I opened a can of worms last week. 

After seeing someone's race clothing laid out in a photo on Instagram, I decided to post a question to my running friends that had been nagging at  me for some time.  

So, on Twitter I asked the following...

Well, this started quite the debate among my twitter friends who made some of the following comments...

"Most people don't wear any..."

"I wear two-in-one shorts so I don't need any..."

"... perhaps what's not shown isn't worn?"

And lastly, "Wait...you wear underroos?"

So there it was. As soon as the comments started, I knew that inevitably this question was going to come up. After two years of running and learning everything I could about it, you would have thought this would have come up before! Alas, no. Honestly, I had always just thought that people were being discreet in their race photos and hiding their underwear! 

Given that everyone had such varied opinions and comments about the question, I decided some further research was necessary. I created a simple, one question survey:

Responses started coming in immediately. My survey got retweeted. And in the 'end' 58 people responded in the week that the survey was live. Many commented that they wanted to know how people responded, which leads me to believe that with these results, I am providing the running community with very important information. You're welcome.

Wondering about the 'bottom' line? Here it is...

Last week I had an amazing time cheering on the participants of the women's Pan Am marathon. At the time I didn't intend to do it all again for the men's race the following week. Nothing against the men's race--it's just that I follow  women's racing a little closer. Well, during the week, Lanni Marchant posted an open invite to go for a shake out run on Saturday morning. With Lanni being one of my favourite elite runners, I couldn't exactly pass up the opportunity! A plan quickly took shape: get in my long run by commuting to the cheer location. Watch the marathon. Stroll back to Coronation Park for Lanni's run. Perfect.

I got up at 5:30 that morning, as I had the previous week, which had gotten me to the cheer site on time. What I failed to consider in formulating my quick plan was that the previous week I had driven across the city. By the time I got out the door with everything I needed stashed in my hydration pack, it was 7:00 am. Hmm. The marathon had just started, so by my calculations, the men would be doing their last lap near the Pace & Mind cheer station at around 9:00 am so I had two hours to get there. Okay, so I wouldn't see the race from the start, but that was okay. 

I headed west. It was a gorgeous morning, less humid than the previous week, but also less cloud. I hadn't used the Lakeshore / Queen's Quay trail west of the DVP to Ontario Place since the completion of the renovations. I was simply amazed at the change. In years past, it was difficult to continue east or west along this portion by foot or bike. I stopped to take a photo. And another. And another. I texted my husband to tell him how awesome it was. I stopped to chat with a man with a wheaten terrier puppy. I felt like a sightseer in my own city. At one point I glanced at my phone to see the time. Oh! Apparently my fun sightseeing long run was taking a little longer than anticipated! Okay, so I wouldn't see as much of the race as I thought, but I would still get to cheer them on for their last lap or so.

As I neared Ontario Place the marathon detours started and started to worry about being able to get to High Park in time--or at all. I started weaving along. At one point, I unexpectedly found myself facing the turn around point of the marathon! I stopped for a moment and snapped a photo as one of the racers passed. The detour continued through the CNE to a hill facing the grandstands and start / finish area. I paused there for a couple of minutes watching the action along with others camped out on the hill. I considered staying here in case I couldn't make it further in the detours. It was the fact that I hadn't finished my long run that kept me moving. After weaving again, I arrived at a long, open stretch of Lakeshore Boulevard. Based on the time, I knew that the men were now likely trekking through High Park. While I wouldn't get to the cheer section in time, I was going to see them on their final kick to the finish.  I arrived at a spot along the stretch before Parkside when the leaders, Raul Pacheco ( Peru, who would win silver) and Richer Perez (Cuba, who would win gold) stride by with their motorcycle entourage. They were followed by Mariano Mastromarino (Argentina), Daniel Vargas (Mexico) and the two Americans pacing each other. Canadian Kip Kangogo approached, and I was able to cheer him on his last leg. Rob Watson trekked along a moment later looking down but determined to get it done. I yelled a cheer to him as well. 

Two notable asides.... An unexpected photo bomb when I snapped a pic of the 4th place Mexican, who I later realized to be women's gold marathon winner, Gladys Tejada casually strolling by. Then, seconds later, Lanni Marchant ran by, turned around at Parkside and ran back towards me. Of course I said "Hi Lanni!" to which she smiled and waved. A man along the sidelines looked at me in surprise and said, "As in Lanni Marchant?" I laughed and said, "Yep!" 

I made my way up the last 200 meters to the cheer station. I made it--even though all the participants had passed by. I spent the next half hour chatting with my friends Christa, Jenna and Alan Brooks and then walked Christa back to where she had parked her car. I glanced at my phone to see what time it was, and once again realized I was cutting it close to get to Coronation Park for Lanni's run. Despite already gotten in my scheduled long run distance, I knew running would get me there faster... So I ran. I arrived just after 11:00 am,  with two minutes to spare before Lanni arrived.  The group of about 20 runners including my friend Rebecca gathered around to say hi, take some photos and see her bronze medal from her recent 10,000 meter win. I enjoyed chatting with her for a few minutes, and told her I saw her sneaking in her 'real' run earlier on Lakeshore. The plan was to go for a short out and back run followed by beers in the athlete's only section of the CNE Pan Am area. We headed out. At just under a kilometer in, I realized I was done. I had been mostly either walking or running for four hours.  I stopped in my tracks, calling to a probably surprised Rebecca to go on and that I may see her later. I stood under the shade of a tree flipping through the photos from the morning with a smile. At that point I realized I had already gotten way more out of this day than anticipated, and started walking again, this time towards the subway and home. 

You just never know what you're going to see on a long run.

On Saturday July 18th, I got up at 5:30 am and made my way across the city under a dense cloud of steamy cloud.  It was incredibly hot--even this early, even doing nothing, even in the shade. It was reportedly the hottest weekend in three years in Toronto, complete with extreme heat and humidity warnings, the temperatures felt like close to 40 degrees. 

These were definitely not ideal running conditions. Yet, a few kilometers away, 16 women were lining up for the start of the Toronto Pan Am 2015 Women's Marathon. I joined my friend Christa and the excited Pace and Mind group just past a fuel station at Parklawn and Queensway. I quickly realized it would be an amazing spot to watch the race, as we could observe the girls eight times during the marathon. Four times powering up the incline towards High Park while psyching themselves for the hilly portion of the course. Then four times using the slight decline to try to recover for the hot stretch of Lakeshore ahead. This was the first Pan Am event I had been to, and I was so pleased to have decided to join the cheer section along the course instead of being in the stands with a paid seat. 

I was incredibly excited to be able to watch and cheer for the two Canadian women in particular: Catherine Watkins and Rachel Hanna. The first time I'd seen Rachel Hanna had been during my second race ever, the 2013 Toronto Women's 8K. Rachel quite literally blew by me in the opposite direction headed for the finish--when I felt like I'd just started. The Pan Am  was to be only her second marathon, and everyone was excited to see how she would do.  As for Catherine Watkins, there are many reasons why I have always found her incredibly inspiring.  Catherine's best running results have come more recently as a master's runner, at age 43. I love that she doesn't let her age limit her performance. Why can't someone be in the best shape of their life in their 40s? Or start running again (or like me, start in general)? In addition to her amazing running skills, of course I like that she lives in Vancouver, got her dog the same week we got our recent rescue, her name (spelled the right way!)--and of course because she is, quite simply, a very nice person! 

Below are a series of photos I snapped during the marathon, largely featuring the battle of Rachel and Catherine against their competitors, the hilly difficult course and the heat. While I greatly enjoyed cheering the participants on, I also found it interesting and inspiring to watch the overall progress and toll of this race as these girls passed just an arm's length away. There were points that Christa and I looked at each other in awe and goosebumps on our arms, and other times with sympathy and tears in our eyes . 

There are many words that went through my mind to describe the battle I watched. Thank you to Catherine and Rachel for teaching me the definitions of an incredible runner. You continue to inspire me. 

Every summer the Canada Running Series plans several tune-up runs for the Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon races. The Beaches Jazz Tune-Up Run is by far the most popular, likely because of the amazing beach location. The run has much more of a race feel, with bibs, a timing clock, photos and great turnout. Proceeds of the inexpensive run go to the local Toronto East General Hospital Foundation. 

Last year I participated in the 20K run. I didn't know anyone at the time. Looking back at photos from the day now, I realize just how many of the participants that were starting and running right around me I now call friends! This year the list of runners I knew that were participating was long. From the second I arrived in the beaches area, I saw people I knew. The day turned into a great opportunity for fun photos before, during and after the run... My highlighter outfit twin, Melly (totally unplanned). My Tiux sock twin Andrea (planned). A trio of subtle superheros. An amazingly inspiring kid taking on his first 10K. Friends from Ottawa and Orillia. The runfie creator himself, Andrew. Some amazing group shots by Inge. Race director Alan who taught us a fun handshake that he learned in Mexico... And of course, a photo finish I will always remember.

Many of my running friends decided this was going to be an easy run due to the heat and where they were at in their schedules. Considering I hadn't run longer than 15K in many months--I was game for this plan! Melly,  Christa, Athena, Josie and I started out together. We quickly realized that Josie's slow speed was a lot faster than ours, so we told her to go ahead, leaving the four of us to chat our way along, passed and passing three superheros along the way. The pace and heat hit me hard, and I found myself having to walk way more than I wanted. The girls were incredibly supportive in taking walk breaks with me, and even though I felt guilty, I would have done the exact same to be able to keep the group together. At the Leslie Street Spit, I told them to go ahead, that I would skip that portion knowing how challenging it was the previous year. But that I would definitely be waiting for them on the return. I walked and ran for a kilometer and then stopped to chat with some of the Beaches running group volunteers as I waited for the girls. It was actually really fun to see everyone passing by and to cheer the runners on. As I stood there and recovered for a bit, I realized how glad I was to not have done the Spit portion. The girls emerged from the humid pack of runners. We regrouped and headed towards the finish, a little less than 3K away. As soon as we hit the boardwalk for the last kilometer, we positioned ourselves four across, and our pace quickened. People on the beach cheered us on as our feet pounded the boardwalk. When the finish line was in sight, we realized that many of our friends were just on the other side waiting and cheering for us. Clasping hands, we crossed the finish line together. I've never finished a race with anyone and this finish with four runners I admire so much and am happy to call friends was incredibly special for me. 

You just never know what a run is going to bring. Each one can be special if you make it special. 

To demonstrate my recent finding that runners are always learning, I decided to give compression socks a try! 

The premise is that the snug-fitting knee-high socks increase circulation, minimize fatigue and decrease the recovery time of challenging training runs or races. Some runners prefer wearing the socks while running, while others wear them afterwards during recovery. 

While study results on compression socks are mixed, a lot of runners I admire use and love them, so I decided it was worth trying! 

I came across a blog post of a running friend toting the benefits of the Tiux brand of socks. After going to their website, I couldn't help but wonder if these socks were too good to be true! Compression socks are typically really pricey. But Tiux keeps their costs lower by selling directly to their customers online, offering just three (fun) colour variations, and even providing free shipping. 

Referring to their sizing chart online, I measured my ankle and calf to determine my sock size, and placed my order on their very easy to follow website. The hardest part was deciding what colour socks to get! Given the company is in the US, I wondered if the shipment would be delayed, difficult or costly due to having to cross the border. Well, I ordered on a Monday, and on Friday afternoon my socks were delivered in a cute little black box. No hassles. 

I got to try out my new socks during a 15.5K long run this past weekend. The socks are specifically designed for left and right feet. I pulled them on and they fit perfectly with seemingly just the right amount of snugness. They felt soft and supportive of my legs. I liked how my feet felt in my shoes wearing the socks. A little different than with short running socks. I headed out for my run. 

It was a hot and humid July day. I wondered if my legs would feel hot and itchy. The first couple kilometers I found that I was very aware of the socks. My legs felt somewhat heavy. After a short while I realized the feeling had been replaced with an overall feeling of leg support. I felt as if the socks kept my stride more focused and in line. Stronger. While it was a hot run, the socks didn't add to the heat or irritate. I arrived back home after 15.5K feeling like I could keep going. It's not too often I can say that after a long run on a hot day!

I am looking forward to giving my Tiux socks another try this weekend suring a 20K mock-race environment.

It's not too often that a company lives up to their promises and provide a wonderful product and excellent customer service. Kudos to Tiux for doing so. In exchange, I am happy to write an (unsolicited) review of the socks in hopes that others will be able to experience them as well. 

Tiux has generously provided me with a discount code for 10% off (valid until December 31, 2015) which I am happy to share with my running friends and followers! Simply use this link to shop: http://tiux.refr.cc/7FCZ2VB