Abby Bennett on Racing The Cog & What’s Next

Abby Bennett is a Western Maine / Mount Washington Valley local who’s been tearing up the trails up in the Northwest. Last week Abby toed the line at Race The Cog to the top of the Mount Washington Railway. We connected with Abby to ask her about her experience at Race The Cog and what else she has coming up on her 2023 racing calendar!

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a runner and conservationist born, raised, and currently living in Western Maine! I’m currently working on my master’s thesis in ecology with a focus on conservation science. I’m passionate about rural community well-being (human, economic, and ecological) and how conservation can play a part in that. Trail running in the White Mountains, particularly the Northern Presidentials, is my favorite thing in the world. I’m so grateful that I get to live here and have access to this remarkably special place!

2) How and when did you get into running?

I really started running when I was a kid. I remember my dad training for marathons and inviting me out for short bits of his runs. When I was 9, I set a goal of running a mile per day for a year. I ended up only making it to a 270-day streak, but in retrospect, that’s pretty cool! I was a competitive kid, always challenging the boys to races at recess. I never ran competitively and hardly ran in high school and college, but in the years after I graduated university, I picked it up with intensity. My obsession has since continued to grow exponentially!

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3) When did you start trail running and Why?

I started trail running in 2019 when I felt trapped in a city and job where I didn’t belong. I felt like a phony living a life that wasn’t meant for me, and every day was exhausting. My job was intense and all-consuming, but when I returned to my shoe-box sized apartment in the evenings I watched Billy Yang films and became enchanted by the Queen of trail running Courtney Dauwalter. Inspired, I started running in the Fells north of Boston. When I left the city and returned home to Maine a few months later, I started exploring the White Mountain National Forest where I primarily run now.

4) You ran Race the Cog this past weekend… what made you choose to tackle this challenging mountain race?

I love uphill! The steeper the better. The art of propelling myself up thousands of feet across several miles is so mental and jarring; it puts my brain in a place nothing else can. I think Race the Cog probably features the steepest sustained climb on the East Coast of any official race.

5) How was your training coming into the race, and what were your goals or expectations coming in?

I live at the base of a ski mountain with backyard access to a large network of technical and steep trails. This past winter, I trained uphill primarily on backcountry skis which proved to be immensely helpful in improving my uphill endurance. Since the snow melted, I’ve put in typically 6,000 to 12,000 feet of trail vert per week, usually incorporating an uphill interval or threshold day. In the month leading up to the race, I focused several workouts on the ski slope access road, which coincidentally has the exact grade of the Cog VK! I also run a lot of road and do flat speedwork as well, as research has shown that it improves uphill speed.

My time goal, based on a workout on the ski slope, was approximately 55 minutes. I ended up running 57:49, which I was happy with but know there is a lot of room for improvement and I am very excited to come back next year for a PR.

6) Walk us through how your race unfolded at Race the Cog?

I showed up feeling a little feral and nervous as one does before a race, but quickly I ran into some of my best friends in the trail community. The energy was relaxed but excited – exactly the environment you want before a race. I got to talk to some of my idols in the sport as well, and they were so friendly. I love races that provide the opportunity to make new friends and build relationships through the event.

When the race started, we ran up the first wall of steepness. I was able to keep a running stride until maybe a half mile in, when I realized I might’ve gone out a little fast. I was awestruck watching the ladies in front of me continue running when I had to back off. I made a mental note to work on this for next year. The aid station at Waumbek was a very welcome sight, as I saw friends and other who cheered us on. The water was a relief as well, as the air was hot and humid. The next mile was a grind. One man and I stayed together for most of the race, encouraging each other as we went. The livestream aspect was so cool! Bryce stayed with my group for quite a while, so I tried to distract myself by chatting a little with him. I really enjoyed the Jacob’s Ladder section, full of steep goodness and rocks that made you think quickly about foot placement. The last half mile was flatter and I was able to get some running in. Before I knew it, the summit was there around the corner!

7) What are your thoughts, feelings, etc. coming out of Race the Cog?

This race is so unique and EPIC! The community, vibes, and brutalness of the course are all exactly why I do this sport. I felt that I pushed myself well on the day, but I hope to do much better next year. I would love to make this an annual race on my calendar.