Run for the Toad 25k, Trail Race Report!

On Saturday, October 4, 2014 I had the pleasure to run the Run for the Toad 25k trail race in Paris, Ontario. This race went on my radar immediately following the amazing day I had at Sulphur and I was lucky enough that both Emma and Sam were game to pay the steep $100 race fee and run this one after they had done the 50k relay the year prior. Joining in was also Kim, who also was part of the relay team in 2013.

Me, Sam, Kim, Emma

It was cold to start, but all of the girls ditched their coats anyway. I left on my long sleeved shirt even with my tank under. I was okay for the most part, but knew that I'd pass by my truck at 9k, so I could dump it if I wanted to.

The race started after the kids went out for their 1k and the 50k championship started. We were treated to the same cannon boom to start and the pipers played us out. What an awesome way to start! I got a bit teary because that's what happens when I hear bagpipes and then I concentrated on making my way onto the trail without falling. Right away, we were a bit crowded, but I knew things would spread out before long. I realized that I was a bit ahead of the girls and Sam was with me. More than once, we had to slow down which was smart. 25k is a long run and I hadn't run more than 21k since Midsummer.

I had a hard time with the early racing here. We were taking it easy, running when we wanted too, walking where we needed to. The start stop was really messing with me and it took probably about 10k before I was really able to settle in. I knew that we were in for a double loop, so I was looking forward to getting through the start finish again and counting down.

We were ready to tackle skeleton hill though.

At 9k, I made the decision to dump my long sleeved, but I likely could have continued with it and I would have been okay in terms of heat. It was a strange day, warm but with cold wind gusts. I make my decision though and stripped down just in time for the photographer. At least the Zoom photo guys got a show as I stripped down. I've never run in this tank and I don't know that I will again. It matches that skirt perfectly, but its, um... a bit booby...

As we were coming up to the end of the first loop, we saw a set of paramedics in their little tent. "Hope you have an uneventful day!" I called as we ran past them, then we were directed back into the campground roads and I heard Sam say, "Oh! What a cute puppy." before I caught my foot on something and before I knew it I was sliding along the trail... on my hip, knee, and shoulder.

Quickly (as possible), I got up and shook myself off. The girls were concerned, with Sam giving me her lulu arm warmers to wipe myself off with and Emma and Kim worrying about the blood that was trickling from various parts of my body. In the end though, there was nothing to do but keep running. I felt fine, thank goodness, no wonky ankle or knee so I decided to keep on keeping on and hit up a medical tent at the start finish.

I did that while the girls continued on. The paramedics treating me were kind and funny. They kept telling me that they were just doing a patch job so as not to slow down my race and that I should head to the big med tent by the food tent after the race.

After my patch up (they didn't even look at my shoulder), I headed out to find the girls. I had a moment of panic where I couldn't see them at all, but thankfully Sam was wearing bright pink and I spotter her ahead. I likely ran my fastest paces for the second half of the race in this part to catch the girls. The second half of the race seemed faster, but was WAY more difficult. By about 16k, my shoulder, elbow, and knee let me know that I had taken a tumble and while the trails were not that technical, I was still struggling with the start/stop aspect that is normal with trail racing.

Despite a really bad cold, Kim was ahead of us by then and all she wanted to do was to finish the race. I hear ya, Kim! She would get ahead while we walked some (not-too-difficult-incline-that-we'd-totally-run-on-roads) and then we'd catch her again as our pace was faster overall. I tried to keep running more myself and kept anticipating the huge hill called skeleton hill because that would mean that the race would be over. When we got there, Emma went ahead to capture the moment and I let her know what I thought of this hill (and the dude at the top laughing).

Yes, I'm flipping her the bird. Times two.
Photo Credit: Emma

 And before we know it (its always that way, right?), we are coming through the end and I'm actually able to PB on the time compared to Sulphur, by 50s! WooHoo!

I was the last to finish. We all went to get our medals and some water (which I really needed along with food). We were all concerned about Kim, but she just wanted to get warm and get food. I couldn't disagree with that. I wanted to get checked out by medical, so the five of us (Kim's husband ran the 25k as well), went into the tent and I got cleaned up. It took a bit longer than we anticipated so the girls went back to the truck to get their warm clothes and mine and once I was ready to leave, we went off to find our amazing lunch of chicken breast, salads, Tim Horton's coffee and cookies and pie (if you're into that mushy-fruit vileness). We all agreed it was a great day even with Kim's cold and my wipe out. There is something so fun about running through the forest with absolutely zero pressure at all.

Not sure I'll be back next year, but I can pretty much be talked into anything if my fave running peeps are part of it, so never say never.

Next up: I'm pacing the 1:55 continuous group at the Niagara Falls International Half Marathon on October 26th. I've been dedicated to practicing my pacer pace of 5:27/km (8:46/mi) and am hoping to nail this one and go 3 for 3 on the 2014 pacing gigs.

Hope you're enjoying your fall!

A Midsummer Night's Run 30k Race Report (Pacer!)

On Saturday, August 16, 2014, I returned to run my third 30k race at the Midsummer Night's Run. It was also my second year pacing. Once again, I had the 3hr, continuous sign.

The weather for the day of the race was not nice. It was cold and threatening rain. I was so unsure what would happen, that I ended up packing a few different options for a top (there was no way that I wasn't going to wear my tutu!). My DailyMile friend, James picked me up at 2pm and we traveled downtown to the Canada Post outlet to park and get the buses to McLeary Park. Once we got there, the skies opened up and we took shelter under a tree (I also had a rain poncho). I ate my bagel and peanut butter and James grumbled about how early we were. Before we knew it, it was time to get my pacer sign, change into race clothing (I decided on the same outfit as last year - a tank, but added arm sleeves and calf sleeves) and chat with friends including my Running Room Marathon leader, Chris (who was pacing, but NOT in a tutu!), fellow pacer Mike, the pace fairy organizer, Dave and Kenny. I said my goodbyes to everyone and lined up. Just about three minutes from the start, the wind kicked up and the rain fell hard again. A general groan went through the crowd.

KM 1-10: We've got a big group

The 10/1 pacer and myself started together with a very big group. One thing about pacing three hours in a 30k run is that it is a milestone that many people will be going for. Its really nice to have those round numbers. We started out and by some miracle the rain completely stopped, never to fall again. We head out and before long, we are looping back around, seeing other runners and pace groups. Everyone is looking strong and I'm calling out to the other pacers I know and yucking it up with my group, "I'm no physic, but I think we'll be turning soon!" We are heading along Cherry Street and there is a lot of traffic so I'm saying "HI!" to all the people in cars with open windows. I'm having a great time, but am going a bit too quickly. I try to settle down because there is a long way to go. By 3k, we are into the Martin Goodman Trail and I'm pushing my arm sleeves down, so happy that I decided to go with the tank top. "Good thing it rained just enough to bring out the humidity!" My group agreed that it was humid, but there was nothing we could do but keep heading on. I did feel sorry for those who decided on long sleeves (or COATS!!!) and saw more than one person stop to strip off clothing. My fellow 3hr pacer, Nuno was wearing last year's long sleeved shirt and I don't know how he didn't melt. This first 10k felt really good. Easy and effortless despite the humidity and diverse landscape out toward the light house. Its always nice to run along the lake and I made sure that my group looked out to see the view of the CN Tower from the east. Nuno and I are pacing really well and we pick up some more people in this stretch.

 5:47-5:34-5:56-5:55-5:57-5:51-5:57-5:59-6:04-6:04 (GU). Time: 59:05.

Okay, 55 seconds in the bank. I'm not worried at this point because the course is always marked weird and after last year, I'd rather have time with 5k to go and not the other way.

KM 11-20: Just get me to halfway

Our group keeps hanging on through the tricky footing that leads us out to the lighthouse and then into Tommy Thompson Park. I am sad that there was no photographer here this year because in my first Midsummer, I got an awesome photo with the CN Tower in the background. Around 13k or so, I notice that the group is SUPER, SUPER quiet and I realize that everyone (me included) is just thinking about getting to that halfway mark.I'm also thirsty, but not desperate yet. I'm making sure that I drink at all the stations, but after taking Gatorade at the second station, I don't bother again because it was so strong. Once we get to the 15k mark, I announce it to the group, ".... and..... half-WAY!" and you could feel the relief. It was rather palatable for sure. We had some serious people and they obviously were trying to accomplish some major goals. We still have about 54 seconds in the bank at 15k, so I know we can take some more time at water stations and such. This is welcome for me and I begin to dump water down my back and drink two cups at each station. Its around this time that someone joins us and tells me, "You're too fast! You shouldn't be ahead of the run/walk pacer!!!" I try to explain that we play tag back and forth and finish at the same time, but that runner didn't get it. I know its hard to think sometimes when you're running hard so I leave it. I know I'm fine. Nuno and I are playing tag perfectly, exchanging splits, confirming that we are a bit ahead, but nothing out of the ordinary. The next time he passes, he christens us the "Tortoise" group to his "Hare" group. Its a nice bit of levity as we head into Ashbridges's Bay Park.

We didn't get a photo where we both looked good. HA.

5:58-5:56-6:05-6:03-5:59-6:01-6:04-5:58-6:11 (GU)-5:56. Split: 1:00:11, Time: 1:59:16

KM 21-30: I'm going to need medical!

We get to the half marathon split at 2:05:20 which is not bad. 40 seconds in the bank which I'm proud of. I know that the signs will likely get a little wonky and I just have to trust my watch. I've been pacing pretty well up until this point and I know that I can run another 10k in an hour. Except things start to feel REALLY BAD. It happens all of a sudden and I can't even really think. I know that we still have the group with us, Nuno is still pacing me on regular intervals and I'm not slowing down, but I just feel ... like shit. I'm getting a little light headed and think maybe I should walk, but I force myself to the next water station. I force myself to say thank you to volunteers and keep my head in the game. Basically, I decide that I'm not going to lose the plot. I'm going to force myself through the next 7km and I can collapse at the end and hit the med-tent. Thoughts are all a jumble and things are hazy (figuratively and literally as its getting darker), but looking at my splits I did fine. So odd. I always find that 22-28k in a 30k race is tough and this day was no exception. Of course around 28k this feeling fades as I see the end is near and I know that I am going to nail the pacer pace. by the time I'm back on Commissioners, I'm looking for that 29k sign and I see it hiding near a bus shelter. I head off the road and hit it and then I have to control my pace to the end. Nuno falls in with me and we start to yell at our group to finish strong. All of the bad feelings from the last few KMs are gone and it is time for Nuno and I to finish this thing as well.

And once again, I'm ecstatic with the end, especially when I know that I've hit the pacer time as perfectly as I possibly could. 

I had to repeat!

5:55-5:58-5:56-5:59-5:56-5:55-5:59-6:01-5:55-5:58-0:36. Split: 1:00:08, Time: 2:59:24

Once again, I had a fantastic time pacing this race (despite my few KMs of difficulty!). The real reward was after the race when Nuno and I walked through the finishing chute to get our medals etc and so many people came up to us to shake our hand and thank us for a great race paced. It was great to be part of someone else's special day and help them meet their goals. Pacing will never get old.

Oh hey, that running update....

Right! I said I'd be back with a running update.

Um, better late than never?

(everything lately is crazy busy... work, kids, life... I'm also doing workouts 5-6x a week, so ya. Its busy).

Anyway, I decided that there will be no PB attempt this fall.

At times I'm okay with that as the larger goal is to qualify for Boston next May at the Ottawa Marathon. Then, I see my friends getting faster and foresee their awesome PBs during fall races and I get sad.

The reality is that my foot is still not 100% and I'm only running 3x a week. I've lost my speed and have even lost the desire to train for speed (though guilt gets to me and about every week and a half I put in a solid speed session!)

4k at BQ pace

Now, the goal for the Oakville Half Marathon is to either pace Emma to a sub 1:50 PB or to just run one myself (basically, run a pure BQ paced half). Depending on weather, my sub 1:45:56 will have to come during Chilly next March.

I've still put in some solid and tough long distance runs though, included a post work Midsummer Night's Run test which didn't result in pacer pace, but did show me that I need more sleep and better food before attempting to go that long that late in the day.

I hit Bell School Line with Jamie finally and that was also a very tough run due to the elevation, but also because my nutrition was not on point. The views were lovely though.

Even Jamie's ass kicking mine up that hill

It hasn't been all bad though. Last Saturday, I hit 10k alone and 14k with Bridgett and managed pacer pace, no boinking and on point fueling. I hope the same happens tonight because A Midsummer's Night Run happens in six hours and I want to redeem myself from last year, pace a perfect race and have fun along the way (despite the likely rain).

The outfit remains the same.

I may have to include arm sleeves as its cold.
I also have yellow calf sleeves now

Goal is simple: Run the 30k in 2:59:XX. Make people laugh. Enjoy the privilege of pacing another race.

See you on the flip side.