The Creemore Snow Run is one of those ideas that looks great on paper, can be inspiring in reality, but some years, makes slushies out of the most determined runners. The course starts with 2K on the Ganaraska Trail, followed by 3K on roads for recovery, then finally a 2.5K section on a moderately technical trail. Sounds easy, right?
What is not described in the brief course description above is that there are cliffs, ravine crossings and beaver dams. On a summer day it is a tough, energy draining 7.5K loop. Now add some snow. Yesterday's conditions were close to ideal, with a packed trail and never more than 6 inches of snow to trample down. In some years there has been 2 feet of snow. Trying to run up a steep hill in 2 feet of snow is known as "near-death-running", something only runners lacking the "prudent" gene (most trail and ultra runners) would attempt.
Make no mistake - running up and down hills in 6 inches of snow is no sight-seeing jog. Although the weather was good, hovering near the freezing mark, it was difficult to take in the scenery along the Mad river and while running the residual moraine, as your attention was focused on your footing. Looking up generally resulted in one of those seventies dance moves that is a cross between artistic license and spastic release. Let's move on.
Numbers were down slightly, perhaps because the forecast was calling for freezing drizzle during the night before the snow run. Those who braved the drive were rewarded with a fine day for running, on a course that was both pleasant and tough. Lee Anne and Sharon opted to run roads. Lee Anne would be considered a sane runner in one sense - that running in snow on treacherous trails would never be misconstrued as her preference. I am guessing that Sharon ran roads because the turn-around point is at the Giffens store, where they sell the world's best butter tarts...
Those that elected to run the official CSR route (FYI: it is the first 6K and last 1.5K of the Creemore Vertical Challenge) expended considerable energy during the day. I was the only "short" runner, completing 3 of the 7.5K loops. Steve and Adi extended their 3 loop run by including a side trail. The trail girls (Kinga and Dawn) showed all of us up by running 3 consecutive 1:04 loops, then tacking on a spur, for intimidation purposes, no doubt! Stephen, Stephan and Dawn completed a fourth loop.
After satiating our desire for trail running in the midst of winter, we then sat about in the house, talked of the upcoming season and snacked on cheese, crackers, wine and beer. We experienced a pleasant surprise when Gerry and Cheryl showed up during the afternoon. I knew that Gerry would not be running, as reports indicated he was injured. I thought it might have been a flare-up of his leg problem, but it turns out Gerry had been involved in a serious accident in late November and was still convalescing. He is badly banged up, but is already talking of starting to train soon. Gerry: Listen carefully. Heal first, train later. Do as I say, not as I do...
Yesterday's 22.5K run was my longest this year. I felt tired, after running in snow for over 3 hours, but not overly stiff and sore. This bodes well for my planned ramp-up. Just need to continue spending time on my feet and worry about the speed later.
On the maple syrup front, I was at the sugar shack recently and shovelled the roof. It was a pleasant surprise at how much snow there is in the bush, as it has been a lean year, precipitation-wise, so far this winter. It is hard to grasp that I will start preparing for the syrup season in earnest, in as little as one month! As always, I am hoping for a good season.
For future consideration, I marked a trail through the swamp from the sugar shack to an area of the property that includes about 25 acres of mature maple trees. In order to expand significantly beyond 400 taps, I will need to install a pumping line across the swamp. Although the cost of setting up the pump line is considerable, it would allow for expansion to upwards of 2,000 taps. Whether I want the added effort is debatable, but the evaporator is rated for up to 500 taps. It would be nice to obtain full value out of the evaporator. And of course secretly, I have dreams of buying a bigger evaporator and actually making some money out of this hobby.
Well, I wonder if there will be a February challenge this year? The challenge is to run as often as possible during February. I hope to be comfortable running 25K - 30K as my long run by then.
Enjoy the cold weather. It is wonderful to get out for a run, ski or snowshoe at this time of year. Make sure you are ready for the Spring Warm-up on April 11, which is a short 9 weeks away.
Cheers!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
2015: I'm going to need shades
For those of you who don't quite get the subject line, it is not a reference to the future being so bright I'm going to need sunglasses. I built a sunroom and I'm going to need to install shades soon.
Sorry. I had to chuckle at the above!
I am truly hoping that 2015 marks my return to tangible ultra running. I'm not exactly sure what I mean by "tangible", but it would be a step above what I did in 2013 and 2014, where the ultra races I entered where a study in survival. Hopelessly under-trained, focused entirely on triage (get to the next aid station, get to the next aid station, get to the net aid station,...); the only realistic goal being to finish.
In 2015, I want to develop a sound ultra running base. I.e. 80K - 100K per week. No time off, no distractions. Sculpture the body until it is a lean mean ultra machine. I am retired and I have run out of excuses. Without the annoyance of having to work, I can set up some impressive weekly tallies, even during maple syrup season. This is all theory, but I will no longer allow reality to encroach on the Running Dream...
I am retired, but live in a very strange financial landscape. I stopped working at Honda on May 1, 2014, but my first pension cheque arrives on February 1, 2015. How did I do this? Mainly smoke and mirrors, but also some esoteric portfolio manipulations. I would provide more details and insight, but I'm not altogether certain I understand what transpired... Suffice it to say that for 2014 and this year, I will be focused on races that are within biking distance of home. Please ignore the races and holidays that Lee Anne and I did last year in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Florida. Those were momentary lapses of reason, for the most part.
Focus Item 2015: Run more OUS races.
Until recently, not many people realized that Ontario has become a hotbed of ultra running. With a 14 race schedule, there is little in northeast North America to match it. I say "until recently", because some of the bigger names in running have started to plunk down races in our back yard. North Face and Red Bull to name two. I expect more to come. At first, this filled me with a modicum of trepidation, but now my stance is "bring it on"! OUS (Ontario Ultra Series) has grown the Ontarian ultra base from circa 25 people, to north of 800, over the last 20 years. Doug Barber recalls races in the '80's where 7 people showed up. In 2014, two of the bigger races (Sulphur Springs and Run for the Toad) combined, had 400 people in their ultra events! The ultra segment of Trail Runner's Trophy Series is chronically sprinkled with Ontario runners. If the big names come into our neighbourhood, I expect even more people will be trying trail and ultra races. This will inevitably help us little guys!
Lee Anne has signed up for a very strange race (this is news?) in Tennessee. It is called "A Race For the Ages" and is tailored to older ultra runners. The race ends at 6:00 PM on Monday, September 4, 2015. Runners are given one hour for each year they have lived! Lee Anne (61 years old) starts at 5:00 AM on Saturday morning and has 61 hours to tally as many miles as she can, before the race ends at 6:00 PM on Labour Day.
OUS will have 14 ultra races. My 2015 aspirations are twofold:
1. Run a 50 miler. I'm tired of being labelled a baby ultra runner, regardless of how good my reasons might be (surgery on both knees, back problems, broken neck, being only semi-rational... Okay, the last point is an advantage).
2. Run more of the ultras. Yes, this will stress the knees, but I can't help but think that running a 50K on little training is a bigger stressor. My skewed logic states that simply running more ultras will get me ready for the next race. Please don't reply and burst my bubble!
2015 Race Schedule:
2015-04-11: Spring Warm-up. Hopefully I can get in a run (maple syrup season)
2015-04-25: 50K at Pick Your Poison.
2015-05-23: 50K at Sulphur Springs
2015-06-06: 6H at Kingston
2015-06-20: 50K at Niagara Ultra
2015-07-04: 50K at Laura Secord
2015-07-11: 28K at Limberlost (nope, I can't do B2B ultras yet)
2015-07-25: 12H at Dirty Girls (yup, longest ultra yet. Might run the night option)
2015-08-08: RD at Creemore
2015-09-04: Crew at Race for the Ages
2015-09-12: 50M at Haliburton. Training: Please make this happen
2015-10-03: 50K at Run for the Toad
2015-10-31: 6H at Horror Trail
Horror Hill was a toss-up between 6 hour and 50K. I would prefer the 6H (secret plans of running more than 50K) but I plan to enter a lot of 50K series races. Realistically, I have no chance of doing well in the 50K series, so let's focus on the ultra series specifically and sign up for the 6H.
Is 13 races sufficient to keep me out of trouble in 2015? Stop! You're killing me! Ah, but seriously, along with our plans for travel and renovations, I should avoid long stretches with idle hands...
Will the schedule change? Count on it. I'm sure commitments such as vacations will crop up that will preclude running some of the races. I'm fervently hoping that the "commitment" is not of the surgery flavour...
Very long term (2016+) plans are to align vacations with goal races. I don't ever see myself being able to run a 100 mile race. My knees and back are nodding their heads in agreement. Races such as the West Highland Way are most likely out. But there are still many 50K - 80K races around the world than pique my curiosity. Even shorter races, such as the Fell runs in GB would be a blast. As a tantalizing tidbit, check out Scotland's Ultra website
http://www.scottishultramarathonseries.org
Cheers!
Sorry. I had to chuckle at the above!
I am truly hoping that 2015 marks my return to tangible ultra running. I'm not exactly sure what I mean by "tangible", but it would be a step above what I did in 2013 and 2014, where the ultra races I entered where a study in survival. Hopelessly under-trained, focused entirely on triage (get to the next aid station, get to the next aid station, get to the net aid station,...); the only realistic goal being to finish.
In 2015, I want to develop a sound ultra running base. I.e. 80K - 100K per week. No time off, no distractions. Sculpture the body until it is a lean mean ultra machine. I am retired and I have run out of excuses. Without the annoyance of having to work, I can set up some impressive weekly tallies, even during maple syrup season. This is all theory, but I will no longer allow reality to encroach on the Running Dream...
I am retired, but live in a very strange financial landscape. I stopped working at Honda on May 1, 2014, but my first pension cheque arrives on February 1, 2015. How did I do this? Mainly smoke and mirrors, but also some esoteric portfolio manipulations. I would provide more details and insight, but I'm not altogether certain I understand what transpired... Suffice it to say that for 2014 and this year, I will be focused on races that are within biking distance of home. Please ignore the races and holidays that Lee Anne and I did last year in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Florida. Those were momentary lapses of reason, for the most part.
Focus Item 2015: Run more OUS races.
Until recently, not many people realized that Ontario has become a hotbed of ultra running. With a 14 race schedule, there is little in northeast North America to match it. I say "until recently", because some of the bigger names in running have started to plunk down races in our back yard. North Face and Red Bull to name two. I expect more to come. At first, this filled me with a modicum of trepidation, but now my stance is "bring it on"! OUS (Ontario Ultra Series) has grown the Ontarian ultra base from circa 25 people, to north of 800, over the last 20 years. Doug Barber recalls races in the '80's where 7 people showed up. In 2014, two of the bigger races (Sulphur Springs and Run for the Toad) combined, had 400 people in their ultra events! The ultra segment of Trail Runner's Trophy Series is chronically sprinkled with Ontario runners. If the big names come into our neighbourhood, I expect even more people will be trying trail and ultra races. This will inevitably help us little guys!
Lee Anne has signed up for a very strange race (this is news?) in Tennessee. It is called "A Race For the Ages" and is tailored to older ultra runners. The race ends at 6:00 PM on Monday, September 4, 2015. Runners are given one hour for each year they have lived! Lee Anne (61 years old) starts at 5:00 AM on Saturday morning and has 61 hours to tally as many miles as she can, before the race ends at 6:00 PM on Labour Day.
OUS will have 14 ultra races. My 2015 aspirations are twofold:
1. Run a 50 miler. I'm tired of being labelled a baby ultra runner, regardless of how good my reasons might be (surgery on both knees, back problems, broken neck, being only semi-rational... Okay, the last point is an advantage).
2. Run more of the ultras. Yes, this will stress the knees, but I can't help but think that running a 50K on little training is a bigger stressor. My skewed logic states that simply running more ultras will get me ready for the next race. Please don't reply and burst my bubble!
2015 Race Schedule:
2015-04-11: Spring Warm-up. Hopefully I can get in a run (maple syrup season)
2015-04-25: 50K at Pick Your Poison.
2015-05-23: 50K at Sulphur Springs
2015-06-06: 6H at Kingston
2015-06-20: 50K at Niagara Ultra
2015-07-04: 50K at Laura Secord
2015-07-11: 28K at Limberlost (nope, I can't do B2B ultras yet)
2015-07-25: 12H at Dirty Girls (yup, longest ultra yet. Might run the night option)
2015-08-08: RD at Creemore
2015-09-04: Crew at Race for the Ages
2015-09-12: 50M at Haliburton. Training: Please make this happen
2015-10-03: 50K at Run for the Toad
2015-10-31: 6H at Horror Trail
Horror Hill was a toss-up between 6 hour and 50K. I would prefer the 6H (secret plans of running more than 50K) but I plan to enter a lot of 50K series races. Realistically, I have no chance of doing well in the 50K series, so let's focus on the ultra series specifically and sign up for the 6H.
Is 13 races sufficient to keep me out of trouble in 2015? Stop! You're killing me! Ah, but seriously, along with our plans for travel and renovations, I should avoid long stretches with idle hands...
Will the schedule change? Count on it. I'm sure commitments such as vacations will crop up that will preclude running some of the races. I'm fervently hoping that the "commitment" is not of the surgery flavour...
Very long term (2016+) plans are to align vacations with goal races. I don't ever see myself being able to run a 100 mile race. My knees and back are nodding their heads in agreement. Races such as the West Highland Way are most likely out. But there are still many 50K - 80K races around the world than pique my curiosity. Even shorter races, such as the Fell runs in GB would be a blast. As a tantalizing tidbit, check out Scotland's Ultra website
http://www.scottishultramarathonseries.org
Cheers!
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Always Have a Plan
Okay, here was the plan:
Wednesday December 17 (incidentally, I was 56.5 on that date):
Move couch.
Thursday December 18, 2014 until April, 2015:
Increase my running speed, stamina and distance until I am a "running force". A running force is one of those runners who seemingly effortlessly cruises through a 50K or 50M to an age category podium finish. In my case, it would be in the geezer category, but that suits me perfectly! A non - "running force" finishes an ultra with these words: "Blospertoto werkolominy", which is what you say when you are desperately trying to avoid puking and falling down. A running force says: "Golly gee that was tough!", and it is apparent that they can easily knock off another 20K.
So, the plan was set, I had cleared my schedule, allowing me to focus on "the official ramp-up". Pending future derailments (maple syrup season, Spring Warm-up (oops! more on that in a later blog entry) and the Spanish Inquisition) would have to be dealt with in due time, but NOTHING could stop the ramp.
Or so I thought...
After a full year of demolishing a house, then building a new one, I had become stronger, faster, higher. I lifted plywood, lumber, heavy objects with a smile. Four of us lifted three 43 foot 2X8 LVL (laminate veneer lumber) beams to the roof peak. That would be 16 feet above the second floor.
A week ago, I lifted a couch with my son-in-law Daryl. Yes, it was a pull-out couch (has a bed in it), but I doubt it weighed more than 150 pounds. While holding the couch, I shifted the weight to my left hand, in order to get a better grip with my right hand. The twisting motion, while bending down, resulted in something popping in my back and shooting pains travelling down my left leg to my toes.
I have had major back problems for 30 years. I have a bulging disk that puts pressure on my sciatic nerve. Very painful! The last major episode was 20 years ago, while skiing out west. It took 6 months before it was better... All year I have been extremely careful to avoid stressing my back. Now, simply walking will start my left leg twitching for hours.
So much for the ramp-up!
Yesterday, in a "Damn The Torpedoes" mood, I went for a run. The sensible components in my brain (they are highly atrophied) dictated a slow and short run. The DTT components elected to run the Ganaraska trail, in 6 inches of snow. I know, less intelligent than almost anything you can think of, but it is completely unfair to put a major trail at the end of my driveway. The cost was considerable, but staying awake most of the night with intermittent pain was an acceptable trade-off. Running 4K on a trail in late December near Creemore was fantastic!
2014 in Review
I have (as intimated above) big plans for 2015, that will have to wait for an early 2015 blog entry. Reflecting on 2014 will help put my aspirations into perspective. In 2014, newly retired and with a significant construction project on the go, I decided to channel much of my running energy into supporting my wife Lee Anne. Lee Anne turned 60 in November 2013 and we decided to make an attempt on a Canadian age category record. It did not turn out according to plan, but she has learned a lot, which will help in the future.
Races:
Pick Your Poison 25K, 3 Days at the Fair 12 hour, Niagara 50K, Limberlost 28K and Canlake 50K. 2014 was a lighter race schedule than in most years.
Crew: 3 Days at the Fair, Pinecreek Challenge, Icarus Florida Ultrafest (crewed Lee Anne)
Volunteer: Dirty Girls, Run for the Toad
Organize: Creemore Vertical Challenge, Creemore Copper Kettle Dash
My running did not meet expectations in 2014. Perhaps I should rephrase this as training did not meet expectations. It is difficult to put in adequate mileage when most days you are working construction and driving for 4 hours. I was badly under-trained for the Canlake 50K, which is apparent in my PW time of 7:01:21.
However, runners are nothing if they are not optimists! I have unrealistic expectations that the weight loss alone (I went from circa 200 pounds to 180) will shave an hour off my 50K time. I just finished the book "What Makes Olga Run", which is inspirational for older athletes. A recommended read for anyone north of 50.
Cheers!
Wednesday December 17 (incidentally, I was 56.5 on that date):
Move couch.
Thursday December 18, 2014 until April, 2015:
Increase my running speed, stamina and distance until I am a "running force". A running force is one of those runners who seemingly effortlessly cruises through a 50K or 50M to an age category podium finish. In my case, it would be in the geezer category, but that suits me perfectly! A non - "running force" finishes an ultra with these words: "Blospertoto werkolominy", which is what you say when you are desperately trying to avoid puking and falling down. A running force says: "Golly gee that was tough!", and it is apparent that they can easily knock off another 20K.
So, the plan was set, I had cleared my schedule, allowing me to focus on "the official ramp-up". Pending future derailments (maple syrup season, Spring Warm-up (oops! more on that in a later blog entry) and the Spanish Inquisition) would have to be dealt with in due time, but NOTHING could stop the ramp.
Or so I thought...
After a full year of demolishing a house, then building a new one, I had become stronger, faster, higher. I lifted plywood, lumber, heavy objects with a smile. Four of us lifted three 43 foot 2X8 LVL (laminate veneer lumber) beams to the roof peak. That would be 16 feet above the second floor.
A week ago, I lifted a couch with my son-in-law Daryl. Yes, it was a pull-out couch (has a bed in it), but I doubt it weighed more than 150 pounds. While holding the couch, I shifted the weight to my left hand, in order to get a better grip with my right hand. The twisting motion, while bending down, resulted in something popping in my back and shooting pains travelling down my left leg to my toes.
I have had major back problems for 30 years. I have a bulging disk that puts pressure on my sciatic nerve. Very painful! The last major episode was 20 years ago, while skiing out west. It took 6 months before it was better... All year I have been extremely careful to avoid stressing my back. Now, simply walking will start my left leg twitching for hours.
So much for the ramp-up!
Yesterday, in a "Damn The Torpedoes" mood, I went for a run. The sensible components in my brain (they are highly atrophied) dictated a slow and short run. The DTT components elected to run the Ganaraska trail, in 6 inches of snow. I know, less intelligent than almost anything you can think of, but it is completely unfair to put a major trail at the end of my driveway. The cost was considerable, but staying awake most of the night with intermittent pain was an acceptable trade-off. Running 4K on a trail in late December near Creemore was fantastic!
2014 in Review
I have (as intimated above) big plans for 2015, that will have to wait for an early 2015 blog entry. Reflecting on 2014 will help put my aspirations into perspective. In 2014, newly retired and with a significant construction project on the go, I decided to channel much of my running energy into supporting my wife Lee Anne. Lee Anne turned 60 in November 2013 and we decided to make an attempt on a Canadian age category record. It did not turn out according to plan, but she has learned a lot, which will help in the future.
Races:
Pick Your Poison 25K, 3 Days at the Fair 12 hour, Niagara 50K, Limberlost 28K and Canlake 50K. 2014 was a lighter race schedule than in most years.
Crew: 3 Days at the Fair, Pinecreek Challenge, Icarus Florida Ultrafest (crewed Lee Anne)
Volunteer: Dirty Girls, Run for the Toad
Organize: Creemore Vertical Challenge, Creemore Copper Kettle Dash
My running did not meet expectations in 2014. Perhaps I should rephrase this as training did not meet expectations. It is difficult to put in adequate mileage when most days you are working construction and driving for 4 hours. I was badly under-trained for the Canlake 50K, which is apparent in my PW time of 7:01:21.
However, runners are nothing if they are not optimists! I have unrealistic expectations that the weight loss alone (I went from circa 200 pounds to 180) will shave an hour off my 50K time. I just finished the book "What Makes Olga Run", which is inspirational for older athletes. A recommended read for anyone north of 50.
Cheers!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Exercise Room: Complete! Short Update on Creemore Vertical Challenge
Anyone who has undertaken a construction project knows that "completion" is a relative term. My definition is that a project is complete, once I am tired of saying that it is "almost complete"...
Running has taken a back seat to the project for much too long, so another reason to call it complete. Sure, the trim needs a final coat of paint and the exercise room couch is still in Toronto, but the tools are put away (I take them out several times a day to "complete" something else) and I haven't been to Hamilton Brothers in 7 hours! Hamilton Brothers is quite unique. It is a company that has been in business since circa 1850 and (to put it mildly) is well represented in the town of Glen Huron. Not having heard of Glen Huron does not automatically make you urban-centric (Toronto / other), but you need to immerse yourself in the GH culture at least once, to be considered well-rounded. There is an apple store. I could describe it until the cows come home, but it would be better for you to experience it first hand. Butter tarts that should have WHMIS labels. Many varieties of apples. "Many" is the term I use when "several hundred" sounds like a patent exaggeration. Buying apples in Giffens ( http://www.giffens.ca ) is a bit like buying coffee in an uber-exotic New York Coffee Emporium. Be warned. Back to Hamilton Brothers.
I estimate there are 7 town lots in Glen Huron that are covered in building materials. HB has huge hangers for fiberglass insulation. They own about half the town (this might be underestimated). Of interest is that one of their churches (it might be a house) has green number 1. Enough said! They sell re-sawn 1 X 12 pine for about $0.92 per foot, but don't quote me on the price. I think the reason some of their lumber is inexpensive is because they own a water powered feed mill and a water powered saw mill. Yes, they own a lake, dam and water powered businesses. Who doesn't? You can buy maple syrup production equipment, seed potatoes and Christmas trees. Their selection makes Walmart look meagre.
Creemore Vertical Challenge: Update
CVC lost money in 2014. Normally this would not be such a bad thing, but I retired in May, 2014 and guess what? I can no longer afford to plough a few grand into the race. Cancelling CVC was not my first option. There must be some way of holding the race, yet not killing the bank account. The CVC also takes an enormous amount of work and energy. I need to find methods that reduce the workload, yet do not make a large impact on the quality of the race. Many people run Creemore because it is unlike the big races, yet still offers value. What to do?
As a sidebar, there has been a huge outpouring of support, suggestions and offers for help, to keep CVC going. It was inspiring to realize how much the race means to others, not just me. The support meant a lot when I crunched the numbers and made the decision to keep CVC going. Many thanks!
There are many reasons behind the changes. Not all reasons are apparent in the changes, but here are a few:
1. Keep CVC as a challenging race with unique swag and prizes. There will be 60 prizes for the 3 races (25K, 50K and 75K) to be spread amongst a capped field of 250. Hint: If you are over 50 and female, consider the 75K!
2. Generate a profit, to benefit the Canadian Ultra teams. It may seem strange or unfair to take a portion of the entry fees from 25K runners and hand it over to the ultra team, but the reality is that the Canadian Ultra teams have little support from any sources. The federal government is about the only other source. I hope that the 25K runners realize that should they have the temerity to enter an ultra race, Creemore is a logical option. They know the course, they understand the risk and they get so much more for their money. Yes, pain and suffering is bountiful at CVC!
3. Provide the runners with a serious challenge, followed by a social event. Many first-time runners, after cursing me for the course, have declared the post-race event as one of the best they have experienced. Some mentioned that at other races, they normally leave shortly after their race is complete. At Creemore, they stick around and socialize with the other runners. I'm sure the river, pizza and Creemore Springs beer has nothing to do with this!
4. Reduce the workload on the RD (me). This is unfortunate and could be viewed as a down-side, but it is very difficult to ask friends, fellow runners and family to drop everything they are doing and help me for the week leading up to race day. I have been very lucky to have some friends, such as Henri and Diane, Everhard and Ken help me for a good chunk of the preceding week, but the reality is that there are not a lot of people who can take a week off work to help with preparations.
CVC Changes: Here we go!
Date: Now in early August. Saturday, August 8, 2015
I thank Diane Chesla (Laura Secord, Chocolate race, Dirty Girls) profusely for providing a date that does not conflict with the new North Face race in Blue Mountain, or the chronic near-conflict with Limberlost. When it was apparent that early July held too many conflicts, I realized that holding CVC during the summer months was paramount. CVC would lose a considerable amount of its appeal if it was held in the Spring or Fall, where sitting in the river would not be pleasant. Early August is ideal.
Distances: 25K, 50K and (new!) 75K
The reasoning here is that I need to draw back some people who have "been there, done that" with regard to CVC. With the new North Face race, the 50K numbers dropped from 105 (2013) to 66 (2014). Ouch! Although a big component was the saturated ultra market, I am hoping that part of the reason is that some of the seasoned ultra runners are looking for a bigger challenge. Can you say 3 times up O2? Very good! Breath deep!
In a perverse logic, I am also hoping to entice some of the 25K runners to view the 50K as a "middle" distance. I know, good luck with that!
The 75K (starts at 6:00 AM) will have the most difficult cut-off, at 12 hours. The 50K cut-off (since the aid stations will be open longer) can be made more reasonable at 8.5 hours. The logic here is to provide slower runners with an ultra (50K), yet avoid signing up for a race that would be difficult to complete before dark. I would prefer not to have exhausted runners on country roads after 6:00 PM.
No Camping. Alas, this is part of the give and take. I need to shut everything down by 9:00 PM Friday evening in order to be ready for registration at 5:00 AM on Saturday morning. I will contact the tent park in New Lowell (very close to Creemore) to see about setting up a special deal. I have some trepidation that Saturday will be a LONG day. If we have insufficient volunteers to run the aid stations, then post-race clean-up will suffer.
Price Increase.
In 2013, I vowed that I would do everything in my power to avoid a price increase. So much for vows! I am a little upset that marathons have crept over the $100 mark. Why? It is a relatively short racing event, typically over in about 6 hours. 50K's, although only 7.8K longer, usually last quite a few hours longer. I had hoped to keep CVC under the $75 mark, for the 50K.
The reality is that everything is becoming more expensive. New in 2014 was chip timing (which off-loaded a tremendous amount of work from me, figuring out the age category winners) but it comes at a price. For 2015, I will need police for 8 hours (possibly 12) instead of 4.
Oh well, I didn't want to increase entry fees, but the $10 increase is hopefully not too painful:
25K: $70, 50K: $80 and 75K: $90
There will still be a small jug of maple syrup for the first 100 who sign up for the race!
As in every year, there are more changes. I will add "WRONG WAY" signs directly after turns on the roads. I need to start thinking of what the 75K runners will need, as opposed to "only" running 50K. I also have to plead with the land owners to allow crazy runners access to their trails from 6 AM until 6 PM. I need to be nice to Lee Anne (wife, potter, boss) as the number of prizes has increased. Also, you 325 taps: Please don't fail me in 2015!
Cheers!
Running has taken a back seat to the project for much too long, so another reason to call it complete. Sure, the trim needs a final coat of paint and the exercise room couch is still in Toronto, but the tools are put away (I take them out several times a day to "complete" something else) and I haven't been to Hamilton Brothers in 7 hours! Hamilton Brothers is quite unique. It is a company that has been in business since circa 1850 and (to put it mildly) is well represented in the town of Glen Huron. Not having heard of Glen Huron does not automatically make you urban-centric (Toronto / other), but you need to immerse yourself in the GH culture at least once, to be considered well-rounded. There is an apple store. I could describe it until the cows come home, but it would be better for you to experience it first hand. Butter tarts that should have WHMIS labels. Many varieties of apples. "Many" is the term I use when "several hundred" sounds like a patent exaggeration. Buying apples in Giffens ( http://www.giffens.ca ) is a bit like buying coffee in an uber-exotic New York Coffee Emporium. Be warned. Back to Hamilton Brothers.
I estimate there are 7 town lots in Glen Huron that are covered in building materials. HB has huge hangers for fiberglass insulation. They own about half the town (this might be underestimated). Of interest is that one of their churches (it might be a house) has green number 1. Enough said! They sell re-sawn 1 X 12 pine for about $0.92 per foot, but don't quote me on the price. I think the reason some of their lumber is inexpensive is because they own a water powered feed mill and a water powered saw mill. Yes, they own a lake, dam and water powered businesses. Who doesn't? You can buy maple syrup production equipment, seed potatoes and Christmas trees. Their selection makes Walmart look meagre.
Creemore Vertical Challenge: Update
CVC lost money in 2014. Normally this would not be such a bad thing, but I retired in May, 2014 and guess what? I can no longer afford to plough a few grand into the race. Cancelling CVC was not my first option. There must be some way of holding the race, yet not killing the bank account. The CVC also takes an enormous amount of work and energy. I need to find methods that reduce the workload, yet do not make a large impact on the quality of the race. Many people run Creemore because it is unlike the big races, yet still offers value. What to do?
As a sidebar, there has been a huge outpouring of support, suggestions and offers for help, to keep CVC going. It was inspiring to realize how much the race means to others, not just me. The support meant a lot when I crunched the numbers and made the decision to keep CVC going. Many thanks!
There are many reasons behind the changes. Not all reasons are apparent in the changes, but here are a few:
1. Keep CVC as a challenging race with unique swag and prizes. There will be 60 prizes for the 3 races (25K, 50K and 75K) to be spread amongst a capped field of 250. Hint: If you are over 50 and female, consider the 75K!
2. Generate a profit, to benefit the Canadian Ultra teams. It may seem strange or unfair to take a portion of the entry fees from 25K runners and hand it over to the ultra team, but the reality is that the Canadian Ultra teams have little support from any sources. The federal government is about the only other source. I hope that the 25K runners realize that should they have the temerity to enter an ultra race, Creemore is a logical option. They know the course, they understand the risk and they get so much more for their money. Yes, pain and suffering is bountiful at CVC!
3. Provide the runners with a serious challenge, followed by a social event. Many first-time runners, after cursing me for the course, have declared the post-race event as one of the best they have experienced. Some mentioned that at other races, they normally leave shortly after their race is complete. At Creemore, they stick around and socialize with the other runners. I'm sure the river, pizza and Creemore Springs beer has nothing to do with this!
4. Reduce the workload on the RD (me). This is unfortunate and could be viewed as a down-side, but it is very difficult to ask friends, fellow runners and family to drop everything they are doing and help me for the week leading up to race day. I have been very lucky to have some friends, such as Henri and Diane, Everhard and Ken help me for a good chunk of the preceding week, but the reality is that there are not a lot of people who can take a week off work to help with preparations.
CVC Changes: Here we go!
Date: Now in early August. Saturday, August 8, 2015
I thank Diane Chesla (Laura Secord, Chocolate race, Dirty Girls) profusely for providing a date that does not conflict with the new North Face race in Blue Mountain, or the chronic near-conflict with Limberlost. When it was apparent that early July held too many conflicts, I realized that holding CVC during the summer months was paramount. CVC would lose a considerable amount of its appeal if it was held in the Spring or Fall, where sitting in the river would not be pleasant. Early August is ideal.
Distances: 25K, 50K and (new!) 75K
The reasoning here is that I need to draw back some people who have "been there, done that" with regard to CVC. With the new North Face race, the 50K numbers dropped from 105 (2013) to 66 (2014). Ouch! Although a big component was the saturated ultra market, I am hoping that part of the reason is that some of the seasoned ultra runners are looking for a bigger challenge. Can you say 3 times up O2? Very good! Breath deep!
In a perverse logic, I am also hoping to entice some of the 25K runners to view the 50K as a "middle" distance. I know, good luck with that!
The 75K (starts at 6:00 AM) will have the most difficult cut-off, at 12 hours. The 50K cut-off (since the aid stations will be open longer) can be made more reasonable at 8.5 hours. The logic here is to provide slower runners with an ultra (50K), yet avoid signing up for a race that would be difficult to complete before dark. I would prefer not to have exhausted runners on country roads after 6:00 PM.
No Camping. Alas, this is part of the give and take. I need to shut everything down by 9:00 PM Friday evening in order to be ready for registration at 5:00 AM on Saturday morning. I will contact the tent park in New Lowell (very close to Creemore) to see about setting up a special deal. I have some trepidation that Saturday will be a LONG day. If we have insufficient volunteers to run the aid stations, then post-race clean-up will suffer.
Price Increase.
In 2013, I vowed that I would do everything in my power to avoid a price increase. So much for vows! I am a little upset that marathons have crept over the $100 mark. Why? It is a relatively short racing event, typically over in about 6 hours. 50K's, although only 7.8K longer, usually last quite a few hours longer. I had hoped to keep CVC under the $75 mark, for the 50K.
The reality is that everything is becoming more expensive. New in 2014 was chip timing (which off-loaded a tremendous amount of work from me, figuring out the age category winners) but it comes at a price. For 2015, I will need police for 8 hours (possibly 12) instead of 4.
Oh well, I didn't want to increase entry fees, but the $10 increase is hopefully not too painful:
25K: $70, 50K: $80 and 75K: $90
There will still be a small jug of maple syrup for the first 100 who sign up for the race!
As in every year, there are more changes. I will add "WRONG WAY" signs directly after turns on the roads. I need to start thinking of what the 75K runners will need, as opposed to "only" running 50K. I also have to plead with the land owners to allow crazy runners access to their trails from 6 AM until 6 PM. I need to be nice to Lee Anne (wife, potter, boss) as the number of prizes has increased. Also, you 325 taps: Please don't fail me in 2015!
Cheers!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Icarus Florida Ultrafest
Okay, I'm sick again. Last time I crewed for Lee Anne it was the stomach flu. This time, the regular flu. I've been running a fever for 2 days. I know that no one likes being sick, but I totally resent 2 days of down time. Such a waste, and I have some important tasks that should be completed before long. It is snowing heavily and I have yet to attach the snow blower to the tractor. My car still has summer tires... Not happy!
Speaking of not happy, Lee Anne's 100 mile attempt did not end well. At 100+ km, she started having problems with nausea and felt tired. Lee Anne tired? At 9:00 PM? Wow. A 20 minute nap did not wake her up and by 110K, she had lost the ability and desire to keep running. I believe the heat and humidity were a big factor. Although 82F is "cool" by Florida standards, Lee Anne has been running in 5C temps up here in Canada. I think she pushed too hard when she should have taken a few breaks. Oh well, live and learn.
The Icarus Florida Ultrafest should do very well in future years. The RD's are very accommodating, the course is ideal for PB's and the location is decent. Yes, there are improvements that can be made, but for its inaugural year, the IFU was impressive.
I am waiting to get better, then back to building the sunroom. I am painting the trim and preparing to lay the floor. Hopefully completion will be next week.
Cheers!
Speaking of not happy, Lee Anne's 100 mile attempt did not end well. At 100+ km, she started having problems with nausea and felt tired. Lee Anne tired? At 9:00 PM? Wow. A 20 minute nap did not wake her up and by 110K, she had lost the ability and desire to keep running. I believe the heat and humidity were a big factor. Although 82F is "cool" by Florida standards, Lee Anne has been running in 5C temps up here in Canada. I think she pushed too hard when she should have taken a few breaks. Oh well, live and learn.
The Icarus Florida Ultrafest should do very well in future years. The RD's are very accommodating, the course is ideal for PB's and the location is decent. Yes, there are improvements that can be made, but for its inaugural year, the IFU was impressive.
I am waiting to get better, then back to building the sunroom. I am painting the trim and preparing to lay the floor. Hopefully completion will be next week.
Cheers!
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Lee Anne's Exercise Room
For those of you who have visited my house (if you ran Creemore Vertical Challenge, the answer is yes) you might recall an oddly shaped sunroom attached to the house. It was originally intend to be used during the warmer seasons. I know, in Creemore there is 2 weeks of hot weather during the summer (also known as the CVC) and snow. By "warmer", I mean Spring, Summer and Fall. Not winter. The room's role evolved into a combination mudroom and exercise room, 4 seasons per year. Unfortunately, it was not insulated to CWS (Creemore Winter Standards). A draining battle ensued, pitting an overtaxed Napolean wood stove against the elements. Strike II was made manifest due to a engineering oversight. If the room was heated in the winter, snow on the roof would melt and since there was only 5 inches of room for flashing above the roof and below the bedroom windows, you got it! Roof rot. When the snow was more than 2 feet high on the roof, it would back-seep (new word, please move on) above the flashing and rot the plywood. When I removed the metal roof 2 weeks ago, the plywood fell to the floor!
Which is a bit of a segue for the latest project, replacing the sunroom with an exercise room. Let's face it, I live in a small house. By Canadian standards, I have a big garage. Since the house is an A-frame, an addition is problematic. The house is big enough for the two of us, but Lee Anne suggested that we convert the sunroom into an exercise room. I love building. I'm lousy at it, but love it nonetheless. Tomorrow I am helping master carpenter Csaba with a project in Mississauga. He knows I am lousy at carpentry, but I think he enjoys my jokes. He is actually willing to pay me, so I now consider myself to be a professional comedian. Let's move on.
The conversion is simple. Tear down the sunroom and build on almost the identical footprint. One change point is that the new room's roof is built up to the roof of our bedroom on the second story. The ceiling in the exercise room is 14 feet high! This should eliminate the leaky roof. I will have pictures soon. The outside is painted (board and baton) and I have taped and applied the first coat of drywall mud on the inside.
I might have a better date for the CVC! I can't divulged further details at this point, as the date change involves changes at other races that are not finalized. I thought I should mention something as I have told many people that the decision on CVC would be made in early November. Other changes are in the works, but they should wait until the big decision (to hold the race or nay) is made.
Icarus Ultrafest
Here we go again! Lee Anne will run 100 miles once more. The venue this time is in Florida; a new multi-day event that is drawing attention from the mega-ultra runners all over. Definition: A mega-ultra is someone that considers running for 6 days to be perfectly normal behaviour. Yes, there is another description - please, let's move on. Lee Anne will start running at 07:00 Thursday November 13 and hopefully finish Friday, circa 10:00.
My running has taken a back seat to the exercise room project. I have only run once since the Canlake 50K. I was holding a sheet of plywood above my head. When I grabbed the nail gun, a gust of wind blew the plywood over my head and the edge caught my calves. Big ouch. My left calf turned yellow down to my ankle. Perhaps giving it some time to heal was a good idea.
But let's talk about hypothermia. I studied the weather charts carefully and today was the perfect day to drive the tractor up to the property. We have 92 acres near Blue Mountain, where we make maple syrup. I had bought 3 totes - large plastic containers, to hold sap. Two of the totes hold 1200 litres each, so they don't fit in my Civic, hence the tractor trip. It was supposed to be sunny with a high of 9. Wrong! It was cloudy - it actually rained at one point, and it reached 4 degrees at the property. Let's make this interesting. I replaced a 1,000 litre tote with one of the 1200 litre totes, which is taller. Problem: The 4 main lines terminating at the tote are at a specific height and I cannot re-string them without days of effort, so I dug down until the top of the new tote was at the same height as the old tote. I was standing in water (it had rained since ^$#& April in this area). The trip home, sitting on a tractor exposed to the elements was a study in hypothermia. I get home and the fire is out and someone (hint: not me) has left a window open. A balmy 15 degree inside...
That's it for now. I'll endeavor to take and post pictures of the exercise room and the Icarus Ultrafest.
Happy birthday Lee Anne (November 6)!
Which is a bit of a segue for the latest project, replacing the sunroom with an exercise room. Let's face it, I live in a small house. By Canadian standards, I have a big garage. Since the house is an A-frame, an addition is problematic. The house is big enough for the two of us, but Lee Anne suggested that we convert the sunroom into an exercise room. I love building. I'm lousy at it, but love it nonetheless. Tomorrow I am helping master carpenter Csaba with a project in Mississauga. He knows I am lousy at carpentry, but I think he enjoys my jokes. He is actually willing to pay me, so I now consider myself to be a professional comedian. Let's move on.
The conversion is simple. Tear down the sunroom and build on almost the identical footprint. One change point is that the new room's roof is built up to the roof of our bedroom on the second story. The ceiling in the exercise room is 14 feet high! This should eliminate the leaky roof. I will have pictures soon. The outside is painted (board and baton) and I have taped and applied the first coat of drywall mud on the inside.
I might have a better date for the CVC! I can't divulged further details at this point, as the date change involves changes at other races that are not finalized. I thought I should mention something as I have told many people that the decision on CVC would be made in early November. Other changes are in the works, but they should wait until the big decision (to hold the race or nay) is made.
Icarus Ultrafest
Here we go again! Lee Anne will run 100 miles once more. The venue this time is in Florida; a new multi-day event that is drawing attention from the mega-ultra runners all over. Definition: A mega-ultra is someone that considers running for 6 days to be perfectly normal behaviour. Yes, there is another description - please, let's move on. Lee Anne will start running at 07:00 Thursday November 13 and hopefully finish Friday, circa 10:00.
My running has taken a back seat to the exercise room project. I have only run once since the Canlake 50K. I was holding a sheet of plywood above my head. When I grabbed the nail gun, a gust of wind blew the plywood over my head and the edge caught my calves. Big ouch. My left calf turned yellow down to my ankle. Perhaps giving it some time to heal was a good idea.
But let's talk about hypothermia. I studied the weather charts carefully and today was the perfect day to drive the tractor up to the property. We have 92 acres near Blue Mountain, where we make maple syrup. I had bought 3 totes - large plastic containers, to hold sap. Two of the totes hold 1200 litres each, so they don't fit in my Civic, hence the tractor trip. It was supposed to be sunny with a high of 9. Wrong! It was cloudy - it actually rained at one point, and it reached 4 degrees at the property. Let's make this interesting. I replaced a 1,000 litre tote with one of the 1200 litre totes, which is taller. Problem: The 4 main lines terminating at the tote are at a specific height and I cannot re-string them without days of effort, so I dug down until the top of the new tote was at the same height as the old tote. I was standing in water (it had rained since ^$#& April in this area). The trip home, sitting on a tractor exposed to the elements was a study in hypothermia. I get home and the fire is out and someone (hint: not me) has left a window open. A balmy 15 degree inside...
That's it for now. I'll endeavor to take and post pictures of the exercise room and the Icarus Ultrafest.
Happy birthday Lee Anne (November 6)!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Canlake 50K Race Report
To start, there is a humorous side to statistics, especially when applied to a small audience blog such as mine. Currently there are almost as many people that have viewed my blog from the Ukraine, as the USA. And both countries are not far behind Canada! I have seen China be the #1 country viewing my blog, although this doesn't surprise me. Let's say that 0.01% of the Chinese search on a topical keyword that I wrote in my blog, and 10% drill down far enough to "view" my blog. That would be 13,000 hits!
I always wondered what would happen if I deliberately added keywords such as "Rob Ford party pictures" or "George Clooney wedding pictures". Hmm. I guess I just did! I'll let you know if there is some gargantuan hit. Probably Rob and George are going to phone and ask me to cease and desist, again.
One more item before the Canlake 50 RR, which is totally about running (yes, amen). There are 30,000,000,000 lady bugs (okay, the Japanese beetle thingy - whatever) outside my house as I type. It is 2:00 PM and I should be chopping wood, but I spent the morning cutting trees up at the property and I am dead tired. My excuse for delaying is that I should not open a door. Someone should write a horror novel about lady bugs.
Canandaigua Lake 50
Details:
The Canlake 50 is a 50K and 50M race. The 50M route follows paved roads around the Canandaigua Lake. I think I know where they obtained the race name. The 50K starts at about the 30K point of the 50M race. The race is very well organized and friendly to newbies, those who want pacers and/or crew. There is a pre-race pasta meal as well as a post-race sandwich.
Be warned; there are hills. Recall who is writing this! On the 50M, there are 4 major climbs, with impressively steep descents. Lee Anne's time was slower than her 50M at Sulphur Springs (a trail race), so Canlake 50 is not a good course to break your PB. The hills on the 50K are less pronounced, but expect a couple of walking breaks...
The scenery is epic, with low mountains (big hills?) surrounding the course resplendent in fall colours. The lake is charming and provides a wonderful backdrop to the mountains. The aid stations have typical food for short ultras (no cooking facilities normally found at 24/48/72 hour races) and were well stocked. I have to admit that I partook of their gels, as they were readily available at most stations and can be expensive!
Lee Anne's Race:
Not much to talk about. Her plan was to use the 50M as a training run 4 weeks before her 100 mile race. I had asked her to push medium-hard on the first 50K, then back it off for the last 30K. The idea was to train her legs to run "sore" for 30K. Her target finish time was 11 hours. At no point was Lee Anne tired or in trouble. She ran the 50M without incident in 10:44 and had "legs left" at the end. Well done dear!
Oil Creek 100 was on the same weekend and although I don't have the full story yet, it was particularly hard on many of the Canadian women! Elise MacGuire was 4th women overall and Dale Draaistra and Ken Niemimaa did very well. Although Dawn Hamel finished, her knee looks very bad after falling down a cliff. Maryka Hladki and Jodi Langely were involved in some freak accident involving a UFO. I could be wrong about this, but both had to drop. Here is hoping that everyone recovers well and the abductions stop!
Pierre's Race:
The Horror, the Horror
As might be apparent from above, I was very impressed with the race organization and execution. We received periodic emails with any and all last minute changes and information that needed reiteration. Having sad that, I don't like road races. The pavement causes me considerable grief, especially to my knees and ultimately my back.
The plan was very simple. Without adequate training, I would be running slowly and walking all hills. Little did I know how slowly I would run and that I would be forced to walk the downhills!
The first 20K was enjoyable as I ran with a fellow from France who worked for Fairmont Hotels. I just checked the results - we had talked after the race and I am sure he said he finished in 6:14, but cannot find a 50 year old male from BC on the results. Thus his name escapes me! Our pace was a bit faster than I would have liked, but slower than 6:00/K, so nothing debilitating.
At 20K, the knee that I had surgery on in 2012 starting making some very strange squeaks. For those knee surgery aficionados, it was not a "good" squeak, but a "bad" squeak. Possibly a "very very bad" squeak. One problematic outcome of knee surgery is that when the knee starts to complain, I really don't know if I should listen, or simply up the Ibuprofen. I had thoughts that finishing the race might also finish my running career. Quandary.
The running conditions were ideal. For running. I was comfortably cool in shorts and a fall running jacket. Stopping would have put me into hypothermia. Again. I decided to continue to the 25K aid station and see what transpired. I also did 2 Ibuprofen and started walking the downhills. Sadly, nothing helped. The knee continued to complain and I also noted some restriction when moving (bending or straightening) the knee. Hmm.
At 25K I decided that stopping was the more intelligent choice, then continued running. I can hear you yelling, but you are too late. Yes, I ignored the correct decision and yes, I know that you know I didn't start running last week. Here is my logic:
1. I didn't want to freeze to death. This is actually quite low on my wish list. I equated a DNF with hypothermia.
2. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if this was my last chance to run 50K. If my knee is shot, I might as well continue. Note: I have not gone for a run since the race. Although the knee is feeling better, this might still be the case.
3. I'm an optimist. If everything was fine, I would be seen as wimping out. Again.
At about 32K, I was too tired to walk the downhills, so I started running them and walking the uphills. Due to my breathtakingly slow speed, this did not adversely affect my knees. However, running on pavement for the first time since Niagara 50K, my back and left ankle injuries kicked in full bore. Yeehaa! Let's ride that Ibuprofen!
With more walking breaks, my finishing time was 7:01, 32 minutes slower than my previous PW.
Reflection items:
Experience is not a substitute for training.
Avoid long races on pavement
Avoid races on pavement
Avoid long races (this is likely...)
I should go chop some wood
I always wondered what would happen if I deliberately added keywords such as "Rob Ford party pictures" or "George Clooney wedding pictures". Hmm. I guess I just did! I'll let you know if there is some gargantuan hit. Probably Rob and George are going to phone and ask me to cease and desist, again.
One more item before the Canlake 50 RR, which is totally about running (yes, amen). There are 30,000,000,000 lady bugs (okay, the Japanese beetle thingy - whatever) outside my house as I type. It is 2:00 PM and I should be chopping wood, but I spent the morning cutting trees up at the property and I am dead tired. My excuse for delaying is that I should not open a door. Someone should write a horror novel about lady bugs.
Canandaigua Lake 50
Details:
The Canlake 50 is a 50K and 50M race. The 50M route follows paved roads around the Canandaigua Lake. I think I know where they obtained the race name. The 50K starts at about the 30K point of the 50M race. The race is very well organized and friendly to newbies, those who want pacers and/or crew. There is a pre-race pasta meal as well as a post-race sandwich.
Be warned; there are hills. Recall who is writing this! On the 50M, there are 4 major climbs, with impressively steep descents. Lee Anne's time was slower than her 50M at Sulphur Springs (a trail race), so Canlake 50 is not a good course to break your PB. The hills on the 50K are less pronounced, but expect a couple of walking breaks...
The scenery is epic, with low mountains (big hills?) surrounding the course resplendent in fall colours. The lake is charming and provides a wonderful backdrop to the mountains. The aid stations have typical food for short ultras (no cooking facilities normally found at 24/48/72 hour races) and were well stocked. I have to admit that I partook of their gels, as they were readily available at most stations and can be expensive!
Lee Anne's Race:
Not much to talk about. Her plan was to use the 50M as a training run 4 weeks before her 100 mile race. I had asked her to push medium-hard on the first 50K, then back it off for the last 30K. The idea was to train her legs to run "sore" for 30K. Her target finish time was 11 hours. At no point was Lee Anne tired or in trouble. She ran the 50M without incident in 10:44 and had "legs left" at the end. Well done dear!
Oil Creek 100 was on the same weekend and although I don't have the full story yet, it was particularly hard on many of the Canadian women! Elise MacGuire was 4th women overall and Dale Draaistra and Ken Niemimaa did very well. Although Dawn Hamel finished, her knee looks very bad after falling down a cliff. Maryka Hladki and Jodi Langely were involved in some freak accident involving a UFO. I could be wrong about this, but both had to drop. Here is hoping that everyone recovers well and the abductions stop!
Pierre's Race:
The Horror, the Horror
As might be apparent from above, I was very impressed with the race organization and execution. We received periodic emails with any and all last minute changes and information that needed reiteration. Having sad that, I don't like road races. The pavement causes me considerable grief, especially to my knees and ultimately my back.
The plan was very simple. Without adequate training, I would be running slowly and walking all hills. Little did I know how slowly I would run and that I would be forced to walk the downhills!
The first 20K was enjoyable as I ran with a fellow from France who worked for Fairmont Hotels. I just checked the results - we had talked after the race and I am sure he said he finished in 6:14, but cannot find a 50 year old male from BC on the results. Thus his name escapes me! Our pace was a bit faster than I would have liked, but slower than 6:00/K, so nothing debilitating.
At 20K, the knee that I had surgery on in 2012 starting making some very strange squeaks. For those knee surgery aficionados, it was not a "good" squeak, but a "bad" squeak. Possibly a "very very bad" squeak. One problematic outcome of knee surgery is that when the knee starts to complain, I really don't know if I should listen, or simply up the Ibuprofen. I had thoughts that finishing the race might also finish my running career. Quandary.
The running conditions were ideal. For running. I was comfortably cool in shorts and a fall running jacket. Stopping would have put me into hypothermia. Again. I decided to continue to the 25K aid station and see what transpired. I also did 2 Ibuprofen and started walking the downhills. Sadly, nothing helped. The knee continued to complain and I also noted some restriction when moving (bending or straightening) the knee. Hmm.
At 25K I decided that stopping was the more intelligent choice, then continued running. I can hear you yelling, but you are too late. Yes, I ignored the correct decision and yes, I know that you know I didn't start running last week. Here is my logic:
1. I didn't want to freeze to death. This is actually quite low on my wish list. I equated a DNF with hypothermia.
2. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if this was my last chance to run 50K. If my knee is shot, I might as well continue. Note: I have not gone for a run since the race. Although the knee is feeling better, this might still be the case.
3. I'm an optimist. If everything was fine, I would be seen as wimping out. Again.
At about 32K, I was too tired to walk the downhills, so I started running them and walking the uphills. Due to my breathtakingly slow speed, this did not adversely affect my knees. However, running on pavement for the first time since Niagara 50K, my back and left ankle injuries kicked in full bore. Yeehaa! Let's ride that Ibuprofen!
With more walking breaks, my finishing time was 7:01, 32 minutes slower than my previous PW.
Reflection items:
Experience is not a substitute for training.
Avoid long races on pavement
Avoid races on pavement
Avoid long races (this is likely...)
I should go chop some wood
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