Oceanside 10K

I've fallen so far behind on my race reports that I've decided I'll have to do very abbreviated ones until I get caught up.

After running the 5 Peaks race in Golden Ears Park, and the 800meters at the Q Track Meet in Victoria, I drove up to Parksville and on Sunday morning, May12th, I competed in the Oceanside 10K. My pal Steve Draginda was waiting for me when I arrived at the Parksville Curling Rink, and we went through where they had the food already set up and out the back doors to get our race numbers, and I told him about this being my third race of the weekend.

At 11 AM we took off from the cul de sac up the road from the rink.

We ran along the residential roads, crossing a bridge just before the 2K mark, and then hitting the 500 meter hill, not overly steep, but long enough to slow us all down considerably. After reaching the top we turned down a slope on a tree lined road, picking up speed as our legs recovered, and a few hundred meters later were directed into a park.

We ran along a gravel path for awhile, and then it turned to asphalt. After a lot of running in the park we exited it up a short but very steep hill, and then it was back over the bridge again.

Now there were 2 kilometers to go and we were running down a straight road toward the finish. I slowly gained on a group of 3 guys who looked to be in their 30s, and by the time we were turning into the cul de sac again I was close behind 2 of them, as the third fellow had sped ahead. Suddenly the cheering grew loud and the banner at the finish line was in sight! With less than 200 yards to go we all sped up, and both guys kept looking back to see if I was gaining on them, but managed to beat me by a couple of seconds when all was said and done.

We congratulated each other on a good race, and then I heard the announcer say that I'd run three races that weekend, and thanking me for coming. He repeated this about 30 seconds later, and I wondered how he knew, as I'd only told Steve. Steve hadn't told anyone, so one of the volunteers must have overheard me telling him about it as I was getting my race number. Steve came across, saying he was very happy as he'd PBed, and we went to the rink to get some grub.

They had the usual great spread, and after loading up our plates we sat down with John Durkin, who I'd seen at many other Island races but was just meeting for the first time.

It wasn't long before we headed into the curling rink proper for the award ceremonies. Myself, Steve, and John ended up second in our age groups. They give medals for 1st place but only ribbons for 2nd and 3rd. They are nice ribbons though, and I've got 2 beautiful medals from the last 2 years so no complaints here!

It was the race director's birthday, and the young runners gathered round and we all sang Happy Birthday to him.

84 year old Jim McLean finished the race in just over an hour after having run the Vancouver Marathon Half the week before, and the race director gave a nice tribute to this amazing ageless athlete.

I had a ferry to catch, so soon after I got my award I bade Steve adieu and headed out, with another great experience in the books!

Official results show me finishing 14 of 184 overall, and 2 of 12 in my age group, with a time of 43:43. http://racedaytiming.ca/raceday-results?display=oceanside2013

My next endeavour was the Peach City 10K  on May 19 at 8 AM in Penticton.