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It's not even the last weekend in June and I was heading into my fourth race of the month, and 7th or 8th of the last two months. I've lost count! I have to say that while I thought I'd be more worn out, these shorter distance local races are great compared to long distance and far away races. I can get up, commute, race, hang around and be home by lunch. Am I trying to sell myself on shorter distances again? Sure sounds like it! Ha ha.
I'd seen posts by running friends Jess and Lauren about this race last year, how they set out to get Lauren a post baby PB and ended up getting best times for them both. Given this was also an OMA Road Race, I thought I'd sign up.
As soon as I got off the subway and walked out onto Wellesley, I was bombarded with rainbow pride. I literally stood in the middle of the Church and Wellesley intersection watching the people around me and all of the decorations for Pride. I snapped a bunch of photos and helped others take pics in front of some of the great posing locations.
I dropped off my bag and bumped into several friends who had all obviously chosen to meet others in front of the 519. I headed back to the stretch of closed street on Wellesley to do a warm up. Although the temperature was a bit cooler than last week, the later race start meant it was warming up rapidly.
I'd seen posts by running friends Jess and Lauren about this race last year, how they set out to get Lauren a post baby PB and ended up getting best times for them both. Given this was also an OMA Road Race, I thought I'd sign up.
As soon as I got off the subway and walked out onto Wellesley, I was bombarded with rainbow pride. I literally stood in the middle of the Church and Wellesley intersection watching the people around me and all of the decorations for Pride. I snapped a bunch of photos and helped others take pics in front of some of the great posing locations.
I dropped off my bag and bumped into several friends who had all obviously chosen to meet others in front of the 519. I headed back to the stretch of closed street on Wellesley to do a warm up. Although the temperature was a bit cooler than last week, the later race start meant it was warming up rapidly.
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I made my way into the corral. I only saw one pace sign for 20-25 minutes at the very front and couldn't see where the second corral was, so I positioned myself midway back, which ended up being right by the stage. Kathleen Wynne was there and race organizers announced that Olympian and fastest Canadian marathoner Lanni Marchant was racing today. The vibe in the crowd was amazing. The countdown for wave one began and I decided to go out with the group fearing getting caught up with the walkers in the second corral. I was very glad I did as there were a lot of slower runners that went out even ahead of me running in large groups side by side. I had to do a lot of weaving.
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The race route was a west on Wellesley to Queens Park, twice around Queens Park Circle and back on Wellesley. Of course things on the map always seem different than during a race! The twice around Queens Park was a good thing bad thing. After one lap it was deflating to have to head back for another lap. But, there was also the 'been there' feeling and fact that we really didn't stray that far from the start finish line, so mentally it felt like it was 'just right there.'
My first kilometre was about 15-20 seconds fast, but given I only had four more to go, I wasn't too concerned. Plus, it had been shady most of this section and I could see it wouldn't be ahead. Queens Park Circle definitely has a slight elevation changes. I'd be curious to see the stats. By the water station at around 2K my throats was so dry, I could hard.y swallow. There was no question as to whether I was getting water. I paused to gulp it down and go.
My second kilometer was pretty much bang-on. I could feel myself fading as I headed around the Circle for lap two. I knew this was where my race was going to start to be good, or bad. I loosened my shoulders and held on. Finally, there was the water station again. Funny how things stand out in your head during a race. The cute little girl at the very front of the volunteers and then the guy about 20 meters after the last volunteer in case you'd missed your chance at grabbing a cup.
I turned and headed back up the Circle. At this point everyone was prepping to turn ahead so the racers were getting mixed up with the walkers. More weaving. The cheering near Wellesley was amazing and drowned out my music. I spotted Brie, Melanie and April and yelled as I passed.
I'd spoken to running friend Laura before the race about the 'looming' finish and looking down Wellesley I could see what she meant. Ugh. Despite feeling the heat and knowing my pace had slowed the past two kilometres, I kept pushing. I was pretty sure a PB was out of reach but knew it wasn't that far off. On the final stretch I gave it my all and sprinted through the confetti, barely seeing the finish mat! I was 55 seconds from tying my PB, but, like last week, I wasn't upset. I'd raced hard and held on. I played the mental game against myself, and won!
I think if it had of been cooler, there were less people to weave around and I'd been training for a 5K (not having raced a hodge-podge of distances the past two months) it would have been a PB. That felt good.
My first kilometre was about 15-20 seconds fast, but given I only had four more to go, I wasn't too concerned. Plus, it had been shady most of this section and I could see it wouldn't be ahead. Queens Park Circle definitely has a slight elevation changes. I'd be curious to see the stats. By the water station at around 2K my throats was so dry, I could hard.y swallow. There was no question as to whether I was getting water. I paused to gulp it down and go.
My second kilometer was pretty much bang-on. I could feel myself fading as I headed around the Circle for lap two. I knew this was where my race was going to start to be good, or bad. I loosened my shoulders and held on. Finally, there was the water station again. Funny how things stand out in your head during a race. The cute little girl at the very front of the volunteers and then the guy about 20 meters after the last volunteer in case you'd missed your chance at grabbing a cup.
I turned and headed back up the Circle. At this point everyone was prepping to turn ahead so the racers were getting mixed up with the walkers. More weaving. The cheering near Wellesley was amazing and drowned out my music. I spotted Brie, Melanie and April and yelled as I passed.
I'd spoken to running friend Laura before the race about the 'looming' finish and looking down Wellesley I could see what she meant. Ugh. Despite feeling the heat and knowing my pace had slowed the past two kilometres, I kept pushing. I was pretty sure a PB was out of reach but knew it wasn't that far off. On the final stretch I gave it my all and sprinted through the confetti, barely seeing the finish mat! I was 55 seconds from tying my PB, but, like last week, I wasn't upset. I'd raced hard and held on. I played the mental game against myself, and won!
I think if it had of been cooler, there were less people to weave around and I'd been training for a 5K (not having raced a hodge-podge of distances the past two months) it would have been a PB. That felt good.
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Once I'd grabbed some water and sent a shlew of 'done!' texts, I made my way to the party site, stopping at the very cool (pun intended) Eska misting station, photo bombing Peter's selfie and getting my bag from the incredibly organized bag check.
Anyone who has run RBC Race for the Kids will know they put on an amazing post race party. Today I got to experience an equally incredible, just different party. It truly felt like you were at some sort of festival with the multiple food stations, volunteers every where you turned and party atmosphere. The food was also amazing. At no point did you feel like they were going to be running out. The usual bananas (perfectly ripe and not chopped in half), water, really yummy bagels (not the standard packaged from what I could tell), a squeeze pack of Liberte Greek yogurt (such an awesome post race treat and easy to eat), spice loaf annnnd Dufflet brownies. There were also vendors from Starbucks giving what looked like free espresso shots and V8 handing out an iced cold fruit energy drink. I was glad I had picked up my bag, as many of these treats (definitely not the brownie) went into my bag.
Anyone who has run RBC Race for the Kids will know they put on an amazing post race party. Today I got to experience an equally incredible, just different party. It truly felt like you were at some sort of festival with the multiple food stations, volunteers every where you turned and party atmosphere. The food was also amazing. At no point did you feel like they were going to be running out. The usual bananas (perfectly ripe and not chopped in half), water, really yummy bagels (not the standard packaged from what I could tell), a squeeze pack of Liberte Greek yogurt (such an awesome post race treat and easy to eat), spice loaf annnnd Dufflet brownies. There were also vendors from Starbucks giving what looked like free espresso shots and V8 handing out an iced cold fruit energy drink. I was glad I had picked up my bag, as many of these treats (definitely not the brownie) went into my bag.
I made my way over to OMA Road Race Series director Lynn. I was picking up my bronze medal from last week's Toronto 10. As she got it ready for me she told me that the field had been incredibly strong for today race. I didn't doubt it. I'd seen a huge number of sub-elites warming up and knew from social media that this was a much loved and supported race for speedy Toronto runners. She got out her list of finishers as I prepared myself to not see my name on the list this time. Alas, apparently all the OMA runners in my category (but seemingly no others) had alternate plans today! Yeees! A gold medal for this masters runner! I'll take it!
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I headed to the the finish line to try to take a couple pics of my medal. I arrived to find one of those moments of humanity that warms your heart and makes you believe there is a child at heart in all of us.
As I stood there, parents with kids tossed armfuls of confetti into the air. Some took photos, some videos, some just danced around in the tissue paper snowstorm. But it wasn't just kids. A police officer stood nearby laughing, a man dressed as a bunch of grapes twirled and flung handfuls of paper in the air. It was an unexpected special moment that you could tell everyone there was feeling.
As I stood there, parents with kids tossed armfuls of confetti into the air. Some took photos, some videos, some just danced around in the tissue paper snowstorm. But it wasn't just kids. A police officer stood nearby laughing, a man dressed as a bunch of grapes twirled and flung handfuls of paper in the air. It was an unexpected special moment that you could tell everyone there was feeling.
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I turned around at one point and Lanni Marchant was there talking to one of the race organizers. When she was done, I said, "Oh, come on, you gotta do a confetti throwing video!" She laughed and being the awesome sport she is, grabbed an armful. My friend Jess was there and snapped the photo below (which is both hilarious in my totally awkward confetti throwing stance, and the fact that if it weren't for the Wonder Woman costume and power legs, you wouldn't k ow it was Lanni!) Jess suggested a Boomerang video which we did a couple takes of prior to getting the one below. It was an awesome end to an amazing morning.
Would I do this race again? ABSOLUTELY.
Would I do this race again? ABSOLUTELY.
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