Race Review: Nike Women's 15km Toronto

Ever since I started running and learned about the world of running I've wanted to do a run in the Nike Women's Race Series. It is a "bucket list" kind of run for sure. I read that at these race's your finishers medal is a Tiffany's necklace! That my friend is reason enough to sign up.

The closest run for me would be San Francisco. I have always wanted to go to San Francisco but just put the idea on the back burner, or rather, left it on my bucket list as it would be a costly endeavour. Much to my excitement this year Nike Women's Race Series announced their first ever Canadian race would be held June 14th on the Toronto Island. My excitement began to build. All of a sudden it became so much more possible as it took a race a 2 hour flight away and made it a 2 hour drive. Also I've never been on Toronto Island and have always wanted to.

As this race series is the fastest growing and most popular race series for women you have to enter a draw to get in. It cost $120 to register (which you didn't pay until you were confirmed entry) or $100 for registered students. I believe there is another option to raise a certain amount for their charity (Leukaemia and Lymphoma society) to guarantee entrance but this was not the option I took. I entered the draw March 9th and anxiously awaited the email saying I was in! Some of their races have much larger capacity but due to the fact that this one was taking place on the island they capped it at a measly 15,000 (haha). It ended up just shy of 10,000 ran the race so they didn't quite make the cap. This is likely as it was its first year being held in this location. Next year will be a different story.

I was so impressed and pleasantly surprised with all aspects of this race. Packet Pick up was more than just some booths set up in some convention centre. Nike built a "women's village" which had a few different tents for different purposes. First was the packet pick up tent. It was well organized with clearly marked bib numbers on the walls. If you didn't know your bib number they of course had people there to help you out. In fact, they had copious amounts of helpful people. Most of these people were not canadian, which I found funny. The girl who scanned my registration asked me where Nottawa was and then clarified that she was in fact from just outside Toronto (this is what clued me in to realizing that most of the people working there were not).

so many race shirts

From there was a cool and giant tent that had a blown up, topographic map of the course. There was a line up to get your photo taken with it, I wasn't all about that. There was a run analysis centre with professionals and treadmills, there was a DJ pumping the tunes, and a super cool area with a whole bunch of nike clothes with the nike women's 15k and "we run Toronto" written on them. I decided to restrict myself and only purchased a black tank top I could wear race day as I generally prefer tank tops over T-shirts. I also wanted one of the super comfy looking sweaters but they came with a hefty price tag. Between race registration and travel expenses this race sits at one of my costliest, but of course one of my most enjoyable.

Running analysis

shopping shopping!

There was also another smaller tent with samples from Nuun and another hydration company as well as a giant wall to sign. It was neat to see the wall end up on the race course as well. I signed it and so did mom. They also had fun photo booths for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma society. All these tents were outdoors and it was a beautiful day going from tent to tent. They were all also on the beautiful Toronto waterfront. Nike built a gorgeous floating studio right on the water with free classes. Most were led by Nike sponsored athletes like professional surfers and snowboarders which is pretty cool.

the floating studio

one of the smaller tents and a view of the old and new

signing my name and instagram handle

Mom signing "proud parents" above my signature on the wall

the floating studio

They had so many neat photo ops. I like how Nike had a very pretty colour palette of mint and peach dominance. They did a great job of combining fitness and fashion, making strength pretty.

We stayed in a nice hotel just outside the Eaton center. It was about a 3km walk to the water. We drove back to the hotel and then walked down to the waterfront again to enjoy the beautiful weather. It was at this point when I decided to visit the "help desk" about my race corral. You see, when I registered I had no idea what finish time I wanted (I'd never raced a 15k before) and when I was put in corral 3 of 8 I didn't think much of it. Then I ran into an old friend (since pre-school) who runs with the Nike Run Club in Toronto. They essentially were the host run club of the event. She was running as a 5:15/km pacer. As I had run my half marathon the weekend prior at about 5:19/km I thought I could run faster than 5:15s for a 15km. Michelle told me she was in the second corral and was shocked I was in the third. So I visited the help desk and of course didn't have my packet with me. The lady was really kind and asked if I could show proof with a running app that I could run a faster pace than where I was placed. When I could she asked which corral I wanted to start in. I put myself in the second thinking the first would be too far of a stretch. I feel like the second corral was about 4:38-5:15/km. The lady of course wanted me to be able to exchange my wrist band but since I wasn't walking back 3km again and then back she just said "promise me you will rip it up".

My corral matched my nails, it was meant to be. 

My insider and forever friend

the view from my hotel balcony

RACE DAY!
I was set for a 6:30am ferry. The information said to arrive 30min prior to ferry time. As for spectators they were to line up in the spectator line and would get on a ferry as soon as there was room for them after runners were loaded. We left the hotel around 5:30 (gross!) and walked the 3km down to the ferry dock. We stopped into Mcdonalds on our way for an english muffin with peanut butter. It's a pre-race favourite of mine. The ferry docks again had copious workers who were way too peppy for 6am. I lined up by the appropriate flag and didn't wait long before they were herding us onto the ferry. I was on the ferry by 6:20 and was happily surprised that it was earlier than planned. The ferry was packed but I stood at the rail and watched the water. It was about a 17min ride.

Ferry waiting spots the day before

Ferry friend

Getting to the island you are immediately welcomed with fun signage. This was consistent across the entire island. When they say Nike Women took over the island, they mean it. They even plastered all the facilities with their decals and colours, very event specific. Walking onto the island they had a neat drum corps and lots of great signs with motivational sayings.

They also had rows of "photo frames" with different photo ops. It was interesting to think that all the women surrounding me could run my pace or faster. It already seemed like there were SO MANY PEOPLE and I was one of the early ferries. The first ferry I believe was 6am and the last 8:20. I thought I best make my way to a bathroom before things get too crazy so I continued to walk until I say the start and finish and a large bathroom. At this point there was maybe a 2 person line up. Right behind it was a beautiful pier and beach. I thought it best to hang out down here while I waited for my parents who luckily got on the next ferry! I even saw some driftwood that I collected while I waited. I enjoyed the peace and tranquility and solitude of the waterfront. Though it was a little cool.

It was weird to be at a race location 2 hours prior to an event. I decided my 5:30 breakfast likely wouldn't take me to a finish time of around 11am-ish so I added a granola bar to the tummy. We lined up for the coffee line up (for dad and mom) and I met a few people, all american (which my Nike insider friend later told me it was about 50/50 Canadian/American due to the fact that last year at this time Nike hosted a race in DC and of course Toronto is a closer location than San Francisco for all the Northern states). Everyone was friendly and it was fun to people watch. We explored all the tents set up around the island. They had a stretching tent, a tent with heat sheets which I've never gotten from a race and always wanted (I got 2...and both my parents got one because it was cool). They remind me of capes. They had a tent for taping up injured or needy areas. They had the usual post race massage area and a non-lined up photo area which we took advantage of. They had booths for sponsors and shopping.

An uplifting sponsor booth. Also these were delicious products

I didn't realize it at the time but there was a booth with beautiful gold and silver little tattoos of nike symbols. They also had a booth of signs spectators could make, this we also didn't know until after. We found a few rocks along the walk ways and did some people watching.

For my race attire I had packed a number of different options. When I bought the black tank I knew I couldn't wear solid black bottoms so I went with my lululemon running skirt. Where can you run in a skirt but at a women's running series? I also wore my handy stridebox socks because they are both encouraging as they say "just keep running" on the back and support a great company. I also always run in a hat so I had on my blue Canadian Running hat to balance the black/blue theme. I gave up on the idea of trying to wear something that would set me out in the crowd. I've learned thats near impossible to do unless you are wearing an elephant costume, which of course some guy was and I ran with him a few km near the start when the girl he wanted to run with had to use the washroom.
Speaking of washrooms I decided to use the washroom prior to running again. This time there was a GIANT line but I figured I had time so why not.

A small part of the washroom line

 By the time I was through that I got into my corral and it started to rain...and rain....and rain. The sucky part about this was having to wait to run. I wore my heat sheet as long as I could before I had to pitch it. The first wave started at 9:30 and they let each wave go 7 minutes later. I was thankful I knew this and that the course was narrow in spots from my insider. 9:37 off we went and thank goodness because I had the shakes from the cool rain.

photo taken from inside a plastic bag pre race

The course was very pretty! It was a bit mucky from the rain and a range of terrain including paved trails, grass, a little sand. The course was very well marked all along! A few km in we ran past the area where the party the day before had been and great people waving signs and shouting encouragements. That kind of support definitely puts wind in a runners sails. I recognized some of them as people I follow on instagram which is slightly creepy, I feel. Then at 4km you run onto the Billy Bishop airport runway. How cool is that? Just previous to this we saw the front of the pack runners running back from the runway. It was neat to see them, such strong, beautiful women. It's empowering, really. Back to the runway. I found it neat because the other half was still open so I've heard some planes were taking off as women were running. This happened after I'd been there.

We continued on past the start line again at about 9km and I got to wave at my parents.

I also saw the drum corps again AND a gospel choir in front of a little church. Wow. That one gave me chills.

One part of the course was a little boring and a straight away with nothing to really look at. There was one "hill" that was a bridge that went onto another small residential style island full of beautiful cottages, and lots of photographers.

The last few kms was all boardwalk on the south side of the islands. The board walk was slippery from the rain and seemed to be dragging on painfully until I caught sight of the pier, knowing it was in line with the finish line.

 I was happy to finish in 1:17:32. It was neat that Nike had a spot for spectators to "follow" a runner. Every 3km was a timing mat that updated your location and pacing for spectators. My friend Lisa at home was following my race unbeknownst to me. (Until I finished and immediately she texted "great run!"). There was also aid stations every 3km with washrooms, water and nuun (Also signs that said "last bathroom for 3km). What seemed to frustrate me along the course was my fellow runners. Somehow I felt like I kept getting stuck behind slower races, which didn't make sense to me considering the corral I was in. This was in the first few kms too! There was also many runners who just started walking, and NOT for photo ops, and not for 10 and 1s. It may sound petty but maybe these people were in the wrong corrals!

Coming in to the finish

After the finish I got a water and an apple and bag with chips and granola bar, trail mix, craisins in it. Then from there I headed into the secure area where I got to coveted Tiffany's box. They made sure to mark off on your bib that you'd received it so people couldn't double dip. The neat thing about these necklaces is that they are different at each event and not publicized before the race so you never know what it is going to look like! I was almost afraid to open it because it was tied so nicely and I was sweaty and hot. It stopped raining a few kms in and I missed it.

What a beautiful necklace it is! A long silver chain and a beautiful diamond shape with the nike swoosh and the wings symbol (which I LOVE) on the front and Nike Women's 15km Toronto and the leaf symbol on the back. We assumed there would be some Canadian symbol on it.

After the race I found Michelle again for an awkward photo op and to complain about the people on the course. It was harder for Michelle running as a pacer, she couldn't speed up when she had the chance to and got stuck a few times behind others.

We looked around a bit post race then walked back to the ferry docks to head back to the hotel to clean up and head out. Again there was no line up to get on the ferry back and we walked right on. At this point it started to rain again.

A rainy view of the city

a PanAm games ferry friend

 Not a heavy rain but a consistent rain, the rest of the day. We walked back to the hotel, I showered in the rec facilities (no late check out, boo!) and headed out.

Big hair post race pre-shower

Here are some stats:
BIB 2512
Finish time: 1:17:32
Finished 647 of 9168 runners
189/2256 for women 25-29

I was surprised to finish in the top 10% overall but learned this to be a race that is a fun race. All races have competitive people but it seemed like most people were there to run and have fun! It seems to attract groups of women who are both seasoned and sometimes runners that are out for the love of running (or tiffanys) who aren't overly concerned with finish times. As it was my first 15km I knew it was an automatic PB so that was fun. I had a finish time goal of between 1:15 and 1:30 and ideally 1:15 and 1:20 so I was happy to hit that.

I should also add that the event gives you FREE RACE PHOTOS which I love, and they were available Tuesday. Overall it was such a fantastic run and I'd love to do more, especially one I could travel to with a group of friends anywhere in the world. The event was flawlessly run with so many great details and kind, helpful people. If you get a chance to run a Nike Women's race, do it!

Race Review: Barrie Waterfront Half Marathon

This was my third time taking part in the Barrie Waterfront Run. The race has a 5km, 10km and Half marathon. In 2013 and 2014 I ran the 10km and this year I ran the half. I try to have a spring and fall half and when I can keep them local I do because races can get expensive with hotels and travel. However, in terms of "local" (drivable distance morning of) half marathons, I am somewhat limited living in rural ontario.

I wasn't too excited about the Barrie Half Marathon but after some humming and hawing I signed up for it as my spring half as I couldn't find anything else "local". This would be my 5th half marathon and I am getting to a stage with my running (about 2.5 years in) where the consistent PBs are starting to level out. I knew the course was hilly and therefore decided in my mind it wouldn't be a personal best and I had to come to terms with that, besides, they can't all be BESTS, I reasoned, and that has to be okay. Sometimes we must run for the love of running. I also struggled through this training schedule and found myself often sick this winter or generally fatigued. I often skipped my hill training (also sidelined from that with injuries and shoe troubles) and speed work. The twice weekly cross training was cut to once and sometimes not at all due to a Wednesday night run group I take part in.

BUT, all that said, I was going to give it my all and chase those goals, you know, see what I could do. 

I love the Barrie Waterfront run as a whole. I keep coming back year after year for MANY reasons:

-It's local

-It runs along the waterfront which is just beautiful and I LOVE running by water. It's pretty much my thing.

-It's very well organized

-It supports many local charities

-There are local celebs like the local news anchor Tony Grace and our up until recently MP Patrick Brown, who is now head of the Conservative Party of Ontario and will likely become our Premier.  

-Great medals

-Nice shirts

-Great time of year

-Nice swag

-Nice people

-Well course marshalled

I may have commented to my parents "I love the whole race except the course" to which they laughed, pointing out the the course just might be the most important part. They may be right. 

Friday night, as usual, I headed over to Barrie to pick up my race packet. It's about a 35 min drive from work, which on a Friday after school isn't a bad thing. It's nice to have that quiet time to drive. The packet pick up was hosted at the local Running Free store and ran flawlessly. They have it set up at the back of the store so that once you follow the steps and get your swag bag you end up in the store with a 20% off coupon. Shopping for running stuff? Don't mind if I do. I should mention that all volunteers at the packet pick up were very pleasant! Also the race director Jeff was there and equally as kind and welcoming. I get the feeling he is a very hard working man. 

Race day was beautiful weather! Sunny and warm, about 12 degrees to start up to 17 degrees. There was a slight breeze off the water, but a welcomed breeze as it wasn't over powering but rather just cooling. We arrived at 7:35 which was just enough time to use the washroom and get prepared to go. 

The first km was fairly flat but from there, from km 2-4 it was a gradual uphill climb. Then there was a short but steep downhill (which I shuddered at the thought of being an uphill on the way back). From 5-6 it was a range of up and down, both gradual and sharp. At 6km we turned around and headed back towards the start/finish. Just when I thought I'd have a 2km gradual downhill the course changed and we headed a different way. This way had a more steady downhill which could only mean, yup, a large uphill. At the top of which was a water stop and if anyone thinks I can drink water after chugging up a hill like that they are nuts. The course has ample water stations which is fantastic, about every 3km or so. I stopped for water at most, maybe skipping 2 or 3. 

The course went back past the start finish at about km 12.5, where I got to smile and wave at my parents and the cameras. At this point I was starting to fatigue but proud of myself as my watch confirmed I was maintaining an overall 5:15min/km pacing. I was hoping for a 5:12 which would be a sub 1:50 but with that course I decided a 5:15 would be great too! Up until this point I was able to chug up hills and then fly down them to balance my pacing where I wanted it. The course continues on past the start/finish where a very well trained course marshall split the 10k racers toward to finish line and the half marathoners to continue on the course. At this point the clump of runners thinned out. Our course ran along the water and onto a gravel rail trail. A straight....flat...gravel trail in the direct sunlight. This is where the wheels fell off. Not the hills, no no, but the FLAT. My pacing slipped and the km markers seemed to stretch apart. I watched my pace hit 5:30s...5:40s...and higher. I thought my pacing goals were shot because I still had so far to go, I was only at 13km or so, had to go out to 16km, turn about and run ANOTHER 5km back. I just did my best to chug along, and then at 15.5km the course turned UP onto a short steep hill and a quick jaunt down a road and back. As I travelled back to the start I started to feel a little lighter, realizing that every step was bringing me home. I should also mention my feet were writing braille onto themselves in the form of beautiful blisters. The shoe troubled I'd fought through this training program included shoes being too tight in the toe box leading to pinched nerves and painful toes. So as a result the new shoes had a wider toe box which of course means more movement...and blisters.

About 2km to go I looked at the sad pacing and said to myself, I know you are tired but your legs have more to give, lets go, and I picked up my pace. As I neared the finish line with about 1/2 a km to go I looked down at the overall time reading on my watch and was shocked to see 1:48ish. What?? How could that BE? Seems my watch was SHORT compared to the km markers meaning I was going faster than what my watch said! (That NEVER happens). I was in shock but said let's go body! I could see the start/finish but knew I had to wrap around in order to get to it. My personal best was 1:52:33 and I thought to myself, I can get through that banner in less than 4min, now is where it counts and I booked it (or felt like I did because honestly, everything hurt). I turned into the finish stretch and read a time clock of 1:50:3x and nearly cried crossing the finish line with a 1:50:38...a nearly 2.5min PB! A PB on a hilly, hot course with gravel trails. WOW!! The results also showed I was 3rd in my age category which I am super stoked on as I've never placed in a half marathon so that was exciting. I placed 96/331 overall, 26/169 women and 3/17 Females 25-29. 

I met my mom moments later and she said "PB?" (she knew) and I said "PB BABY!" and we embraced in a sweaty hug. Soon after came along dad with a similar interaction. I walked until I no longer felt nauseous and started to rehydrate. 

Wow. What a day. I should also mention it was my cousin's first half marathon! I was his "coach" as I made him a training schedule and checked in on him. We stuck around to watch him finish and I ran the last little bit with him. Super proud. He texted me today and said "so when's the next race?" for the love of running :)

Also the medals were HUGE! They have magnets on the back and the ribbon is removable. The top of the medal acts as a bottle opener! There were post race massages and Clif bars. I am waiting on the FREE race photos that they provide. 

I am already planning ahead of how I can improve for my fall half marathon and chase that sub 1:50. I want to up my cross training to twice a week and work on upper body strength. My arms seemed useless during this race when I needed them. I also want to get my nutrition in check (and hydration). I know I have it in me, because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!". 

National Running Day

Today is National Running Day and what a day it was! I woke up and saw online this image:

And it got me to thinking. First things first I struggled to simplify and put into words why I run, how I run, what I run for and all those things. I decided to try not to over think and so I posted the following to my instagram:

Then I thought, what if I print the template off and give it to the kids. What would they write?

You see, being a teacher runner I try to inspire the kids with my love of running. My colleague and I started an after school run club for grades 3-8. We run it by a sign up basis on Tuesday nights. We run the kids down residential areas behind our school or over on the local track. We even take them down different trails. In fact, just last night we discovered a new and beautiful trail not far from the school. It ran down in a ravine with beautiful embankments and a river running alongside. We even saw a deer go running by. What a great experience it has been running with children. So I presented this "I run..." prompt to the kids in run club. (From my teacher hat it was also a great chance to work on their "because" statements urging them to support their statements).

I then took pictures of each beautiful child holding their response. I can't post those, though I'd love to. I made a collage of them and posted them in the school.

 Upon reading them all I came to some conclusions about running. I laughed at the responses from my two runner colleagues. They too found it challenging to properly respond to the prompt:

 But the kids, especially the young ones, their responses seemed lack lustre and not creative in the least. I found the predominance of the Grade 3s wrote all along the lines of:

Then I realized, this is exactly why kids run. They run because its fun, end of story. They enjoy doing it so they do it. Couldn't we all learn a little from the pure simplicity of children running? 

My grade 4/5s extended their responses a little and added in things like the following:

 Not only because it's fun, but because its "healthy" and it makes them strong. These are not things they have learned from experience, these are things they have learned from others, namely me. It's interesting how they get to an age where they start to listen, learn and apply. (proud teacher!!)

And the highlight proud moment was this one: the beautiful child that likes run club for the opportunity to spend more time with her teacher, me! Children naturally idolize the important people in their life and want to be just like them, whatever that may be.

I am thankful for the chance to be a positive role model (the best I can be) in these kids lives. Happy National Running day from this teacher runner!