Brrrrrrrrr

Blizzard Run is appropriately named because it was freezing out.  At least -21C with the wind chill factored in.  At the start line my toes hurt from cold and my legs were starting to numb.

This Ile Bizard course is always tough for several reasons:

1. It's the first race of the season
2. It's always ridiculously cold and can be icy
3. There are a lot of hills (the first kilometre is all up hill)

As I stood there at the start line I started to question my sanity to get up early to stand out in the cold, toes feeling as though they may turn black and fall off, and legs yelling at me for not being at home wrapped in my favourite sweat pants.  Then, the starting pistol fired and we were off.  I felt strong the entire time and although I never expected to break any records on this course, I was pleased with my results.  I felt strong, and I finished strong refusing to let someone pass me in the final 200 meters...

 

 
Over nine minutes off my first time racing this course all the way back in 2011 and almost a full five minutes off of my time from last year.  I crossed the finish line in 31:22:4 knowing that under better conditions, and a different course, maybe, just maybe, I could have broken into the twenties.