BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Marathon runner Karen Carvell-Cowling is charging her way up
the Ontario rankings.
Recently, the 40-year-old took first place, for women, in the
Wineglass Marathon in Corning, New York.
She set a determined pace for the 42.2-kilometre event, stuck
to it, and crossed the finish line with a sizzling time of
2:55.40.
"This result means that I currently have the fastest Female
Master time in Canada," said the former Capreol High School
graduate. "I think being the fastest Female Master runner is
quite an accomplishment and it's very rewarding to be so fit at
40. Overall, I am the 12th ranked female runner in Canada. The
rankings mean just as much to me...With this last race, I was
able to move from 21st to 12th."
Her time and place of finish meant the world to
Carvell-Cowling.
"I was able to achieve what I wanted to in this race," said the
runner. "My goal was to be close to my personal best time and
to rank well. I knew going into the race it would likely be my
last race for the 2006 rankings and I didn't want to put the
season away with any regrets or disappointments. I trained
really hard all summer and did several time trials at a shorter
distance. These trials indicated that my fitness level was
where it needed to be...not only did I meet my goal, but I
actually surpassed it and ran a personal best time."
Carvell-Cowling has been an avid marathon runner over the
years. In May, she ran and finished as the top female in the
London Marathon. She described it as her "comeback" marathon,
after being out of the sport to deal with repetitive injuries
for close to two years. In the past, Carvell-Cowling has won
the Toronto marathon, as well as had strong showings in Quebec
events.
"I now feel that I am back in the game," said the Cambrian
College dental assistant student. "I went through two years of
trying to gather and regroup both mentally and physically and
feel I have now achieved it. I have a true passion for
marathons and will continue to strive to better myself. Ron
Henning, also from Sudbury and a runner...has really helped me.
He pushes me to a higher level of training."
Carvell-Cowling is going to relax over the next few months in
her own way.
"Perhaps a winter holiday to the south this February...to run a
marathon," said Carvell-Cowling about her immediate future
plans. "I am not sure yet. If not, I will run in the spring for
sure. Running has been a part of my life and is something I
love to do."
