Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon – The Fairy Factor

Now before anyone gets the wrong idea…let me state emphatically that this blog is about actual fairies!! Not fatigue induced mirages or hallucinations, more on that later!

As many of you know, I competed in my second marathon, once again with Team in Training. My goal was to finish in a time of 4:29:59 or better (sub 4:30). A goal I felt was well within reach given the training I had done. Thanks to my incredible coach for painstakingly preparing monthly plans and adapting as needed to fit my other commitments along the way!

Let me just say that the publicity for the Toronto Marathon is entirely accurate, it is Flat, Fast and yes even Festive…what they forgot was…Smelly and maybe a tad boring…definitely different than Ottawa…but, maybe that’s because I had so many friends and family in Ottawa and I was very familiar with the majority of the Ottawa route and was not even remotely familiar with the Toronto route.

The first km or so was actually downhill…not much of a help given the number of participants and the resulting 5 min walk to get to the starting line after the official gun time (you’ll see the discrepancy reflected in the official results vs. chip time).

Once we got started running though, it really was very flat, a nice way to start any race…and did I mention we just happened to get perfect weather, it was a cool 13C and overcast…my favourite weather for a race!

The plan for this race was to break it into thirds… running the first 14K at a conservative (should seem SLOW) pace, the second 14K at a slightly faster pace and giving the last 14.2K everything I had and finish with nothing left! There was of course the 32K psychological barrier I’d have to get past (my bonk point in the first marathon) and I would have to adjust for whatever race day happened to throw at me.

Although I didn’t have any family or friends from Ottawa joining me in Toronto, I was by no means alone, scattered along the route were LOTS of Team in Training staff, alumni and supporters, and each time they saw any participant in purple approaching, they exploded with cheers, noisemakers and energy that helped to fuel more than one participant, including yours truly to the next water station, km or cheering section, you could see the extra bounce in their step.

There were also all the other Team in Training participants out there on the course, and although I had only met them the night before, there was no mistaking out there that we were in fact a team, every Team in Training participant I passed, or was passed by (in some cases this kept happening in true yo-yo fashion), was sure to offer a cheer, thumbs up and usually a hearty “Go Team Go!!”, there’s just something about knowing that no matter your goal, your time or you ability, we are all part of something bigger, raising awareness and funds to fight blood cancer…there is an instant bond with complete strangers that is unexplainable!

As if that weren’t enough, at various points along the route (no doubt strategically placed), there were the incredible Team in Training coaches, these dedicated athletes do so much for us as participants that it really would take an entire blog entry just to attempt to list out all that they do, instead, I’ll focus on what I witnessed and experienced during the race (remember, this is only a tiny portion of what they do leading up to the race). I had the pleasure of running a short bit at around the 10K mark with Rick Hellard, our Ottawa coach, he made sure I was feeling good, that all was going as planned, checked to see if I needed anything and managed to snap the only picture I have of this race. He cheered me on, ensured me he’d see me again (this was an out part of an out and back loop), made sure it was ok with me, and then headed off to run with another Team member.

At around the 25K mark, I was starting to feel the fatigue set in, everything was going according to plan, I had managed to stick with the nutrition and pacing plans and in spite of the fatigue was feeling good about the prospects of meeting my goal…the 4:30 pace bunny was behind me at this point, not much, but enough to give me comfort in the fact that my goal was within reach. I met up with Lori (another Team in Training coach) and she offered to run with me a bit, honestly at this point my mind was already racing ahead and trying to deal with the 32K mental barrier, I let Lori know my time goal, and my immediate goal…stay ahead of that Frickin’ pace bunny, we laughed and Lori asked if I wanted her to keep me on pace, I did and we ran together for the next 5K, Lori offered to keep running with me past that 32K mark until we could meet up with one of the other coaches, but I really wanted to get past 32K on my own…so with a hearty cheer and an offer to help me out with my (by now) tightening IT band (she just happens to be an RMT), we parted ways and she headed off to find another Team member.

I managed to get myself past that 32K mark and it was a huge relief! By this point the pace bunny was just ahead of me, but still within reach for a finish line sprint :)

And this is where the FAIRY bit comes in…if you’ve seen the photos from Ottawa, or if you’ve been to any Team in Training event where Ramona or Theresa were participating, then you know that these extraordinary women (Team in Training coaches), like to not only run copious amounts of kms at each race to ensure that they get time with as many Team in Training members as possible, but they also do it all dressed as…you guessed it….FAIRIES! What a sight for sore eyes..well sore legs really…but boy was I glad to see Ramona! With a little less than 10K to go, the pace bunny was increasing his lead and my spirits were beginning to take a bit of a beating. It didn’t take long for Ramona to bring a smile to my face, infuse me with energy and get me picking up the pace (although she never once told me to do that), she reminded me of what the bigger picture goal for all of us was, that I was DOING this and that she would be with me as long as I needed…and at that point I needed every bit of what she was dishing out…as if that wasn’t enough, anytime we passed a water station, she would grab extra water for me to ensure I didn’t need to worry about carrying an extra cup, when we came across a store owner who was handing out bottled water and bananas, she made sure I got some of both and again carried them for me…I was indeed getting spoiled…keep in mind, Ramona had likely already done a marathon between all her back and forth of accompanying other Team members at this point…and all of this while dressed as a FAIRY…wings and all!

At around the 35Km mark, things took a turn for the worse, for reasons I won’t get into here (I think I may be close to a character limit), my IT band and knee really started to flare up and give me issues…so bad that I had trouble walking…with Ramona’ s help, I managed a few stretches, a quick self-massage of the IT band and got moving again…for a km…more stretches…another km of running and this pattern would repeat…somewhere around the 38 or 39 km mark we met up with Theresa….the other Fairy…a fact that did not go unnoticed by the spectators and other runners, I was flanked by my Fairy (step-sisters I think we finally decided) and some runners (non-Team in Training) thought that 2 Fairies for 1 runner might not be fair…but let me tell you, having these two incredibly supportive fairies gave me more wings than any energy drink could ever hope to!! I am not sure if I could have kept on going without their constant encouragement and reminders that no matter the time, I would finish!

When she was sure (about 1Km left), that I was going to make it and with another Team member needing her help, Theresa made sure I was good to go and that Ramona would stay with me and she took off to join that other team member and run them in…

Ramona ran with me that last km, reassuring me that I was going to make it and I crossed the finish line at 4:45:50, not the goal I had in mind, not the best time I think I can run, but the best time that my mind and body could muster on that day.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am VERY happy with my result, I know that I will run another marathon, I know that I will train to the best of my ability, run the best race I can on that day and be happy to be living a life that allows me to be surrounded by so many incredible, supportive people!

That day, many people along the way referred to Ramona and Theresa as angels, and although the costumes were indeed fairies, the women who wore them, were definitely my angels that day, they carried me when I needed it the most and I will always be grateful to them both for that!! Even post-race, Ramona ensured that I got into the medical tent and pretty much forced the staff there to let me see the RMT to get my IT band looked at….once she knew I was in good hands….off she went to find another Team member who needed her wings to guide them in.

If at first you don’t succeed….

Spend the next 5 months logging lots and lots of Kilometers, figuring out a better nutrition plan, training with amazing people, bouncing ideas off your coach, friends and experienced endurance athletes…then try again


There were a lot of great things about my first marathon, countless friends and family cheering me on along the course, a HUGE fundraising success, new friendships formed and it was capped off with being able to cross the finish line with Derek…I don't think any race will ever be able to compare to this experience, but in spite of all of that, not achieving my sub 4:30 goal…left me with unfinished business and any of you who know me also know that I can be fairly tenacious…ok you all likely call it stubborn or pig headed…but no matter what you call it, setting a goal and not achieving it…just doesn’t sit well with me.

“The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running”, so this Sunday in Toronto, I’ll be lacing up my shoes, pulling on my Team in Training purple shirt and applying all of the lessons learned over the last 5 months.

I feel calm, rested and ready to run, I’ll keep you posted on the results.

My thanks to all of you for your continued support and encouragement!

Thomas Foxwell Buxton said “With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.”

Let’s hope that he was right and that I’ve got enough of both to reach this goal!

Random running thoughts

It's been a long time since I wrote anything on this blog, not since the day after my first marathon.


That's not because I haven't been training, or fundraising for that matter, it's more about that precious commodity...time. With Summer vacation, summer camps, Elrik's activities, my activities and oh yeah training, there really hasn't been much time to sit down, gather my thoughts and put them to paper...er or blog as the case may be.

Summer camps are done, activities are winding down and some would argue so is summer, so I "found" a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of family life, post training and oh yeah it's raining.

My first couple of years of running and Duathlons, I trained mostly alone and was happy to have the time alone.

I've been blessed this summer to be able to get in a number of long runs with my Team in Training team mates, amazing women everyone of them in their own right. If you ever decide to take on an endurance event, my hope for you is that you find a group of equally amazing, positive and inspiring people to train with. Going the distance with these women along to share stories, laughs and sometimes the pain of training is part of what makes getting up early on a Saturday morning worth while.

I look forward to the long runs mapped out meticulously by our very own Julie McCoy (a.k.a. Jane), the meet and greet pre-run and the post-run chats that inevitably ensue and although I still enjoy the occassional long run alone, it's just not quite the same.

This weekend I did my long run alone and let me tell you, you get some pretty strange looks along the NCC paths when you're chatting with yourself and laughing at your own jokes...maybe next time I should se my inside voice or just ponder the stories in my mind.

A great big thanks for all the runs this summer and dangit I sure missed you gals this weekend, can't wait for next weekend's run!!

THANK YOU!!

To my wonderful, supportive wife Sonia who has been so patient and understanding of all of my training runs, my absent mindedness (causing many a scheduling conflict) and for keeping me grounded throughout this journey, I LOVE YOU and cannot thank you enough!

To my son Elrik, my apologies for missed activities and my often very short fuse as I let my self-induced panic and fatigue get the best of me at times, I'm looking forwards to a less rigorous training schedule for the next few months, to our canoe triathlon relay and especially to our boys weekend and just hanging out together. And also for being at the race with Sonia for over 5 hours, taking photos of all the purple people, and for your encouragement, bell ringing and super home-made sign at the race.

To my daughter Riana, for understanding why I chose the marathon and couldn't run with her this race weekend, for being there to cheer me on with high fives and one "Kick Ass" sign and for being late for an equally important social event so that she could be there for my finish and to give me that great post-race hug.

To my brother-in-law and coach, thank you for all the encouragement, support, plans, advice and flexibility and for helping me to understand what all those odd running terms mean and how to deal with all the side effects of long distance training and tapering.

To my many experienced marathon and 1/2 marathon friends for your encouragement and advice and for sharing your race and training experiences to help put my mind at ease.

To so many of you who showed up at different spots around the course to cheer me one, offer high fives and take photos, those were the spots where I found renewed energy and focus to pull me through.

To my friend Rod for jumping on his bike and following me around to be at a few spots to cheer me on...sucks that you ended up with a flat...free change service as soon as I can bend my knees again.

To my running mate Jane M. for your wonderful banter in those 29km that we were able to do together...my apologies for not being able to stay with you and leaving you to do oh so many more km alone...I hope that we can race together again and that I can be better prepared to run a sub 4:30 with you.

To the woman with the HUGE free high fives sign who moved around to different spots along the route...I think I managed to get one every time I saw you.

To all my wonderful Team in Training Team Mates for teaching and sharing with me how to Train Endure Achieve and Matter, you are truly a special breed and no matter your result yesterday, you should all be proud of everything you have achieved!!

To all of you no matter how you offered your support, through your generosity and encouragement, I personally raised over $7200. Team in Training for this event alone raised over $200,000 and in their 22 years, they have raised over 1 Billion dollars to fund research to find a cure for blood cancers and offer patient support to those fighting blood cancers.

And finally, to my friend, honouree and inspiration...Derek, thank you for all of that and for reaffirming in those last 7km that we ran together exactly why I was out there...that it wasn't really about getting that sub 4:3o time, for reminding me where you were a year ago and what the efforts of Team in Training and the Leukemia Society of Canada have done for you and others living with and fighting blood cancers.

This was my first marathon, but it will not be my last. Although I did not achieve the sub 4:30 goal I set out for myself I think we as a collective achieved something much more meaningful.

I will be back to take a shot at that goal again and you have all shown me that I will have the support I need to meet that goal as well as the fundraising goals that I set along the way.

THANK YOU!!

RACE DAY…THIS IS IT!!

It’s been six months since I decided I was going to run a marathon to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, and it all comes down to race day TODAY.

Through your support, we raised over $7200.00!! Through your encouragement, advice and belief in me, I have managed to put in all the hours and Kilometers (over 1500 since Oct.) and somehow survived my hardest taper ever and at 7:00 a.m. today, I will line up with friends, strangers, team mates and elite athletes from across the globe to compete in my first marathon.

I am so excited!!!

I can’t wait to get running to see the parts of the course I didn’t get a chance to train on, to get to those spots I have trained so I can settle in and clam my nerves…but most importantly, to finish what I started and celebrate what all of you have helped me to achieve.

To those of you who are planning to come down and watch the marathon or half marathon, thank you, your cheers, bells, signs and presence really do carry us through the rough bits!

If you are coming down and you’re looking for me, I’ll be wearing my dark purple Team In Training shirt and a white cap, my timing should be between 6:00 and 6:30/km if all goes well.

No matter who you’re coming down to see, please cheer for everyone, runners and walkers, but maybe save a little extra umph for anyone in a purple jersey, they’re my team mates and have all raised money to fight blood cancers as a part of their journey to get to either the half or the full.

Oh and if you happen to see me walking, don’t worry it’s part of the race day plan…30min run, 1 min walk.

I hope to see and hear you out there

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…actually it was Taper time…

First of all, for those of you who do not know, tapering is the practice of reducing the volume and or intensity of your workouts before a key race. The goal of any tapering program (and there are a few variations), is to ensure that you are fully recovered from previous workouts and at the same time, completely rested for the big event.

The reaction to tapering is different for each person, but usually falls into one of two categories, it is either dreaded or embraced…personally, I have always enjoyed the taper, looking at it as an opportunity to relax, refuel and bank some energy for my goal race.

This time around, my experience has been a little of both, at times relaxing and a welcome break from the long distances and time consuming workouts, and at times…unsettling and downright bothersome!

I’m used to that antsy feeling from last year’s DU season and the multiple races and tapers, but this experience has been quite different. Maybe it has to do with the reduced race schedule, maybe because training for the marathon has been going on for so long, or maybe because this is such a public goal with so many people supporting me in so many ways over the last few months as I have been training and fundraising.

Whatever the cause the effects have been odd, the runs I am doing have felt good, but times have been much slower, odd aches and pains have been noticed and I ALWAYS feel like I have ate too much, in spite of reducing the amount I’m eating and paying close attention to what exactly I am taking in. I’m getting 8+ hours of sleep per night (more than usual), but still wake up feeling I could sleep another 2-4.

I have been doing some reading and I know that none of this is uncommon, but it is still one of the more challenging aspects so far. I’ve been trying to focus on the race plan, and all the logistics for the race (race kit, meeting places, TNT commitments, etc) to keep my mind off of the more worrisome aspects, hence this blog entry…the good news I guess is that we’re less than a week from race day, and I’ll have to trust that all these months of preparation and all of the great folks who have and continue to be so supportive, will get me through this and that come race day…all I’ll have to do is just show up and run…maybe that’s the thing…focus on the KISS principle and forget all the other outside influences.

One thing for sure…this preparation, taper period and no doubt the marathon itself…have been like no other I have experienced so far.

Looking forward to seeing many of you on race day…and hopefully hearing you too.

The worst is over and the best is yet to come

Yesterday my teammate Jane M. and I did our last long run before the Ottawa Marathon, 32Km from Kanata to Bank Street. I am grateful that I didn’t have to do this one alone...although we got distracted and ran above our target pace a few times, one of us seemed to eventually notice and we were able to stay mostly on pace. I was especially glad to have Jane with me as we tackled the last 2Km...things were starting to tighten up and my calves were starting to feel a lot like they did in Hamilton. Thanks for being there Jane and for keeping me going to that virtual 32Km marker.

We weren’t the only “purple people” out for a long run that day, we ran into another of our teammates, Kailena out for a post training jaunt with her “puppy” Faeryn, there really is strength in numbers!

Which leads me to my next point...over the last few months as I bombarded people with requests for donations, status updates about my progress (both fundraising and training) and blog entries, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity, support and encouragement that I have received from so many. Each of these people has found their own way to give, some financially, some through support and encouragement, some through sharing their experience and advice, and some by all of the above, but each person has in some way contributed to my ability to come this far...and each of you will have played a part in getting me to the starting line for my first marathon...here at home...and I cannot wait.

For the next few weeks, I will be following the sage advice of my experienced friends...enjoying the taper, the rest and recovery and I am looking forward to running the longest race of my life (so far) on fresh legs, injury free!!

To those of you who will be watching the marathon, I’ll be looking for your faces in the crowd, I hope to see you or at least hear you, or your cowbell ;-)

P.S. If you’re planning on heading down to watch the marathon, I would love it if you would inflate a purple balloon...you may not see me in the thousands of people running...and I may not see your face in the crowd, but I will be watching for those balloons, hopefully that will allow me to see you and at the very least, I will know you were there to cheer me on and that may just be what it takes to keep me going and get me across that finish line.