Frank-In-Toront
Hidden Valley is known as a ski resort about 2.5 hours or so
North of Toronto. It also has trails. This second race in
the series was 6.5KM. Mostly up and down. REALLY up and
down. Very little flat. I found the course very challenging.
It was a 2 loop race.
The start of the race had about 1K of gentle uphill. Some
very steep ups and downs followed. About 1/2 K of rock and
dirt roads brought us to end of the first loop. I was
determined to run past the spectators no matter how slow I
was going. Tried to drink some water but to no avail. I was
breathing so hard, I would have choked if I tried to get a
full mouth-full. My first clue that I was not to negative
split this one.
On this 1K incline I passed a gentleman who I just KNEW was
going to come back and slay me. He did. Makes me think about
passing on hills. I did pass a young girl. Made me feel like
I could beat somebody until later on I saw her applying ice
to her knee.
For this second loop, I found myself walking more of the
uphills and watching the terrain more carefully. With my
tired legs, I didn't want to trip on the rocks and roots.
Some people did but thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.
I thought I was finishing running like a madman, but when I
later watched my tape, it was almost like a joke. This old
guy just jogging along. Sure felt like harder than that!
So, it was done. The organizer said this was the hardest in
the series. No kidding! The fastest guys were 2 young
fellas. Good for them.
Three more races in this years series. I've entered them
all. I'm hoping to see my times improve or my feeling of
effort decrease, but I have some doubts. My summer training
is using the NYRRC first-timer marathon schedule building
for a marathon in mid-october. the trail races i'm fitting
in as my short speed runs for the week. ...thehick
North of Toronto. It also has trails. This second race in
the series was 6.5KM. Mostly up and down. REALLY up and
down. Very little flat. I found the course very challenging.
It was a 2 loop race.
The start of the race had about 1K of gentle uphill. Some
very steep ups and downs followed. About 1/2 K of rock and
dirt roads brought us to end of the first loop. I was
determined to run past the spectators no matter how slow I
was going. Tried to drink some water but to no avail. I was
breathing so hard, I would have choked if I tried to get a
full mouth-full. My first clue that I was not to negative
split this one.
On this 1K incline I passed a gentleman who I just KNEW was
going to come back and slay me. He did. Makes me think about
passing on hills. I did pass a young girl. Made me feel like
I could beat somebody until later on I saw her applying ice
to her knee.
For this second loop, I found myself walking more of the
uphills and watching the terrain more carefully. With my
tired legs, I didn't want to trip on the rocks and roots.
Some people did but thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.
I thought I was finishing running like a madman, but when I
later watched my tape, it was almost like a joke. This old
guy just jogging along. Sure felt like harder than that!
So, it was done. The organizer said this was the hardest in
the series. No kidding! The fastest guys were 2 young
fellas. Good for them.
Three more races in this years series. I've entered them
all. I'm hoping to see my times improve or my feeling of
effort decrease, but I have some doubts. My summer training
is using the NYRRC first-timer marathon schedule building
for a marathon in mid-october. the trail races i'm fitting
in as my short speed runs for the week. ...thehick
