Race:  Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5 km

Date:  Sunday March 16, 2008.

Location:  Toronto, Ontario

Description:  5 km in downtown core

Sport:  Running Race

Website:  www.achillestrackclub.ca/stpat.html

Thanks to a buddy of mine, Ben “King” Kong, I was asked early in the week to join his relay team since some of his team members dropped out.

I ran a tough 23 km on the Friday before the event and woke up on Saturday morning with strained right gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Walking was extremely painful so I scrapped all my workout plans for the day. Instead, I iced constantly, ultrasounded the area (I have a portable device), and used the TP Massage Ball and Footballer on myself. The only activity I got was playing my XBOX 360.

I checked out my movement at 8 pm and things were much better. I was not limping as much, and running felt better than walking. I continued my super blast-healing regimen until 4:30 am and hit the sack.

I woke up in better condition but still not ideal race state. A smarter person wouldn’t race but a smart guy I never claimed to be. I didn’t think that any further damage would occur by running (other than more soreness), plus I made a commitment to do the race for Ben and his team and not showing up was not an option. If I had to limp the 5 km I would.

It was a bit chilly (-3) but nice and sunny. I wore my CWX Insulator Tight, Mizuno Dry Science long sleeve top, Mizuno Atlantis Jacket, Team Running Free Vest, and my Mizuno Elixirs. I parked along the waterfront since parking around the dome was $25.

This is a fun smaller race and the field did not look big, so I started at the very back of the field. I must stop doing this because it still took me over 2 minutes to get to the start line once the horn sounded to start the race. So if you want to run fast at this race or any other for that matter, go to the front! I just didn’t want to get in anyone’s way given my impaired condition. So much for being considerate because obviously many didn’t listen to pre-race instructions for the faster people to be at the front and to stay left.

I spent the first 7 minutes weaving in and out of people, doing combination of walking and running. I did the first 2.5 km in 13:23. Things finally thinned out reasonably and I ran the second half in 10:16, finishing in 23:39 (25:45 gun time). I was pleased because I never thought I’d be able to run close to this speed. My only regret was not in starting at the front and giving it all I had. I did not know that gun time counted for the team standings. Our team finished 19th out of 44.

What was cool about this race was the large number of visually impaired people that took part in the race with their guides. Dog lovers will appreciate that they are allowed to walk the race with their furry friends.

Pre and post race activities were based out of the Steamwhistle Brewery. Very convenient location but a very busy place especially post-race. With my finishing time I walked right in to get my free beer, chili, and box of Lucky Charms. But when I left an hour later, the line-up to get into the place was nuts. So if you finish under 30 minutes you should be fine, but after that, good luck with the long line-ups. Better for you to hit the local pub with your pals. Overall, a charming race to do, but make sure go to the front, run fast, quickly get your beer and chili, and get out of there before the crowds gather.

Now it’s back to a few more days of some serious icing, massage and ultrasound. Hopefully I’ll soon be able to get faster and change my Turtle moniker.