Ontario Ultra Series Spring Warm Up

It was a nice spring day and Myself, Catherine, and Bill took off to Dunedin, Ontario to take part in the Ontario Ultra Series Spring Warm up Fun Run.

The usual crowd of Ultra folks were there and we mingled at the Community centre prior to the start. Dunedin is in a valley and the only way out is up hill, an ominous sign of thing's to come. This was to be a hilly run, which should be spelt with a capital H! after the start along the main street we turned right up a 2k + hill before turning onto a unassumed snow covered road, yes still lots of snow in these parts.

Into a even snowier ravine before coming back up. More hills, and a narly, icy, snowy, deer poop covered Bruce trail section before heading back.

The second loop I took one of the alternates, longer but it avoided the nasty trail section, the other trail section became worse as the day progressed too, slipperier and muddier. Almost dangerous if you got going too fast. The wind was another factor and it was very windy at the top of some of the "mountains". In all a good day was had by all, lots to talk about after. One couple told me about their run in with a herd of deer, in which they almost got run over, and then almost stepped on a porcupine. Five to five hours of running for most on a nice sunny day was a great way to start the Ultra season.

Harry's Spring Run Off 8K - High Park, Toronto

This is my season opener for races. I love this race. It's a friggin challenging run. I use to laugh at my brother in law for training in High Park. After the first year I ran it 4 years ago, I stopped laughing. I've never really come across a route that challenging. The hill at 7.6km is just killer. My god. The one at 3k feels like it goes on for about a whole kilometer. The flatest bit is 4-5k. it's a nice piece. The rolling hills from 5-6 k are rolling but rolling up. At the 6k mark I was at 33min even. I managed to do the math... 11 more minutes for 2 km. I could probably do it if the 7k hill didn't exist. But it did. I had a quick break around 7 k just to let my breathing steady itself, then off again. I had a lady in a red shirt that I was trying to stick to, but I lost her when I walked. At the 4oo meters left to go mark was the base of the hill. I ran for about 200 meters and my lungs were screaaaaming. I had to walk - it was about 100 meters then I took off again. I could hear the crowds clearly now & heard my sister yelling ... I saw my sis/bro in law and niece at the beginning and then again just before the half way mark and just my sis at the 100 meter left mark. God did I ever need that. I dropped it into 5th and burned up the rest of the hill, around the corner and over the finish line in 46:23 chip time. 23 seconds better than last year. I'm working hard at not doing to deep a post mortum on this run. Trying ... But it gives me and idea of where I am at and where I need to work harder to improve. The one thing I did keep thinking that I'm going to have to change is " how the hell do you keep this up for 42.2 k?" I'll have to change it to " I CAN keep this up for 42,2 k" It's all good. Next race for me? I'm not sure possums what's in store for me this year. There are a lot of factors right now ... I just may focus on training & just wait until August to do the Midsummer Nights Run & then a couple of fall races. We'll see. Til the next post.

Around the Bay Results

On a cold a blustery day in Hamilton it looks like we had quite a few PB's from Barrie RoadRunners and all around good times had by most.

Here are the results:

Barrie Runners

Orillia Runners

Innisfil Runners

Midhurst Runners

Sorry if I missed anyone.

Around the Bay

Yes its that time of year again, whether your using it t judge your training while gearing up for a spring marathon or going for your longest race to date, the Around the Bay Road race 30k is a favourite for many runners in Southern Ontario. It is also a regular stop for many Barrie RoadRunners and this year is no different as a bus load and then some all head down to race this weekend. Good luck to all!

Around the Bay

March 27th 2011 - Hamilton On

Hamilton's Around the Bay is the continent's oldest road race, it's older than Boston and it's OURS!! Well Canadian, and once again Barrie is sending a bus load of runners and supports on Sunday morning to participate in race.

If you don't have a spot - ask around someone might be looking to sell theirs, also there are charity spots available for all of the events. Why not try to some fundraising? It's going to a great cause.

Good luck to all the Barrie Runners! Keep an eye out for results Sunday afternoon.

Little Rock Marathon

I heard of the Little Rock Marathon a few years ago and finaly after seeing the giant medals at an expo, we decided to run this race. That was back in Nov 2010. Jim Tuttle thought it was a good one as well, and then Bill Lovett and Cathrine "Reno" Harding comitted to, it was set to be a good March getaway. We flew out on the Friday before the race and came back on the Monday after. Its always nice to enjoy the after race celebrations without rushing back home. We all stayed at the Host hotel, The Peabody, it was a nice place with the famous Peabody Ducks that actually stay in the lobby fountain during the day. The expo was well set up and organized, nice shirt, lots of vendors and race merchandise.The race was well done to with Bart Yasso on the mic at the start, and remember this is Arkansas, southern state, warm weather which meant shorts. The course was good, tough in spots like a big hill at 14 miles and then a couple more including a bit of a test at mile 25 for me to keep my pace going. Fortunately I have been training hard thanks to the Fast Old Guys and I had a great race and a PB. We all enjoyed Little Rocks fan support and of course the giant medal.

Boxing Day Run 2010 - A race to

Race: Boxing Day Run
Where : Hamilton
When: December 26th 2010 - ( Boxing Day)
Distance in reality: 10 Miles
Distance in my mind: 50 Miles
Companions: Theo Bosch & Oliver Owens

Okay so there is nothing better than a run the morning after Christmas. Seriously... well that's how Theo sold it to me at any rate.
Being plagued by a chronic injury for the last year, I had scaled back my races significantly. I figured hey why not, you've managed a few good runs, give it a whirl and Theo has a way with words... " You racing? Day of sign up" Who could say no to an invite like that?

With my daughter gone for the Holiday Season, I thought why the heck not, gets me out and about. Fine... so in the Bosch-mobile I clammered. Around the bend and down the lane to Olivers house & then our little trio was complete & off we trekked.
Destination: the YMCA on James St Hamilton.
We got there with time to spare - registration didn't open until 10am. So we sat in the Y's little "cafe" and had a nice cuppa.
And guess who we run into none other than Chris Battaglia.
Now there's a surprise. LOL.

At 10am on the dot I was lead to the Gymnasium and duly handed over my $60.00 / registration form and in return I got a my bib and nifty Snowman gloves. It was the 90th running of the Boxing Day Run & what celebrations there were. Okay it was rather low key, but the clothing that you could buy was pretty darn great. However; since I have more closet space dedicated to running gear than civvies I thought it best to resist the temptation adding to my running gear.
The Expos was ... erhm... one table.. no wait... two. One with running stuff the other with running information.
I'm thinking they may want to expand on the expos just a tad.
At any rate - around 11:30 we headed off to the starting line on John Street where we were greeted by a very blustery wind. bbbrrrrr... so Oliver and I huddled up by the only source of heat - a running car. LOL. We got our picture taken for the Hamilton Spectator. Poor Theo ... bio break means missing out on celebraty.
The horn went and so did we all 1096 of us.
And once again I went like ... sno.. erhmm to fast. First km in 5:03, okay seriously, it's nice to know that my body can do it, but I have 9.4 miles left. Second km 5:15 and by the third km I figured it was time to walk since I hadn't run into an aid station yet. This, thought I, would slow me down for sure...
And as we turned into the marina's THERE was the aid station.. bugger... oh well. Keep going, as we exited the marina we hit the waterfront trail where I had done the Slainte Grey Cup 8k the year before & placed 3rd in my age group. I LOVE this part of the race & I was burning up the trail. I hit the 5 mile split at 47:52. PB LOOK OUT HERE I COME. My best time in a 10 miler was 2009 Acura 10 miler with a 1:39 time. I was on my way ... yahhoo.
Then as I started mile 6 ... I could feel the incline start & with that my leg pain increase - see I can ignore it very well on a flat course, but once the hills start, not so much.
We were running the edge of Chedoke Golf Course. Ack... this was not good.
Mile 7 - was the beginning of a mile climb up to the Club House & it was the begining of the end for me. My leg was not about to co-operate with me at all & let me know that there was NO WAY I was going to make a PB in fact, I was hard pressed to come close to my Angus Glen 10 miler time.
I was heartbroken.
I walked up the hill.
Then we hit a gravel rail trail - it was flat - but even that wouldn't help.
I walked some more.
Mile 9 started with a lovely down hill, so I trotted down hill... for about 500 meters. I was beside myself - Theo & Oliver were hopefully in the Y, changed and keeping warm. I tried as hard as I could not to look at my Garmin.
As I turned on to Jackson Street and headed towards the finish I figured I better run as best as I can in case Theo & Oliver were out, plus the finishing picture needs to be done running. I heard Theo .. then saw him.. It egged me on to at least keep running. Theo joined me for a hundred meters or so dangling the bling in front of me, as if that would help. I just didn't want to cry in front of the guys. I have an image to up hold. Sorta... okay not really but one must keep a modicum of ones pride intact.

So I crossed the finish line in 1:51:00
Chris Battaglia
Theo Bosch 1:31:13
Oliver Owens 1:11:52

All injuries aside - I think this is something I would do again. I did enjoy it. Hamilton is a great race town.