Canada Run Series - Harry Rosen 8 K Spring Run Off

Spring Run Off - are you serious? More like Sweat Off! Or take your top off! HOLY SMOKES where did those temperatures come from? Last year's run was in one word - FRIGGING COLD. ( okay so it's two words - sue me). Oh and let's not forget wet.
This year it was like the universe was smiling down on us. AAAAHHH.. I dusted off my Barrie Road Runners tank top & my UA compression shorts, both had been buried in my drawers after that wonderful run in Disney World.

So I met the MacLeaniacs, Rick and Tracy, at the commuter parking lot and off we went - picked up a fellow runner, Dawn and headed down to High Park. Luckily I have friends ( well family) that live around the corner. We managed to find a parking spot in their neighbours drive way - used their facilities - adjusted ourselves and headed across Bloor Street to High Park.

Now the nice thing this year is that they moved the "festivities" to the top of the park - near Bloor Street, previously the tents for baggage, late registration & kit pick up was down by the Grenadier Restaurant. What a treat not to have to walk all the way down there - then walk all the way back up to get to the start line. Then all the way back down at the end of the race to get the food and any checked bags. Then all the way back up to get to your car. Kudos CRS for that small yet significant change.

Okay I have to confess. I did something some what unethical. I changed the colour dot on my bib so I could start the race with my fellow BRR's. I stole a Red Dot. I had no idea what corral the red dot stood for - but I was all for it. I had been corralled in the yellow area - and I know the CRS security at the corral openings. They are very very very stringent about the right colours going into the right corral.
Well I just about fainted when I realized the red corral was right behind the elites. EGAD... they are going to know just by looking at me - I've done the five finger lift. I'm going to be getting a cavity search .. I know I am, I just know it!! Oh well what's life if you can't live on the edge right? Ack.
So there I am standing at the back of the Red Corral as far as I could when my brother in law walks in. Yeah - he's got legs up to his chin. Runs like the wind. Sub 3 marathoner. Qualifies for Boston every year. New York as well. If he weren't my brother in law and I love him to death, I'd hate him.
He looked at me & chuckled. Waaat? Please BiL dearest whatever you do, don't rat me out. I'll baby sit for you every NYC Marathon weekend for the rest of my life. That CRS dude with the rubber glove terrifies me. I beg you... don't rat me out.
Phew.. So yeah for me. He wandered away - safe in the knowledge he's got me in his back pocket from now til eternity. Drat and double drat.

My strategy for this race as this: FINISH. My injury has kept me sidelined for a number of weeks. The bulging muscle syndrome continues. But I had this puppy taped up securely. My technique was picked up from watching the Ki kinseology sports tape how to videos online & some Joan ingenuity. My calf was taped and taped well. Nothing was going to bulge and stop me. I was going to run smart -slow and steady. Careful on the downhills as they are killers right now.

The blower went, thanks to Jack Layton - prostate cancer survivor and leader of the National NDP party. Not sure why he needed an air horn. He's got enough hot air being a politician and all. Waaat? Oh right sports blog - save the politics for the political blog.

Down hill off the bat. blech. But I managed fine. I had intended to run with Tracy, she'd keep me reigned in sufficiently. By the first mile marker I couldn't see her at all. Drat - my strategy so far has gone amok. Double Drat. Stupid Colborne Lodge Rd. West Road didn't prove to be any more successful at keeping me in check.
Uphill on Centre Rd seemed to though. At least I think it's Centre Road. I have a great memory - but it's extremely short. I decided to walk it after all I had decided the finishing was enough. Right? ack. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder and a woman running by saying - "keep going". Oh geez... why do people that wear the Iron Man shirts have to be so freaking nice? I smiled and nodded, what else do you say?

Oh boy... the inner battle between wanting to run to make a great time and wanting to have a race season for the summer were battling it out in my mind. I thought perhaps a compromise would be okay.
The rolling hills and beautiful scenery down by Genadier Pond as usual, was gorgeous. Water fowl, birds & sunshine. I had a couple of ladies that I decided to dislike immensely so I could summon the motivation to get a head of them and pace myself by them. It was cat and mouse -I passed on Spring Road. They passed me going up the first hill. I caught up to them and stayed behind them until we turned down by Grenadier Pond. Then they passed me going over the rolling hills by the pond. I caught up and passed them by the water station at the 6K mark. God I really disliked them by that point. Vehemently. It pushed the dull ache into the back of my mind. By the 7 K mark we were heading up Spring Road and at that point I figured that I had no reason to dislike them. That finishing the HRSR with out my leg screaming in pain was probably a little more important.
I had a whole running season yet. I mean the Flying Pig Marathon is less than a month away. EGAD... I tell you that was a bucket of cold water on my competitiveness. WHOOSH. Gone. I walked about 300 meters up that blessed hill. I didn't care what that guy at the bottom of the hill said.
I'm not sure why I don't find people at the bottom of a hill hurling out "give it all you've got. Get up the hill. Use whatever you've got left" at all amusing or someone I'd like to have over for afternoon tea. No I'd rather step on his pearly white runners and splash mud on his pristine HRSR jacket. I know - who'da thought a little girl like me could hold so much rage. Who knew?! I asked him if he had any friends... apparently he doesn't. Big freaking surprise there folks.

I ran the last 200 meters or more. Man starting part way up a hill - not a good idea, but oh well. Had to get across that finish line some how.
I saw the clock getting closer and closer to 47:00 minutes and that wasn't acceptable. So I dropped the hammer and managed 46:49 (chip)time.

I thought I had done my best time - but in 2008 I actually was about 90 seconds faster. Oh well. Not bad though for the amount of walking I did on the course. Had I not I would have come under that time. However; the bigger picture was more important. I want a spring & summer running season.
As much as I love running the HRSR - in support of Prostate Cancer Research - being a cancer survivor myself, I feel a great pull to run both the Run for the Cure and the HRSR to show support and raise money and awareness. However; my finishing in a better time doesn't impact any R&D it only impacts my health and wellness. The ache in my calf was telling me that 90 seconds in the grand scheme of things - wasn't a big deal. Running the rest of the season is.

So happily I "sprinted" over the finish line and met up with Ricky MacLean - and waited for Dawn and Tracy.
The Canada Run Series have brought back medals for the HRSR ( other than commemorative medals like the one for th 30th anniversary) with on site engraving by Nothers. That was awesome. I didn't take advantage of this service but I think it's a great idea. For only $5.00 you could get your time engraved either paying on line ahead of time or day of on sight.
I'd love to see this at all the CRS races. Maybe a couple of booths happening - line ups after a race really don't flip my switch. I need food & energy drinks #1 - stretching #2 & the potty #3 . All in that order.
The pancake breakfast was a little less than awesome. In fact according to the MacLean's, last years was far better. There were sausages as well. The pancakes themselves were flatter than I am. Rather underwhelming if you ask me. A nice way to get donations - but come on. You've set the bar - you can't fall under it yourselves.

Canada Run Series puts on a good well organized race. I love running the Acura 10 Miler in the summer as well as the Scotiabank half and full marathon. The Scotiabank is usually run in and around my birthday so I've run it the last 3 years (two halfs and a full). Maybe my lack luster desire to run it again will be transformed into gushing enthusiasm later in the summer. But for now I'm not sure ... perhaps I'll run in Montreal or Vancouver with the CRS.

I always enjoy the HRSR - it's my benchmark for the year. 2008 I ran it 10 weeks after surgery. 2009 I ran it 7 weeks after radiation treatment & this year with a bum leg. LOL. One day I'll run it when I'm at 100%. I better circle April 2nd on my race calendar for next year.

Until the next blog. Take care and happy, healthy and safe running.