![\"IMG_4565](\"http:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_4565-Reduced-e1471976638530.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAugust is now entirely about trail running. \u00a0It is also possible that it is my time to have a mid-life crisis, though in a wonderful way. \u00a0Right now I have no desire to play it safe; I want to try new things, challenge my perception of my personal boundaries and enjoy whatever the moment brings. \u00a0Perhaps that is why the week before the MEC trail race earlier this month I changed my entry from the 20k race to the 31k race. \u00a0My theory was that since there was a 50k taking place, the volunteers would not be waiting just for me to finish\u00a0in order\u00a0to go home. \u00a0I had never done such distance on trails, nor had I ever done so much elevation change. \u00a0For perspective, according to Garmin Connect, there was 548m of gain, compared to 87m at Around the Bay – which is considered a hilly road course! \u00a0Needless to say I was sloooooow, but thoroughly enjoyed myself.<\/p>\n
<\/a>An encouraging sign at the MEC race!<\/p><\/div>\n
This past weekend I took part in the i2P trail race, also in Gatineau Park. \u00a0My mid-life crisis need to push the boundaries continued. \u00a0When I originally signed up it was for the 23k. \u00a0Of course once I had done the 31k MEC race it seemed to make sense to change it to 36k. \u00a0Then I thought why not do the 10k with my 11-year-old on\u00a0the Saturday as a “warm up” for the long Sunday run? \u00a0And finally, if I was doing 36, really, why not go for the 50? \u00a0Yep, that is the way my brain is working these days!<\/p>\n
So Saturday morning the whole family was up at 5 am to head to the race. \u00a0Mike and Evan were registered for the 12.5 more technical course and Luke and I did the rolling hills and wide tracks of the 10k. \u00a0Luke and I hiked the bigger hills and kept a fairly steady pace throughout the rest of the course. \u00a0Running with Luke was a pure pleasure – if I can maintain half of his positive attitude throughout a run I will be doing well. \u00a0He was shocked when we were approaching the end, he said it didn’t feel that long at all. \u00a0Honestly, when I was 11 years old I think I just would have cried if someone had made me run for an hour! \u00a0The first thing he said when we picked up our dog tags was, “That was so fun!”<\/p>\n
Shortly after, Mike crossed the finish, having run an excellent pace on the 12.5 course. \u00a0And then Evan finished, a big grin on his face too. \u00a0As expected, he loved the technical parts of the trail. \u00a0What a great family event!<\/p>\n Sunday I was up again and ready for a long run. \u00a0Despite being able to see the Gatineau Hills from my living room window, it is a long drive to get to a bridge to cross into Quebec and then on to the race site. \u00a0As the drive continued the sky darkened and right about when I parked the car the rain started to come down. \u00a0I have heard a few trail runners say rainy days are actually the best, it seemed this would be the day to test that theory out.<\/p>\n This was a mostly self-supported race, though water was offered at the start line (which you stopped at to check in 2 times on the 50k course) and at 3 other locations. \u00a0The parking was \u00a0very close to the start, which meant you could keep any extra supplies in your car where they stayed nice and dry. \u00a0The 50k involved three legs; a 23k out and back, a 12.5 loop and a final out and back that had my Garmin showing a total of 51.8k. \u00a0The first leg was made of wide paths, rolling hills and a couple of steep climbs if I remember correctly. \u00a0The second loop had a technical section that was quite the mixture of mud, water and rock. \u00a0Let’s just say I did rather a lot of hiking in that section as my technical skill are still minimal at best. \u00a0The final leg was non-technical, though I did far more hiking than running in this section. \u00a0Overall, it was the perfect course for someone new to trail ultras. \u00a0And by the way – rain is wonderful while trail running! \u00a0I stayed cool, there were no bugs and the sound of the rain in the trees was beautiful.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n