When people run in circles it’s a very, very mad world

The McGill 3000m was the definition of a ‘rust-buster’.  In the past two years it was my first indoor race, first race track race under 10km, and first race in spikes.  I was on 8:00 pace through 2km but once I was all alone I let off the gas and had a horrible 600m where I was running at least 2 seconds too slow per lap.  I really wanted to run under eight minutes so my time of 8:07 was not really what I was looking for but at the same time it was a good move in the right direction.  I probably should have been more tired and sore after a race but I’m glad I wasn’t beat up from an 8:07.  I’m glad Alex came on strong towards the end or I would have probably just jogged it in. Because I had led since 1300m I was not going to be outkicked and so I finished off my last lap with a decent clip.  Most of all it was a fun race having 8 of the top 10 guys all from the same training group. 

Coolsaet, Reid              Speed River Tfc      8:07.38      
Genest, Alex                 Speed River Tfc      8:08.47      
Milne, Taylor                Speed River Tfc    8:13.16      
Winter, Chris                Speed River Tfc     8:13.41
Boorsma, Kyle             Guelph                      8:15.61
O’Neill, Kyle                Western                      8:18.37   
Wray, Nigel                  Guelph                        8:19.10   
Christie, Russell            Dalhousie                8:30.50     
Brett, Allan                 Guelph                         8:33.75      
Parrott, John                Guelph                      8:37.91    

The next morning Tim Konoval, Chris Winter and I had a very cold but interesting run through Montreal.  We first did a little tour through Old Montreal before heading to the mountain.  The trails on Mont-Royal were snow covered although quite good for running and there were many people out and about considering the -30C (with windchill) temperature.

Good news, I’m racing the Boston Indoor Games 5000m on Saturday (Feb 6).  I would of really liked to have a better 3000m time going into the race but knowing that McGill was my first time in that zone in a long time I’m confident that I can split a similar time through 3000m and keep it going for 5000m.  The race itself is stacked with good athletes (start list below) and I know the pace will be fast so I don’t have to worry about leading and hitting specific time splits.  I’m just going to get out there and run a competitive race.