I wasn’t going to do a race report. I had decided that during the Calgary Half that it wasn’t worth doing, who reads them anyhow, what difference it would make.
It’s funny what 24hrs can do for a soul.
A perfect day for racing/running/being outside dawned on Sunday. Dawn alright, watched it rise as I was up at 4:00am. Only two things will get me up that early, travelling and a race day. Not even for skiing do I get up that early (I get up at 5:00am for that!).
Lots of things to deal with for this race and I thought I had put them all in line, figured out my nutrition before and during the run distance, prepped everything the night before, got sleep.
Arrived early enough to warm up, focus, and get good race vibes from teammates and other runners. The sun was starting to warm things up; it was all looking like a stellar day from my perspective. One “niggly” but I decided I would be ok, and to remedy that my friend “Emo” was taken to join me in the race.
I found the Pace Bunny I wanted to follow, decided to let someone else “do the math” for me and help me with my pacing as I always go too fast at the start and wreck myself for the finish. First time doing this and albeit I was nervous, I thought all would be good to join the 2 hour continuous run group. I stood in the crowd (which is outside my comfort zone) I hear the Pace Bunny state,” I will aim to be at the 14km mark/turnaround with some put in the bank so we can cruise to the finish”. WTF??!! That is NOT how I train, that is NOT a negative split, yikes! Panic set in and since race day is about problem solving, I decided I could handle this, just keep the bunny in my sights and I would be ok.
All was good until 30 minutes into the race. Right on the dot cramps set in and I knew what I needed. Timing is everything and yes! There they were, “perfectly placed porta potties” with a lineup that meant my goal time was going to be jeopardized. I glanced over and ran to other potties that were more for the return trip. I didn’t care; it was faster than standing in line. Back on the course, re-adjusted my thought process, and was with the mindset I would be ok. Then it happened again approximately 25 mins later, more cramps, F*CK! Now I’m really mad and no porta potties in sight. Have to walk as the side stich I had was painful, walk, breath, and take in fluid nutrition, run, and repeat. Finally the aid station and what else I needed me and all the other runners who were also dealing with the same issue. At least I wasn’t alone. How much time did I lose? At least 5 minutes. Now I have to decide how to finish this race as I knew my goal time was, and pun fully intended, “down the toilet”.
I kept on going but with a saddened spirits. I began to question my reasons for running; the more I ran the more negative I got. I finally get to Memorial where I knew the turnaround was. I saw the group I started with on the other side, I looked away in pain. I didn’t want to continue, I wanted to quit. I was done. A few minutes later I see a TTL jacket, what a beautiful site to see, a beacon of light, of support that propelled me forward. “Toni!” I cried out. She turned and as I ran towards her I began to cry and she let me do that. She is one athlete that fully comprehended what I was going through. She walked with me, encouraged me to keep going, to focus on the blue skies and sun, the great volunteers, the fact that I am out there doing this distance.
She pulled out of me what I needed to use to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Toni Jaques, you are a classy lady who I will be forever grateful to for getting me through the dark side of my brain to focus on finishing.
Those last 7km were completed with walk stops, as I needed. I noticed that when I was running, I would pass people; my pace is good when I am able to run. That helped my battered ego and I counted off the km’s left. I loved going through the East Village. Those folks had me think I was a runner, that I was doing awesome. They had no idea the struggles I was dealing with they just gave support. Kudos to them and all the others that did the same all day I certainly appreciated it!
Finally Olympic Way and the finishers’ shoot and the finishing line! Tara Beattie was right there and she knew by the look on my face that I wasn’t happy. She told me she would be at the same spot and I would meet her there. That didn’t happen as by the time I got my medal (man it is huge), through the people, the food line, I was done with crowds. Met up with Shannon Ouelette who was good enough to hang with me and sit as I re-grouped my spirit. Yeah for teammates!
When I got home I cried on Roger’s shoulder. As I sat in my Epsom salt bath the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about how I felt regarding my race sadly the first word that came to mind was “failure”. My son asked, “What went wrong?” best question ever. Had me thinking about the day.
24 hours later, (it’s funny what 24hrs can do for a soul). I answered the question.
I may have failed in obtaining my goal time but there are many things out of my control and if they happen on race day, what do I need to do to get around them? What went wrong? Given that during the week 4 nights prior I was not well, spent one night pacing in my house because I couldn’t sleep and finally 36 hours later I was able to sleep may have played a factor in my race day issues.
Did I fail to start? No. Did I fail to finish? No. Did I fail in learning about how I can get through a race when in a mental low point? No. Did my teammates fail me? No. Where exactly was there failure? No place.
I am not a professional athlete. I do not need to stress about the times I finish a race because in the big scheme of things, what does it really matter? I attended “Endurance, A Run Woman’s Show” and thought of what she had stated during her performance. I broke into a sweat before most people (save for the 11,000 others on the course and how many vollies, and supporters) were up. Yes, I chased a “pony tail” for some time to get me through. Yes I thought my legs were going to give out. But I did what all runners do, I kept putting one foot in front of another and I finished. That was the most important part.
Recovery was great, sitting in the sun on Tara’s deck enjoying a couple of cold beer followed by a bar-b-qued steak, red wine and other tasty treats. Family and friends are the best motivators to go forward before, during and after the race.
I will do this race again, next time it will be different. Bring on the 2013 Triathlon season!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Leslie-Anne's Tour de Airdrie Half race report April 2013
Tour de Airdrie, Half Marathon, April 21, 2013
This was a race that I was not sure I was going to do. I asked Angie to set up my program to be ready for it but no guarantee I would do it. Hell, I even trained when I was in Mexico! I won’t lie; it was SAHWEET to be able to run outside, wearing shorts and sweat due to the heat! Circumstances allowed me the opportunity to do the race and 5 days beforehand I actually signed up.
I knew it wasn’t a big race, but that didn’t matter. For me, I just wanted a race that I could do before the Calgary Half. When I went to pick up my race package I was told I’d have to wait 30 mins and a man said, “No, not that long, maybe 5 mins” as they were setting up the table. Not only was I first to pick up a package, I got my choice of number from 1 to 99. Wow! Those two things have never happened before! My number has always been 7, so that was the number I picked. I thought as I left the store with a very good bag of swag by the way, things usually happen in threes; I went home and did my 8 x 400m (or 2 mins outdoors as I chose) and wow, they went very well. I thought maybe, just maybe this would be a good race after all!
One of the things that I decided this race would be good for was to monitor my eating prior the race starting the day I signed up. I was diligent in eating as little gluten as possible, no excess coffee, lots of water and no alcohol (that last one was a killer…) , and lots of greens. The night before the race, salmon and brown rice, no greens, and of course water.
Sunday dawned after a very restful Saturday (I actually did as little as possible) and I was ready to go. Roger was, as always, my Manager and wouldn’t let me stay up past 10pm!
I got up Sunday with lots of time to spare. I had my usual 1-cup of pre race coffee, water and a protein shake. All went according to plan as I headed out the door with my new best friend “Captain I” ingested. I wanted a PB and knew that in order for that to happen I could NOT have any bathroom breaks on the course.
A quick trip out to Airdrie and kept myself relaxed and warm during my warm-up run. The wind was out of the north so it was very “nipply” to say the least. I got a bit hungry so I decided that I had to eat something and took in a banana. Good decision on my part, as I believe it would’ve been challenging on an empty stomach on such a cold day.
There were not a lot of people in the half, but that didn’t matter. I was there for my own purpose, and that was to come in with a new PB. I didn’t talk to other runners before the race. A friend of mine joined me for a couple of laps around the track, perfect. He kept me calm and I was good to go when the local Alderman said, “On your mark. Get Set. GO!” Off we went.
There were no markers for the 1st 13km on the course and that was a bit of challenge, as I didn’t know what my pace was. I did think I was going a bit too fast, as it was 1:02 about the 12km mark. The key for me though during the race, (which was very quiet and very
few people along the course save for the most awesome volunteers), was to keep moving at all times. If I couldn’t keep the pace, I slowed it up and walked when I had to.
I allowed myself a couple of stops that I actually timed for 1 min. I used the water at the aid stations and my own fuel (Endura) when I needed that boost.
I also stopped twice to say hello to my cousin and family and dogs, which I know, cost me but also allowed me to re-group myself.
Around the 15km mark the course went alongside a graveyard, I thought that was a bit odd but did say to myself “rest in peace” as I went by. Not sure of the reason, but I did it anyways!
Speaking of the course, it is a flat course. Anyone who wants to really rock a half, this would be the one to do it on. The one thing that was rather challenging was the turn around point. It wasn’t clearly marked and I actually wasn’t sure that was where it was. I actually took a few steps beyond to see if there was a marker further towards a cross road that I could see. Another runner thought that there was no way this could be it, as he didn’t think he was that close to the front. (Ha! That had me laughing as I am never that close to the front). Anyhow, we decided it was the place and we both turned around. How much time did that cost me- perhaps 45seconds to a minute overall.
Homeward bound the course had a few odd turns. Running past the place where the finish line is can be very mentally challenging. I kept my head down as to not see the finish line in my peripheral vision. Coming back we had to cross the street and run past it again! Yikes! I passed one guy about 25-30yrs old and he said, “You are one tough cookie”. I smiled and replied, “ Not bad for an old girl”. That was enough to boost me to the end. Not clearly marked but I pointed towards the gate we came through at the beginning and was told yes by some guy taking down stuff from the race sponsor.
There is something about finishing a race on a track that spurns me on. I knew I wasn’t going to break 2hrs but I was close, damned close. I crossed the line at 2:01:01 (my watch). 7 mins faster than my previous time! I was VERY happy!!
Finally, that monkey is off my back! YESSSSSSSS!!!
A hot shower, some food and of course, the best post race beverage for me ice cold Pilsner (two actually). Yeah for family that lives in Airdrie!
I got home and Roger asked me as I came in the door (I called him immediately after the race and told him my time), “What was different about this race?” I thought about it, and responded, “Fitness, Focus and Food”.
Fitness and Focus:
I wanted this race, so I trained for it even though I wasn’t sure I was going to do it. I did all my runs, and worked on the pacing. That pacing was done on the dread mill and outside. (Thank-you Tara Beattie for your patience with me on that one when we ran outdoors!)
I also spent time with Angie on a track, which was interesting. I am sure she was very amused when I lined up to start and was facing the wrong way. What do I know about tracks?
I used the learning from the pacing during the run. I didn’t have the markers I was expecting but I did manage my cadence. I do not run like a gazelle. No sense trying to do that as it would waste too much energy.
I realized I could slow up my pace to rest and cover more ground than just walking. Yes I did succumb to walking but I also timed my breaks not to walk too long.
Food:
I monitored my food intake as my gut has cost me a PB before and I was bound and determined NOT to let that happen this race. I was very careful with my gluten intake for 4 days prior, had salmon the night before (unlike Coach Sharon the day of a race) and brown rice. Race morning a protein shake for breakky, a cup of coffee and then a banana approximately 45 minutes prior the race start. My plan worked and I have NO hesitation about using Imodium (aka Captain I.) ever again before a race.
Those 3 things all balanced out for me. I also did not talk to anyone before the race, meaning racers. I kept to myself and did what I wanted to do for me. During the race when people passed me, I kept saying to myself, “I am doing my race for me. My goals.”
It was a good race day for the three, “Me, Myself and I”
This race was a learning race~ and learn I did!
Calgary Half is a month away, that sub 2 hour goal is just waiting for me…
This was a race that I was not sure I was going to do. I asked Angie to set up my program to be ready for it but no guarantee I would do it. Hell, I even trained when I was in Mexico! I won’t lie; it was SAHWEET to be able to run outside, wearing shorts and sweat due to the heat! Circumstances allowed me the opportunity to do the race and 5 days beforehand I actually signed up.
I knew it wasn’t a big race, but that didn’t matter. For me, I just wanted a race that I could do before the Calgary Half. When I went to pick up my race package I was told I’d have to wait 30 mins and a man said, “No, not that long, maybe 5 mins” as they were setting up the table. Not only was I first to pick up a package, I got my choice of number from 1 to 99. Wow! Those two things have never happened before! My number has always been 7, so that was the number I picked. I thought as I left the store with a very good bag of swag by the way, things usually happen in threes; I went home and did my 8 x 400m (or 2 mins outdoors as I chose) and wow, they went very well. I thought maybe, just maybe this would be a good race after all!
One of the things that I decided this race would be good for was to monitor my eating prior the race starting the day I signed up. I was diligent in eating as little gluten as possible, no excess coffee, lots of water and no alcohol (that last one was a killer…) , and lots of greens. The night before the race, salmon and brown rice, no greens, and of course water.
Sunday dawned after a very restful Saturday (I actually did as little as possible) and I was ready to go. Roger was, as always, my Manager and wouldn’t let me stay up past 10pm!
I got up Sunday with lots of time to spare. I had my usual 1-cup of pre race coffee, water and a protein shake. All went according to plan as I headed out the door with my new best friend “Captain I” ingested. I wanted a PB and knew that in order for that to happen I could NOT have any bathroom breaks on the course.
A quick trip out to Airdrie and kept myself relaxed and warm during my warm-up run. The wind was out of the north so it was very “nipply” to say the least. I got a bit hungry so I decided that I had to eat something and took in a banana. Good decision on my part, as I believe it would’ve been challenging on an empty stomach on such a cold day.
There were not a lot of people in the half, but that didn’t matter. I was there for my own purpose, and that was to come in with a new PB. I didn’t talk to other runners before the race. A friend of mine joined me for a couple of laps around the track, perfect. He kept me calm and I was good to go when the local Alderman said, “On your mark. Get Set. GO!” Off we went.
There were no markers for the 1st 13km on the course and that was a bit of challenge, as I didn’t know what my pace was. I did think I was going a bit too fast, as it was 1:02 about the 12km mark. The key for me though during the race, (which was very quiet and very
few people along the course save for the most awesome volunteers), was to keep moving at all times. If I couldn’t keep the pace, I slowed it up and walked when I had to.
I allowed myself a couple of stops that I actually timed for 1 min. I used the water at the aid stations and my own fuel (Endura) when I needed that boost.
I also stopped twice to say hello to my cousin and family and dogs, which I know, cost me but also allowed me to re-group myself.
Around the 15km mark the course went alongside a graveyard, I thought that was a bit odd but did say to myself “rest in peace” as I went by. Not sure of the reason, but I did it anyways!
Speaking of the course, it is a flat course. Anyone who wants to really rock a half, this would be the one to do it on. The one thing that was rather challenging was the turn around point. It wasn’t clearly marked and I actually wasn’t sure that was where it was. I actually took a few steps beyond to see if there was a marker further towards a cross road that I could see. Another runner thought that there was no way this could be it, as he didn’t think he was that close to the front. (Ha! That had me laughing as I am never that close to the front). Anyhow, we decided it was the place and we both turned around. How much time did that cost me- perhaps 45seconds to a minute overall.
Homeward bound the course had a few odd turns. Running past the place where the finish line is can be very mentally challenging. I kept my head down as to not see the finish line in my peripheral vision. Coming back we had to cross the street and run past it again! Yikes! I passed one guy about 25-30yrs old and he said, “You are one tough cookie”. I smiled and replied, “ Not bad for an old girl”. That was enough to boost me to the end. Not clearly marked but I pointed towards the gate we came through at the beginning and was told yes by some guy taking down stuff from the race sponsor.
There is something about finishing a race on a track that spurns me on. I knew I wasn’t going to break 2hrs but I was close, damned close. I crossed the line at 2:01:01 (my watch). 7 mins faster than my previous time! I was VERY happy!!
Finally, that monkey is off my back! YESSSSSSSS!!!
A hot shower, some food and of course, the best post race beverage for me ice cold Pilsner (two actually). Yeah for family that lives in Airdrie!
I got home and Roger asked me as I came in the door (I called him immediately after the race and told him my time), “What was different about this race?” I thought about it, and responded, “Fitness, Focus and Food”.
Fitness and Focus:
I wanted this race, so I trained for it even though I wasn’t sure I was going to do it. I did all my runs, and worked on the pacing. That pacing was done on the dread mill and outside. (Thank-you Tara Beattie for your patience with me on that one when we ran outdoors!)
I also spent time with Angie on a track, which was interesting. I am sure she was very amused when I lined up to start and was facing the wrong way. What do I know about tracks?
I used the learning from the pacing during the run. I didn’t have the markers I was expecting but I did manage my cadence. I do not run like a gazelle. No sense trying to do that as it would waste too much energy.
I realized I could slow up my pace to rest and cover more ground than just walking. Yes I did succumb to walking but I also timed my breaks not to walk too long.
Food:
I monitored my food intake as my gut has cost me a PB before and I was bound and determined NOT to let that happen this race. I was very careful with my gluten intake for 4 days prior, had salmon the night before (unlike Coach Sharon the day of a race) and brown rice. Race morning a protein shake for breakky, a cup of coffee and then a banana approximately 45 minutes prior the race start. My plan worked and I have NO hesitation about using Imodium (aka Captain I.) ever again before a race.
Those 3 things all balanced out for me. I also did not talk to anyone before the race, meaning racers. I kept to myself and did what I wanted to do for me. During the race when people passed me, I kept saying to myself, “I am doing my race for me. My goals.”
It was a good race day for the three, “Me, Myself and I”
This race was a learning race~ and learn I did!
Calgary Half is a month away, that sub 2 hour goal is just waiting for me…
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