Creemore Vertical Challenge: Under 4 Weeks To Go!

How did that happen?  I start work on the CVC in November.  The pace is relaxed, just like a long training run.  In March, activity is stepped up.  Initial contact with various organizations, confirmation of key requirements (chip timing, toilets, police,...) and of course, making 60 litres of maple syrup.  Around June, I start spending serious time on trails and administrative duties; planning and doing.  Every year, I need to cut new sections of trails or remove vast quantities of downed branches and trees.  This year, thanks to requirements for the Canadian Skyrunning Series and an ice storm in April, I had plenty of both!

So, I plug away with my head down, trying to visualize what signs are needed and where they should be placed.  There are 2 new trails (the Cunningham and Harvey trails) and 2 trails that needed rerouting.  I made 250 finishing medals before I realized that sign-up consists of more 25K runners than anticipated.  I am now creating another 28 - 25K finishing medals.  This year, the shirt order was placed on the morning of July 2.  It is the only way I can guarantee that those who signed up by July 1 will get a correct sized T-shirt.

So, suddenly there is less than 4 weeks to go!  I am itching to get on the tractor to mow the tall grass and whipper snip the trails, but if I start too early, runners will be navigating foot high vegetation.  Not ideal for setting a CVCPB.  Yes, I speak of a CVCPB.  There is little point in runners attempting to better their 25K, 50K or 75K PB.  It ain't gonna happen!  Actually, there was a fellow who set his 50K PB at Creemore, but he had upped his training by a considerable margin.

I am thoroughly confused about the current status of Canada Post, but would highly recommend that people do not mail in any more registrations.  It would really suck to mail in your registration and show up on race day only to find you are not in the race!  Note:  All mail-ins are added to onlineregistrations.ca, which sends an automatic email to the runner.  Speaking of registration, there are less than 75 spots remaining.  If you want to run Creemore, now would be a good time to sign up!

We ran the CVC course last weekend with friends Agnes and Saj Moktan, Derrick and Everhard.  We took our time and a few pictures, but were surprised to find out we ran it in just over 4 hours!  I run the course about once per month (less when there is 3 feet of snow) and I am always surprised at how much effort is expended to cover "only" 25K.  The new pitch and inclines slowed us down and the new course is (sorry!) closer to 26K, but still - bushels of effort to complete the course.  I decided not to add any more hills; 4 is enough thank you, so the new elevation gain entities will be called The Pitch (about 100 meters vertical gain) and the Harvey Incline (a mere 40 meters VG).

Friend and neighbour Stephen Bridson's (wins the Ontario Ultra Series with annoying regularity) daughter Noa has volunteered at CVC in past years.  This year, she is following in her father's footsteps and running the 50K.  Noa is also raising money for Global Citizen Year, an organization that helps to round out life experience of recent high school graduates.  If you would like to help Noa, take a look at the website or donate by clicking on the second link:

www.globalcitizenyear.org

www.donate.globalcitizenyear.org/fundraise?fcid=698634

Well, with under 4 weeks to go, I better get back at it.

Cheers!