|
|
|
|
|
Grouse to Old Buck return, ~35 Km
There’s something about this particular training run that sends people scurrying. Once again, Craig managed to avoid the out-&-back run from Grouse Mountain to Old Buck (return). A couple of years ago, he smartly opted for the adrenaline rush of white water, but this year he didn’t think it out so well…he thought he’d be better off running the entire length of the Knee Knacker…both directions!! Apparently a few other veterans thought along the same lines & joined him. So, while they slept comfortably in their beds (after a successful completion), about 50 of us dedicated Sunday morning runners started off on our own out-&-back. Truth is…this run’s bark is worse than its bite…unless one’s enthusiasm gets the better of them on the “out” portion of the run. It seems that most people erred on the safe side & paced themselves appropriately. Knowing that the downhills would turn into uphills on the way back would serve as a gentle reminder to leave some gas in the tank. Groups formed based on pace &/or topic of conversation…one of the unique qualities of these particular training runs. Hydration wasn’t as much of a concern this year, thanks in part to the cloud cover & partly to well spaced water sources (including a stash at the Hyannis crossing). The weather managed to co-operate until about the 4 ½ hour mark, when the sky fell…hard! It was a sobering reminder of how easily a casual training run can turn into something a bit more serious. A couple of people were caught without adequate clothing & suffered the minor discomfort of a slight chill. Sometimes it’s worth the extra (minimal) weight of a garbage bag in a waist pack…cheap insurance, really. The training runs are now heading into the longer end, so it is getting more important to carry (& consume) enough calories to keep your body moving. Remember to pack enough of your favourite energy source to get you through the scheduled run, & a bit more….sometimes injury or a wrong turn may keep you out there longer than you’d planned. Speaking of injury…we’re now at the point when aches & pains will start to creep into your training routine. Know the difference between good pain (hey, you just ran for 5 hours!), & bad pain (knees shouldn’t go “clunk, clunk…snap!”). Pay attention to your body & don’t be afraid to take a rest day (or days) as you need. The whole idea of training is to build up your body for race day…not to destroy it.
Glenn Pacé
|
|
