AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
- AirForceRunner
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 1776
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:44 am
- Location: Buried under the snow!!
- Contact:
AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Hills....BIG ONES!!!
Today was the annual Creemore Vertical Challenge 25/50 km races. This is a small race (200 cap total for both races) which starts and finishes in the race director's backyard. My goal for this race was twofold...rectify the disaster that was Sulphur Springs, and more importantly, exact revenge on my pal Andrew, who beat me at Sulphur. We would be running the 25 km.
30 mins before the race, I met up with Doonst and Robbie-T. Doonst I've raced a few times...Robbie, this was the first time I met this RM legend. I've gotta be frank....Robbie comes across as somewhat larger than life in this forum, and I honestly expected a really brash guy. I couldn't have been more wrong. Really well grounded guy in person despite his seemingly 'ceiling-less' talent. I then got to meet WestGreyRunner. This man exudes positive energy...and there will be more on this later.
Shortly after 8 am, the sound of a shotgun rings out, and we're off. A short stretch of dirt road, and we're into the bush for some really slow single-file action. it kinda felt like I was in line at Timmies. My bad for starting so far back. But it allowed for some entertaining trash talk between myself and Andrew, which had runners around us laughing.
We come out onto the road at about 3 km, and Andrew tells me to go on without him. He was a little under the weather, and the heat, though not at its peak yet, may have been getting to him. I stuck with him until about 5 km, and then started to drift away. Then, the hills began.
It wasn't too bad at this point. It went uphill, flat, uphill, flat...kind of like really big stairs, if that makes sense. But as the race progressed, the hills got bigger.
The race left the road, I won't guess at which km, and headed into some nicely shaded woods. Fun flat single-track through here. I really enjoyed this section. But as always, what goes up, must come down. I may have the next section out of sequence (Robbie, Doonst?). Back onto the road for a plummeting hill. WOW!!! Despite some tired legs roughly 10 km in, I hit 3:34/km while on this hill. Long fast downhills like this can really pound you, but rather than checking up, I just leaned forward and hoped for the best. I survived the plummet, but as predicted, my quads took and absolute beating, which would linger for the rest of the race.
As before, but inverse, what goes down, must come up. The return trip up the escarpment was on rocky trail, and nobody around me was running. The trip up this hill involved a brief encounter with The Viking, who I passed at the top. Of course a seasoned guy like that, it didn't take him long to pass me back.
Once again, back onto the road, believing that after that last killer hill, we must be at the top of the escarpment. Not quite. A bit more climbing to do, and then at flat section for about 2 km.
During this flat section, roughly 20 km in, WestGreyRuner came up on me as I was finishing up with water-belt technical difficulties. He immediately recognized me and asked how I was doing. I turned, and what do I see but that tell-tale smile. He isn't posing in his pics, folks....I think he runs with that smile all the time. His attitude infused me with a little energy at a time when I thought gastro issues were going to jump up and bite me. Thanks WGR!!
From this point, it was virtually all downhill. I was hoping for a fast finish, but it wasn't to be had. Some field running, and then into the bush for 2 rope assist sections. That was dodgy but fun. From there, another field, and then a suspension bridge, and a very bouncy one at that. You almost had to time your footstrikes to the bounce, which I did very poorly, and no doubt looked like a duck running across a bridge. 50 metres past the bridge, and the race is done. I didn't look at the clock, and stopped my Garmin WAY late, so I'll guess 2:43ish. Andrew came in around 2:48....so revenge exacted!!
Post race....a dip in a very cold river on the RD's property....cold, but blissful. The legs took such a beating, the cold water may save me this time tomorrow from excessive DOMS. Not sure how Doonst did, but Robbie tore it up for 4th overall....dude is SICK fast!!
Race highlights:
Handmade clay medal at the finish
Creemore Springs Beer at the finish
No dehydration issues like at Sulphur (2 lbs lost vice 10ish last time)
Simply AWESOME race.
Race lowlights:
Losing a nip tape, with the resultant blood streak down a white shirt.
Overall, great race experience, top 3 in my books. I will absolutely be back.
Today was the annual Creemore Vertical Challenge 25/50 km races. This is a small race (200 cap total for both races) which starts and finishes in the race director's backyard. My goal for this race was twofold...rectify the disaster that was Sulphur Springs, and more importantly, exact revenge on my pal Andrew, who beat me at Sulphur. We would be running the 25 km.
30 mins before the race, I met up with Doonst and Robbie-T. Doonst I've raced a few times...Robbie, this was the first time I met this RM legend. I've gotta be frank....Robbie comes across as somewhat larger than life in this forum, and I honestly expected a really brash guy. I couldn't have been more wrong. Really well grounded guy in person despite his seemingly 'ceiling-less' talent. I then got to meet WestGreyRunner. This man exudes positive energy...and there will be more on this later.
Shortly after 8 am, the sound of a shotgun rings out, and we're off. A short stretch of dirt road, and we're into the bush for some really slow single-file action. it kinda felt like I was in line at Timmies. My bad for starting so far back. But it allowed for some entertaining trash talk between myself and Andrew, which had runners around us laughing.
We come out onto the road at about 3 km, and Andrew tells me to go on without him. He was a little under the weather, and the heat, though not at its peak yet, may have been getting to him. I stuck with him until about 5 km, and then started to drift away. Then, the hills began.
It wasn't too bad at this point. It went uphill, flat, uphill, flat...kind of like really big stairs, if that makes sense. But as the race progressed, the hills got bigger.
The race left the road, I won't guess at which km, and headed into some nicely shaded woods. Fun flat single-track through here. I really enjoyed this section. But as always, what goes up, must come down. I may have the next section out of sequence (Robbie, Doonst?). Back onto the road for a plummeting hill. WOW!!! Despite some tired legs roughly 10 km in, I hit 3:34/km while on this hill. Long fast downhills like this can really pound you, but rather than checking up, I just leaned forward and hoped for the best. I survived the plummet, but as predicted, my quads took and absolute beating, which would linger for the rest of the race.
As before, but inverse, what goes down, must come up. The return trip up the escarpment was on rocky trail, and nobody around me was running. The trip up this hill involved a brief encounter with The Viking, who I passed at the top. Of course a seasoned guy like that, it didn't take him long to pass me back.
Once again, back onto the road, believing that after that last killer hill, we must be at the top of the escarpment. Not quite. A bit more climbing to do, and then at flat section for about 2 km.
During this flat section, roughly 20 km in, WestGreyRuner came up on me as I was finishing up with water-belt technical difficulties. He immediately recognized me and asked how I was doing. I turned, and what do I see but that tell-tale smile. He isn't posing in his pics, folks....I think he runs with that smile all the time. His attitude infused me with a little energy at a time when I thought gastro issues were going to jump up and bite me. Thanks WGR!!
From this point, it was virtually all downhill. I was hoping for a fast finish, but it wasn't to be had. Some field running, and then into the bush for 2 rope assist sections. That was dodgy but fun. From there, another field, and then a suspension bridge, and a very bouncy one at that. You almost had to time your footstrikes to the bounce, which I did very poorly, and no doubt looked like a duck running across a bridge. 50 metres past the bridge, and the race is done. I didn't look at the clock, and stopped my Garmin WAY late, so I'll guess 2:43ish. Andrew came in around 2:48....so revenge exacted!!
Post race....a dip in a very cold river on the RD's property....cold, but blissful. The legs took such a beating, the cold water may save me this time tomorrow from excessive DOMS. Not sure how Doonst did, but Robbie tore it up for 4th overall....dude is SICK fast!!
Race highlights:
Handmade clay medal at the finish
Creemore Springs Beer at the finish
No dehydration issues like at Sulphur (2 lbs lost vice 10ish last time)
Simply AWESOME race.
Race lowlights:
Losing a nip tape, with the resultant blood streak down a white shirt.
Overall, great race experience, top 3 in my books. I will absolutely be back.
Last edited by AirForceRunner on Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
http://www.itsmyrun.com/?display=myrace ... orceRunner
2011 Wishlist
Sulphur Springs 50 miler
Dirty Girls 12 hr night run
Haliburton 100 miler (gulp!)
"Try the meditation of the trail, just walk along looking at the trail at your feet and don't look about and just fall into a trance as the ground zips by..."
-Jack Kerouac
"I am no longer a runner, I am now a father who runs. I will let the running come to me and I will make the most of every km I am fortunate enough to receive."
-Smack
2011 Wishlist
Sulphur Springs 50 miler
Dirty Girls 12 hr night run
Haliburton 100 miler (gulp!)
"Try the meditation of the trail, just walk along looking at the trail at your feet and don't look about and just fall into a trance as the ground zips by..."
-Jack Kerouac
"I am no longer a runner, I am now a father who runs. I will let the running come to me and I will make the most of every km I am fortunate enough to receive."
-Smack
- Sir Crashalot
- Abby Hoffman
- Posts: 10531
- Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:33 pm
- Location: Montreal, QC
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
Great job!
Fortes Fortuna Juvat!
In support of injured Canadian Forces soldiers, please donate to Soldier On! http://www.cfpsa.com/Splashpages/SoldierOn/
Never really ready but always ready!
In support of injured Canadian Forces soldiers, please donate to Soldier On! http://www.cfpsa.com/Splashpages/SoldierOn/
Never really ready but always ready!
- mas_runner
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 2339
- Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:37 pm
- Location: Hull, QC
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
That race sounded awesome, great run too.
PBs
5th Sep 2015 - Run Ottawa free 5km - 21:05
21st Jun 2015 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 10km - 45:45
16th Jun 2013 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 15km - 1:11:44
16th Apr 2016 - MEC 10 miler - 1:20:21
12th Apr 2015 - EY R4R Half Marathon - 1:41:15
26th May 2013 - Ottawa Marathon - 3:43:51
2017 races - coming up
7th May - Defi Entreprise 10km
28th May - Ottawa Half Marathon
17th Sep - Army Run Half Marathon
5th Sep 2015 - Run Ottawa free 5km - 21:05
21st Jun 2015 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 10km - 45:45
16th Jun 2013 - UR 4 Men's Cancers 15km - 1:11:44
16th Apr 2016 - MEC 10 miler - 1:20:21
12th Apr 2015 - EY R4R Half Marathon - 1:41:15
26th May 2013 - Ottawa Marathon - 3:43:51
2017 races - coming up
7th May - Defi Entreprise 10km
28th May - Ottawa Half Marathon
17th Sep - Army Run Half Marathon
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
Sounds like fun ...
Race Results: http://itsmyrun.com/index.php?display=p ... unner=HCiD
- Robbie-T
- Jerome Drayton
- Posts: 6340
- Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:44 am
- Location: Awesome World
- Contact:
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
Nice meeting you finally, I'm sorry I didn't meet your expectations, I'll try harder next time, nah I just let the clock do the talking for me.
I have to agree that was a fun, great race.
I also need to agree that Ron is like an excited puppy while he is racing trails "oh boy oh boy I get to run trails today..." love that guy.
I have to agree that was a fun, great race.
I also need to agree that Ron is like an excited puppy while he is racing trails "oh boy oh boy I get to run trails today..." love that guy.
Mississauga Marathon - 2:52
Around the Bay - 1:58
Click>> Race History
ItsMyRun.com
"If I'm running, it will be a good run" - Robbie-T
"I just hope that people look at it and say, 'Hey if this yahoo can do it, then I can do it too.' That'd be cool if people thought that. It's just a matter of putting the miles in and working. It's not so much how much talent you have. I hope." - Brian Sell.
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift." - Pre
Around the Bay - 1:58
Click>> Race History
ItsMyRun.com
"If I'm running, it will be a good run" - Robbie-T
"I just hope that people look at it and say, 'Hey if this yahoo can do it, then I can do it too.' That'd be cool if people thought that. It's just a matter of putting the miles in and working. It's not so much how much talent you have. I hope." - Brian Sell.
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift." - Pre
- Doonst
- Abby Hoffman
- Posts: 10598
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:17 pm
- Location: the corner of Sixth and Where Do I Go?
- Contact:
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
That was indeed big fun, but I missed the trash talk this time! Yeah I came in somewhere between you and Robbie. Maybe just a little closer to you.
The scene after the race, was one of the top ones for sure. After all the nasty running. Good seeing you again, what's the next time, ITT
You're sure right about Robbie and Ron, two cooler guys you might never meet.
The scene after the race, was one of the top ones for sure. After all the nasty running. Good seeing you again, what's the next time, ITT
You're sure right about Robbie and Ron, two cooler guys you might never meet.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
Sounds like a super-fun time!
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?
Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?
Re: AirForceRunner takes to the sky at Creemore Challenge
What a happy race report
Sounds like you had a great time out there!!
Sounds like you had a great time out there!!
Technophobe Extraordinaire
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
- Nature Girl
- Bruce Kidd
- Posts: 796
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:56 pm
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Nice work!
Hi. My name is NG and I want to run Haliburton.
- VeloCarrie
- Abby Hoffman
- Posts: 9117
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:15 pm
- Location: Ottawa!
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Congratulations! Sounds like a great time!
Running is cheaper than therapy and I need a lot of therapy.
I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good. ~Harry Potter
Get off the friggin' assfalt and run dirt. ~Strider
What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger.
I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good. ~Harry Potter
Get off the friggin' assfalt and run dirt. ~Strider
What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger.
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Sounds like quite a race! Glad your body cooperated for this one, Rick. Good times!
Support me in my fundraising for the Boston Marathon, Boston Public Library team:
https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign ... iferwolf11
https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign ... iferwolf11
- ratherBrunning
- Jerome Drayton
- Posts: 4412
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:50 pm
- West Grey Runner
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 1301
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: West Grey (Near Owen Sound), Ontario
- Contact:
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
AFR ...funny!
+1 on the great race , Pierre throws a good bash!
it kinda felt like I was in line at Timmies.
Your welcome ... had a few frowns on the back 9 but some days are just like that!Thanks WGR!!
+1 on the great race , Pierre throws a good bash!
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Nice race report AFR. Sounds like a great course and a fun time.
- b_squared
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 1294
- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:23 pm
- Location: escape is at hand for the travellin' man
AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Nice training run for Haliburton AFR!
Glad that this one worked out better for you.
Glad that this one worked out better for you.
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Neat report. Guess you will move up closer to the front next time to miss the Timmies line..... Ain't it fun to meet and find out the image that you have of a maniac isn't the one you had...
Great race, Congrats.
Mouse
Great race, Congrats.
Mouse
The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. - Mark Twain
- Spirit Unleashed
- Lynn Williams
- Posts: 21772
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:38 am
- Location: The Texas Tropics
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
This is the first report where you don't sound insane! Good job!!
Athlete....Maniac 973....Marathon Maniac 6645
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
ultra spirit wrote:This is the first report where you don't sound insane! Good job!!
ROFL with this comment
ETA: on second thought not sure Spirit is a good Barometer for measuring sanity...
Technophobe Extraordinaire
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
- casual-runner
- Bill Crothers
- Posts: 1919
- Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:47 pm
- Location: Burlington, Ontario
- Contact:
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Congratulations on beating Andrew so it wasn't a trophy shallonge I guess?
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Congrats, hope you got those hills memorized for next year!
- QuickChick
- Lynn Williams
- Posts: 13274
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:52 pm
- Location: Whitby ON
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
Nice! Sounds very tough, but I'm so glad you had a good time compared to Sulphur. Way to get back on the horse!
"Don’t let negativity rent space in your brain for free. That is how you become a badass…by excavating her from inside you. You don’t have to become someone else. You need to identify the effing awesome parts of you that are your tools to work with, and maximize those." -Lauren Fleshman
Re: AirForceRunner @ Creemore Vertical Challenge
It's hard to have anything but a fun & exhausting day when you do a trail race with an attitude like that.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 28 guests