5 Peaks Durham Forest Trail Race
Saturday July 8, 2007
Trail Race 12km
Durham Forest, Uxbridge
www.5peaks.com
My Goal / Preparation
This race was a qualifier for the Canadian Mountain Trail Running Association Championships. My goal, though it seemed unrealistic, was to come top three for under 19 and qualify for the race. A few days before the Durham 5 peaks race I had a school track meet. I ran in the 1500m and 800m. Track is not my favourite type of running. In the 1500m I came 2nd by about 10cm. I was not very happy about this finish. The rest of the day just got worse. I threw up constantly. I am still not sure whether it was nerves or because I pushed my self so hard or a combination of the two. However, coming in second in that track meet helped me become even more determined to do my best at Durham. I pushed aside that loss and began to mentally and physically prep
are myself for Durham. I ran the course with my coach to make sure I knew when I really needed to push and when I needed to pace myself. The day before my race I helped marked the course. This helped me to remember certain technical areas of the course.
The morning of the race came and I didn’t have any doubt in my mind. Therefore I was not very nervous. Just before the race they announced that this was a qualifying race. The top two qualified to go to the Canadian Mountain Trail Running Association Championships, also that you had to be 16 or older to go. This didn’t change my top three goal for under 19 but it did stop me from being able to qualify (because I’m only 13).
During the race
I went out in the 4th wave planning to pass those in the waves ahead of me. I spotted a running free athlete and created another goal, to try and keep him in sight the whole race. We took off the start line at a good pace. I had a feeling it was going to be difficult to accomplish my goal. The first 4km I kept up and was in 3rd in my wave. I still had the running free athlete in eyesight, although he seemed to be getting further away.
The 4km mark was where the enduro and sport course split. I continued on the enduro and felt suddenly alone as I went in to a single-track trail. It was too tight and twisty to see the running free athlete in front of me. I didn’t see anyone for a while and then once I came out to the second aid station I saw him again. I quickened my pace just slightly to gain some ground but not tire myself. I once again began to pass people but these people were from the first heat and I didn’t pass them as quickly. When I got to the wall of pain I spotted many racers walking up the hill. I passed most of them then slowed in exhaustion to walk. I took a step, but that was it and then I quickened my pace in frustration of actually considering walking. Closing in to 10km I caught all the way up to the running free athlete. I saw another runner ahead of him that looked about 16. I knew he was from the first heat and I had beaten him. That didn’t seem good enough though. Therefore at 11km I picked it up and passed both the teen and the running free athlete. The last kilometer was painful but felt amazing. I was passing many people now. I turned the corner for the last 400m or so and saw the other man that was ahead of me in my heat. I picked it up into a sprint and passed him. I did it, the race was over.
After the race
I finished in just over 53 minutes. I was exhausted and overjoyed at the same time. I walked over to my parents and they congratulated me. Then immediately after I walked over to the where the times were posted. I looked down the list on the first page, just skimming to make sure I wasn’t there assuming I would be on the next. But my name was there on the first page! I finished 27th overall, 25th male, first for 14 and under and my biggest accomplishment was I came 3rd for under 19. I had reached every goal I set and I was very happy. I was only 4 minutes behind the first place under 19 year old. I had a great race. It was a great course, so my thanks and congratulations to John Klich, race director for the 5 Peaks series.
Congratulations Colin on a great race. You’ve been burning up the trails this season and asserting yourself as a formidable competitor. It is apparent that your natural talent, good coaching and awesome attitude are going to keep you on the podium for many years to come.
Thanks sop much for all your helping marking the courses. As I wrote in a previous article, “The Virtues of Volunteering”, there is some merit to helping out and obviously you’ve discovered the benefits of getting some knowledge of the course before the race to help with your strategy.
Awesome job and thanks for making Team Running Free look so good!
Congratulations Colin on your amazing run. I have to admit that pacing is the key in races like this and that knowing key areas of the course will come in very handy (like a home field advantage). It really seems like you have got some very good skills and will grow into an amazing athlete. I am sure that you will be representing Canada soon enough.
I really enjoyed the race and the event that day. I especially remember you passing me like I was standing still at the 11 km mark, you really had some gas left and I really commend you for your awesome kick that day. Glad that I could be some help to you too.
Ken (the pylon) Niemimaa