It feels a bit odd..

..not to be racing Sticks n'Stones tomorrow.

End of an era? Nah, not really.

Despite having raced every Happy Trails event so far, I'm more than pleased to just be a volunteer tomorrow. I have been getting some training in, which is actually facilitated by not having races all the time to (try to) taper for. While I haven't decided yet whether or not I'll be taking Horror Trail at all seriously - I will definitely be in costume, but will let the weather and trail conditions dictate whether I'm trying for any sort of goal or just meandering in circles for 6 hours - I do know I need to get mileage in, especially since I went and registered for something absurd.

Runs trails for soft surfaces and lovely scenery - registers for 100 paved loops around a ball diamond.
Way to go, K.

Speaking of getting some mileage in, I will actually be doing some running this weekend...which will actually be decent training for "meh.", as it looks like I'll only be able to make the on-road portion of Job Runner Courier's 24hr walk/run for the Grand River Hospital Cancer Centre. 

I'm willing to forego scenery for a good cause!

You should definitely consider coming out for a lap or two of the course at either Huron Natural Area (6am-6pm on Saturday) or the road loop posted here from 6pm Saturday to 6am Sunday. If you're unable to attend to cheer on the folks going the full 24hrs, please make a donation at this link instead - any amount helps!

Totally unrelated photo to show that road running isn't totally without some nice sights.
(This is nowhere near the JRC GRHCC course)

While I won't be hitting the trails this weekend, I do hope that next week will afford some opportunities to see the fall colours.

Which definitely featured heavily on my Wednesday evening run.

We'll be off camping up on the Bruce Peninsula for our annual Campsgiving trip, and (despite some rather poor weather predictions) we have high aspirations for some hiking and running among the rocks and waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

While Cooksville Creek is lovely, we have our sights set on some rather more impressive things.

So, you won't have to put up with my blitherings next week, as I'll most likely be trying to dry out a tent rather than spewing drivel on the internet. If that's not something for which you can be thankful, I don't know what is!

Hallelujah!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend - may your trousers still fit come Tuesday, and may you enjoy the company of those you love while being spared too much contact with any who darken your day. Be safe, show gratitude, and enjoy your indulgences!

Oh, and do consider making that donation by clicking here to support the Grand River Hospital Cancer Centre. They truly do their best to ensure that everyone will get another Thanksgiving, and to provide as much comfort as possible to those who are seeing their last.

Bye Felicia

2018 was not a good year.

I'm just going to let it flow away, like the Speed River here.

I was in the best running shape of my life at the start of the year: kicking some arse in the 100 runs in 100 days challenge; had a solid go at the Stride Inside 6-hour and a beautiful day at the Frosty Trail 3-hour in January; and I'd had fun at Clay Williams' Valentine's Fatazz on the Saturday of Family Day weekend. With 294.5km of running in January and 99.7km in the first 10 days of February, I was building the foundation of a strong year of racing.

Victoria Park bridge all lit up

Then, as I sought some more laughs by going snowboarding the day after the Fatazz, I ripped my season to shreds. My right ankle was rent asunder, and the only reason I ended up breaking 100km for February would be a 3 minute run that I definitely should not have done on the 27th - just 16 days after wrecking myself.

March was a rebuilding process. I managed to run 2km on the 10th, 8.7km the following week (over 2 runs), then 17.5km the week after that (in 3 runs). By the week ended April 1st I was up to 4 runs and 28.3km for the week, but my total for the whole month was a measly 49.9km.

The other bridges in Victoria Park are lit up as well

April brought more building - I got up to 46.7km for the week ended April 15th - but also more destruction. A wind and ice storm blew down a tree in our backyard, crushing our shed and resulting in a $1,400 purchase of a new one (in boxes needing to be built). Running on the crust of ice over the snow that had fallen led to me knocking my right fibula out of place, which once again decimated my run training. I spent the next 7 weeks in agony, but trying to run through it anyway as I had races coming. I'd manage 119.3km for the month, though the final 3 weeks would only account for 34.8km of that (13.2k, 8.7k, 12.9k).

In May, we got the destroyed shed taken apart, but not until after another windstorm blew down the OTHER tree in the backyard. The final tally for tree removal ran us $1,000, and the yard is still strewn with giant lumps of trunk that need to meet the business end of our chainsaw. My fibula was still causing problems as I lined up at the start of the Seaton Soaker 50k, which was actually 52k this year. By the first turn-around at 13km I knew I was in poor shape and should call it, but I did actually end up going out for the second lap before DNF'ing for the first time in an ultra. At least I was still able to go backpacking for Victoria Day with Tanker, and then have the unique opportunity to guide a visually impaired runner through a lap at Sulphur Springs. By the end of the month I'd only managed to run 84.3km.

Impressive lights display in the rich neighbourhood up the street

It wasn't until June that I'd find a chiropractor to help me sort out the wayward fibula, just in time for the Niagara Ultra 50k. I actually made it through that one, though I definitely would have DNF'd had I attempted to run the 100k (for which I'd originally registered). As I recovered after the race, we actually managed to get our new shed built and reclaim our backyard a little. I ran a total of 126.0km - my best since hurting myself.

July started off with an awesome camping trip at Long Point, and I got to spend my birthday climbing a mountain as we toured through Quebec on our motorycles. While those things were incredibly fun, they severely hampered getting in any consistent, high-quality training...which I desperately needed prior to the Tally in the Valley 12-hour night race, especially as I dealt with mounting fatigue and health issues I couldn't explain. I struggled my way through 150.6km of running - 70km of which was just Tally in the Valley - and hoped it would resolve.

Swans on the Grand River near downtown Galt

During 2 weeks off running after Tally, Tanker and I ventured out again into the wild for a few days of backcountry paddling for our anniversary in August. When we returned and I tried to get back down to the business of running again, it became clear that there was something very wrong with me. On August 19th I finally figured out I'd gotten pregnant (the day after the Niagara Ultra 50k), and on August 23rd I underwent an abortion. Two days later I struggled through a single 7km lap of the OUTRace 30th Anniversary Fun Run. Through the end of the month I just worked on getting some consistency back as I healed, but my total for the month was back down to a mere 70.9km.

September was better in all ways: my ankle was still improving, my energy levels started to make a comeback, and I got back to consistent training...after taking a week to recover from the effects of a very long day and night (and following morning) on my feet at Haliburton, guiding a runner through the final leg of his first 100 miler. Despite that week of only 13.4km, I still put in my biggest month by far since my injury, breaking 100 miles in 30 days with a final total of 162.1km.

And getting to run through some much-less-snowy woods.

October was BUSY. After the first weekend spent racing the Sticks n'Stones 50k (which we all know is actually 53k), we packed up and headed up to Killarney for an incredible few days of camping and hiking. I didn't run at all until we got home again, so another low mileage week at 11.7km. One more week of actual training, then it was time for my annual bout with the big stinkin' hill at Horror Trail - with added mud and cold, cold rain this time. Still, because I raced two ultras in the month, I bested my post-injury monthly mileage once more with 182.6km. We also got a kitten!

The dome of old City Hall in Victoria Park

November is sort of where the wheels came off again. I knew that trying to race 3 ultras in 5 weeks was a little ambitious, but signed up for Horror Trail anyway knowing it would only give me 2 weeks to recover before The Beav 50k. I hadn't known just how much of a beating my ankles would take in the awful mud at Horror Trail, though, and that meant I went into the brutally cold, windy morning of The Beav with a great deal of fear. I made it through, despite my shoes trying to fall apart and some uncooperative spikes, then went into my off season with hopes of resting and recuperating before the start of the 100 runs in 100 days challenge. Those hopes were rather derailed by the discovery of mould in our house - likely a result of the humid summer, wet fall, and our lack of ductwork/central heat/air conditioning. I was plagued by headaches that lasted for weeks - whether a result of the mould itself or the stress of my home being invaded, I don't know - and would spend hours each day that were supposed to be "recovery" scrubbing and spraying and throwing out everything from clothes to furniture. Our finances took a hit as we had to purchase a large-capacity dehumidifier (in hopes of keeping future problems at bay) and a new coffee table (as the old one was unsalvageable). I'd still get in 134.4km of running, but it certainly wasn't the off season I had in mind.

I'd rather spend more time like this - out in the woods with my sweetheart.

I did, however, somehow pull off 6th place in the Women <40 age group of the OUTRace Ultra Series! A far cry from 2nd place last year, but not too shabby for being gimpy throughout the entire OUTRace season.

Unexpected!

The mould and financial woes continued into December, though, with the discovery of mould in more and more areas of the house and our car requiring over $650 of service in the last 2 weeks, plus Tanker's employer screwing him out of more than a day's pay. To top it all off, my ankle has developed a new issue - I think more in my achilles tendon than the tibialis posterior (which had been the major issue previously) - that is taking a great deal of time to resolve.

We did get a white Christmas, though, and I did my traditional Christmas morning run with my sleigh bells.

On the bright side, though, as the year draws to a close I believe things are starting to improve. We have the worst of the mould under control and continue to make progress, bit by bit and day by day. We are finally starting to get our finances under control, thanks in part to an unexpected Christmas gift. With the 100 runs in 100 days challenge having started on the 15th, I've been training more consistently in the past couple of weeks than I have all year - I'm at 16 runs in 13 days, with the 17th to be done this evening on day 14. Having already racked up 175.8km for the month, I'm confident I can break 200km for December, which will be only the second month this year in which I've done so. I won't break 1,700km for the year (I'm just over 1,650k right now), but I'm on my way back.

Which will help me work off all of this - we did have a lovely Christmas dinner with my Mum.

I don't know exactly what 2019 will hold - either in running or life in general - but I definitely hope it will have fewer challenges than 2018. Unfortunately, I already know it will start with some difficulty, as Tanker will be going for surgery on January 7th and will be weak as a kitten for a great deal of time afterward. I'll lose my driver for work - and thus the naps on which I rely so heavily - and add a source of worry as I try to help him through his recovery, while I try to manage recovering myself from the Stride Inside 6-hour on January 5th and enter my busiest time of year at the office.

All I know for sure is that if I can make it through 2018 still standing, I can take on just about anything..

As long as I have my sweetheart by my side.

Wishing you all a very happy new year - may 2019 bring you peace in your mind, joy in your heart, and prosperity for your home and family.

And if it doesn't, come on over and give Fionn the Fuzzy a tickle.
It helps - I promise.

Gratitude adjustment

I could feel sorry for myself.

I could cry you a river, though it wouldn't be as pretty as this one.

I could whine about the fact I'm still injured. I could whimper about the forecasted rain for the Sticks n'Stones 50k tomorrow.

Less than bueno.

I could even have a whinge about the fact it's supposed to rain 4 out of the 5 days of an adventure next week that Tanker and I have had planned for months.

I'm not going to, though. In fact, I'm grateful.

Not for the rain - it can bugger off.

I'm grateful that - though I know it won't be terribly comfortable as the day goes on - I have the health to even show up at the start line of Sticks n'Stones.

I'm grateful I can explore beautiful places, both well-loved and yet-to-be-discovered.

I got to run the Royal Rec trail on Sunday for the first time in months!

I am grateful for my wonderful friends and family; the strangers whose good works help my world run smoothly more times than not; the job that pushes me to broaden and deepen my skill set and funds an enjoyable lifestyle; and the energy to pursue activities outside of work that challenge me and allow me to grow.

I'm also sincerely grateful to have a friend and partner who supports those pursuits.

This guy right here <3
Look for him at the start/finish aid station all day tomorrow!

So while I could get down about the things that aren't perfect, instead I'll just give thanks for all with which I am blessed.

If you see some dork grinning like a fool while limping along in the rain, say hi as you pass!

And believe me, you WILL pass me.

I'll just be enjoying the journey as much as I can.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Counting Down

I don't make good decisions.

Though running on the Mill Run Trail at sunset is almost always a safe bet.

My right ankle is still being whiny and uncooperative, now a full 7 months removed from the idiot incident that did the damage. Some might posit that participation in events totalling more than 220km since then might have something to do with the continuing discomfort, particularly since I've been undertrained for essentially all of them...but why should we let good sense get in the way of having a bit of a laugh, right?

There are trails to chase!

Flowers to sniff!

Since the two weeks I took off after Tally in the Valley (partly due to our 5-day canoe tour), I've actually managed to get some pretty decent training in.

173.2km over 7 weeks, two of which were mostly rest weeks.

I'm feeling stronger again, and it's an amazing time of year to be out on the trails.

Summer's second bloom is upon us.

So, maybe I might not be totally foolish in having signed up for the Horror Trail 6-hour..?

Don't answer that.

I figure it works out perfectly - I have the Sticks n'Stones 50k on October 6th, then Horror Trail on October 27th, then The Beav 50k on November 10th.

Four weeks from Haliburton to Sticks n'Stones.

Three weeks from Sticks n'Stones to Horror Trail.

Two weeks from Horror Trail to The Beav.

How bad could it be?

Since that makes almost 150km of racing (well, depending on what conditions are like - both the trail and my own - for the 6-hour) in 5 weeks, though, I don't think I'll be looking for another event on November 17th to complete the countdown.

I'll see whether or not I even feel like running then.

Really, this is all happening because I'd really hate to miss out on Horror Trail - this will be my 9th consecutive year running it, and it holds a special place in my heart as my first ultra ever. I'd already been signed up for Sticks n'Stones and The Beav (love those Happy Trails Racing events!) since before I was injured, and it's not like I have any performance goals - just finish upright and undamaged.

Besides, if I can pull it all off it should give me a decent head start on my base for next year. Crossing my fingers that my body is on board with this all, as I've got some big ideas for 2019..

Let's just hope they have a leg to stand on.

Happy Go Lucky

Will you kindly indulge me in being a bit pleased with myself for a moment? It doesn't happen often..

I was also pleased with the lovely sunshine over the weekend.

I had mentioned last week that I'd got a couple of bits of good news lately, both of which had been rather surprising. I'm sure the suspense has been non-existent, but nevertheless I'm ready for the big reveals.

The first piece of news I've actually been sitting on for awhile, because I almost couldn't believe it until I had the proof in my hands.

That free hat cost me 337km of racing between April 29th and October 28th

Somehow a lot of the big guns - by which I mean the incredibly fast and talented ladies who usually dominate the OUTRace Ultra Series - were off racing other things this year, so I managed 2nd place woman under 40. I was even more stunned when I looked at the final standings and saw that I'd managed to place in the top 5 women overall!

Not by much, but there I am.

For someone who really has no clue of what they're doing and just tries to truck along as best they can, it's a huge honour to see my name among such ass-kicking women. It almost makes me feel like I may have some business out there after all..

Nah, not really - but I still have fun.

It's a nice cherry on the top of a fairly successful 2017. Not only did I make all of my racing goals, I actually managed to place in at least the top 3 of my age group in 5 out of the 8 events I ran this year.

Even if everyone else was gone by the time I finished so they could announce the awards..
(True story)

This means 2018 is going to have its work cut out for it in order to top all that. However, the other piece of news I got just last week should help out with that a lot..

Say whaaaaaaa?

I was invited by the kind folks at Happy Trails Racing to act as one of the handful of ambassadors for their growing race series in the 2018 season. With the wonderful experience I had at their inaugural event - the Sticks n'Stones Race this past October - and knowing the incredible passion of the Race Director and Race Coordinator for both trail running and philanthropy, I couldn't possibly say no! I'd already registered for the first event in the new year; an indoor track race in January called Stride Inside that will benefit Women's Shelters Canada, partly because I'm a sucker for punishment (having said I'd never do another indoor track race) but mostly because I know that Jeff and Heather will be sure to nail down every last detail to make it a fantastic experience. The excellent cause that will benefit is the icing on the cake!

Like the gorgeous sunset over the Grand River at the end of Sunday's run.

I look forward to racing or volunteering at as many of Happy Trails Racing's future events as possible, as these two continue to bring more depth and variety to the Ontario trail and ultrarunning scene while selflessly working to support worthy causes. I'm honored to have a tiny part in that, and encourage you to check out some of the unique races they have planned!

Which come with some awesome swag, too!

So I'm cruising on a bit of an ultrarunning high right now, and have great hopes for the season to come.

'til next time, you awesome people - Happy Trails!

Sticks n'Stones 50k(ish) Trail Race - Saturday, October 7th, 2017

Who expects 30+ degree heat and humidity in October? Yet, that's exactly what the day had in store for us at the inaugural Sticks n'Stones Trail Race.

Held at beautiful Christie Lake Conservation Area

Arriving at 17c with a bit of rain, I picked up race kit smoothly (before most other people arrived; it took less time to get there from home than expected) then got down to the usual pre-race business: lubing up some things, putting on socks/gaiters/shoes (successfully in that order!), and chatting with the multitudes of people I knew who showed up to race or volunteer. Being the first year for this race, it was largely word-of-mouth that got people out, and the huge 50k field reflected the race directors' involvement in the ultra community.

Pre-race announcements.
I know a lot of those butts!

At 9am - an eminently reasonable time - we were off, running clockwise 'round Christie Lake. I'd come to down to preview the course a month beforehand, but had apparently run it the wrong way and stuck too diligently to the shoreline. So, while not exactly unfamiliar, I was seeing the trails in a new way.

Off the start with Bogdan, Lucy, Ashley and Lizzie around

Trailing Ron and Robin in the first leg across a field
From Sue Sitki's excellent photos

I also had no illusions of doing well at this race - being only 4 weeks after the Haliburton 50 miler and 2 weeks after my dance with altitude, I was a tired human that just wanted to get through the whole thing without getting injured or it sucking too much. Fortunately the course was conducive to just about anyone being able to run their chosen distance without too much difficulty - the wide, smooth trails were super well marked, completely non-technical, and had just enough elevation change to mix up your muscle engagement and not feel bad about walking some sections. In a complete surprise considering the year it's been and the rain, there wasn't even any real mud! Just a couple of minor slick spots you could easily avoid.

Across the footbridge after passing through the field

Gravel road past parking lots

A bit of pavement, but not too much

Past a stream alive with colour

I took the camera out for my 3rd lap to see if I could get some shots before the sun came out and washed out the colours, but the dreary drizzly morning muted much of fall's glory. When the sun came out a bit during my 5th lap, I decided to bring my phone along for the 6th loop to see if I could capture more of the beauty of Christie Lake. Thus, you'll get some dark and overcast photos plus some brighter ones.

To your right from the paved section

Looking back over your right shoulder along the length of Christie Lake

Another pretty footbridge nestled among the trees, on the left of the paved section.

Through a parking lot and into the disc golf course, which was bustling with players even early in the day. This section really gave you the first bit of woods to run through, starting with a lovely tunnel of brilliant sumac.

Being lapped.
This happened a lot.

Over a grassy hill that got harder to run as the day went on, then up another short rise to a flaming sugar maple and left into the tree-lined tunnel to the dam. This whole section climbs a bit overall, with a couple of downhills to keep the legs ticking over. There are a few roots along the way, but nothing like the agility course seen at other trail races - I could confidently run through it all without much fear for my taped-up ankle.

Red maple leaves not seen at their best in the morning gloom

The lushness of the foliage was incredible for early October

Mind the gates as you enter the dam structure - they're fixed in place and there's not much clearance

The concrete surface of the dam is rather unforgiving on sore feet, but it's flat and the views are lovely.

The long span

Looking left toward Christie Cascade

Looking right across Christie Lake

Back onto terra firma, you arrive at the only aid station out on the course (there is another just past the start/finish line) where Dion and his crew were wonderfully enthusiastic and helpful all day long. Offerings included water and Skratch Labs electrolyte beverage, plus all of the usual ultra buffet of cookies, peanut butter & jam sandwiches, gummy bears, bananas, even doughnut holes and pizza later on in the day.

Friendly faces and all the noms!

You reach the 2k mark just past the aid station, then head into the first of two substantial climbs on the course, ascending a little more than 20 metres over the course of a third of a kilometer to arrive in a landscape of brilliant sumac and lush greenery crowding the smooth doubletrack trail.

Up we go

Pretty.

Rounding a corner, you go up again to the section that came to be called The Cathedral in my mind - towering trees with vibrant red vines twining up their trunks.

I loved this section, which is about as far away from the start/finish area as you get on the course.

You spend the next kilometer rolling through the woods high above Christie Lake, passing the 3k mark before a sharp decline. If I recall correctly, the only mucky bit of slick trail was at the bottom of the hill.

Neat trees along the trail.

Markers at each kilometer were welcome, until you realized how long it took to get from 3 to 4.

Gentle undulations

Coming to the bottom of the descent at 3.5km, you're met with the second (and thankfully final) substantial climb on the course. It's only about 16m, but it's also only a quarter of a kilometer long...though it feels much longer, as you trudge up a washed-out, gravelly hill out of the greenery then turn a corner and continue to climb into a stand of pines.

Slogging

Excellent trail marking signs (as well as a truly formidable number of flags) as you enter the piney section

The pine forest was truly lovely in the sunshine that arrived in the afternoon.

As soon as you crested the top, you started to descend quite steeply again. I actually found the start of this the most technical section of the entire course, as the roots of the pine trees necessitated some precise footwork at the top of the downhill in order to stay upright and undamaged. Still nothing even a rookie trail racer couldn't handle - I just happen to be clumsy as hell.

Wheee!

This part of Christie Lake also has a few mountain bike trails coming off the main thoroughfare that we were running - I'm going to have to come back and explore them sometime, as they look a little more interesting (read: much higher chance of me hurting myself) than the main lake loop. There were a few mountain bikers of all ages and levels of ability out during the day - thankfully all were very respectful toward the racers on course.

Back out of the conifers and into an overgrown section I came to call The Jungle.

I wonder why?

A bit more rolling through riotous deciduous growth, downhill through a natural archway in the woods, then you emerge at the tip of Christie Lake on a gravel road that takes you back to the same side as the start/finish area at last.

Archway

Out of the woods - crossing over the tip of the lake

Looking right from the road across the end of the lake

You'd think at this point it was all just a formality to get to the finish line, especially with the strong tailwind that picked up later in the day. The wide, grassy trail was deceptively tough, though - very little energy return compared to the hard-packed dirt and gravel in the woods, with just enough false-flat uphill to test your resolve.

Past 4.5k

More lovely fall colour along the way

Over a small hill right by the lake shore and past the Lakeside Pavilion, you finally come in sight of the finish area just before the main beach...at the bottom of just one last bit of a hill.

Rise with no shine...yet.

The finish arch is just to the left there..

Made it!
Now just do it 9 more times.

The total elevation change for the 5k (and a bit - it's more like 5.3km) loop isn't that much, but it adds up as the laps pile up throughout the day.

Apparently my Garmin also thought the hills got taller as the day wore on.

Round and round and round I went.
Full Garmin workout data is here.

 I had quite a bit of fun out there, though.

Photobombers on the dam during my 3rd lap.

Enjoying a downhill!

My race went better than expected given how tired I was going in. I made sure to stay on top of nutrition and hydration right from the start despite not feeling particularly hungry: all told I polished off a full flask of slightly dilute EFS Liquid Shot from 30mins in until about 3h30 (having a sip on each half hour, with real food at the top of each hour), 3 crisp rice squares (1h/2h/6h), a slice of bacon at the 3-hour mark, a cookie just before 4 hours, and half a turkey and mustard wrap around 4h30m. There were a couple of banana chunks at the start/finish as well. Past 5 hours with 2 laps to go, I broke out the jet fuel: dilute sea salt chocolate Gu Roctane gel, of which I took sips at 5h15m and around 5h40m. 

On a day that started warm and progressed to very hot with the humidex by early afternoon, hydration and electrolytes were of critical importance, too. I took a total of 8 S!caps starting at 35m, then around 1h30, 2h15, 3h, 3h30, 4:15, 5h, 5h30m and the 6-hour mark. I exchanged my hand bottle for a full one with Tanker - who was being amazing for all the racers at the start/finish area aid station - every lap, and would nearly run out of water by the end of each ~35m lap toward the end of the race due to the relentless heat.

I was a sweaty, drippy dork most of the day.

I think that taking the camera and then my phone out on course may actually have helped me finish reasonably strong: in the early overcast, I'd have to stop completely in order to get a photo with the camera in focus, so I'd end up running for less than a minute in between pauses as I attempted to capture every nuance of the trail.

Though I swear I did actually run, as seen here with camera in hand.
Photo by Sue Sitki

As the sun came out, I brought my phone along for my 6th lap just as the day really started to heat up. Since it seemed to need even longer to get a trail photo in focus, there were lots more pauses in between bursts of running.

But yeah, still lots of running.
Photo credit to Sue Sitki

There were also running selfies, because of course there were.

I wasn't sure how I'd like the 10-lap format for a 50k - I actually thought I was kind of crazy for agreeing to such a thing, but they suckered me in with the offer of a hoodie! I mean, I've done Horror Trail numerous times on a 2.5k loop, and Frosty Trail on a 2k loop, and even Run4RKids on a 232m track...but I thought the 5km loop might be long enough that each one wears you down without being long enough (like the 20k loops at Sulphur Springs) that you feel you've made significant progress by completing each one. As it turned out, it wasn't really too bad after all - the changing weather conditions actually helped, as the course looked a bit different every time I went 'round. It was also fun running into (not literally!) many friends on the course, both old and new. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful, friendly and supportive people while I attempt these stupid human tricks; even moreso in the case of those who introduce themselves to me with a "Hey, I read your race report from [insert event here] and it really helped me prepare for my first time at the event".

I aim to please!

By my 7th lap, though, I was getting tired - the building heat and mounting fatigue were taking their toll, despite the rather leisurely pace I'd adopted from the beginning. Still, others were in far worse shape: as I ran what I could and hiked the hills, I saw more and more runners suffering as their race fell apart before their eyes. Cramping and even total muscular shut-down crippled some, and others - even those I know to be very strong, experienced ultrarunners - were disintegrating into shuffling zombies in the heat.

I would have counted myself among them if not for a couple of heat management strategies I employed to keep myself in the best condition possible. I already mentioned that I stayed vigilant about my electrolyte/salt intake with liberal ingestion of S!caps: even with a whiny, very tight right calf muscle that had been bothering me a bit (enough to throw a whip of tape on it both before this race and Haliburton 4 weeks prior), I never had any cramping, though my right hip flexor felt as though it might seize in the later portion of the race. I also had a cooling tubular bandana with me - I started the race with it around my wrist (where I generally keep a tubular bandana for all races and long runs), and finally put it together at the beginning of my 8th lap that it would do me a damn sight more good if I actually soaked it down and put it around my neck like I had in the heat at Limberlost in July and at ITT last August.

I pulled it off my wrist as I crossed the dam, then Dion was kind enough to soak it with water for me at the aid station near 2k. I felt better as soon as I popped it over my head and onto my neck, especially after using some of the fabric to wipe down the salt-encrusted sides of my face and under my jaw.

Finishing my 8th lap, finally with the bandana doing its job.

I also started dumping cups of water on my chest and back to cool myself - an old trick from my triathlon days that helped me survive some unbearably hot, sunny run courses. It came as quite a shock when I did it the first time, though - apparently Tanker had just poured that cup out of a cooler full of ice! Once I stopped squealing from the sudden chill, I delighted in the cooling it provided in conjunction with the stiff wind that gusted at my back on the start/finish side of the lake.

While it would have been easy to just coast in my last couple of laps, the carnage I was seeing around the course made me think I might just have a shot at an age group podium; I was passing people left and right, trying to offer some encouragement to the hot, exhausted bodies I saw struggling around me. My hamstrings were hollering something about cruel and inhuman treatment while my medial quads screamed they'd had enough of me pounding down hard-packed hills, and my left ankle grumbled a bit as I passed the 6 hour mark. I tried to ignore them and keep pushing, and was definitely aided in this during my 9th and 10th laps by the caffeinated gels I'd started to consume. They sharpened me up as I was starting to lose a bit of focus, and my ankle obliged me by shutting the hell up.

As I crossed the dam on my final lap, Race Director Jeff (while walking the course in reverse) kindly said I was running the fastest of anyone he'd seen in the last couple of hours. He was tactful enough to leave out the bit where all the fast people had already been done for 2 hours or more.

Thanks man!
Photo from Sue Sitki

Finally, as I saw the clock tick toward 6h34m, I made my way up the final little climb - that last sting in the tail - and through the arch to the finish and my awesome handmade medal.

Plus a hug from each of the race directors - you guys rawk!

Official time: 6:33:58 @ 7:52/km

5/8 W30-39 - 8/22 Women - 22/44 Finishers

(Full official results here)

Made it!

This certainly did not feel like a first year event: the organization from start to finish was perfect; race kit pickup was flawless; the course was so well marked that you'd have to make a concerted effort to go off-track; the aid station layout and offerings were fantastic; and the ancillary things like the DJ, awards, and even free high-quality digital downloads of photographs from the on-course photographers were top notch. The whole trail is very amenable to fast running - if it weren't for the extra distance in the loop, it could easily be a PR 50k course for many people. Possibly the best part? The public restroom right near the start is enormous, so there wasn't even a lineup for the women's loo just before race time! That's like finding a freakin' unicorn, people!

I wasn't in anywhere near "racing shape" due to lingering fatigue, but I was very pleased with my ability to run strong right through to the finish. There are no lap splits available from the timing company, but looking at the clock as I passed the start/finish each time showed I ran quite consistent 35-40min laps throughout, with my final coming in under 35mins as I went for broke (EDIT: splits are actually available and I was a bit wrong. My first/fastest lap was 35:28 with the slowest being #6 at 43:16 due to taking photos with my phone. My final lap was actually 38:30, so sub-40mins, but not the sub-35 I'd thought). Because the top two women in W30-39 were 2nd and 3rd overall with no duplication of awards, I even made that age group podium I'd had my sights on toward the end!

Scored a sweet Happy Trails steel water bottle!
You'll notice that the other 2 AG winners had already left, though, having finished at least 30mins to 1hr before me.

Not as consistent as I thought, but still not too shabby considering how much hotter it was in the afternoon.

Other than some understandable soreness, I wasn't in too bad of a shape, really. The refreshingly dry course had left my feet largely un-munched, though I did discover a massive blister on the big toe-side of my 2nd toe on my right foot (of which I will spare you a photo, though I did take one). Not sure how it didn't become painful, but it never caused me any grief. I'd lubed sufficiently that there was only a tiny bit of chafing (almost unavoidable on a sweaty, salt-crusted day), and other than one "oh jeez this could be bad" burp I'd had no GI issues all day. It says something about the heat that I never even had to visit a loo (or back of a tree; I'm a shameless forest pee-er!) the entire day.

Finished and knowing that Tanker was still obligated to stay at the aid station until the race cutoff at 5pm (and six seconds), I finally did what I'd been tempted to do for hours after staring at the cool waters of Christie Lake.

Oh this is going to be good..

Aww HELL YEAH!

My worn-out quads and hamstrings absolutely loved the refreshing bathe in the beautiful lake, though I'm quite happy I changed out of my wet top and into a dry t-shirt so I didn't get chilled in the powerful, gusting wind. It was cooling enough that I actually needed to throw on my new hoodie when I emerged, and even used it for a bit of inappropriate finish area nudity as I was too lazy to wander over to the washrooms to change out of my soggy skirt.

Despite it being in the building RIGHT BEHIND ME.
Some people's kids, I tell ya!

Huge thanks to the volunteers and race directors whose hard work made this race such a success - I can't think of a single thing I'd change, and I can't wait to give it another shot next year!