Yesterday I ran in the Colliery Dam Gutbuster course (1/2 marathon) – a fantastic course and well run race. The Westshore boys did a great job and the course was run through some beautiful land that I didn’t know existed in Nanaimo. My parents live up island and I am always looking for new trails and routes to train on when I am up for visits.

I entered the race with the resolve to run hard and get a solid tempo run in but right from the start I was fighting (physically). I’m not sure if it was coming off the cold or what but my breathing was laboured and my heart-rate was hammering. Funny thing was in terms of terrain, it was very runnable compared to races with monster climbs like Chuckanut or Diez Vista and I’ve run as fast at other races – even after 60km.

At the 14km mark my energy plummeted (plummeted like a 70km ‘bonk’) and I almost pulled the ‘chute. My legs felt fine (and feel great today) but aerobically and energy-wise I was zapped. Rafael Albert caught up at around that time and looked really strong, as usual. I don’t have his speed on the hilly stuff right now so I could only watch him take off.

The last 6 or so km were a struggle and I pulled back on the pace somewhat just trying to pick it up when I could, relaxing my breathing and resetting my pace.

I didn’t wear a watch so I don’t know my time! I don’t expect I hit 2 hours though.

All in all it was a great course and amazing day to be out on the trails.