Running Wild

Big spread, party makes race worthwile

It sure looks like winter out there doesn’t it?
Well, the cooler temperatures don’t have to mean the end of the race season.
There’s one more race still on the calendar and one I’m participating in for the first time.
The Angus Glen Half Marathon is a local race Nov. 2 getting quite the reputation for having the best post race food and after party on the GTA race circuit.
No bruised bananas or stale bagels here.
My recollection from running the 10k event a couple of years ago was a fantastic bean salad, a first for me at a race.
Another nice touch is lunch that’s available for spectators.
Spectators are often what make the atmosphere of any race, so what better way to appreciate them by feeding them.
You’re probably wondering why I’m focussing on the food here.
Runners are pleased by the little things at races.
If it’s cold and rainy or you’ve had a brutal run, to know that a buffet spread rivalling any restaurant is waiting for you, is a major bonus.
Offering a half marathon run and walk, 10k run and walk and a 5k family run and walk there are options for everyone and anyone who wants to be a part of the day.
I have to admit I have a soft spot for local races because they help raise funds for organizations that don’t get as much publicity.
This race helps out Markham Stouffville Hospital  and has already raised $200,000 to date.
Race director, Sara Sterling hopes this year’s races will bring in another $85,000 for the hospital.
Now comes the tricky part, if you’re sitting on the fence, figuring you don’t have to make a decision any time soon, I’ve been advised that the 10k and Half Marathon are 20 spaces away from being sold out.
That’s 30 spaces between the races.
This race sells out every year, so don’t be surprised if it does the same in the next two days.
That was as of yesterday, so if you are considering it, get on it.
Go to www.angusglenhalfmarathon.com to register.

Inspirational words from champion

I’m sitting at my desk this morning with a grin on my face, and with a little disbelief.
I’m still checking sportstats to make sure my time is still there.
I avoided writing in this space about my upcoming race for fear of jinxing my time goal.
I ran my ninth half marathon yesterday on a course that is by far my favourite.
It was my third time doing it and the best one yet.
I love the Toronto Marathon.
From running down Yonge Street to the scenic Rosedale Valley Drive, the course is a great view of the city.
It’s got hills but the quick down hills make up for the pain of the big hill called Hog’s Hollow about 4k into the course.
I figured because I had been chasing the goal of a sub-two half for a while, I needed some incentive.
In hindsight, I think the other times I tried for it, the circumstances weren’t right.
I was either injured or trying to save myself for an upcoming race.
Yesterday was as good as it gets for running weather.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the air was crisp.
I’ve been punished by the weather Gods many times before with the most dramatic being blistering heat in last year’s Chicago Marathon.
So I was owed some nice weather this time around.
I also went armed with a secret weapon this time.
The day before, I met multiple triathlon Olympic medalist Simon Whitfield.
Not only is he a phenomenal athlete, but someone I admire.
He was doing a talk about his performance in Beijing and I brought my bib from yesterday’s race, to sign.
I figured if I had his signature on my big while running, I couldn’t miss my time goal.
He signed it and wrote something very simple on the back.
Run! Have fun! Sprint. He reminded me in person, however, to only sprint at the end.
But more than signing my bib, he provided insight into how an athlete of his calibre is serious about his training but doesn’t ever take himself too seriously.
He was a big advocate of keeping everything simple.
I thought of that as I ran, of keeping everything simple.
I only did math once on the course at the 10k mark.
When I saw that I came across the marker at 53 minutes, I knew I was in good shape.
I purposely left the top left side of my bib unpinned.
It bugged me during the race, because it flew and a lot of the time my arm would hit it.
But it was well worth it at 17k when the effects of my run were starting to catch up.
I looked down at my bib and saw his message and just kept running even though my legs didn’t want to go too much further.
I got to the finish line and couldn’t believe the clock.
In the end I finished in 1 hour 54 minutes, five minutes faster than I thought I could.
So thank you Simon, your simplicity did the trick.
The best part of all and the cherry on top was that the two friends I ran with who were chasing the same goal, broke the two hour mark as well.
There’s nothing better than sharing your accomplishments with the ones who trudge around with you through training.

Presenting ... Roxanne

Her name is Roxanne and she’s the latest addition to my arsenal of sports equipment.
She’s a red Devinci bike and only weighs about 18 pounds.
Instead of worrying about a race I’m running this weekend I went bike shopping because at the end of the season there’s a good chance you can get a good deal.
I did learn a few things on my bike expedition, however.
The first thing is to do your research. There is no sense even walking into a bike shop without having some idea of what you want.
All I knew when I started was that I wanted a small bike.
Once I figured out what was important to me, I started calling around to find out which shops even had a bike that was good for me.
Then it was trying to figure out what bike was the best for what price.
I felt like I was buying a new car. I walked into a bike shop as they had a medium sized bike in the style and brand of bike I was looking for. After a test ride on the medium bike which was too big for me, the shop owner said asked me to try another bike just for size.
He warned me, “This is obviously going to be a smoother ride because it’s a better bike but just try it out.”
So off I went, to ride around a Toronto neighbourhood, riding and trying not to like the bike.
In fact, I tried very hard to dislike the bike. I rolled over a rock hoping it would feel really bumpy and I would hate the ride.
Of course, it was as smooth as silk.
I rode over potholes, bumps and rocks and nothing happened. I kept sailing around in the same circle.
I noticed as I biked, how much easier it was to bike on a road bike versus a mountain bike. It was like I was gliding.
I went back to the shop with it and left it there, thinking I would look around more.
And I did. I tried a few more bikes, but they just weren’t the same.
One of the great things was that it has a carbon frame which is a lot lighter than aluminum.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how light Roxanne was and I went back, rode the bike again and couldn’t part with it.
The best part of all was that its a great bike and I got a great deal on it.
I also learned that if a bike is a year or two old but still brand new you can get a lot more bike for less money.
So long Teal Terror, it was nice knowing you.
Now the challenge will be trying not to fall off it come next spring.

Chocolates and firefighters oh my

Chocolate and fire fighters what more could a woman want?
I know, I know very clichéd, but, at the same time, May 31 next year, that’s exactly what’s on the agenda for the first Toronto Women’s half marathon and 5k race.
The thought of a chocolate station at 19k or grabbing some water from the firefighter station is already making me giddy.
This race may not be until next year, but it hasn’t stopped hundreds of people from already signing up, myself included.
As I reminded the ladies who I run with about this great race, I would say it’s a tie about what the bigger draw is the firefighters or the chocolate.
I’ve only been in one women’s only event and that was this summer at the Women’s Triathlon in Milton and it was a friendly, fun positive experience.
No offence guys, but races where there are only women can be a different race atmosphere.
I can’t imagine what a sense of dismay my friend Dan is going to have about another all ladies race.
There’s a type of camaraderie amongst women doing athletic events that must be similar to when a group of guys hit the links to play golf.
Everyone is encouraging, there’s a different vibe in the air and yet it’s still competitive.
The organizers of the race have explained why they chose a women’s only race.
One reason is the hope that it will motivate and inspire women to get active and a race like this offers a friendly environment to do that in.
The other reason is that competitive female runners tend to feel that they are the “chase” group. An all women’s race lets them experience the rush of being first across the finish line, instead of being the first woman across the finish line.
With arguments like that how could you not sign up?
The tricky part of this is that the 5k is capped at 300 and the half marathon is capped at 1,000, and judging from the numbers already signed up, this is one of those races you have to sign up for right now.
For more information, visit www.towomenshalf.com