Cross Calgary 56k - Aug. 12

Cross Calgary 56k
Chip: 5:04
Gun: 5:24 (3rd Female)
Pace: 5:27/k

Did Cross Calgary yesterday, which due to detours along the course was reduced to 56k total. Had alot of fun, and would like to do it again sometime in the future. Thanks to RD Cheryl Lowery, volunteers, the other runners, and the St. John guys accompanying us on bikes and who caught me running with my eyes closed - weird habit of mine - during the last 6k!

Leg 1 8k
Showed up 20 min late - got lost in Bowness; THANK YOU for letting me still run! Switchbacks up the hill at around 1k, where I met the field who were on their way back down - so I did get to see the whole field at around the 5k mark. As the last runner, had my own St. John accompaniment (who also walked up the hills on their bikes).

Leg 2 13k
No issues here. Mostly flat along the river after "Blood and Guts" hill, which was not as bad as I'd expected (then again, I walked up it), running into Sat. morning running groups who saw my bib and told me to have fun. Felt like a safari animal due to the "oh, look, there's one!" comments. All said in good faith, I know. Kinda neat. Maybe should pin a bib numer on my shirt during practice runs, just for fun. Just kidding.

Leg 3 9k
Still no issues. Glad to have my water bottle with me. Feeling fine but very cautious. Have caught up to the midfield so there are more runners around me now, which is great in case I zone out and forget to look out for the course markings and get lost.

Leg 4 13k
1k past the marathon mark. More hills, which I walk even though I ran them in my practice long run. First relay runner passes me at Carburn. No other relay runners so I reason he must not be in the race after all, until I see him at the finish line - that team smoked the field! Around Douglasdale a lady who is out for a walk points down toward the valley to show me some deer, which I don't spend too much energy looking at. In fact, I don't really care, but it was nice of her to show me anyway. St. John guys are still riding their bikes supervising us. Seeing them once in a while is kind of motivating. They say hi and are encouraging but not chatty, which I like.

Leg 5 13k
40-50k was kind of hard for me; I walk up the hill and whenever I feel a bit tired. Stop to tie my shoes on the way down, because was so rushed at the start I didn't do it properly. At the turnaround I see the rest of the field and am surprised that they aren't as far ahead as I'd thought they were. 50k comes much sooner than expected and I decide to put in an honest effort in the last 6k. I pretend I'm doing km repeats back home. I look for Midnapore Lake and before I know it the finish line is in sight!

I have to say, it was fun and is thoroughly recommended. Fantastic day, overcast but little rain. Thanks to everyone, again.