Monday, March 26, 2012

Around The Bay 2012

I had debated with myself about running this race as I had not done the milage  to do well. I decided the Saturday before to run it as a long slow run to get some real miles in before the "Sulphur" in May. All when well as I lined up with the 3:30hr Bunny at the back of the Pack and set off at a comfortable 7 minute per K pace. All when well for about 2K, But then I spotted, Eugene, An old running buddy and I sprinted to catch him. We caught up on gossip about Old friends and realized we were running 6 minute K`s. Eugene also let it slip that he had started almost 10 minutes late so he was all ready 10 minutes ahead of me on chip time. It was getting warm and I started shedding clothes. I also discovered I had run out of water in my back pack, "Holds 1L " I have never been able to drink from a cup and run so, I by-passed the next two water  stations. I was just passed the big hill when the cramps hit my hamstrings. I could not lock  my knees at 28k so I just sort of shuffled a long in a half squat to the finish line. Eugene disappeared ahead looking faster than he did at the start! I can`t wait to see my finishing picture. It should be interesting! It is a day later and my Hams are sore but OK so it was dehydration that got me.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Chilly 1/2 a unexpected 3rd place

I ran this race as a LSR in prep for my goal race " Around the Bay" . The weather turned out to be an excellent  -2C with a gentle 25kpm wind from the West. I lined up with Eric the 2:30 pace bunny. The race course ran west for a few Klms and then turned back east along Lakeshore to Burloak at about 13k and then turned west again back along Lakeshore to the finish. I noticed Maya running with her guide Kaoline running west before I reached Burloak, about 20 minutes a head of me. I also met Paul D and Aranka B and we formed a nice little group behind Eric. At about 18k I was feeling really good and ran in at my planned race pace. I finished 2:29 still feeling good and felt the run was a great success. I was surprised when Paul D, EMailed me that I was 3rd in my age group. I checked and there  were only 3 runners in my age bracket Very surprising as there are at least 5 runners my age living here that can leave me in the dust.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Poems Al Purdy

see myself staggering through deep snow
lugging blocks of wood yesterday
an old man
almost falling from bodily weakness
— look down on myself from above
then front and both sides
white hair — wrinkled face and hands
it's really not very surprising
that love spoken by my voice
should be when I am listening 
ridiculous
yet there it is 
a foolish old man with brain on fire
stumbling through the snow