RA's First DFL - Race to the Sea

[RA.]

Our Cabot Trail team put a team in for the Race to the Sea in Newfoundland. I'd done this race 6 years ago with Sanders and bruyere and some other maniacs who aren't active anymore. The three of us returned, plus drghfx and some other friends. I tackled Leg 3 this year - 13.5k, mainly flat, or so the description said. It was the second longest leg of the race.

There were 15 teams. When I got to the start line, I eyed my competition and figured I'd be able to keep pace with a few of the older ladies. Right from the start, they were ahead of me. I was trying to keep up, holding a 5:30-5:45 pace, then backed off, thinking they were going out too fast and would fall off. They didn't! I was in last place from the start, and kept my spot.

It was a little tough mentally, as the splits for 8&9 below show. But, I decided I would just run my race, enjoy the scenery, and enjoy my first DFL! A few times, I thought maybe I'd be able to catch the ladies ahead of me. I didn't. They finished 45 seconds ahead of me. Luckily, the two women running ahead of me were always in my sight, so I didn't feel like I was all alone.

August is a bad month for me to race. I just don't like it. It's too humid. I have not had a good race in August ever. I have another this weekend, and I think this time, I'm not even going to attempt to "race". In future years, I think I'll skip August races.

Splits:
1- 5:45
2- 5:44
3- 5:52
4- 6:12
5- 6:27
6- 6:20
7- 5:59
8- 6:52
9- 7:19
10- 6:32
11- 5:58
12- 5:58
13- 5:13
13.5 - 2:25 (4:50 pace)

Total 1:22:44, 6:07 pace, DFL....

Link to elevation chart from my garmin - Not quite flat...

[La]

Congrats on your 15th place finish!

Good insight about August races. Do you have many races in NS in August? It seems like you do. We have very few races (other than tris) from June through to September.

[Jo-Jo]

The heat of summer races are tough.
Define "older ladies"

For a DFL placement that's a pretty good pace...just my 2 cents

[scrumhalfgirl]

It looks like it was a gorgeous race! I loved your photos on FB!

[HCcD]

You sure have a lot of races this month, on back to back to back to back weekends, for someone who does not like to race in August, Ang ... I like that ....

I like using a lot of these C-races as training efforts in preparing for the bigger races/events, down the road .. nothing like race day experience compares to regular training efforts, imo ...

Oh yeah, congrats again for another race ...

[RA.]

Congrats on your 15th place finish!

Good insight about August races. Do you have many races in NS in August? It seems like you do. We have very few races (other than tris) from June through to September.

Yes, we have a lot of races in August, but not that many locally the rest of the year.

[RA.]

The heat of summer races are tough.
Define "older ladies"

For a DFL placement that's a pretty good pace...just my 2 cents

I just meant older than me! I guess that wasn't a good description!

[RA.]

It looks like it was a gorgeous race! I loved your photos on FB!

It really is fun and beautiful! I'd highly recommend it. Great NF hospitality, cheap race entry, good tech t-shirt (in women's sizes), meal provided the night before the race, and a party (with meal) post race. Can't really beat it.

[RA.]

I like using a lot of these C-races as training efforts in preparing for the bigger races/events, down the road .. nothing like race day experience compares to regular training efforts, imo ...

I'm trying to figure out my strategy for this weekend. I was thinking of just doing it long run pace, but why not just go in knowing I'll be slower due to the heat/humidity and see what I can do?

[purdy65]

I think I'm with you on the August races. La is right, there are hardly any around here.

Sounds like a nice race!

[Miss*Smiles]

Way to go on ENJOYING the race! Not quite flat, huh!?

I guess August races of the future will be seen as "august fun runs" to be enjoyed

[drghfx]

Good job Ang! You can't control who is in the race with you.

[ultraslacker]

Good job Ang! You can't control who is in the race with you.

true dat!

[Lightning]

Who cares about DFL when you look so great? I saw you on your FB pics...you look amazing! Way to go!!!

[Robinandamelia]

Congratulations!