The Promise

By Dylan Wykes

By InnerVoice

December 3^rd, 2018

My Promise

I finished 23rd at the 2018 Canadian Cross-Country Championships in Kingston. It's been nine years since I last raced this event. On paper, it was my worst finish ever, but for me, it's my most memorable.

Many years ago, Steve Boyd told me he wanted to host the Nationals in Kingston, at the time he was starting to gain momentum with his club, Physi-Kult.

His idea was a pipe dream.

I promised him that if he ever brought the event to our hometown that I'd race. Steve, true to his word has hosted the race for the last four years, and 2018 was the finale. I hadn't lined up in the preceding three years...I had a promise to keep.

I wasn't nearly as fit as I'd like to be leading into a national championships. My coach, Richard Lee from BC Endurance gave me what I dubbed the 'devilish combo' training plan. Six weeks of training, 60 miles a week in 6 runs, with 6 hours of sleep/night.

I was happy with what I was able to achieve in that period, and I was convinced I could have a decent result; top 20 if the stars aligned.

A special day

It was a special day, in my hometown, with so many people who have helped shape the person I am today on the sidelines cheering and watching.

My family was there, Francine and our two girls, my parents, and 3 of the four coaches I've had throughout my career: Dave Grant, Steve Boyd and Rich Lee (unfortunately my university coach Ray Treacy was not present).

It was incredible to see so many friends from the K-Town running community, a few of my Mile 2 Marathon athletes, and several BC Endurance guys and gals whom I've mentored over the years.

FOcus

On the day, Rich gave me some advice. I should mention, Rich is a man of few words, so when he speaks, you listen.

Race day instruction from Rich has been limited over the years, even at the Olympics and other key races. We've operated so well together that quite often nothing needs to be said. We both know what needs to be done, and how to do it.

But on this day, his advice was 'FOCUS'.

We both knew I wouldn't be in the race the way I am used to at this event, and that my motivation might quickly slip. I'd need to stay focused the entire race to have a good result. It might just be the best pre-race advice he has given me — the least consequential, but maybe the most appreciated.

The race itself was a fucking slog. There were several occasions when I looked ahead at the chase pack and said to myself, 'you should be there, that's where you belong'.

It was this weird out of body experience where I could picture myself running with these guys, contending for the top spots, just like I was nine or 10 years ago. Physically it just wasn't happening.