6:45:37 Gun
58/77 Overall and 46/57 Men
Second ultra of 2015 and sixth career ultra
First Ontario 50K
114.4 Miles raced in 2015
When I started to design my training plan for my spring focus race, Laurel Highlands Ultra (70.5), I had looked at the early races in the Ontario Ultra Series for good opportunities for some long training runs. The opening race of the series, Pick Your Poison 50K, looked like a great opportunity for some solid training.
Pre-Race. My goals for Pick Your Poison were relatively simple, most importantly getting time on my feet and getting in plenty of vertical climbing. My training over the winter had gone reasonably well, but as the cold temperatures had clamped down on the Toronto area at the start of February I had not gotten in quite as much mileage and trail runs as I would have liked. I was also looking to continue to work on developing my race day nutrition for the longer ultra's where it is so critical.
Race Day. With a 9am gun, it was an easy drive up on Saturday morning from Thornhill and I hit packet pick-up with plenty of time before the race. The race was held at Heights of Horseshoe Ski and Country Club which is part of Horseshoe Ski Resort just north of Barrie, Ontario. The course itself was based on a nominal 12.5K loop (although I found it ran a hair under 12K). It was largely double track/forest road with only a couple of K of single track. The first third of the course was relatively flat with one small creek crossing. Most of the course's 1075' of climbing per lap were in the back two thirds with four main climbs up and down the ski hill. Most of the single track was also in the back 2/3 providing a rolling experience on the valley wall. The course conditions were remarkably good, fast and dry with the course being very well marked. There was little mud, only a few damp sections and even though there were still a few spots on the slopes with machine made snow yet to melt, it was largely well packed. Race morning was cool, just below freezing but sunny and I found myself comfortable all day, although with some sleeves up/sleeves down depending shade and wind. I got off to a very good start and was able to take advantage of the downhill double track/road to get well spaced out. I was able to roll through the first lap very well in 1:21:59 and the second lap in 1:27:14. I slowed a little in the third lap, taking some time to get some photo's and refill bottles at the aid station taking 1:39:15 to get through the lap. I was largely happy with staying on my practice nutrition plan of a gel every 30 minutes with about 4 oz of Gatorade but I do need to do better at eating a bit more salty food along the way to balance off the sugars. I started off the fourth lap well, knocking down the opening third section with purpose but lost a few minutes when I needed to massage out a right leg cramp on the first climb. Unfortunately that was just the beginning of trouble as around 41.5K at the end of long hill, I rolled my right ankle, fell and suffered a moderate ankle sprain. After ten minutes of walking made it clear I wasn't going to walk this off and get running again, I settled in for a slow stroll back to the finish, crossing line at 6:45 with a final lap of 2:17:09. Garmin Connect file link for the day.
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| Still a little snow of the ski hill |
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| Only creek crossing |
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| Start of the final descent |
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| Second Hill Climb |
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| Midway through the first climb sequence |
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| End of the first loop coming down the ski hill Photo: Erin MacDonald Photography |
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| There was a little single track Photo: Erin MacDonald Photography |
Travel and Bling. Travel to the race from Toronto was easy as it's only 75 minutes north of Toronto. Race bling was a little different including a semi-tech T-shirt, Pick Your Poison Honey and the finisher's premium of Pick Your Poison technical socks.
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| Picky Your Poison Premiums |
Final Thoughts. Although the ending of the race was clearly not to my liking, I did achieve my goals going in: got plenty of time on the feet, got in over 4300' of climbing and got an opportunity to work my long ultra nutrition plan. Pick Your Poison 50K is small but very well organized race and an excellent way to kick off the Ontario Ultra season. I'm cautiously optimistic with some rest, plenty of ice and Motrin, I will still be able tackle the Mitten's Challenge this coming weekend with the Wisconsin and Kalamazoo marathons.
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