The tortoise at ATB

[Ken B]

Nothing fancy for the title. I rode down with my friend Mike from the Waterloo RR. He was hoping to improve on his PB of 3:13 and change but had had some tough training runs lately. We stopped in and said hi to a few maniacs and also other runners from the Waterloo RR. I was able to bask in the glory of getting my BQ. I knew there was a reason for attending the ATB. Unfortunately, I had also entered the 30 km for the first time in three years. ( The past two were relay efforts.) This was my fifth 30 km ATB. I was dressed for the cold and wind and overall had no problems weather wise. It was windy after we got to the top of the last hill but we were nearly finished so it wasn't an issue.
The race:
Mike and I lined up with the 3:15 Pace Bunny ( my "A" target ). We started off using 10 and 1.s as Mike was more comfortable with that. My legs felt really heavy and after the second 10 and 1, I was having difficulty keeping up. So I wished Mike well and told him to stick with the bunny and reverted to my 4 and 1's. This gave me a second wind and by 5 km I was a bit ahead of the 3:15 bunny. Mike was somewhere ahead of me. I didn't spot Mike again but checking final results indicated I arrived at the 10 km mat a little over a minute before him. He said later that he had a pit stop at 15 km and lost touch with the bunny at that time. He struggled for the remainer of the run and finished behind me. At the 15 km mat I started struggling more and the by the 17 km marker the pace bunny passed me. I continued my 4 and 1's and tried to keep him and his crew in sight. I passed over the 20 km mat at exactly a 3:15 finishing time pace but I was done like brunch. I simply could not continue the pace. As a result I walked a lot of the uphill sections while trying to make up time on the downhills. I walked all of the big hill and then reverted to 4 and 1's into the finish at Copps Coliseum.

I ended up at 3:20:03 chip time. A PB for ATB by a tad over 6 minutes. I definitely felt the effects of last week's marathon and the fact that I did my regular cross training for Wednesday and Friday this week. My heart rate was also somewhat elevated throughout but that was maybe more the extra clothing I was wearing for the weather.

MY 5 km splits were as follows:
#1: - 31:12
#2: - 31:08
#3: - 31:31
#4: - 35:56 - obviuosly started my slow down!!
#5: - 35:05 - the downhill sections must have helped
#6: - 35:15 - struggling my way in!!!


Overall, I was quite pleased with my result but will return another year when I am more rested and work on the PB.

Congrats to all our maniacs running today!!

Ken

[AlfiefromPickering]

That's an outstanding result considering that you just ran a marathon ....

[Pat29]

Congrats on a strong effort 1 week after a marathon.

[Habs4ever]

You had a BQ a week ago, you did good today.
Time for a nap.

[Ken B]

You had a BQ a week ago, you did good today.
Time for a nap.

Yes indeed. And I missed my usual post race nap this afternoon because I was watching a two hour biography of Elizabeth Taylor.

[Spirit Unleashed]

That's an outstanding result considering that you just ran a marathon ....

ditto

you have a great season ahead of you...just don't be stupid!

[purdy65]

Ken,

Awesome! You really are the master of the run-walk technique and know how to make it work for you!

Good job! And a short week after PBing in a marathon to boot!

It was nice to see you!

I'm sure you're napping now!

Lisa

[Ken B]

That's an outstanding result considering that you just ran a marathon ....

ditto

you have a great season ahead of you...just don't be stupid!

Hmm pretty difficult for an aged tortoise to change his spots ( or shell!!) I have decided I will not run marathons in the heat of the summer so that , hopefully, is good. For the Belfast Marathon on May 2, I plan to run that for fun only , stopping and chatting at water stations and with spectators. Hopefully it won't be too much of a strain. Then we will be doing touristy things in Ireland for two weeks.

Thanks for your concern. Don't hesitate to point out some of my less bright ideas!! ( Why should Mrs. Tortoise have all the fun!!

[Spirit Unleashed]

I'm probably just reflecting my own situation: I'm really really close to being stupid (and ruining Vancouver).

[Doonst]

Nice Ken! I can't imagine doing that so soon.

[Sandra]

Outstanding! Congratulations.

[Robinandamelia]

Amazing...congrats on a huge PB!

[Tisha]

A PB on a tough course and a week after running a full marathon! YOU ARE AMAZING! Way to go, Tortoise! YOU ROCK!

[Tori]

I can't imagine racing again the week after a marathon! Congrats on the PB!

[richie-rich]

That's an outstanding result considering that you just ran a marathon ....

+1. and a PB to boot! next year maybe don't run a marathon the week before? then you'll kill your PB.

[Annelizabeth]

Ummm I think a name change is in order.. really PB and BQ in a 7day span??? Amazing!

[Ken B]

Ummm I think a name change is in order.. really PB and BQ in a 7day span??? Amazing!

Yeah! People keep bringing that up. But then, I would rather be a "speedy" tortoise than a not so speedy hare. And the neat part is sooner or later I will grow ( Okay SLOW!! ) into the name!!

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

Ummm I think a name change is in order.. really PB and BQ in a 7day span??? Amazing!

+1

Congrats Tortoise. You are running so well right now.

[HCcD]

Another race, Ken ?? and, another PB, Ken ??

Congratulations, on another great race and effort, Ken ... what a great year you are having this year .

Also, great seeing you again today at the Copps, before the race ...

[West Grey Runner]

PB a week after a Marathon is quite a feat , congratulations tortoise.

[casual-runner]

Congratulations Amazing PB considering that it was 1 week after a marathon.

[b_squared]

Great result Tortoise! My condolences to your other PBs which will surely be falling this year too!

[gnu]

Congrats, Ken!

[drghfx]

Well done!

[5km]

Congratulations Amazing PB considering that it was 1 week after a marathon.

Ditto