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Doonst runs Ottawa Fall Colours

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:34 pm
by Doonst
Race number 6 of the fall tour, Ottawa Fall Colours half marathon. I didn't have too great expectations for this race. I had a relatively stressfull week, and also a rough drive to Ottawa Friday night. I'm glad the race wasn't Saturday morning. We were at my brother's house for Thanksgiving, so it was handy getting a race in before the turkey. We went out to Cumberland on Saturday to pick up my race kit and drive the course, it wasn't as hilly as I had heard. I upped my goal from 1:48 to 1:46, not intending to race quite flat out.
Sunday morning started great as predicted, we looked at the big harvest moon around 7 AM. Big fog rolled in by 8 when I left, drive was slow due to visibility. Met some familiar faces and some new ones, just as we dispersed Luc walked up and introduced himself. Race started at 9:40, cool and sunny.
I tried to go out easy, first 3 splits were 4:45, 4:41, 4:41, but I felt good. Sanders caught up to me and talked for 5 minutes before going off to catch his wife. I took it cautiously through the hills, Ks 4 to 10. I had 4 splits over 5 minutes, but by still at the half my average pace was 4:55 which was 15 seconds ahead of race plan. I felt strong.
After the halfway water stop, it levelled out along the ridge. I started laying out my midrace solid pace, which now seems to be low 4:50s. Started passing 5 people to each one that passed me. By K 15 we headed down some and then back. At this point I felt really strong. There were 2 or 3 people that I was running with, and we were passing everybody. By 18 I lost those people too, splits toward the end were 4:44, 4:35, 4:39, 4:24. And the last half at 4:08 pace; my Garmin said i meandered 21.42 K at 4:49 pace. Sportstats said 4:55 pace. I finished in 1:43:29 gun, 1:43:19 chip. 107 out of 550. I felt great. Talked to the gang and had some grub, waited just long enough to see the results. It was a beautiful day. On the way out, I saw in the car rearview, some woman putting a large pylon on her head, captured by a guy with abig lens. :x Hit the beer and the hammock in little bros. backyard, life is good. After 6, I feel that for some reason, that might have been as good a result as I've done. 2nd best time ever, on a tougher course, without trying flat out from the start.

Next week, it's back to the trails in London, Vulture Bait 25 k.Image
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:38 pm
by HCcD
Glad to meet you again, doonst ... :P and, congratulations, again, on another awesome performance ..... :whistle:

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:41 pm
by BJH
Awesome job!

6 down, you're winning! :P

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:42 pm
by MINITEE
I can't even begin to fathom how you are doing this Sheldon... Great photos btw Joe...

Take it easy this week * see you on Saturday at Vulture Bait... :D

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:15 pm
by TheBman
Nice to see ya racing outside the center of the universe.....ya know...in the REAL world!!
Way to go sir!

Bman

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:25 pm
by Agent Provocateur
Again I have to say it - you're super fast! Congratulations!

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:26 pm
by AndyM
Congrats on a really strong race!

Andrea

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:36 pm
by SuperboB
Wow that's a great race you had today!

:( I'm sorry that I didn't get to meet you like all the others did.

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:46 pm
by trixiee
Very well done indeed, Sheldon!

Keep on rockin'!

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:24 am
by Madame Bourette
héhé, well done, once again.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:57 am
by Jo-Jo
You are amazing Sheldon...talk about speed and endurance :D

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:14 am
by Mike from Creemore
Sheldon, way to go! At this rate you'll soon be breaking 1:40. Congrats again. Four to go.
Mike

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:50 am
by pts
Go Sheldon Go- keep it up! You are smokin fast!

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:57 am
by RA.
Great job, Sheldon! Only 4 more to go!

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:00 am
by Sanders
Congratulations on a great race! It was nice to meet you. Special thanks to H. for holding on to my keys for me. Good luck with the rest of the tour. (Don't let the vultures get you.)

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:05 am
by q
congrats on stop number 6 of the tour.

Can't await to read the next 4 reports. The tour sounds like a real blast.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:07 am
by Dani
Great job, Sheldon.
I look forward to hearing about the rest of the tour.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:08 am
by Ed Fizz
Great race Sheldon!!! :D Well done on bringing the Fall Tour to Ottawa!

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:17 am
by Bebette
It was nice to meet you ever so briefly. Very solid racing Sheldon.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:28 am
by Hermes
Way to go Sheldon!! Nice meeting you... I tried to keep you in my sights even as you got smaller and smaller. It was great racing with a pack o' maniacs.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:47 am
by BaldGuy
Sheldon, when I look at your paces I can't believe that I could have passed you at Scotia Toronto last year. Your progress is phenomenal and I'm absolutely in awe of those times, Mister. Race well and safely over the next few weekends.

I look forward to your report from Vulture Bait next weekend -- wish I could go, but I've already overextended my racing budget for this year. :(

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:49 am
by dgrant
Six!

I'm certain now that you'll go sub 1:40 before this thing is through...


(My sister also did the TO-OTT drive Friday and said it was a nightmare...)

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:45 am
by Lx2run
Great report
Nice run with great pacing. I can't imagine doing that every weekend.
Hope I can keep up next week at Vulture Bait

See you then

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:12 pm
by lisaannr
WOW! Number 6 and you are so speedy!! Congratulations!

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:53 pm
by QuickChick
Wow! This 10-week racing thing really seems to be working for you! I love the pics too. Congratulations. :D