Wow, what weather we had on the weekend, especially Saturday afternoon/evening.
Friday was a busy day, off to Running Free in Markham, then stopped in Port Credit for the Mississauga Marathon Expo to get my bib and shirt and goodies for the Valeant Pharmaceuticals 10K run for Saturday night, some really nice give aways. I walked around the expo for awhile talking to a few people, then off I went to downtown Toronto and popped into the Expo for the Toronto Marathon, just to grab the bib and out again.
Saturday morning, woke up, Ivana and I headed out the door to go to the Expo in Toronto so that she could get her bib and shirt for the 5K that was happening on Sunday starting after I would be finishing the ½ marathon.
We walked around the expo for HOURS, really I figured we would have been there maybe 45min to an hour, but no. We stopped at every booth there was chatted looked around and there was some nice things there. Ivana bought socks, shirt and a few things. I had to get a few Gu's, got a new fuel belt and then filled out a few raffle draws looked at going to Bermuda for a Marathon in January next year. If next January is like anything that we had this year, WE ARE GETTING OUT OF TOWN!!!!! Oh, Ivana is wanting to do a race in Montreal, as they are giving out medals with little lights on them for all of their races. They look cool.
We stopped at this booth called Finisher's Pride where they had metal frames so that you can put your bib and medal in it for display, they looked really nice, they were having a draw as well, so yes we filled out the ballots. They open from the back and you can wrap your bib inside along with the medal. This is what they look like.
Well, Saturday afternoon the rain started it was coming down pretty good in Toronto and by the time we left for Mississauga for the 10K, which started at 6:30pm, the rain would start, then stop, then start again. Driving over I just kept thinking please stop at least for the race then start up again after.
Parking was pretty good, we drove to almost the start line, parked in a plaza as Ivana was going to watch the start and then drive over towards the finish line and take the shuttle bus to the finish and wait for me there.
Walking to the start line, trying to warm up, it is still raining and then with about 4 minutes to start, the rain stops, then sun is coming out and it is warming up AWSOME. Horn blows and we are off, not before I stop Flash and get a selfie with him LOL.
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| Selfie of me and Flash just before the Start |
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| Here is the rainbow |
As I am crossing the Start line, there is a rainbow appearing and I am thinking LUCKY CHARMS maybe I can get a PB tonight. NOOOOOO the start was down a hill, then up a hill then down a hill then up a hill and once more the same, I thought Mississauga was pretty flat along the lakeshore but not until we reached the 5K mark was it a flat course. I figured with the 10K tonight and then the ½ marathon tomorrow morning, I would take it easy and save my legs. As you know, I am not out to win anything except to race the 500 miles this year and raise money for the Heart & Stroke.
Well, I felt good during the race and was making the hills so why not go for it. The weather was nice now, people were encouraging others on, I was trading places with a few runners and power walkers it was a great night.
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| Great waterfront path just before 5K |
8K came and OUCH, the knee felt mushy and then a pain was setting in. I cranked up the music louder on the phone and talked myself into finishing this race and not worry about it. I came along the final KM and you can see the finish line on the other side of the water inlet and I said push it now, I am looking to PB by about a minute, then I had nothing left in the tank to go the last ½ km. I saw Ivana on the left just before the finish line and I tried to get to the line in time, but was 23 seconds of my PB. That was still ok for me as I still had to go tomorrow morning (in 12 hours) for a ½ marathon.
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| Another 6.1 Miles Down (sorry Marathon-photos, I will be ordering) |
It was really nice seeing families out there doing the relay, kids all over the place running and having fun, parents encouraging them all on. I had a blast even knowing that I was going to be at it again in the morning for a little bit longer.
I heard that Mississauga Marathon had raised over $150,000.00 for all of their charities. Great job to everyone who was out there raising money.
Well, I will be back with the ½ Marathon Report later.
Damaged Heart
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