5/4/2019

Sweat Now Wine Later.

2 mile kayak and 2.5 mile run race

Gervasi Vineyard Canton, Ohio

Finish Time:  32:35

Overall Place:  1st Place / 383

Race recap by Scott Orlando.

I look forward to this race every year because it includes 3 of my favorite things:  kayaking, running and wine.  Last year I finished 2nd overall using a kayak paddle with a backward facing blade.  This year my goal was to run a clean race and win.  Not running for three weeks leading up to the race due to a metatarsal injury I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to compete.  Warming up my foot felt fine so I decided to go for it.  The race starts with a quick run to the creek where a randomly selected kayak and paddle are waiting for you.  I believe I hopped into one of the heaviest and oldest kayaks being used and was given what was definitely the heaviest paddle I have ever used.  I knew I would have to rely on all of my kayaking skills and experience to paddle a fast kayak leg if I wanted to give myself a chance at winning.  The creek was a little faster then last year but still had some shallow spots.  I hit bottom a few times and had to push off using my hands.  Reading the creek was essential for a fast kayak leg.  Missing your line surely meant lost time being stuck on rocks.  I had a clean fast transition to the run.  I quickly felt the results of not running for 3 weeks!  My foot felt fine but I was really sucking wind trying to maintain a race pace.  As hard as I tried, I just couldn’t get to a typical race pace.  Crossing the midpoint of the run passing the kayak start area I heard the race organizer over the PA call my name as I made it down the trail.  He announced ” Folks take a look at the running trail and you will see Scott Orlando.  He is one of the best on the course and is likely to be in the top five.”  This gave me a boost of energy and made me push even harder.  I finished the run as best I could hoping it would be fast enough.  I was surprised that my finish time was 3 minutes faster then last year.  I knew I had beaten last year’s winning time but I didn’t know if would be fast enough to win.  The race is done in heats starting at 9:00 am with the last heat starting at 1:30 pm.  It wasn’t until early evening that results were finalized and I found out I was the winner.  Steve, Lisa, and everyone at Run Canton once again did an amazing job organizing the event.  Everyone received nice tech shirts, custom wine stopper finisher medals and a $10 voucher for food or beverages at Gervasi.