The boys had hockey practice at 8am and I go on the ice with them and help coach. After it was done I busted out to Guelph with plenty of time to spare before the 10:30 start. Got my bib and ran one loop of the course as warm up. The race is a hilly 5k XC race that you do 2 loops with the finish line at the top of a steep hill, very evil.
Finished my warm up, put on my spikes and headed to the starting area. First thing I notice is that I am old here, most of the racers are University or High School athletes. First thoughts, I'm going to get mine handed to me today, oh well go hard or go home.
I love the atmosphere of XC races, fast racing spikes, cold weather, mud, dirt, grass, hills, trails and running all out to the finish. Everyone gets to be virtually on the front line and you sprint to a tiny trail opening on a hard turn, first there gets the pole position. Awesome!
We all take off, and I'm out a bit slow and get held up some at the corner. Making myself some room and start passing a few and get into my position. I fly by 1k 3:28 (slow start). The rest of the loop climbs, and I pick off a few more, those young kids haven't learned how to climb very well yet
One loop to go, I have no idea where I stand right now, just keep running hard as I can, I pick off one more and try to catch more but I'm all on my own now, I make some ground but that is all. The final 1/2 km is tough, down a short dip and come out hard and up this stupid hill where you should be kicking but all you can do is just move forward as hard as you can. At the top you are about 100m from the finish line but now you can't breathe because you already choked up your lungs. Good thing there was no one even close to me to make me attempt to sprint.
The guy cutting off my chip asked me how I felt, I said "I feel better now" meaning that I got to race in my spikes, not because it was over.
In the end I was 20th overall, 2nd in my age group.
Time 18:50, only 30 seconds slower then 5k a few weeks ago on a road course, this course made that one look like a treadmill run.
XC is awesome if you have a chance do it.
oh yah met Reid Coolseat, got an autographed picture of him, shook his hand.
I was able to check out the new New Balance Minimus, I love them!
Great day! And all that before noon!!
Baked a pumpkin pie and wrote this with one hand because sick baby is sleeping in my other arm.
