Stride Inside 6-hour Indoor Track Race - Saturday, January 4th, 2020

Sometimes you push hard - sometimes you just kind of laze your way around.

This was definitely not the former.
(Photo by the awesome Sue Sitki)

With the 100 runs in 100 days challenge in full swing resulting in rather a lot of short runs lately, a bunch of overtime at the office, plus some concerns after my DNF at meh last month, I knew this "race" was going to be more of a social event than any sort of performance-oriented outing.

I just wanted to be able to get through it without lasting damage, and hopefully have a couple of laughs along the way.

All the usual pre-race stuff happened, but slightly later than usual as the start time had been moved from 9am to 9:30 - an extra few winks were definitely welcome before my big bowl of oatmeal and applying swaths of kinesio tape to try to hold my poor, beleaguered body together.

The tight turns of the 215m track are murder on the ankles, so both feet looked like this.

I did a really half-arsed (no pun intended) tape job on my left hamstrings and glutes as well, as they've been grouchy for...well...a few months now. I decided against trying to tape the thing that has been sore under the inside of my left knee, because if I don't tape it then it's not really an injury...right? It's also way more likely that the sore spot part way up the inside of my femur is some soft tissue junk than a stress reaction in the biggest bone in my whole skeleton, so we'll just go with that. Yeah.

Pre-race selfie by Tanker with Charlotte's phone.

We arrived with plenty of time for me to chat with a ton of people, pick up my race kit with AWESOME swag, and flail my limbs around awkwardly.

Really nice new mug with all the Happy Trails Racing event logos and a lovely, soft tank top.

Apparently I did NOT, however, have enough time for one more last-minute washroom stop and some just-in-case body lube application after the pre-race meeting, though.

I missed the start by about a minute. Then I had to let the fellow from Enfield Timing know that my bib showed 2 extra laps, as the timing mats had fired twice as I ambled over to the actual start/finish corner from the entrance of the track.

Whoops.

Because he definitely had nothing better to do than make corrections for my idiocy.
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

A few minutes later, the timing system went down - technology isn't perfect - and everyone lost a couple of laps. It would have been a wash anyway.

Not that I really cared about keeping an accurate count.
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

The plan was simple: take walk breaks early and often to try to keep stuff from going fruit-shaped on me. So - totally keeping with that plan - I ran the first half an hour (which ended up being 19 laps), then meandered off the track to take a swig of EFS Liquid Shot from the soft flask I'd ditched in the cubbies in the foyer. Unlike prior years, the room we usually use for race headquarters and the aid station was occupied, so kit pickup was in a corner of the track itself and the aid station was set up in the foyer beside the reception/admin desk. That meant Tanker would have the cubbies in front of him all day, so I felt totally comfortable leaving all my stuff in them.

Round and round we go.

Returning to the track, I walked a lap...because I'm supposed to take walk breaks, right? Then I ran another half an hour (which also turned out to be 19 laps), saw the finish of the 1-hour race, and wandered back off the track for more fuel. This time along with a shot of EFS I had a half-slice of bacon, plus a chunk of banana, just kind of hanging around the aid station and chatting while I did so. It wasn't encouraging that I was already feeling a bit tired and hungry, but at least there were loads of fun people around with whom I could pass a friendly word.

This is why I really love to race - it's like a big, sweaty party with an all-you-can-eat buffet!
Thanks to (clockwise from top left) Charlotte, Robin, Clay, Rhonda, Steve and Tanker for putting up with me.

Walking another lap to let the food settle, I'd love to say I got smarter and started taking walk breaks more frequently. What actually happened is I got more fatigued and started just trying to run for 15mins (about 8 laps), then walk a lap, then run to the next 15min mark (which took about 7 more laps). That got me to 90mins, which was my cue to take in more fuel, which took the form of a homemade salted maple crisp rice square. I also finally took an S!cap for some electrolytes, because Tanker was kindly offering someone else some salt tabs, which reminded me that I hadn't had any myself yet. I downed a cup of Skratch as well, just to try to catch back up a bit, then needed the washroom...where I discovered a bit of chafing, so re-applied some lube as well. I eventually got back on the track to walk a lap...which turned into 3, as the 3-hour event had started at 11am, and Dree was easing her way into it by walking for a bit. Since we'd also switched direction at the 90min mark, I was more than happy to wander and chat while I eased myself (and my hips and ankles) into the clockwise laps.

I tried not to bore her too much, but well...it's me.
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

Since I'd walked a bunch by the time Andrea started running (and sped away - she's a smart one!), I pushed myself to run a little longer, putting in 6 laps but then having to stop to re-fill my water bottle at the trackside fountain. Another 6 laps of running after that brought me to the 2-hour mark, so it was off to the aid station and UltraCooler™ for another cup of Skratch and a small granola bar. For whatever reason I was feeling quite hungry, so I hoped the real food - something I could actually chew - would help alleviate that. As we'd been requested to keep anything but plain water off the track, I munched away in the foyer, gabbing some more with Tanker as I did so.

Then it was back to business.
Or something like that..
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

By this time a hot spot had cropped up on the inside of my left big toe, which was bloody annoying as I'd specifically applied some Trail Toes to the area before putting on my socks in the morning. Harrumph. I thought about taking a few minutes to sort it out, but I was honestly too lazy to take off my shoe and sock. My record of completely failing to deal with foot issues still stands at 100%.

Random fun stuff: someone brought a peach tutu and various people - like Ken (left) and Byron (right) wore it for a half hour or so each.
(Photos by Sue Sitki)

7 laps to 2h15m, then walk a lap. 8 laps to 2h30m then back off the track for another swig of EFS Liquid Shot, another cup of Skratch, and another S!cap to fight the increasing sausage-y quality of my fingers. I'd failed to take my rings off before the race, and it sure wasn't happening now - at least I was pretty unlikely to fall and cause enough swelling in my left hand that they'd need to be cut off, which has always been a fear since I broke my wrist in a race back in 2012. I was feeling a bit lightheaded again, too, which wasn't awesome - I tried to focus on drinking more, as dehydration seems to have been the culprit for this in the past and the air at the track is always super dry. I was now filling my bottle every 35mins tops, whereas it usually lasts me closer to an hour in cool conditions. The track is generally around 17c/63f, which is certainly warmer than I've been running in lately, but not really warm enough to warrant how drenched in sweat I was, nor how much water I was going through while still seemingly dehydrated. Weird.

Totally not to scale, but gives you some idea of the layout.

Speaking of being soaked in sweat - this actually turned into a motivating factor at times to get me running again. If I'd walk too long, I'd start to get chilly, so I'd have to work harder to warm up again. I had brought a sweater, which was stowed in my bag in one of the cubbies...but I was still doing mostly ok. Heck, I didn't feel the lightheadedness if I actually ran; it was only when I'd stop or walk. So, keep moving, right?

At least I'd already lasted longer than I did at meh, and nothing had locked up or shut down yet.
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

Run another 7 laps, then walk. Run another 7 laps, then off the track at 3hrs for more EFS Liquid Shot and another cup of Skratch. I actually ended up missing out on a lap being counted here as there was another change of direction (back to counter-clockwise) at the 3-hour mark, and I missed going through the cones as I was farting around by the aid station. was just able to maintain the routine of running 6 or 7 laps to get to the next 15min mark, walk one, then get running again. I had passed the half marathon distance, but it looked unlikely that I'd make a full marathon, let alone beyond that to make it a real "ultra". I was doing my best to stay on top of my running form - picking my feet up instead of shuffling, leaning forward from the ankles with my trunk ahead of my legs, stabilizing my hips with my abdominal muscles, and landing with a soft, bent knee. It was, however, increasingly difficult to hold it all together. I was getting tired.

All the colour had drained right out of me.
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

By 3.5hrs - and my next nutrition stop, polishing off the last of my EFS Liquid Shot and downing another S!cap and cup of Skratch - my left glutes and hamstrings were really giving me grief; they didn't seem to like going counter-clockwise again. Ron Irwin had noticed my stride was getting a little stupid (though he was kind enough to put it as "You're limping a bit"), but I wasn't sure what I could do about it; I'd been trying to massage the area - yeah, rubbing my butt in public again - with little success. Fortunately Geoff Gamble noticed I was a little hurting, and kindly offered to help, so I got down on one of the benches in the viewing area by the doors to the track, and he - ever so lovingly - shoved his elbow into the horrible knot of twisted, abused muscle in my posterior. It was both horribly painful and incredibly helpful; it created a bit of space in my hip joint so things could move a little easier, and I headed back out onto the track

Thanks a bunch Geoff - you're awesome!
If it ever works out, I will 100% come visit you at Niagara Health & Rehab Centre
(Photo by Sue Sitki)

I walked another lap just to give everything a bit of a chance to settle, then got back after it - run 5 laps, walk 1 to 3h45m. Run another 7 laps to 4hrs, then head off the track once more for some nutrition. I was feeling really worn out by this point - had I mentioned that most of my runs lately have been 40mins or less? - and I was feeling hungry again, so I took my time eating a turkey and mustard wrap, and then did something I've never done in a race before. There was a big coffee urn at the aid station, and they had a carton of vanilla almond creamer; the stuff that's utterly delicious, but I never buy because it's so full of sugar. I figured it - along with a dose of caffeine - might just give me the lift I needed to keep moving, so I had a leisurely cuppa (well, half cup really) before heading back to the track. Whether or not it would help, it was delightful.

Now into the final third, I got myself into a decent groove again. Run 6 laps, then walk 2 - repeat twice, then off the track again at 4h30m for more Skratch, another S!cap, another chunk of banana and a crisp rice square, plus a small dill pickle. Yeah, running long is weird: I only like dill pickles once in a blue moon, but pickles and pickle juice have been demonstrated to stop muscle cramping and the saltiness of pickle brine helps with electrolyte balance. Lord knows I needed every bit of help I could get - my glutes had settled down after Geoff worked on them, but my left pes anserine truly hated running counter-clockwise. It hurt the most when my left foot would turn outward to make the corners on the track; I had to consciously focus on keeping my foot aligned straight ahead to keep the pain from blooming under the inside of my left knee with each step.

At least the hot spot on my left foot somehow went away.

I had spent almost 10mins off the track munching away while the 3-hour event ended, but when I returned everyone was still going counter-clockwise - where was that change of direction? A lot more people were walking now, and I joined them to try to give my knee a further break. At last, around 4h38m, the final change of direction back to clockwise...but it wasn't quite as much help as I'd hoped, as my right ankle decided it had liked counter-clockwise better. Just can't win.

I ran 6 more laps, then walked one, and then did the same again...only the timing mat didn't beep, my name didn't come up on the display, and it really, really looks like I'm missing at least 2 laps (on top of the one I'd missed earlier due to the change of direction at 3hrs).

Green is my stupid "3min" first lap due to missing the start.
Bright blue are full walking laps or aid station stops.
Pale blue are partial walking laps or filling my bottle.
Orange laps are the ones I walked with Andrea at 90mins
The bright pink shows a 6:52 lap that I suspect is at least 2 running laps + 1 walking lap.
Red is my hot lap - we'll get to that.

I did stop over by the water fountain at 4h50m to fill my bottle and down an Endurance Tap gel, as I was feeling a little low on calories. Then I popped back into the foyer and grabbed my phone so I could take some photos out on the track, walking a couple of laps while I did so.

And running one, because how else were you going to get my signature dorky running selfie?

Into the last hour now, it was definitely clear that I wouldn't make the halfhearted goal I'd had of 200 laps (especially with some missing..), but I was still able to keep running 4 or 5 laps at a time between walking breaks, and my pace was oddly consistent: right around 1m30s per lap. I dodged off the track one final time at 5h15m for a last cup of Skratch, an S!cap, and a sea salt chocolate Gu Roctane gel with caffeine that I hoped would give me enough for the final push to the finish. All told I seem to have taken in about 1,200cal, which puts me bang on my usual target of 200 calories per hour.

Not to mention one last smooch from my sweetheart.

Somehow, my ankle decided it was time to cooperate, and I managed to keep multiple laps at a time toward the end, though it was diminishing to 4 with a walk break, then 3 before walking. I finished a walking lap right about at 5h50m (after a really nasty-feeling ping out of the plantar fascia in the sole of my left foot that fortunately settled back down right away) and figured I could probably just run 3, walk 1, then run one or two more to finish off the day, but then Izzy came up and asked to run a lap with me. I was planning to walk the next one, but when we passed the timing mats he kept running as he was looking for someone. So I kept running too. He stopped a few metres later, but I figured there was now only something like 6mins left - any jerk could run for 6mins, right? So I plowed on.

The track looked awfully empty in the final hour.

Knowing I'd been averaging right around 1m30s per lap, I figured I'd be done after 6 final running laps, as I wouldn't have 90sec left on the clock and only full laps count. Heading down the home stretch, though, I saw Charlotte just ahead of me start to pick up some speed. I said to heck with it and threw my hand bottle - which I'd carried for the whole race so far - over by the fountain (making sure I wouldn't hit or obstruct anyone!), and WENT FOR IT. There was a grand total of 78 seconds to go.

Surprisingly enough after so many hours of pounding, sprinting actually felt pretty good - my heart and lungs might have been trying to punch their way out of my chest, but my legs loved the change of muscle recruitment. I did my best to reel Charlotte in, but she's a total badass and I knew I had zero chance; I just tried not to let her get too far away, as she was my only hope to pull me across the line before time expired.

Somehow, it worked! I actually clocked my fastest lap of the day (by 9 seconds), posting a 1:09 hot lap to finish off the day and crossing the line at 5h55m52s.

Then kind people gave me a medal, and I got another cup of that magnificent coffee.

Official distance: 194 laps / 41.71km @ 8:38/km

32/43 O/A - 11/18 W

(Official results are here)

(Garmin workout data - highly inaccurate due to indoors - here)

At 30 fewer laps than 2018 (the last time I was properly healthy) and 14 fewer than 2019, this was my worst showing yet at Stride Inside. However, I was very pleased with being quite consistent in my running lap times throughout the day (even if they were close to 7mins per kilometer pace), and being able to finish strong despite a few setbacks both before the race and along the way. With more than 40km it might not be an ultra, but it sure feels like a pretty solid redemption after the frustrating DNF at meh last month.

Even though that hotspot apparently did NOT really go away.

I might have managed a few more - certainly would have made over 200 - had I not raced quite so lazy, but at the same time I only meant to use this as a long training run and chance to see some of my favourite people. I'm grateful to have made it through the whole thing without any apparent injuries, and was more than happy to celebrate that as mission: accomplished.

Cheers!

I was even able to return to running the next day on a lovely, snowy trail, and have run every day since. I'm grateful for that as well, and for the wonderful events that Jeff and Heather at Happy Trails Racing put on for us.

Stride Inside 6-hour Indoor Track Ultra - Saturday, January 5th, 2019

It takes a special kind of idiot to show up for an ultra both under- and over-trained. I, friends, am just that idiot.

Oh look, a curve! I wonder if I'll see one of those again any time soon..?

It wasn't especially encouraging when I stepped out of bed onto a sore ankle. Nonetheless, I skirted up, made some oatmeal, and proceeded to support the families of those hard-working kinesiology tape producers in the hope their fine products would in turn support me.

Confidence inspiring, no?
(Not pictured: another strip on my right high hamstrings/adductors, 'cause noone wants a photo of my butt.)

Off to Marden and the track with a T.Ho's coffee in hand, we arrived just before 8am - not long after the race directors themselves, as the track doesn't open until 8. I got my race kit - with a soft Stride Inside tank top, a Happy Trails porcelain mug, a packet of Endurance Tap gel, a single-serve packet of Skratch Labs drink mix, and a tiny bag of jellybeans in the reusable Happy Trails bag - and my number, in the new smaller format that made its debut at this race. Good stuff!

The rest of the hour before race time was the usual greeting of friends, swinging of limbs, use of washroom facilities (which are both ample and beautifully maintained at the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre) and whining about being approximately 60% kinesiology tape by volume. My only goal was to try to make an ultra of it by running more than 42.2km - some rough math-ing told me that 200 laps would do it, equaling 43.0km by Race Director Jeff's 215m measurement of the inside lane with his treadwheel.

Pre-race meeting and announcements, one last pee, then strap on the timing chip and away we go.

Reza - pictured beside me - ran an incredible race!

There's not a whole lot to say about this one. I was happy to run - and sometimes walk - with friendly people all around me. I got to chat with folks I'd not seen for awhile, and get acquainted with some others I was just meeting.

Hanging out with Chocolate Race Director Andrea - can you believe this amazing woman ran 500+km at Vol State and another 250km at the Gobi March all in July of 2018? 

The start/finish/timing mat area, heading counter-clockwise

I actually started the race off a little hungry, despite a solid bowl of oatmeal doused in OUTRace manager/administrator Pierre's maple syrup in the wee hours, so began nutrition around 25mins in with a swig of EFS Liquid Shot from a flask I left on the window ledge by the track entrance. I had left my bottle there initially as well, but the dry air of the track had me picking it up by the 15min mark and running with it for the rest of the day. I was also smart enough (!) to set a small flip-top bottle full of S!caps on the ledge with the flask, and started taking one per hour (-ish) at the 30min mark. Everything else stayed in the UltraCoolerTM in the room off the foyer, where Tanker was operating the aid station with his usual efficiency and friendliness.

So many people owe so much of their racing success to this guy right here <3

Of course, it couldn't be all sunshine and rainbows - my stupid ankle started to whine by a half hour in. It shut up for awhile here and there, but definitely complained early and often - during the last hour it was basically a constant force tempting me to pack it in. The right hamstrings that had been causing me grief seemed to hold up ok with the tape, but when we changed direction from clockwise to counter-clockwise at 90mins (half an hour after the end of the 1-hour race ended, but just as the 3-hour race was beginning) my left hamstrings/adductors got grouchy in the exact same spot. Oh, and I developed a hot spot under my left big toe - same spot as that shoe/insole combination had generated one at the Niagara Ultra, despite them never giving me grief in between. Booooo.

My braids also apparently started wicking sweat from my head and depositing it on my boobs.
I literally had no idea until I saw the photos afterward.

Nutrition clicked along pretty well, taking in something every half hour or so - generally a slurp of EFS Liquid Shot on the 30's and some real food on the hour. All told I had 5 S!caps (I think I missed the 3.5hr one..), a full flask of EFS (25m through 3h30m), 2 of my salted maple crisp rice squares (1h, 3h), a piece of back bacon (2h), 2 chunks of banana (2h, 4h), 2 Endurance Tap gels (4h, 4h30m), then a chocolate outrage caffeinated Gu gel for a bit of jet fuel (5h) and finally 2 clear gummy bears at 5h30m just to keep me going. About 950cal over the 6 hours, or 158cal/hour. My belly felt fine the whole time, though I did get hungry again by 3 hours in and stayed that way. I had brought turkey wraps with mustard and chocolate chip cookies, but in the former case I didn't want to stop long enough to eat one (as food is not permitted on the track, I tried to finish eating in the aid station room and only bring water on course), and in the latter case I was just damn lazy - I hadn't opened the box of cookies and just couldn't be stuffed to do so. They remain un-opened to this day.

Pictured: a sloth in a somewhat convincing human suit.

I did take my phone out on the track for a single lap (as you can probably tell from the insipid selfies), then ditched it so I wouldn't have to carry it anymore. I tried to keep moving pretty efficiently most of the time, but I know I did hang around the aid station room much longer than I would have if I'd had any real performance aspirations. Smooches seemed more important than one more lap.

It's not my fault - he really gives amazing kisses!

It got more and more difficult to keep myself running as time wore on. With no runs of more than an hour's duration for almost 2 months, plus a recent dramatic increase in overall mileage with virtually no rest before the race, it rapidly degenerated into a bargaining game: run 15 more minutes until the change of direction, then you can walk. Run 10 more laps, then you can walk. Then it was run 9 laps, walk 1...then 8 laps, and walk 1...then 4 laps and walk the 5th..

Just strollin'

After each walk break it became increasingly challenging to stir myself into a run again, particularly past the 4 hour mark. Given my lack of long runs in recent weeks it wasn't terribly surprising; to be honest I was actually a bit astonished at how well I was able to keep moving right to the bitter end, even though it hurt like hell as everything protested. Even a muscle in my chin went all weird and twitchy, as well as the usual suspects like hamstrings, glutes and my crappy, cranky ankle. My crankle. Yeah, that's it.

Hurtin'

I also rather needed a washroom in the last hour, possibly spurred by the caffeinated gel I took at the 5-hour mark to try to regain some semblance of sentient life. I did not, however, bother leaving the track except to grab those two gummy bears at 5.5hrs for a bit of sugar to finish the day; I just couldn't be stuffed to waste the time when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get in the 200 laps I wanted.

With about 20mins to go, I saw Tanker out on the track and decided to invite him to walk a lap with me as he'd done last year. He'd disappeared by the time I came back 'round, but I asked Race Coordinator Heather to grab him for me and bring him out to take a lap, which she kindly did - we walked lap #198 together, then I actually got myself running again and finished my 200th with about 12mins left to go.

Crap - what do I do now?

If you know me at all, there's only one answer: stagger on regardless. I figured I'd try for 205, but even with walking #202 I still had more time, so I pressed onward - I actually ran the final 6 laps straight, despite not having run more than 3 without a walk break for some while beforehand.

Official distance: 208 laps / 44.72km @ 8:02/km

6/18 Women - 26/44 O/A

(Full results are here)

Sporting my snazzy new medal and so, so happy to be done.
Workout data - only from an activity tracker rather than GPS - is here.

I strongly suspect I may have had a lap or two missed - I know other people definitely did, and my 2nd lap shows a time that would have allowed me to complete 2, with no recollection of having walked at all on my 2nd lap. The timing setup apparently has its limitations, but I'm quite pleased with what I was able to tally anyway. 

The best part of all was definitely afterward, though.

Jet tubs full of Epsom salts and curious kittens should be part of everyone's ultra recovery.

In spite of the horrible soreness in my ankle/achilles throughout the day and particularly the final hour, I was able to get out for a short, slow run around noon the next day, and have run every day since until today (I'm taking my damn Friday off, thank you!). I've also begun working with a new physiotherapist who has some ideas about treatment for my crankle, so here's hoping he and I can make some progress!

As for the race itself, it's a fabulous way to get a solid long run in during the depths of winter (though it wasn't particularly wintry on this occasion), and the Happy Trails team does an amazing job of ensuring a fun, welcoming event that will send you home with a smile on your face and a load of great swag. Race Coordinator Heather even hand-made the trophies for 1st-3rd place men and women in each race: now that's love for you! They also raise funds for a variety of charities along the way; Stride Inside specifically helps to support a shelter for women in crisis. Happy Trails have a ton of new races on the docket - plus many returning favourites - in 2019, so I hope you'll consider joining in the fun!

Putting my new mug to good use with a life-giving cup of coffee before the next day's slow, hurty run.

Stride Inside 6-hour Indoor Track Ultra - Saturday, January 6th, 2018

I'm not sure I've ever been so unprepared for a race in my life.

Loopy madness!

Ok, enough with the incredulous looks - I'll explain what I mean. I was somewhat trained, despite not having run more than 20km or so or 2.5hrs since Horror Trail at the end of October. I just hadn't actually bothered to taper, or adequately supply myself for the race. With 61.5km in my legs in the 7 days prior; a poor night of sleep (kept awake by frozen feet + woken up a couple of times = 4 hours' worth of naps); no tortilla chips, no salted nuts, and no marshmallows in the house to make my maple sea salt crisp rice squares.

Hell, I didn't even have any bacon. How would I survive?

Did I mention I was also held together with spit and baling wire?

Fortunately, I didn't really have any goals other than to make it past 42.2km - enough to legitimately call it an ultra. I figured 45k was probably reasonable to expect, with a stretch figure of 50k - I've only run that distance in less than 6hrs once, though, and it was basically the best race of my entire life. So, no pressure. Just go get loopy.

Which started long before the race did.

Arriving in the freakin' FREEZING sunrise after oatmeal and coffee in the wee hours, I got myself ready to go without much incident. I said hello to a bunch of people and picked up my race kit: Clif bar, gel & shot block samples, an awesome Happy Trails Racing mug full of deluxe hot chocolate or apple cider mix (for us dairy free/vegan folks), and a slick running singlet with the race logo. Packet pickup went flawlessly - Race Co-ordinator Heather had everything running like a Swiss watch! I used the facilities, flailed my limbs around, and listened to the pre-race announcements in the small room where our aid station and home base was set up, almost directly beside the track entrance.

Jeff and Heather did a great job of making sure we knew everything we needed to before heading out.

Of course I needed to pee just as Jeff started the announcements, so had to run off to the washroom (hey look - I did a warmup!) right after he finished. Fortunately for me the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre has plenty of (quite clean and well-maintained) washroom stalls and there were only 60 participants for the inaugural year, so I didn't have to line up for a loo and made it out to the track just in time for the 9am start.

Off we go!

In a strange way, it was almost a relief to make it through first lap - all ninety seconds of it. I'd wrenched my right ankle on a trail a week prior and it had been grumpy all week (hence the tape), so I was pleased it was cooperating...though it wasn't super keen on the tight left-hand turns on the track. As usual, I ignored it and hoped it would go away. The kind folks from Defy Sports Performance & Physiotherapy had tables set up in one of the corners near the start/finish line in case anything went fruit shaped on me.

Jeff had got out his treadwheel and measured the inside line of the track at 215m, so even slightly different paces ended up passing one another frequently as we circled. Despite the deep freeze outside, the temperature indoors was a pleasant 18c/65f or so: not so warm that you overheated as you ran, but also not the chill of the York University track from Run4RKids. The surface was much more forgiving, too, being a 4-lane polymer flat track rather than the painted cement I'd hated last year.

The far side straightaway.

I ran with lots of different people at all sorts of paces throughout the day, just to chat and catch up a bit after the holidays. Between the friendly banter on the track, the various sports going on in the infield (which transitioned from adult ultimate frisbee through kids' soccer practice to wee ones' softball), and the music that Race Director Jeff had piped in over the public address system, it wasn't nearly as dull as one might expect. There had even been an invitation to post your favourite "power songs" prior to the event so it could be played for you on the track to give you a lift.

I didn't really figure most of my favourite tunes would be welcomed in polite company. There were children there, after all.

I had set a water bottle out on a ledge near the start/finish to grab at my convenience, but to be honest I kind of forgot about food & drink for first half hour or so.

Too busy getting loopy.

Finally my thirst got the better of me - in my limited experience, indoor tracks in winter are incredibly dry, and I needed to wet my whistle. I was chatting with someone, though, so it took me another couple of laps before I actually stopped to grab my bottle...by which time I figured I should probably start taking in some nutrition as well, so grabbed my flask of EFS Liquid Shot out of the UltraCooler™ in race HQ.

Of course, they had a wonderful spread laid out for everyone in there, too: potato chips, pretzels, bananas, gummy bears, reese's pieces, peanut butter & jam sandwiches, plus water and electrolyte drink. If it weren't for all my pain-in-the-butt food allergies, I could have feasted! Race Co-ordinator Heather was very sweet and efficient about offering any assistance she could to all the racers who came to the bountiful buffet, even if it was just her delightful smile.

Back on track, it wasn't too long before the 1-hour race - which started at 9am with the 6-hour - came to an end. The track got a bit emptier, but not much - most of the people there were in it for the long haul. About 20mins later I'd finished my first bottle of water (I told you it was dry in there!), so went to get a fresh one from race HQ...only to discover that all the counter-clockwise turns had led to me having a distinct lean to the left from the ankles.

Ooh..

At 90mins the 3-hour race started just as we 6-hour folks completed our first u-turn around a set of cones Race Director Jeff laid out on the straightaway furthest from the start/finish, adding some new friendly faces to the merry-go-round and giving a great chance for some high-fiving of those who'd already been out there awhile. I started to get hungry at this point; not necessarily in need of calories (as I was taking in EFS Liquid Shot every 30mins), but I wanted something I could chew. It had been 4.5hrs since my morning oatmeal and I was missing my crisp rice squares, bacon and tortilla chips, but felt it was too early to break into the sole turkey & mustard wrap I'd brought along. Wish I'd have remembered that I had tucked a Larabar and a Bounce ball in the UltraCooler™, but there was no point in grumbling.

I had to question the placement of Neil Young's "Long May You Run" around 1h48m - it seemed a bit of a cruel joke to play that when I wasn't even a third of the way through the race, and admittedly things were starting to feel a bit cranky - but the music was quiet enough that you could generally either tune it out (hur, hur) or use your own if you chose. I don't run with music, so it was basically just an occasional distraction from the endless loops.

The straightaway through the start/finish - timing table on the right by the timing mats, with a screen to show your completed laps and clock displaying the elapsed time further on..

Finally, around the 2-hour mark with my legs starting to get whiny, I took my first walking break (other than leaving the track to obtain food & water). I probably should have started them sooner, but my "long" runs for the past couple of months had all been around 2-2.5hrs, so for some idiot reason I figured I could tough it out until then. Two laps - after a stop to pick up an EnduranceTap and eat a chunk of banana - took me about 5mins to stroll, take in some more calories and water, and relax a bit. When I started running again it was like I had pushed a reset button for my legs - they felt better than they had in awhile!

Trotting along again.

Unfortunately, it didn't last. By 2h30m I was hurting a bit again - I could even feel the unevenness of the painted lines dividing the lanes on the track - and needed to walk another lap. I had heard that 238 was the magic number of loops to make 50k, but with only 118 completed in the first 3 hours I knew I'd be hard pressed to make it there. I decided that an even 200 laps was a nice, round number to shoot for, and let myself walk when I needed to.

I finally put it together - having seen a fellow cruise past me absolutely covered in salt stains - that I hadn't taken in any electrolytes yet, though I had finally caved at 3hrs (after turn-around #2) and had half of my turkey wrap. Around 3h15m I jetted off to race HQ to grab an S!cap out of the UltraCooler™, and ended up offering one to another racer who said he was in need. I also grabbed my phone to take some photos while I was out there, but totally overestimated my willingness to carry it. 3 laps (about 4mins or so) later I was dropping it back off, even hating having the additional weight in the pocket of my skirt.

Not before acting like a total knob, though.

As the day progressed the sun streamed through the windows and roll-up doors around the track, making it look as though it were a lovely day outside. I knew it was bitterly cold and the wind howled mercilessly, but as my hips, adductors, calves and ankles continued to object to the relentless pounding of the flat track with its tight curves I found myself longing to be out in the woods. I walked more and more - every 15mins, then every 10 laps, then finally having to talk myself into running 5 laps at a time.

I did get a couple of lifts in the last third of the race - first because the 4h mark meant it was COOKIE TIME. I devoured a snack pack of mini soft baked chocolate chip cookies as I walked a couple of laps, later realizing I'd been told in the pre-race meeting that only water was supposed to be consumed on the track. 

I'm a jerk. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it - I just get really dumb when I run more than 3 hours. 

I also got a little shot of energy around 4h15m when a couple of tracks that I'd actually include on my own playlist turned up on the public address system back to back - first Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" and then "One" by Metallica. This is also how I discovered how hard it is to headbang and/or air drum while running. Just so you know..

I was starting to get tired (in spite of my cookies and the rest of my turkey wrap at 4h30m, just after the end of the 3-hour and the final turn-around), especially when the third sport of the day started in the infield. Fortunately almost all of the people who were in and out of the netted-off centre of the track were very respectful and courteous about waiting for a break in the flow of runners before crossing our path to exit. I wasn't sure if it was them or us, though, that caused the waft of sweaty body odour to flood my nostrils somewhere around the 4h45m mark. I'm guessing it was the ultra folks. I tell you - there's sweaty, then there's ultra stench. It doesn't kick in until you've been running for more than about 4.5hrs, but it's undeniably worse than regular sweaty runner odour. 

Photo by the awesome Sue Sitki

I broke out the caffeinated sea salt chocolate Gu Roctane for the final hour of the race to try to spark some kind of energy, and I know it helped some. All told I took in about 850cal in the form of a full flask of slightly dilute EFS Liquid Shot, an Endurance Tap, 2 slurps from a flask of mildly diluted sea salt chocolate Gu Roctane, 2 chunks of banana, my packet of cookies, and the turkey & mustard wrap. I had a total of 2 S!caps the whole day - my hands didn't get swelly, but I did discover some pretty dramatic salt stains on my shirt after the race. I had no GI issues all day, and didn't even need to use the bathroom during the race - a testament to how dry the air was, as I went through more than 6 bottles (120oz - a little more than 3.5L) of water.

With less than an hour left I was almost certain that 50k was out of reach, but I was still pressing to run at least 5 laps in between walking breaks. I got to lap 194 and told myself I had to run until I made my goal of 200 laps, and ended up falling into step with Neil Ibey for a bit. He told me I should keep running until I'd done 201, as that would be a full marathon distance. I grumped a bit, but did it anyway - damn peer pressure!

With a fair bit of time left, I started revising goals. I figured 45k was easily in reach, but maybe 225 laps? My hips and ankles were whining a lot at this point, and the arches of my feet had got quite sore and achy - don't know how well that bodes for using the same shoes at the Niagara Ultra 100k this coming June. I didn't really experience any dark moments, but it was getting very tough to convince myself to keep running, and even when I did I had to be mindful of my form. The tight turns gave me a tendency to let my elbows float out, running like I had chicken wings - I kept having to winch them back in as the fatigue built.

Eventually I got so tired I completely unfocused.  

Tanker actually left his aid station/race HQ duties in the last 15mins or so and even came out and walked a lap with me, stating flatly that he doesn't run. I gave him one more smooch (I'd managed to get one every time I went to get a fresh bottle or something from the UltraCooler™) then set about finishing this thing up. Jeff and Heather were trackside for the last half hour or more, offering great encouragement to the tired bodies still circling and working hard.

I walked lap #214 and wanted at least 220, so I kept running for the final 5...then saw by the clock that I only had 8mins left. Any idiot can run for 8 minutes, right? I managed to get into lap #224 with just over 2mins to go...then slowed ever so slightly so I would have no chance of making another, even if I sprinted (of which I'm not sure I was capable). I'm still not sure if I should be disappointed in myself for letting off the gas, but it is what it is. 

And they gave me a medal anyway!

Official distance: 224 laps / 48.16km

22/39 O/A - 7/17 Women

(Full official results here)

All told, I ended up a bit off my pace from Run4RKids last year, but with no taper and some niggles heading into the race I'm pretty pleased with the result. Even better, I had no nutritional issues (other than being a bit hungry for stuff I hadn't had the forethought to bring), only a very minor hotspot under my left big toe from the sharp corners, and much less soreness than usual after an ultra. My calves were pretty beat up and my hips were sore, but with some care and attention from Defy Sports after the race (I love me a free post-ultra massage!) I was actually able to run the next afternoon, and then did a double run day on Monday.

My race swag definitely helped get me out the door on Sunday!

The Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre is a really nice venue overall - clean and well maintained, and much more comfortable than the only other indoor track with which I have experience. It doesn't hurt that it's only 20mins from home, too! 

This was assuredly another successful event put on by the delightful Happy Trails Racing folks, and raised money for two excellent causes - the race itself benefiting ShelterSafe, and sales of t-shirts and hoodies being used to help the lovely wife of a friendly Ontario ultrarunner who is undergoing radical and very expensive treatment in the United States for stage 4 colon cancer.

The hoodies are awesome, too, even if they let total dorks wear them!

This event is already scheduled for 2019, and is well worth giving a try whether you want to ensure you can get a solid workout in even during the worst of winter's blast, keep yourself motivated to train through the holidays, or simply to have a chance to hang with all the fun ultrarunners on course. If you'd like to be a part of it, sign up quick! As of today - less than a week after the inaugural event - it's already 30% sold out!

With good reason!