So it was posted in the race calendar on a few web sites but it also said “Fun Run”. How do you approach this? Well, if you are someone coming off a knee injury and really want to gauge your progress, then you take the opportunity to be timed and race.

The newest Running Room Store just opened in Mississauga and is only a kilometre away from my house. As part of their opening night celebrations they planned a 2.5k and 5k Fun Run and Walk. The run was also a charity fund raiser for local minor hockey player Jason Baird. Jason was working for a landscaping business in Ohio to support his minor-pro hockey salary when the lawn tractor he was riding exploded, burning over 60% of the unexpected worker. With no medical coverage in the summer, and escalating medical bills, family and friends are working very hard to help raise funds for the husband and father of three small children.

For more on this story please read the following site -(http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=4171).

The opening night was Wednesday, December 3rd so the run was scheduled to take place in the evening around 6:30pm, shortly after the opening ceremonies in the store. When I arrived at the store to register, shortly after 6:00pm, there was a sizable crowd in the store and a healthy line at the registration table. I noticed a lot of runners were not going to take it super seriously so wondered if I should just go out for a 20min. training run. The run fees were only $10.00 (going to the Jason Baird fund so great cause) and we would be running on sidewalks and with some traffic lights we may have to stop at for safety. On the other hand, they did have a 5k course, a lead cyclist, timing display, finish line and some other speedy looking characters. Man did I want to race.

As they continued with the speeches and ribbon cutting inside, I lightly stretched outside with some other folks. I put in a few short sprints in the parking lot and spoke to the lead cyclist to see if he was well informed on the route. He was so if I decided to run hard at least he would have traffic for me and the others at the front. A few minutes passed and the crowd of runners poured out of the store to join us at the start/finish line as store officials went over the race course directions. I have trained in this area a great deal so knew the terrain very well. The area is pretty flat and there is not very much in the way of traffic on the sidewalks, especially after office hours.

I picked a spot on the front of the line, still undecided on my actual race plan - fast or relaxed. At this point a few others joined the front looking like they were willing to go a little quicker than a jog; including a chatty, funny teen who asked if I was going to run fast. He said that he was looking for someone to pace him out of the gate and wanted to go fast. I told him that I was not very quick so he may have to find another rabbit. This brief conversation got my competitive juices flowing. As everyone got into place to start the run, including John Stanton and the Organizers of the charity in front of the line, I flipped into race mode and my 2008 sub 18min. goal was back on.

With everyone settled the horn went off and, after a few shuffles to politely get past the honourary guests, I took off like a bolt. The poor cyclist was not expecting this and, as we rounded a few corners in the parking lot leading to the sidewalk on the other side (there is no sidewalk on the store side of the street), I even passed him before the first hundred metres of the race. As I zoomed out to the road I could hear the vocal teen laughing as he could not keep up. Getting up to the road the lead bike was now side by side with me instructing the volunteers to hold traffic so we could get over to the sidewalk. I had to put some trust in these people as it is four lanes of roadway and pretty dark. They did a great job and I did not have to break stride at all.

By the time I reached 500 metres I could tell my fitness is not where it was and I was already starting to physically wear. I was around 100 metres clear of the field already so I slowed it down a bit to ensure a finish but still wanted to push sub 18. The sidewalk on Argentia led us slightly down grade passed a bunch of quiet industrial units towards Derry road, where we would turn back. I did not want to look back for a few reasons and kept running at a pace that I knew I couple maintain for 5k. There were no markers on the course so it was hard to tell if I was going fast enough to hit my goal but I knew I would be risking a blow up if I pushed harder as the way back is marginally uphill and a touch longer.

I made the turn at Derry in 18:35 (a little short of the half mark) so was hopeful that a quick sprint to the line may have me at my goal. On the way back the lead cycle directed me along the curb of the road traveling against some light traffic. I could see that I was well clear of anyone but really wanted to hit my target so tried to keep my pace. As I started to slow a little more I knew it would be tough to speed through the rest of the race but the runners following my lead were very supportive and helped me get back on track.

With the store now in sight I could tell 17:59 was out of the question but I didn’t want to glide in at 20 after putting out so much effort earlier. I sped up for the home stretch but saw that it was going to be tricky crossing at the light. Thankfully, the light went in my favour just as I approached so I told the biker, who reached the light already and had to stop, that I was not going to stop so he could yell from behind if I took a wrong turn into the parking lot. I rounded the far end of the driveway into the strip mall with around 150 metres to go and 18:32 on my watch. Darn it, now I have to bust it just to break 19 minutes. The sprint was on and I had just enough in the tank to come under the line in 18:53.

I received a nice congratulations from the store manager, Paul Nelson, and Mr. Stanton as they stood at the line to hand out the finishing medals. As I caught my breath I could see nobody else was going to break 20 minutes so my earlier assessment of the talent may have been a little foggy due to my recent anticipation of wanting to race for the first time since my knee injury.

Oh well, I am glad I had a chance to have a timed 5k before the snow hits as I can now see that I have a lot of work to do. Although, next year I will focus on longer distances I still would like to maintain some speed to run the odd 5k race and not be left in the dust.

www.runningfree.com/SearchResult.aspx

Well, I finally broke down and decided to purchase my first pair of tights since 2006. I take care of my running gear so the three pair I bought back then have served very well and are used often as I my night runs are usually a little cooler.

With my recent knee issues, and a store discount at Running Free, I thought it would be a great time to try out the CW-X tights I have been thinking about since our information session at the beginning of the 2008 season. I went in on the weekend and browsed over the selection finally deciding on the Insulator Expert Tights as they should offer more warmth (hence the Insulator) and I shouldn't blow the kids X-Mas budget on my hobby (Expect $118 rather than Pro $136).

So now I have three decent length runs (10k,14k,14k) in these bad boys and I am kicking myself for not purchasing earlier. These are only the intermediate level tights but my legs stay a lot stronger for so much longer than usual. I have already seen time improvements without pushing the pace as my form is so much better coming down the stretch than it has been.

Although, my knee was one of the big reasons I wanted to try them out, I am more amazed at the way my quads and hammies are performing late in the runs. I know the special knee lock design are helping but I think it is an overall form improvement that is keeping everything in line that makes the most positive impact to my recent running.

My one knock against the purchase is that I think I could have gone with the Regular Pro tight with more support than the Insulator Expert (same price) as I do not really feel much warmer than my old, regular tights I had for 2 years. The Insulator tight is suppose to have special technology to spread the body heat and keep things warmer but I have not felt any warmer than usual.

I would recommend CW-X tights if you want to perform better on the run.

Well, leaving work tonight was an adverture as the snow was coming down slowing down traffic. As we made our short drive home I kept looking at the sidewalk, knowing I would have to drag my butt out this evening for a run and could tell it was going to be a slippery one. My runs have really been coming back to the way they were before my runner's knee injury at the end of August. Last night felt very good and I cannot wait to start some more streatment to create some preventative measure for next year.

At the banquet on the weekend I had the fortunate opportunity to sit with Barrie Shepley and Gord Brockie (70-74 AG triathlete). Not knowing what Barrie looked like before this meeting, I stumbled apon an empty table when I was looking around for a spot to sit for the year end event, but I was lucky enough to be welcomed by the members at the head table. Barrie asked me about my season and I told him how well things were going until my knee started to give me some problems leading up to the Provincial Finals. Thankfully, they both had some experience with this problem before and suggestd a pill to take (glucosamine) that will help improve my knee structure. I went out tonight and bought my bottle of the pills tonight so hope this repairs the knee even more than the rest I gave it last month. 

Well, that is all for my first blog but please visit weekly for my thoughts about multisport in Ontario!

Thank you,
Larry

Plus 3 Network. Seems like a great idea!