6 Seconds from Glory

If you're are wondering what is with the new look of the webpage, it's because "THIS MEANS WAR." Today's race has added not just a little fuel to the fire, no no, it has dumped a barrel of gasoline on that fire. Here are the only results that matter from the 10k in Dundas, ON Today:

1	Fred Karanja	Kenya	917		1 Top Fin	32:39.9	32:40.0
2	Frank Sorbara	Thornhill	890	M	1/5 20-24	32:45.0	32:45.0

One dream that I have had since I started distance running was to beat the best at the sport. Quite simply no country in the world has ever dominated any discipline like the Kenyans have dominated distance running. So many factors play a role in this dominance, but whatever the reason for it may be, I still want to beat them using the skills I have - my main weapon being my absolute desire to be the best. I really wish there were someone video taping this race because damn was it entertaining. According to my Dad who took me along, it was a very dramatic race from a spectators point of view. Got to the race around 7:40 - didn't have the greatest warm-up that I would have liked to have had not because there wasn't time but because I spent most of my time trying to learn from the race organizer what was quite a complex little course. The course starts with 2 laps around the Dundas Driving Park (on the road) then a 3-4k loop out of the park into town, then back into the park for another lap around the park, back to the 3-4k loop around town, then finishing coming into the park for one more lap. Basically, "Hold on, say that again," Frank says with some concern to the race director. So as confused as I was, and a bit concerned of what my time may be like considering I didn't realize we were running in the foothills of the niagara escarpment - literally getting in to the park almost made my throw up going up and down and around - I thought JUST RUN and the time will be what it is in the end. 

I'd say I look pretty serious. Man those are nice shoes.

Gun sounded, and I was in the lead as expected. Almost half of the first lap in I thought - don't really hear anyone behind me, nice, should be a solid win. Then all of a sudden some guy passes me like I was even moving (while I was running at 3:11/km pace) and practically gave me a heart attack because I was not expecting any real challenge. Turns out this guy must have signed up last night, or in the morning, and is a ringer from Kenya. Well, okay now the race is back on. I caught back up to him and took back my lead. He was obviously a smart and experienced racer because as I led he ran so close behind me could practically feel him breathing down my neck. If I learned anything from this race it was how important positioning is - just foreshadowing what is too come. 

On my tail like a bear on honey.

Back to the race Fred and I were flying throught the course - the surprisingly huge crowd of spectators were really getting into the race and you could tell by the announcer's voice she was very excited to see what was shaping up to be such a competitive and entertaining race. Me and Fred ran neck and neck from about 3-4k but I retook the lead with a formula one like turn around the pylon at the turnaround back to the park. I took such a good turn (maybe because of my wide reciever days during recess back in grade 6 - lol) I made a 15 meter gap or so between me and Fred. At this point I thought briefly to myself ya this guy probably just some kid trying to sprint the first few kilometers to look good in front of the crowds - oo never mind hes back on my tail, crap run faster. We had slowed to 3:18/k on the 2k uphill, and really slowed to 3:20/km on the 5th split back into the park as you must go up a steep incline. Here's where the race takes a bit of a turn - Fred grabs the lead and starts to build a gap. My legs just weren't feeling as great as I hoped, and at this point I was getting pretty down on myself, and thinking maybe just wasn't my day. Fred's lead grew a little more to maybe 100m. At this point we are on the 6-7th split on the uphill again and I am started to think second is okay let's just run our own race now. But wait -- Fred looks like he may be feeling a little of the effects from that hill -- Frank this is your only chance close this gap. Run, Run, Run. 75, 60, 50, 40, 30, 25, 15, 10, 5, and we've passed him. SOB we got him, now put the pedal to the metal and run like you've never ran before. A 3:04 split. Now here's the plan at 8.5 kilometers I am going to shake Fred off my tail with an almost all out 250m sprint. Here we go, spprrriiinnntttt. "Did we get him?" - Nope still on my tail as if nothing ever happened. Still in my shadow. On the way back into the park I think Fred has got this race and relay this message to my Dad standing on the side by just shaking my head. I knew it because I had just given everything I had there and could not shake him. But hold on, holy smokes I'm still leading and there is less then 1k to go. 800, 700, 600, 500, 400. Get ready going to kick it pretty soon. He is running so close behind my back I can't see what he is doing, when he is going to try to sprint for the line. 250 meters left: let's rip it, start my almost all out sprint. But still can't see Fred and there we were finish line just 50 or so meters left and Fred bolts past me. Before my brain can process it it's too late and I didn't make too much of an effort to come back because it was just too late, too sudden, too absolutely demoralizing (especially since I have never been passed in the final 100m of a race - sprinting is one of my fortes). I crossed the line in a PB (well it's my first 10k ever so ya PB i guess) in 32:45. 

Lots of lessons to be taken from this defeat, about positioning, finishing kick timing, attacking the lead, defending the lead, and so on, but one thing I definitely accomplished from this race is that it was the most fun I've had in years. 

Next up: Run for the Grapes Half Marathon in St. Catherines.