Cedar 12k 2020 Race Report

The Cedar 12k, which took place on February 9, was the third event that’s part of the VIRA Island Race Series.

For those of you who don’t know, back in 2013, the Cedar 12k was my very first VIRA Island Race Series event, which got me hooked. Ever since then, I looked forward to the Cedar 12k (and other races in this fun run series) every year.

When I wrote the course preview for this year’s Cedar 12k, I shared some tips on how to have a good race because I want everyone to enjoy it as much as I do (or even moreso).

The moment I got up on race morning, I decided that I was going to have a good day. The weather looked pretty good and I decided to stick to a tank top and shorts. It’s my favorite outfit for racing.

In the morning, before I left the house, I drank some Axio and had some toast with Fatso Peanut Butter. I took a banana with me so I could have something to eat a bit closer to the race.

The drive to the race was very peaceful. I felt relaxed and calm. For the first time in a while, I was not thinking about any problems that I have yet to solve and was only focused on having a good time. When I say “having a good time”, I don’t mean what you see on RaceDay Timing, I mean “running for the joy of it and remembering why I’m so passionate about it.”

I ditched my Garmin because I decided I was going to “run by feel”, which is something I plan to do for the rest of the series. Then, when it was time to make our way to the start line, I got a bit cold. However, I knew that once we all started running, I would warm up.

When the race started, I used every ounce of will not to start too fast. I held back and settled into a comfortable pace that I would run for the first 2km. I had no idea how fast I was going but the pace felt good.

As one of my friends (Steve the Running Cowboy) was passing me within the first 2km, I cracked a joke at him as he ran by. He was definitely going at a good pace and I wanted to see how close I would get to him as the race progresses.

After the 2km mark, I passed a few people and picked up the pace a little bit and. I proceeded to the turnaround steadily and evenly.

For a brief moment, I thought I was getting tired, but then I quickly snapped out of it. Instead, I decided to focus on quick foot turnover, keeping my arms close to my body, slight forward lean and spending less time on the ground with each stride. With each stride, I felt stronger and stronger.

Cedar 12k 2020 on the way out. I did a bit of a reset with my arm position and form. The gentleman beside me is very inspiring and was very good to run with for pacing. Photo by Ken DeEll

I also focused on my breathing, cadence and on visualizing accomplishing some of my bigger goals (which I have not shared on social media). I imagined myself reaching those goals and passionately sharing the steps that got me there while not focusing on how many obstacles I still have to overcome.

After the turnaround, I was completely lost in good thoughts. I don’t even think I realized I was still running the race until I accidentally passed some random young guy (I have no clue who he was) a bit too closely (but did not touch him). He did not take it well and got angry at me, so I apologized and kept going. Then, a few seconds later, he angrily sprinted past me and gave me a look of disgust. I did not react and proceeded at an even pace, which was slightly faster than I was doing before the turnaround.

I have to say, that this is the first time in almost 10 years of running in the Island Series events that I have ever experienced someone getting angry at me for passing too closely or anything like that. Yes, I could have (and should have) passed a bit wider but there is no need to get angry.

I’ve raced all over the world and in some of the bigger events in the USA and Europe, I’ve been pushed into water stations, had my heels stepped on, got elbowed in the chest, shoved into crowds of volunteers, and much more all for the sake of someone potentially shaving a few seconds off their time. So, I definitely have a lot more tolerance for these things at races and I never react emotionally to anything that goes on.

Shortly thereafter, I ended up catching that guy again, but this time, as I calmly passed him, I made sure to pass with at least 3m (about 10 feet) between us and then never saw him again for the rest of the day.  I have no idea where he finished.

Once I got to the 8k mark, I saw a couple of my friends ahead of me by about a minute. I became fixated on trying to catch them because I knew that we had less than 4km to go.

As I picked up the pace, I started to think good thoughts again and began to lose track of how far we still have to go.

Focused on some good thoughts. Photo by Lois DeEll

The next thing I know, I was turning right onto Cedar Rd, which would be the 2nd to last turn before the finish. I saw the 11km marker right away and picked it up. I had to be mindful of the traffic on Cedar Road but kept a good pace going.

Then, a military friend of mine caught up to me with about 600m to go and he kept encouraging me to pick up the pace. I sped up a little bit and he passed me just before we took the last turn onto Gould Road. With the finish line in sight, I sped up, but was not able to pass my friend as we made our way across the line.

Coming up to the finish line of the Cedar 12k 2020. Photo by Sean Sherstone. Sean also took the rest of the photos that are in the “featured image” up top, where I made a composite of the pics that Sean took of me at the finish.

I ended up placing 2nd in my age group, 8th out of 214 females overall and finishing in 51:49, which is an average of 4:19 per km (6:56 per mile). I am shocked and overjoyed that I was able to cut another 5 seconds per km compared to the Cobble Hill 10k, where my pace was 4:24 per km.

The Cedar 12k 2020 medal for getting 2nd place in my age group! This will be a great addition to my wall. 🙂

Considering that this year started with one of my slowest 8k races ever in the first week of January, where I struggled to hold a sub 4:30 per km pace, I’m extremely happy to see this kind of improvement.

I’m also very excited to see that my client Howard ran yet another great race. His pace at the Cedar 12k was better than the Cobble Hill 10k and I’m extremely happy with the progress he has been making.

My client Howard looking fresh after a great performance at the Cedar 12k.

Overall, it was a great day!!

The next race in the VIRA Island Series is the Hatley Castle 8k on February 23. Stay tuned for my race preview and tips! I have something very special up my sleeve for Hatley Castle. 😉