Ending the season with a personal - and positive - best!

I signed up for the Toronto Women's 8K mostly because I couldn't resist the urge to finish the whole 2016 series!

I chose the 8K distance simply because I'd only ever raced the distance once before, in 2013. Given that it was less than a week after my half marathon, I didn't really expect much. I'd spent most of the week recovering from knee pain and the last of a cold. 

When I'd run this race the first time, it was an incredibly stormy day with rain, freezing temperatures and wind gusts. When I looked at the forecast for race day this time, it looked like it would be a repeat, just without the wind. It was what it was.

I picked up my race kit the day before, and met friends for a very non-traditional glass of wine and appetizers. This is what started the ball rolling for the 'change everything up' race. I joked with Melly and Lisa about all the things I could change for this race my previous...to take the opportunity to throw all those little traditions and 'should do's' out the window and see what happens. 

Instead of my rice, salmon and beans or pasta for dinner? I had my favourite oatmeal with peanut butter, banana and blueberries. I had two decadent cookies Lisa had made for dessert.  I ditched my lucky hair tie for one that matched my shirt. I drank a different electrolyte drink on race day. I didn't have pre-race fuel besides my breakfast. I wore compression socks, shorts and a long sleeve for the race. I warmed up. I changed up my shoes at the last minute. I didn't wear sunglasses. I almost didn't even get my race kit ready the night before as I was so tired. But I figured that was pushing the non-traditional rule just a bit!

I also had the most amazing cheer section ever! Melly, Lisa and Leanne gave up their Saturday morning opportunity to sleep in and instead trekked across the city to come freeze their bottoms off and cheer for me. You girls are awesome!

Michelle was racing as well, but the 5K. We warmed up together for a bit before I headed back to get into the corral. I had the chance for one last hug from the girls and I was off. 

I had actually hoped going into this race that I could get a PB given my previous 8K had been my second race ever, but with all of the circumstances of the past week, I wasn't sure. 

The speed came fairly easily. I guess that's what happens when you don't let your legs run for a week!

An earphone mishap had me trying to readjust things on the go and at 1K pulling over to the side for a moment to angrily shove my earphones into my flipbelt. So much for the distraction and motivation of music! I was going to have to listen to the complaints of my brain and legs for the rest of this race. 

At the turn around for the 5K I knew I'd gone out too hard, but also that I was okay. I walked for about 10 seconds to recover my heart rate. Another kilometer. I'd forgotten the slippery pedestrian bridge and the narrow, winding incline to get to it. I could tell I was at the top end of my speed, glancing at my watch I'd been seeing mostly 5:30 - 5:45/km. I walked up the incline and then zoomed past about a dozen people on the other side that were huffing and puffing from the exertion. The wind started to pick up towards the turn around as the valley was more open here. As with every one of the Toronto Women's races, many volunteers called me by name and cheered everyone on individually. Hearing someone cheer specifically for you provides a little shot of adrenaline! I made the turn and headed for home. The next kilometer felt the easiest, and for that I was grateful. I repeated my walk / fly over the bridge section. The course got more crowded as we joined the 5K racers. I headed through the firefighters station as one held out a box of Timbits. UGH! I held up both hands and must have had a great expression on my face as several of them laughed. The wind was definitely stronger on the way back, especially in the open area near the Science Center. I took another walk 'pause' at 7K and glanced at my watch. 44 minutes. What?! Seriously?! I took off. I was going to PB...really PB. I finally approached the last underpass and corner, knowing the finish was about 250 m around the corner. I walked for a moment to catch my breath for the final sprint, knowing that my friends were there, the crowds were there and it was going to take everything I had to sprint it out. That's when I realized Michelle was right there waiting for me. She asked me if frantically if I was okay. I actually laughed and said that I was, and that I was going to get a PB! She looked at me like I was nuts and said, "Why are you walking then? GO!" She took off ahead of me, telling me she would block the wind, the whole way yelling words of encouragement. She peeled off to the side and I could hear the rest of the crew cheering on the sidelines as I focused on just crossing those mats. I crossed and looked at my watch. 47:55, a 6:03 personal best! I quickly found the girls and enjoyed every moment and every hug of celebration, so happy this had happened when they were there to share it with me! Thank you Michelle, Melly, Lisa and Leanne! I texted my husband with several one word texts... I DID IT. Which resulted in a flood of funny congratulatory giphys! Thank you Erick for being my biggest supporter of all. 

I started my racing season with a PB in the 5K distance, had an amazing 1 mile experience and finished out the season with another PB!

It was a good day, and another great learning experience. There were things that I did well, and other things that I could have done even better. Today, and in the season. I'm excited to put what I have learned into my training for 2017!