Virtual Racing!

I found a race I can participate in!

Since the arrival of our son Lincoln this year we've been pretty tight with our money. Working on paying down debt and trying not to buy or spend on anything we absolutely don't need. This means entry fees are a no no.

Imagine my excitement when I found a virtual race over at Mommy Run Fast. My first thought upon reading this was using our computers... like in game form. I was half right. We will be using computers but only to communicate our times. Check it out! Enter the 5 mile or 10 mile. I have a strong feeling that I'll be the turtle amongst the group, but I don't care about placing at this point in time. I'm doing it for fun :)

The Juggling Act

Finding time to workout has been a challenge. Add to the fact that I have some major deadlines at work, a baby and an amazing wife at home, and now I'm studying for a course that I absolutely need to pass... things are getting difficult to say the least.

The last couple of runs have been short, and indoors. The treadmill may become a familiar companion over the next little while. I refuse to run in the dark for safety reasons. So fitting a run in when it's dark the treadmill becomes my only solution. Training my brain not to go insane will be my next big challenge.

I still plan on doing long runs outdoors on weekends or when time allows it. I'd ask you how you find time but due to the fact that this blog is still in it's infancy I sadly have no readers... so ummm Hello! (listens for echo)

My Marathon Story

June 20th 2010

The furthest I’d ever run before that date was 32 kilometres. I was confident and very excited. When the starting gun fired, I felt a surge of energy. I wanted to run as fast as I could, but I didn’t. I had a plan and I was sticking to it.

I ran the same pace I had been training at, the only difference was I was not alone. It was a little claustrophobic running with so many people. I didn’t mind it, but was annoyed at the runners who pushed their way through the crowd without warning anyone. Running etiquette dictates when passing someone you should give them some warning.

It wasn’t until around the 10.5-kilometre mark things got interesting. This was where the full marathon runners separated from the half-marathoners. The road suddenly became a lot less congested as there were about five times more half-marathon runners than the full.

At around the 16.25-kikometre mark, I came to a group of runners who were very friendly. I learned one of the men in the group was a veteran marathon runner. He was giving advice to the group. One of the guys told him this was his first marathon.

“We have a marathon virgin over here,” shouted the veteran.

The crowd cheered.

I told him I was one too, so he announced me as well.

As I passed the group, the veteran told me to slow down or I’d never finish. I thanked him for the advice but proceeded at my pace.

At around the two-hour mark I did a body assessment. I realized I was getting kind of cold. I hadn’t eaten yet. I slowed down and began walking. I grabbed an energy bar and took my time eating. I started to feel better immediately.

When I passed the 32.5-kilometre mark, I began to smile. At this point my legs were burning but I still had plenty of energy. And I remembered one of my favourite quotes, “pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.”

As I crossed kilometre 39, I felt tears well up. I could have easily cried. I knew at that point that I was going to finish the 42.6-kilometre race. I was focused and tried not to pay much attention to the occasional EMT helping runners who more than likely didn’t finish the race. A few of them I recognized as some of the runners who pushed their way through the crowd at the beginning.

With just over a kilometre to go, I really began to pick up my pace. I was surprised at how good I was feeling, especially when I entered the university stadium.

When I rounded the final corner, I saw my wife and our friends the Jones’ cheering me on. I crossed the finish line at four hours and 32 minutes.

I was greeted by volunteers who brought me to the recovery area. It was there that I drank the best chocolate milk I’d ever tasted. I have to wonder if all food tastes this good after running 42 kilometres.

I did it, I had a medal around my neck. I set a goal and I achieved it. I am bothered a little by my time. I feel I could have done better. I could have easily finished about 10 to 15 minutes sooner if it wasn’t for those darn lineups at the portable toilets along the way. But I’d rather be a little slower than extremely embarrassed if you know what I mean.

So I’ve been bitten. This will not be my last marathon.