Tri training is starting up again. I took a couple of weeks off from training after the race I have a cold and I always wait a week after a race until I start training again. so I waited the week, then was sick a week. I went to a baby shower today for a ling-time friend. Like, almost 25 year long- time friend. It was a really lovely afternoon. Then, I come home and read outside for a while. The weather is finally warming up here in southern Ontario.
I'm giving you the background because I was most definitely not in the mood to get out there today. BUT I DID. After aimlessly wandering in my hallway for a bit I figured I may as well put on my runners and head out. I was going to wait until this evening but Game of Thrones is on and I didn't want to be going out at 10. This is basically a pointless post. I went and did 3 miles in 48 minutes. At my last race I realized that my nike+ was a quarter of a K off in it's calculations. For every K it was telling me, it was actually less. Which sucks. Because now I don't know my actual speed, I guess I can just aim to go faster.
Today's run was actually quite pleasant. I recently did a stress test and got to see how exercise does affect your blood pressure immediately. So, I tried to push myself a little harder than I normally would. I still had some gas in the tank at the end. It was quite a nice run. I was sweating, breathing moderately heavily and soaking in the sunshine.
I often find on days like today when I'm forcing myself to get out there I just make up my mind and go, the more I dawdle the less likely I am to actually go. So, I didn't even hit the bathroom today before I left and I was very thankful that there's a McDonald's a km from my house. It worked out well for me. And on that note, I will end. Lesson of the day: pee before you flee.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
"All Runners are Equal, Their Times are Just Different"
About a week and a half ago I did the Mercedes Oakville 10k. It was by far the most fun running race that I've done. The race followed a week after the Boston Marathon Bombing. There was evidence of support being offered throughout the racers, there were special bibs, t-shirts and armbands. Of course I was also thinking about the victims of the events. When I heard about what had happened I couldn't stop thinking about those racers that did not get to finish the race. It's the best part. You're so tired but crossing the finish line knowing that you've accomplished something is amazing.
I've not previously done this race so I am not sure if the event is always so fun but I really enjoyed the atmosphere. At the end of the race you are entered to win the lease of a Mercedes for a year. The site informed participants that there was no parking available on site so we were to take a shuttle from the Bronte Go station to Appleby College. I showed up an hour early but still had to wait for 2 buses before I could get on one. This is my only complaint. I think they underestimated the number of people who would be utilizing the shuttle. I was nervous as the race was to begin at 8 and I got on the shuttle at 7:45 and had yet to pick up my race kit.
When I arrived on site, we had wonderful weather and everything was incredibly organized. Like all races there were people everywhere but it was well controlled. The announcers were great and funny. I went to the tent to grab my race kit and they couldn't find me because I'd registered by inverting my name. A fact I hadn't realized until I had gotten home and looked at a picture of my race bib. Even at the end of the race when the person congratulated 'Stanek' for finishing the race it didn't dawn on me. The bag check was also really well organized. They took a part of my bib, tied it to my bag and they were all organized by number.
Instead of a moment of silence for the victims in Boston they played Sweet Caroline. At the start line they had people with signs marking where you should be based on your estimated finish time. Normally, they just tell the fast people to be in the front. I liked this better because I find that there's always so much shuffling and congestion. The announcer described each category in terms that he defined them. The first being the people who had run a 5K warm up and were running laps back and forth, the next were vegans, the following were people who enjoyed potato chips and exercised so that they could indulge, and lastly the group I was in was described as the people who someone recommended that they give it a try and were likely to be hungover.
At the kilometre markers they had quotes posted. One was pain is only temporary, I think that was the 3rd K. At 8, it was 'I'm beginning to doubt the pain is temporary sign earlier'. At 9 it was only 1 more K until you can win a car. It was a good route, not too hilly. I was surprised at the number of the people in the community who came out to watch. Running along the main street some of the stores had staff in front cheering people on. There was one store that had a group of women in front cheering people on with horns and signs. One read 'run faster I just farted and another that said, 'you're kind of a big deal'. Which was a nice reminder that not many people participate in 10Ks. It came at a good time as I was quite tired. I was EXHAUSTED, actually.
As I completed the race people who had already finished were walking out of the finishing gates, not realizing there were people still finishing. I heard the announcers ask people to be aware that there were still people finishing the race and they wanted everyone to have a good experience finishing. I thought that was really nice. I got a medal for completing and they're the best! I love getting them.
I highly recommend this race as they also have a tot trot and junior jog. It was really a family affair with lots of prizes too. I did not win the car, but really have a wonderful experience.
I've not previously done this race so I am not sure if the event is always so fun but I really enjoyed the atmosphere. At the end of the race you are entered to win the lease of a Mercedes for a year. The site informed participants that there was no parking available on site so we were to take a shuttle from the Bronte Go station to Appleby College. I showed up an hour early but still had to wait for 2 buses before I could get on one. This is my only complaint. I think they underestimated the number of people who would be utilizing the shuttle. I was nervous as the race was to begin at 8 and I got on the shuttle at 7:45 and had yet to pick up my race kit.
When I arrived on site, we had wonderful weather and everything was incredibly organized. Like all races there were people everywhere but it was well controlled. The announcers were great and funny. I went to the tent to grab my race kit and they couldn't find me because I'd registered by inverting my name. A fact I hadn't realized until I had gotten home and looked at a picture of my race bib. Even at the end of the race when the person congratulated 'Stanek' for finishing the race it didn't dawn on me. The bag check was also really well organized. They took a part of my bib, tied it to my bag and they were all organized by number.
Instead of a moment of silence for the victims in Boston they played Sweet Caroline. At the start line they had people with signs marking where you should be based on your estimated finish time. Normally, they just tell the fast people to be in the front. I liked this better because I find that there's always so much shuffling and congestion. The announcer described each category in terms that he defined them. The first being the people who had run a 5K warm up and were running laps back and forth, the next were vegans, the following were people who enjoyed potato chips and exercised so that they could indulge, and lastly the group I was in was described as the people who someone recommended that they give it a try and were likely to be hungover.
At the kilometre markers they had quotes posted. One was pain is only temporary, I think that was the 3rd K. At 8, it was 'I'm beginning to doubt the pain is temporary sign earlier'. At 9 it was only 1 more K until you can win a car. It was a good route, not too hilly. I was surprised at the number of the people in the community who came out to watch. Running along the main street some of the stores had staff in front cheering people on. There was one store that had a group of women in front cheering people on with horns and signs. One read 'run faster I just farted and another that said, 'you're kind of a big deal'. Which was a nice reminder that not many people participate in 10Ks. It came at a good time as I was quite tired. I was EXHAUSTED, actually.
As I completed the race people who had already finished were walking out of the finishing gates, not realizing there were people still finishing. I heard the announcers ask people to be aware that there were still people finishing the race and they wanted everyone to have a good experience finishing. I thought that was really nice. I got a medal for completing and they're the best! I love getting them.
I highly recommend this race as they also have a tot trot and junior jog. It was really a family affair with lots of prizes too. I did not win the car, but really have a wonderful experience.
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