Monday 7 December 2015

Race Review: Santa Shuffle Barrie

This photo happened on its own as it's not always the easiest with a dog
I love the Santa Shuffle! It is just an all-around fun race. First of all, I am a big lover of all things Christmas and festive. Getting to dress up for a race in Christmas-esque costumes? I'm in! Plus December is a slow season for races, so it gives me something to look forward to.

The event is held all across the country, each event happening at the same time on the same date. It is a primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army, and what a great time of year to be doing so. 

The event is very low key so it's great for those who are too nervous to participate in competitive races. It's a 5km out and back course with signage at each km. It's not chip timed but you do get a bib and medal for participating. Each year the medal has been beautiful detailed with ample amounts of glitter: my favourite!

They also have Santa on hand for photos which I believe they later email to you.

I have run this race for 3 years now. My first year I ran with two girlfriends of mine. I dressed up as a present. Last year I ran with two students from the school I teach at. I dressed up as an elf. This year I ran with my boyfriend and dog. Mark and I were reindeer and Zoe was Santa. It's all very postmodern to see Santa pulling two reindeer. It was fun as many people were dressed as Santa, so to be reindeer caught a few eyes and garnered some great comments from fellow participants.
But really, which reindeer are we?
We knew she'd never keep the hat on her head, so around her neck it went

This year was by far the nicest weather I've experienced for a Santa Shuffle. You know, many people seem to be sad that here we are into December with no snow and temperatures frequently hitting double digits; I have to tell you, I am not sad about it. Christmas isn't just snow. I love Christmas music and lights and costumes. I don't feel like I'm missing out without the snow. Do not fear: it will come. Before you know it, it'll be April and we will be wishing it was gone!!

So this year it was mild, close to 10C but weirdly foggy. We arrived just in time to park, use the porta potty (this is an added challenge when you realize you have a dog attached to your waist) and pick up bibs. I was disappointed this year not to receive a swag bag as the two previous years I got a bag with treats in it.

Also different this year they switched the course up due to construction. The start/finish area was still the same but the race headed South rather than North, out a gravel path along the water. I ran this path as part of my spring half marathon this year so I was familiar. They also mentioned that this year they had special medals for the top 3 male and female finishers, which does add a somewhat competitive level to the event. I hadn't expected this and a small part of me wanted to race it for that special medal, but I quickly reminded that part that this run is about fun and running with my boyfriend and fur baby.
Giving my girl a pep talk
This was Zoe's first race which is super fun, especially as it ended up being on her 2nd birthday. She is just like her mommy as I have my annual "birthday run" being the last race I ran, the Run Blue Mountains race series. Also a first race together for Mark and I. Lots of very exciting firsts.

The start of the race was a bit of a challenge as this is the first time I've run a race with Zoe so trying to find a comfortable place to start and weave through the throngs of people to get to an open area was a bit of a zig-zag at best. It didn't take long and we found a nice comfortable pace and area.

The race was a lot of a fun and I was very proud of both Zoe and Mark.
Heading in to the finish

Passing by my parents
Almost there!
It's so nice to be able to share my passion with these two. It was also nice that my parents ended up coming down to watch us as well (and take the great photos). Having nicer weather of course made all that more possible as well.

Mom got in this shot! Zoe is over the photos. 
I hope to continue to make this event an annual one. I think it would be neat to participate in a different location for next year. Stay tuned!
A tired girl wearing her birthday medal. Okay it's mine, they didn't give us one for her. 

Monday 23 November 2015

Psalm 119:32

Since becoming a runner I've developed a new understanding of who God is. There are a number of verses in the Bible about running and I'd like to start doing some blog spotlights on those verses and what they mean to me. I'd love to hear from other runners and their interpretations or understanding of these verses as well. 
 I have a tried, tested and true 6km route, 8km route and 10km route. I know exactly where 1km from home is in many directions. When I want to let go and run, spend time with God, get a good sweat and heart pumping run in, I lace up my shoes and head out on one of these routes. I don't worry about looking at my watch or doing running math or worrying about how many loops I need to do to round out my run. 
This verse applies in that God has set out commands for us, a way to live, in his holy word. I'm learning them as I grow in my relationship with Christ. As I learn them and explore them I find peace in them. People too often view rules and faith as constricting, borders that impede us when in all reality they are the opposite. Having a path to follow, knowing the direction you are headed in life gives you freedom to run without worry! You know the paths you are following because you've learned them, you know where they are taking you and where your ultimate end goal is. 
I don't overly enjoy trying to find new running routes in different areas. I don't like having to loop the same 1km block repeatedly or what feels like wandering aimlessly and trying to find roads or paths to take. It seems that much more tiring and I obsessively look at my watch, which seems to always be at less than 1km on these runs. I'm glad I don't need to approach life the same way. I have a loving God who has a plan for my life and a direction. Even in life when I'm not sure what comes next, I know God has a plan laid out for me, so I run without hesitation, with freedom, in the path of his commands.  

Friday 13 November 2015

Running with a dog

Getting ready for a fall run!
When my boyfriend Mark and I started dating I also started a relationship with his dog; Zoe is a Bernese Mountain dog and she will be two this December. I have always loved animals and especially dogs so I naturally fell in love with Zoe quickly. I love any chance to take her for a walk and from the moment I met her I got excited for the chance to take her running.

I've been running about 3 years now and my personal bests are getting harder to best. The harder and faster I run the more aches and pains I experience so I'm always looking for ways to find new opportunities to love running. Picking up some trail running has definitely helped as I am not as preoccupied with obsessing over split times and also finding time to run with friends helps as I turn on my Polar watch and turn it off when we finish and don't put much thought into it, just enjoy that time with my friends.

Mark and I have also started running together. I never want to force my passions onto a partner so I am thankful he seems to enjoy running sometimes too. My heart smiles when we run together. He is at a stage where it's easier for him to put on headphones and listen to a podcast to focus on his run whereas I like to have more unplugged runs to chat. I am glad we can find balance together.
First run with these two
Zoe is still a puppy in my books and is still learning how to walk properly on a leash (aka in a controlled manner, not all over the street from side to side) so I knew running could pose a challenge. I made sure to do some quick pinterest research on running with a dog. Many take aways are obvious like dogs, much like humans, need to build up the distance they are able to run and to watch dogs for signs of dehydration. It's also important to know the background on their breed as some dogs are more predisposed to different afflictions to watch for signs of.
Running side by side on the train track trail
Berners are bred for pulling heavy loads and Zoe is no exception to her breed. She loves to near pull my arm out of it's socket if she wants to visit another dog walking or try and befriend a squirrel. As we've started running together I've looked into running belts and purchased one with ample pockets. I am thankful my friend Lisa let me borrow her running belt to try out first. If you are looking into running with a dog ask a friend who runs with a dog if you can borrow their running belt before purchasing to decide what you need in one.

The belt I purchased has a pocket for a water bottle which I liked as Zoe, having such dark and thick fur, can overheat quicker than I would. What I don't like about the one I purchased as compared to Lisa's that I borrowed is Lisa's leash portion had stretch to it, like a bungee cord which made Zoe's frequent pulls easier to manage. Luckily I can keep an eye out for this attachable leash to one day purchase.

I am trying to teach Zoe to pace herself. It reminds me much of running with the kids at school in our after school run club. They just want to run as fast as they can immediately but often grow tired and gas themselves quickly. No matter how many times I told this to the kids they just had to learn it themselves through doing it, I am hoping Zoe will eventually become the same.
All smiles post-run
I love running with Zoe for many reasons:

  • It makes her happy, which in turn makes me happy. Humans and animals were made to move and exercise. Watching her trot along with her tongue flopping out the side of her mouth and her constant smile warms my heart. 
  • It's good for her. She has lots of energy and running allows her to get some of it out. 
  • I feel safer, especially running the trails which I'd like to do more and more of with her. I feel safer from animals and even strange people.
  • It's making her more disciplined on leash. She's learning to not need to pull towards all people and animals she meets.
  • When I am having a rough day, seeing her makes me feel better and so does going for a run. Going for a run with her, well, that's just two great things together!
  • I don't worry about my own pace or distance. I watch her for signs of pain or overheating (she does froth at the mouth from time to time) and make sure she's enjoying herself. I start my watch at the beginning and stop it at the end. 

Running with a dog is still new to me but I am loving it and enjoying taking Zoe out for a run anytime I can. In fact, we have big plans to run the Santa Shuffle together. I even bought her a Santa hat from the dollar store which she hated and ruined. Point taken, Zoe. I am slightly nervous about her running with that many other people and potentially dogs. Today she and I ran with my friend Lisa and her dog Britt. The beginning of the run was interesting to say the least with the two dogs running at one another but they eventually fell into a rhythm and were fine.
Zoe and Britt
Lisa and I 


I still have some things to sort out like how to stop her from pulling so much and if that's a losing battle with the predisposition of her breed. All I know is her tugs hurt my back and that's not good. If you have an advice on running with a dog I am all for hearing it!

My heart explodes with joy running with Mark and Zoe and I look forward to many more runs together.


post-run kisses

Monday 26 October 2015

Race Review: Run Blue Mountains

Sunday October 18, 2015 was the annual Run Blue Mountains race in Thornbury, Ontario. This race hosts a half marathon, 10km, 5km and kids 1km race as well as a 5km walk. This is the 3rd year I have participated in this race and the second time I have run the 10km course.
Receiving my finishers medal

I have had so much fun at this race in the past and this year was no different. The race has such a small town, tight knit community feel to it. The run is organized by the Thornbury Rotary club and touted as "a run through apple country". The course follows scenic rolling countryside on a combination of paved streets and gravel roads with beautiful views.

The race has been very well planned out and is one of my favourites as it has so many special and unique touches. Let me share them with you.

The race is hosted at the Beaver Valley Community Centre which is a beautiful indoor facility with washrooms and plenty of space to sit and keep warm pre and post race as well as for spectators. From a spectator perspective this is one of my parents favourite races because of this key fact.
Day of packet pick up

Packet pick up was easy and simple as though they have 5 different events, they are all clearly marked and colour coded so it is easy to do pick up day of. The race kit comes with your bib with chip timer, kleenex and some food samples which are useful to throw in my purse for later. This year the "swag" was a running toque which I think is a great idea. My first year it was a beautiful long sleeved shirt and last year I was somewhat disappointed in the short sleeve tech tee that seemed to be so common from every race I've run. I appreciate that they make these little changes each year and are ever improving. I wanted to commit the faux pas by wearing something new the day of but realized the race hat didn't have a pony tail holder. So, I reached in my purse, grabbed my jackknife and made my own ponytail holder. Just call me Macgyver.

This year was unique in that Friday night and early Saturday we were hit with a good 10cm (at least) of fresh snow. I was a little excited as the prospect of running in it. Temperatures were around freezing and not too cold. There also wasn't much wind. I accepted that the snow would make the surfaces a little more difficult to get a firm footing and that a personal best was likely out of the question.

A run through a snowy apple country
The organizers decided to host announcements indoors. They have a local pastor start the event with a prayer and the singing of O Canada. Then we all went outdoors for a fun warm up that you can't help but participate in. This year they decided to have a mass start of all distances, which I thought was another great choice. They lined us up quickly and sent us off. There wasn't too much standing around waiting.

Great energy from the warm up crew
Everyone warming up: even more important this year!
I am familiar with the course having run it last year. Though it's essentially a large rectangle there are quite a few small twists and turns on the course. The race has ample volunteers on course to ensure the safety and direction of participants.
What a difference a day makes! Friday morning volunteers collect apples for participants and spectators

I was even more appreciative of them in this less than favourable weather. There were many points during the race that the large falling snowflakes make it impossible for me to see ahead of myself without constantly blinking. Yet the volunteers stand in place for 3+ hours.
Awesome volunteers on course
They have great signage with colour coordination and arrows to best direct runners. It is quite a pretty course too (albeit hilly), my favourite part being a downhill that crosses a now pedestrian only bridge with beautiful views of the Beaver river.

Snowy gravel roads meant sloshy, slippery downhills 
The weather made it challenging for my personal support team (Mom, Dad, Mark) to see me coming through the driving snow. Though I was wearing notably bright blue pants, I finished the last 200 meters by weaving in and out of 5km walkers. Luckily they were still able to see me finish but were unable to snap any photos.
Girl guides handing out food and water to finishers
All finishers receive a beautiful finishers medal and are greeted with water, bananas, almonds and raisins in the finishers chute. I headed inside to what could only be described as an after party! There was live music, food, beer and prizes.
This husband and wife made beautiful music together
Within the registration fee all racers received a lunch. It was apple baked beans, salad and a bun. I am not a huge fan of chili or of eating right after a race. (Give me an hour and I'm ready to eat the house). My boyfriend Mark is beginning to learn the benefit of attending my races in the way of food. I was glad he was able to eat the meal as it was prepared with love for sure.
Where's Waldo? (me)

I also like this race because they have a podium and they celebrate the top 3 finishers in each age category (10 year increments) of all 3 race distances with a zipper pull style medal that can be attached to the finishers medal. They also reward an apple pie to the first place finisher in each category. Last year I got first in my age category and this year was no different.
Mr. Wentworth-Stanley handing out awards
The race is made that much more special and unique largely in part to one wonderful and charismatic man named Jeremy Wentworth-Stanley. He is an Investment Advisor and his financial donation helps cover race costs so that all money brought in can go directly to the Rotary Club. Mr. Wentworth-Stanley participates each year and greatly enjoys handing out medals and pies to the top 3 finishers in each category. Last year he got word of it being my birthday that day and he had the whole hall sing Happy Birthday to me. This year when I went up to receive my award I said, "Thank you, again" to which he questioned, "again?" and I explained last year's interaction. He asked if it was my birthday and I advised that it was the next day yet he still had everyone sing to me, yet again. He was trying to embarrass me but little does he know, the spotlight and I are good friends.

It's little touches like these, unique people, a friendly atmosphere, great organization and volunteers that make this race a success and one that I intend to participate in for years to come. Great job, Run Blue Mountains. I will see you next year, though I don't think I can call it my birthday run any longer.



Sunday 4 October 2015

Race Review: Collingwood Half Marathon

For my 6th half marathon I ran the Collingwood half on October 3rd, 2015. This is the first time I've ran the same half marathon course a second time. The Run Collingwood race series is my local race and since its' induction in 2013, I have participated each year. The race has a 10km distance (which I ran in 2013) and a half marathon (2014, 2015).

As a runner for about 3 years now, I am starting to settle into running. Running and I are past our honeymoon phase where we sign up for every single race and set enormous PBs in all race distances without even trying. The fact of the matter is running is hard work and can get expensive.

I decided to sign up for my local half marathon to try to run the same course again, cut down on costs (transportation, food, accommodations) and for the obvious benefit that a local race brings: an easier chance to guilt your friends and family to coming to see you run.

I am a big proponent of supporting local in all facets and that doesn't exclude our local run. The race series supports our local hospital, the Collingwood General and Marine hospital. My family has lived in this area more than 3 generations deep so I am sure you can safely assume I have personal ties to our local hospital.

The downfall of doing the same race again, and this one in particular, is losing out on some of those exciting things that come with running a race such as the newness of the experience and of the course. I also regret to share that in the past 3 years the series has been running very little has changed. This may be viewed as a positive in some respects but I now own 3 identical T-shirts and 3 nearly identical medals (the difference being only the date on the ribbon).

Which leads me to the age old question: why do I run? Is it for the swag, the bling, the personal bests? Read on...

flat Amelia ready to go
Race Kit Pick up:
In the two years prior kit pick up has been at least 2 days long. This year it was for one full day (10am-8pm) the friday prior to the race. It's quite the simplistic process of getting a bib, shirt and that's all. This year for convenience sake I had someone else pick up my bib and there was no hassle, no questions asked. This is a benefit of a small town race.

Race day:
The race is always held on a Saturday which I greatly appreciate. It gives me Sunday to still attend church and to rest and recoup a bit before returning back to work as a teacher Monday, where I certainly need as much of my energy as possible.

The weather was cool, about 6 degrees, which I appreciated considering the summer-long issue I fought of constant dizziness, nausea and blurred vision that came after nearly every single run and workout. However it was also quite windy which would provide an added challenge on the course.

Parking this year somehow was a nightmare. The 10km course starts at 8am and the half marathon at 8:30. I was trying to arrive just prior to 8am to avoid being in the way of any 10km racers. The parking lot from last year was somehow shrunken and at 7:50 there were rows of cars, both sides of the street (as you can see in the background of the photo below).

We were allowed to park in an alternative lot. I was able to use the bathroom one last time and wander over to the start with the perfect amount of time left to not stand around freezing or get too overly nervous.
pre-race support crew (+dad taking the photo)


My ideal goal for this race and for a half marathon is 1:45. This is my scary goal, the one I am afraid of telling people as part of me worries it may never happen. I also had a rough summer training wise, and in the last two weeks have been dealing with feet and ankles that lock up and burn as I run. Did that stop me from lining up next to the 1:45 pace bunny and hoping for the best? Of course not. My other two goals were to get anything below 1:50 and then to get a personal best. My current best was sitting at a 1:50:38 from my spring half marathon in Barrie this year.

Well, from about 500m in the ankles started to burn. I stuck with the 1:45 bunny for about 2km and then looked at my watch to see he was running about 4:45min/km and there was no way I could maintain those, nor are they what it takes to get a 1:45. As the course progressed my pace slowed, and slowed. I tried my hardest to get it back but it wasn't happening. I had moments of increased speed when I saw friends and family on the course and during the few slight downhills or when listening to certain spots on my podcast. But overall, my legs were fighting me. The headwind of course put a damper on things as well.

I went into the race knowing that it would be a struggle but was it ever a struggle. There was no honeymoon phase of the first 5 or 10km feeling great and strong. The whole thing sucked. If you'd asked me in the last 5km if I wanted to stop I'd gladly huff "yes" in your direction.

Last year when I ran this course my PB at the time was just shy of 1:55. I ran with the 1:55 pace bunny with a bit of struggle until about 16km where I found new strength in my legs and took off, getting myself a new PB of 1:52:33. I was kind of hoping that this time around my legs would find new strength again, but it didn't happen. Instead, I looked at my watch with 4km to go, realizing I had to be done in 20 min to PB, realizing that meant 5min/km and that my legs, despite my best effort and self-talk were not delivering.

Let me tell you, it's hard to continue running when everything hurts and when you know you wont be getting that personal best. For my 6 half marathons I've ran, I've consistently bettered myself each time (except once, but that one was to be expected). This again adds to my question of "why do I run?". Is it only for the personal bests? I may not be able to get faster and faster each time, is that okay?
coming in to the finish, full of pain


so much pain

Soon I get to stop

Loved my custom shirt

I crossed the finish line at 1:50:47. That's 9 seconds slower than my personal best. However, it is a course personal best from last year's race. Though I felt I should be disappointed in myself, upset and crying, feeling like it was all a waste, I didn't.

I still felt like I gave ALL I had in me. I felt the usual "I'm going to be sick, someone hold me up please". And I felt this overwhelming joy and thankfulness for all the people that support me in my running and love me.

At the finish line I had a mother, a father, a boyfriend, a best friend and my running partner in crime. Also on the course I saw the mother/father/boyfriend trio three times, plus my friend Chris and her son Ty drive by honking, stop to get out to cheer me on and drive by again, as well as my best friend Andrea and her mother and son drive by then stop to cheer me on.


All these people likely had much better things to do on their saturday than watch me run. It was a cold one too, but because they love me and knew how much this meant to me, there they were.

So why do I run? Not for the medals, the shirts, the bibs or the swag (though of course all that is very nice) but rather, I run because I love running. It is a physical and emotional struggle that teaches you how strong you are and how blessed you are. It teaches you what truly matters in life. Though I will still chase that personal best I know what matters most. We will chalk this one up as a success.


Monday 20 July 2015

Race Review: NorthFace Endurance Challenge 5k


The NorthFace Endurance Challenge lives up to its' name. The race has distances including 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, 50k and a 50-miler. It is a trail running series that tests a runner's endurance with challenging terrain and constant elevation gains and falls. Last year the series came to Canada for the first time and I was unable to participate having lived in Alberta for the summer.

This year I wasn't missing out! My partner in crime Heather and I signed up with 2 weeks to go and threw together a rough "training plan" by which we set dates after work to get together to run parts of the course as we both work at Blue Mountain Resort where the race took place. 

We signed up for the shortest available distance, the 5k, as we didn't have much time to prepare and neither of us had ever run a trail race before so we thought we'd enter with caution...sort of. 

Trail running and road running are related but they are unknown relatives. My parents both come from large families (6 and 7 kids) and as a result I have a copious number of cousins. There are some I couldn't pick out in a crowd or even name. That's the relationship trail running has to road running. You struggle to find connection between the two.

Heather and I "trained" 4 times on part of the course. We ran up the one trail and down the other. Most runs came out at about 4ish km. Though we struggled through our training runs we saw definite improvement each time in our overall pacing. We learned that trail pacing is nowhere close to road pacing. When signing up for the event you have to estimate a finish time. Both of us, confused and never having ran a trail race put down 35minutes. My 5km PB is 22:50 so I thought, add some time because of the hills and terrain, sure 35. I should mention the winner of the 5km ran the event in just less than 35 minutes. We were WAY off! When reading online information about trail running I read somewhere that trail pacing is sometimes more than double road running. I can attest to the truth in that statement!

The NorthFace Endurance challenge is a whole weekend thing. Saturday the 3 longest events take part. The 50 miler heads out at 5am, and the 50km and marathon follow after. A friend I grew up with ran the 50 miler. He is a trail running lover. I think he is ridiculous but in a way with a lot of respect behind it. Extremely athletic kind of crazy is better than some other kinds of crazy :). The Endurance Challenge has live tracking features you can sign up for. I tracked Adam throughout the day. He ended up finishing in around 11hours and 22 minutes. I couldn't even imagine ever in my lifetime running for 11+hours, not even on flat, even terrain let alone these trails. 
pre-race chats with fellow Blue Mountain employees and friends

more BMR ladies and friends

So Sunday morning the half marathon, 10k and 5k were held. Though I was disappointed on Thursday with my packet pick up being just a bib and shirt I was pleased upon arrival on race day to see how many sponsor booths were set up. Post race we got lots of great swag including free socks, lots of food, coffee and more. 
swag

We started in wave 1 right at the beginning. I felt a little like a wolf in sheep's clothing.  I am not a trail runner, I am a road runner and here I am lining up right at the front. Dean Karnazes puts on these events. Though I don't know who he is I can recognize him to be a pretty accomplished person. Google him and see that he is the ultramarathon man. He stood at the front with the mic and before sending us off asked who was there for their first ever trail race. Heather and I both raised our hand and he kind of flinched and said "enjoy the pain". He knew we were in for worlds of pain and so did we, but not fully. You brain is good at wiping out pain directly after experiencing it. If it weren't that way I wouldn't run long or fast ever. 
Getting ready to run!


At 9:15 we were off and instantly on uneven terrain and headed up. We didn't realize the beginning of the race headed up the ski runs and across on of course a gradual incline. Heather and I ran and ran and ran and couldn't understand how we still hadn't made it to "the grind" trail we had trained on. By the time we finally reached it we were already wiped. The weather was better than anticipated- not rainy or lightning like predicted. Rain would make the trails very difficult. However it was hot and humid. There was a breeze in the open areas but also hot, hot direct sun. As soon as we headed into the trees of the trail the air movement went away. 

As we went up the hill our running slowed to a walk many times. But we noticed that everyone was walking, I guess its common in trail running due to the challenging terrain and elevation gains. My body started to warn me that the heat was getting hard to handle. My head felt so hot and big. I started to feel swimmy in the head and dizzy. Then, as we got closer to the top I started to get cold shivers. I knew what that meant and tried my best to ignore it. At the top I was excited to see my friend Adam cheering us on. I saw him again at the finish as well. It seemed many runners from the previous day's longer distances were there to cheer on runners for the Sunday distances. 
A friend since Kindergarten!

I was so happy to finally get to the top where the trails are at least flat...sort of. Having practiced these trails were beneficial to know an end was in sight. When we finally made it to the water station I was so excited, I half drank a cup and poured the other half on myself. Then we headed for the downhill section.

Downhill has always been my weakness. I don't trust my balance or leg strength to catch myself. Though I have improved in our short two weeks training! Heading down I had a hard time getting my head focused, I was still fighting the dizzy disorientation from the heat and was having a hard time watching my feet pick their next foot fall. It felt like I wasn't in my body anymore. I tried to explain this to Heather so she wouldn't be disappointed in my performance and letting her down.

Finally the finish was in sight, we grabbed hands and made our way across the finish. I instantly got myself a water bottle and downed it.  Post-race we got our swag and though the food table included skittles and m&ms I passed them up thinking that 5km wasn't worthy of those kinds of treats. I got myself a kicking horse coffee which weirdly enough on a hot day was really nice post-race. 






My watch said our race was actually 6km long. It also told me Heather and I had hit our fastest overall average yet (it certainly didn't feel that way) Our average pacing according to my watch was about 8:36min/km. This is crazy to me that that was our best and exciting for us considering I'd normally run about 5:00-5:30min/km on any given training run. 

The photographers were fun on the course- it was nice that they interacted with us and seemed to enjoy doing their job. There was one that made his presence known to us as we approached so we could prepare a smile to cover the pain and feeling of death. 



The course was well marked with flags matching with bib colours. The finishers medals all had the same medal and different ribbons matching the colour of the distance. 

After the race I was still able to make it to church to hear part of the message (yes, in my running clothes!) and then to Wendy's (a post-church Sunday tradition). 

Overall I really enjoyed this race and intend to do it again next year. Whenever I can run local I will and do. I haven't decided if I'd like to run the 5km again and properly train and dominate (prove something to myself....maybe set a goal of a 1st place age category finish (this year I was 3rd in my age category)) or push myself distance wise and go for the 10km. I have a year to decide. 

I am so glad I got to chance to meet a distant relative of a sport I love so much. It has grown my love of running in ways I didn't know it could grow. I am definitely looking forward to integrating more trail running and trail races into my running future.