I found the run very difficult. Coming off a week of the flu I had little power and had missed the last of my training sessions.
Nice to be able to get ready inside Copps Arena. Paid my dues by being in our corporate team photo and got set up with the chip exchange with my relay buddy.
Washroom strategy (walking to the furthest bathroom) paid off as I got to dodge the queues and get comfortable before starting.
Relay runner were in the last coral for starting which meant a long wait to cross the start line and a very crowded first couple of kms.
Ran the first km on 5:26. Way below my target. I blamed this on the crowds and decided to pick up the pace for the 2nd km.
2nd km was in 5:29! It was at this point I realized I had little in the tank and started to readjust my expectations.
The opening 15kms are billed as downhill or flat but this is not true now the route has been altered. Three times you climb up to go over railroad or highway overpasses and at the 10km turn you climb around a highway onramp.
I can see the course being exciting and challenging if you felt better!
The course stayed busy right through to 15kms.
one downside was the mess at the water stations. Almost no effort had been made to dispose of cups to the side and so footing was not good. Didnt bother with water as I had 2x10oz bottle in my fuel belt.

Not get sick with 8 days to go. Its the worst flu I have had for years and I was lucky to get better in time to even finish the course.

Jumped straight in the car and ate my way through the post race food (banana, odd granola bars etc). Had some G2 and water.
Got a hot shower when I got in and then off to church.


Missed training days due to the flu.
Hard cold winter had made training tough.


Historic race on a unique course