Spring Trio

This time last year, I did the MEC 10km race. It started at Sue Higgins Park and whilst predominantly flat, there were a couple of climbs on the out and back course. I ended up finishing in around 41.30 which was nowhere near my PB of 37 minutes, but then I’m not really bothered about chasing PBs these days – a bout of plantar fasciitis back in 2008/09 caused me to slow dramatically and I’ve never regained that same level of fitness or pace, nor the confidence that went with it. However, I do still like to use my recent race times as a benchmark of how training is going, and to set realistic goals for the more important events I have planned over the coming months.

I decided not to do the MEC race this year, opting instead to do the Spring Trio 10km as I wanted a less hilly course to enable me to really just go for it. A month or so ago, I ran a disappointing 10k race - the weather had been favourable, I was feeling fit, and there really weren't any excuses for what I felt was a poor performance. The only thing I could put it down to was the icy conditions and the lack of motivation mid-race, despite feeling that I could have gone much quicker on the day. I was determined that the Spring Trio would be different, and I was adamant that I would not finish this race disappointed.

Usually I’m pretty good the day before a race – I drink plenty of fluids, make sure I rest and try to get a good night’s sleep. However, I spent Saturday afternoon having a great time on Nose Hill, running around and playing ball with the dogs and Andy, followed by an evening of entertainment with friends, discussing trail running and flicking through old photos, and planning summer runs in the mountains. It wasn’t particularly late when I eventually crawled into bed at around 11.30, but with the London Marathon taking place on Sunday morning and with wanting to see how old friends faired, I was up again in the early hours ready to watch the live feed on the web, despite a 7 hour time difference. I managed to stay awake until around 6am before I dozed off again but I wasn't too concerned about the lack of sleep, figuring that my race was only 10k and it wasn't the main focus in my plans for this year.

I arrived at Eau Claire bleary eyed but feeling ok, and even nerves weren't causing me problems today. It was pretty quiet in the race start area which was a bit surprising considering there was a 5k, 10k and 15k race all taking place a the same time, and yet the river path was bustling with folks that were already out doing their long Sunday run. I spotted friends Dawn and Don again, both of which were doing the 15k, and after a quick hello and a good luck hug, we were off.

I didn’t really know what pace to run and was intending to go by feel, although I was aware that I needed to do around 4.10-4.15 km splits if I had any chance of getting the time I wanted. The first km is always the fastest as everybody speeds off and jostles for position and not surprisingly, my first split came in at 3.56. I was feeling ok with that, but I knew I wouldn’t keep that going so consciously slowed it down a bit and tried to settle into a pace that was comfortable but still had me working hard.

Conditions had greatly improved when compared to the half marathon I did a couple of weeks – although cold with a brisk head wind on the outward stretch, there was no snow or ice and I was able to move pretty well.

As the 5km runners turned at their marker to head back, there were very few people ahead for me to chase and I ended up running solo for some time. I was eventually joined by a chap who was running a similar pace and we played cat and mouse with each other as we switched positions a few times which did help us both to keep going at a decent pace.

The km were passing by quickly, I was feel pretty good despite struggling a little with my breathing, and before we knew it, we were turning to head back, passing half way in a little over 20 minutes. I was hoping to pick up the pace on the way back – it was a gradual downhill, the wind was mostly behind us now, and I always tend to speed up in the second half of a race. I passed a strong looking Dawn heading in the opposite direction who was doing the full 15km, and we nodded a greeting to each other as I began the countdown for the last 5km.

I didn’t really know what position I was in overall, but I knew there weren’t too many people ahead and was pretty confident that there certainly weren’t any ladies in front of me. With that in mind, it became a case of me against the clock, thankful that I was being helped along by a complete stranger as we somehow communicated with each other without any words being spoken, running close together in an effort to keep the momentum going.

With just 1km to go, my watch had just passed 37 mins and I knew that I was going to finish in a similar time to the MEC race last year. With a 3.54 final km, I crossed the line as 1st lady and 4th overall in a much more satisfactory time of 41.14. There weren't any prizes for top 3 finishers, but there were age group medals and a chance of winning draw prizes, so I was extremely pleased not only to walk away with a medal, but also a $200 gift card for Gords Running Store which I'd won in the draw!

Finishing 1st Lady at Spring Trio 10km

It was such a beautiful day that following the race and after our pancake treat (I always treat myself to pancakes with maple syrup if I win a race!), we decided to head up to Canmore for a bit of fresh mountain air. We gave the dogs a good run and a play at the doggy park before heading back down into town for the Bear Days Activities. This fabulous free event is held every year in the spring when the bears are coming out of hibernation, to raise awareness of how to handle bear encounters, how to live alongside wildlife and have respect for their environment, as well as bear spray demos, informative displays and educational talks about conservation etc. As ever, we enjoyed the quiz and got involved in the demos - you never know when you might just come face to face with a big critter when hiking or running on the trails! 

Fun at the Canmore Off-Leash Dog Park

We spent a good couple of hours in Canmore before heading home, and on arriving back in Calgary, we were still blessed with a beautiful sunny day. Despite having raced a 10k that morning and then spending a good hour or so running riot with the dogs at the dog park in Canmore, I still felt full of energy so decided to head out for another run, taking my 2 furry chums with me for the first 10k, and then doing another 12k on my own.

Wilson and Brandy loved it, tails wagging wildly and making a right racket as I harnessed them up and we stepped out of the door. They surged along the road, knowing exactly where they were going, running shoulder to shoulder until we hit the pathway onto the wetlands where they were distracted by the wild smells and the birds wading in the water. They dragged me down to the water’s edge for a paddle and a nosey, but I really didn’t mind – this was their run, it was warm, and I wanted them to be happy.

The evening run finished off what has been yet another fantastic weekend, and with Easter approaching and an extra day off work, I'm feeling extremely motivated at the moment and looking forward to more runs and walks outdoors.

In 5 weeks time I will be toeing the line at the Red Deer Marathon and I am already starting to get excited about things. Realistically, I know that I have to revisit my goal for that particular race but I'm also hoping to get some good quality runs in over the next few weeks so that maybe - just maybe - I might surprise myself on race day by exceeding even my own expectations by getting the result I was originally looking for.

For now though, Happy Easter to anybody that still reads my ramblings, and enjoy those chocolate eggs and bunnies :-)