Well, I must admit it was a lovely day for a race. Sunday bloomed with spring in the air and when we came out of the hotel to head for Tim's everywhere you looked there were people in running garb. Now how cool is that. I don't think that I would class my stomach problems lately as nerves but they struck again at Tim?s and my bagel ended up only being half eaten but then I usually don?t eat in the morning any ways. The company was great as Jane, Heather and Petra and I talked about the days events to come. After a some pre-race prepping and locating Heather?s partner at Copps we returned to the lobby to gather up the rest of our group and headed for our designated areas.
Patti, Beth and I boarded the bus to take us to the 15k handoff where we waited in a cool breeze for our partners. There was a line of people almost since we arrived standing along the edge of the road and as it turned out it was the bathroom line and throughout our wait it just grew and grew and never seemed like it went down. We finally got in line (more out of need than anything else) just as most of the runners started coming toward us. Great place to cheer them on. It was exciting watching all those people going by. There was quite a group of runners/walkers that had decided to spend their Sunday morning challenging themselves.
It wasn?t long before I saw Petra and Susan, my partner coming up the road all smiles and looking like they could continue on without us. Susan and I exchanged and I was off. Over THAT BRIDGE and along the hwy. This was the coldest part of the race. About 3 k of chilling wind. From there it was all uphill. lol
The 5k mark was located in a valley of sorts and the houses and scenery were really beginning to improve over the hwy area. Lovely location to stop for a drink and some gel. With this pretty much the first of our rest stations I decided at that point that I would be a good girl and abide by drink and gel at every stop along the way that there was. From here the road wondered up and down through more beautiful homes and views of the bay that were spectacular.
Most of the middle section was uneventful. I just strolled along enjoying the scenery, with people coming out of their houses or parked along side of their driveways cheering, some with bells in hand but all giving us a great feeling of accomplishment. Several people had stands of their own out with oranges, bananas and water to share. What a great thing to do. These people along the route get into this as much as the runners do. How wonderful. I guess though they have had years of experience.
It was certainly a change this race to be able to pass people instead of being passed. You could kind of pick those butts and stay reasonably close to them. If you were passed there was always the next stretch that you could pass back. Sort of like running in drag. Each of us pulling the other along. About the 8 ? 9thk I started to see several ambulances along the route. This was a bit disturbing. I didn?t hear any horror stories so hopefully everyone faired ok.
The stretch heading up to the hill was almost country. Stunning houses were spread further apart and even though it was early spring you could get an idea what their homes and yards would look like at the height of the season. What a beautiful area to live. Then we dipped down to a sort of pond that was on both sides of the road with swans and ducks swimming along not seeming to be disturbed by all the passer bys. Now that was picturesque. THEN THE HILL. I started out pretty good. Ran as normal then turned and did the sideways thing for the first ?. Rested a bit just before the top and started to run up the last stretch and onto the road again. This got my calves going.
We were back on the road at this point and I believe about 4k from the finish. This was a good feeling as I felt pretty good (except the calves which were just on the edge of cramping) I believe that ?walk the hills? (all the way) would have been a better idea. I stretched out my stride to stretch them and continued down the road. Cars were beeping and the town of Hamilton and Copps loomed ahead. The further I ran the more congested it got. Runners/walkers each making their way to the finish.
It wasn?t long passing the gap to come into direct view of Copps and Heather, Adam and my partner Susan standing in the middle of the road waiting for our group. I grabbed Susan?s hand and off we strode to the finish line. Her hand was like ice which was very refreshing. Now this is where I always like to pick up steam. But we had a problem. There were so many people in front of us. We had to weave, holding hands the whole way through the crowds and up to the entrance to the finish. My MP3 player was playing just as we started toward the entrance music that sounded like upbeat Disney. Was really uplifting and made my want to run even faster, but the way was too congested. So down the ramp we ran into the dark (I still had my sunglasses on) and over the finish line. Now how cool is that to finish with your partner still joined to you. You get an immediate change to celebrate both your accomplishments which we did. Hugs all round.
Then we hit disappointment. NO FOOD. BUMMER
Thanks Susan for being my partner and helping me through that last stretch where I wondered if my calves would hold up. Your freezing hands were a lift that warmed me right through.
Susan and Heather at the Pasta Dinner the night before
Jane was speaking that evening on the Follies of Running Naked
Beth and Patti at the 15k exchange point trying to stay warm and out of the wind
Jutta flying by us that I almost missed her
Jane and Janet looking good coming into the finish
They were moving so fast that I just shot one and then they were by me before I could get a close up of them
Beth and Patti breezing their way by as well
