Running Mania

I had signed up for the whole 5 Peaks series, this was the first one. Dull damp morning, not raining at least. Met up with dgrant, quickchick (photographer and key holder), bjh, mikkelgro, and run4cardio. Good crowd, the lineups moved quick. Seemed well organized, ready for the numbers that showed up. Swag included a knapsack bag, and a beautiful Solomon shirt for the series. They were having a wave start, 75 people every 60-90 seconds was the plan.
Only about 20-25 lined up for the first wave, I almost decided to jump in! I stayed near the start of the second wave. Heading out what seemed pretty quick, lots of people flowed past me. The first few hills got me wheezing. Dave pulled up beside me, and said that he felt like he was trying to win the race in the first minute or something. He edged ahead, I kept him in sight for a couple of Ks. I just couldn't breath trying to blast up those hills. The combination of dampness, short fast pace and constant uphills just didn't work for my lungs today. I eased off the pace to something more sustainable; lots of people were passing. Some days you're the windshield, some days you the bug.
After the 5 K people turned off, I settled in a bit. I got it down where I passed almost as many as were still passing me. Even bigger hills in the second half, though, and more mud in spots. Not really my favorite type of course: one thin bike track worn in and then 5-10 feet of grass on either side. So basically we were running on grassy hills. Give me a rocky thin single-track any day.
I knew it wasn't my best day, final time was 51:34, 5:07 pace. 74/234. That's still my best 5 peaks pace. They had me down as 20th in 40-49, not the 4th place 50-59 I should be. Dave ran a 4:48 pace on those hills, I've got nothing but respect for anybody else who can do that.
We stuck around for a few minutes but it was cool out. Oh well, not my best performance, but nobody twisted an ankle.

Does my new bib belt look like an apron?

Great start to the trail running season Sheldon.

Make me want to run trails bad.

Great report. Good synopsis...

nobody twisted an ankle

Well... now that you mention it, it does kinda look like the type of apron some bar keeps wear! Bring me a Keith's please!

excellent job, Sheldon! Although, one might think it's not the hills that caused your shortness of breath, but your um... maturity... ;)

(just kidding!)

Sounds like a pretty good start to the trail season. 4th in your real category is something to be proud of.

good work Sheldon - many more to come and conquer

Nice to start the race series out with a bundle of points (I assume you're going to get your category corrected!), especially on a course that doesn't favour your style, and in the middle of marathon training. Once you get that pesky marathon in the books you can start the trail season for real.

Jury's still out on the bib belt...

Sounds like a tough course. Any more between now and NCM?

And yes, it looks like an apron

Doonst wrote:The first few hills got me wheezing. ...
Some days you're the windshield, some days you the bug....
So basically we were running on grassy hills. Give me a rocky thin single-track any day.
They had me down as 20th in 40-49, not the 4th place 50-59 I should be.

Does my new bib belt look like an apron?

Last things first... Yes, you look like a waitress in that get-up, but perhaps you wanted a windshield for your, er, below-the-waist area? not quite long enough though...

Sounds like a rough, hilly, race. Wheezing - Yuck! Poor you.

But you toughed it out, and hey - 4th palce for the 50-59 division is damned decent. Well done, my man! Congrats!!

mcshame wrote:Sounds like a tough course. Any more between now and NCM?

And yes, it looks like an apron

Nope. I had planned to run the 30 K at Toronto Ultra next weekend, but I changed my mind after limping for 10 days post ATB. Eyes on the prize.

Hermes wrote:Last things first... Yes, you look like a waitress in that get-up

I was going to say French Maid... and Hermes, I am going nowhere NEAR the rest of that comment!!
Good work Sheldon. You ran a tough race and pushed yourself. You're in the middle of some tough, dedicated marathon training, so no wonder it's not as easy as it was in the fall to haul ass on those trails.

Good work on a tough looking race. And as Lisa said, right in the middle of marathon training. Wise decision for cancelling next weekend.
You are going to ROCK NCM!!!

Well done Sheldon, you will rock NCM!

AAck! I guess I'm not 50 yet for this series...

Age Groups

5 Peaks has a total of 16 age categories which will allow fair competition for all. Athletes will be placed in one of the following divisions according to their age on January 1 of the race year.

That sounds like a brutal course, well done Sheldon. They probably didn't put you in the right age category because looking at you no one would believe you're 50

Nice job, Sheldon. I've run out there, and the pace you were running would be my windshield pace. See last year's 21K result for 'bug' pace. Yes, it looks like an apron. Yes, you are right to be skipping the 30K next week. Yes, you are going to rock NCM. Hope you followed today's race with a beer.

Doonst wrote:AAck! I guess I'm not 50 yet for this series...

Age Groups

5 Peaks has a total of 16 age categories which will allow fair competition for all. Athletes will be placed in one of the following divisions according to their age on January 1 of the race year.

They do the same here in Kingston for the Road Runner Series.

It's okay Doonst...I know you're a guy "of a certain age"

Good race...and you'off to a great race season

So much fun and nice picture of you all!

Jo-Jo wrote:

Doonst wrote:AAck! I guess I'm not 50 yet for this series...

Age Groups

5 Peaks has a total of 16 age categories which will allow fair competition for all. Athletes will be placed in one of the following divisions according to their age on January 1 of the race year.

They do the same here in Kingston for the Road Runner Series.

They do that in all series events that offer awards at the end of a series; otherwise someone could change age groups in the middle of hte series.

Nice running, Sheldon. Sounds like a nice series.

I need to see ID the next time I see you. You are NOT 50. You look great! (perhaps it is the apron????)

Nice time!

Colette

Apron or not, a great race! congrats.

4th.....soooo not suprised!

Way to go!!!

Bman

I know you don't feel like you ran a good race, but you did great on a very hilly course.

Cheers

Tony in Markham

Great race, Sheldon. Any race that takes 10 years off your age is a keeper. In Philly they had me losing 20 years and having a sex change...that was a bit more up for debate.

Nice start to the series, it can only get better as the season goes on. And a 5:07 pace is not at all shabby on that terrain!!!!

Great report Sheldon.

As another person " of a certain age" ( and more!! ) I am so impressed with your successes.

See you at NCM and I hope to spot you passing me on your way to the finish. ( Half-Marathoners are startting at 8:30 this year so you should pass a lot of us!! )