Vague de froid

Because of the current cold spell – the longest and most bitter in 25 years – I haven't been out running as often as usual. Last Tuesday we had a high of -7° C (20° F) and the north wind was blowing hard, but it was the only day C.B. and I could run together. I admit I was tempted to chicken out! We met down at the lake and headed south-east. It wasn't so bad until we turned around. I gasped at every gust of wind. By the time I reached home after we parted ways, I had run 10 miles. The temperature may not have hit any all-time lows, but it was certainly the coldest long run ever for me. That record will no doubt be long-standing also.

Gotta run...

Trophée Lausannois 2011

Last week all runners who had completed at least seven out of the thirteen 2011 Trophée races were honored at an awards ceremony, hosted this year by the Romanel event. The top five finishers in each age group received prizes (it was my first time to break into the top three!). Only those who ran at least 12 of the 13 races won a trophy. Runners who had accumulated the most trophies over the years got special recognition, the crown going to Neighbor who has not missed one single Trophée race this millennium!

My favorite part of the ceremony was watching two young girls, who had been waiting so patiently all evening, walk proudly down the aisle to accept their trophies. I wished I had a camera to capture the expression on their faces for their moms who were snapping pictures from the back of the room. It was a precious moment!

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Happy trails

Husband and I have been working in Bulle for the past two weeks. It was easy to find a good place to run here because our hotel is next to a woods with plenty of trails. I followed the 3.9K blue train solo, with Husband, then with C.B. Each time was like being on a different trail since the ground went from being frozen, to slippery, to muddy. Yesterday I decided to try out the 6.9K green trail. It wasn't as well marked as the blue train and I somehow got off track. I stated to back track, which meant I wouldn't reach the trail head until close to dark. It was getting misty and I confess I was starting to feel nervous before I "run into" another runner (the only one I saw) who showed me a direct way back. I wonder if he is blogging about saving a runner lost in the woods!

Gotta run...

2012 Cross International de Lausanne

Last Saturday was the kind of clear and beautiful day where you feel the need to get outdoors. Husband and I got down to Vidy in time to see the elite international runners finish their race. I had just enough time to warm up and say "happy new year" to friends before all us regular runners lined up. The men were running eight 1K laps, the women five. The cross-country course was flat as can be, with four logs to hurdle along the way. Fortunately, it was quite cold, so there was no problem with mud on the course. Each lap went by surprisingly fast. I was careful to count my laps. Unfortunately, against better judgment, others listened to the volunteers who told them to go around one more time. I know of at least one woman and one man who ran an extra kilometer. I was very sad for them.

Husband, who had not entered the race to encourage me, waited in the cold with me for a hour before I got my fourth place prize: a big box of winter vegetables. Lots of good vitamins to keep us healthy!

Gotta run...

New year

Leafing through the Swiss Athletics Guide des courses populaires 2012, I marked 22 races I plan on entering if all goes well. (That's nine more than I ran in 2011, but I was injured for two months.) Ten are Trophée Lausannois events, five make up the Tour du Pays de Vaud series, and the rest are races I've done anywhere from once to twenty times. I start with a cross country 5K down by the lake this coming Saturday!

Gotta run...

2011 Christmas Midnight Run

After a very busy day, Husband and I jogged to town last Saturday evening for the Midnight Run (held once again at 11 p.m.; go figure). I was running for the fifth year in a row, Husband was there to root for me. Luckily for him the temperature was much warmer than the previous two years. I started at the very front because I knew I had a good chance of being on the podium again. I was pretty sure T. would win again in the over-50 age group, and sure enough she passed me half way through the first 2.5K loop through the old city. I had seen N. before the race, but didn't know how far back she was. Since she beat me in the last two race we competed in, I was watching for her. My pace on the second loop was a bit slower, and I was almost lapped by the overall winner, but he finished just seconds after I started the third loop. It was getting tougher to run up the steep cobblestone streets, but I didn't know if N. was on my heels, so I pushed hard. I lapped a couple a stragglers just before crossing the finish line. I was second in the Senior women category once again! I don't know how many more years I can place in this race; I guess as long as the top senior women stay home in bed!

Gotta run...

2011 One World Run Lausanne

I had lots to plan and prepare last week for Saturday’s One World Run to benefit Project AIDS Orphan. I borrowed flags to mark the course, contacted my helpers to tell them what their jobs would be, tested my homemade race bibs to see if they would hold up in the rain, and searched all my drawers for sets of four safety pins. Wednesday I ran the out and back course along the lake one last time to make sure everything was in order. Friday I baked cakes for prizes and made four gallons of pumpkin soup. Saturday morning I got up early and made four gallons of hot tea and heated the soup. We loaded up our van and drove down to Vidy to get set up. I needn’t have worried about rain because the weather was beautiful. The 30-odd runners started arriving and soon it was time to start the 5K. I shouted “à vos marques, prêts, partez” and they were off. Twenty minutes later the winner crossed the finish line, then the others started trickling in. Everyone hung around for tea, soup and prizes. It was so exciting to see neighbors, church friends, coworkers, family members, students, and even a few serious runners gather together for this good cause.

For a detailed account of the race and more pictures, check out the winner’s blog.

Gotta run...