I met Michelle at her home in Canada and we spent a few days together, and ran the race on Sunday. (This will just be my race recap, in another post I'll tell you all about my time there. Otherwise this post will be waaaay long.)
On Saturday Michelle, her Mother in law, Sue, her Sister in law, Emily and myself drove a couple hours from London, to Niagara Falls. Michelle had told me all about the swag bag, and how great it was, she wasn't kidding!
A bottle of wine, full size items, not just samples. It was amazing!!
There was a Mountie at the expo, and everyone said I needed to have my picture taken with him. I'd never even heard that word before, but if they said I should do it, I thought why not?! (Later found out that means he's a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
We all woke up at 5 a.m., and get to the race at 6:30. We were an hour and a half early, and since it was a little chilly, we just hung out in the Jeep for awhile.
Finally it was race time! I gotta say, as I was standing there waiting for the National Anthem, I was thrown off guard when they started singing "Oh, Canada"! Oh right, I'm not in the US!
The course was just stunning. We ran by the Falls twice. The mist from the Falls felt SO good.
Instead of mile marker signs, they had km signs. That got a little confusing! But I had my Runkeeper to keep me on track.
There was no shade on the course, so it got pretty hot. But the stunning views made up for it.
I felt great the entire race, no knee pain or anything.
I finished in 2:44, which honestly surprised me. Being a flat course, I thought I would do better than that. So, I was a little disappointed.
At the finish line they were handing out cold washcloths. That was genius, and felt amazing! We also got water, chocolate milk, powerade, and a box of snacks, which included an apple, banana, and two Tony Horton cookies.
I found Sue, and she told me that after finishing, Michelle ran back to find Emily. This was her first half, and Michelle wanted to help her finish.
Sue and I watched them run in to the finish line, cheering as loud as we could.
We found them after a few minutes, and it was so special too see Sue giving her daughter a hug and with tears streaming down her cheeks, telling her how proud she was of her.
Then I realized THIS is what it's all about. It's not all about time's and PR's (not all the time anyway), it's about the experience. It's doing something you never thought you could do, achieving what seemed impossible, friends who run back for you, who fight for and encourage you, and never give up on you or let you give up on yourself.
So what that my time wasn't what I wanted, I got to see a new friend do what she was unsure she could do, and an old friend prove what being a true friend is all about.
This race was one of the best I've ever ran. Everything about it was perfect, from the organization, the course, to the amazing "voluncheers", to the swag bag, the free wine...everything!
This was my last long race of the season. It all starts again in September.
I'm going to sleep in on Saturday, take it easy for the next few weeks and just enjoy some shorter runs, and then start marathon training in July!
Sounds like a great venue for a race. Great pictures. Cold washcloths is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! Thanks Mark. :)
DeleteYou are amazing... all these races! You just keep at it.
ReplyDeleteI love when they have your names on the bibs.
Look at that swag bag!
Dang Canadians & their KM!! haha
Enjoy that rest lady - well deserved!
You got a whole bottle of wine with your race swag?
ReplyDeleteYES! Isn't that amazing??
DeleteCongrats! I would love to run this one day based on your recap.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I know you would love it!!
DeleteOh what a fun race, I definitely need to do this one oneday!
ReplyDeleteThat swag is amazing, and such a beautiful course. Love the Mountie picture, I am a huge fan of the When Calls the Heart Hallmark TV series, as I was the books before, so ya totally love the Canadian Mounties!
Congrats on your race and love how much fun you seem to have in it!!!
Wow. Sounds like an amazing race and sounds like you had a great time! Niagara Falls is so pretty and I think I need to make it a goal of mine to run this race in the future!
ReplyDeleteThanks Annette!I would highly recommend this one, it was awesome!
DeleteCongrats on another great race! Definitely one to consider in the future - it looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, love the part about it being Emily's first half! Brought tears to my eyes - you are right - this IS what it is all about!
I hope you do it sometime Jen, it was gorgeous. Thank you so much! :)
DeleteCongratulations and what a neat course! I've never been to the Falls but it's on my list. I think the km vs. miles would totally confuse me ... "What do you mean I'm just over halfway? I just passed the 13 mile marker!" Yep, that'd kill me. You deserve some rest now! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Elizabeth. If it weren't for my Runkeeper telling me my mileage, I would've been really confused! I will definitely enjoy this rest!
DeleteThat sounds like an awesome race, and the swag?! Wow! Is this your first international half marathon?
ReplyDeleteYes, my first international. I would sign up again just for the swag!!
DeleteSo much to love! Gorgeous photos, gorgeous Mountie and interesting swag bag. :) I've never heard of a bottle of wine with your swag bag - I need to add this race to my list! Congrats on finishing your first international race!
ReplyDeleteBottle of wine - most genius race swag ever.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes - people over PRS! This is my running theory!
That sounds like an awesome time. Nothing better than running with friends on a stunning course and getting wine in your swagg bag! :D
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