She died two months later.  I had a difficult time with Mary's death, but my focus was on helping the students deal with their sadness.  I don't know where I came up with the idea, but I suggested that if they sponsored me a quarter for every mile I run, I would try to run a marathon.  I thought we could give the money we raised to the Shade foundation in Miss Troy's name.  Mary had died of melanoma.  The kids were so excited to help other people fighting that form of cancer.

I had to find a marathon!  A friend of mine was a big trail runner. He had mentioned he was going to run a race called Nipmuck, but said he thought it was too late for me to sign up, and I did not have any experience to be running this race.  I emailed the race director Dave, and explained the situation.  He was amazing.  Dave was supportive, and said ‘Absolutely, come join us!’

I truly believe the world would be a far better place with more Daves in it : )

I told the kids about Nipmuck and sent a Newsflash via my webpage to the parents.  The very next day the most amazing thing happened.  The families of my students started to email me, and instead of sponsoring a quarter a mile they were sponsoring me 5, 10 and 20 dollars per mile!

I was terrified at the starting line, but wearing my homemade t-shirt with the words "In memory of Miss Troy" and over 60 students’ signatures, I knew that I would finish the race.  Seven hours later, I did.  My students and their families raised $5,000 for the Shade foundation.

I run as many races as I can now. For the past three years, I have scheduled my weekends around trail races.  I will never be a big finisher – in fact I am usually closer to the back of the pack than the front – but every time I race I think of Mary. I have to thank her for this wonderful gift.  With every race number that I put in a special box on my book case I celebrate Mary Troy.   

So I guess for me Nipmuck is more than just a race.

- Michelle R.

Michelle’s account of her third Nipmuck race sounded all too familiar to me. She ran a fantastic 20 mile race, hitting that nice round mark a little over four and a half hours. That’s very good time, for the trails. She thought she would be able to complete the race under 5 and a half hours this year. Then her knee declared mutiny, and she was reduced to a brisk hobble, cursing her throbbing ligaments on each cruel foot fall.  She told me that the runners who passed her always had an encouraging word to say.

The good news was that she’d finished with a better time than the previous years. The bad news was that she felt she could have done, and nearly did, much better. Running’s often like that, I’m learning. I sure wish I’d been there to share it, and I was happy to hear that Michelle felt the same. Maybe next year, if we’re very lucky.