That sucked

My training really wasn't where it should have been. In the past I've executed a normal training week the week of the race and continued right through, doing little more than taking the day before off. This year I lightened up the week and only did maybe half the mileage I usually would hoping the taper would make up for the inadequacy in training. Didn't work.

Less than 10k in to this thing my left hamstring was getting very tight. This has been an ongoing problem for me this season on long runs where my left hamstring gets tired too early. I'm going to have to augment the running with some strengthening and see if that helps. It will also help to get the local HS track back into use as it's still buried in snow. The speed sessions will build up those muscles and hopefully that will alleviate the stiffness.

I didn't have a problem with breathing. That was pretty consistent and easy throughout the race, even when things were difficult. At 20k I started some short firm walks to help loosen the legs up. The right leg had to pick up the slack for the left and started it's own complaints late in the race. What I didn't do was walk any part of Valley Inn Road which is a long lofty hill that marks the beginning of the end. The hill felt good to run since it was all quads.

I don't like this race much anymore. It used to be fun when the Hamilton Convention Centre was the host location and finishers were granted a slice of pizza and a tall frosty brew. Running Room now fully organizes the race. At the finish you're given a white plastic bag that volunteers fill with the usual cold race fare, and you're hustled out of the area. The feeling is no longer friendly, it's just 'here's your medal, here's your food, see you next year". It was a party atmosphere and live band in the past, how it's just bland and rushed. I think this is the last year for me. Unless I get a good strong winter in and get the hankering to beat my 2:22 PR for this course, it will be off my list.

I'll consider Mississauga's half next. It's a great race, well done despite being only a few years old, on a great course. You can hammer the lengthy downhill of this and it's a blast to do the half. The full is a bit less flashy and somewhat ugly when you're doing the extension off the half, but worth running if you think you're close to BQ condition.

After that, I'll try to be back in the 33's for the 5 mile Nightcrawler in June. I've got my work cut out for me in that one. After gaining a minute a year for 4 years in a row, last year was a minute slower than previous. Don't suppose now being 48 has any impact on this, ya think?