Only one word needed to describe the first stage here at the TCC race – HOT! No, let me re-phrase that DAMN HOT! Despite having loaded up the bus at 5:30am and making the 3hr drive to Quepos for the start location, things didn’t get going until 10am, right in the heat of the day.
We began with a 8km flat, road run, probably the worst part of the day and failing to keep on hydration here would lead MANY people to constant suffering as the day went on. From there we said goodbye to pavement and hello to a mix of rocky roads and single track. Lots of elevation but nothing compared to what is awaiting us on day 2.
However, it was a day of success for Team Canada 1 and 2. Everyone made it in and survived the 35 degree temperatures. Despite some long climbs, there was a fare amount of rolling to undulating roads that demanded mental focus just to keep an honest pace.
I was about to call the race quits when I arrived at the finish line – a stunning remote wilderness lodge called Rifiki. So AWESOME!!!! The thoughts of cold beers and tropical fruit were sounding really good compared to 5 more upcoming days of suffering. Hmmmmm………decision time. The lodge has a great pool that I think every single competitor immediately jumped into. Great food all day long and loads of beverages available. Camp was nicely set up for most of us from all the great volunteers, what a treat to not have to rig a tent. Cold showers and feet up was the name of the game for us as 1 by 1, people filtered in.
So how did we fare? I’m pretty sure Canada 2 leads the way in the team category. Chris, a late comer to team up with us, was the first of the Canucks to cross the line. He was totally humbled by his first stage race experience, this was clearly not a marathon nor do we run at marathon pace. I was shortly behind him by about a minute after catching up to him at the river cable car crossing, 5km from Rifikki. Cindy Hartford from PG had a solid run, feeling very relieved to have her first day done. Jude had returned for her second experience here and ran a solid day. I think the smile of the day at the finish line goes to Barb Sweeny as she cruised in. Dan and Brad had a bit of a tough go in the heat but ran a solid day we well. Our token Texan’s Karen and Shannon came in together, saying this heat didn’t even compare to Texas right now! And apparently Karen sat on a fire ant hill and had to get spraded down by a hose. Mary’s pace was super solid and she’s mentally prepared for the days ahead, using her extensive knowledge about what these races really entail. Really, day #1 means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Its all about the next few days. Kay and Jen J ran their own races, just as planned – keep moving forward and walk all the hills. I was so happy to get pictures of everyone coming in across the line, I even had a few tears when Kay crossed. What is it with these races? So emotional! Everyone out here giving it their best, just trying to stay hydrated and keep our feet in good shape.
For me personally, well, I’m clearly in for a battle for the next 5 days. Monica from Spain and I ran identical races today. I crossed the line about 2mins in front of her and I had essentially maintained that 2min lead from the minute we left the pavement. I felt good though today, never really allowing my HR to elevate too much more then I could handle and never wanting to push a hard pace to make ground. That is not what today was about! Rather, I used it to see how I responded to the heat and clearly, I need to increase water intake tomorrow. Feet are in great shape going into tomorrow. I wore the Salomon Speedcross and they worked like a charm with their big lugs in all the mud. No blisters (thank you SOLE socks) so I’m happy with the situation as I elevate my legs tonight with my Salomon compression socks on and drink non-stop cups of nuun, water, some tropical juice and a water bottle blended recovery drink of VEGA and Udo’s. It’s a hot and muggy night, lets hope we all get good rest!
