Back to Montreal...

I did Montreal 24 hours relay race 2 years ago. I was in the winning team in elite category. All I remember about that race was tough and tough. I was so weak at that time and the slowest skater in my team, it was so really hard race mentally and physically. This year I skated in the team which belongs to recreational category. Most of members are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s from TISC(Toronto Inline Skating Club). There wasn't much pressure to win and our team was supposed to support Eric's solo skating at some point which we did. Human being is very greedy sometimes. It was fun and enjoyable race but, on the other hand, I wanted to compete and push myself. All members weren't serious about winning and did what they could do, so I didn't feel like I was racing. Basically, I took it easy and sometimes I pushed myself to break my time. In general, I just enjoyed skating on the surprisingly smooth F1 track.

It rained and stopped on and on most of time on Saturday. Track was wet all night and I had to skate in the puring rain a couple of times. Skating in the rain itself isn't bad but we got completely soaked after skating in the rain and had to put on soaked skates again after a break. It isn't a good feeling at all.

Our team consisted of 8 members. Each skater skated one lap and took a little more than an hour break while other 7 skaters skated. We divided into two sub-groups to get some sleep at night. I was in the first shift. For some reasons, I did 2 laps of skating twice during the night shift. It was hard but okay. After finishing our shift till 2 am. I cleaned the bearings and got two hours of sleep. As soon as I opened my eyes, I looked up the sky. It was clear. Even though, I got exhausted, I was so happy about the weather because I didn't need to skate in the rain any more. Sunday skating went well till the last turn.


< approaching to the relay zone >

For some reasons, I was an anchor to finish the race. When I got the baton from Calra, it was at 12:42 pm. I was supposed to skate till 1 pm. My time for one lap was 9 minutes something, so I thought I needed to skate for just two laps. I slowed down at first because I had to do two laps. "Kevin, pick it up~". It was Nick, who I skated with at RSO #2, passing me. I knew it was his final lap, he was doing his best. Pace was a little tough but I followed him and we pulled each other. I think it was pretty fast lap for me, could be 8 minutes something. He exchanged with his teammate and I had to keep going.


< With Nick >

I tried to chase his teammate but I was already tired. So, I just let him go and skated by myself. When I approached to the finish line, I checked my watch. I slowed down and waited for 1 pm. I passed the finish line at 1:01. I thought I was done skating. "Kevin, one more lap", I heard Richard cheering me up. Oops, I had to do one more lap. I forgot my watch is 2 minutes faster than normal. I should not have skated with Nick. It was late to regret, so I got to skate 3 laps for the last turn. I was dying but it turned into an awesome experience.


< The last lap >

I broke the my personal time and got hi-five from many skaters when I finished the race. It was really really awesome. The skaters standed on the both sides of the track and gave hi-five to finishers. I was one of them having chearing and hi-five.

I didn't win anything at this race but was so happy about myself finishing the 24 hours relay race and closing the race with the awesome experience.
I am not sure I can do it again next year at this moment, but I am quite sure that it is so worth it to try.


< After the race with TISC Skaters >