What a lovely day for a winter race! It was probably warmer than 6C in the weak sunshine, and there was no wind to speak of. We've had some pretty warm weeks lately, so there was no snow, just some ice. Not a problem for me with my Yaktrax and common sense. I snapped a few pics of some of my favourite "regulars" as we waited for the race to begin.

I began the race with my camera handy and all competitiveness banished from my mind. I didn't even set my stopwatch. I did surge ahead a little at the beginning to grab shots of Nancy and Carla and Dawn actually running. I purposely fell in behind an older man I hadn't noticed at these races before, and patiently let him set my warm-up pace for a few minutes. I never did capture Yolanda with the camera, because I barely caught up with her before she peeled off at the 4k turn-off, and the course was getting kind of steep by then.

Runners spreading out in the first km

Nancy Coffin and Carla MacEachern

Dawn Henry

I had anticipated that I would not feel very good for much of this course, because I'm still recovering from fitness lost during my cold and subsequent low-training regimen (plus too much sugar and not enough sleep due to Christmas prep). I did feel surprisingly amazing in about the 3rd km. I joyfully gave myself over to the invigorating sensations of pounding the icy dirt over hill and dale while my heart and lungs raced to keep up. I love that feeling!

After a bit I wondered why I'd put the tech shirt on under my long-sleeved T. I'd developed quite a sweat as the sun warmed me up. I suppose if it had been windy I would have needed it. Enh, I just pretended I was running on a hot summer day and got over it. I pinned my mitts onto my shirt and kept a-going.

The rest of the race I leap-frogged with and then followed Carla and a lady in a red fleece. There were several big prairie hills that flanked the Bow River, and I got a few shots showing the dirt paths and the pale gold colour of the dry grasses covering the hills. In my usual way, I walked up the hills and careened crazily down them.

Icy Trails!

I didn't take photos in the small wooded section, mostly because the path was twisty and I was busy avoiding the trees and their roots. By this time I was getting tired, and didn't want to stop any more than I had to. My legs felt rubbery. It was a struggle to pick them up, and I had to re-tie each of my shoelaces as they came undone in turn. I thought I had learned to double-tie them before XCs? Apparently not. Carla and Red-fleece Lady faded into the distance and I had to really concentrate on following the flags. I was glad for the volunteers, who cheerfully directed me in all the right places.

Eventually I heard cheering as I entered the trees in the final-stretch coulee. As I came out I heard a few more whoops and my name. I stopped very briefly for one last photo of the noisemakers way up on the ridge by the finishing clock, then rallied for a very tired last surge down into the valley and up the last nasty hill to the finish. I was greeted by at least 10 fellow Roadrunners hooting and cheering as I struggled up to the clock. Dawn (who'd run the 4k) came down part way and ran in with me. Woohoo! What a great, weary, exhilarating feeling!

The finish line is in sight!

I would love to show you a pic of the cheering section that greeted me as I turned that last corner, but I think stopping right then for a pic would have really spoiled the moment. That image will just have to stay tucked into a happy place in my brain :) We headed into the hall for soup and sweets. I rinsed the mud off my Yaktrax, changed into dry, fuzzy clothes, and tucked into squash & ginger soup and chocolate cake.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, because next XC the camera's staying at home and I'll be trying to run a good hard race again.