Swim Run Bike
Distances n/a 10 km n/a
Finish Time n/a 1:05:50 (or so) n/a
Other info n/a Max HR – 178, avg – 150ish n/a
Race Preparation Followed training program. Did take an extra day rest as I wasn’t feeling all that well (fatigue from work, I think, plus a lot of sick people at work).
Tried a new restaurant, House of Kabob, the night before. Wasn’t a great idea as it turned out. Had a decent sleep and all seemed well. I forgot to pick up my race package though and got a mild panic attack.
Race Day Pre-race:
I got up at 7:30 and felt a bit off. Didn’t feel like eating so I had a powerbar and some water. Then I had to go the bathroom for a while. Took some pepto bismal and hoped for the best.
I got to Eau Claire at 8:40 and picked up my race pack. Parking was good at that time. Found Kelly and Mitch, then Pam, Leane and her husband (not running) a little after 9 and we waited inside. I grabbed a coffee and muffin as my stomach seemed to be holding up. We generally agreed that we would “take it easy” for the run.
A lot of people dressed up for the run: some avatar people, a group of “where’s waldos”, the Count from sesame street, numerous superheroes, one glucose test equipment (yes, really), fairies, etc. Steve Wood found us, but he wasn’t dressed as one of the Incredibles as was rumored.
Race
The race start was a bit muddled as few could hear the announcer. The 3km people started first, then the 5 and 10 km people went for the next start time. Since this wasn’t a chip event, they probably didn’t worry about it.
We tried to run as together at the start but there was too many people to stay close. Steve was off to the races (eventual third place finish) and the rest of us were fairly close. I think we were on pace for about 1:10 or so.
My friend Chloe ran by me at the end of Prince’s Island and we started to chat. I didn’t realize she was running as she was leading the pre-race stretch. She didn’t think she was running, but the organizers told her she could run if she wanted to. So she ran.
Her 5 km pace was about 25min but she slowed down to chat. I was feeling pretty good, so I picked up my pace to not slow Chloe down too much and we got ahead of the gang. I was able to keep a conversation going so I wasn’t pushing too hard either. I thought we were about a 60 min pace, until Chloe went to pass a lady on the outside of the path and rolled her ankle badly on the edge of the path. This was at about 2km. I helped her to the bench and she rested. She said she would hobble back to Eau Claire as her ankle was swelling quite a bit.
I told her to take it easy, said see back at Eau Claire, and kept going. While we were at the bench, the gang had passed us. I could see them in the distance, so I picked up my pace to catch up. I caught up to them a little after the 4 km marker. I think I spent a fair bit of energy trying to catch up to them and I could feel it. I was able to keep up with them from there on. I didn’t realize until after the race that they were on a 9 run + 1 walk pace so I just thought they were resting.
I was feeling better and could see that Pam was ready for slightly faster pace so the two of us went a bit faster and got ahead. We had one short walk at about 8.5km before getting back to Eau Claire. We finished pretty strong at about 1:06 and the rest came in closely behind us at about 1:08.
There was only one water station on the route so that was a bit disappointing. I could have used another one.
Post Race I felt pretty after the race, and thought I could have pushed harder to finish at one hour. This definitely not what I thought before the race, but I did surprise myself. I didn’t have any foot, ankle or knee problems and didn’t feel anything out of sorts. I didn’t cramp up (definite concern with my stomach) during the run or after. I didn’t really feel a need to stop either during the race.
If it were any hotter, the lack of water stations might have been a concern though. I’ll have to think about bringing water with me for future races.
I was a bit surprised to see my heart rate was fairly high during the race. I didn’t feel it in my breathing or too much in my legs.
Later in the day, my hip flexor was very tight. It was almost back to normal the next morning. That was about the only thing that came up. Plus my stomach issues came back, but I’ll leave out the details.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Leslie-Anne's Robert Hamilton 10 Miler race report-October 2011
Robert Hamilton Memorial
“10 Miler”
First race since IMC, a “10 miler” why not?
When deciding which races I would undertake for the fall this one landed on a weekend that I was actually in the city. It was also before an evening event that I did not wish to leave early or say no to a 2nd glass of wine or a single malt scotch because of a race (Halloween Howler) the next day. So I signed up and began training.
As for the training it went well, no problems body felt good, some rust but shook that out. Long runs were in Regina where it is so nice and flat, just like the course here (save for the overpasses). No worries I thought, this should be a good start for the next set of “foot” races I am doing (Banff Winter Start and Last Chance ½).
The goal for this race was pacing. Simple enough wear a watch, check the times as I cross the markers, negative or even split I should be able to do that.
I put all my gear together the night before, made arrangements to park at a friend’s house near the start (as well as a shower and coffee after the race) ate a light meal, relaxed reading and watching the Riders lose (but they did score a touchdown after not scoring one for 4.5 games!) Go to bed and realized I had forgotten to pick up my race package! D’OH! Thankfully we could pick it up race day.
A light meal (toast with peanut butter) and ONE cup of coffee (sans cream) I drag my daughter out of bed and we head to the race start. This time of year it is dark at 7:00am, coolish as well. Got my race package, hung out with Tara for a bit then headed off to do my 20-25min pre race warm up run (prepping for Last Chance ½). This was a good thing as I headed towards Shouldice and the always-open-at-730am-on-a-Sat-morning-hockey rink. The looks I got! Yes Dads, there are other people up with you on an early weekend day!
Headed back and within moments of arriving the race started. Wished Tara luck and we were off! Purrrrrfect so I thought. No pressure on me as we began.
Hit the 1st mile marker and I noticed my time (yes, I did look and remembered) and thought it was too fast. I eased up a bit and still had not slowed enough by the 3rd marker. There was NO way I would be able to keep that pace, I had to figure out what to do as I eased up some more wham! The cramps started and not a porta potty in sight. The volunteer didn’t know if there were any and I was in a place where I had to duck down off the trail, behind the shrubberies and hope the cars on the 14th Ave bridge were averting their eyes at that very moment (said in a southern belle accent).
Back at it and make the turn around and was beginning to catch up to people that I had already passed! Then wham! More cramps and thank goodness for the River Café.
Back at it and now running with no spirit, joy or even my usual competitiveness.
All I wanted was to get off the f*#king course. To challenge the situation my left foot reminded me that my plantars was not happy and to add insult to injury my right knee began to revolt. At that moment I said “f**k it”, this is not a key race, the Last Chance Half is and I walked when I needed to and ran until my foot and knee said no.
I did run to the finish line and the last 100meters with Heather (daughter) by my side. She is a great incentive not to choke up or swear at myself. Crossed the line and without checking as to date, one of the last ones over I believe.
Got my socks and headed to my girlfriends for recovery time. Nothing a hot shower, the best oatmeal ever, tasty coffee and “gab time” can’t fix. I left there refreshed and good for the day.
I learned once and for all that I have to pace myself especially at the start. As for the internal challenge, I’m thinking I might have to try Imodium. I lost a good 6-7 minutes with both stops, very depressing to say the least. I have been careful as to what I take in the day and night before. A continual work in progress!
A good thing about starting early that day, I got some quality time with my daughter, and later that night I did indeed have another glass of wine.
“10 Miler”
First race since IMC, a “10 miler” why not?
When deciding which races I would undertake for the fall this one landed on a weekend that I was actually in the city. It was also before an evening event that I did not wish to leave early or say no to a 2nd glass of wine or a single malt scotch because of a race (Halloween Howler) the next day. So I signed up and began training.
As for the training it went well, no problems body felt good, some rust but shook that out. Long runs were in Regina where it is so nice and flat, just like the course here (save for the overpasses). No worries I thought, this should be a good start for the next set of “foot” races I am doing (Banff Winter Start and Last Chance ½).
The goal for this race was pacing. Simple enough wear a watch, check the times as I cross the markers, negative or even split I should be able to do that.
I put all my gear together the night before, made arrangements to park at a friend’s house near the start (as well as a shower and coffee after the race) ate a light meal, relaxed reading and watching the Riders lose (but they did score a touchdown after not scoring one for 4.5 games!) Go to bed and realized I had forgotten to pick up my race package! D’OH! Thankfully we could pick it up race day.
A light meal (toast with peanut butter) and ONE cup of coffee (sans cream) I drag my daughter out of bed and we head to the race start. This time of year it is dark at 7:00am, coolish as well. Got my race package, hung out with Tara for a bit then headed off to do my 20-25min pre race warm up run (prepping for Last Chance ½). This was a good thing as I headed towards Shouldice and the always-open-at-730am-on-a-Sat-morning-hockey rink. The looks I got! Yes Dads, there are other people up with you on an early weekend day!
Headed back and within moments of arriving the race started. Wished Tara luck and we were off! Purrrrrfect so I thought. No pressure on me as we began.
Hit the 1st mile marker and I noticed my time (yes, I did look and remembered) and thought it was too fast. I eased up a bit and still had not slowed enough by the 3rd marker. There was NO way I would be able to keep that pace, I had to figure out what to do as I eased up some more wham! The cramps started and not a porta potty in sight. The volunteer didn’t know if there were any and I was in a place where I had to duck down off the trail, behind the shrubberies and hope the cars on the 14th Ave bridge were averting their eyes at that very moment (said in a southern belle accent).
Back at it and make the turn around and was beginning to catch up to people that I had already passed! Then wham! More cramps and thank goodness for the River Café.
Back at it and now running with no spirit, joy or even my usual competitiveness.
All I wanted was to get off the f*#king course. To challenge the situation my left foot reminded me that my plantars was not happy and to add insult to injury my right knee began to revolt. At that moment I said “f**k it”, this is not a key race, the Last Chance Half is and I walked when I needed to and ran until my foot and knee said no.
I did run to the finish line and the last 100meters with Heather (daughter) by my side. She is a great incentive not to choke up or swear at myself. Crossed the line and without checking as to date, one of the last ones over I believe.
Got my socks and headed to my girlfriends for recovery time. Nothing a hot shower, the best oatmeal ever, tasty coffee and “gab time” can’t fix. I left there refreshed and good for the day.
I learned once and for all that I have to pace myself especially at the start. As for the internal challenge, I’m thinking I might have to try Imodium. I lost a good 6-7 minutes with both stops, very depressing to say the least. I have been careful as to what I take in the day and night before. A continual work in progress!
A good thing about starting early that day, I got some quality time with my daughter, and later that night I did indeed have another glass of wine.
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