Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

Born to Run 10 miler with Graham. Originally he had signed up for the 60 miler and I had signed up for the 30, but because of his still recovering broken ankle he dropped down to the 10 and I decided I'd rather run with him. He was nervous about his ankle at the start and I was scared for him as well as it would have been the longest he'd run since breaking it in February in Banff. We started slow and enjoyed every minute of the course, stopping to take pictures along the way. I could tell that he had a hitch in his step for the first 5K but it seemed to get better as we went on, and it was exciting when we got past 10K and he realized he was going to be able to do it. It was awesome to be able to cross the finish line together again, and to have enjoyed the course as much as I did.

Although it is not the most scenic course in the world, I will never get tired of the run or the experience!

This year's Born to Run pre-race festivities featured an archery run, a bolla race and a beer mile.

The archery run involved three shots at a target, a penalty run up a hill for every shot missed, then a 1/4 mile run, times 4 for a total of 12 shots at the target, penalty laps and a mile of running. I had practiced my archery the day before with some degree of success but under pressure I had a hard time hitting the target so my strategy was just to fire all of the arrows quickly and get my penalty laps over with. It was an all-female heat and I didn't want to be last! I finished respectably in the middle.

The bolla race is a Tarahumara game called rarajipari and involved a group start where everyone raced their own wooden ball along a course. I skipped this one last year and regretted it so was excited to give it a try this year. It was lots of fun and I managed to keep the ball on course, which isn't easy!

The beer mile is, not surprisingly, my favorite BTR Friday event. Having now done about 6 beer miles, I do think that they are getting easier and this one felt like my strongest one to date. My beer of choice was Tecate, warmed slightly. I am usually not the first female off the start line for the first 1/4 mile, but tend to catch up with each beer. By the last lap I had caught up with all other females except the one who was in the lead and who seemed to be struggling. I passed her in the last 1/8 mile to claim the female beer mile victory. I'm not sure she realized I was on my last lap as she's a very strong ultrarunner and I think she would have tried harder to hold me off if she had known. Nevertheless, I'll accept my stealth victory! In addition to my finisher's shovel, I won a solar powered mariachi figurine that I will brandish proudly in my office.

The evening wound down with some live music and a much more respectable amount of drinking than the previous year.

Drove my bike to the take out, then my car to the put in and paddled down the Grand. Was a bit lower than expected for this time of year.

I couldn't find my bike lock so was just hoping my bike would be where I hid it when I got back. Thankfully it was. Great ride back along the Grand River Trail.