How I Feel about Setting the Pace: 9Run Run 2013

Photo courtesy of Brian Lafleur

The Stittsville 1/2 marathon is a smaller race, but its home. It's a run I really enjoy because it's local, it's friendly, and it supports some great causes. (Emergency services in Ottawa-Ambulance, Fire, Police), DIFD, SolesforSouls, and Stittsville Food Bank. The course can be challenging: it's hilly, and the gravel trail on the stretch to the finish can be ominous for some roadrunners. But I love running through familiar sites/training grounds, seeing the beautiful fall colours, and once again experiencing what amazing Volunteers are all about.

It's hard setting the pace in a race. An amazing feeling, but there's a lot of guessing involved. Because of course you feel this pressure of being in first because you've taken it upon yourself to jump in front; it's a heavy responsibility. It's heavy because if you reach a point of getting passed while in first, it can really deflate you. In Haliburton (50miler) I was running scared, truly afraid I would lose it. Today, I went to my comfortable 1/2 pace, and prayed that I could hold it and no one else could. Though if someone had been leading me and I kept a similar pace, it might have given me the extra gumption to chase after them.

As the race begins, I make small chat with a fellow racer as we speed ahead of the rest of the group. I'm not really sure what my game plan is until we're about 5KM in and I hit my stride. I'm rolling at about 3:40-3:45/km, and I've thought it might be achievable for the remainder of the run. This course is tricky though based on the lengthy stretch of three major hills on Flewellyn. So...you might be in the realm of 3:45/km for the entirety of the run, but unless you can maintain that on the hills, you're average pace won't represent your effort.

After running 100KM on October 5th (14 days ago) I was experiencing a lot of fatigue. Not in the legs, just in general. It made me nervous for this one, but it was a good nervous. I know it helped lift my strength. As I hit my 3:45 pace, I was able to maintain and gap out the runners behind me. I was thankful for the 100K at this point, because mentally the struggles that I went through on October 5th were much harder than those that one experiences in a 1/2 marathon. It made the fight a lot easier than normal.

As I hit the turn around, I start to get slightly fatigued, but I keep my head up and follow the wheelchair rider in front of me. He's been my inspiration all morning. I know that if I consider him "the guy to catch" it will keep my legs moving at proper speed. I pretended he was the leader; it worked quite well for the majority of the run.

As I exit the gravel pathway with less than a 1KM to go I see my Mom. She's down from Scotland to visit me. She's jumping up and down in the crowd screaming. "That's my son! It's my son, he's in 1st! Go Dusty!!!!" I'm blushing and embarrassed. "That's my Mom everyone!" I yell, as I speed ahead towards the finish line.

I've made it. I feel great. It was a beautiful day once again to run, and the last race of my training schedule. From Around the Bay > Boston Marathon > Ottawa Marathon > I2P 52KM Trail Run > Haliburton 50 Miler > 100KM Sears Great Canadian Run > 9Run Run 1/2 Marathon, I've finally finished... AND after 4 years of trying, I've managed to grab 1st place on my hometown run. That was on the bucket list. As a friend from GGT once said (Corey Turnbull) "It's all about who shows up on race day" I do think I got lucky today to win a 1/2 marathon with a 1:20:28. Most are won sub 1:20. I'll take it, I'm proud of it. But I still have a ton of things to learn and work on, and I love that. One thing that has got me through this season undoubtedly is my mental fortitude. Now to work harder on the physical strength to come back next season and maintain the improvements.

It was also so great to have amazing fans at the race today. My wife, son, and Mom filled me with endless strength and inspiration. Gotta love it!! 

Here's to you and setting the pace!

D