Joanne and I arrived at the military base, Base Borden in Angus, where the half marathon was being run, with proceeds from the race were to benefit our service men and woman and families. The base is about a 30min drive west of Barrie.
Joanne was doing the 10k run and I was doing the half marathon. When we got to the registration area we met up with friends from the running room and my tri club who were doing the race. We chit chatted with whom ever and taking pictures until the start of the half marathon. The half stated at 10am and the 5k and 10k that Joanne was running started at 10:30am.
The announcements finished and my race was ready to start so kissed Joanne for luck in her race which had about 600 participants and I lined up with all 280 Participants who registered for the half marathon.
And off we go! I knew I had to go slow and steady as I didn't do any run training for this race, mainly because my knees hurt to much to run. So Off I go! My plan was to do run 5 min and walk 1 min. As the group and I got our rhythm going I met up with one of my Tri club members Dr Tracy Teasdale who was running basically at my speed, so I asked her what her plan was for the race? She said slow and steady, I said just like me! So I told her I was doing 5 and 1's and she said OK sounds good to me, as she told me she hadn't done a lot of run prep for this race either, so we paced each other chit chatting along the way.
For the first 4km we didn't stop for our 1 min walks, because we were feeling good and going slow enough not to tire. After the 4k mark I said it's time for a min walk break and from then on we did 5 and 1's without fail. We reach the 10k mark with a time of 1:12, we were on pace for a 2:30 half!
But not long after that fatigue set in but we kept the pace going, we reach the 15k mark or so, my knees were holding up, sore but manageable, I had them wrapped to brace them. But at this point my left ankle was starting to hurt as were were running on a loose gravel section of the run for the last few k's and I don't like running on trails or gravel as I have what I call glass ankles! To tell you the truth I know my pains are just a result of not running enough so I suck it up and continue on!
So as we reached the 15k mark along came another Tracy. Tracy Maclean pulled up with us going just a smidge faster then us, and we chit chatted with her for a little while and that is when I said to Dr Tracy, don't let me hold you up, your feeling strong and I'm tiring and hurting and I'm going to keep my pace, so you should go ahead with Tracy Maclean who is a steady and strong runner.
So off she went with the other Tracy slowly pulling away from me while I kept my 5 and 1's going at a slower pace. But I caught up to them again as they had a long walk break while I kept my 5 and 1's lol, I pulled along side of them and started walking with them for my min break and when I started up they started running to and pulled ahead slowly again.
I then saw a pot O potty and decided this is a good time for a pee break, I did my business and when I got back on the gravel road I could still see the two Tracy's. I knew I wouldn't catch them now as I was limping more and walking more. I had no energy left in my legs, I needed food! I was hoping the next aid station had banana's or something but all they had was diluted G-aid and water, matter of fact non of the aid stations had food?? this is a first for me in all the races I've done? and I was getting weak in my legs, you know, that wobbly feeling and I didn't bring any gels or nothing with me!
Well I kept going, more walking then running, but kept pushing forward! 19k passed I hit the next ais station where a friend was volunteering Cindy Marcelli, she started chanting GO JOE GO! and all the volunteers started Chanting along with her! It made me feel good and I smiled, but I wasn't running,. I walked through the aid station grabbing a G-aid and water and kept moving forward walking, then I started back up trying to run a little only to fall back to walking, My legs were wobbly and I needed food!
I pushed on and on run 20 feet and walk some on and on. 20k passed and I knew the end was near! I kept going 20 foot run and walk, I needed food!
I finally reached the last 200m to take a right turn in and another 100 meters to the finish, One of my friends Joanne Merkley was there before the turn and was shouting to me your almost there and took a couple of pictures of me sloggin along, but I still managed to smile!
I take the turn and run 10 feet and walk! I hear the cheers of the people at the finish cheering me on to run in the last bit, but I said to myself the heck with it I'm walking in to which I finish with a time of 2:51 and was handed a nice medal which resembled dog tag like what the military wear for ID.
Now wheres the food! as I look around I see Joanne and greet her, I asked how she did in her 10 K, she said I should of did the half I felt great! and she did do great finishing mid pack in her age group with a 1:11! I then asked her where the food was, she said there was non, just some oranges and water, she said there is pizza at the tent but you have to pay for it. What?? That sucks! So we mingled a bit with some friends then went home where I wanted to grab some food but was feeling sick form not eating? I laid down and had a nap and felt better after, then made me a bacon and eggs breakfast. :)
Me...
Me with some of my Tri club friends...
Joanne with some of her running friends..
Joann and I withsome friends..
The finisher medal...
