Physiotherapy 10km Race
Immaculata HS, Ottawa, April 20, 2008, 9am
Out-and-back down the Rideau Canal Pretoria to Heron Rd bridge
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I was down to the race site early, 7:40am, as I was ready to go. I
had had a bad night and my mood was low/heavy, so I picked a Beach
Boys CD as my warmup music, and by the time I was at the race site
my spirts were lifted and I felt relaxed. I saw a few people I
knew - Andy Fong - but I just sat and relaxed. About 8:15am I did a
stretching/yoga sun-salutations routine, and checked my bag. The
weather was cool/slightly overcast, and I wasn't sure about my
shorts/t-shirt decision, and I took gloves for my warm-up run, and
wore them much of the time. The temp was comfortable, not warm.
Did I need my long shorts? I wasn't sure, so I stayed with them.
19min WU run, and my legs felt good and loose, and I felt relaxed,
and my HR was good. I took a gel and a last bathroom break at
8:55am, and I was ready to go.
9:08am we started. I seeded myself near the start, so as to avoid
having to do alot of dodging early on, and it worked. People around
me took off ahead of me at the start and I didn't have to fight for
space. Within 1km I was started to pass some of these
shotgun-starters! My first km was a slow 5:19 (turned out it was
also a long 1st km), but I wasn't worried, I was finding my pace,
and I settled in. 2km mark at 9mins, oops, too quick? but I liked
my pace, so I kept it. My HR slowly climbed to the low 180s, but
I felt good, esp the legs, so I kept going. Temps were ok, I
actually put my gloves on for a short spell, and then I was warming
up abit - I wished I'd put on my shorter shorts. We also had a
tailwind. I cruised up the Bank St hill. Cutting the corners as
much as I could. Through the next km markers and I knew I had a
good pace going. Was it too quick? Only the 2nd half would tell.
To the turnaround at the Heron Rd bridge, 23:36, and I took some
water. Now we could feel the wind, not strong, but it required an
elevation in effort. Around Dowes Lake a guy (Martin) caught up
with me, and we ran together, I kept him just ahead as a bit of a
wind break. The effort was starting to be felt now. 3km to go I
was confident I could keep it up to the end, but I felt I was
slowing, was I slowing too much and losing a negative-split/PB?
I wasn't paying that much attention to my watch, so I couldn't be
sure. The time didn't matter, what mattered was to do my best, so
I focused on the moment to keep doing the best I could. Around
Lansdowne and my legs are starting to hurt now, as well as a spot
under my left foot (maybe a blister?). 8km mark at 38mins, and I
was fairly sure I had a PB in the bag. No slowdown now. 1.5km to
go I got another gear and I passed Martin, but it didn't last. Did
I surge too early? Martin passed me back. Into the last km, and
my legs were starting to shake. Hold on. Around the last 2 corners
and I can now see the finish line. Hold on. You're doing great!
I gave everything that was left (not much). Eyes closed, arms and
legs pumping. Not capable of much of a sprint. HR was now in the
high 180's. I was closing on the group infront of me but in all our
surges to the line, I couldn't catch any of them. I crossed the
line and stopped and could barely stand up. Ouch, tired, gasping
for air. Satisfaction. One goal for 2008 achieved! :-)
I stuck around for a massage (lovely) and lots of food - oranges,
bananas, apples, bagels - and for draw prizes and got a swim gear
bag!
stats:
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unoffical times
47:20, HR 183 avg, 189max.
1st 5km, 23:36, HR 180avg
2nd 5km, 23:44, HR 185avg
official stats:
47:22
39/199 overall
34/59 men
9/19 M30-39
I'm very happy with this race. Yes, I PB'd, but it was the way I
did it - steady all the way, no slowdown/letdown at any point; not
pushing the pace until near the end, and making it a "at-my-potential"
effort. Looking back now, I know that I could not have run any
faster. I've got a nice blister under the ball of left foot which
hurts, but it will heal!
(
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