The weather was hot, humid and hazy. I believe the car was reading 20degrees when we drove into the city, and with a humidex of around 27. I was wearing a tank top and shorts (and couldn't have worn less). I was hot before I started running. I started in the red corral, the sub 45 min corral. The people were intense and competitive and took off right from the start.
I started out strong and tried to maintain but slowly began to slow as I heated up fast. There was not a breeze to be found. I make sure to drink and dump water at both water stations (which I usually would just skip). My 5km split had me at 23:14 (4:38/km). My original goal of a sub 45 quickly became a PB (sub 47:20) and at this point it was still doable. Then the wheels fell off. My second 5km took 25:53 (5:10/km) finishing at a 49:06. Within the last km I saw 3 people sitting on the side of the road, the final, about 200m from the finish was passed out of the side of the road with a volunteer running toward her. It was HOT and I was starting to feel dizzy. In fact, as soon as I finished and stopped running I was fairly certain I may pass out or throw up (as I also witnessed someone do) but I put my hands on my head and steadied myself as I walked toward the medals and water.
At least I beat my time from a few weeks ago when I ran the Toronto Yonge Street 10km which is the same course. That day I remember being cold after the race and had to stop for a coffee. Wow how things change.
But here's where things turn around, where one of my worsts becomes one of my bests. I knew I'd get to see the faces of one of my students and his brother who fought cancer and won. The Sporting Life 10km hosts 25,000+ runners and is a primary fundraiser for Camp Ooch, for kids with cancer. I've learned firsthand through these boys how great Camp Ooch is as it allows kids to be kids and have great experiences and not just the children with cancer but their siblings as well. Camp Ooch puts on frequent fun events for the kids like most recently they went to Ripley's Aquarium. So cool!
My students are like children to me. So getting to receive my medal from my student was so much fun. As I wasn't feeling my best I went through to the water (drank 5) and food and came back. By this point the boys were over the medal thing as they only had a few people they wanted to see. So I played tag with them and ran about. They are the reason I participate in the Sporting Life 10km. They are the reason the event itself runs. Not personal bests (though they are nice), not medals or bananas or anything else. The kids.
It was also a fun event as I've recently helped my very tall cousin get into running so it was his first major running event. He really enjoyed himself and can't wait to do his next! The love of running is best shared.
I wanted to stop in the sporting life store to get a momento. I think the boys were shocked how quickly I was in and out.
