How it went down

Wow! So it's been like a week since the race (I'm sooooo bad with blogging these days!) But to be honest, I've been really tired lately. It must be a change in the weather, combined with it getting dark soooo soon.

So I went jogging tonight for the first time since the race...bad, I know, but I couldn't really move much for the first 3 days after the run....I was that sore!

Let me tell you though, it was an awesome experience! I still love running...although I'm not sure how many more half marathons I will run. I think 10km is my optimal distance.

It started out a bit shakey....it was DAMN COLD! I thought to myself, as I hugged my tall zen tea from Starbucks, what am I doing here? But once I checked my bag, put my race bib on and got warmed up, I was quite excited for the race to begin.

It was packed. I couldn't believe the amount of runners, just for the half marathon! I think there was close to 5000!!!

So we start off down Yonge St. from Mel Lastman Square and head south...I'm told the race is mostly down hill.

I was lied to.

Almost immediately we hit our first big hill. I'm glad it was at the beginning, because it would have been really cruel to sneak it in at the end of the race! ;o) Did I mention it was cold? You would think with the running that you would warm up, but I ran with gloves on the whole time. There were great moments, when the sun shone in your face and it did warm your body, but there were equal moments when you ran completely in the shade contemplating your sanity.

But I kept telling myself...it's for the girls!!

So the first 10km breeze by, and I'm feeling fantastic. Halfway there, no problem! I think it was around 14km that my legs began to get a bit heavy, and I was thinking...how much farther! ;o)

But I'll tell you the hardest was the last 3km...you know you are soooo close, the crowds are getting thicker, your making your final turns to the homestretch....but the stretch keeps going....

I was seeing other runners, who had already completed the race walking around, resting, eating, proudly showing off their medal...I wanted to be that person! So I kicked it into high gear for the last km, and finished strong only to see my mom's face waiting for me with a thermos of chicken noodle soup and a blanket. (How do they know just what you need!!)

It was the best feeling, finishing the race I trained so hard (mostly!) for. A personal accomplishment, that I've shared with all of you. Thanks for reading.

I DID IT!!

Yes, the run was yesterday. I did it. My official time was 2:28! I was very impressed.

My body (especially my legs) is in total atrophy right now. OUCH! I am still very tired (no sleeping in for me this weekend! I was out of the house by 7:00am to get to the race! So for now this post is going to be short and sweet. I will definitely take the time to write about my experience more this weekend.

But thanks to everyone for their support! IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE! (http://melsrun.blogspot.com/2006/07/donation-information.html).

I plan on having a one week grace period before I send in my pledge money to Girl's Inc.

thanks again...and keep checking back for my updated post. I'm going to sleep now.

Midnight Run

Ok, so I didn't actually run at midnight, but is was 10:00pm and pretty dark out! How exhilirating!! Although I wasn't exactly prepared for a night run (no head lap, or even bright reflective gear...but I was equipped with my dog Simba and apparently wind under my feet!

It was a quick 30 minute jog around the block and we stayed on the main road where there was more light. I'm definitely going to be doing more of these...something about running late at night, no one else on the road, cool crisp air and I had a great sleep! I'm on my way to buy some running gloves though...it's a bit nippy out, and it's supposed to be pretty cool for my half marathon this Sunday. Yes, 3 DAYS TO GO.

I'm pretty pumped for it, I just want to get to it now. I'm going to be going to a Carbo Dinner provided by the Toronto Marathon, featuring some legendary marathon runners!

So wish me luck!! I'll post after my race.

One week to go!!!

The jitters are really starting to sink in....I'm going to run a Half Marathon in a week!!!

I did an easy run this morning (6km)...the weather was AWESOME! I can only hope that we have it this good next Sunday, for my run.

Well, since it's Thanksgiving here in Canada, I have tomorrow off from work, so I'll be able to hit the road again in the morning, and enjoy the sunshine.

Off balance

Oh boy....I'm a clutz...my balance is sometimes a bit off, I take sharp corners, don't anticipate how close things are, and end up bumping into walls, tables, you name it....

Well last night I took a tumble....as you know, I have a puppy....and we keep a puppy gate over our kitchen door, to keep him out, and last night I was coming out of the kitchen, and didn't quite clear the height of the gate, and tripped on it, crashing through the gate and crushing onto my left knee to break my fall.

It hurt.

Now with a huge bruise and my right knee already feeling achy from running....I'm a mess. I plan on going out tomorrow night for a run and test the waters hoping it'll all be alright....

I'll keep you all posted.

Joy and pain

Well, did an easy run Friday, and had my last long run before the race today....oh the joy and the pains!! It's true the closer you get to race day, the more you feel your body's aches and pains. My right knee, which has given me problems in the past, has again begun to ache. I've had Patellar Femoral Syndrome in my right knee since college. A combination of small desks and commuter subway seats gave way to lots of knee cramping back in college. But through weight training and stretching, it's bothered me less and less since then.

But now and again (I guess the increase in mileage) it's giving me a few aches and pains.

But I had a pretty good run considering, great weather, for October 1st! and I'm pumped for the upcoming race. I'm just going to continue to keep limber with some good short, easy runs, and give it my all on race day!

I took some great shots of my route today, I'll try to post them up this week!

Two weeks to go!!

Had some great training this week, I'm feeling loose and good. As sad as I am to see summer go, I LOVE running in the crisp fall evenings! It is exhilarating! I'm looking forward to a nice weekend of training, putting in my last long run before the race.