The up and downs of Doonst's Creemore VC 25K
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:43 am
All in all is should be no surprise that the headlines for Saturday's race were
Tough Course
Hot Sun
Friendly People
Free Beer!
Easy races are all alike; every tough course is tough in its own way.
-Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, somewhat paraphrased.
Creemore vertical challenge pretty much lived up to its billing. There was a little bit of flat trail at the start, and some brief sections of flat road in the middle, but most of the time it was a curious mix of long, short steep and slight hills. Although not everyone remembers it the same, there were fast downhill sections, its just that the uphills took so much longer that they dominated our memories. I do remember thinking on a flat road stretch midrace, that it was annoying and hard! I would prefer downhill so it was easier and faster, or uphill so I could have a reason to walk. I ran consecutive sub 5 minute splits midrace as well as multiple 8 plus minutes. It all averaged out in the end to around 6 minute pace: 25 K in 2:30:09. More roads than other trail races, it was not technical but the hills just took time. That was 12 minutes more for me than Sulphur Springs; I had hoped to be closer to that time but who knows, every day is its own race.
Sure it was hot, but not crazy hot; still it was always a factor. There was some shade, but lots of exposed sunny roads and fields. I swear there was 5 minutes of wispy cloud cover in the first half. I'm also sure that it got hotter for those doing a second loop. I figure it was mid 20's for us, rising to 30 later in the day. Not as humid as Sulphur so its hard to compare. I did carry a large water bottle and didn't quite finish it. Still, the cold river water was just the thing after. Overall I kept thinking of the hotter days we've had and are about to; it could have been worse.
Such a social race. I don't know if it was the size, or that it is held at the race director's house or what. Started with carpooling with Robbie-T, its been too long buddy. Always a treat. The catching up with Maniacs before the race, especially Kinga's stories of the Bruce Trail quest. Then the extended road sections seemed to promote chatting, compared to trails it was so easy to pull up beside somebody and introduce yourself. From Viking's side of the Bruce Trail adventure, to ultra legends, to people doing there first 25, it was great. West Grey was there for a bit. ScottP dropped by around midway before going ahead. Then there was AnnElizabeth, we seemed to leapfrog most of the first half, I always felt like I saw her pulling away. Then we ran most of the second half together. Such a nice person, but man is she an awful singer! At least twice I thought she was crying out in pain, but no she was just butchering some poor unsuspecting song. At the finish she sprinted across the last field, and as I tried to match my calfs said no thanks, do you want to cross the line screaming in pain? Literally within sights of the tents, was the first sign of cramping, so I guess I pushed just hard enough.
Then after the race, what a scene lounging around. Pizza, doughnut, bagels, beer. Grassy shade, a fire??, and of course the river to sit in. I went totally under eventually, it was cool. At any given time there was about 5-10 in the river, and twice that sitting beside it. Mostly saying, were they ever glad they weren't starting a second loop like the 50 K fools. Even some who had signed up for 50. Airforcer won his shallonge, good stuff. Anyways it was good times, did I mention the free beer?
Speaking of good times, how about that Robbie-T? 4th place in a tough crowd, all the names were there, if not the rumoured Kenyan. 4 people came in under 2 hours and my chauffeur was one of them, how cool is that. I gotta see him race trails someday, what a sight it would be.
I don't know how I'll feel next week, but I must admit that on the course and even after I am having mixed feelings about doing a 50 K. I sure would have to dial the intensity back a fair bit, in order to last out for a second loop. I'm sure I could finish, I just have to decide if that's something I really want to do. I mean, I do and I don't. We'll see. 25 is such a nice distance.
I believe I came in 38th, out of about 120? I also think I was 7th in my age group. Should have gained a few places in the series standings.
Big thanks to Chainsaw Baby! You put on quite a spread, such a great place for a gathering.
Tough Course
Hot Sun
Friendly People
Free Beer!
Easy races are all alike; every tough course is tough in its own way.
-Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, somewhat paraphrased.
Creemore vertical challenge pretty much lived up to its billing. There was a little bit of flat trail at the start, and some brief sections of flat road in the middle, but most of the time it was a curious mix of long, short steep and slight hills. Although not everyone remembers it the same, there were fast downhill sections, its just that the uphills took so much longer that they dominated our memories. I do remember thinking on a flat road stretch midrace, that it was annoying and hard! I would prefer downhill so it was easier and faster, or uphill so I could have a reason to walk. I ran consecutive sub 5 minute splits midrace as well as multiple 8 plus minutes. It all averaged out in the end to around 6 minute pace: 25 K in 2:30:09. More roads than other trail races, it was not technical but the hills just took time. That was 12 minutes more for me than Sulphur Springs; I had hoped to be closer to that time but who knows, every day is its own race.
Sure it was hot, but not crazy hot; still it was always a factor. There was some shade, but lots of exposed sunny roads and fields. I swear there was 5 minutes of wispy cloud cover in the first half. I'm also sure that it got hotter for those doing a second loop. I figure it was mid 20's for us, rising to 30 later in the day. Not as humid as Sulphur so its hard to compare. I did carry a large water bottle and didn't quite finish it. Still, the cold river water was just the thing after. Overall I kept thinking of the hotter days we've had and are about to; it could have been worse.
Such a social race. I don't know if it was the size, or that it is held at the race director's house or what. Started with carpooling with Robbie-T, its been too long buddy. Always a treat. The catching up with Maniacs before the race, especially Kinga's stories of the Bruce Trail quest. Then the extended road sections seemed to promote chatting, compared to trails it was so easy to pull up beside somebody and introduce yourself. From Viking's side of the Bruce Trail adventure, to ultra legends, to people doing there first 25, it was great. West Grey was there for a bit. ScottP dropped by around midway before going ahead. Then there was AnnElizabeth, we seemed to leapfrog most of the first half, I always felt like I saw her pulling away. Then we ran most of the second half together. Such a nice person, but man is she an awful singer! At least twice I thought she was crying out in pain, but no she was just butchering some poor unsuspecting song. At the finish she sprinted across the last field, and as I tried to match my calfs said no thanks, do you want to cross the line screaming in pain? Literally within sights of the tents, was the first sign of cramping, so I guess I pushed just hard enough.
Then after the race, what a scene lounging around. Pizza, doughnut, bagels, beer. Grassy shade, a fire??, and of course the river to sit in. I went totally under eventually, it was cool. At any given time there was about 5-10 in the river, and twice that sitting beside it. Mostly saying, were they ever glad they weren't starting a second loop like the 50 K fools. Even some who had signed up for 50. Airforcer won his shallonge, good stuff. Anyways it was good times, did I mention the free beer?
Speaking of good times, how about that Robbie-T? 4th place in a tough crowd, all the names were there, if not the rumoured Kenyan. 4 people came in under 2 hours and my chauffeur was one of them, how cool is that. I gotta see him race trails someday, what a sight it would be.
I don't know how I'll feel next week, but I must admit that on the course and even after I am having mixed feelings about doing a 50 K. I sure would have to dial the intensity back a fair bit, in order to last out for a second loop. I'm sure I could finish, I just have to decide if that's something I really want to do. I mean, I do and I don't. We'll see. 25 is such a nice distance.
I believe I came in 38th, out of about 120? I also think I was 7th in my age group. Should have gained a few places in the series standings.
Big thanks to Chainsaw Baby! You put on quite a spread, such a great place for a gathering.
Don't give up on that 50K - I am also curious what would be your experience before I jump and try it myself 
