Creemore Vertical Hotness

Was really excited to do this race, I knew the preparation would be painful put once there I thought all would fall away and life would be good...the jury is still out on that one.

As we were leaving on vacation from the race, all preparations had to be completed the night before, and I worked nights the week prior, slight sinus congestion, and I had to get up at 5am...were all marks against me. Oh and to make matters worse because of those fricken night I couldn't sleep. I couldn't get to sleep and I couldn't stay asleep. THUS I got three fricken hours of sleep coming into the race. Now some would say don't worry about that it is the night prior to the night before the race that you should worry about. WELL I worked that night. Got four hours that day. Basically I was a zombie. If I had not arranged a ride there is no doult that I would not have been safely able to drive there that morning.

The course isn't a easy one. 60% uphill, little shade cover for a large portion of the course, did i mention endless hills? It was hot. For the first time I used a visor, for the first time I took a fuel belt for water on a race course. Very thankful I did. Even then I ended up not peeing normal amounts for 8 hours after the race. Used ice on course to chew and to tuck into my shorts, bra, in my visor. I think that was the hottest race I have ever done! The distance felt fine amazingly as I had not run 25k since my marathon in May.
Started out fast on the flats, little frustrated with having to walk within the first kilometre because of congestion on some fun single track. Was chaty with a few people- ran most of the distance together with a fellow Running Manic- who was rather complimentary with his assessment of my singing on his race report. Did I mention the hills??? Wish it would have been a bit more off road single track but frankly I was stoned for half the race and a little numb. I took in a double caffeine gel to try to get me going and some Tylenol cold for my MASSIVE lack of sleep headache. But really I just had to get through it.

Managed to shuffle through at 2:29:54, which was good enough for third female under 40. My goal time was anything under 2:30 so we are all good. A good nights sleep, less extreme heat, more porta potties ( I had to stop and pee once- which was a process of climbing into the brush for some cover so the race didn't have to see my bum) and I am sure I could knock some time off there.
The post race recovery included some icing in a river. There was beer as well- and honestly I had planed on getting a tad tipsy for the long drive up to vacation but I was too nauseated to take advantage, and frankly I just don't like beer.
I did end up hurting for a couple of days post but not as bad as I thought it would have been. Wish I would have brought my compression socks to Camp because I'm sure that would have helped the ache.
LOVED the awards that I managed to get. Coffee, pottery mug, maple syrup!

Will I be back next year.......we will see.