Doonst Baits the Vulture
Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:17 pm
I did this race last year, it was the first time I ever ran 25K. The course then was dry, I had a great day 3 weeks after my iffy half marathon debut. My time last year was 2:25, which had held up as my PB through 2 other Ouser races this year, topped only last month at the Toad, at 2:19. I figured that I could get that down today to at least 2:15, more if the course was dry.
The course wasn't dry, southern Ontario had a week of rain and snow and cooler temps. Drizzling all the way down the 401 (160 K each way) it somehow broke into blue sky as soon as I pulled in.
Larry (Lx2run) from Sarnia recognized me "by your stride" he said, as well as my trademark knee brace. Kristi and Darren were there too, then TracyW. Larry was also doing the 25, Darren his first 50. We all started together. At the line waiting, Larry said he hoped for a 2:15. Oh, no! That's my time. The RD warned us of the high creeks, and the water on the course. Gulp.
The first 5 K are in the campground area, mostly grass and tractor paths. Then across the dam, and into the woods.
http://www.vulturebaitrace.com/images/coursemap.gif
Follow along on the map if you want.
It's not a tough course, as trail races go, but the easiest trail race is probably tougher than your average road race. I know I never felt as strong today as I did last week at Ottawa Fall Colours. It just felt laboured, and without any real way to tell how well you are doing except perceived effort, its pretty easy to be hard on yourself. There was some mud along this part, but not too much as we were mostly on top of the ravine that leads down to the reservoir. No real hills here, just meandering through the forest. At about 10K there was the first creek; today it was a river. The stepping stones were about 6 inches underwater, some people just barged through up to their knees. There was a rope to steady yourself, people including me waited in turn for it. Larry said he saw me cross, I didn't know he was there. At the second water station, I asked how far we were; they said 10 K. My Garmin said 10.76 and I suspected it was short. Turns out it was 11.2 There were no K markers, and people were no more reliable than the Garmin. Next section had increasingly more mudholes, it started affecting our times. I'd guess maybe 2 minutes overall, but who know? More into the ravine here, lots of leaves too, and slightly rolling. I always settle in by this point. Eventually by the second half I knew my time was on track; I stopped stressing about it. Next aid station at 16.7 K, then a bit of paved road. The marshall as we re-entered the woods said we had gone over 17 K here; he turned out to be right! But I didn't believe him. Couple more K's and we crossed a paved road bridge at the end of the lake. At the turn-in, there was a Maniac cheering section!!! Nice surprise guys, thanks.
Larry passed me here for a second, but I didn't realise it at first. 7 K to go, and I'm neck and neck with another Maniac. Where have we heard this before? This is the hilliest section, nothing huge but it is the last 7 K. I struggle a bit for 2, but then we are on top again for most of the last 5. Larry and I got off the course for about 15 seconds, couldn't find any flags to follow. I had just picked it up a bit, too. A 50 K guy came by and we followed him for a while. After we passed him, I picked it up just a bit again, but Larry was right on my back so I walked a hill to let him by. He's way to polite to pass anybody
Boy he scooted once he was by me. I always kept him just in sight though. He knew I was back there. (this does sound familiar). For the last 2 K I upped it a bit more for sure, but he must have too. I didn't need to beat him, I just so wanted to be in the background of his finish line picture. Small victories you know. Made sense on the trail. Never did quite catch him; at the finish we were 6 seconds apart. I really did try, I swear.
My time was a pleasnat surprise. Halfway through, i was writing my excuses like if only it was dryer. Oh, I did use that one already. I finished in 2:11:03. 14 minutes faster than last year, a PB by over 8 minutes. (In the mud.) That is just fine with me. Garmin said 24.02 K, Sporttracks cleaned that up to be 25.05. 2 out of the last 3 Ks under 5 minutes, ouch.
Like I said, I never felt on top of the world like last week; at first I thought maybe I neede the Garmin to constantly pat me on the back to feel good. But then I remembered that i passed about 50 people in the last 6 K last weekand nobody passed me, maybe I really did have a good day then. Today was okay too.
After the race, talked some more, met Mayhem, in London. Watched Darren cruise by on his way to a second lap. Prats and Doug happened by. Food was good, Ceaser salad, penne, large chicken breasts Marinara. Didn't place too well in my age group; they only have 2, under 50 and over 50. I was 23 out of ? When I left, people were still crossing the line, at 3:20. I feel fine, do have a cold coming on.
The course wasn't dry, southern Ontario had a week of rain and snow and cooler temps. Drizzling all the way down the 401 (160 K each way) it somehow broke into blue sky as soon as I pulled in.
Larry (Lx2run) from Sarnia recognized me "by your stride" he said, as well as my trademark knee brace. Kristi and Darren were there too, then TracyW. Larry was also doing the 25, Darren his first 50. We all started together. At the line waiting, Larry said he hoped for a 2:15. Oh, no! That's my time. The RD warned us of the high creeks, and the water on the course. Gulp.
The first 5 K are in the campground area, mostly grass and tractor paths. Then across the dam, and into the woods.
http://www.vulturebaitrace.com/images/coursemap.gif
Follow along on the map if you want.
It's not a tough course, as trail races go, but the easiest trail race is probably tougher than your average road race. I know I never felt as strong today as I did last week at Ottawa Fall Colours. It just felt laboured, and without any real way to tell how well you are doing except perceived effort, its pretty easy to be hard on yourself. There was some mud along this part, but not too much as we were mostly on top of the ravine that leads down to the reservoir. No real hills here, just meandering through the forest. At about 10K there was the first creek; today it was a river. The stepping stones were about 6 inches underwater, some people just barged through up to their knees. There was a rope to steady yourself, people including me waited in turn for it. Larry said he saw me cross, I didn't know he was there. At the second water station, I asked how far we were; they said 10 K. My Garmin said 10.76 and I suspected it was short. Turns out it was 11.2 There were no K markers, and people were no more reliable than the Garmin. Next section had increasingly more mudholes, it started affecting our times. I'd guess maybe 2 minutes overall, but who know? More into the ravine here, lots of leaves too, and slightly rolling. I always settle in by this point. Eventually by the second half I knew my time was on track; I stopped stressing about it. Next aid station at 16.7 K, then a bit of paved road. The marshall as we re-entered the woods said we had gone over 17 K here; he turned out to be right! But I didn't believe him. Couple more K's and we crossed a paved road bridge at the end of the lake. At the turn-in, there was a Maniac cheering section!!! Nice surprise guys, thanks.
Larry passed me here for a second, but I didn't realise it at first. 7 K to go, and I'm neck and neck with another Maniac. Where have we heard this before? This is the hilliest section, nothing huge but it is the last 7 K. I struggle a bit for 2, but then we are on top again for most of the last 5. Larry and I got off the course for about 15 seconds, couldn't find any flags to follow. I had just picked it up a bit, too. A 50 K guy came by and we followed him for a while. After we passed him, I picked it up just a bit again, but Larry was right on my back so I walked a hill to let him by. He's way to polite to pass anybody
Boy he scooted once he was by me. I always kept him just in sight though. He knew I was back there. (this does sound familiar). For the last 2 K I upped it a bit more for sure, but he must have too. I didn't need to beat him, I just so wanted to be in the background of his finish line picture. Small victories you know. Made sense on the trail. Never did quite catch him; at the finish we were 6 seconds apart. I really did try, I swear.
My time was a pleasnat surprise. Halfway through, i was writing my excuses like if only it was dryer. Oh, I did use that one already. I finished in 2:11:03. 14 minutes faster than last year, a PB by over 8 minutes. (In the mud.) That is just fine with me. Garmin said 24.02 K, Sporttracks cleaned that up to be 25.05. 2 out of the last 3 Ks under 5 minutes, ouch.
Like I said, I never felt on top of the world like last week; at first I thought maybe I neede the Garmin to constantly pat me on the back to feel good. But then I remembered that i passed about 50 people in the last 6 K last weekand nobody passed me, maybe I really did have a good day then. Today was okay too.
After the race, talked some more, met Mayhem, in London. Watched Darren cruise by on his way to a second lap. Prats and Doug happened by. Food was good, Ceaser salad, penne, large chicken breasts Marinara. Didn't place too well in my age group; they only have 2, under 50 and over 50. I was 23 out of ? When I left, people were still crossing the line, at 3:20. I feel fine, do have a cold coming on.
You're such a Maniac, Doonst ... 
Awesome race, report and PB, dude ... 
You never cease to amaze me ... imagine if you actually decide to taper for an "A" race .. 
