The fox and the hound.

[q]

The Johnny Miles Weekend is a weekend that I have good memories with, despite it being home to my PW for a full. But it is the home of my PB for a half (1:57:57). This weekend I was going to do the half again, a "training run" for Quebec City.

The day before, Saturday, while geocaching, I saw a fox going along some train tracks. I thought that was pretty cool. I've only seen 3 wild foxes ever, this one was a really, really big one. So I decided to sprint down the tracks, and then after it, through the woods, trying to get a camera phone picture. Then a little while later, I spent time with a new friend. One of the friendliest dogs ever. I actually enjoyed that quite a bit too, and surprisingly so did he.

Sunday pre-race. I looked and looked for the RM girls in the 10K start, but no luck. I did want to wish them good luck. I then lined up for my run to begin.

Off we go. The course is a little crowded as I caught up with the 5K and 10K runners. Especially on the trail. Someone in the crowd ahead of me moves to the side and BLAM at the last second there is a RM orange betty, mere feet ahead of me. Since JMM is MP3 player friendly, I didn't bother to say hi, but I think I grabbed her attention as I passed by.

Shortly after I had a gel (at 7K)

The weather was perfect, for me, for running, low teens, heavy overcast, slight breeze, and once and a while some light mist. A stark contrast to when I did the full (33+ degrees, cloudless sky, no wind, high humidity).

On the second lap the crowd had thinned out, I thought I was loosing steam around 18K, but wasn't sure, I was doing race math in my head from the 15K sign post on.

I had had my second and last gel at 14K, and did a mental once over. My right knee ached a bit, nothing new, or major (this time). Yet again, I was aware of a blister (on my left foot this time) but luckily it was very small. Everything else seemed pretty good and holding together fine.

The last hill is about 1.5K from the finish, and it's not much of a hill really, just sort of long, but it is a pain in the butt. I thought I had lost enough steam that I was going to power walk it (the signage in this race kind of plays with your mind. Some K's seem long, others seem very short), and then a strong finish in the last K. Well, that was the plan.

BUT...

A little, curly haired girl, in a Halifax running club betty mentally pulled me up that hill with her. She set the pace, I locked it in and didn't let go and I ran alongside of her.

AWESOME.

So, the last K, is the last big, quick downhill, and the very long home stretch finds me passing about 30 to 35 people in that last K. Probably 25 on that last downhill alone.

I had the energy, the mostly painfree body and midset for a strong finish, and the really, really best thing was that RM girls were right there to cheer me on at the beginning of the chute.

AWESOME.

Oh and thank you.

Johhny Miles is still home of my half PB, of course. But it's been updated to 2008, instead of 2005.

1:42:03, which was good enough for 73rd overall, 24th in my age group.

It was a good day.

[Strider]

But it is the home of my PB for a half (1:57:57)....

Johhny Miles is still home of my half PB, of course. But it's been updated to 2008, instead of 2005. 1:42:03.

It was a good day.

15 feakin' minutes - I'd say it was a very good day. Smashed that record. Looks like things are clicking for Quebec City - Congrats

[HCcD]

Sweet smellin' PB, Q ... You are definitely gearing up for Quebec City, in just over 9 weeks out

[MINITEE]

Awesome work Q! It's always a pleasure to read your RR's.. and monster PB for you! All that hard work is paying off for you!

Gotta watch those curly haired girls..

[UltraQueenga]

Very nice report! I like the details about the fox and the hound. They must have been a sign of good things to come: a faster time.

[Dr. S]

You still geocaching you nerd!!

Congrats on the PB!! You were on fire!! Nice to see you had your fan club at the end of the race!!

[RA.]

Was that really her "attention" you grabbed?

Congrats on the kick @ss PB!

[drghfx]

WOW! Great time Brendan! Congrats on the big PB!

[Kristi]

Wow! That's a huge PB!! Way to go!

[Lonerunner]

A little, curly haired girl, in a Halifax running club betty mentally pulled me up that hill with her. She set the pace, I locked it in and didn't let go and I ran alongside of her.

I spoke to that "little, curly haired girl" last night at swimming. Marie-Claude said thanks for the push at the end.

Excellent PB, Q! I was happy to be there to see it. Maybe in Quebec City you could request your bib number? It appears racing your bib number worked for you this time.

Enjoy your training for Quebec.

[Jo-Jo]

Nicely done Captain...that's a monster PB for you on the course.
Have fun with the FullM training

[CAW]

Wow! You shaved some pretty good time off that PB! Way to go, my friend!!

[Mike from Creemore]

Brendan, you must have had some really serious pre race hydration to pull that off! Outstanding, big congrats.

[Doonst]

Huge gain! Now for the same at the marathon.

[a-slow-5]

Oh the things you men will do for a "little, curly haired girl"!

What a smokin' PB. Great job.

[Robbie-T]

Nicely done Q!! That is a great result!!

[Ed Fizz]

Great PB!!!!

[Ironboy]

Huge PB! Fantastic race buddy!

[scrumhalfgirl]

Wow - that's an outstanding PB! Congratulations!!!! Sounds like a very strong, smart race!

[TheBman]

Dude..... you smashed it!!!

Well done...and for anyone who KNOWS you ....we know that you got that in you...curly haird chick or not.

Bman

[Stella]

Sounds like you put all those little aches behind you.

HUGE PB! Congrats B! Did you leave the beer until after the race this time?

[CeilidhOnTheRun]

Awesome PB Brendan! You sound really happy with this race. You done us all proud!

[Marg]

WOW!!! Now that is shaving time man!! holy smokes.

[bicycle.boy]

Awesome performance, dude! Way to rock it!!! Or is that rocket...

[Sanders]

Congrats B!

B?
Q?

BQ?

DQ?

BQ! Q!