Running: 5 Peaks Race Report - Albion Hills

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 05:04 PM

Well the race director said it right, "it's called Albion Hills for a reason and not Albion Flats"

We got to the race and it was pouring, it was mostly raining all night so I knew I was into a wet and muddy run. I had no real goal, and my strategy was to have a good run, don't bother going out to race, don't do anything that will risk my marathon training.

Bridie and the Boys stayed in the car until the rain stopped Confused It was nice when we left Erin so they decided to come. Eventually it did let up and Kylar had a great time running around.

Met up with B.G. just before the race and chatted and caught up. Great seeing him again.

The race started, and immediately we had a hill to climb, I ran at a comfortable, but likely a little too fast pace for the first few km's, by then the runners had spread apart pretty well and I was in a group of about 4-5 guys fairly evenly matched. I was thinking, to myself just take it easy have a good run. Then the deamon popped up Twisted Evil . He said "when does Robbie-T go easy? How does Robbie-T train? You going to let those guys get away?" I shook that off, then about 7k I find out I'm in 8th position, the little deamon pops up again, Twisted Evil "so you wanna top 10? you wanna get on the podium?" Well that's all I need, it's on.

But the trail Gods were working against me, Right shoe lace unties! 2 guys pace me, I retie and double knot that one this time. I pass one guy and catch the other, BOOM left shoe unties! One guy passes me. Learning don't forget to double knot!!

It's a very muddy run, a couple mud holes were about half way up my shin. We are almost finished, up a hill, turn left, and I keep following the same guy and try to catch him, I feel unsure about the trail. All of a sudden 3 guys are coming back at me, they made a wrong turn then we all follwed him the wrong way. Evil or Very Mad.

We corrected our error and finished in the same position that we were in when we turned around. It was only right. Turns out that it didn't cost any of us any positions, But I bet it added 3-4 minutes onto my total.

In the End I got a 2nd Place Age Group Podium finish, Nice that 2 of the top 3 were in my age group. Pretty sweet looking medal. I'm so happy with this performance, I feel good, I didn;t hurt anything, I'm ready.

Now chill-out for a couple weeks and blast the Scotia Toronto Waterfront Waterfront full...

21.9k Total Garmin Distance including wrong turn

Average Pace 4:53 ranged from 4:20-5:25
Final Time 1:46:50
9th Overall
9th Male
4th Age group

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