This was the first and only race that all 3 Tourists carpooled to the same race together. I must thank Quick Chick hugely for dropping us off at the start and moving the car to the finish; it made this race livable. We got to the start about 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. In our hast to exit I firgot my Garmin.
Standing at the start line, the drizzle ended. Most people threw their rain ponchos (from race kit) away pre-race, me included. Weather was actually pretty good, the wind was at our backs almost all the time.
I started out easy, not knowing how I would feel running sick. Lots of slower runners to get past in the first 2 K. Its a nice enough course, very flat, curvy in spots, and rather scenic if you like rivers. I was thinking about the Great Lakes connection between here and Detroit next weekend. I had a couple of little annoyances; shoelace and pee call. Without my Garmin I was just guessing how I was doing. I tried staying near some well-paced people, but at this point most walked away from me. At around the 8 K mark I got my stride as usual. I started asking a few people about the time, but it was too hard to figure. I assumed I was headed for a 1:45ish finish. I saw Ultrarune at around 13 or 14 K, he was the guide for a blind runner. As I passed them, I heard him explaining to his charge about Dave and I and the stunt. I felt good and steady at this point, started passing more people. There were lots of mile markers, for the full and the half, but few K markers. With 3 miles left, I hit yet another gear. Not quite what I had at Ottawa Fall Colours, but I was easing past a lot of runners. After a bridge with 2 miles to go, I felt I was fading a bit, but it passed quickly. I noticed that I was still passing people, I just felt a bit beat. With 2 K to go, it started the 55 foot downhill to the finish. Big finish, heard but didn't see QG and Ed Fizz. Came across the line at 1:44:20 gun time. I wasn't sure what to expect, I was medium happy with this. My chip time was 1:43:04, 55 seconds off my PB, 2nd best ever. For a sicko, that's what i had today. On a good day, it would have been a PB course.
QC walked up, said she got a good pic of me at the finish.
We walked up a bit to see Dave finish with his minions. Changed clothes at the car and went back to watch Barabara at the line. We were glad to see her running really strong down the final chute. Couldn't spot Gjen, so eventually we headed out. We sorta all did okay today. That was #8 for me, 7 for them. Next week, Detroit Michigan.
awesome, awesome race for a sicko and it being #8 et al ... 
