Had some getting even to do with the trail Gods after a rather grueling PYP 2 weeks ago. PYP was OK but very slow mostly due to conditions. Seaton was much better , the race started at 4C, Sun and little wind and ended 12C , Sun and little wind. I was a little cold at times running in a Tech T and Shorts but towards the end I was a little warm. Mentally I really enjoyed the first of two 25 km laps. The course had changed as a result of erosion along the river trail. The detour was welcome it broke up a 5 km long stretch that is the start and finish but it also added a degree of difficulty to the run...a good addition that I hope remains. Heading back out on the 2nd loop the day was starting to catch up with me and I began to feel tired but remained more or less at pace. The Heart Rate was a wee bit high running into the 150's. If I stay at that HR I know I will fatigue and its a wide open invite to " The Death March"! I needed to do 3 things, #1 more water, #2 more calories and #3 slow down a tad. Did all three things and was able to keep going keeping the HR in the 140's. On the last lap I passed quite a few runners some of which I have never finished in front of. At first I though thats just so and so having one of those days ....we all have them from time to time. But I passed so many that I began to realize I was just having a good day. I thought my time was way off previous years but this is a new course and it ran a wee bit slower then other years. My finish was only 13 minutes slower then last year. So yeah, it was a good day although I didn't recognize it at the time.
Finished in 6h35m46s good for 42 out of 114 participants, 36 out of 83 men and 12 out out of 32 in the 50-59 age group. Up next in 2 weeks its the Lumber Jack in Ottawa ...I feel ready!
