Sunburn Solstice - Race Report
My last race was the United NYC Half Marathon in N2YC I did train for that but kept it low key since travelling to 🇺🇸 was tense and didn’t need the distraction.
I’m trying to remember exactly when I was “coerced” to join into this next crazy adventure and I know Liisa was the instigator 😏
I believe it was at the Parkrun and then was mentioned that ohh and Eunice is joining! I immediately drifted to so far back in 2019 “Season of Michelle” where it was another Happy Trails Racing event that I was to join them on out Ultra before we all hit the big 5️⃣0️⃣
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| 2019 Sticks and Stones when I had to drop out due to "Michelle" |
Well fast forward to this past weekend and yup it was an adventure. I could make excuses and tell you all the things that could have happened and never did, but to be honest I fell short of motivation and desire to run.
However I committed to this ultra relay and convinced Kiera to come and experience what a Eunice/Liisa adventure is all about. 🤪
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| As the sun was setting Kiera joined as I just finished my 9th lap and cheered us on. |
So Sunburn Solar is a unique trail adventure at Marydale Park in Hamilton. A looped course that’s part out and back with a turnaround back towards the asi station and transition zone. Idea is when the sun rises (5:39a) you take turns on the course and run a loop and the next runner goes. The runner can choose to do more than one loop as there are no rules as long as a member is put on the course. You run until sunset (9:03p) so the cutoff time is when the sun is down and you count all the laps and time done for the race.
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| Team LEEWD was re-dubbed Team LED😁 |
Race Day
4a was the alarm time! Well I was up at 3a and tossed and hoped to drift back. No dice! The time to meet was 4:30a at the hotel. I walked over to meet Liisa and Eunice and they also were up at 3a 😩
Literally this was going to be a long day. (15h23m to be exact)
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| Sunrise approaching as we setup Base camp/transition zone |
We arrived to the race site and Eunice was very prepared and had all the things to setup for base camp. There’s a story about the tent but we won’t go there.
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| Getting pumped up to race for 15 hrs + |
It seemed like we were the last to set up but more teams were showing up and if you’ve never experienced a trail race before then you have to try one of these.
Once we laid down some of our items it was almost start time so Liisa got ready and we saw her start as they counted down all the racers to head out on Lap 1.
It was nice as the sun rose and the official race had started. Eunice and I continued to setup everything else while Alissa was on course. Once we had most of the items setup we heard cheers as the first runners were coming in.
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| Transition Zone chatting |
So I was up next and we had to take the timing chip and hand it off as a baton and strap it to our ankle after each loop in the “transition” zone.
First km was nice pretty easy and flat for the most part. As soon as you started to get to km 2 this is where the rollers were and part of the out and back of the turnaround to head back towards the arch. Lots of single track along the way and elevation was between 195m to 206m all I know is some steep climbs. Ask my quads and calves! 🦵🏽
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| 1st Km |
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| Boardwalks at certain points of the trail |
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| 2 Km |
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| Turnaround and heading back into the humid trails |
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| 3Km |
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| Those little steps are a good sign |
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| Main Pavilion and almost to the transition zone |
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| Race Photos by Sue Sitki |
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| Race Photos by Sue Sitki |
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| Race Photos by Sue Sitki |
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| Race Photos by Sue Sitki |
Part way through the morning the day got warmer and threats of a thunderstorms were looming but never showed up. Some rain here and there but nothing significant. The odd part is starting at 5:39a and by 9a we were like it’s only another 12 hours! 🙄😳
We started compiling a grocery list once Kiera woke up and she came by before noon with items while I was out on the course.
Before Kiera showed up Liisa’s parents (Dave/Kellie) came by with supplies as well Kiera state to witness some of our shenanigans before she decided to head back out to explore Steeltown while we kept chasing our 🔁.
I personally found the air heavy and humid inside the trails but certain parts when you got to the roundabout and the areas of the lake the breeze was amazing. Also when you were not in the trail the base camps were quite pleasant with the breeze.
I’ll be honest the loops were a blur and our neighbouring camps were a blast of locals and maybe from surrounding areas.
We could have been the furthest to do this race. Of course we can admit to be the most under trained and unprepared team for the day. As Liisa would say “just have fun!”
As the day wore on and the 🕰️ kept ticking the time away. Eventually we came down to deciding on a game plan. So we all had 8 loops and the decision was do 9 and Eunice would go with me on my 9th and then we all do 10th together but I opted to stick with 9 as that is a lucky Asian🧧thing to end with.
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| Found the shower to rinse off and enjoyed the cool breeze |
😏 truth be told my legs were done. After 14+ hours and 34K I was ok with that number while the ladies ended with 10 and 37K and they are the endurance queens!
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| 10th and final lap for Team LED |
They were the perfect mindset for someone like me who knew when to push and when not to. I am in awe by their dedication to this race. I hope their legs recovered well. Until the next crazy 😜 adventure.
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| We did it! |
#MedalMonday #TrailRacing
