Post Race thoughts

On Sunday I ran in the 54 km Walk in the Park race. I wasn't originally planning on doing the race, I was looking forward to doing the Frosty Mtn 50 k and then an 18 k race the next day. I had thought the race was on the monday of labour day weekend, so didn't think I would be able to get the day off work. On the Friday I ended up looking up the race online, saw that it was on Sunday got my shift covered for that day and tried to make plans. Found out there was no day of race entry for the race, so I got in touch with a friend that was going and asked them to sign me up at the package pickup the day before the race. On the friday I packed everything I needed. Saturday I worked until 10 pm, then drove to 2 hours to get to Kamloops (speeding the whole way) and then slept in the backseat of my car at the parking lot of the park where the race was. I tried to eat well the days leading up to the race, but I chose to sacrifice optimal nutrition for sleep. So I ended up eating sandwiches in the car during the drive and a shake for breakfast an hour and a half before the race.

On the Wednesday before the race I did a 66 km bike ride (longest bike of the year) and on the Thursday I did a 5 hour run up little white mtn, down the opposite to canyon lake and back. So, taper was not well done.

The race is 54 km on trails in a park. 3 laps of a 18 km loop up and down hills with total elevation gain of about 7800 ft. Last year during this race I had a major charlie horse during the third lap, and after the race had an ankle sprain. So even though I started out quite excited and was heading out fast I slowed down into a mid race decision to ensure that I did well, but didn't injure myself. I wanted to focus on nutrition, ensuring that I didn't get a cramp, which I think was from poor nutrition last time.

I made it through the race cramp and injury free, finishing in 6 hrs 13 min. 22 minutes faster than last year. During the second lap I think I stopped for a bit to chat with a runner I was lapping, and I would spend at least 2 minutes at each aid station. And I went to the bathroom 5 or 6 times during the race.

Lap times from this year: 1:48:03, 2:14:01, 2:11:47. Total: 6:13:51
Last years times: 1:50:04, 2:11:20, 2:33:58. Total: 6:35:22

I'm please with myself for coming out feeling so much better than last year, especially considering I'm doing a double race weekend on the 17th and 18th. After the second lap I said I wanted to finish strong, and ran a faster third lap than second lap so that felt good.

But there are some things I definitely feel I can improve on. One thing that I feel is easy to solve, how long I spend at aid stations. Right now all I carry is a camelback, I figure if I buy a pack with more pockets I can be more self reliant on the trails and not need to stop at aid stations as often. The deal with going to the bathroom so often, don't know at all. I think I can handle being over hydrated if it means I don't screw up my electrolytes and cramp up.

Sept 17th: 50 km trail race. Sept 18th: 18 km road race. Gonna be sweet.