The 8 km cross country race was brutal.  Temperatures were very high (roughly 30 degrees) with strong winds – apparently about 50 km/hr.  However, the wind did help to cool us down somewhat.  I don’t like seeing people collapsing at races and there was too much of this – particularly with the women’s race that started at 2:30 pm.  Some of the women coming in after me were literally hitting the ground face first when they crossed the finish line – some were crawling over the finish (too hot and not enough water!)  It made for a very trying race.  Hopefully the half-marathon on Sunday will be much better – at least it starts at 7 in the morning so the temperature should be much better!

The above picture is of the group of us – runners, support crew and a race walker – all from St. Albert!

While here we have been trying to see some of the other events.  In fact, in the mornings we tend to take our drinks and muffins over the the track and watch some of the events there.  The other day we were watching the men’s 80 to 84 years, 800 meter race.  These men were absolutely incredible – limber, fast and certainly did not look their age at all!  In fact, a Canadian won the race that morning – Earl Fee  with a time of 2:49:50.  I’m sure you won’t see this Earl  but congratulations – you were totally awesome!  Went online to look up where Earl was from and found the following page about Earl – take a peek!

http://petemagill.blogspot.com/2009/04/earl-fee-interview.html

Seeing the athletes at the Masters is really quite inspiring – hope I’m still able to do this when I’m their age!