Sat.May 24th
Dundas,On
What better way to celebrate BobDylan’s and my Mom’s birthdays than getting up at 5a.m.,driving out Hammer way and running the Sulpur Springs 25ktrail race?(www.ouser.com)
What an honour to be in the company of the ultra community,doing 50k,100k,50mile &100 mile distances.It made my 25k seem wimpy.I will certainly give the 50k distance a go sometime in the not too distant future,thanks for the inspiration Ultra people.
The 25k did an out and back 5k spur before a back and forth 20k winding loop.Contrary to what Jill says I found the course rolling,though no significant climbs,but then again I’m just a 25k wimp not a 50k+ maniac like her!Props to Jill!
Speaking of maniacs,my favourite part of the race was seeing Ken Niemimaa on course,popping his 100 mile cherry!I crossed the road to high five him after hearing him call out ” Daveyyyy” on the road section that connected the trails.What an inspiration Ken is!
I echo Jill’s statement about how great it is to see team-mates at races sporting the colours!
Anyhoo,my own race was solid but unspectacular.I settled into a comfortable pace after passing an old running foe,George Aitken, veteran of over1,000 races, running fast on the downhills and steady on the small climbs.A 1:54 finishing time was good for 9th overall and 5th in my age group.Damn all those fit 40-49 yr olds out there!It’s hard to place in my age groups at these Ouser racers,but I’m not done trying.
All in all I find the Ouser races well organized,extremely friendly and mucho challenging.I’m leaning toward the longer trail races as I get older,and Ouser looks like the place for me.
Cheers
Anthony
Awesome race Anthony. You have been a busy man this year and putting in some very great results!
Keep up the fantastic season!
LB