I was expecting to finish around the 2hr, 15min mark, and instead finished with a time of 2:04:54! My pace being 5:55/km which for me, is really quite fast for that distance (21.1km).
My coach Mike and his wife Yvette picked me up at 6:30am, and we picked up Phil (my pacer for the half) at non other than Starbucks. A quick pee break (which I wouldn't normally mention, but I have to because it's rare that I beat Mike at anything. I pee faster! Ha!), and we were Toronto bound.
All exits to downtown from the Gardiner Expressway was destined to make us late, so we exited further than anticipated. No one else was panicked, so I remained as calm as I could (like a deer waiting to be shot). Our walk ended up being a great way to warm our legs up a bit, and we just barely made it across the road before the 5km runners were finishing their run. We made it to baggage check and checked out washroom situations along the way. Mike and I had to pee again, so I turned to Phil before separating and said "don't you lose me!" he said "don't worry I wont". (In retrospect, I wish I hadn't said that to him.) Off Mike and I ran. Leaping over benches, dodging people in our way to get to a port-a-potty. Mike got to one before me, and yes, I beat him again HA!
Mike and I walked very fast to the yellow corral where we were supposed to find Phil. Mike realized he left his water with his wife, and I was also looking for my friend Stacey and Chrissy with only minutes before the start time (enter panic). My heart is racing just typing this!!!
I was THRILLED to have Stacey and Chrissy sneak up on me and Mike. Off we barreled through the yellow corral to look for Mike's wife, and Phil. Oh Canada was almost over, yet still, no Phil, no Yvette. We made it to the front of the yellow corral where Stacey took a couple of pics with me, (you can see I'm doing my best to smile and be happy).
Deep breath.
Off we go. I stick with Chrissy and Stacey for a short time. Mike, I figured was still looking for his wife or off like a bullet so I didn't try to look for him. Next thing I know, he is right beside me and says "you're running too fast". "I know", I said "I'll slow down now. Have a great run, Mike!". Mike said, "Don't worry, Phil will find you".
That was the last I saw of Mike, until he had a km left to run for his marathon where I teared up cheered for, and watched him speed by, also reaching his outstanding goal of 3:45. I couldn't help but feel so proud of what he was about to accomplish at that very moment.
I told Chrissy and Stacey I was going to slow down. They acknowledged me and I watched as they quickly vanished amongst the vast amount of runners.
The sound of hundreds of people running around me made me nervous. I kept close watch on the feet in front of me, not wanting to clip a heel (and then feel like one), or worse, injure another runner because I'm distracted.
I came up to the first water station, attempted to take some Gatorade (this would be my first attempt at taking a cup from someone while running, and then drinking while running). FAIL. Gatorade all over my chest. I then grabbed a cup of water, squeezed it and sipped out the tiny hole I made while running. I got even smarter and later walked while drinking. LEARNING! Also, I'll add, I always said "thank you". Those volunteers rock!
Normally I would use my iPhone app to keep my pace, so I really had no idea how fast or slow I was running. I had my HR monitor keeping my time, so I was trying to look for the km markers and not trip anyone.
Anytime I would see someone tall in my peripheral vision, I would think it was Phil, and then it wasn't. Instead of feeling this constant distraction I was allowing myself to have, I made a decision to take the advice given to me by so many other runners - enjoy the moment. BE in the moment. I hoped that Phil had given up on looking for me, and was just running his own race.
Finally I see a 5km marker, and I'm under 30min. GOOD. I have time to spare and still meet my goal of 2:15 if need be. I slowed down a bit to get my HR to a lower rate.
On the Lakeshore, the elite's ran in the opposite direction. It was nothing less than inspiring and super incredible to see. I was in awe of their speeds!
I passed the 10km marker at 57:38. GOOD! I'm still making good time. I slow down even more, let so many others pass me. At this point I am used to people passing me. I've grown accustomed to the grunts, moans and spitting all around me (kinda). By now I AM in the moment. I feel the sun on my face, and I say "you've done this so many times, you can do this!" to myself over and over. I remind myself of all the well wishes from friends on Facebook and Twitter, and of course my husband and kids.
Crowds, in a big city with kids is just not easy for my husband - understandably (I would have worried if they were there). They were there in spirit, and cheering me on in my mind. That was more important to me.
My name was on my bib, which was great! Strangers cheering me on by name was what I needed. It happened A LOT! I found myself high-fiving people, and at one point, even overheard one guy say something like ...boy, you can really tell who's not going to make it. I turn to look around me, like...did anyone else hear that? This other girl looked at me and we laughed! We can hear you!!! Some people!
When the separation of the marathoner's and the half's came up, I felt relief. My run was almost over. I was really talking to myself saying, "you can do anything you set your mind to" and various other ramblings.
Running under the Bay St. bridge was like someone turned off all the eyes on me. I took that moment to shake it out...pretty much lose any form I had, turn into a rubber band and breathe. I could see crowds in bulk on either sides of the road ahead. The sun was suddenly beating down, and I felt the last km slowly passing me by.
At 300m, I felt this song switch on in my head like I hit play. The song in Sixteen Candles when Jake Ryan shows up at the church, leaning on his car - starts playing in my ear. Click here to play song. My last moments of this race, were much like a happy ending in a John Hughes movie. This half-marathon is much more than just me training for something most people don't feel they can do (but can). It's finally being on the other side of just talking. Less talk, more do.
With 200m left, and crowds cheering, I was in the moment. I felt my toes push off faster, and my sprint began without me even telling my feet to go. My momentum was intense, so intense I almost took off an arm from a spectator! oopsies.
I finish. Barely able to breathe. Gasping for air, I truly believe I'm going to pass out. I dare not bend over to lean on my knees. GATORADE! Chug. MORE. Chug. Foil blanket. Chrissy? HI!!!! I found a friend!
Chrissy and I briefly get a chance to say hi, when I hear "ELAINE!", and see my big brother, Mom and Dad waving at me from outside the shoot. Coming from Uxbridge, I was really pleasantly surprised to see that they came! They wanted to surprise me - and they did!
As Chrissy and I start to walk again, I find Phil at the Gatorade station! YAY! PHILLLLLLL!!!! We figure we started 8min apart as I was in the front of the yellow corral, he in the back. I was just glad to see him, I felt awful for him as he continued to stop, look for me, and carry on. Phil did me a favour by even offering - a big thanks to him for that!!!
After catching up with Stacey whom finished in her own wicked personal best time (1:45), we all posed for a pic, and separated. Phil and I looked for Yvette and Myron so we could all find a spot to cheer Mike on.
So you see, it's not just about me running.
We are a group of people whom depend on each other to keep motivated. We push ourselves - and in turn, it inspires others.
Thanks to the encouragement from my new found friends, and new hobby, I have already registered for Around the Bay in Hamilton in March 2014, and Ragnar Relay in May 2014.
STWM Half-Marathon - CHECK!
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