Race started about 10 minutes late as organizers took some time getting late registrants geared up with timing chips.
Felt good at start line and kept a good pace for the first 500 meters. Made out ok up the first uphill but noticed early that my breathing rhythm was pretty high. Took longer than usual to settle down but automatically started increasing my pace slightly. Distance markers seemed to pass by slowly though about 5k and had to slow down a bit to get my breathing under control. Decided to take it easy on the downhills during the second lap trying to conserve energy for the remaining hills. This tactic seemed to work as my breathing settled and I was able to pick up the pace once again. Last couple of kilometers felt pretty good but I knew I wasn't going to have a blazing time. Tried to enjoy the views and carried on past the 9km mark and increased speed through the final 300 meters to the finish line.

Walk or bike the course beforehand to familiarize myself with the course layout.

None. A quick trip to the washroom and then to the goodie tables.


Unfamiliarity with the course, didn't realize it was a two loops. The hills sort of caught me by surprise as well, so more hill training. This was my first run since the Sun Run 3 weeks prior so I wasn't really expecting a new PB.


This was my first stab at an 8k distance so I wasn't sure of the pacing for this race. I'll have a better idea how to run it next year if I do it. Got yet another blister on my right foot which was to be expected since I haven't done any running at recently. Time to put on the Asics more regularly and pound the pavement for a few training runs if I'm going to improve.