So mid-last week I caught up with my run to PEI. 318.7 km through to August 12. Only two runs since then – 4.5km as an easy mid-week run and a 15km race Saturday evening 🙂
I ran the Midsummer Night’s Run back in 2009. It ran along the waterfront and out onto the Leslie St. Spit. Not the most picturesque route maybe but lovely views of the city and a route I had run a few times by then (and many more since). I finished it in 1 hour, 55 minutes and change. So my initial goal this year was just to beat that. I revised that goal about a week or so ago to 1:52:30 – 15km at 7:30 minutes per km. And (drum roll please) Official time: 1:47:11
Getting to the island was fine. I met my friend Victoria at the Novotel downtown and we took the shuttle to the ferry docks. We probably could have walked faster but hey, that’s construction in downtown Toronto in summertime.
We got to the start area about 2 hours ahead of the race – which reminded me of part of why I was hesitant about running on the island. 2 hours before the race with not much to do. Weird stalker duck kept us entertained for a while though.
The weather was good – a little warm and a little humid but definitely bearable. Sunny with a bit of a breeze which also reminded me of another reason I was hesitant about running on the island: LOADS of other people enjoying the islands themselves, walking, biking, pushing strollers, walking dogs. We ran on the main paths so you always had to watch out (a) for the usual much faster runners finishing their 30k runs as I was muddling through my 15k and (b) random obstacles including four-seater rental bike things, strollers and beach distractions.
The run itself was awesome. I cannot believe how well it went. I felt strong and kept it together. I stuck with the plan (10:1s) and even the water tables were co-operating. Victoria did awesome too. She’d never run more than 8 km before so I told her what I was planning to do with the 10:1s and the pacing and my goal (1:52:30). She did great. We kept together for about the first 6 km. At the walking break around there I reminded her that I really wanted to try and beat my last time and she reassured me that she was fine with me leaving but she’d try to stick with me as long as she could. She was really happy we talked about the 10:1s at the beginning because after I left she kept it up with variations (7:1.5, 5:1 etc) making sure that she ran for the whole time she set. Which I think is awesome.
It was mostly asphalt trail with some patches of boardwalk (my favourite) and sand (my least favourite) and grass. And some of the nicest scenery of the city! We grabbed a beer afterwards and finally our bags arrived from the baggage check and we were able to head off to the ferry dock to get back to the city.
And I was reminded of why I will never ever run on the island again. It took us almost an hour to get OFF the island. There were so many people in line that three ferries came and went while we were in line!
Oh and so 19.5 km since the last report and a total of 338.2km from home. And I’m in Brockville ON. Brockville is named after Sir Isaac Brock – the hero of Upper Canada.