Doonst runs Ottawa Fall Colours
Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:34 pm
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. 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.
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. 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.