Prince Edward County Marathon 2007

Hi!, what a pleasure to see April and Melanie in Prince Edward Co. I highly recommend this race. Mel ran with me at the 10km for a couple of km. I was very happy to see her thanks Mel. And nice to see April too. Nice massage set up, eh!
I loved running this course. Such a pretty place. Here is my short story... We stayed at my friend's cottage and visited with him too, on his farm, just 10km north of Wellington on Lake Consecon. Kids loved it and the Pumpkin fest was fun. Elise had a cough for a few days that sounded like her pneumonia [which stopped her from visiting at the ENDURrun 06]. Her short anticipated wait at emerg in Picton turned out to be 6hours. So we ate late at my friend's farm and had a nice sleep at the cottage. Got to race at 7:30, got chip, left it in the van, went to the port-a-potties a couple of times then went back to get my chip 5min before race only to discover Elise moved the van - couldn't find it. Much stress. Got info from truck baggage guy that chips were still at the location 200m from start line. Nope, moved to start line in van. Fortunately my friend Dave Brooks [a-la roadraceresults.com] was the chip timer guy who i had unexpectedly bumped into just when i arrived at race. Run to Dave 1 min before start. told him i had no chip, he instantly checks a chart and gives me a chip. i step into the start line. i couldn't find my watch before this weekend, and a watch lent to me by a guelph friend had dead batteries that morning. my goo was still in my clothing bag 25m after the start line. i didn't know where elise and kids were. so, 30seconds later race started and i off i was, only to stop after 25m to grab my goo bottle from bag. elise was there now. So... now i am running down town with the other runners. it was nice weather and cool. the town had a few locals cheering and peering, but about 35 people had pulled out quickly and were ahead of me. So, with no watch, and just wondering what to do, i settled into a good pace that was a little faster, but thought i could run without stopping for 41 more km. at 3km a guy told me 12:40, so quick for me, but i decided to be my own personal experiment and kept the pace. I saw elise and the kids around 5km. as i mentioned, i had the supprise of seeing mel. At 12km in bloomfield mel left and family again. It was very cool since in Wellington, Bloomfield, and other towns the town bell was ringing. nice touch. i went through 21.1 at 1:30:10 and realized that i had a good time, but i deserved to get tired up ahead. Through Sandbanks Provincial Park, but not on the dunes. Now towards Picton. At 30km i was starting to get tired but i decided that i would just push and then slow when i had to. By 38km i slowed quite a bit, but i just pushed to maintain my slow pace. Through Picton there were a few locals cheering which was nice, a very pretty town. The last km stretch to the Crystal Palace was nice. One guy obviously tired like me had crept up to me and eventually passed me. I guess it would be like watching to old turtles at a break-neck sprint to the finish. I crossed at 3:11 and my legs were pretty tired. My toes were no doubt going to be nasty too. A volunteer offered two salt tabs. Thanks. I got some water and gatoraide, then ready for massage. A very nice [pretty] volunteer took me to the massage "shed" along with big daughter Emma, Elise, Jacob, and Issy. I finished 19 place, so when i "walked" into the shed, i was amazed to see 25 massage tables just waiting for me. I got a very good 25 minutes!! image that after any other marathon. I felt much better, but i knew that my legs were going to be sore for a while. Elise was still feeling pretty sick. We went into the Crystal Palace since Barley Days Brewery was a sponsor. What a nice supprise to learn that Mel and April's brother in law works there. Such a noble job. Good beer too. Nearly like an IPA. some music, some drink, some food. And I was ready to go. We had to pack up at the cottage, say a final goodbye to Andy and Bridgette, and thank them for the use of the cottage. I am definately going to be returning next year, but i just wish that i was able to run the Toronto marathon too, which was on the same day.
Having just run the Run for the Toad 50km trail run two weeks before, a 1/2 trail race 3 weeks ago- [placed 3rd - 5 Peaks event], then this, my legs have been in need of repair. so, i shall be taking some running time off now, maybe a month or so. then starting back in easy maintenance end of Nov.

Guelph Bear

Guelph Bear
Here is my newest website celebrating the Guelph begging bear, in front of the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, University of Guelph. Send me your photos from your camera or cell phone and i'll post them!
duke chris @ gmail dot com

chris d