Rubble Creek Off Season

I decided that I better get a quick re-cap up of today's hypothermic race course before I close my eyes and settle into an afternoon nap! Usually, I spend this particular September weekend over on Vancouver Island, stuffing in as much playtime as I can - running the Juan de Fuca trail, racing the MOMAR Cumberland event and then ending it with 2 days of surfing out in Tofino. However, Friday night my dad came through Squamish so I decided to skip the trip and stay home, allowing me to race the annual Rubble Creek 25km run today.

Backing up for a second.......I ended my last official A race of the year at the end of August with a win at Ultraman Canada. After that, I took August and September to tackle a few personal running epics and to hit my SUP board. I was in great need of a mental break as I had trained right through last winter. Maybe it's because I'm getting older that I'm finding the need for that seasonal break. Anyways, it's been tonnes of fun as I've been able to focus more on my coaching life and my athletes who were tackling their own adventures. I had a great 10 day trip back up to the remote northern coast of BC to co-guide with Norm on a SUP expedition in the Great Bear Rainforest. You really can't top paddling with humpback whales and watching bears for day after day. It's been nice to finally have a few weeks here at home and begin researching 2012 races and adventures. Problem is, TOO much to do!

Fast forwarding now......I've turned into a snail! Long distance racing makes me slow. Not that I was ever a speedster in the first place but when you suddenly start asking the body to go quicker, it simply answers back with "not until you train me to do so." With that in mind, I want to spend some time this winter working on my leg turnover so that I can enter into the new year with that neuromuscular adaptation under my belt!

25km races have never been my distance but I was happy to race today's Rubble Creek run. I ran it a few weeks ago with John and simply put, its just an awesome mountain run. I knew that I would not be moving too fast so I didn't stress the start line when 2 other females blew by me right off the gun. I used a mix of power walking and running for the first 13km or so. I'm out of my beloved Speedcross's right now so I ran in the S-Lab - not a wise choice based on the mud, rain and snow that greeted us! The weather was full on winter as we topped out at the base of Black Tusk. Sideways sleet, my Suunto watch covered quickly in snow. I had an ice cream headache until we began the sheltered 8km descent down to the Garibaldi Parking lot. I ran the first 1/2 of the race with my Salomon Flight Crew Team Mate - Munny Munroe. He had ear phones blasting so it was kind of a nice distraction. Our other salomon runner Adam Campbell was well ahead of us from the start and he went on to win the race overall!

It was just head down, keep moving to get across the top of Black Tusk. I took in 1 gel and was thankful that I had thrown on a trail running vest back at the car. Almost as soon as I started the descent, Mark and I were able to start to open up the stride and get moving. We passed the other females and started to cruise. Staying focused was my key, no need to re-sprain an ankle after a few months of doing so well with it. 30mins later, we crossed the finish line, completely soaked! Holly and Callum were there with hot coffee for me (OMG - best thing ever) and then it was off to soak the legs for a few minutes in the freezing cold river! That was the best 1st place female prize that I could ever ask for!

I never warmed up and I still haven't. I drove home with heat cranked and then threw on my -40 Everest type puffy jacket to walk the dog! Congrats to several CBC athletes who did so awesome out there today well. Updating the CBC blog with all the results!!!

Next up? Speed!