I was pumped and ready for this one, my cold was 95% clear. Guelph received a few inches of snow the week before the race and the entire course was snow covered. The temperature was about 0C, the sun was partially out so there were a few slushy sections especially with all the runners that have already gone over the course. It was a beautiful day for a XC race, in the snow Canadian style.
After registration I hooked up with the East Toronto Striders for a warm up loop. After that the PA system announcer talked about how everyone should have their long pins in and if you need some they are selling them at a tent on site. I had some time so i checked them out and bought a set of 13mm pins for the race, I think the stock pins are 8mm so they are pretty aggressive maybe even dangerous looking.
Switch them pretty quickly, got ready to race and made my way to the start. Did a few strides, where Fizz saw me and we wished each other good races. My legs felt great and these extra long pins felt strong under foot.
Loop 1
The gun goes off, I try to go out semi-fast, just enough not to get locked in the back of the pack when the track got narrow. Went out feeling relaxed, not pushing just wanted to flow the first loop, stay steady the second, third pick it up and forth go for it. Previous XC races I went out too fast and held on for painful dear life until the end.
First 2k loop was 7:29, that was a bit quick.
Loop 2
I kept to it and passed people as they started slowing down. Second loop finished, 7:41. Not much else happened, planning and plotting my next moves.
Loop 3
Started hurting a bit now, I hear the announcer comment that the first female is finishing her second loop, I figure about 300m back maybe, better keep pushing so I don't get chicked. I caught up to a racer I have been chasing a lot this year. The guy that beat me on the 5k Mohawk Horse Track, and beat me at both previous XC races. I slowly moved up on him during the 3rd loop, tracked him for a while, I knew he can be pretty quick, and also he can play possum too, I passed him about 3/4 around with a surge and didn't look back. I fully expected him to surge back as he did in previous races but there was no exchange this time. Finished the 3rd loop, 7:54.
Loop 4
Going for broke, the great thing about Masters XC, everyone wears their age group on their back so you can see who ahead of you is in your AG and be able to race them. The bad thing is if you see a guy ahead of you with a 50 on their back it makes you feel at bit slow
it happens though some of these guys are very quick.
Now I am in race mode, I see one guy ahead with a 35, pass him on the first down hill, he responds by trying to surge pass me on the next up hill and I respond and close the door on him. Ahead I see another 35 that I don't think I have time to catch, but I try anyway. I surprisingly catch him on the final down hill before a 250m gut check hill climb to the finish line. I knew he had lots of experience and expected he wouldn't let anyone in his AG pass him this close to the finish without a fight. I make my move and scurried up that hill like a scarred rabbit so he couldn't or wouldn't want to hurt that much to catch me. He never did and I ended up catching 2 other guys up the hill as I kicked to the finish.
Loop 4, 7:44
That was so fun, I loved having a chance to actually race, and not just hang on for survival and hope other guys don't catch me.
XC is amazing fun, but makes you really earn every finish.
Next up the Egg Nog Jog, and I'm feeling very positive and motivated for another good run in the snow.
Final time 30:57
6/12 in my AG
54/169 Overall
54/137 Males
Flotrack has a bunch of videos and pictures of the event.
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view/234301-2008-agsi-canadian-cross-country-championships
Final kick passing one more guy.
Congrats on a race well run.
!
