2015 Glencoe Icebreaker 10K Race Report

This past weekend I ran my first race since the Goofy Challenge in January, the Glencoe Icebreaker 10K.

Pre-Race Rambles

Thanks to patellar tendonitis and not running through all of February I wasn’t sure if I’d even still be able to run this race a few weeks ago.  I came back slow and smart from my injury though and I knew I’d be able to run 10K safely.  The only thing is I am definitely not in “racing” shape.  

Race day weather was phenomenal.  My car’s thermometer read 4.5C on the drive to the Glencoe Club and it was sunny out.  I wanted to be smart racing this 10K so I took some time to do a really good warm up…

Light jogging, high knees, butt kicks…if you are looking for warm up ideas check out this video from Oiselle’s Little Wing team!

With 15 to 20 minutes to go I took a gel, had one last nervous bathroom break, and then it was time to line up at the start!

I had no illusions about running a PR today.  My game plan was to run comfortably hard and to keep up a good strong effort over the entire 10K.  My legs were not the freshest they could have been either because I did a sub max FTP test on the bike the day before!

Glencoe Icebreaker 10K Race Report

The race starts off fairly flat, then near the end of the second mile there is a nice, big climb.  Bomb down the hill, then try to hold on to the finish.  There are few little rollers near the end to make things fun.  It is definitely a tough course!

The uphill and downhill over the first half of the race tired my legs out.  I used every mental trick I could think of over the second half to just keep running when I wanted nothing more than to slow down and walk.  I knew that going under an hour was going to be tough so I just kept telling myself that every second counted and that I couldn’t give in to the desire to let up.

When I made the final turn to the finish I dug deep for the last kick to the finish.  Oh boy that hurt!!

I crossed the line at 1:00:44.  Neil, my mother-in-law and my friend Kelly was there cheering at the finish!

It could be easy to lament over those 45 seconds and wonder if I could have found some extra speed to come in under an hour.  I know I raced my hardest though and I’m so happy with my effort.  I really worked on the mental aspect of my race to push through.

After the race it was off to enjoy the amazing post race brunch (eggs, waffles, sausage, ham, muesli, fresh fruit, pasties, hash browns) and to hang out for the draw prizes.  They had some great prizes to give away including two bikes and a trip for two on West Jet.  No luck with the draw prizes for me though!  When I got home I would have loved a nap but instead I tried to be smart and get on my bike for a super easy 30 minute recovery spin.

Great things about this race?  A beautiful (but tough) course that is unique to this race, a phenomenal post race brunch, great draw prizes, a solid effort and just the right amount of Body Glide to prevent chaffing from my heart rate monitor.

The one thing I wish I had done differently?  Grabbed a photo with Neil and my mother-in-law at the finish!  It was so nice that they were there at the end to cheer and I’m sad I missed that opportunity.

Tell me about your favourite post race food spread!