Running

Race Recap – Nike Women’s 15K

What a whirlwind of a weekend! Job well done, Nike!

Looks like this will be the last race recap for awhile, as I have no major races planned in the summer months (yet lol). I hope I haven’t bored you with these, but it was a full couple months with some super amazing races that I had to share, so I hope you have enjoyed the recaps as much as I have. And what better way to end this race streak, than with a first of its kind in Toronto, the Nike Women’s 15K. This was the perfect kick off to summer, despite the less than favourable weather conditions.

Wow Wow Wow, Nike you sure did put on one hell of a race weekend. It seems to be all any one is talking about. From the excitement building up months in advance to race day weekend, to the final finish line and post race recaps. This was probably the most fun I have had running this year, not to mention in company with my favourite running gals.

Nike had ladies hopeful to participate in the first and only Canadian location in the global Nike Women’s race series, with a lottery registration earlier this year. This race was so highly anticipated, it had many men runners join in on the fun too, with close to 15,000 runners taking part day of.Nike Village

Nike Village took over Toronto Harbourfront with loads of runspiration and all the essentials pre-race. It was a great way to spend a couple hours on Saturday to mentally prepare for Sunday’s race. Followed by some healthy fuel and relaxation, the body and mind were now set for Sunday’s early wake up call of 5 am.

Sunday’s race was incredible. The route was spectacular, so well thought out, and by far the best route I have run so far. It was fast, exciting, and surprising.  From an aerial view it was even the shape of a Nike Swoosh (that Nike, so clever).Course Map

Terrain varied from sand, grass, boardwalk, and pavement which kept things interesting. With each new turn, my body and mind filled with excitement with the unexpectedness of what was up ahead. The real badass moment was running along Billy Bishop’s tarmac. With airplanes in sight and the cityscape behind us, what a view to take in. This was one of those “I need to stop and take a picture” moments. This picture below from Nike is far superior than the one I quickly captured in excitement.Runway Photo 20004325_race_0.9843545996596968.display

Not only was this route perfectly planned, but the course was lined with cheering fans, pumping music, jammin’ bands, and even a choir rocking gospel music in their Nike’s. It was the kind of course that makes your heart happy, a route that fills you with energy and leaves you with the urge to keep on running. It was magical and flew by far too quickly. Finishing at 1:30:45, I wanted to keep on going, it was seriously that much fun (I hope the picture above shows you just how much fun!).

Official Race Results

To top off an amazing event, Nike rewarded participants with a custom Tiffany & Co. necklace. A nice touch compared to your typical finisher’s medal. Talk about a  “silver lining.”

Race bib & blingAnother race to cross off my list and time to start planning the next set of races. I’ll take your reco’s! In a perfect world, I’d be heading to San Fran in October to run the Nike Half Marathon. However, I’m not sure if I am ready for that commitment at this particular moment, but could probably be easily persuaded (hint hint).

 

Better for it. xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Race Recap – Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon

Joy. Balance. Gratitude. Empowerment.

All smiles for miles. Both pre and post-race, my smiles come from a place of pure joy. I went into yesterday’s race with a different mindset, an unspoken intention. My intention for this race (as always) was to push limits and surpass previous set goals, but most and foremost to enjoy running for what it is and remember why I love this sport.

Running races isn’t always about fulfilling the need to beat my previous self (although that feeling is unreal), but remembering that there is a balance, a sweet spot, a moment to relish. I wanted to enjoy race day the way I enjoy my weekend long runs; taking in the fresh air, admiring the beauty that surrounds me, getting lost and running because I can. In yesterday’s race, I did just that; with thousands of strong beautiful women around me, minus the getting lost part – thanks to a well-marked course and all the voluncheers! 🙂

Pre-raceThe Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon is one of my favourite races to date. Canada’s largest half marathon catered to women with all the frills. From the organization, to an early morning dance session, pretty porta-potties, chocolate, wine, and empowerment, nothing was overlooked. Everything was perfect.

Amongst the presence of close to 4,000 participants, Kathrine Switzer, best known as the first woman (as a numbered entry, 261) to run the Boston Marathon in 1967, was there gracing us with her words of courage and empowerment. Her motivating speech had ladies cheering with excitement and in tears of joy, strangers hugging and encouraging each other on the journey we were all about to endure. As I have said before, this is my favourite part of the race, that meditative moment of self-realization, that puts the whole journey into perspective. Gratitude and joy flowing through the mind, body and heart for this gift; of health, of strength, of wellness, of soul.

Front Wine SelfieAs with any new race, I love the unexpectedness of a new route (partly why I sometimes get lost on my leisure runs), the unknown holds excitement. Each step covering new territory, taking in new scenes. The course for NFWHM was beauteous in its scenery, running along the falls and along the Niagara parkway overlooking the river. The sun was shining, my body felt strong, my mind was clear and my soul was happy. I pushed along with positive vibes and encouraged the women around me to keep on going. There was a tremendous amount of love at this race,  all of us running together as one family. The camaraderie of sisterhood.

Action Shot

For me, pushing through those final moments, I go into sensory overload. It’s hard to explain, but there is A LOT going on, physically and emotionally, it’s almost hard to focus on the finish line. And then, there is this moment, of stillness, when everything blurs together and you see the light beam on  the smiling faces of your biggest supporters in that final stretch, waving and cheering you on. This is the moment your energy skyrockets through to the finish line and it’s over. And you couldn’t be happier. Another goal achieved, the thrill of survival, embracing your cheerleaders and in this case wine country calling your name.

My time 2:08:16 wasn’t on par with what I thought I would finish in, but this race wasn’t about the time and with that, I am all smiles.

1535

I’ll be out again in the next day or so, to keep the legs in gear for Sunday’s Nike Women’s 15K which I am super pumped up about. This time, I’ll be surrounded by so many of my lovely running ladies who inspire me daily to push the limits. Can’t wait!

Be empowered. xx

Race Recap – Sporting Life 10K

“I missed my goal time by light years” and “At least we finished…” are two of the first things I heard, as I crossed the finish line from some fellow runners. Proud of our finishing moments, I was relieved to hear that missed goals happen to all of us and that I wasn’t the only one this time around. I had an ambitious PR sub-50:00 in sight for yesterday’s race, after the fantastic race I had 3 weeks ago at the Toronto Yonge Street 10K, but unfortunately I fell short at 56:58. There are a few factors that I think may have attributed to a less than stellar performance (hydration, focus, lack of rest, heat, etc), but you learn from them and move on. It was beyond wonderful to see thousands of runners out to support Camp Ooch in one of Eastern Canada’s biggest races, raising over $2 million-Nice work! 🙂

My first 3K felt good; I was warm, happy, energized and went hard with my goal in mind, weaving in and out of runners, trying to find my groove amongst the 26,000 around me. However I think I gave too much too soon. Rounding the 6K mark, I felt spent and exhausted and wasn’t sure how I would finish. My mind kept wandering back to how speedy I was 3 weeks prior. I thought this warm heat would be the boost I needed in helping me reach my goal, but I don’t think I have quite acclimatized to these summer temps.  At 8K, it must have been the look on my face or the fact that I was winded and beet red, but thankfully a humble gentleman rallied my spirits and paced me to the 9K mark at which point I was motivated to pull off a strong finish.

race results

That’s the amazing thing about running, everyone has each others back, whether it’s cheering each other on or picking strangers up when they are about to give up. Those simple words “You got this” and “Come on we’re almost there” are sometimes all you need to help get you to that finish line. With every race, I am amazed at the new things I learn to love about this sport.

Now to gear up the training for our next stop, Niagara Falls Womens Half Marathon, who’s with me? Did I mention there is wine?

Medal

Run because you can. xx

Race Recap- Toronto Yonge Street 10K

Now that was refreshing! And not because I opted for shorts and a t-shirt in cooler than expected temps. Refreshing because 10K was a walk in the park compared to the memories that linger from ATB’s 30K.

I was really looking forward to running a 10K race and relishing in the ease of a shorter distance compared to what I had been clocking in long runs, leading up to ATB. This race was for pure fun with no serious expectation on hitting a certain time. I knew I would beat anything prior thanks to a flat and downhill route and was banking on finishing around 52:00. The last 10K race I ran was the Women’s Set the Pace in August, at 55:16 and I crushed that time with 50:36! I was all smiles post race and my recovery was a dream, I felt/feel so great!

race results

I’m running the Sporting Life 10K in less than 3 weeks, I’m hoping I can clock a sub 50 this time, which I’m quite hopeful for. Let’s hope there aren’t crazy winds like there was on Sunday, although the cold temps may have given me that extra push to hit the next block of sunshine on the shadow covered streets.

Will keep you posted on how it goes!

TYS10KGet Running! xx

Race Recap- Around the Bay 30K Road Race

Holy Smokes, that was tough!

This time around, my race experience was much different than my first Half Marathon (race recap here). It’s hard to put into words the feelings of running a race but it was definitely bittersweet. While the feeling of accomplishment fills my body, there is a part of me that is a tad disappointed, which I’ll lay out for you in this post. Don’t get me wrong I loved this race and nothing beats that feeling when you cross the finish line, but at this very moment my body doesn’t have the slightest urge to run a race longer than my beloved Half, especially if it entails intense training over the deadly winter. Conversely, there is a part of me that wants to tackle this beast again next year to beat the goal I originally set out for (I swear it’s a sickness, isn’t it?) – We’ll see!

After gruelling winter training, I was set on completing North America’s oldest race, Around the Bay, with a completion goal of 3 hours. That was what I hoped for and what I knew I could accomplish. It did not seem out of reach at all, especially when finishing 21.1K in 1:54, 5 months prior. While training was tough with frigid temps and no training buddy this time around, I was certain my goal was realistic and achievable, my progress along the way was great. I woke Sunday morning and was delighted that race day had brought bright blue skies with the warm beating sun, which is always my saving grace. Minus periodic high winds, running conditions were rather ideal. This set the right tone for the day as I ventured off to Hamilton.

Course Map

7,277 participants gathered in excitement, all out to conquer 30K. In hindsight 30K is plain CRAZY. Admittedly so, runner’s high got the best of me post half marathon, with making this kind of commitment. But committed I was, I had this done.

Pre-Race

The energy moments before the race begins is incredible, in my opinion equally as gratifying (if not more) as the finish line. There’s a personal, meditative moment to savour as you prepare for the challenge ahead, reflecting on how far you have come in preparation, training and sacrifice, leading up to this single moment. Taking time to be aware of this gift; of health, of strength, of wellness, of soul. Seeking fulfillment in this journey and giving my body what it needs to get through the next 3+ hours. Acknowledgement that I deserve to sweat, strengthen, meditate, and breathe. To love myself in this moment and press on when it gets tough. That personal moment combined with the reflective energy of thousands of runners setting their own intentions is just miraculous. And at 9:30 am we were on our way.

Pre-Race

The first 20K were exciting, scenic, and fast. I was holding strong up until the 22K mark and for some reason when my knees started to hurt it was all I could focus on, that, and the hills! The last 10K included rolling hills through scenic North Shore Blvd, that were truly killer! Mixed emotions flowed through me at this point when the pace bunny I had stuck close with for more than two thirds of the race slowly started to disappear out of sight. I kept trying to keep focused and concentrate on the positives, but it’s maddening when you see your goal slip away so rapidly and literally right before your eyes. The next 2 kilometres I silenced the mind and put full concentration on finishing strong, just another short 5K to go. My legs were slowing, my knees were aching and physically I knew I was just about done. I slowed down for a quick stretch, shake out and continued on. It was time to mentally push on through. Let’s get this over with!

Race Results

At 3:12:44 I crossed that finish line. The finish of this race is pretty special, running into First Ontario Place to cross the finish line with a stadium filled with spectators cheering you on. It’s celebrity, big-league treatment, your final move up on the big screen, your name being called out by the announcer, it makes you feel like you’re kind of a big deal. Which you are! And as always having your #1 fans there to cheer you on is just the best. Thanks Mom & Dad for carrying me through this one!

Race Results

While I didn’t finish in my hoped for time, I kept my eye on the prize and finished 30 freaking kilometers! Another run goal to check off the list! I’m looking forward to getting back to shorter runs and working on my pace. However, I did catch myself looking into potential Halfs coming up this year, so some things to look forward to. 🙂

photo 2-7

 To those who encouraged me along the way and wished me well, I truly send my thanks to each one of you. xx!