 After feeling not-so-great at the Chilly Half Marathon last weekend, and then switching gears from 21.1K to 5K within a recovery week, I definitely had no intention of really 'racing' the Achilles 5K. My primary focus had been on my role as an ambassador, getting the message out on social media about this much-loved race. On race day, the ambassadors gathered at the Steamwhistle Brewery / Roundhouse watching the green-wearing runners arrive. It was great to see the energy in the crowd and people using the custom Instagram frames again! As we pinned on bibs and warmed up in Steamwhistle, my friend and coach Michelle asked me what I was thinking for the race. I mumbled something along the lines of, "We'll see..." I'd told her previously that it wasn't a goal race, so she gave me some plans for pace in the first and subsequent kilometers. She mentioned it would be a good opportunity to make it a time trial which would help her gauge her training plans for the rest of the season. We joined the crowd at the start, taking a lot of photos and posting ambassador updates on social media. |  |
 Photo: Carmy D. |  Photo: Carmy D. |
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The day before I'd created a playlist of 30 minutes max of very high energy songs. They announced the countdown to the start and with a cheer, the crowd moved forward. I started my Fitbit Surge, took a deep breath...and went for it.
I hadn't told anyone that over the past couple days, I'd secretly been considering going for a personal best. This past fall at the Oasis Zoo Run I'd attempted a PB, but the repeated rolling hills did me in. Since that day I'd been waiting for another opportunity and a flatter course to try again.
I feared the incline both ways on Spadina, but the Achilles course was otherwise flat with only a couple turns. I'd been working with Michelle for a couple months including doing speed work, but since my goal race was a half marathon later in the season, so I had no idea if I was even prepared.
I glanced at my Surge as I finished my first kilometer...5:24/km. Let me take a moment to mention that the only times I see paces under 6:00/km I'm either at the track or participating in a race, and --is always short lived! The question in my mind was how long could I hold on.
The second kilometer came in at 5:25/km. Runners started flying by me in the opposite direction. Instead of looking for people I knew, I kept my focus alternating between my music and looking ahead for the turn around. Just before Yonge Street I saw it. I spun around the corner and checked in with how I was feeling at the halfway point. Still okay. Pushing really hard, but okay. If I could repeat what I'd just done in the first 2.5K... I'd have a PB. Whoa. But it was far from in the bag. At this point I saw a couple familiar faces that gave me a little boost of adrenaline with their smiles. Lead runner cyclists Paula and Kim were riding their bikes back beside the crowd, scanning and smiling. And there was Alan Brooks watching for Inge and the Canada Running Series team, camera in hand. I managed to give him a smile and wave.
I hadn't told anyone that over the past couple days, I'd secretly been considering going for a personal best. This past fall at the Oasis Zoo Run I'd attempted a PB, but the repeated rolling hills did me in. Since that day I'd been waiting for another opportunity and a flatter course to try again.
I feared the incline both ways on Spadina, but the Achilles course was otherwise flat with only a couple turns. I'd been working with Michelle for a couple months including doing speed work, but since my goal race was a half marathon later in the season, so I had no idea if I was even prepared.
I glanced at my Surge as I finished my first kilometer...5:24/km. Let me take a moment to mention that the only times I see paces under 6:00/km I'm either at the track or participating in a race, and --is always short lived! The question in my mind was how long could I hold on.
The second kilometer came in at 5:25/km. Runners started flying by me in the opposite direction. Instead of looking for people I knew, I kept my focus alternating between my music and looking ahead for the turn around. Just before Yonge Street I saw it. I spun around the corner and checked in with how I was feeling at the halfway point. Still okay. Pushing really hard, but okay. If I could repeat what I'd just done in the first 2.5K... I'd have a PB. Whoa. But it was far from in the bag. At this point I saw a couple familiar faces that gave me a little boost of adrenaline with their smiles. Lead runner cyclists Paula and Kim were riding their bikes back beside the crowd, scanning and smiling. And there was Alan Brooks watching for Inge and the Canada Running Series team, camera in hand. I managed to give him a smile and wave.
 |  Photo: Alan B. |
My third kilometer time was 5:26/km and made me smile knowing that regardless of what happened in the next two kilometers, Michelle would be impressed with my steady pacing ability! I turned back onto Spadina and the incline loomed. I'd gone up the first side without really noticing, but this side seemed steeper somehow and was coming at a point that could do me in. A couple people around me slowed to a walk. I wanted to do the same. I suddenly thought of my friend Christa and how, while running together near High Park last summer she'd given me some tips on running hills. Christa's voice was in my head saying, "No way, you're not walking this hill!" And, a moment later I was at the top, feeling proud.
My watch buzzed with my fourth kilometer pace...5:16/km. What?! The previous night I'd calculated that I needed to average no more than 5:48/km for a PB. With the past four kilometers about 20 seconds faster than this, I even had a buffer...I might just do this! In that last kilometer the wind picked up, more so than at any other point on the course. Green hats, feathers and scarves blew through the air. Up ahead I could see the landmarks I knew were near the finish but not the finish banner itself. I started to fade. I wanted to walk. My stomach was feeling rough. I sensed rather than really saw the crowds and photographers lining the street. And then, there it was. The finish.
The last 200 meters are a blur, but I do recall seeing the finish mats pass under my feet and realizing that I could stop. I glanced down at my Fitbit as I stopped it--I'd done it! I stood among the crowd, absolutely needing a moment to recover.
My watch buzzed with my fourth kilometer pace...5:16/km. What?! The previous night I'd calculated that I needed to average no more than 5:48/km for a PB. With the past four kilometers about 20 seconds faster than this, I even had a buffer...I might just do this! In that last kilometer the wind picked up, more so than at any other point on the course. Green hats, feathers and scarves blew through the air. Up ahead I could see the landmarks I knew were near the finish but not the finish banner itself. I started to fade. I wanted to walk. My stomach was feeling rough. I sensed rather than really saw the crowds and photographers lining the street. And then, there it was. The finish.
The last 200 meters are a blur, but I do recall seeing the finish mats pass under my feet and realizing that I could stop. I glanced down at my Fitbit as I stopped it--I'd done it! I stood among the crowd, absolutely needing a moment to recover.
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I glanced over to the crowd and spotted Michelle and Carmy, and made my way over. Michelle greeted me with a huge hug and kiss and asked me, "What was that?!" I'd actually been hoping that she would notice I was done sooner than expected and she had. I laughed and told her, "Yep, I went for it! It's a PB!" She asked if I'd heard them cheering to me as I finished. I told her I hadn't really heard or seen anything in that last stretch. (Note: When I watched my finish video later, Michelle's voice could be clearly heard even over the crowd and announcer, "Catheeeeeeeeeeee!") Courtney and Matt joined our little celebration section before we headed into Steamwhistle for chili, prizes, photos and fun.
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I will most definitely do this race again. It is a great course /location, very well organized, supports an amazing cause and really is so much fun. I greatly appreciate Achilles Canada for having me as an ambassador. I really feel that our little team made a great impact on getting the word out about this amazing race...It's easy to be a cheerleader when you really believe in what you are cheering for!
