This was my first time doing the Chilly Half and my first race of 2008. Not a stellar outing but I’ll take it. Now for some random thoughts.
1. A great race to do. Well organized, tons of free parking close by, and the post-race food was excellent and quickly accessed. Plus a nice Mizuno long sleeve tech tee and backpack for early registrants. I must thank Mizuno Canada for getting me entered in the race. I’d love to come back again to do the race, hopefully it fits into next year’s schedule.
2. My performance was adequate (1:47:55). I wasn’t expecting much because I did not taper for the race, and my legs were dead from logging lots of hours the past few weeks. It was was my 59th run in 59 days (actually 58 bike and runs in 58 days). I could have run faster in the last 10 km (my legs sorta woke up at that point) but a PB was not in the works so I chose to lessen my recovery time and soreness for the week and coast it in to the finish.
3. If you want to run a PB at this race, make sure you position yourself near the front of the start line. The course is narrow (one lane) you need to get out in front and clear of the crowd. I spent the first 20 minutes caught behind a many little groups of runners going along their merry way – I ended up running an avg. of 10.5 km/hr (way too slow for what I desired). I typically start at the back of the back at races and work my way through. This does not work at this race.
4. The course is not exactly flat. There is nothing that resembles a hill, but lots of very gradual/slight uphill stuff. According to my watch it is 60% flat or downhill, and 40% uphill. Then you have winds off the lake to deal with.
5. The weather was excellent. You had to battle the wind at certain sections of the course but nothing ridiculous. All you needed was a long sleeve and a vest. I wore a Mizuno Breath Thermo 1/4 Zip, running jacket, brushed tight, gloves and hat, along with my Running Free Vest. I could have done without the Mizuno running jacket.
6. Up next is the Around the Bay 30 km. I’ll be doing 3:15 pacer duties.
7. Congrats to the other Team RF speedsters. Wicked job!
