dimanche 26 novembre 2017

XC NATIONALS!

With Mandy, Guillaume and Scott!
The story of this race starts friday am. Truth is, it could have been a no race...As I often do, I coach the triathlon team (run training) on my mountain bike. It allows me to spend times with athletes of various speed and give them feedback on the fly. Moreover, 1h endurance run the day before my race would make no sens training-wise. BUT! This friday morning there was ice hidden under the snow on the Mt-Royal loop and I fell so as 2 of my runners. Hurted my left wrist and hip. Got back on my bike felt not so bad at that time...
team (part of) picture on the Belveder (after the crash...)

I went back home, took my breakfast, worked a bit, went to the downtown YMCA to give my spinning class (I never spin when I teach), went back home, eat, prepare my stuff for the race and the weekend, picked up Mandy at the Metro and headed to Guillaume's in Ste-Anne de Bellevue. It was 3 o'clock and my wrist was hurting me soooo much! I couldnt move my entire arm without pain, couldnt rotate my hand without unbearable suffering..I let Guillaume drive and I spent the 3 hours at the back of the car...without moving...in pain...100% sure I would not race at 9am the day after.

Once we arrived at the house, I put my arm in a vase with water and ice! 10min 2 times. Didnt really feel better except that it was Fxxxing cold! At least we had lots of fun with Mandy and Guillame. Went to bed. I woke up 6 or 7 times during the night still in pain, everytime thinking : ''I'm so tired''...''Its painfull''....''I wont race''. Then at 6:30, final wake up...I moved my fingers....so easily! And without any pain or almost. I could even rotate my hand....painfree! Moved my arm...Still good! I'm RACIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!
Room number 3. Much better than the one in Ottawa!!
I arrived at race site at 8am full of joy! It was raining and very windy (30km/kh + 45km/hm bursts). But I was sooo happy to race that I didnt care too much. XC races are fun! Fast, various terrain, ups & downs, so many turns, many people around, massive sprint start! 
As for all my previous cross country races I dont wear any watches. No gps, no time, no distance. My only feedback was the number of loop (4. 2km each) and my perceived effort. I didnt start too fast with the crazy pack cause I didnt want to fall and aggravate my wrist since my most important race is in 2 weeks. So I ran at ''confortably hard'' pace for the first lap. Then a bit  harder during second. I was running with that woman, probably in her 60s...Almost every spectator was chearing on her. Either she was from Kingston or was a famous runner? During the 3rd loop she dropped and I was caught by another woman, probably in her 40s. She was a bit faster and I had to work hard to stay with her. We passed several guys which was a very good news! Final 400m, uphill I passed her slowly, encouraged her but she stayed a bit behind and I finished sprinting.

My final time for the 8k is 31'16. 1 minute slower than last year but rain + strong wind this year. Placed 9th/31 among M45-49 instead of 11the last year! TOP 10 was the goal. 56th/186 among masters (30years old+).

Mandy and Guillaume were racing in the afternoon, so we spent some FUN time in the car!
Guillaume trying to nap...
Both were racing in senior category races with incredible athletes...like Olympian Lucas Bruchet and track&field canadian star Charles philibert-thiboutot! Mandy & Guillaume have had pretty good races and finishing times, especially considering the mudd fest it was for them! After approx 1000 runners stepped on the course before them (masters, U18 boys, U18 girls, Community, U20 women and U20 men races. 4 or 5 laps for each race!).

Racing at 2pm versus 9 am...
Thanks to Paul for chearing and the famous ''Let's go Tabarnak'' everytime Guillaume was passing. It was great to see Scott who left the club a few months ago to go study in Ontario (initial picture).

Now I'm heading to Florida for Powerman race in 2 weeks....16th and last race of this season. CANT WAIT!