Chase The Tornado!

This is a local race for Running Free Orangeville.  Just 15 minutes west to Grand Valley.  This was the 2nd annual race and team running free was in full swing volunteering!  I started the day on the pre-registration table greeting the runners who were excitedly picking up there kits and preparing for the course.  One great thing about smaller local runs . . . INDOOR washrooms!  Ha Ha Ha!  No huge portapotty line ups!

The kids fun run started promptly at 9:30 and was so much fun to watch all the kids cross the finish line.  Butterflies were also starting to be present as race time approached.  I was glad that I didn’t know the route before hand.  I lived in Grand Valley for many years and I know much like Orangeville what goes down must come back up.

Racers were lined up at the start line and ready to go at 10 sharp!  As the horn blew everyone was off to a strong and fast start!  The course starts with a long down hill to the core of the Valley then turns parallel with the river then like the tornado that destroyed much of the homes in Grand Valley the race continued up Amaranth street crossing the Grand for the first time.  You can see the “new homes” as you go up the street.  My husband grew up at the top of the hill and yes his home was taken in the Tornado in May of 85 while him and his father were in the house.  Even though I know this hill, I still take a break and walk a bit of the top and stretch out my achilles. 

The next rolling hill was a breeze and actually pretty breezy as we made our way to the “Rail Trail”.  This is mostly a single file dirt bike trail.  I saw a few people attempt to run in pairs but the grassy bumps are very difficult to navigate and you would want to be careful to not turn an ankle!  The sun was beating down now and the trees were hiding the breeze that was helping me manage my fatigue.  at the end of the trail was the water and Gatorade station . . . .Excellent!

Just passing the 5Km mark the lovely volunteer was shouting out the half way time.  I was there at 29.45.  Which is right on pace for me!  The next 1km was a gradual incline that didn’t seem too bad till I was about 3/4 the up.  Turn the corner at the 7km mark there were some cadet volunteers waving us left ~ thanks so much for being there!!  This is where the heat started to get to me.  I know it wasn’t that hot but, I love the cooler weather.  I could not only feel my self slowing but, also runner after runner went by.

Finally coming up to the bend by Davison Bus line there was a local man giving out cold bottles of water.  Not the 8km water station just some random person who appreciated what we were doing ~ YOU ROCK DUDE!  I grabbed the water and poured it over my head and drank some too!  This gave me a boost and Iwas able to go back to my pace.  I also knew that I was approaching the large hill we ran up at the begining and I was sooo ready for gravity to take over.  I sailed down the hill and was meet by Norm(Orangeville Running Free) who was cycling with the camera! As he was pointing at it I was trying my best to smile and run and keep it going!  It was then I realize that first big down hill was our final 1km – All the way UP!  As I made it past the Valley auto and around the bend. I could hear the small gathering of people cheering.  It was just a small loop around the track and then I could sprint to the finish.  It was so nice to see so many people you know as you are running across the finish line.  I ended with 1:04!  Perfect for me on this Hot, Hilly and sometimes windy course.  Thanks to Run Dufferin for putting on this great race and helping our local youth programs!