This turned out to be a really good race for me. I started out feeling very comfortable, running with the lead group until the Emily Murphy hill started. First 5 km at 16:53, and it felt VERY comfortable. I knew there were some very fast guys in this group, and I expected to get dropped at the hill. Sure enough, them boys turned up the engine at that point. I was in 5th place.
I took it fairly easy up the hill, as I usually do, and then I tried to change gears at the top of the hill. I noticed the group was splitting up, and I started chasing the last guy from the group. At the turnaround mark around 11 km, I passed him and noticed I was challenged from behind from a couple of guys. From then on, I turned it up as much as I could, and for a while, I was gaining on the 3rd place runner. However, I couldn’t get close, but I pushed hard on the last 2 km and got to the final hill with no immediate threat from behind.
It was fun to see Amalia, Karly, Kris and Denise at the finish, cheering for me! I came in at 51:15, which is an awesome time for a 40-year old fart like me! 4th place and 1st in my age category. I was exactly 2 minutes off my time 10 years ago.. but that is okay, I was in my best shape ever then, and even the 2010 winner (Taylor Murphy) didn’t run faster than that (although I have no doubt he absolutely could, if he had been more challenged).
Brendan had a great race too and came in at 52:32.
A great Canada Day! Afterwards, there was a free pancake breakfast, and the weather was just perfect.
Later in the evening, I played a blues gig with my band here in Camrose, which was great fun too.
HI Robert,
Yes I know you are a male but i’m sure you have alot of lady followers and even some in your life that would love to hear about us.
Our company name is Runalicious and our website is Runalicious.ca, here is a little bit from our website as to what and who we are:
Runalicious was born from two women who decided to start running together.
Mile after mile, minute after minute, hour after hour, you learn a lot about another person. Where we were once just friends, we quickly became great friends, best friends, and each others support systems.
Our goal at Runalicious is to help women and young girls show the world around them that they are as passionate and proud about running as we are. Runalicious apparel is casual, stylish, and yes, a bit flaunting.
So I just wanted to introduce ourselves we are from Halifax Nova Scotia and we would love it if you could spread the word about us. The response so far has been great and we would like to continue to as we like to say flaunt the fact that we put so much time and effort into training to do any type of a run no matter how fast, or far, that we deserve to brag a little about it after with a shirt that you can wear since you can’t always go around with your medal on all the time haha.
Thanks for your time
Nicole and Marcia….EAT.SLEEP.RUN.
RUNALICIOUS!!!!
Hi, that sounds interesting. I will spread the word.