Angus Glen Half Marathon – November 7, 2010

I’ve run the Angus Glen 10km for a couple of years now, so this year I decided to focus on the running rather than the post-race food and run the half-marathon! Just so you know, Angus Glen puts on the best post race spread ever and if you’ve ever run any of the races there, you’ll know what I mean and why I’ve previously opted to run the 10km race rather than the half-marathon so I can eat afterwards! I find it’s pretty hard to feel like running after a half, even with the spread being offered. This was a tough tradeoff! So, this year, I sacrificed my post-race meal for a PB. It was a worthwhile tradeoff I think! I ran my last road half-marathon in 2008 in 2:19….my new PB at Angus Glen – 1:54. So, what did I do differently for training and racing to achieve this? First, speedwork and hills. Yes, the two dreaded words for most runners, but completely worth the commitment. I only did them once a week…so just imagine what you could achieve with twice a week or more! I ran long and slow each week…over 25kms, so when it came to 21kms it seemed short in comparison. (It’s all relative I guess!) On race day, I resisted the urge to go out too fast and kept a steady pace throughout the race. I also resisted the urge to fall in behind or on pace with other runners…I ran my own race.

Angus Glen is a great venue and I’ve never been disappointed by the organization, the swag bag, T-shirt, medal or the weather. (Hosting a race the first week of November, likely means crossing your fingers each year and hoping it does not snow or worse.) This year was no exception to previous years I have raced and the weather conditions were just about perfect. Cool in the morning, but clear. The start of the course for the 10km and the half-marathon are both the same…leaving the golf course and entering a nearby community where I have never been disappointed about how many people are out on their drives or front porches cheering the runners on. Angus Glen is a great race for spectators since there are at least 3 easy opportunities for spectators to cheer on their runners. After splitting off from the 10km route, the half-marathon course continues up Kennedy, across Elgin Mills Road to McCowan Road, north on McCowan Rd past the Markham Fair Grounds to 19th Avenue, west on 19th Avenue to Warden Rd, south on Warden Road back to Elgin Mills Road and then east on Elgin Mills Road to Kennedy Road and back down Kennedy Road into the golf course. The roads are completely closed to traffic which these days appears to be a rarity rather than the norm in racing. The course is a nice mix of flat and rolling hills. There is some great country scenery and fall colours along the route. All in all, a great course.

This race sells out every year, so be sure to sign up early, especially if you want to be one of the first 300 registered which entitles you to the added bonus of a locker. (even if you don’t get a locker, you can still use the shower facilities in the golf course). This is a great race…well organized, great food and prizes and for a great cause….fund raising proceeds go to the local Markham Stouffville hospital. (which you might be glad  about if you need post-race care!)