Well, this season is quickly winding down.  My triathlon season ended last week at the Montreal Olympic Triathlon, which did not go particularly well, hence I chose not to write about it.  I did end up 3rd overall for like the 20th time this yr, but was sick and partially dehydrated even before the start, and just really suffered out there.

Today the weather was perfect, sunny, not super warm, although a bit on the windy side.  I was using this 10miler as a tune-up for the Scotiabank Half Marathon next week.  Since I don’t run high volume, and rarely race over 10k in running races, I am a relative novice at longer distances.  Today was a chance to test out some possible half marathon strategies and see what works and what doesn’t.

Had a decent warm-up, plenty of time for once, but just before the start I rushed to a port-a-pottie and took about 2-3feet of toilet paper which I would need during the race to blow my nose(every couple of minutes).  I’ve still been battling with a cold/sinus issues for over 2 weeks and has gotten only marginally better.

START: I wasn’t expecting this to be a competitive race, until I saw a Kenyan, Pius Korir right behind me.  Amazing how intimidating these guys can be, even though they seem completely harmless and very friendly.  Gun went off and I started to guage the competition for the first 400-500m.  I didn’t want to take the lead as it was directly into a headwind, as well as the first big hill on the course.  But I was very comfortable so I just ran the pace that felt natural.  First mile in 5:50, and in the lead, thinking where is that Kenyan.  Couldn’t hear any footsteps behind me so at least that felt good.  The whole course was just up and down, not too many sections that were long flats, so completely different than what I will be facing in Scotiabank.  2mile in 11:40, and 14:44 at the 2.5mile TA(the course was 2×5mile loops out and back).  I then saw my competition.  I had a 14sec lead on Pius.  Coming back it was easier since the wind was mostly with us.  Again I ran well within myself conscious of the fact I had another loop to do after.  I missed my 3mile split, but as at 23:06 at 4mile.  The last mile of each loop was fun and entirely downhill… you just let the legs go and let gravity do all the work, just like at Sportinglife 10k.  I was in 1st place after the first 5mile loop in 28:27, and had a 15sec lead on Pius.  (after the race, I spoke with his coach who told me this was an EZ recovery run for him.  Unbelievable).

Starting the second loop, as much as I held back, the wind really got the best of me in the next few miles.  I ran out of toilet paper to blow my nose too, just holding on to the last remaining strands. It was before the 6th mile that I finally was overtaken by Pius who didn’t even break a sweat, and I don’t think I heard a single breath.  Again, quite remarkable.  The wheels started falling off for me rather quick at this point.  Mile 6 at 35:06, very slow indeed.  It was survival mode from here, and the lack of even moderate volume in my run training really started to show(I need to do more than 40-50k/wk, without my shins breaking down). I was passed by yet another runner, a young guy Serg, who was running towards an impressive negative split.  I on the otherhad was running towards an unimpressive BIG positive split. I was at 41:36 for 7miles, and 44:49 at the 7.5mile turnaround(gees, only 11seconds faster than 6:00mile pace).  However, the last 2.5mile was again mostly into the wind.  Since the 4th place runner was only 30sec behind me, I got quite a scare and a second wind.  Missed the 8th mile split, but was at 53:37 for 9miles.  This time I let my legs go a bit more and was happy with the last mile, 5:12, to finish in 58:49.  Not surprisingly by now, 3rd overall.

I’ve got alot of learning to do at the longer distances, and this race was a great learning experience.  Definitely not a fast course, a few flat sections but challenging nonetheless.  I’m certainly greatful I didn’t have an extra 3.1miles in my state.

Up next is the flat and fast Scotiabank Half Marathon on Sept 28.  Afterwards, I take a breather for a few weeks before beginning base building for 2009.  I am certainly looking forward to that, and a much more successful race season in 2009.

Thanks for reading!