The Achilles St. Paddy's Day Run in Kingston

[Jane]

Well, this was a fun race, and one that I think the three of us from this area would do again.  Cathy, Heather and I set off this morning along with our race photographer, Adam.  We started out with one of the girls in Tim's causing an avalanche of the trays of bagels which resulted in a domino effect of trays of cookies going flying.  After Heather got over the fact that Adam got the last cinnamon raisin bagel, we got on the road.  The trip down to Kingston was uneventful, except for the lady that decided she wanted to pass the guy in front her while I was already beside her in the passing lane!  Three of us cars and no others in sight and she just about caused an accident!  Well, we got over that after a few dirty looks to her from my passengers! 

We arrived in Kingston just as it started to pour rain.  Luckily it got most of it over with and we had a good race!

Here we are just starting out:

http://www.agptechcanada.com/photo/index.php?display=Heather%27s%20Running%20Pictures%2F03122006%20-%20St.%20Paddy%27s%20Day%205km%2FIMG_1574.JPG

I'll let Cathy report on her own race (she did awesome!).  Heather and I finished in 30:05 but we figured it took us at least 5 seconds to get over the start line, so we are considering it an under 30 minute 5K! Not too bad considering Heather ran her longest run of her running career yesterday (13.5 km) and I did a 1 hr 45 minute trail run. I found it a little hard in the beginning I think because of my cold interfering with my breathing and Heather had a few minutes later in the race where she felt she was struggling a bit. We just tried to start not too fast, so we didn't crash and burn and to finish up pretty strong. We both feel that we did that and still felt good at the end. Here is one of our finishing photos:

http://www.agptechcanada.com/photo/index.php?display=Heather%27s%20Running%20Pictures%2F03122006%20-%20St.%20Paddy%27s%20Day%205km%2FIMG_1650.JPG

And here is Cathy's:

http://www.agptechcanada.com/photo/index.php?display=Heather%27s%20Running%20Pictures%2F03122006%20-%20St.%20Paddy%27s%20Day%205km%2FIMG_1636.JPG

I think it is a little blurry because she was going so fast!

This race was a lot of fun. The weather wasn't as good as we had hoped for, or as Env Canada had predicted, but it didn't take long for us to warm up after starting. The goodie bag was full of stuff - the t-shirt, a pair of Brooks socks, Lucky Charms, Irish Spring soap, a chocolate mint. There was a ton of door prizes. Heather won a Powerbar t-shirt and a Powerbar water bottle. There were five pairs of Brooks shoes given away and there was things like $50 gift certificates for the Running Room. Lots of food afterwards too - bagels, cookies, bananas, oranges, yogurt tubes, drink boxes. It was a great run and a lot of fun. Derrick Spafford is a great race organizer. Heather and I would definitely do this one again.

As I said, Adam was our photographer and there are a whole lot more photos of various runners on his website that you can browse if you are interested.

Oh, and here is one that Adam took with my camera of the three of us Trenton representatives:

[Sandy]

Nicely done guys, it looks like you all had a lot of fun.  Maybe it's one we should plan for next year.

[ShoppinShannon]

Looks like you guys had a great time.  I love the st. patty's bobbles!  I'd imagine that looked pretty funny bouncing along!  You guys did great!!!

It's funny, yesterday, I was quizzing my 7 yr old if he would like to run/walk 5k with mommy.....I almost convinced him, but then thought, it might be too much (don't want him resenting it).  I'll start him off on a kids one before entering him in a 5k!  I know, I'm a selfish mommy/runner.  hehehe 

[Cathy]

Well it was a good day for a race.  Even though it was damp and started to rain when we got to Kingston the atmosphere was warming.  There was a good group of cheery people dressed in different layers of cloths awaiting the start of the race.  There were several in shorts and singlets.  Brrrrrr.  It was really difficult to know what to wear. 

We started the race being hearded through a little chute then out the other side we went and the pack spread out.  The course was very well laid out and the scenery was grand.  The beginning was slightly uphill and we did a turnaround at the half way point then back down again.  I was feeling pretty good and was enjoyed running at a comfortable pace.  I had had a pb (27:10) on this same course (different run) last year and had thought of trying to do that again but just didn't feel the need to rush today.  I held steady and enjoyed myself and the people.

After the finish we headed for the pub to await the results and enjoy the festivities.  Derrick has already got the results posted for anyone who is interested

http://www.healthandadventure.com/70623.html

Well good company, good food, good fun.  It turned out to be a wonderful day full of laughs and cheer.  Thanks to Adam for all those lovely pictures and Jane and Heather for sharing their car to take us there and their dollar store run to get us the headbands, buttons etc.  I would definately do this one again next year.

Also a big thank you to Derrick and his crew for all their hard work.  Another successful race

[Lisa C]

Nice pictures.  It looks like you had a good time.  Any green beer afterwards?

[Jane]

Nope - no green beer.  I guess it was a little early for that!

By the way, Derrick put some of Adam's photos on his website for the run.  They look awesome!  Check it out.  There are captions at the top of the page above each photo too.

[Sandy]

Nice job Adam.  You could seel these and start a whole new business!!!

[Cathy]

That's cool of Derrick.  Will definately check that out.  Adam certainly had the race well documented

[Janet]

Grear race report (as always Jane and Cathy!).  I almost posted something about no race report under Derrick's post,and then decided I had better check just to make sure before demanding a report! . So glad to hear you all had a great time, and will have to remember about this one next year (kind of disappointing that there was no green beer though  )

Janet

[Cathy]

OK so Derrick's pics on his site were GREAT  Adam's pictures got top priority and we got featured too.  Did they talk about it that day (Derrick and Adam)  I think I heard something about that in the car on the way home but thought that you were talking about the other Derek.

Anyways it was pretty neat.

[Jane]

Actually, I sent Derrick an e-mail and told him that Adam had quite a few pictures and where to look for them.  He picked the best ones off Adam's website (with Adam's permission).

[Cathy]

That's so cool.  It's fun to be famous.  I will definately have to wear my sunglasses to Walmart (Kingston) so I won't be recognized.

[Cathy]

I should also comment and this should have been first, over and above my own vanity, that this is pretty neat for Adam.  He does such a wonderful job of his pictures.  This is good exposure for him.

[SNOWRUNNER]

awesome run guy`s, i missed out on it, but!!!, i didn`t miss out on the rain, i ran 20k on Stockdale rd, it started to rain the second my car door clicked shut, and i got soaked for 2hrs, but!!, it did quit as i put my key in to open the door to go home.., was a great run though...the camera really is weather proof..cool!!