BEEP BEEP!

A brief chinook blew over Calgary for one day last week, causing the streets to perspire a city-wide fog as any remnants of snow melted away. Reaching +10C, it was pleasant enough to go for a run outside. Just my good fortunes, the moment I stepped inside, the wind started howling. This was followed by hard rain. Then it became snow. The one day relief was quickly forgotten as the citizens were made aware of the dozens of fender-benders that occured during the night. It was as if the city shed the old snow, like a layer of unwanted skin, only to replace it with a thicker, more brilliant layer. The temperatures went back down to -8C. SO WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I DECIDED TO RUN IN AN OUTDOOR RACE THIS WEEKEND?

The Calgary Road Runners organize a cross country grand prix, a series of 10 races throughout the winter, at various venues in and around Calgary. This weekend's stop was at Edworthy Park, a place where I had trained regularly for last year's marathon. But, I have always shied away from running outdoors in the wintertime, always finding myself spending more energy in trying to keep myself from slipping than enjoying the run itself. My only experiences with trails have been of the hiking variety, but I know that if I'm not paying attention, a protruding rock or mischievous tree root can lead to instant ankle turning. So, whenever I'm on a trail, I'm constantly spotting my next step, rarley looking up to take in the view. SO WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I DECIDED TO RUN IN AN OUTDOOR RACE THIS WEEKEND, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE A WINTERTIME CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE?!

There were a couple of different courses in this race. I signed up for the 8km, but there was also a 4km and a kid's 1km. The kids ran first, sporting a crowded field of 3. The first (and eldest) runner took off like a jack rabbit and finished strong. The other two, a brother-sister team, had to contend with shorter legs, so their pace was a little slower. The (younger) brother got off to a quick start but had to rest on a rock half way through. At the end, the two were running side by side. The older sister's hair was matted against her face, stuck on by a smattering of snow and tears. Apparently, some curious dogs in the dog park thought that she was interested in playing with them and approached her with much enthusiasm, which caused her to trip. The younger brother, wearing a Winnie-The-Pooh toque (with large googly eyes on the top) was trying to console his sister, and ended up tripping on a rock with less than 10m to go from the finish line. So, now they were both wailing and grasping for their father's leg. Truly, a touching finish.

Prior to the "bigger kids" getting to run, we had a mini Remembrance Day ceremony. Some brave soul took out her trumpet and played The Last Post. It was amazing because this park, crowded with runners, supporters, dog walkers and dogs all of a sudden became silent and the only thing that was heard was the trumpet. Even the cars on the nearby major thoroughway seemed to hold still. There was a moment of silence and then she proceeded to play Reveille. Though we were all in our running attire, no one was fidgeting to stay warm. It was as if the temperature had warmed up just a comforting bit for that special moment.

Well, not to waste the trumpeter's ability to play in tune and loudly, she also set us off with a "CHARGE" anthem to start the race. The details of the race itself are pretty benign: a 4km loop that I did twice, each loop bookended by a steep downhill scamper and an even steeper uphill switchback struggle. At the end, I finished strong, but was breathing pretty hard. Thankfully, no spills, no turned ankles. But, lots of smiling faces at the finish as I think everyone was high on endorphins. Unlike a lot of other races that are organized for a larger scale, there was no timing chip. Instead, as each of us crossed the finish line, we received a popsicle stick with a number on it. We then had to go to a van that was parked nearby and hand in the numbered popsicle stick, telling them what our name is. This non-technological way of time keeping is efficient and in having to queue up to hand in the popsicle sticks, I had a good conversation with a fellow runner!

To cap this brilliant day off, we were all invited to go to a nearby community centre for a post race gathering. What I experienced was truly community: we all took off our shoes so as not to track in snow and dirt into this borrowed place; runners of all shapes and sizes were warming their tummies with delicious soup that was prepared by cheerful volunteers; strangers sitting around wooden tables sharing their running experiences; people bringing home-made desserts a la pot luck style to share with everyone; encouraging each other on with a final farewell of "see you at next race!"












Just before the end of the first loop.












STABILICERS oversoles, so as to be better prepared for the next race.