Beansprout

I’ve been Tagged!
I was just tagged by my sister, Loping LouBob. Here are the rules of the tag:

• Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog. (I can’t do that because I’m technically challenged and don’t know how to this complicated stuff!)
• Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. (See below)
• Tag 3 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. (Uhhh…since I haven’t posted in forever and have no idea who stops by here anymore, and can’t actually do a “link”, it’s up to you…if you’re reading this and want to do it…go for it!)
• Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog. (Hey LouBob! You broke this rule, too!)

My tagger: Loping LouBob

1. I am VERY technically challenged. I simply do not have the patience for it!

2. I once wanted to be an actress. (Yikes! Now I can’t even imagine…)

3. I love to organize things. (I think it may be a mild form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!)

4. I believe in magic.

5. I have not been in a love relationship since 1997!

Un huh! That’s it!

Thanks for all your kind comments on my previous post!  They really do mean a lot to me.

So…here’s the details of my race day.

My very fat cat Oliver woke me up around 4am.  I got up, fed him a snack, ate a protein bar and went back to sleep.  I got up for real around 5:45 and slathered myself in bodyglide and teatree and lavender oil.  I have to tell you that my training leading up to race day had not been going well.  I feel apart on a couple of long runs and my entire right side was in quite a bit of pain.  I swallowed a couple of Advil and prayed I’d be able to hold it together for 42.2km.  I ate another protein bar, got dressed, grabbed my fuelbelt, put a couple more Advil in a pocket, climbed on my bike and rode down to the financial district in Toronto (near the start line).  Oh…I guess I should tell you that the race I ran was the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Conditions were excellent, with clear skies, low humidity, little or no wind, and a temperature around 12°Celcius at the 7am start.  I got into my starting corral (based on your estimated finish time).  I wasn’t sure what that would actually be since pacing seems to allude me most of the time.  My friend Kirk and I always joke that we only have one speed and an on/off switch. 

The horn sounded and the elites were off.  I crossed the start mat about 2 minutes after that.  I felt quite emotional…a mixture of pride, nerves, fear and respect for the distance to come.  The first part of the race is through the downtown core and the sun was just beginning to peek through the tall buildings.  I loved the sound of all those feet hitting the pavement as the mass of runners made there way down to the scenic waterfront course along Lake Ontario.  There were bands set up in strategic places along the course, representing various Toronto neighbourhoods.  Very moving and uplifting at times.

As I neared the 8km mark of the race the elites were already heading back from the turnaround point down the road (they were at the 16km mark) and I read later that the lead pack of seven reached the half mark in a mere 65 minutes!  They were flying and absolutely stunning to see…gods.  The mere mortals on my side of the meridian cheered wildly at their absolute beauty.  I heard one man comment that we must be at least an hour away from the turnaround.  I smiled and hoped it wasn’t that far off.

I felt pretty good.  Throughout the race I moved an elastic hairtie from one hand to another–a way to keep me focused and in the present.  It was a good trick.  The first turanaround point was in the westend past High Park (an area known for it’s Polish and Ukaranian population).  As we crossed the mat, cossacks danced and twirled to traditional music.  My 10km split was around 56:33.  I took my first gel at this point as I thought “first quarter down”.

Around the 19km marker the half-marathon and marathon course diverged.  I could hear a volunteer up ahead shouting, “Here it is!  The moment of truth…half-marathoners to the left, marathoners to the right.  Two large inflatable arches announced the way to go.  Part of me really wished that I only had another 3km to run and it would be over.  I switched the hairtie from one hand to the other.  Focus, focus, focus was the mantra.  Joy, joy, joy was the other word I kept in the forefront of my mind in hopes that it would keep the pain at bay.  And before I knew it I was at the half way point.  I wasn’t wearing a watch, my heartrate monitor and watch had died about a week before I raced and I couldn’t afford the repair so I did without out.  I don’t think this was a bad thing since I couldn’t obsess over the time and was only given a glimpse of where I was when I met the clock on the timing mat.  21.1km…1:59:51.  Barely under two hours but I’d take it.  Half way there!  Another gel, water.

The next section of the course was very familiar to me…out on the Leslie Spit and into the Beaches.  I’ve run these roads many times.  The spit is absolutely stunning, the sun glaring off the water on this glorious Sunday morning.  That feeling of humility rose up in me again…this is a distance deserving of respect.  I reached into the pocket of the top I was wearing in search of the Advil I’d placed there.  My body heat had pretty much dissolved the gel caps.  I think I managed to get one in!

Before heading into the Beaches I reached the 30km mark.  The clock said:  2:54:15.  That was 15 minutes faster than I ran Around The Bay in before being whacked by a car on the same day.  Wow!  I felt really good about that.  12km to go.  The last 12km.  The 12km that I feared I would have to walk through.  I switched the hairtie to the other hand for at least the hundredth time that day.  Focus!  Joy!  Just get this done.  I was we reached the flags for the 32km marker I heard one of the place bunnies declare, “This is it!  10km is where the race begins!”

We’d already seen the elites running out of the Beaches and towards the finish line.  I thought, “They probably crossed the finish line over an hour ago.”  I was right.  Kenya’s John Kelai won a thrilling duel with defending champion, Daniel Rono, recording the fastest time ever run on Canadian soil, 2:09:30.  In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Asha Gigi led from Start to Finish to set a new course record of 2:33:16. I heard a spectator shout, “You’re looking strong, Donna!”  Our first names were printed on our bibs and it was inspiring to hear people call out my name.  I thanked them all and was given a little boost of energy. I was still feeling pretty solid.  I wasn’t forced to walk and was only 3km to the finish.  I saw many walking.  I saw others, down on the ground, being given medical attention.  I once again was humbled and paid my respect to the distance.  I was almost there.  As I turned back into the financial district with only a kilometre to go I thought, “Less than 3 laps on the track.”  I picked it up, surging.  I took the final turn onto Wellington St, with 600m to go, hearing the shouts of spectators, “You’ve got it!  Go!” Again I gave it the kick I had crossed the mats.  4:09.  2 hours behind the winner.  I’d take it!  Finishers medal.  I felt pretty good. 

I made my way off Wellington Street.  Grabbed some water, a banana, and walked back towards my bike.  As I unlocked my bike and climbed on for the ride home, some people shook their heads at me in disbelief.  I smiled to myself.  It felt good to get on the bike.  I love the bike and 1/2 Ironman is the next big goal.  I haven’t quite figured out what the races will be leading up to that.  I’m thinking I’ll probably run Around The Bay in March again and some Oly Tri’s and 1/2 marathon or two.  We’ll see how it works out.

I’m looking at that simple hairtie as I type this and all I can say is “thank you.”  And thank you to all of you who read this and support and inspire in your own ways.

Much love,

beansprout

Wow!  Once again I have neglected this blog for a VERY long time.  I’m not sure why I am bothering to return now…other than a prodding from Loping LouBob.  Anyway…this is what is happening in my world…

1.  I’m still struggling to find work.  I had a little glimmer of hope that I might be writing a bio-pic on Superfreak Rick James but that seems to have evaporated.  A friend on mine is in the process of setting up a meeting with another producer so…hopefully something will come of that.  My agent is on me to write something on spec (for free).  I’m pretty skeptical about doing that because he has never been able to find a production company for my original material in the past.  It seems like a very long shot (like playing the lottery, which I don’t).   In the meantime, I’m making a few $ here and there…looking after dogs, weeding gardens and putting a friend through some ass-kicking workouts. 

2.  I’m running the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in less than 3 weeks…September 30th to be exact.  It will be my FIRST marathon and I don’t feel ready.  My 35K long run last Saturday kicked my butt and it seems like whenever I get over 30K things seem to fall apart.  I’m a little worried but I’ve just got to push through.  The knee with the MCL problem has been kind of cranky and my whole right side feels off. 

3.  I signed up to do 1/2 Ironman Muskoka next year (see below!)  I needed a goal to keep me motivated and this seemed like a good one.  It isn’t too far to travel and I’ve got the time to train.  I’m definitely going to need a wetsuit because that water is going to be freezing!  I had to break out my down puffy jacket this morning!  I don’t do so well in the cold.

4.  I got my spin certification and am looking for places to teach.  I’ve been teaching for free on Friday nights (Karma Spin) at the place where I usually spin.  It’s been a bit of a process since I get the feeling that one of the owners really doesn’t like me.  I’ve also had many discussions around what makes a good class (of course we don’t necessarily agree on this!)  Still…I’ve had a lot of support from a Master Spin Instructor there and just need to hang in and keep up my search elsewhere.

So…that’s what I’ve been up to…trying to manage this DOWN (emotionally) time as best I can. 

I hope all your lives are running smoothly.  Best wishes and be well.