This is the third time I have raced the PIH 8km road race. It's always a well put together race, and lots of fun. Plus, I'm a PIH member, so I like to come and race their events when I can. Bob Reid always takes care of me when I come over- he's the best! Leading up to the race, I didn't really taper or do anything "race prep" like. I worked a 6 hour serving shift the night before the race and got to bed around 12:30....5am wake-up call came damn early! I caught the 7am ferry from Vancouver to Victoria with 6 other mainland athletes. I fell asleep on a bench in the cafeteria. It was awesome. So was the sunrise that morning...here's the pic I took
Bob Reid picked us up at the ferry terminal and drove us to the race course, where we still had an hour to kill before starting warm-ups. It was about 1C- a bit sunny with some cloud. But absolutely no wind, which was nice. Warm-up went well- had fun chatting with Erin Burrett. We've been racing each other since elementary school- pretty cool that we are still running buddies.
I didn't really have any big expectations for this race. I knew that I was fit and ready to run fast- but this wasn't a big deal race, so I wasn't too concerned- just wanted to have fun racing. I figured I could run about 27 mins. When the race started I felt surprisingly good- very peppy. I was excited to be out racing again. Here is the race run down-
1km- 3:00- fast, but downhill.
2km- 6:13- flat- feeling good. surprised that km was so fast.
3km- 9:33- uphill- felt awesome going up the hill- passed a lot of guys. Hoping Idon't slow down!
4km- not sure...12:??...was surprised with how fast I was running. First time I thought that I might be able to break the course record- 26:08.
5km- nice downhill- 15:48- this is when I was like holy shit. That was a 24 second 5k PB. WTF is going on? Am I gonna die horribly and not be able to finish? Did I go out way to hard? I was a bit worried, but still felt really good. Just kept trying to pass the boys.
6km- slight uphill- 18:59. OK- only 2km to go! I can do this! Still feeling smooth. I caught up to my friend Kris Swanson, who said he would help me run the last few Kms. I said that would be awesome- lets work together!
7km- slight downhill. Didn't get this split. I'm starting to hurt now. Kris is getting a few steps on my now. I know that the last km is all up hill. Hold it together Tasha!
8km- 25:28- yay! Complete and total shock as I cross the finish line. Did I really just run that time? And of course I'm thinking- sweet I just broke the course record $1000 bonus! yes! lol
Here is the interview I did with Chris Kelsall of Athletics Illustrated about an hour after my race:)
After the race, I got in a good warm down with Erin B, Sabrina and Mark Wilkie. My I.T. band was hurting, and I was a bit worried....but it's been all good this week (thanks to my fabulous massage therapist Danielle Mah from Impulse Sport Therapeutics). This has been a crazy week. I'm still on a high from my new PB, course record and apparently (not confirmed)- Canadian 8k record! I am super stoked to see what this season has in store for me:)
So following the race I've been getting the same questions again and again-
"Was the course short?"- NO
"Are you on drugs?" (check out the letsrun.com feed....people are assholes!) - NO! Unless you consider wine a drug. I like to drink my fair share of wine:)
"How did you run so fast?"- please see the interview I did for Canadian Running for complete answer- http://runningmagazine.ca/2013/01/sections/news/interview-natasha-fraser-discusses-her-big-breakthrough-race/
One thing I didn't mention in the interview that I think is very important is BALANCE! You can't be all about running all the time. You have to have other things going on in your life- work, friends, family, fun! If you only concentrate on running fast you become obsessed with every last detail- not a good idea. I believe that I have a lot of balance in my life- while running is my number one priority- its not my only priority. I have a lot of other stuff going on. Speaking of other stuff, I had some fun times this past week.
We did a girls trip to Harrison Hot Springs. I felt bad for all the couples in the Hot Springs trying to have romantic time, while 7 of us crazy girls were drinking wine from the box and being all sorts of loud and inappropriate. It was so much fun- I may have even jumped in the pool in my fleece Onesie....maybe....lol!
While we had a crazy good time, I also got in a good run the next day- it was so beautiful up there.
Also went to my pretty awesome staff party this week and celebrated my friend Kim's 30th Bday with a fabulous dinner at the Firehall Bistro this past Saturday.
So next up is NACAC XC Champs in Jamaica....I leave tomorrow morning! I am super excited, and nervous of course. I know that I am fit and ready to run fast....just gotta keep my head in the game. I'll blog about the trip when I get back!
Gotta go pack! Have a great weekend!
