Iroquios Trail Test
32km trail race
Kilbride, Ontario
www.ouser.ca
August 16, 2008

My Orders

I had strict orders for this race. On a tempo training run the Wednesday before the race my partner told me he “wasn’t going to push too hard”. If he “wasn’t going to push it” I thought I should be able to keep up at least (he always kicks my butt). As we ran I felt myself being driven to stay with him. Mentally I had to hold on. When we reached the end he turned to me and “See I knew if I told you I wasn’t going to push it, you’d stay with me. You’re faster than you think you are. That was a fast pace. For Iroquios, start fast and stay fast!”

Minutes before the race I received a text message from my husband, Kalon, ordering me to do the same thing: Start fast, stay fast. I had my orders: start fast, stay fast.

The Loop: 0-8kms

Remembering this course starts with little over a 1km of road before entering single track trail, I knew I had to get out in front to avoid the “traffic jam” at the start of the trail. I felt pretty good even though the pace was quick. This is what I had been ordered to do- start fast, so I did. On the single track trail I felt even better and kept up the pace. I passed several people on the technical down hills. Due to all the wet weather, the trail was muddy. The rock and roots were very slippery but I let my legs fly down the hills and was rewarded with open trail. Two swollen creek crossings and several steep climbs later it was back out on the road heading towards the start/finish area. Catching a glimpse of a fast female racer just ahead of me on the road was encouraging. Looking down at the 8km mark my time was 42minutes. I thought, “Good girl- you followed order number one!” Then I thought, “Oh God, now I have to stay fast!”

The Out: 9-21kms

A mountain bike crash two days before the race left my shoulder weakened. I was grateful to drop my hand held bottle and replace it with my fuel belt bottles I tucked in my tri-shirt. I had a cramp in my shoulder already that I knew wasn’t going away. Dropping the bottle helped.

I had broken down this 12km out in to three sections marked by three road crossings. The course follows the Bruce Trail. It is a trail runners’ dream. Every imaginable trail surface is encountered along the trail. Gravel paths, swampy mud patches, hard packed dirt, sand, huge roots, boulders and jagged rocks. I knew if I were to be fast I would need to let my legs run, so I did. Unfortunately putting my head down to focus on my speed, made me miss a trail marker and I added several hundred meters to the course. I knew racers were expected to follow the Bruce Trail markers and a few the race directors had placed, but I got caught up in the speed and made an error. I learned quickly not to just follow.

At the first aid station I was feeling good but I took my electrolyte jelly beans and grabbed some water. My mind was focused on my mantra: start fast, stay fast. I wanted to make it to the turn around by 2:00 and was hoping to put some distance between me and fourth place. Every time I got scared that I had started too fast and couldn’t keep up the pace I was able to replace those thoughts with positive ones. I had orders to follow.

The second section started with an awesome climb through some huge boulders. I remembered this part from last year. Crossing the marshy area that has been filled with large rocks was very technical, but I didn’t slow up. My legs really enjoyed this section. I passed several road runners who were not comfortable with this type of trail. This was very positive.

Then the third section hit. Last year this is the section I enjoyed the most for it is extremely technical and hilly. This year it felt double the distance it was. Hoping to boost my fatiguing legs I took a gel. Then I saw her. I had caught the second place woman. I picked it up- it was great! The rocky descent in to the Rattlesnake Area was more slippery than I had ever run it. I fell once but didn’t hurt myself. My shoelaces however where undone and I had to stop to tie them to prevent another fall. As I did the female racer passed me back.

I was surprised how close I was to the turn around when I saw the first female runner. Elated to be seconds behind second place and only a few minutes behind first I found new strength and pushed hard to meet my 2:00 time goal at the 21km mark! I was staying fast.

The Back: From 21-32kms

Too focused on catching the second place woman, I forget to refill my bottles at the turnaround aid station. I had a very dry, hot section to the next aid station. It was long. I was tired. I knew I was slowing but I was also catching and losing some male runners who had been around me till now. What allowed me to continue to push my pace was thinking about telling my order givers that I did it. Being able to tell them I followed their orders. I was fatigued.

The volunteers who worked the aid stations at this race were great. They were helpful and cheery. It was really energy lifting to pass through both of the stations. A big thank-you to those volunteers whose energy I appreciated.

Heading in to the final 4km section I knew I couldn’t catch the second place girl. I had slowed. Surprisingly I was ok with this. I was pleased that I was running as fast as I could at that moment.

A final sprint to the finish line and I crossed at exactly 3:20:00! I was spent. My shoulder had gone numb with pain a long time ago and I was feeling tingling into my wrist. While enjoying my finish line freezy I got ice for my shoulder and stretched it out feeling good. I couldn’t have gone faster, run harder. I had, as I had wanted to do, race my doubts that I am fast. I wasn’t there to race anyone but myself. Being as fast as I could be was the goal, not beating anyone else.

Lessons I Learned From My Orders

Although part of me thinks both of them gave me the orders because they are so tired of hearing me whine about being slow, I realize they both know that I have to get this negative thought out of my head. Compared to some, yes I am slow, but I am not a turtle. They knew the only way to confront the voice inside me that thinks I am slow is to challenge it, and prove it wrong. I think this race was a good start to that.

It is the people you have behind you that make all the difference in life and in racing. Two people gave me the same orders; and this race it was them who made the difference for me. Their orders barked in my head from start to finish. They became my mantra; my reason for pushing myself. More so, their belief that I could do it, was what I really needed. Good thing I take orders so well-haha!