Canada Running Series Acura 10 Miler,Distillery District,Toronto
Sunday July 11,2010
I’m not sure why I insist on running any kind of distance race in the middle of the summer.Having been born and raised in Belfast,N.Ireland I yearn for cool even rainy race days,yet here I was for the 3rd consecutive year.The first class organization,race start/finish location and the close proximity to my house are just too good to pass up.That and the fact that I have been granted elite status and therefore free entry the past 2 years!!
I just can’t maintain a fast pace in the heat,and July 11 was a normal warm,humid day with temps in the low 20’s at race time.I arrived early thinking we had an 8am start time only to find out I had an extra half our to wait,and sweat.
At the gun I felt fine and went out fast as we went south toward Lakeshore Blvd the east before a quick jog south again before turning east again on Commissioners Rd toward Leslie St.Speaking of Leslie,I found myself running alongside Leslie Sexton and Nicole Stevenson!Maybe I was able to withstand the heat finally.After all I have been in Canada over 30 years! Wrong!As we passed the 6k mark and heading for the Leslie St.Spit I was beginning to fade,by 10k it was an out and out struggle.With the ladies long gone I struggled along watching my pace creep steadily toward the 4 minute per kilometre mark.So much for another sub 1 hr 10 miler.The sun was beating down on us and as the sweat rolled down my face I swore to do the 5k next year and wait for cooler temps to do any longer races.
The finish chute was a welcome sight with volunteers handing out towels to stem the flow of perspiration from the 1,500 or so runners on this day.The post-race entertainment and food were excellent as usual and it was a personal thrill to see Reid Coolsaet mingling with us common folk after his easy victory in just over 48 minutes.
Several Gatorades and bottles of water later,I felt strong enough to attempt the cycle home with a vow to give this race a miss next year.
Well see…
Cheers
Anthony you were in good company. Kooymans, Stronski, Campbell et al, they all boiled in the heat too. My own attempt at sub 60 fell short too, and I was already over 30 min at 8k. I have to thank a bib-less chap who gamely paced me past you guys from 7k to 14k.
Wasn’t Leslie amazing? On Canada Day I chased her end to end at the Angus 5 miler. Every time I got close to her, she would pull away. A cat playing with a mouse! Clearly she had much more and she let ‘er rip at Acura for a nice pay day.
While I may have licked you at the Acura 10 miler, you certainly got your due at the Toronto Half in your kind of weather. Well done!