Oakville Half Race Report

The good...

I have the most wonderful children in the world.  After a few hard nights leading up to the race, the night before proved to be amazing for sleep.  Even my little Oliver gave me a break and slept very well.  The only sleep I missed out on was due to my own coughing and congestion.

My husband was home from work in plenty of time for me to leave for the race.  With him working nights before a race, it is always a bit of a gamble as to whether he is home on time.  Overtime always strikes when I have plans!

The weather was perfect.

I didn't get lost on my drive there.

When the race started, the adrenaline made me forget about my head cold and I felt like a normal person running.  I also tried to be super-conscious of my pace and didn't go out too fast.  (unfortunately, I found out later that "not too fast" may have been a bit faster than I should have done in my sick state--boo)

This course is one of my faces.  Lovely homes and neighbourhoods, lots of trees, flat, flat, flat.

As I ran along, I dreamed in my head about all of the possibilities of items I would buy later at Lululemon, which gave 15% off to racers at their Oakville location. yeee!


The Bad...

The line-ups for the port-potties where very long, and super stinky.  I haven't had a sense of smell in days, with exception of those stinky toilets.  Yick.

By the 10 mile marker, I started to ache.  My nose had started to run again, my face and ears were aching.  Even my teeth hurt.  I think the fact that I passed the parking lot where I had left my car at that point made it seem worse.  "I could just run off course and curl up in my car for a nap," crossed my mind more than once.

The last 5 miles were "character-building".  I watched my splits slow down, and people passed me.  Emotionally hard to take, but physically inevitable.  I just wanted to finish, grab my medal and banana and go home!


The Ugly...

The official race photos!  Nothing is more attractive in a photo than the pained mouth-breathing I displayed!


All in all, not my worst race.  I wish I had been feeling better to enjoy it a bit more.  It really is one of my favourite half marathons, as the organization, the people, and the scenery are fantastic.

Here are the numbers.  Not a PB, or even a course PB, but worth getting out there for sure...

overall: 140/715

gender: 29/321

age group: 6/50

chip time: 143:01

On a separate note...A year ago yesterday I ran the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.  I can't believe it has been a year already.  I have framed my medal and race bib and they are on display in Oliver's room, as he "ran" it with me :)




Happy Running

Twas the night before Race day...

My littlest sweetheart

I can't believe in just two short days my little man Oliver is going to be 6 months old.  Time flies when you're feeding/changing/loving little ones!  Oh, and having fun at the same time.

Tomorrow is my first half marathon since having the little guy, and if I must be honest, I pictured it all going down much different than it looks like it is going to tomorrow.  To start, said 6 month old is fighting an awful cold.  All week he has been up hundreds  several times throughout the night, and it is killing me slowly.  I would dream of more than an hour of sleep in a row if I could keep my eyes closed long enough.  Yes, yes, I have the best husband in the world, who is loving and supportive and always pacing the floor with me and the little one if need be, but he has been on night shift all week, so boo!  This causes my usual chipper self to suffer, I assure you.

If that wasn't enough to stress me out about this race, today (surprise, surprise) I was hit with the same cold bug.  Now I know why Oliver has been so miserable :(

Of course I have to run the race anyway. I just hope it doesn't end with me at the sidelines worrying about getting my timing chip back to the nice people at sportsats due to a DNF!

They say if you are sick, to drink lots of fluids.  They say if you are running a race you should drink lots of fluids.  They say if you are breastfeeding a baby you should drink lots of fluids.  I figure I should just tap an IV and settle in for the night!?

If I pull off this race tomorrow I will be so happy.  If I pull off this race tomorrow without the assistance of drugs I will be my own personal hero (kidding, really).

I am proud of myself though (insert sounds of my own horn tooting here) for racing my sixth race in the six months since having the baby.  I know that I am still building my running back into the running I want it to be, but hearing the gun go off tomorrow (perhaps that gun sound will help un-block the fuzzy ringing in my ears from this cold?) will help me to feel that I am on my way.

Elliott and Milo

Happy Running/Racing!

Back to School-year's Resolutions...

For me, September is really the start of a new year.  It is a time when everything is new.  School bags are fresh and clean looking, pencils are plentiful and everyone cares about being on-time and organized (at least for the time-being).  It is a time of starting new.  I just love that feeling of optimism that comes along with it!

With that said, it is time for me to create some resolutions...
Back in January I was pregnant, and there was a lot of snow on the ground, and I just really didn't feel like the goals I would create for myself would work for the entire year.  I was right.

My (running) goals for this shiny new school year are as follows:

- Continue getting out to Race.  Nothing is more motivating than a race in the not-so-distant future!  As the weather grows colder it will be more challenging to find races close to home, but even if I average one every month or so, it should be enough to motivate me.

- Get out to group tempo/track workouts regularly.  I love running with other faster runners.  It makes me push myself.  Since having this third baby it is easier to find excuses not to go.  I know they're just excuses though, so I have to just get in the car and go!

- Run a faster marathon, dammit.  I think this is the year that I would like to push my marathon time down. The above steps will help me to accomplish that.

- Run more with my boys.  This is definitely a strategy that makes me stronger as a runner.  It also allows me to spend some time with the boys (hopefully) displaying the fun of having a healthy active lifestyle ;)

- Get back into yoga.  So relaxing and so worth it.  I know I can make the time for it.

other goals? yes, please!

- Be a good friend.  Pick up the phone and call friends more.  Write letters, (I used to be sooo good at this!) make dates, etc.  I have such wonderful friends in my life, and ya, ya, we're all busy, but making time is the only way I am ever going to have the time for people that are important to me!

- Make really good meals.  Summer is the perfect time to slack off and depend on the bbq...I need to get back into the planning meals routine.  We are so much happier when we eat good meals!

- Of course, last but certainly not least, hang out with my husband lots.  As much as possible, at least!

That's it for my big September goals post!  Below is a photo of me at the halfway point of my second marathon back in 2002.  I envy all of the time I had to procrastinate back then!

Ottawa Marathon 2002 (I am the one in blue of course)

Happy Running!

First Day!

Happy First day of school to all the education-types, young and old!

I was so content this morning, not rushing off to teaching land.  I was so happy to take my Elliott to his first day of senior kindergarten (the big time).  Last year I was a bundle of nerves taking him to the big school as a little three-year-old, but this year, I expected nothing less than coolness from him.  He delivered.

And it is a good thing he did so well on his first day, as his day wasn't over when school finished.  After a quick dinner, (the boys actually had to bring their plates into the car to finish on the way) we headed into the University of Guelph for Elliott's first night of junior track!  I know, I know, you must be thinking I am crazy to have my four year old doing drills and laps.  It really isn't like that, of course.  Fun is the name of the game, and tiring out kids with energy is the marvellous reward!

He ran around and really looked like he was having a great time.  Milo ran around too, although not officially on the roster.

I felt proud to be focusing on running for someone other than myself for a change.  Hopefully he will enjoy being coached by some of the fastest runners in Canada (Literally) with the Speed River crowd!

Elliott all studious looking :)

Happy Running!