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Toronto Women's 5K Race Recap

6/8/2016

2 Comments

 
Recently I started focusing my efforts on shorter distance races. With the flat route of the Toronto Women's 5K course, I'd hoped to come close to my PB time from earlier this spring at Achilles. Unfortunately an early heat wave moved into the province blanketing it in dangerous temperatures. The race organizers recommended participants treat the race like a fun run and even shortened the half marathon distance to 12K and eliminated any age awards to try to discourage people from racing hard. 

I felt really good heading into the race. The Don Valley was nicely shaded when I arrived, parked and did my warm up. I lined up at the start and decided to stick to my plan and bail out if the heat started to affect me. My first kilometer was mostly shaded and felt good. Four to go. The second was slower but perfectly in line with what I would need for a PB. Although I'd pre-hydrated well, my throat started to feel very dry and raspy. I had it in my mind that the water station was at the turn around point and but alas it was closer to 3K. Between the turn around and the water station my energy started to diminish and my quads started to ache which typically never happens to me in a race. With each of the next three kilometers, my pace slowed slightly. My effort remained the same, but I just couldn't hold the pace in the heat.  

I managed a final burst at the end and crossed the finish line. Everyone else crossing looked the same...hot and exhausted. I downed some much welcomed water, a banana, chatted with a few friends and then made the trek back to my car and cranked up the AC for the drive home. 

Another learning experience. In talking with my coach Michelle about running in the heat, she reminded me that our bodies are programmed to protect us, so will only let us push so hard before waving the caution flag.

There is always next time--and hopefully it won't be as hot! 
Toronto Women's 5K race kit
My race gear
Toronto Women's 5K managing a smile
Toronto Women's 5K digging deep
Toronto Women's 5K finish
Toronto Women's 5K extremely warm finish
Toronto Women's 5K 2016 medal
2 Comments
Eri
9/17/2016 12:15:05 am

Glad to read about your experience! Yep, doing the women's 5K this Fall and I'm super excited but here's to hoping some good weather holds up!

Reply
CathyV link
9/18/2016 03:38:25 pm

Thanks Eri! The Toronto Women's fall race was my second race ever! I'm debating doing the 8K again this October. I find that the end of October is typically cool, but beware of adding too many layers as being too warm can be way worse than being a little chilly for that first kilometer. If you have a spectator friend or family member that you can hand off a cozy hoodie to just before the start that would work nicely!

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    Cathy V

    Running. Design.  Family. Dogs. Gardening. Food. Crochet. Canadian. 
    ​Order varies. 


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