Cobble Hill 10km

January 24, 2010

This is the second race in the Island Series - a somewhat undulating course with a few climbs and descents, but nothing too steep. Originally, I had not even planned on running this race.  After Pioneer, I thought that the next time I would race on the road would not be until March.... but, Shane decided to race it, and I have a very hard time sitting out of a race, if he's running it. So, sign up I did. And, it turned out to be a very good decision.

Going into 2010, I, like many runners, had made a few racing goals for the new year and new season.  I hoped to better my time on distances I had already run.  My ultimate goal time for a 10km for this year was to get under 42 minutes, which would be over a minute and half improvement over my personal best from last year --- I hadn't realized, how quickly I would reach my goal...

Going into this race, I still didn't quite know where I was at in terms of fitness.  I had an indication from Pioneer, that my speed was improving, but it was still too early to tell exactly how much.  Based  on my Pioneer time, the race calculator indicated that I should be capable of running a 42:30 10km.  This seemed fantastic in itself, as my previous best time had been 43:33.  However, my realistic goal was to get under 43 minutes at Cobble. Since I don't like feeling disappointed, I usually try to go into races with modest goals - which I believe I can meet (although the more challenging goals do dance around in my head). 


The morning of the race, I woke up feeling very lethargic and sleepy.  I wasn't yet in the mood for racing.  But, the jitters would wake me up soon enough.  Shane and I arrived an hour before the start, but due to the bathroom lines, I barely had time for a warm up run -- I ran to the start line (about 300 meters away) and then got a few extra minutes in before it was time to line up for the start.

With barely a countdown 3-2-1-- we were off before I knew it.  There was a bit of positioning at the outset, but after a couple hundred meters, things got more or less sorted out, and I was able to establish my rhythm for the race.  The first kilometer flew by pretty quickly and easily.  The course then made a sharp left turn as we headed towards the 2 kilometer mark, as a course marshal was madly yelling 'Don't cut the corner! Do NOT cut the corner!', as racers ran by, some cutting the corner (running on the dirt path beside the road), others making the turn on the road.  The difference in time probably would only amount to less than a second, but the marshal certainly was trying to ensure that everyone ran the course as measured.

After the turn, the road headed somewhat downhill, before we turned around and came back along the same road.  As I neared the 2 km marker, I was thinking to myself - 'OK, just 8 km to go, just pretend that you are starting the Pioneer race...'  I felt pretty good, and was happy that I was keeping up with Julie - but it was still early, and there was still enough time for anything to happen.  We turned back onto the main road, and then hit the 3 km marker -- the past km had been somewhat uphill.  The road continued slightly uphill all the way until the turnaround.  The grade was slight though, and the going felt harder, but I didn't really realize that the road was slanted somewhat up until we were running back down later in the race. I passed Julie, which surprised me, but I was sure that she'd be right there passing me back soon enough (unfortunately, she was forced to stop and walk for part of the race, as she wasn't feeling well).

Around this point, Buddy Bandhar and Kevin Spahn passed me -- both stronger runners than me.  I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with Buddy, but I tried to stay somewhat close to Kevin.  We ran towards the turnaround (I had completely missed the 5 km marker).  Soon after the turnaround (around a loop in the road, rather than simply around a cone), we hit the 6 km marker.  I remember the next km being pretty downhill- which gave me a bit of time to let my legs go, but give my lungs a bit of a break.

The course then made another left turn onto another side-road, and wound around, with slight uphills and downhills along a well-treed road.  We hit the 8 km marker on this loopy road, and hit the 9km marker as we headed back to the main road.  Although I felt pretty good throughout the race, the last three kilometers started to wear me down.  I tried to keep myself focused and to stay with those running around me.  I was pleased that up until that point, I hadn't had many people pass me, and I'd stayed pretty close to the same people throughout the entire race.

Then it was the last kilometer.  From kilometer 8 or so, I'd been duking it out with one guy - as we passed each other back and forth.  Heading into the final km, I was in the lead -- but really had to keep myself going, to stay ahead.  As we rounded the final corner, I saw the finish line and tried to give it one final push towards the end.  However, just 100 meters from the end, the guy who I'd been duking it out with passed me with a final surge. Then, just as I was about to cross the finish line, one other guy stepped right in front of me.  I was happy that it wasn't someone in my age category, but I did feel that it was somewhat rude to step in front of someone right at the last moment.  But maybe that's what the competition is all about...

However, I was absolutely elated at my time.  Heading up to the finish line I saw 41:52 -- wow, I was about to get under 42 minutes!  I couldn't believe it.  My final official time was 41:58 - just getting under 42 minutes!  Wow, I'd already met my 'A' goal for the year --- I guess I would need to take another look, and make some revisions to my goals.   I certainly hope that this is an indication for how the rest of the year was going to go -- it had certainly started spectacularly. My splits were: 4:00; 4:04, 4:14; 4:19; 8:43 (kms 4-6), 4:02; 4:15; 4:16; 4:04.  Final results are here.

Many other Harriers had great races at Cobble as well- and Shane had a 10 second PB, also winning his age category.  (I actually got my first medal from an Island Series event -- silver!).  It was great to see so many familiar faces, and to see so many others have fantastic times.  The post-race was also laudable - the food was plentiful and diverse, and I had lots of options to choose from!  Overall a great morning -- and even the rain held off for us.  Next weekend, I'm off to do a trail race on Orcas Island -- a bit of a different beast, but it should be a blast!

Prairie Inn Pioneer 8 km

January 10, 2010

So, I've just finished another race, although I have yet to post an entry for this one.  Now, I'm two races behind! 

The Pioneer 8km was the first race of the season for me and for many others.  It's organized by the club I belong to: the Prairie Inn Harriers.  It's a nice wake-up call following the holiday season, which involved much relaxing and eating.  This is an exciting race, as it has brought out some big talent in the last few years, and a huge turnout for a local race.  It's fun to watch, even as a participant because since it's a loop course, you get to see the frontrunners on their way back to the finish.  This year was no different, as Steve Osaduik and Richard Mosley, the previous year's winner, were contending for first place.

Going into this race, I was totally unsure of how I would do.  I'd changed up some things in my training plan since September, and I was excited, but also nervous to see if it had made a difference.  I'd added 2 more days of running to my schedule, started doing a few speed sessions on the track and started going to a hard spinning class once a week. I was hoping that I could get a PB, and ultimately I wanted to get under 35 minutes (my previous PB was 35:12).  

I arrived early for the race, as I was helping out with registration.  It was fun to see the runners arrive and the hall get busy, and witness the excitement of the race begin to fill the air.  About half an hour before the beginning of the race, I nipped out for a quick warm-up, did my last bathroom break, and quickly stripped down to my racing attire - just barely making it to hear the countdown.  Then we were off.

The first kilometer was super fast, as it's all downhill.  I ran the fastest kilometer ever for me in a race, clocking in under 4 mins.  The second kilometer continued along Wallace drive, as we made a right turn, and began a slight climb up to Stelly's X-Road, the road where we'd started the race.  The climb is definitely noticeable, but not too steep.  I was surprised at my placing in the race, as I was near two of my colleagues from the Prairie Inn Harriers, who are usually much faster than me, Camie Bentham and Julie Van Veelan.  I hoped that I wasn't going too fast, and would end up tiring out on the last kilometers.  I missed the 3rd kilometer marking, but knew that as we turned the corner onto Stelly's X-Road, that we were nearing the 4 km marking.  We approached the 4 km marking, and there was a large clock showing the time.  I read 16:22 and thought to myself - oh no, I'll have to work really hard to get under 35 minutes.  I did the math wrong in  my head, which is easy to do when you are working hard and focusing on running.  In fact, if I could keep up my speed, I was on my way to a personal best.

I was surprised that I was still holding onto Camie and Julie, but I decided to run with it for as long as I could.  Another Harrier woman, Sandra Mullen, went blazing by-- I was impressed by her speed, and thought to myself that she would be hard to catch.

The 4-5 kilometer is mostly downhill, and provides a nice little rest for the legs. Just as we were about to make a left turn onto Wallace road, Steve and Richard were heading into their last kilometer, neck and neck.  We were soon past the 5 kilometer marker - only three to go.  I did a bit of going back and forth with Julie, as we had slight undulations in the road, up and down.  We were nearing the 6 km marker, and the last turnaround before heading back.  Here, the race was getting hard for me, and it took all I had to keep charging ahead.  At this point, a young guy, probably 20 or so, passed me, running strong and calling to his friends - obviously out more for a fun run than a true race.   

Then, we were on our final stretch.  After the turnaround most of the rest of the race was uphill. The last kilometer is entirely uphill, and I was really working it hard at this point.  A woman who I thought was in my age category passed me at this point - but she had the strength to climb the hill and out-run me - I just didn't have it in my to catch her.  About 500 meters to go, I heard 'GO Sonja, pump those arms' and it was the extra boost I needed to keep pushing.  Then, I made the last turn towards the finish line, which was still about 300 meters away - all uphill, slightly steeper. Julie and Camie had pulled away from me slightly by this point and were about 10 seconds ahead of me.  As I ran towards the finish, someone else called out 'GO Sonja, catch Julie, she's just ahead of you'.  Again, this extra motivation was great to keep me going and not let go before the finish.  I crossed the finish line, gasping for breath -- with the time reading 33:40.  A huge PB for me!  I was ecstatic, this was much better than I'd even expected. It was 1 minute and 32 seconds faster than my previous best time at this time, a year ago.  Fantastic! My splits were: 3:52; 4:05;8:27 (kms 3 and 4); 4:10; 4:18; 4:21; 4:25. 

Steve Osaduik ended up outkicking Richard Mosley, winning in the time of: 23:35.  A lot of other Harriers had great races and there were many PBs to be had.  Overall it was a fantastic day.  The weather was nice and cool, the atmosphere was great - as there were quite a few spectators and cheers along the way (including from my parents who came out to watch the race!), and the course was challenging, but fun (as much fun as can be had when you are working hard, and gasping for air.  I was very proud to be part of such an awesome club, for organizing such an outstanding event.

Stewart Mountain 16 km

December 12, 2009

So, this race report is VERY overdue - but the month of December somehow ran away from me and before I knew it, the new year had begun.  I have my first road race of the season on Sunday, January 10 (Pioneer 8km), so I wanted to get out a quick report about Stewart Mountain before then.

The Stewart Mountain 16km race was my last race of the year, and very happily, the racing year ended on a good note.  This was the last race in the three-race series that occurs at Thetis Lake.  It's a great race that starts near the main beach at Thetis Lake and winds its way to Stewart Mountain, up and over, and then back again, totalling 16 km.

Leading up to this race, it had been very cold for Victoria, with temps below freezing for a couple of weeks.  Most of the puddles on the local trails had frozen over, and I was concerned that this race might turn into a skating event, as we slip slid over all of the ice.  The race director, Bob Reid, even decided to bypass the puddle that we were originally intended to run through because it was completely frozen over and too dangerous to try and cross.  Days before the race, there was a report of a huge ice patch at the top of Stewart Mountain that we would need to manoever around on our descent, which would make the way down tricky and potentially dangerous.  I thought "this might just turn out to be an epic race, after all..."  The descent from Stewart Mountain was noted to be icy, steep and covered with loose rocks and leaves.  With all of this going on, I was beginning to think that this would not be a PR setting race, but actually slower than last year.

I arrived at Thetis Lake on race day, not in the mood to race.  I was feeling pretty casual about the run, and thought I would just go out there, enjoy it and see how things go.  I went for a quick warm up, and headed to the start line.  Then we were off.  I tried to get into a rhythm as the masses started off.  As the pace was slower than at Gunner Shaw, the first km's felt very comfortable, as we rounded up and around the trails around Lower Thetis Lake. 

Throughout the entire race I ran around fellow Harriers: Louise Proulx and Ben Kersen.  We went back and forth a few times near the beginning, and then I took the lead for most of the first half of the race.  As we ran  towards Stewart Mountain, I was surprised at how good the footing on the ground was.  The ground was pretty firm, from being frozen, and although there were a few icy puddles that needed to be avoided, for the most part the footing was good.  This made the running quite enjoyable.  I actually felt good during this race, and like I was running at a fairly good pace.  As we neared the base of the mountain, I heard reports that I was the 5th or 6th woman overall.  This was exciting, as I don't often have the opportunity to be this high up in a race.

Soon, we were at the base of the mountain, and the climbing began.  I ran part way up, but soon enough began hiking.  I've found that at a certain point, running up a climb is no faster than power hiking, and hiking saves your energy for when you need it later on.  So, power-hike I did.  There were quite a few people around me, and you could hear all of the grumbles about the climb, and thoughts of amazement of the leaders who actually run up this entire thing! I was able to intersperse a few running bits on the flatter sections.  Then, we were directed off of the main wide trail onto a piece of single-track that wound up to the top of the mountain, up a VERY steep incline.  This is where Ben and Louise passed me.  I had expected them to pass somewhere along this section, as I knew that they were both stronger climbers that I was.   The climb was taking it out of me, and I was glad to reach the top.  I broke into a wide grin and a jog at the top, as I 'posed' for the camera, as Adam Lawrence was taking pictures of the suffering runners.

Me at the top of the climb.

Photo: Adam Lawrence

Then, the fun part began.  The reports of the treacherous conditions were over-rated, and I let my legs go as I flew down the other side of the hill.  I LOVE the downhill sections - and can usually make up ground on people when moving downhill.  The second half of the course was more downhill than the first, which is nice for tired legs.  However, Louise was also a master of the downhill, and I couldn't quite rope her in.  I went back and forth with Ben a few times as we descended the hill, but then on the flatter sections, he ran away from me. 

I was feeling pretty good about my race, and my legs were happy to keep pushing as I winded my way back towards Lower Thetis Lake.  I could see Louise just a bit in front of me, and seeing her not too far away motivated me to keep moving.  I enjoyed the run back, and spent a large portion of it running by myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the few single-track sections, but was also happy in the knowledge that I was getting close to the goal.  Then, came the final hurdle -- or three hurdles -- the final three short, but steep hills.  By this time, my legs were done and it took all I had to keep moving over these hills.  I conquered one after another, and then set my legs in motion towards the finish line.  I could hear someone running close behind me and I was determined not to let them pass me in these final few hundred meters.  I pushed hard, and luckily was able to keep whoever was chasing me at bay.  I finished in 1:27:50 -- good for 7th woman overall, just beating the 8th place woman by 5 seconds.  I bettered my time from 2008 by over 5 mins.  The final results are here.  Eric Findlay won the race in 1:06.:14, just beating Nick Walker by 3 seconds.  The first female was Jessalyn O'Donnell coming in at 1:18.08

Overall, I had a fantastic race.  My legs and body felt good, and my breathing wasn't too laboured.  I had received another long-acting inhaler from my doctor to try, which I was to take every day as a preventative measure, and it seemed to be helping.  I'm still planning on getting tested for asthma, but it could take weeks or months before I am able to get in to see a specialist to have the lung-function test completed. But, for the moment, I'm happy when I can run and not feel like I am totally straining for breath.