Freezin 5

[sweetsue]

The race went well eventhough it wa damn cold.  We ran 5k in 30 minutes, which for me was a good run.  Thanks to Jane for pushing me beyond my comfort zone.  Congratulations to Cathy on you speedy finish.

[Jane]

Ummmm.... I don't know about you, but this doesn't look to me like a Canada Day scene:



Cathy and Jane made it to the race in just the nick of time and managed to meet up with Sweet Sue:



The crowd at the beginning of the race!  We placed ourselves closer to the back of the pack!



Sorry -- no photos during the run!  I was too busy running!

Cathy and Sue at the marshmallow roasting fire.



Jane trying not to be asphyxiated by the fire while roasting her marshmallow:



What were my favourite things about this run???

1.  They plowed the trail so we didn't have to plod through the snow!!!

2.  They served us Tim's coffee, hot chocolate and cookies at the finish line!  Yummmmmmm...... (it's all about the food!).

3.  The door prizes which were provided by Tri & Run Sports -- they were GREAT!!  Lucky Cathy and Sue to get some socks!  Everyone who was there for the awards got something -- I got some food!!  (Gel and Bar).

4.  The hat is nice.

5.  The whole thing only cost $10!!  What a great deal!

It was a great event.  Thanks to the organizers who did a terrific job again this year.  And for arranging for it to not be quite so Freezin' as last year!!

Thanks for running with me Sweet Sue!!  And Cathy -- thanks for getting me there and getting me home!!  I am glad that you are brave enough to drive in that nasty snow!

[Cathy]

Yes this was a fun run.  For all the delays in getting there, we made it in enough time to say hello to Sweet Sue, take a few pics and plant our feet in the snow for take off.  Thanks Jane for your patients and not being nervous driving with me. 

Almost as soon as we arrived we were huddled into the pack for the start of the race.  Nice crowd of people.  I thought about 50 or so.  And then we were off.  I bounded out of the pack thinking that my buddies were right with me.  I looked around for Jane and Sue and found them just behind me saying "Go Cathy" so off I went.  I think that I go blank at the start of a race.  It's like being back in gym at school where you were so focused that you don't see anything else around you.  You were told to run and that is what you do. 

I was surprised that the footing was so good.  I was able to stride across the road on Front Street and up the path without missing a step.  The New Years run I had found was quite slippery.  What a slow plod it was that day.

It had been snowing quite heavily all that morning and for the first 1k it felt like little ice pellets were mixed in with the snow They hurt hitting your face with the bit of wind that there was.  They had done an excellent job of cleaning most of the snow off the trail and there was little to no ice.  I usually run with my MP3 player on but this time had left it at home so I actually had a chance to talk to several people along the run.  The course was shorter than last year with the extras being taken off both ends of the course. 

I found the temperature quite pleasant.  Last year I just about froze (guess that is why they call it the Freezin 5)  and being that it was just about one of my first races ever, I was not properly attired.  It made a big difference this year having proper cloths and footwear.  I felt good thoughout the race.  No problems at all.  Could have kept on running but had to stop and have coffee and Tim's cookies. What a finish.

The race was well organized and there as always was so many nice people there.  Met a few friends there that I have met on other races so had a chance to talk to them and share in their accomplishments.  Was a good day all in all.   

Coming back to City Hall they had a fire burning with marshmellows to roast.  The heat from the fire was pleasant but a bit smokey.  Jane and Susan had marshmellows and then the awards started.  Damon Allen came in first for the males and a friends daughter "Christine" Blanchette came in first for the females.  (I think I got that right)

It was a great day.  So thanks to Jane again for coming with me and Susan for meeting us there.  I had a great time.  Good friends, good food, good fun.  (And I even got to go shopping afterwards.)  I did a Tri 

 

[Jane]

I think her name was Jackie, Cathy!  I had to ask Patti though.  Anyhow, it was great fun!  Congratulations on your tri!   

[Cathy]

By the way Jane, great pics.  You might have missed your calling.  And thanks for the corrected information.  I do have problems with names.   

[Heath]

Sounds like you ladies had a great race!  Congratulations.  I wish I had a cleared path to run on!  You guys were spoiled!!!

[Sandy]

Can I use some of your comments in this weeks article?

[Jane]

I'm not sure who you are addressing it to Sandy, but you can use any of mine, if you would like. 

[Cathy]

Certainly you can

[Sandy]

Both, thank you!!

[Janet]

Congrats on the run ladies!  Us wimpy Tri people cancelled our Saturday jaunt, so hats off to you all!  Great pictures Jane!
  So Sweetsue was that a Pb for you?

Janet

[sweetsue]

 No this was not my pb, but I was very happy with it.  This was the first race that I have attended that I ran with someone for the whole time, it was a great motivator, as I was struggling, but refused to give in.

Susan

[Jane]

Sue, you did great!  And you didn't really give the impression that you were struggling.  I am glad that you were running with me.  It did give the incentive for me to keep going too....

[Cathy]

Wel ladies I should have had a camera at the finish line.  Even though you were both struggling with your colds you both looked refreshed, relaxed and able to run another 5k.  No signs of fatigue at all from an outsiders perspective. Your smiles were wonderful. 

[Jane]

Well, I am glad we looked like that, Cathy! 

You interested in doing a Duathlon in July???  You said you have a bike!  It's on Sandy's race report article - 2K run, 20K bike, 5K run.