Christmas Midnight Run 2013

 

What can I say about this year’s Midnight Run? Not much changes from year to year to year… Here’s what has changed; it's getting more competitive. As younger runners join the 50+ age group, it’s harder to earn a spot on the podium. I ran my heart out and was thrilled to end up in third place. At least one woman who beat me at l’Escalade the previous Saturday finished a minute behind me. Another change was the decision to do away with the 50+ awards ceremony. Bummer! We hung around for nothing. I got my trophy in the mail today. The trophy has changed too. Even though it won't match the previous five, I think it’s prettier!

Gotta run…

L'Escalade 2013

The weather was perfect for this year’s Escalade. I got to the Bastions in Geneva in time to see C. run his race. I cheered for him on each of his three laps, but he was so focused that he never saw me. I then made my way to the starting line where I joined 650 other ladies running the women’s masters race. I got close enough to the front to avoid getting stuck behind slow runners, but not too close to hinder faster runners. The pace was fast from the start. Most of the races I enter are 10Ks, so a 5K is not a distance I’m used to. Besides that, my Garmin had given out on me earlier in the week. I didn’t know how I was doing except in comparison to other women I recognized. When S., with whom I had been chatting during the men’s masters race, passed me as we started the second lap, I was determined not to let her get out of my sight. Other than the times she went around corners in the old city, I was able to do just that. The pictures and finisher’s clip below attest to that.

S. (and others) gaining on me

S. about to overtake me

S. finishing 9 seconds ahead of me

Gotta run…

A travers Prilly 2013

I don’t usually have to run tactically. I can size up the field before a local race and know who will finish 2 or 3 minutes ahead of me, and who will finish a few minutes behind me. The Prilly race, a week ago last Saturday, consisted of a one mile loop through town that we were to run five times (keep track of your own laps!). As we started up the first hill a woman cut me off while passing me. When we started down the first hill I passed her and glanced at her bib, 511. She was in my age group but I didn’t recognize her. On the next uphill section, she passed me for a second time. It was my turn to pass her as we rounded the last corner before the end of the loop. We went through the same yo-yoing on the next two laps. By the fourth time around I was beginning to wonder what strategy to adopt to beat 511. I didn’t think I could win a final stretch sprint. She passed me halfway up the first hill of the last lap; but I hung on and put the pedal down, passing her for the last time just before the top. I didn’t let up until I crossed the finish line. I’ll be on the lookout for 511 at my next race.

Gotta run…