Race: Tim Horton’s Chilly Half Marathon
Location: Burlington, ON
Date: March 4, 2007
Sport / Format: Running / Half Marathon (21.1kms)

Well,

I had previously always stated that this race was my favourite due to its locale, and the fact that it is part of my regular training route, but this year had me thinking otherwise. I had entered this race with last year’s 1:22 and change in the back of my head. I had huge expectations for a sub 1:20 half, and a top ten finish, complimented by an age group podium. However, none of that was to be the case.

Although the race was on Sunday, my race started on Friday night. Something I ate, or something my daughter gave to me, didn’ agree with me at all. So, I spent most of Friday night in the washroom, expending my energy with my head buried in the toilet. Saturday didn’t prove to be much better for me, so I was left with a little doubt as to what Sunday would bring. However, Sunday arrived and I seemed to be okay.

The Start:

As always, I go out hard and try not to get twisted up with other runners. The start was clean after I managed to negotiate myself to the front of the corral. I knew some of the elite runners that were there, and the fact that I couldn’t stay up with them. However, I did have a feeling that a top 10 was achievable.

First 5kms:

Again, going out way fast, I managed to run top 10 for the first 5km. I peered at my watch at the 5km point and realized that I had just run an 18:23, which is pretty fast for me, but hey, what the hell, I was feeling good. Besides, I was trying to get time where I could because I had checked the weather reports and knew that the finishing 8kms would be head to wind.

Mid Race:

Sustainability was the name of the game here, and admittedly the biggest point for improvement in my game. I watched my 10 spot slip to a 15 spot between 5 and 13kms. It occured to me that I wasn’t passing anyone. In fact the racers that exercised good race strategy were passing me, and left me defending each spot that I lost. By 16kms, I was defending my top 15 finish, and starting to feel the effects of a -11 degree, 30km headwind. At 16 and 17kms, the last 2 racers that would pass me exercised their moves, and I was relegated to a 17th place finish (1:23:24). This was around a minute slower than my time in the same race last year. I couldn’t believe it until I studied the results later. The winner, who incidently was the same guy who won last year, finished 2 minutes slower, which is testament to the conditions.

Overview:

Although I expected to PB at this distance in this race, given what was stacked up against me, I guess I’m not overly disappointed. The half is a great distance I find, to go balls to the wall with no recourse. It’s certainly much more manageable than the 30km Bay or a marathon. I was pleased to see fellow RF’er Ken Niemamaa at the race (pacing a friend), as I had never met him before, and my Triharder mentor Pierre Robitaille, who I regard as a statesman for the sport.

The Event:

As always, I endorse this event. There are few other events with such an elaborate spread. Excellent chili, coffee, cookies, juice, bananas, and a sweet finishing medal adorn all those who participate. The field size is large yet manageable (approx 2300), and parking and entry are all palletable too. If you get a chance to race this event, I recommend it. Just hope that you have a good day to do it, as the winds on Lakeshore in Burlington can be gnarly.

As always, for those that do, train hard.

Woody