Fun Run for Buns!

Christmas has come and gone for another year.  Our children held up the enthusiasm for Christmas in our house this year, as Papa and I had some sort of flu bug, so we were in survival mode all day. 

three smiling faces

But this post is all about my favourite aspect of the holidays...getting together with friends and family!

Yesterday I took part in the second annual Fun Run for Buns!  I missed the first annual last year, but I will be sure not to miss any future ones. 

The Run was organized by my friends Robert and Tricia, and they do know how to win over runners, that's for sure. The details are really in the name...

Fun

Well, obviously getting up and out the door in running gear before 8am needs to be fun.  Luckily, there was a good turnout of runners of all abilities, with fun stories and experiences to share while we were out running. Stories of Christmas.  Stories of power-failure survival.  Some shiny new running shoes and gear were also a-plenty, which is always fun to talk about. *Runners are geeky about gear sometimes!

Run 

We headed out in the north end of Guelph, toward Guelph Lake on the country roads. It was a bit slushy/snowy in some places, but it was so nice to be out in a group, running along with no particular pace involved. This was my first run since Christmas eve (the flu really knocked me out) so it was nice to breath in the fresh air. There are hills along these roads, so having encouragement during the character building climbs is always a plus. 

Buns

While most of us were out chilling our buns, Tricia was baking some of the most delicious cinnamon buns I've tasted!  The smell of the treats lingering in the air as we left for the run was on my mind as we faced the strong winds before our turn-around. 

 Everyone was welcomed into Robert and Tricia's home (brave people. Runners are amazing folks, but we tend to smell bad after an 8 mile loop) to enjoy treats, fruit, coffee, tea and juice. It was nice to chat and relax, and even talk about the new year, and all of the races it will entail. 

What a yummy spread of food! 

 If only Papa and the boys would pull this together after I go for regular runs!

What a great morning it was. I can't wait for the third annual Fun Run for Buns. I heard there may be a "Tri for Pies" in the future, which I'm definitely going to mark on the calendar!

Enjoy the holidays...the food, the time with loved ones, and of course, some extra time for running!

Amazing

Well.

Today I arrived home (from a very long day) to a lovely bouquet of blue and yellow flowers on our kitchen table.

How nice is that?

I am always greeted by three little boys in need of (very welcomed) hugs and kisses, so I was quickly distracted, and did not realize there was a note with my name on it under the vase of flowers.

After a few minutes, Papa brought the note to my attention.

I was perplexed at first.  Had I forgotten some sort of special occasion?

Then I opened the note, which was actually several pieces of paper stapled together.

The first page had the Boston Athletic Association logo at the top.  Hmm.

I started to read it.  It was an email from them, informing him that they had received his application to run the Boston Marathon in April 2014.  "...due to the large number of submissions received, not all who submitted a request..."

ok..

but...

HIS was ACCEPTED!!


This means he will be running with me in Boston!  I am so thrilled that he secretly applied for a spot.  I am so touched that he wrote (with a very strict word-limit) to the BAA, to share his story, and how meaningful he thought it would be, for him to run along with me.

I have been feeling anxiety over race morning (specifically the part where I leave Papa to head to Hopkinton on the bus).  Last year, in those moments of chaos as I was running through crowds trying to find him were the scariest of my life.

Now, he will be right there beside me.

yahoooooooooo!

Here is the part of the passage he wrote:

...We are the parents of 3 young boys and our trips to Boston have been retreats to revel in our shared love of running.  Our training is often juggled separately but I once secretly entered a race to run alongside her. It was fantastic and it is why I am writing this piece.

Over by the Newton hills I have scanned flocks of runners looking for Amy and managed to be at the right spot to pass on a quick kiss as she prepared to ascend Heartbreak Hill.

For agonizing minutes last year, standing out front of The Lennox Hotel, fear resonated in my head that I may not be reunited with Amy. We found one another in the chaos and were evacuated to a neighboring hotel. There, we went on to console a great lady who had been waiting for her husband to finish his 25th Boston.

Of course, now he must get training!  He will have to keep up with me along the route ;)

Do Runners Put in All of These Miles for Attention?

There has been a little bit of buzz this week, after an article titled, "OK, You're a Runner.  Get Over It" was published in the Wall Street Journal.  Obviously, I had to read the article, and here is the perfect place for me to weigh-in on how the article made me feel, as a runner.

To sum up the article, the author basically feels that runners are a group of people (and he generalizes here) that chose this form of exercise as it is the easiest way to show off just how fit we are, with our running out in public where people can see us, our bumper stickers, and the incessant photos of us running and feeling great about it on social media sites, like twitter and Facebook.  We frivolously spend money on running gear, running magazines, all with the idea that we are doing this to feel great about ourselves by showing off to the rest of the world.

The author doesn't understand why we, as a group of people, would chose this form of exercise, if it weren't for our need to show off how wonderful we are.

Well.  Where do I begin?

First, I would like ask the author of the article, "why can't we all just get along?"  I am quite certain that this writer's personality is very similar to that of a runner (in fact, I know lots of writers who are also runners).  As a runner, I pour out my heart and soul on to the pavement every time I go for a run.  He, as a writer, pours his heart and soul out on to paper when he writes (I assume).  He is working toward deadlines.  I am working toward a finish line.  Some things he writes are not his very best work (ahem...maybe that very article?) and of course, as a runner, some of my runs are not my very best.  But I keep running.  He keeps writing.

I am willing to bet that he got into writing because he found some sort of joy in writing.  He lost himself in writing and studying writing, and literature.  He immersed himself in writing and surrounded himself with writers.  I would probably be able to identify him as a writer-type if I was out in a coffee shop somewhere, with his laptop or his beard...(if he is allowed to generalize, why can't I?)  He probably was told he was good at writing, and maybe even won awards or scholarships when becoming a writer.

I got into running because I loved the way it made me feel.  I have had success in the form of personal achievements, pushing for that Personal Best race, and striving to be an active role model for my kids. I love how solitary running can be, yet I  love spending time with other runners, because runners are actually some of the most humble and motivated people I know.  Sometimes, yes, I wear running clothes when I am not running.  But not often.  I like to think of running as a secret-super-power that I keep hidden ;)

His article astounds me, in that he thinks I, as a runner, only run so I can tell everyone about it.  I would argue that he, as a writer, is most pleased when he is published, which is way more exposure than I have ever hoped to gain by running through my little neighbourhood.

I think all runners are wonderful, intrinsically motivated individuals who must love what they do.  Runners would not continue running, if it wasn't enjoyable.  Ask any group of runners that are meeting on a sub-zero Sunday morning in January.  The rest of the world is still in bed (thus, not seeing them out there doing their thing) and they are humbly running along, for miles and miles, enjoying some laughs, and having fun together.  They would not last if their goal was to take a selfie in their running gear beside their "26.2" bumper sticker.

I also think that writers are wonderful, intrinsically motivated individuals who must love what they do.  I know some amazing writers and their talent is just that.  Talent.  It takes hard-work and motivation to make talent work for you.

I just wish people wouldn't attempt to turn the perception of running into this frivolous showman-sport that it just isn't.  Runners work hard, but we are more concerned with how our effort will influence our next race...not our Instagram.  Yeesh.

And as for the bumper stickers...I have no answers there.  I am not a bumper-sticker kind of girl, so I have never had the urge to let everyone know that I have run 26.2.  I also don't have the need to use bumper stickers to ask fellow drivers to "honk if they're horny" or any of those other silly things people ask via their bumper.  "I'd rather be fishin'" is a popular bumper sticker...perhaps this author will be writing a follow-up article soon, "OK, You're an Angler.  Get Over It."??

Happy Running-and-posting-it-on-social-media!

This Post is Long...(but so are marathons)

I decided very last-minute to run the Niagara Falls International Marathon.  I had been thinking about this race since September, but wasn't sure whether I would run the half-marathon or the full.  I had an amazingly perfect long run on Thanksgiving weekend that made me want to push for just one more marathon before this season was over.  I kept that to myself though, as I hate creating all kinds of pressure for myself when I go around telling people all about my upcoming race (and, people must be sick of me going on and on about it by now, right?).

Papa, the boys, and I headed down to Niagara Falls on Friday after school to pick up my race kit.  We did a 'drive-by' sighting of the falls, as it was chilly outside, and we were hungry for dinner after I went into the the expo (solo--Papa and the boys waited in the car).  The expo was not busy on the Friday night, and I cruised through my customs check (I had to show my passport) and kit pick-up.  Unfortunately, the expo had a terrible atmosphere, due to the horrible lighting in the Skylon Tower.  It was like I was walking through a haunted house or something?! (Halloween on the brain?)

The exhibiters were similar (but on a smaller scale) to the Scotiabank Expo last weekend, so I didn't feel the need to hang around.  The race shirts were handed out at the exit, which was different than most races (I actually thought that maybe they just weren't giving them out?).  I like the shirt.  It is a long-sleeved tech shirt that fits nice.  I will probably wear it this winter.

We did a little bit of shopping, ate dinner, and headed back home to bed.

Elliott and Milo enjoying the post-kit-pick-up shopping

I wish I could say it was a wonderful weekend of weather for a race.

But it was not.

When we woke up on Saturday (thankfully not race day) to lots of wind and rain.  I told myself to have faith in the weather forecast for Sunday morning.  Mix of sun/clouds with a high of 7C.

Other than frantically sewing Halloween costumes, I tried to keep Saturday fairly low-key so I would be nice and rested for Sunday's race.

The race was set to start (on the American side) at 10am.  But, due to the logistics of getting shuttle buses, etc. I had to be in Niagara Falls by 7am.  (kind of like Boston--hurrying for shuttles super-early for a fairly late race)!

I was up and eating oatmeal by 5:15, so I could be on the road to Niagara by 5:40am.  The rain had died off over night, so at least it wasn't pouring.  It was very cold though.  I wore a few layers to keep me warm until the start.

I triple-checked that I had everything.  Phone: check.  Headphones: check.  Garmin: Check.  Passport: check.

I arrived at the hotel (for the shuttle) and parked with no issues.  As I was gathering my things I realized that yet again, my Garmin had frozen.  This happened last week also.  This flung me into a full-on panic.  For the 5k race I was mad, but I knew it would be ok, but for a full marathon, I knew it would drive me crazy, not having a clue about my splits (or even overall time).  Runners are an amazing crowd, but constantly asking someone else out on the course would not win me any friends!
I sent Papa a text, and he told me to try resetting it.  I followed his instructions, and plugged it in.  It worked.  Yahooooooo! Back in business.

The hotel lobby had lovely clean washrooms, and I had time to visit them (twice) before the shuttles arrived.  I lined up in the "Full Marathon" shuttle lineup, and found a seat on the bus.  I chatted with a lovely woman named Liz, who was from New York.

One of the coolest parts of this race, was that the starting line is at the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo, NY.  They open their space to runners before the race starts (although we had to use porta potties outside) so it was nice and relaxing to look around (what a bonus for everyone at the race, but especially an art teacher like me).

Runners taking over the Albright Knox Gallery

Me, staring at the man beside me, who had brought an entire bowl of cornflakes, milk and all!

Before long, it was time to say goodbye to my warm clothing at the baggage bus.  It was very well-organized, and I knew my stuff (warm clothes, an extra banana and water bottle) was in good hands :)

I shivered my way back inside the gallery (which was quite crowded at that point) to enjoy the last few minutes of warmth before heading to the starting line.

This was going to be my very first ever marathon listening to music while running.  I made sure my ipod had my playlist all sorted while I waited.  I also checked my Garmin 10 more times, just in case.

I saw an incredible amount of people wearing jackets.  I had decided long-sleeves were plenty warm enough for me, and now I was questioning my decision.  What else, but panic in the last 10 minutes before a race?!  That's typical, right?

I lingered as long as possible, then headed down the roadway to the start.  We listened to both National Anthems, then the gun went off!  Only 26.2 miles between myself and the finish!!

The first couple of miles were uneventful.  They went by very quickly (mentally).  I saw my bus-buddy Liz, and wished her a good race, and tried to fall into a good pace before the Peace Bridge back into Canada.  My music was actually nice.  I liked having it to entertain me.  *but, I had chosen a lot of very upbeat songs, which are not my usual style.  I kept praying that no one around me could hear Britney Spears blasting in my headphones, as I would be super-embarassed about that.

I caught up to the 3:30min. Pace Bunny just before the bridge.  There was a large crowd of runners with him, so I knew it would be a good place to tuck into, as the crowd would hopefully cut the wind up on the bridge.  (Is that part of the Pace Bunny's job? To cut the wind?)

After the bridge, the sun started to come out, and I actually took off my gloves.  I (smartly) decided to hold onto them though, as I knew the wind might be strong later, and shivering hands do nothing for holding water/gatorade cups!

By mile 7, the crowd around the bunny seemed to be sticking together, so a few of us were chatting.  I met Kirstin, who is also a teacher in the same school board as me.  She had the perfect pace-keeping abilities, so I tried to stick with her.  We trudged through some relentless wind for miles and miles.  Her and I tried our best to find some big, running men to tuck behind, but as she said, "marathon running men are just too skinny!" We took turns drafting each other, and, although those miles had the potential to feel long and terrible, they seemed to just fly by.  I also took one of my head phones out of my ear, and it was actually the best combination of music/real world.

At about mile 22, I lost Kirstin and the tiny pack of runners around the pace bunny.  I slowed at a water station, and just didn't have the will to push myself back up to them.  The wind was getting stronger (how that was possible is beyond me, as it was already strong!) and I just resigned to keeping a consistent strong pace, even if it was a bit slower.

Although I have never eaten one in a race before, I was really excited to see them handing out orange slices at one of the water stations.  I almost cried when I dropped it.  Maybe I will get a chance to try one in another race someday...

With just over a mile to go, I saw a woman running the opposite way, yelling, "keep it up! every second counts!!"  It was Nicole Stevenson!  I love her encouraging words.  So many words that she told me 2 years ago still sing in my head while I am running, my favourite being, "fast and light".

I really needed those words to get me to the finish.  I pushed along, praying for the finish.

As I ran toward the line in that last couple hundred metres, I reminded myself to smile.  Sure, it wasn't a PB, but it was a dang good effort.  I had a very enjoyable race, despite the conditions.

I came though the finish and they handed me a paper-jacket (not real paper, but that crazy papery/fiber stuff) to warm up.  I had to get them to open my water bottle for me as my gloves were causing me problems using my fingers.

I saw Kirstin and the Pace Bunny, and they had finished strong!! (around 3:30-3:31--amazing!)  I headed through the shute to grab food.  All I wanted was a meal.  I was so hungry.  And frozen all of a sudden.

I was getting colder by the minute.  I tried to make it my mission to find the baggage bus, but I couldn't figure out where to go.  I started to walk past the massage tent.  It looked so much warmer in there.  They weren't busy so I signed up.

They took me to a table, and more than one of the women asked if I was ok.  I told them I was freezing, and they got me a blanket and started massaging my legs.  I love it when they ask if there is anywhere that feels tender.  "Ummm, my legs?" of course!

After a couple of minutes, they asked me if I still felt cold.  They had put a blanket on me, but I was shaking so bad from the cold.  I just couldn't get warm, and my head felt really dizzy.  They told me that I didn't look good, and that I should go with them (to the ambulance people).  What?  Oh, no.  I am not that bad!  They told me my lips were blue and I needed to see someone medical.  Fair enough.  I am going to guess that they had more brain power than me, especially at that point!

Off we went to the St. John's ambulance.  How embarassing, really.  They helped me walk there, too (which I needed) which also added to my slight humiliation :(

The lovely people at the ambulance put me inside (where it was so nice and toasty) and gave me oxygen.  They took my blood pressure (which seemed high for me 100/60) and tried to get a pulse.  Apparently I am a zombie, because it took them about 15 minutes to find a pulse.  They tried many methods and they kept telling me it was because I was super-healthy.  You bet.  That's why I was in an ambulance, right?

My ambulance buddies, thinking I am nuts for taking their photo, I am sure.

The bonus was that I was allowed to keep the warm wooly blanket they gave me.  I probably wouldn't have left the warmth of that ambulance without it, honestly.  I have never felt sooo cold!

When I took out my phone to take my new bestie's photo (the ambulance guys with the blankets--you make friends with the people that have the goods, seriously) I realized that I hadn't checked my phone since the finish.  Ooops.  Papa had left countless text messages wondering what happened to me.  He had seen my finish time on Sportstats, but grew very worried when I wasn't responding to his texts.  After Boston, we kind of feel worried about finish lines...

I called him right away, and calmed his worries.  Yikes.  I won't do that again.

They released me and I made it my mission to find the baggage bus and the shuttle back to the hotel.

My medal.  My warm clothes.  Together at last!

The results...

Time: 3:34.09

Overall: 126/1100

Gender: 18/482

Category: 3/74

I made it home to lots of hugs and kisses (from all of my boys) and was glad to be warming up.

It was an awesome race, ambulance and all.  (I am not sure which is more embarrassing, being in the port-potty when the gun went off, like at Lehigh, or being in an ambulance after finishing?)

I decided to try something new later that day.  Before dinner, I put on a different pair of running shoes and went out for (another) run.  This time it was just 4-5km.  My legs weren't sore (yet) so I thought it was a good chance to shake them out before sleeping all night (where they would cease up).

*after the last marathon I ran in September, when I got in the car right after running for a 9-hour-drive, I am willing to try anything to avoid that pain the following day!!

My run felt fine, and I was hoping that it would work.  I did some major foam-rolling when I got back also.

I woke up the next morning with zero complaints!  It worked!!  I will do that after every marathon from now on, if possible!!

Seriously.  You should try it!

Happy Running!

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Recap!

Soooo much fun went down at this race day!  I decided a couple of weeks ago that I would run the 5km race they offer at this race venue. The big deal of the day is definitely the marathon and half marathon, but the timing was perfect for me to run the 5km at 8am, and hop over to the start area of the full/half to watch them start!  Papa was running his first real* half marathon that day, so I didn't want to miss it!

*He ran the half-marathon of the Goofy Challenge with me back in 2012, but he didn't really train, as he was trying to surprise me ;)

The 5km race started at the Exhibition, so Papa dropped me off there, and headed toward the starting line to find parking and get himself ready. It was a very cool morning, but the sun was shining and I could tell that the conditions were going to be great for his race!!

As I was doing my 1-2km warm-up run, I realized my Garmin was frozen. This is the second race this year that this pesky little problem has happened.  It was plugged in right up until we left the house, so I am not sure what happened, but I was quite disappointed :(

I knew after some active warm-ups (a's and b's, strides) I would have to find my friend Tricia and her husband Robert at the starting line. Robert is speedy and I hoped to cling to him during the 5k, so now it was even more important to stick with him as I had no way of knowing my time until the finish clock. 

As I scanned the (very large) crowd in the first corral, I heard someone calling my name. It was Tricia! Yay!  She is such a sweetheart, and offered her Garmin to me, but of course I could never do that!  She told me to wiggle up to the front to find Robert. 

I felt like kind of a jerk squeezing through the crowd toward the front, but I wanted to find him, so I kept at it. Sure enough, I found him!  We watched the minutes tick by on the clock to the gun. O'Canada was sung, and it was time to go!

The first kilometre went well (I think). At least that was when I was still with Robert. I think he started to pull away just before kilometre two, and man, did he ever pull away!  He kicked up the gusto and I just wasn't able to stay with him.  I was on my own from there, and I hated being so clueless as to my time. 

I turned the corner toward the last 500m, and the crowds were awesome!  People were cheering like crazy!  In the last 75m I heard "go Robi go!" which was odd.  Was that for me?  Really?  I was focused on the finish, and the disappointing time on the clock, but I tried to finish strong (20:30). I met up with Robert (19:14--a Personal Best for him!!--and Bronze in his age group!) and congratulated him on a great run.

Post-Race, myself and Speedster Robert.  I made the photographer take one of us together
(marathon-photos.com)

Just after Robert and I grabbed our post-race snacks (which included the *perfect* banana) I turned to see a familiar face! It was my friend Steph, with her awesome sign from cheering for me!! (cheering for ME! that's who I heard near the finish line!!)

Those hashtags are very personalized inside jokes, of course!

We walked over to the starting line of the half and full marathon, and were excited to see all of the elites warming up.  Quite a celebrity sighting!  And, Robert is just as knowledgeable as Papa about all of the elites, so it was nice to have a 'guide' of sorts to all of the elite-talk!

The crowd of runners in the first wave was HUGE.  It was soooo hard to find Papa.  Next time he is going to have to wear a big funky costume or something.  We just started yelling, "GO PAT!" at all of the runners rushing past.  Of course, many men (who I can only assume are named Pat) turned to look our way, but not Papa (that I could see).  I was certain that he was on his way, and that he would have a great race!

After a quick trip back to the car (where I changed into warm clothing--I really hope no one saw my nearly naked clothing change...I tried to be discreet) Steph and I headed to the nearest Tim Horton's to get some hot liquid!!

Janice and I, trying to elbow into a good cheering spot

Then it was time to meet up with my friend Janice!  She was at the half marathon cheering on some friends, so we made plans to meet up and cheer together!

I couldn't help but check my phone to see my sportstats.com finish time and placement while we walked to our cheering spot.  I had shared my goal of being in the top ten of my age group the day before, so I wanted to see just how I did.

Well.  I was ninth female OVERALL!  yahoo!  And, FIRST female in my age group!  double yahoo!

That meant I had to go to the "awards" tent to claim my extra medal!  5km + 2 medals = awesome!!

Here are the official numbers...

Time 5km: 20:30

Overall:  84/6488

Gender:  9/4100

Age Group:  1/559

We cheered our hearts out for all of the runners (oh, so many runners) that passed by (while engaging in some chatting too--I'm not going to lie).  All of a sudden, Steph spotted Papa!  He was going to finish this thing!!  (and in a really good time, too!! 136:57)

He was happy to finish, and felt really great.

Sharing the lovely sign our boys made for Papa

Our day at the races had to end there.  Papa had to get home to go to work :(

He vowed that he won't do a race when he has to rush into work again, as it takes all of the fun out of celebrating afterwards!  Good idea!

As you probably know...the Marathon that day had some historic record-smashing, and I am so proud of the notable Canadian women that smashed the record!!  What an inspiration Krista Duchene and Lanni Marchant are to women's running!

Look at those smiles! (source)

**I just want to say that, for my own personal bragging purposes (and this is quite a stretch) I feel sort of connected to our Canadian Women's Marathon Record Holder, Lanni Marchant.  Our names are on the same trophy for winning the same race in different years.  Yep, that's right.  We could practically be running partners.  Hahahahahaha

But it is a true story.  Remember when I won the International Bridge Race?  I bragged about Lanni in my blog post about it back then, too.  I am really stretching the miles out of this, aren't I??

After a wonderful race day such as that, I can't help but lace up my shoes and head out for a run!  I am eager to see what the next race holds!

Happy Running!

Epilogue to the whining about Boston...

Remember that post last week, where I wallowed in self-pity about maybe not getting into the Boston Marathon for 2014?

Nevermind.

I am officially on the entrants list!  My three-minute buffer was enough to qualify this time!

The last week and a half have been so very draining...

I went from pessimistic (which is really out of my character) to a tiny bit hopeful when I found out registration would indeed go into week two (as it is a staggered entry, with fastest qualifiers given the opportunity to register in the first week, and, if any spaces remain, people like me with an "under 5 minute" buffer are allowed in the second week).

I didn't register until almost the end of week two, as I wanted to delay the agony of waiting to hear back from them (they would let everyone who registered during week two know at the same time, after the week of registration was over) for as long as I could.

In the end, almost 3000 more people registered than they had space for. Ouch.

I crossed my fingers (and toes) and held my breath and waited until Sept. 25th.

They promised an email either way on that day.

I can't say I was totally focused on my Professional Development that morning (at least I wasn't supposed to be teaching) as I kept checking for emails every 2 seconds few minutes or so. I was a jittery ball of nerves, waiting, hoping, anticipating good news from the B.A.A.  (my eternal optimist returned at some point after I had registered...)

Hours later, after getting tired of an empty email folder, I checked the B.A.A. website for their Official Entrants list. There it was: "Amy Robitaille". Yahoo!

I was excited and relieved.

Since finding out I am lucky enough to return to the race, I have had some emotional ups and downs, for sure. I think back in April I packed away some of the emotions and thoughts about the marathon that were uncomfortable and upsetting. I now know that I will actually be returning to the race. I will leave my children home again, assuming we will "just be away for a couple of days"  Once again, I will board the bus to Hopkinton, leavng Papa behind, assuming I will safely make it back to the finish line.  I will get excited about the race itself. The crowds and the spectacle will be amazing. I expect nothing less than wonderful there.

The other night I had the opportunity to chat with a former colleague of mine; someone I have not seen in many years. She, too, had been in Boston that day. She was one of the many many runners that were forced to stop on the way to the finish line. Her story was unreal. Her Garmin read 41.5km. She was so close.  She said they were simply told to stop. That something happened at the finish. So many of them assumed that they would actually be able to start running again after a short delay, as they had no idea what the "something" was at the finish line.

We discussed our experiences with the tragedy, yes. But we spent more time talking about the rest of the race. The good stuff. The crowds and the cheering, the starting line, the history and the parts that make this race the event that it is. The stuff that no one seems to ask about anymore.

The next six months will be exciting, and full of training. Lots of long runs, speed work, and a dash of triathlon stuff thrown in for good measure (you didn't think I was going to give up on the triathlon goals fr next summer just because I am registered for a spring marathon, did you?!).

My long run this morning was lovely.  A beautiful day full of optimism, sunshine, and a cool breeze.  Best 14 miles in weeks!

So lucky to run on these roads!

Happy Running

Weekend Wrap-up

The weather in the last three days has been such a variation of clothing options.  On Friday morning, I almost boiled over at 5:30am during my run, which was a lot more warm than I had anticipated.  I was a wet mess of sweat and misty fog by the time I returned home.
Saturday morning's run was a bit reluctant, as I wasn't too excited about heading out into the rain that just wouldn't let up.  I came home sporting the "drown-rat" look, but at least I looked like a hard-core superstar out there (either that, or just plain crazy).
This morning, ever the optimist, I wore shorts and lots of layers on top for a long bike ride, and I think my goosebumps could have counted as a fifth member of our bike-crew; they were so large!!

The runs were great, but quite uneventful.  I want to talk about my bike ride!

I know I have said this a million times before, but training in groups is so much better than training alone.  The actual workout is still the same (actually, it can be more challenging when we force each other to push ourselves) but the time flies by with the laughter, and the chatting.

I love love love running with other people so obviously I was drawn to training for triathlons with a group too.  The open-water swims this summer have been more about the camaraderie of complaining about the cold water as a group, than they have been about the workout.  And I have learned a lot about swimming and the amount I can push myself too.  Win, win!

Biking with others is so different than running with others.  It's a lot less chatty while we're on the road, as there is the safety element that can't be ignored for the sake of conversation.  But convening at intersections, or at the completion of the route makes it alllll worth it.  Especially if the bike ride ends at a Starbucks, like it did today!

I headed out with Tricia, Sylvie and Lorraine this morning (they all thought my choice of shorts instead of pants was nothing short of certifiable).  Around these parts it is hard to find a route of any distance that doesn't involve hills, so it was a perfect challenge.  We rode about 35km, and it was great!  I loved the downhills (of course) and the scenery was terrific (no photos of scenery.  Take photos while biking? Not there yet, and maybe I will never be at that level!).

We encountered many other cyclists out enjoying the sunshine (and wind).  I was proud to be out there among them, but I did realize that I have a long way to go before I really feel like I am a "cyclist"!

We still look happy after all of the hills and wind!

I have to admit, my favourite part was the Starbucks.  Warm drinks, lovely ladies...That's what it's all about, amIright?

Happy running, cycling, etc...

--Shrug--

Well.  Time is money.

We've all heard it before.  Sadly, I learned just how true that saying is last weekend in my race.  My "last-ditch" race, specifically.

When I realized the momentum that the hype for Boston 2014 was taking, it was summer.  I was well into my training for a fast fall marathon (the Scotiabank Toronto marathon, Oct. 20).  I realized that although I had qualified in Boston for next year's race, I may need to better my time to ensure I would get in, what with all of the other thousands of people that would also want to race.

I realized that I would have to cut off more than a month of training to be ready for an early September race, if I could find one that still had open spaces.  I found one.  In Pennsylvania.  A mere nine-hour drive between me and the race.  No problem!

The Lehigh Valley Marathon in Allentown would be my race.  If I could get a PB, or even pull in a race close to my current marathon PB, I figured my chances would be good.

I had a very strong summer of training.  I ran, swam, and biked a lot, and I had some awesome long runs.  Some long runs were so great, and some of my speed work made me feel ready.  Papa and the boys were so supportive of my training, and I really couldn't have spent so many long hours out on the roads if it weren't for them!

I knew it wasn't ideal that the marathon fell on the first weekend that I was back at school, but tapering actually worked in well with the other chaos that was happening in our house...phrases like "where's my water bottle?" turned quickly into, "where's my backpack?!"

So.  Here's the race/weekend report, and, as a head's up...it didn't end the way I wanted it to :(

We decided to head to Pennsylvania as a family.  Papa was off that weekend, and there were a few things to do/see in the area.  Our kids LOVE hotels (especially hotels with pools) so we knew they would be excited to take the road trip!

We left Friday right after I was done school.  Our kids were so awesome in the car.  They (generally) got along well, and patiently waited until rest stops for potty breaks and food.  I wish I liked riding in the car as much as them!

Papa and the boys...ready for the long ride

By the time we rolled into Allentown on the Saturday, I was excited to get to the expo and pick up my race kit!  The expo happened to be right next to our hotel, which was in a very nice and cool area of the city.  The Runner's World 1/2 marathon will actually start/finish in the area next month.

The expo was quite small, which I was disappointed by.  I was hoping to buy some new running stuff (as usual) but the only thing I purchased were some gels (albeit at a great price, but kind of a boring purchase).

We bribed them with m&m's to be patient at the expo

Also, the line up for my bib was terrible.  I have a popular "last name" letter (R) but I seriously waited in a line (while Papa waited with growingly impatient boys) for 20 minutes.  There were only max. 10 people ahead of me.  I couldn't understand what the problem was!  Until I got to the front.  The person in charge of my alpha really was having difficulties figuring out the system.  I had to find my bib for her, and I feel bad about complaining, but geesh.

The shirts were nice, and they look like they will fit nice too.  Always a plus at races!

We took the kids to the Crayola Experience in downtown Easton PA (nearby) and, as luck would have it, the finish line was only a block away, so we scoped that out while we were downtown.  The finish area looked quite small, so Papa and I decided that we would forgo having him and the boys waiting for me amongst all of the people, and I would just finish out the race on my own, then call him to come and pick me up.  I know.  Not the most romantic, but when there are 3 kids under the age of 6 involved, you have to go the practical route.  always.

The kids loved Crayola.  They made personalized crayons, markers, and played with all of the interactive displays and play areas.  Definitely a highlight for them.

How cool are these personalized crayons?

We ate a very uneventful dinner (I had some sort of spinache/bruschetta pizza/calzone thing) and called it a night.  I had to lay everything out the night before as we were leaving by 5:45am for my 7am start time.  I checked the weather 10 more times (High of 15--nice!  90% humidity--booo) and closed my eyes.

I slept almost perfectly...Olly shared a bed with Papa and I, so the toddler took up most of the bed...and I woke up 2 minutes before my alarm(s).

Our boys were troopers, and stumbled awake at that early hour so Papa could drive me to the starting line.  The starting line was at a hospital.  They boasted "lots of parking".

As we rolled up the highway to our exit, we started to see all of the brake lights.  Uh oh.  The other 2500 people running this race were arriving at the exit at the same time.  Dang.
Of course, THAT was the moment that I decided I needed a potty break, obviously.  I survived, and I know it was just my nerves.

By the time we got up to the front of the exit lane, it was painfully close to race time (I think it was 6:40am) and I had to jump out of the car at an intersection and run to the starting area.  I needed at least one porta-potty stop, and the line ups looked lonnnnng.

I jumped into line, and hoped for the best.  It was a very short 20 minutes that I waited in line.  All the while, announcements were being made that "the race will start in 5 minutes...2 minutes...please join us at the starting line..."

I was in the porta potty when the gun went off.  Of course.  But with chip timing, I knew it wouldn't make a difference.  Of course, being all flustered and sprinting across the parking lot to the starting area when I was done did not make for a graceful start.  And no, I did not wash my hands!  

I crossed the starting line, in a massive crowd of runners, and tried to settle into a pace.  I think I was too flustered to worry about slowing into a sensible pace.  When I hit mile one, I was at a 7:45/mile, and I thought (although it was way faster than I like to allow myself run the first mile) I would just settle in and figure it out as soon as the big downhill was done. There was a massive downhill in mile 2 that I sped down like it was the only mile I was going to be running that day.  Oops.

Just past mile two, as we were rounding a corner, a man was clapping and cheering by himself.  It was none other than Bart Yasso.  Yep. No big deal.

From that point, we ran into a trail, and I really feel like we stayed in the trail until the halfway point.  Seriously.

The trails were not crazy--they were a mix of gravel, mud and sand.  There were a lot of mini incline/declines.  I really found it hard to fall into a good pace.  I ran a lot of trails this summer, but only for easy runs, so trails to me define easy pace.  Racing in trails was hard as I was either way too fast, or plodding along like it was a recovery run.  :/

We finally came out of the trail at the halfway mark, and I looked at the clock to see "134:40".  Oh, no. Way way way too fast.  This is where the "time is money" thing comes in.  I had "banked" time unintentionally, and that NEVER works in a marathon situation.  I knew right then and there that I was headed for a road of devastation.  A long road that would end in disappointment.

I held on to my pace, and headed back into the trails for the second half.  The trails were nice and shady (yay!) but oh, so lonely.  No spectators.  at all.  I really felt like I was on a training run.  It was becoming a mental game quickly, and (especially because I already knew I had ruined my first half) I was starting to lose my drive.

My fuel intake was going very well in this race.  I really "practiced" liking gels on my long runs this summer, and I planned them out very well.  No stomach issues, and I saved the caffeinated ones until the last 1/4, which was smart.

Mile 22-23 were out on a wider road, so I felt the urge to speed up.  It hurt a bit, but I really pushed and it felt good to push.  Then we headed back into the trail.  I was done for.

I looked down at my watch and realized I was going to have to really push myself to make those last 3 miles to make my 3:30 time goal.  I just didn't care anymore.  I ran up to a woman who was clearly feeling the same way as me, and we started chatting.  She had also been in Boston, and was at this race to better her time, like me.  She was really amazing.  She was 28 years old, and had run SEVEN Bostons in a row.  Her and I chatted the rest of the way through the race (slower than we needed to).  I knew it wasn't the fast pace that I needed to make it to Boston again, but it was the best I could do in that moment.  And sometimes that is just what it is all about.  That moment.

I crossed the finish line, knowing that my 3-minute buffer for Boston (I had qualified in Boston back in April) was all I had this time around.

I was so glad that race was over.  I was so glad that all of the worry, and calculating, and fear of not getting in again was out of my hands.  Not in the way I wanted it to be, but at least I had tried.

The last week has been a bit hard at times.

Hard to hear about the "staggering" amount of people that were registering for Boston.

Hard to sit on my hands and not be one of the people allowed to register yet.

Hard to know that I probably wouldn't get to be a part of the race this year, that changed my life last year.  I had anticipated returning and redeeming that race for myself to (attempt) to round out the emotional healing I have endured over the last five months.

I know that everyone that has run a faster qualifying time and has registered will make it a special race. I know that the people that worked with the BAA to make the field of runners larger has made such an effort to make it a special race.  It will be.  And I will cry this April from the moment of the start of the race, until the last person finishes.  I will probably stay in my jammies and eat popcorn and try to be okay with not being there (it is a holiday that day, so I don't even have to go to work).

I am trying to think of all of the other amazing opportunities I will have in races in 2014.  I will perhaps strive for more distance in the triathlon, I will try my first Ragnar Relay, I will try to make my sub-42 minute 10km that I have been striving for.  There will be so many more races that will be special.

I know that running a marathon is a big deal, in and of itself, sure.  It is just such an emotional and physical investment, that of course, every one of us wants to go perfectly.  That doesn't always happen, but at least I can take this base I have built and try to go fast in some more races this fall!!

*No photos from the race at all.  I even brought my phone with me, hoping to at least get some pics before the start of the race, and, well, I wasn't about to take porta-potty shots, so no pics were taken!

Just this one photo after I met up with Papa.  I have never been so salty/sweaty after a shade-filled race!

Happy running!

I promise not to be whiney about this whole Boston thing again.  Just had to whine it out this once!

Goodbye Summer, Helloooo the Rest of the Year!

Another labour day has passed. Another first day of school has arrived.  Another summer of long days, sunny bbqs and ice cream cones is wrapping up.

Summer fun with the boys

Oh, how I miss you already, summer.  The following list is of the things (in no particular order) that I will really, really miss about summer:

- aforementioned ice cream. I am not a dairy-eater.  I avoid it in most of its forms, including ice cream normally, but there is something about enjoying a sweet cone of black cherry while watching the "double chocolate" drip all over my two-year-old that makes me happy (even if it's just one scoop)!

- the heat!  Oh, the warm cozy sunshine!  I will longingly dream of that sticky, humid warmth when it is January once again.

- the lonnnng days. How amazing is it to wake up to sunshine (a miracle when you have children that awaken with the roosters) in the morning?  Today, a fellow runner and I were pouting a bit about the inevitable darkness that comes with th fall. How unfair to cut out the sunshine at both ends of the day!

- all of those open-water swims. I really got into a lake-groove this summer, and I still cannot believe I was swimming all the way over to the Island at Guelph lake by the latter half of the season. I really did not know I had it in me, and I can't wait to see how far I can go next year in the lake. *never THIS far though. Swimming from Cuba to Florida.  Woah.

- cuddle time. My little Milo (the cuddler) would spend loads of time catering to his mama's cuddling needs this summer. We do cuddle in the other 3 seasons of the year, but we just seem to have more time to hang out in the summer and I miss it already.

- sitting in the shade. There is so little shade other seasons of the year, and, frankly, we just don't need it that much in December, what with it being dark all the time, and so so cold.

- lemonade and other cold drinks. Mmmmm. I would like to say I sit in the shade and sip a cold drink and relax, but I prefer to have a cold drink post-run so it is too sweat-filled of an event to be relaxing. But nice nonetheless.

- shorts. Getting back into real clothes for school is making my brain hurt a little.

- biking. I was just getting the hang of those clip less pedals, and now the season is coming to an end. Sure, sure, lots of people (real cyclists, probably) bike well into the fall, but I would hardly call myself a "real cyclist" yet. I sure hope I can convince myself to use a bike trainer this winter (and purchasing one is not the same as actually using one, so I am going to need to create some sort of accountability for myself)!

- family time. Spending time with our families and friends over the summer takes the cake. I love having more time to fit in special visits with loved ones.

I could probably go on and on and on about the amazing greatness that we all know summer is. But, as luck would have it, I do like lots of things about the fall too (and spring, but I really have to think optimistically to get along with winter sometimes).

I enjoyed a wonderful run this evening of 5 miles...a warm up (8:00/mile) then 3 tempo miles (7:20/mile) then a little cool down mile of (8:00/mile). I am in full-blown taper mode for my marathon this Sunday (double gulp!) so tonight was my last (big) run. A recovery run tomorrow, a refresher run on Friday, then (literally) off to the races for Sunday!

look at me, all in black on an evening run!  not too long from now I will be wearing the obnoxious glow-in the dark clothing :(

I do have (lofty) race goals, but I will commit to those later in the week when I am fully ready to divulge how optimistic I am when it comes to running and keeping my act together over the entire 26.2 miles!



Happy first-day-ing, running, etc!

How Romantic...

Sometimes, when the planets align in a certain way, Papa and I find ourselves with time to hang out together, without the boys.  I know. I took photos to prove it actually happened.  Yesterday.

Most of the time we spend together without the boys is spent getting chores done (boring) around the house, or running errands (mostly boring).  This summer, however, we have managed to squeeze in some biking and running time together, and, (gasp!) a few uninterrupted lunches out as well. It's been awesome. 

Yesterday we headed out for a lovely bike ride together. 

I love how you can see my "selfie arms" reflected in my sunglasses!

I think Papa enjoyed drafting behind me (kidding) in the busier roads, but we did manage to bike side-by-side on some of the lonely country roads as well. It was not a long ride, but a nice hour of biking in the sunshine together!

We returned home and quickly changed our shoes for a run together. Yep. Two things as a couple in one day!

We compromised on 7km (he wanted 6k, I wanted 8k). It was a nice trail run together, and by the time we returned home, we were ready to go out for lunch!

I love that summertime brings these opportunities. I also hate that fall/winter/spring does not allow for these opportunities, due to that whole "gainful employment" thing. The best thing to do is be thankful we enjoy each other's company enough to make time for *dates* every now and then. 

Happy running

p.s.  we do get a babysitter from time to time throughout the year, to go out, eat dinner, and talk about our children the whole time, like most married people do!  And, I have been made fun of by my peers, for hiring a babysitter so Papa and I could go to the pool in the evening and swim together!

It's the little things...

Sometimes it's the little things that make my day. Actually, lots of times it's the little things.

Today I had a long run on the calendar. A big one. I have to admit, I was not looking forward to it. Not even a little.

A week ago, I had a much shorter "long" run (after having built quite a few weeks of high-milers, it was a scaled back 18km run, with 8 km of race-pace in the middle). Although the run started out just fine, I experienced a cramp (not like me) and my legs just felt like they were totally protesting the entire time :(
It was everything I could do to hold on to that race pace portion, but I did. After that, though, I just wanted to curl up like a little puppy into the cozy ditch and let the day pass!  I did talk myself out of that, cut the dramatics, and made it home, but I was really in disbelief that I could feel so crappy on a run, let alone a "shorter" long one!

It was probably that horrible run from a week ago that lead me to dread getting up today. But, of course I got up and ready anyway. The leftover high from last weekend's race made me do it, I think.

I headed out the door into the fresh, cool air.  This wasn't going to be so bad after all. I cruised along. Birds chirped, the fluffy clouds rolled through the blue sky. The breeze cooled my shoulders. My music played the familiar songs that make my route even more like a routine. By the time I rounded the turn to the added portion of the run, I felt myself surging and speeding up because the energy I needed was just there.

There was sun.  There was shade. There was a breeze. There were courteous motorists that gave me room to run on the shoulder. I got lost in thoughts and the miles flew by. Almost 40km later I was home.

I walked into the house to three high-pitched voices, saying, "mama!" And, "you're just in time for lunch!"  So cute and chaotic all at the same time.

I quickly went upstairs to get the ice cold bath ready. I try to foam-roll while it's filling.  Before long, I had company. Which is the main "little" thing. My little Milo, eager to join me for my "ice-tubbies".

"You realize it's super cold in there?"  I said.
"Yep...I can do it" as he stripped down.
"Ok. You first!"  I didn't think he would submerge more than one of his little toes.

The kid plunged in. It was freezing. I clenched myself in, keeping a brave face.

I have to say, that "ice-tubbies" are far superior to the average ice-bath. For one, a four-year-old is very entertaining experiencing a polar dip for the first time.  Also, toys. Kids drag toys into the tub regardless of temperature. The time passed by very quickly, and I never imagined I would have quality mama/milo time in an ice-cold tub.

My little adventurer

Happy running/tubbies!