Toronto Half-Marathon
Sunday, October 17, 2004
 

Race report from Julie...
Date: Sun Oct 17, 2004
Subject: Re: Toronto Half Report
 

Short Version We did it!! 17 of us signed up to walk the Toronto Half Marathon and ALL of us finished. Our goal time was 3:30 but I was secretly hoping for 3:15. I finished in 3:06 and I’m thrilled.  The first walker in our group crossed in 2:29 and our last walker crossed at 3:35. We ROCK!!! I truly am so proud of each of us. It has been a goal of mine for the past 3 years to participate in the Toronto Marathon and I'm so glad I finally did! LONG Version The weekend started out great, we picked up the race kits and that was a lot of fun. Did I mention the 35% off Running Room coupon? I see a pink jacket in my future! Then 5 of us went for a delicious pasta dinner. During the dinner I referred to them as my walking friends. It occurred to me that some of them have become really close and I’ll have to stop calling them ‘walking’ friends.  It’s amazing how close you can become to your training partners. Saturday I slept a lot, I wasn’t feeling well. I fiqured I was just tired! When I woke up Sunday I was feeling great. We had a few obstacles getting to the race but we all arrived and were ready to go. The port o potty line was so long that my turn came just as the half started. Thankfully the group waited for me and we all started out together. Within 5 minutes I had lost everyone but Diana. My shins were burning and I was cold. (It was still only 5 degrees)  I wasn’t sure I could keep up with her but I don’t like walking alone so I tried.  I lost her on the Hogs Hollow hill and was getting really frustrated when this amazing racer passed me in his wheelchair. I thought to myself that if he could do it (with a smile) so can I and I kept going. At the top of the hill I noticed my hands were swelling so I stopped and got some water (no Gatorade yet), while trying to keep Diana’s red hat in site. I should mention it was really neat walking where we had trained for so many months. So many amazing memories came rushing back. This helped me forget about my shin, and the cold, I was starting to enjoy myself. At the 5km mark I got this idea that if I ran for 30 secs. downhill I’d catch up. It worked for the next few kms.  Around the 8 k I stopped for some power drink, big mistake. Within minutes my tummy starting during flip-flops. It was so sweet, almost like syrup. (After the race many runners made the same comment) Where were Glenn and the penguin water stop when I needed them;) We were approaching Rosedale Valley Rd. my favourite part of the route. It was so pretty, most of the leaves had changed colour and it looked amazing.  My photo doesn’t do it justice. We were at the 10km mark and I thought I should make another bathroom break. I quickly snapped Diana’s photo (she decided to stop too) when she told me to stop snapping and go to the bathroom. I was laughing so hard that the port o potty started to shake LOL. Shortly after I lost Diana but was joined by Hazel. We tried to run to catch up with Diana but we were too tired.  We were around 9km from the end and I was starting to feel like I might throw up. We decided to walk as fast as we could. At 6km from the end we took a brief stretch break, it really helped. We were walking along Lakeshore around 4 km from the end when we hear this noise. It’s a police officer warning us that the first male in the Full was about to approach. 10 mins later he did and it was amazing. He was so strong. Hazel and I were kidding that it would be so great to finish with him.  Maybe we’d get our photos on the front page of the paper. At this point it started to rain but I didn’t care. I fiqured we had 20mins left and besides we had just seen the first place male!!!! For the next 20 mins. we counted the elite runners. By the time we got to 10 it was really starting to rain and I wasn’t having fun anymore. We were steps from my condo and the first time ever I thought about stopping. 2 things prevented me from doing that a) I didn’t have my keys and I knew Karl was waiting at the finish and b) most importantly I was doing this for Anna. That thought helped me more than I could have imagined. We were 1 mile from the finish line and Hazel asked me if we wanted to run. At this point I admitted how sick I was feeling and how I thought if I ran I might throw up. She agreed that wouldn’t be good so we continued to walk. Around 400meters from the end the first female in the full passed us. We shouted encouragement and she smiled back at us, too cool! You know how people always say your almost there but your not? Well the race officials were even meaner;), they had a huge banner (that I mistook for the finish line) that said your almost there. I was not impressed LOL Around 100 meters from the finish Hazel suggested we run. Considering she was actually running the race and not walking I agreed. I’m hoping the photographer captured both of us with our feet in the air!!! After we got our chip removed and the mylar blanket and the medal I called Karl. He wanted to know where I was as he and Geoff were ready to take our photo. I laughed and told him we had finished. He couldn’t believe it, how did he miss us LOL. He was glad that Geoff (did I mention he finished the 5 km in just over 23 mins.) was there as a witness and both of them couldn’t believe it. Once we met up they gave me a hot chocolate (I couldn’t drink it but it was nice of them to have 1 waiting). They actually had coffees and hot chocolates for more than just me but I had lost everyone. I decided I really needed to lie down so we went to Geoff’s condo to dry off. I really really wanted to wait for everyone else but I just couldn’t. On the way we saw Corrie and I cheered for her before crossing the street. At this point both Karl and Geoff thought I made them look bad since I spotted her thru the trees and they couldn’t find anyone all day. LOL As we were walking to Geoff’s I vowed never to walk again. But now after I’ve spoken to all my friends, ad a bath, some food and a rest I feel much better. I’m going for a massage and pedicure Monday evening and I can’t wait!!!  Plus, I’m taking a week off walking , but look out Tampa, the Canuks are coming!!! flipper hugs, Julie   Things learned   eat more on race day drink more water avoid sweet drinks stay smiling no matter what more HILL training and speed work is needed! Most importantly I need to remember to have fun

 

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