Sri Chinmoy 2013 - Race Summary after inadvertent delete:-( With Update:-)

 

 (photo credit Rhiannon Murphy)

Feeling good just before... 



(photo credit Sara Montgomery)

 ...the wheel(left wheel to be exact) fell off:-)




OK I had a nice report all written up and I accidently deleted it. I had inadvertently typed it into the caption portion of one of my pictures and when I deleted the picture everything below it was also deleted. Note: I have since had time to add a few important facts and some past due thank-yous to the summary in bold.

So to summarize what I had written-

I went out "TOO FAST", well actually, "NOT SLOW ENOUGH". I learned there is a difference. Even though I had topped out with a 4 hour long run a few weeks before the race, I had been keeping my heart rate below 140bpm in training and in turn that meant usually walking the longer hills. I figured that because this was a flat course it would be faster and therefore I should be faster and hoped I would be able to get away with a bit higher heartbeat of 145ish for the duration. Wrong!! I think the one thing I failed to realize was that I had been walking during training so I had never really run more then 2hrs. non-stop and with the addition of the faster pace, higher hr and 100% pavement it was all too much for my left quad. I know it was my A-goal of reaching the 50km mark that drove me to blindly go where I had never been before but I found that I just couldn't let go of the idea of hitting that mark until it was too late.

My left quad started to pull on my knee cap after 2 hours and try as I might I eventually had to walk the remaining time. I could walk without pain but could not run but a few steps which was the most frustrating part as the rest of me wanted to run but we were being held back my one little party pooper:-(

I ran approx. the same distance in the first 2:15 hours that I walked in the last 3:45. I was at 19km at 2:15 hrs. and walked just over 18 km after that. I wasn't exactly power walking either, more like I was out for a nice brisk stroll. In the end I was not only the slowest runner but the walkers were passing me too. That is when I really began to appreciate just what great athletes all of these people were.

I learned that ultra runners are the most seasoned runners that I have ever come across anywhere. Most have run more ultras then I've run 5kms and some have run 10xs more and for some that is just this year. I bow to the endless hours and countless miles in their collective rock solid muscled legs:-)

I have recovered very well. I haven't run yet but the left quad was the only sore spot and then only going down stairs the next few days after. I'm going for my first run since the race tonight,(Monday 17th) wish me luck!

I would like to add that this event was organized and run to perfection by Hladini Wilson. All of the lap counting volunteers were very encouraging and one particular French gentleman spent the entire day trying to learn to pronounce my name with his thick accent. I had my own food and water so didn't sample the buffet but there was always something on the table for everyone(including my daughter to my dismay) throughout the day. I highly recommend putting this event on your race card if you ever want to try this type of event in the future. The views of the lake were breathtaking and ever changing with the sail boaters and kayakers out enjoying the day as the racers winded their way around the point of the Royal Military College grounds and weaved in and out of the historic walls of Fort Frederick.

I also want to thank my crew of my daughter Rhiannon and my Mom Jane for being there for me for the 6 hours and managing my water, food and clothes. It turned out to be a cool, dampish windy day for the spectators although for the runners it was pretty perfect weather as long as you were able to keep moving. I unfortunately was not, so I had to don my wind pants and another shirt to keep me warm in the latter stages of the race. Funny story but when I finally decided to get some warm clothes on I headed for my crew and there was my Mom, warm(and asleep) in the car, but who could blame her:-) Another cute story about my daughter has her seeing me slow down and beginning to walk when my knee started barking. Well this was embarrassing her and she called to me, "don't walk Mom, RUN". So I started running again and this happened a few times. Then as the day progressed and I had been walking for a few hours every now and again I would get up the gumption to try and run again and I'd hear a voice call to me, "don't run Mom, WALK":-)

Also thanks to my coach Derrick Spafford for preparing me for this race If I had only listened to his warning to keep my hr around 135 I am sure I would have run much longer. I was also surprised to see him and his wife Sara around the 4 hour mark of the race. I had already been walking for what seemed like weeks now(2hours) and I knew I had some "explaining to do". Thanks to Sara also for taking a few pictures to commemorate the event. When I saw her taking my picture it kinda felt like I was at some kind of Ultra graduation and they were my proud parents taking my picture...which believe me was weird:-P But really they have both been there from the beginning of my running career and I know they understand better then anyone what that race was about for me and that it is the first of what will hopefully be many more ultra events to come.

Onward and upward:-)






The Kingston Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 6-Hour Race 2013

"There is only one perfect road,
and that road is ahead of you,
always ahead of you."
~Sri Chinmoy

A runner at the 2012 Sri Chinmoy 6hr. Race with a view across
Lake Ontario of Kingston's Historic City Hall.
(all pictures courtesy of the race's official gallery)

A quick preview of the Kingston Self-Transcendence 6-Hour Race, 2013, which I will be participating in on June 8th.







Click her for video of the event

 

Results from the 2012 event

The Kingston Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 6-Hour Race is run on an 880-metre paved loop along Lake Ontario and around the walls of Fort Frederick and the Royal Military College in historic Kingston, Ontario. I am really not sure why I was drawn to this race as my next challenge following my hike of The Cataraqui Trail, or the "CT" as it known amongst us hikers:) The race has been around since 1996 although very few people I know are aware of it, including, most "running people" I know.



The official lap counters from the 2012 edition of the race.

Runners on part of the 880 metre winding path.

Scanning through the past 16 years of results I could count on both of my hands the number of people who have hailed from the Kingston area. Despite there being a huge running population here and with the race being run practically on the training grounds of the Kingston Road Runners Association, for some reason it has not attracted the road, trail, tri or ultra crowds from the area. A few recognizable names from the ultra-community who are regular attendees of the event are, Laurie McGrath, who dominates this race every year she shows up and Helen Malmberg who is the RD of Canada's premier ultra, The Haliburton Forest 100.

A runner with the "Leader Board" in the background.

Perhaps one reason I am drawn to this event and am not as dismissive of it as others appear to be, is that I don't feel that I am any certain "kind" of runner. I don't feel affiliated with, or a lack of affiliation to, any particular type of racing be it road or trail, short or long. I guess I haven't been at any of them long enough to have tired of one over the other. The one thing about running on a looped course and is perhaps why these events are run in this manner is that I assume it becomes less about the "place" you are running in the longer you are at it.

 



Participants of the 2012 edition of the
Sri Chinmoy Self-transcendence 6-hour Race

Seeing as the course is so short and repetitive it wouldn't take long for every straight away, curve and dip in the road to become programmed into one's legs leaving your mind free to "transcend" the body, kind of like when you zone out while driving and can't remember how you got home. Sure it's possible to reach this state of mind on a longer road or trail course but with ever changing terrain you need a higher level of mental awareness then you would on these short looped courses. Anyhow it will be interesting to see how the race plays out for me and I am really looking forward to finishing up my training and for race day to arrive. Will I find a place in my mind to transcend to while my body pounds out each and every monotonous loop? Or will I be fully aware and living every moment of the race, the good and the bad? I guess I am looking forward to it either way.

 



"What gives life its value,

If not its constant cry,
For self-transcendence?"
~Sri Chinmoy



 

Running priority for 2013- #1) keeping Eliza healthy

My priorities concerning running this year are to #1) keep Eliza healthy, happy and injury free.

As a runner I know that injuries aren't planned so therefore planning not to have one may prove to be impossible, however since most of my injuries to date have been caused by muscle imbalances, stress and inflamation(calf tightness 2009-2013, runners knee 2009, hip 2010, ankle/foot 2011-2012, shin stress fracture or tendonitis 2012-2013) I have a pretty good handle on what I need to do or avoid doing in order to avoid the 3 injury causing agents listed above.

Ways I plan to avoid the 3 injury causing agents listed above-

STRESS- relieving stress is good...avoiding stress is better. There are physical and mental stressors. Physical stressors not only stress the bodies tissues, muscles and tendons but the nervous system with physiological, pschological implications. Mental stressors from work and life in general can also have physiological impact.

 I am avoiding stress by removing intense workouts (ie. interval, high end tempos)from my running and strength workouts and working only in an aerobic zone which for me is 126 bpm - 136 bpm.

Picture Enhancement...Steroids for My Photos?

I thought I'd enhance some of my photos from my recent adventure on the Cataraqui Trail after viewing a bit of,  "Trail Porn"(I'm not sure how long the site has been around but you can submit pictures if  you think they have what it takes to be a "Porn Star"). It is amazing what a few adjustments of contrast, brightness, saturation, cropping, straightening/rotating etc. can do for a once drab photo. Not only is it fun but it almost makes me feel like I know what I'm doing :-)

Compare the originals with the digitally enhanced version. Like with steriods, the enhanced version may look better however they are in some cases nothing but a distorted reality. So what do you think? Is picture enhancement OK, or should I be banned for life?

 

 

 

I'm going on an adventure - Part 3

Day 3, Hwy. 15 in Elgin to Smith Falls, 34 kms, 8 hrs 15 min., 37 pictures

 

First picture of the day.

Day 3 of my journey to hike the length of the Cataraqui trail began almost identical to Day 2. It was just past 7 am, the sun was still low in the sky and I pulled out my huge camera to take the first picture of the day and what??? No battery!! I had done it again, left the battery charging on the wall in my house. Unfortunately I was not across the street today so all I could do was hand my camera back to my Mom("less weight to carry", I thought to myself) and head out cameraless. I wrestled with the idea of not being able to record this section of the trail. I was bummed for sure as I passed the first km marker of the day, #34,  and tried to console myself with the notion that a pictureless hike was still a worthy hike. It is nice to have the pictures though, they are a great way to share with others and as memories fade are so nice to look back upon to relive that time again. As I had almost come to grips with the undeniable fact that there would be no pictures today, a little light bulb went off in my head, "Hey what about that old phone you brought with you, maybe it has a decent camera?"...emergency averted:-)

It was freezing cold as I took the first picture of the day, -20 C and with an off the charts wind chill which was blowing straight through my shoes and into my toes. My feet were freezing and I was only 5mins. into the hike. I had put on a medium weight pair of socks this morning because yesterday my feet were a bit too toasty in the thicker ones I had worn. But today was much colder then yesterday and all I could think about was how I wish I had worn my warmer socks, but what is a girl to do? Well I knew what I should have done, stopped and changed my socks, but I decided to keep moving and wiggled my toes alot and hoped that I would warm-up soon. My hands were not so cold inside my mittens however every time I took a picture with my phone I had do it barehanded because the buttons were not, "huge mitten friendly" at all, imagine that. I did try to keep my mittens on but after accidently dialling China a few times I finally took the darn things off and my hands pretty much froze instantaneously. So my hands were freezing now along with feet, I was not happy, and I knew what I had to do...but I continued to procrastinate doing it of course. I wiggled my toes and fingers some more and in the midst of all this agitation and discomfort it dawned on me that the trail was slowly veering north and I was on my way to Smith Falls.

With that realization, that I was in for a long haul and day of hiking I finally decided to sit myself down and change my socks. Searching through my duffle bag I came across my heat packs, one for hands and the other for feet which I had thrown in there on the first day. Hallelujah,  Hallelujah,  Halle-lu-jah!! So I decided to forgo, "the changing of the socks" and try out the packs which I hoped would be the quicker change. So with my bare freezing hands the process of undoing my Crossovers commenced. I undid the velcro strap , unzipped the attached gaiter, untied my laces, opened my laces, pulled out my foot enough to make room for the heat pack, tightened up my laces, zipped up my gaiter and attached the velcro again. One down one more to go. But my hands were now immobile so I had to warm them up before I could tackle the other shoe. Then I had another light bulb moment, "Hey I can warm them up quicker if I get the hand hot pack out". So I opened the other kind of pack that is different then the one I put in my boot and I quickly read how to use it and it said, "do not put next to skin". "What the heck, how can I use it if it isn't next to my skin, It's not like I have a sock in my mitt like I do in my shoe". Oops, this was the kind I was suppose to put in my shoe and the one that I did put in my shoe was suppose to go in my mitt. F#&/?p;*!!! F#$%&^*!!!!

All was now well inside my layers of clothing.  I had managed to get the correct hot packs into their appropriate homes, my toes were warming up and it felt like I had raging fire in my mittens. I had the hood of my windbreaker snugly over my head and my face warmer pulled over my nose leaving only my eyes exposed to the wind which would batter me relentlessly through the day. This section of trail cuts through farmland, behind family homes, over swamps and lakes and even a Golf Course. Once again the snowmobilers were out in full force. I must say that the people on these machines were very cautious when approaching and passing and always had a wave and a nod of the head for me. I was still hyper-aware of looking for them and began to develop a pain in my neck and back from constantly checking behind me. Sometimes I'd be thinking it was time to check and I'd try to talk myself out of it because I hadn't heard a thing but I'd look anyways and sure enough there'd be 2 or 3 of them waiting for me to get over.

With all of the traffic on the trail it was a bit frustrating trying to find a place to pee etc. without getting caught with my pants down. The trail in most places was raised up from the surrounding ground with ditches on either side filled with deep snow so getting off of the trail was literally impossible at times. I discovered the best way to avoid embarrassment was to find a long straight stretch of trail and to get myself to the middle of it. I could then  hear and see any approaching snowmobilers equally from both directions so would have plenty of time to finish or abort depending on how long a stretch of trail it was;-)

One thing I really liked about hiking today was the eating part. I was always ready to eat, I may have just eaten a sandwich but knowing I had soup in my sled made me hungry for soup or whatever else I knew was in there. It may have been that it was so cold that day but I never put off eating because I knew I'd have to subject my hands to the cold to get to it(my picture taking did suffer though). Also knowing that there was a Tim Horton's at the end of the trail waiting for me with a cup of hot coffee and a bowl of chilli was certainly a motivating factor that kept me moving steadily and helped get me through the day.

The kilometre markers continued the count down for me to the, "beginning" of the line, 20, 10, 5,,,1 and I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotion. I really wish I had a better understanding of why the tears come at these kinds of moments but in some ways, "Why" doesn't really matter. I had set out to accomplish something and the emotions now welling up inside were the reward the universe was giving me for it. It felt good, I was happy, fulfilled and changed. I know that this moment and the rush of emotions accompanying it has somehow rewired my brain so that some part of me will never forget and will always be striving to feel like this again.

The End!

 

 

Note the elevation profile of the hill to the right.



The "Medusa" tree.

Only 5 to GO NOW!!

One more, time to break out the tears:-)

The last stretch of trail for me.



Me after hiking 104 kms of  the Cataraqui Tail(photo credit my Mom)

 Tim Horton's awaits.