New Year, New Goals, New Races

Race 1: Calgary Road Runners Tuscany Coulee

Jan. 25, 2014

Although I am not usually one to set New Year's Resolutions, this year, I was inspired by many of the running and fitness blogs that I follow.  I decided to start one of my own.  I thought this would be a great way for me to record and share my thoughts, challenges, and joys of training and racing.

Mid way through 2013, I discovered the idea of 13 races in 2013. I really liked this idea, but wondered how I could fit so many in and afford so many.  Over the last few months, I have discovered some fun and affordable races that I thought would help solve both of these problems. For 2014, my goal is to run 14 races!

 
Today I tried something completely new to me, a short 4k trail run with the Calgary Road Runners. I have friends who rave about trail running, but getting out to the mountains to do these, is a big committment. Luckily, Calgary Road Runners does races all around town through the ravines, parks, hills, and coulees.  

This run was in Tuscany in the Coulee. To be honest, I didn't really even know this beautiful space existed until I saw this race.  I was intrigued, so after talking with a few friends, we decided to give it a go.  I really had no expectations.

It started with us meeting in the Tuscany Hall to register, pay our $10 (Yes... that's right, only $10!!) and get some information.  It turns out the actual race start was about a 15 minute walk, which was a perfect warm up before the run.  

There were more people than I expected, but with our beautiful 13 degree January weather, I can see why so many people came out.  The weather couldn't have been better. The warm sun and clear blue sky gave everyone that extra energy. We gathered around, listened to a few instructions and with a simple "Go" from the man in the Hawaiian shirt, we were off. I felt great, so I let myself start at a decent pace. After going down a slippery hill, we had to go back up it. It was here that I discovered that my Costco "Snowtracks" did not meet my high expectations. They were already sliding off my toes and up my heel.  I pulled over to fix them, but in no time, they were sliding off.  They seemed to stay in that spot and left me with some traction on my toe, so I tried to ignore them and keep going. 

Trying to capture the views

behind me

The course was a good mix of small hills and flat trails, which allowed me to catch my breath. I tried to run up the hills as much as I could, but found myself walking up the ends of a couple.  Due to the thin trails, I found myself on other's heels quite often with no place to pass. This is the big difference I see to road running, where you have all the space you need to pass. Some people were more aware of this than others and tried to move over on the wider spots, where others seemed to pretend you didn't exist.  I wonder if the summer trails are the same or if it's just the snow trails that make it difficult to pass. I didn't really mind though as it gave me a chance to catch my breath and slow down.

The scenery was beautiful.  Along the top of the coulee I could see the snow covered mountains against the blue sky. As we went down, the trail through the trees was relaxing and serene.  I enjoyed having so much to look at during the run and I enjoyed the quietness of the trails. During my regular runs, I NEEEED music, but the thought didn't even cross my mind once.  

The popsicle placing system - Genius!

 I used Map My Run and I liked hearing her voice along to the way to tell me how far I had gone. I ignored the pacing today and just tried to trust my body and my lungs on this one.  I heard it tell me I was at 3km so I picked up as much as I could and passed a couple people along the way.  I knew I was nearing the end as I came to the huge hill. I walked up most of it, but near the end picked up my feet and forced myself to run to the finish line. 

I was happy to be given a popsicle stick with the number 10. I am not sure how many people did the 4km, as it seemed majority did 8km, but a 10 in my eyes looked good. I was also happy to look up and see a time of 28:13.  

I have to admit, I was TIRED!  It was hard work today.  I had to think about what I was doing, where I was running, and about how to pace for a type of running that I had never done. BUT, I enjoyed it and I am planning to run another. I enjoyed the challenge and the change.  All in all, it was a day with great weather, a great run, but best of all, great friends!