The Greatest Barbeque Ever! (and also a 10k race)

Last night was one of the most fun races I’ve ever participated in! The Longest Day Road Race marks the longest day of the year with 5 and 10 k races around the UBC campus and a post-race barbeque and beer garden. I did the 10k option, joined by my running roomie and our marathon clinic buddies Alan and Alyson. Our marathon clinic instructor/wise running guru came out to take embarrassing photos cheer us on, so we had a great crew.

Good run, girls! GREAT free food gathering

The race itself was nothing to write home about- it was 2 loops around the campus, starting from Thunderbird Stadium, with a couple small hills and an out-and-back. Overall it went well- I wasn’t too sure what to expect from myself, as the last 10k race I did was the Gunner Shaw cross country race back in December, which involves a couple jaunts in soft sand and was pre-marathon training. I ended up coming in with 47.09- a PB for sure, and an average pace of 4:43, and 19th out of 165 in our age group. I’m pleased with the PB, but am definitely hungry for a faster time. I’m not so pleased my 5k split was so much faster than my second half (22:42 at the 5k), but live and learn, and hopefully plenty of time at the track this summer will help me improve!

Speaking of hunger- the post race eats were incredible! There was a huge food area stocked with fruit and veg platters, veggie burgs (YES!), and subway cookies, but the best part was absolutely the huge troughs of various kinds of energy bars. The girls and I scooped the clif bars, lara bars, fruit leather thingies, and nature’s path granola bars by the handful! The $29 for this race more than paid for itself. We also got some coconut waters, SPF 50 sunscreen, and a retail-sized box of lip balm. We may have gotten a little carried away with the freebie fever, explaining the lack of pics of this epic BBQ- we were far too frenzied. What better way to calm down than a post-race bevvie in the beer tent? Question: why don’t all races have beer tents?

Some of the bounty:

Up next is the Scotiabank Half, also starting at UBC. Yikes!

Oh PS. Holler at me if you need some lip balm.

My first trail race! SFU 5 Peaks Enduro

http://www.5peaks.com/schedule.asp?p=bc&raceid=190

This past Saturday marked my very first trail race ever (and possibly my very second trail run ever?) at Simon Fraser as part of the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series. I opted to do the ‘enduro’ race, totaling just under 10km of steep, slipperly, muddy, mountain goat-y fun. If trail racing means walking whenever you get to an up hill, please sign me up for another.

The course itself was a wee bit intimidating, with 2 huge climbs up Burnaby mountain for a total ascent of 600m, but the atmosphere at the race was friendly and laid back. I was super impressed with the organization of the event and relieved we had started in small waves once we hit the trail, as we were mostly single file. There were definitely times when I felt out of control and that it was anyone’s guess where my foot was going to land, but it so fun to be scampering about in the woods in mud puddles. It was also comforting that practically everyone strategically walked on the steep hills! The downside of the race was the last kilometer or so, which felt like a death march to the finish straight up the mountain. There was absolutely no way anyone could run this part, and each turn we approached inspired false hope that we might be done, only to be faced with yet another daunting slope. See pic above for elevation changes.

I managed to finish in 1:12, which I am more than happy with! Lessons learned? Trail shoes are a must! That, and pass on the LEFT. Trail runners are a different breed, and I am hurtin’ for certain two days later.

It also must be noted that the post-race eats at this event get 2 thumbs up- watermelon, cantelope, bananas, and whole wheat bagels with pb&J. Well done, 5 Peaks. Followed by 2 celebratory caesars…. before noon. It was a birthday, if that makes it acceptable.

Next up is the Thunderbird Longest Day 10km on Friday, wish me luck!