Well, that didn’t go as planned. I knew it was going to be tough given we are in a heat wave and I decided to not get a hotel but instead drive 2 1/2 - 3 hours to my race in the morning. My lovely husband had offered to take me so we got everything ready the night before including showering, got up just before 5 am, went to Timmy’s our lovely coffee shop for our morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich for on the road. By 5:30 am we were on our way. Eating that early and not my normal pre run breakfast was a challenge, but I managed to get it half eaten. We found the race site fairly easily, getting there just after 8. Lots of time for a loo break, apply sunscreen and bug spray, got my race number and timing chip and get geared up. By 8:30, my tummy was starting to growl so I ate half a banana but it wasn’t enough. It was full on growling by the start of the race. And the heat...well it was creeping up.
This was the inaugural race for this event, capped at 100 runners over the 3 distances (12.5k, 25k, and 50k). I believe there were something like 26 runners in the 12.5k race. I set myself up near the middle of the pack and set off with the pack. I have only done a few events so far, and as expected, I started out too fast, especially with how hot it was. I was behind a couple ladies but they weren’t quite running the pace I wanted to so passed them. I could hear someone quite close behind me. All of a sudden, I hear, “I hope you don’t mind me pacing off of you?”. I laughed. Said not at all but this pace is slowing down pretty quickly. We had a nice little chat - he is also running the Beaver Flat 50 - 20k race in the fall - but I had to stop and wet down my hat. I was heating up big time and I was struggling with it. That was when it all fell apart. As soon as I gave myself permission to walk, well, I walked ... a lot! So off he went and I started to play cat and mouse with this gentlemen in an orange shirt that a few of the 50k guys that passed us would cheer and affectionately call “Coach”. I’d pass him, then I’d walk, he would pass me, then walk, and on and on. Then he seemed to struggle and was walking most with only short runs. I found myself doing the same thing so I decided to push it a bit and force myself to run 500 metres before walking. Yes, I had resorted to that! 500 m, then 200m, then we’ll that tree. As I got to the final 1.5 k I tried to will myself to run the final leg home but I just couldn’t. It was blooming hot. But I ran, I walked, and I ran the final 400 m in, crossing the finish line to hand in my timing chip, stand in some ice water in my bare feet, and get a lovely piece of pie. And the piece de resistance? Instead of a medal, we got a great mug as a token! Love it. I’m not sure my actual time (I forgot to turn off my watch and Runkeeper at the end) and am not sure I want to know but I know I didn’t come in last. So, that is that. Once the official times are in, I guess I’ll see where I was in the pack, but man, that sucked. The positives though - I only had to run one loop, unlike the 25k and 50kers. Yikes, I feel for them! But watching the lead guys go flying past us....they are amazing!!!!
As we got back in the car for our 3 hour ride back to the lake, the thermometer read 26 C. Yuck! No wonder it was so hard! There was barely a breeze and although there were trees in the rolling hills we ran, the sun was so high that most of it was in full sun. I poured a lot of water on my head, had soaked my buff but instead of wearing it on my neck, I had it wrapped around my wrist, using it to wipe my face, neck, whatever needed wiping. I had decided mid run that maybe events weren’t for me and I should take a step back next year so I can just enjoy the runs for what they are, but I guess for now, we’ll see. I still have my 20k race in the fall. This was totally a runnable course, but I wasn’t able to manage it and am a bit frustrated with myself. Oh well, time to let it go, and spend the next week at the lake with my feet up and drink in hand....and get 3 more trail runs in 😁
I think you're a hero - congratulations. A week of rest is so well deserved. By the time you've sat by the lake with a couple of drinks, you'll see the good in this too. Have a great week 
Ecotrail Oslo 20K
