The Saskatchewan Marathon

The Scenario

Sunday, May 27th was the annual Saskatchewan Marathon. As I mentioned prior to the event, there were quite a few people in my life that were training for this event. For most of them, this was their first time entering a running event or running their specific distance.

I met Jadah Mensch in the Fall when we began indoor soccer. Her warm and genuine personality drew me to her. This winter when I started this project, Jadah was really supportive and readily agreed to join me in at least one of the twelve runs. She has the natural stature of a runner, so although the furthest she had previously run was 10 km, I had no doubt that she could do a half marathon (but remember, I think anyone can....runner's stature or not!). She put the Sask Marathon in her sights and went for it! Jadah doesn't have a treadmill, but she bundled up and she started training when it was still cold out. More recently, she's been coming out to Warman to join us for our weekly "Mom on the Run" group runs (did I mention that she has FOUR kiddos!!). It was really fun to log the miles of a couple long runs together and get to know each other better.

Heather's friend Andrea Schick also joined us for the half marathon distance. Since she had come up to Saskatoon in March and ran the 10 km at the Brainfreeze, she had been training and increasing her distance. Despite fighting a lung infection a couple weeks before the race, she was ready to tackle the 13.1 miles!

My friend Angela Yule started running a month and a half ago. In the middle of April when we started our running group, she started by alternating running 5 minutes & walking 2 minutes. It didn't take long before she could do the 5 km loop with only a couple short walking breaks. A couple weeks before the event I mentioned to Ang that our friend Nicole Tatchell was looking for a partner to run the 10 km with. Ang wasn't confident that she would be able to run that far, so the next time we went out we did her furthest distance yet of about 8km...that gave her confidence the boost it needed and she signed up!

I met MJ Smith last summer when she moved out to Warman shortly after having her first baby. This winter, she started running. First she found a couch to 5 km app and then progressed to the couch to 10 km app. MJ is the techie in our group, so when our running gadgets aren't doing what they're supposed to, she's the one we turn to.

I've known my good friend Anna Friesen for almost 5 years and we've run together off and on during that time. She has completed at least a handful of 10 km races and has done the Sask Marathon the last few years in a row. It was really fun to train together the last couple months!

Another "Mom on the Run" Kim trained and registered for the 10 km event as well. My friends Terra Dyky, Staci Heinbigner & Alicia Turner have trained together all winter. Terra & Staci ran the 5 km at the Warman Run, Walk & Wiggle last Fall. Alicia was brand new to running. This would be their first time doing a 10 km event!

The 10 km Crew

So, together we met up with the 3000 other runners Sunday morning in the Soccer Centre parking lot. As was the case for my run in April, the weather had been wet and overcast the week leading up to the event; but, the morning of the race was beautiful! The sky was clear, but it was still crisp enough that we wouldn't be hot. I was perfectly dressed in my shorts and running tank top with an (albeit a bit geeky) running mesh vest. Although the vest is not my idea of stylish, it provided me with pockets for my 'stuff' without causing me to overheat. I was able to avoid running with my jacket tied around my waist. Again, I was extremely thankful that the rain held off until later that evening.

The Event

This was the 34th annual Saskatchewan Marathon. It is a BIG event that offers 10 km, half marathon & full marathon distances. It is organized by the Saskatoon Road Runners Association and presented by Potash Corp and has many sponsors. The Saskatchewan Marathon is one of the longest running marathons in Canada.

Saturday, I took my boys and went in to the race expo to get my race package and my tickets to that evening's pasta supper. It was a nice display of what the local running community and businesses have to offer. I was excited when the President of the Saskatoon Road Runners Association, Lorrie Dobni offered to introduce me to the evening's keynote speaker Bart Yasso. He was encouraging and nice to talk to. Bart was very pleasant with my boys and he was happy to oblige when Owen asked him to autograph my race bib (he saw the lady ahead of us do the same).

That evening my mom and I met Ang at the pasta dinner. It was really nice to spend the evening with my mom because we don't often get the chance to get out together. The meal was good and listening to Bart's tales of his running adventures was inspiring. He is one of the few people to have completed races on all seven continents from the Antartica Marathon to the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon. The message he imparted on us was:

"Never limit where running can take you."

I like that.

This year the event was able to present their charity, the Meewasin Valley Authority, with a cheque for $100,000.00.

Despite it's large size, the Sask Marathon is really well organized. This year there were 267 people who completed the full marathon, 1311 registrants in the half marathon, 1403 runners completing the 10 km and 908 kids who participated in the Marafun!

The Sask Marathon route is a challenging one. The course starts up near the Soccer Centre on Pinehouse Drive and proceeds down to the river. After following the many ridges and gradual inclines along the river trails, the last kilometer of the course is straight back up hill to the finish line. One aspect of the course that I was sad to see return, is a second turnaround loop just beyond the base of the hill. This means that right around the 18 km point you run past the bottom of THE HILL and run a 2 km loop further and back (I'm sure that this makes no sense, but if you ran it or look at the map, you'll know what I mean). For some reason, this plays a giant mental trick on me. I much preferred the course last year when you just got to the base of THE HILL and then faced it head on! Either way, even though you know it's coming, it's a killer hill.

The drink stations were great and well-spaced, there was lots of entertainment along the route and because there are so many people running, there are tonnes of encouraging spectators along the way.

I thought the fact that the bibs were customized with the runner's name was pretty cool. The shirt is a nice fit and although it's colour is bright, I'm sad to say it's actually not the brightest event shirt I've received. I am more cheap than I am stylish, so I will no doubt make good use of it despite the colour. The Saskatchewan Marathon medal is nice. I REALLY like getting a medal. It's like the cherry on top of the sundae for me.

The Excuses

NONE!! This run and everything that led up to it, went perfectly!

After mom and I got home from the pasta dinner and I snuggled my boys into bed, I laid out all of my gear for the race and went through my checklist (running seems like such a natural sport, but man, it requires a lot of 'stuff'!). I had one last drink of gatorade and then hit the hay.

When my alarm went off at 5:30 I was ready and feeling good. I ate my oatmeal, made last minute wardrobe changes and pinned my number on. As I drove to the city with my music cranked, I couldn't help but smile. I could just feel it, things had fallen into place and this was going to be a great run!

The Best Part

I LOVED seeing my friends meet their goals! Each of the girls who trained for this event put in the time necessary to be ready for it. Most of them are moms, most have multiple children. Beyond the demands that their children and families place on their time, most of these girls have jobs and some of them even work full-time. So, for them to have committed to running and spending the time on themselves and their physical well-being was not necessarily easy; BUT, I think when something is important enough we always manage to make time for it. It felt great to see them succeed and feel good about their accomplishment!

As I was waiting in line at the porta-potty before the race began, I was excited to bump into most of the '10 km crew'. They were excited and nervous and I was happy to be able to wish them good luck! Then I found the 2:00 pace bunny (whom I know and was looking forward to trying to keep up with) and met up with Andrea & Jadah as we had planned. Before we knew it, they were singing the national anthem and the gunshot rang out and we were off!

I won't go through this run in extreme detail, but this was a really great day!

The three of us ran really well together. We weren't always side by side, but rather allowed each other to ebb and flow as our energy fluctuated and we just always seemed to be within eyesight. Between the 13 km and 15 km points Jadah and I encouraged and pushed each other as we seemed to take turns being tuckered. Once we were past the "Hudson's" drink station at the 15 km point we knew the end was within sight and we were able to push through without stopping.

After the draining second turnaround (which I've already expressed my distaste for), we tackled THE HILL. Andrea was a bit ahead of us and finished in 2:06:13. Jadah and I put our heads down and dug deep for that last kilometer. We finished in 2:06:39!! And let me tell you it felt great to cross that line together! 

My husband's annual golfing weekend always falls on the same weekend as the Sask Marathon. We're lucky though, because same as they did last year, my parents were able to come up to help us out with the boys. I was SO happy to have them right there waiting at the finish line holding a little poster they had made for us. I've said it before, but I draw my strength from them and to be able to have them there means so much to me.

I was also thrilled to have Ang & MJ there at the finish line! Their support and friendship over the last couple months has meant a lot to me and to be able to have them there to share in each other's accomplishments was fun! I can't wait to run a half marathon with them in November!!

Everyone was successful in their 10 km runs. It's safe to say that Nicki is hooked on running and she will join us in the half marathon in November as well! Terra, Staci & Alicia are going to run the half at the mogathon in a couple weeks. 

The next day, I stopped at the gas station to grab a copy of the paper so I could look at the results (I know they're online, but I find them hard to look at....call me an old fuddy duddy if you want to). I could not believe my eyes when I opened it only to find a seemingly giant picture of Jadah and I hugging after crossing the finish line!! Really, it was just the back of my head. The main focus of the picture was Jadah's face (and the happiness she was feeling). 

An hour later I received an email from a friend with a photo attached that she found on the StarPhoenix website....after forwarding the additional photos to Jadah, we decided that instead of feeling embarrassed about the picture that was published we should be extremely thankful that they chose the one they did! We look ridiculous....but I'm going to share them with you anyway. 

While the photos we took ourselves just less than five minutes after crossing the line are much 'prettier', I think the StarPhoenix pics capture the sense of relief, accomplishment and the smidge of delirium we felt as we crested THE HILL and finished our run together.

I am excited that this half has put my 2012 total distance to date over the 400 mile point! Now, I've got a little less than 3 weeks to get ready for the very fun Mogathon on June 23rd.

The Saskatchewan Marathon (a sneakpeak!)

It's taking me a while to pull together my 'official' post about yesterday's run...... but I'm so excited about it I just wanted to say that IT WAS AWESOME!!

Everything fell into place perfectly. If you're a runner, you know how unlikely and rare of an occurrence that is!

My friends were all successful in completing their 10 km runs and Jadah, Andrea & I ran the half marathon in 2 hours and 6 minutes!! The Sask Marathon is such a tough course, but we rocked it!

Fit Friendships

Last week was my first outdoor soccer game of the season. I had a few butterflies, but mostly I was just excited to see my teammates and get out on the field together. It's hard for me to believe that it was only a year ago that I had my very first soccer game EVER on the that same field!

As much as 2012 is a year for me to try to push myself and achieve the goals I've set out for myself, 2011 was a year of many 'fitness firsts' for me.

Last January, I joined a fun, but short lived running club in Warman. It was the first time that I'd run with a group and the first time I'd ventured outside to run in the winter....and it was a COLD one! Without that group, there's NO WAY I would have logged those miles outside!

Also in January 2011, I first started going to a BOSU ball class that is offered out here on Saturday mornings. It is one of my favourite workouts and I always look forward to it! It's fun to meet up with the same people each week and see what the instructor has in store for us.

My friend Andrea and I completed our first ever winter running event last March. Together, we ran the 10km at the Brainsport Brainfreeze. It was a frosty winter day, but not nearly as bad as a few of our Sunday training runs had been! We continued to train together with the Warman running club until the end of May when we completed the Saskatchewan Marathon with our friend Dawn.

Only a week later, I had the chance to join a group of women as they travelled to Alberta to complete the Banff to Jasper Relay. It was the first time that I had been away from my family on my own and I only knew a couple of the girls, so I was quite nervous. But, right away it was obvious that they were friendly and welcoming.

I can't really explain what it meant for me to participate in this event, surrounded by such beautiful scenery and being supported by such strong women. They teased me about my ear-to-ear smile (which I had even while I ran my leg of the relay); but, this trip was so out of my realm I couldn't help but be HAPPY.

Also that Spring, as I mentioned before, I joined a ladies' soccer team. I had NEVER played any kind of team sport so this was WAY out of my comfort zone! But there were a couple of us who were in the same boat, and our coach and the other girls were so understanding and didn't seem to mind teaching me the basics....and I mean the VERY basics! I'd never worn shin guards or cleats, never mind have an understanding of the rules! But, I could run, so they put me on as a midfielder and I LOVE it!

Once I felt comfortable enough playing, my husband brought the boys to watch a few of my games. It made me so happy to have them there cheering for my team!

I was asked by the Crystalbrook Community Group if I would be willing to help plan and organize the first Warman Run, Walk & Wiggle. It felt great to be able to use my running experience to help the group pull the event together. We coordinated this fun September day and were able to fundraise around $4000 to give back to our community.

Finally, last Fall, I got to stay with my soccer team and play for the indoor season. As much as I loved playing outdoor, I was thrilled with the intensity and speed of the indoor games. The indoor season is about twice as long as the outdoor one. The thirty or so games we played this winter, gave me a chance to really start to feel comfortable playing and to get know the girls on the team. What a great group of women!

This was our eighties indoor wind-up

So, 2011 was an exciting year for me and I am so thankful for the wonderful friendships that I had a chance to make. I love the feeling of camaraderie that comes from working together to achieve a goal. Especially when it requires you to push yourself physically and test your limits.

To that end, I started up a little running group called "Moms on the Run". In the middle of April, I invited some of the women I know who are runners or walkers, or who have shown an interest in giving it a try, to meet together. It has been a lot of fun! Many of the group are already established runners and they have enjoyed getting out with others. In fact, I hadn't run with anyone since I had finished my training last Spring and I had forgotten how nice it is to run with company! The miles just go by so much faster.

But, more than that for me, it has felt great to be able to encourage the girls who are a bit unsure of themselves. It's amazing what a difference it can make for someone to know that you believe in their ability to do something, even when they don't. It's easy for me to be reassuring because I remember when I was first starting out....if I can run, anyone can!

This weekend is the Saskatchewan Marathon. I am really excited for it! I feel good going into it. The rain seems to have passed and the forecast is good. I got in a decent long run and a couple short easy ones this week. I've been eating my carbs and resting. I plan on behaving myself tomorrow night and as long as my boys cooperate too (fingers crossed), I should get a good sleep. So, things are shaping up nicely. BUT, I am REALLY excited for my friends who have been training so hard and pushing themselves over the last couple months. There are many of my soccer teammates who are going to run their first 10km race at the event and a couple friends who are going to join me in the half marathon.

Have fun on Sunday girls! I saw this quote and thought I would share it.

Birthdays

Spring is always an exciting time in our household. We finally get to tuck away the winter equipment and get out the summer stuff, we shed a layer or two of clothing and head outside for the majority of the day, school is starting to wind down for the year, we start our outdoor activities (which is busier than ever with each of us participating in at least one sport this year) and we always have LOTS of birthdays to celebrate!

My hubby's birthday is today, my niece's is tomorrow, we have a couple birthdays in our extended family and the boys have been excited to go to a handful of birthday parties for their buddies in the last two months. My friend Heather's 32nd birthday would have been last Tuesday, May 8th.

To say that Heather LOVED her birthday would be a bit of an understatement! Having a whole day dedicated to celebrating and focusing on her, was Heather's ideal. She really was a princess.

Heather celebrating her birthday as a little girl....

Heather celebrating her 30th....Not much changed, lol!

I was lucky on my birthday this year. Because we went down to Regina for a New Years' Eve event, I got to stop in and visit with Heather two days in a row. While she was excited to hear about what I was going to wear and what our plans were for the evening, Heather's tumour was causing her to be a bit confused on the 31st. So, when we stopped in the next day I was surprised when she didn't skip a beat and wished me a happy birthday! 

I sighed and said I felt old....and I immediately felt like a putz. What a ridiculous thing to say to someone who was being robbed of the luxury of growing old! But, Heather just smiled and said, "I think any birthday is a good birthday." 

This is one of those moments that shifted my perspective permanently.

We had a really good visit that day. Heather passed away one week later on January 8th.

I was so happy when Kristen suggested a steak night fundraiser for my "Twelve in 2012" event with the Canadian Cancer Society that would coincide with Heather's birthday. She did a fantastic job planning and organizing the evening! She sold out the event and we were able to gather 100 of Heather's friends and family last Sunday, May 6th at Haywood's Grill. I think she would have been thrilled to have us all together because of her! 

Kristen had collected and received a preponderance of great raffle prizes, some roughrider tickets to auction off and a lotto board. Together with the proceeds from the tickets sold to the supper, we raised $2205!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and supported the evening SO generously. This contribution nearly doubled the donations to date to the Canadian Cancer Society!! 

It was really nice to have my husband and boys there as well as my mom & dad who are back from their winter away. It was also a great chance to see some of Heather's friends and family that I hadn't seen since her funeral in January.

Mostly though, I hope that in a little way, having everyone come together helped Heather's parents Hugh & Barb during a week when they were surely missing a birthday party.

A much smaller group of us met together with Barb at Moxie's on May 8th. I had a mini white chocolate brownie.....I haven't had one in years, but Heather and I had shared many of them. It used to be our fail-safe during exams (or any other time really!). It was bitter-sweet.

Just Tri-It

Shortly after the Saskatoon Road Runners featured the little blurb about me in their weekly newsletter, I received an email from one of the organizers of the Just Tri-It Saskatoon program. They were looking for interesting people to come and talk to the group of women about their experience(s) running. She had seen the write-up about me & checked out my blog and felt that I fit the bill. So, after reminding myself why I started this project, I hesitantly agreed.

The Just Tri-It program is beginner triathlon training for women only. The Just-Tri-It program is a great place to start. It offers 10 weeks of training opportunities for women of all ages in swimming, biking, and running/walking. It is a fun, relaxed and informal group of women who all have the goal of developing a more active and healthy lifestyle. The participants are automatically registered in the Makin' It Happen Race that is set to take place next weekend. The event consists of a 200m swim, 6km bike and a 2km walk/run.

Thursday, May 3rd was the night that I was slated to speak to the group. I was extremely nervous. In the past I was an alright public speaker, but (as was evident when I spoke at the steaknight in March), I'm a bit out of practice, lol! It's been quite some time, since I've addressed anyone more sophisticated than a group of 6 year olds.

It didn't help when I had a look at the Just Tri-It website and saw the fantastic list of speakers who had presented to the group in their first five weeks. They had learned about clothing, dynamic stretching, yoga & yin stretching, basic running techniques and nutrition....I am envious of everything they've been exposed to. I wondered though, how I could possibly compare with the knowledge these professionals have shared.

But, I reminded myself that it had been the organizer who had contacted me, so obviously she felt that I had something to offer to the group. I sucked it up and figured that the last couple months have pushed me so far beyond my comfort zone, what would another couple steps matter?

As she promised, they were a very low-key, fun, diverse group of women. I took my husband's advise and didn't write anything down and I just stood up and tried to tell them my 'story'. My goal was that I could convey to them, that even if running didn't end up being their favourite thing, I hoped that they could find an activity that would help them be healthy & active even after their Just Tri-It training was finished.

Like most things, I think with little bit of practice I could probably be an alright speaker again, but for now I spoke too quickly, missed some key parts, and I'm not sure if I made much of an impression, but I'm glad I went.  It was nice to meet a group of women who are pushing their limits and trying new things.

Thank you Just Tri-It Saskatoon for having me and good luck with your triathlon next weekend!

Sarah's Running Story

My friend Sarah is the fastest and most knowledgeable runner I know. But, she hasn't always been and it's not something that has happened without a lot of hard work and dedication. Sarah is a mom to two beautiful boys who works hard at a full time job and is married to a shift worker. Here's how she makes time for running and continues to push herself and her limits:

I wasn't sure what my next race with Janaya would be in 2012, however, all the pieces fell into place that it was the Saskatoon Police Service 1/2 marathon.  Janaya had registered early for the Regina Police Service run, and I was quite disappointed that it was full when I went to register - the RPS run was the very first 1/2 marathon I ran in 2007 in a time of 1:49 so I would have liked to run it again.  When circumstances required Janaya to alter her plan and run the SPS instead, I eagerly agreed to join her as did my husband Kevin.  

Prior to having my two boys I began running relay events in the Echo Valley, RPS, and QCM races.  This was a great way to get introduced to running and get the "bug" for entering races!  From the relays I moved to my first 1/2 marathon in 2007.  Over the years I have always been involved in many sports most recently playing soccer in Saskatoon (with the same team Janaya is on).  However, when I moved to Prince Albert there were less sports to participate in and with 2 kids and Kevin working shift work it is virtually impossible to commit to a sport. So, I found myself running even more.  After having both of my boys, my goal was to run to get back into shape - which, as hard as it seemed during my mat leave, was even harder to fit into the day when I went back to work.  

Upon returning to work in December of 2011 I began getting up at 4:15am to run - it's the 
only time in the day I consistently have time without the boys as they are still sleeping.  For 
me running at night is not an option - being married to a shift worker I would have to wait 
until after the boys were asleep around 8pm which would mean I wouldn't be done until 9pm. I do not sleep well after evening exercise.  

So 4:15 am every morning, 6 days of the week, I found myself getting out of bed, downing a glass of pre-run energy mix and hopping on the treadmill for anywhere from 4-8 miles.  It 
didn't take long and my body adapted to this routine. I didn't even have to set the alarm, I 
was naturally waking up between 4 and 4:15am.  I travel for work quite a bit to Regina and 
even when in the hotel room I am awake with running shoes on and down to the hotel treadmill by 4:20.  It is now my way to start the day.  I try to get a longer weekend of run 8-
12 miles in, either Saturday or Sunday depending on my husband's schedule. 

I continued with the "morning" dedication in the hopes of returning to my "pre-kid" shape. For me "back into shape" isn't about a size, rather it is about being as healthy and fit as I 
can be while living a very balanced (and busy) life.  To me the ability to run is the very 
definition of "fit" and "in-shape" but I still had that nagging part of me that wanted to get back to my pre-kid weight. I found that as hard as I ran and as much as I went to the gym I was still unable to lose my "final 10 lbs". Something many struggle with. 

I didn't want to give up. I wanted to find a way to finally lose it.  So I reached out to those I 
had watched do it - and the experts, our friends and the owners of the gym we go to.  They were able to set me up with a diet plan that they followed while training for a bodybuilding competition and that they use with those they are training.  The diet was very consistent with pre-determined meals 6 times a day, lots of protein and veggies and a small amount of carbs with each meal.  Prior to starting they encouraged me to continue with it for 12 weeks 
as that is when results are fully realized.  So I got to it and stuck to the meal plan, even 
when travelling to Regina, I packed all my meals and travelled with my cooler.  The diet 
included eating ground beef at 9am.....which got a lot of strange looks and comments at 
work!  For the diet to work I was encouraged to maintain 20 min of cardio a day - which I 
was far exceeding so I thought if I stuck to my current exercise and followed the meal plan, 
the results would be a sure thing.  

After week 1 I lost 0 lbs, after week 2 I had gained 1 lb and after week 3 I was up 4 lbs.  They encouraged me to keep going as my body was just adjusting itself and I would start to see results shortly.  I could tell that my running was suffering slightly especially my longer runs with the reduced carb consumption, however, I continued on the plan of diet, 6 days of running and 4 days at the gym.  I am stubborn and was determined that I was working too hard to not lose the last 10 lbs.  

After 7 weeks of the diet I was up 8 lbs and it was time for the SPS.  I was worried how my run would be as I knew my long runs were not going well.  I broke the diet for the night before the race and went out with friends for a VERY delicious dinner and wine at the Samurai.  I was stuffed and ready for the run.  

We met Janaya downtown before the race and walked to the starting line.  It was a cool morning but thankfully not raining. It rained the previous day during which I joined Janaya and a group of moms for a short run in Warman - I wish I could meet up with this group more as it was so inspiring to see the running addiction Janaya had created among so many! I ran with Janaya and my husband for the first mile and then took off on the pace I was comfortable with.  

I felt very strong running and was avoiding looking at my watch as I was nervous to know my time.  As I approached the 1/2 way turn around I only noticed 2 female runners come back past me, so I thought I must be doing ok.  At mile 8 I heard two people talking that their pace was currently 7:58 and I thought WOW that can't be; but if it is, I am going to stick with these runners as long as I can.  I pushed myself, likely to the annoyance of the guy just ahead (and sometimes behind) me, and it paid off in the end as I finished in a watch time of 1:41:55...that was 13 minutes faster than I ran in Las Vegas in December and 7 minutes faster than my pre-kid race time.  I was truly in shock when I crossed the finish line and looked at my watch.  

I decided that to cool down I would start to walk back and see where Kevin and Janaya were at.  As I was walking Kevin quickly came into sight he finished in 1:49 so he improved on his Vegas time by 6 minutes (actually very impressive for someone who doesn't train and might run 3 miles when he does run).  I continued to walk back until I found Janaya about 1.5 miles from the finish line where I turned and finished the last 1.5 miles with her.  It was such a great experience to complete the end of the race with her!

I was so excited and thankful to realize that my dedication to morning running had at least paid off in an improved race time!  So I knew that with those results I had no choice.....but to continue with my current routine in order to maintain the results I had achieved!  

The Saskatoon Police Service Half Marathon

The Scenario

Sunday, April 29th was the Saskatoon Police Service Half Marathon. My friend Sarah Keith and her husband Kevin came down from Prince Albert to run the half marathon with me. I met Sarah a year ago when I first started playing soccer. It didn't take long for us to realize that we both really liked running! She does most of her running on the treadmill dreadfully early in the morning while her boys are sleeping before she needs to be ready to start her workday. Sarah ran the Nike Plus Virtual Half Marathon with me in January (she was in P.A. and I was in Warman, so we sweat together at a distance!). She is a super speed-demon! We were both looking forward to completing a non-virtual run together.

Heather's good friend Kristen Vanderkooy (who had also ran in the Brainfreeze) was registered to run the 10km. That morning, Kristen introduced me to Angela Bloor who ran the 5km in Heather's honour.

Finally, my friend Erica (who had taken our family pictures and the running photos of me back in March) was there to complete the 10km.

So, together we met up with the other runners Sunday morning outside the city police station. Of course, the weather of the Spring season in Saskatchewan is predictably unpredictable. On Saturday it rained and poured off and on all day, but it cleared a bit overnight and the showers held off until the afternoon the day of the race. The temperature was crisp, but perfect for running, when we started across the timing mat at 8 a.m.  By the time I was returning back South along the route, it seemed that the temperature had dropped a bit lower. I could see my breath as I huffed and puffed my way along. I was thankful that I had brought my thick headband and a pair of mini mitts. My temperature was perfect wearing a pair of crop pants, a long sleeve tech shirt and my trusty running jacket.  I am SO thankful that it didn't rain....that would have made for a soggy 13.1 miles!

The Event

This was the 3rd annual SPS Half Marathon. It is an event that offers 5km, 10km & half marathon distances. It is sponsored by Asics and organized by the Saskatoon Police as a way to bring the police service together with the community to keep active and raise money for charity. This year the proceeds are being donated to the local Recess Guardians program.

This event was really well organized and I really liked the half marathon route! It is a smaller race with 45 people completing the 5km, 129 registrants in the 10km and 104 runners completing the 21.1km this year.

The route was well marked and the road marshals & pylons were well spaced and I was never worried that I was going the wrong way. I appreciated that, after the halfway turnaround point, the half marathon route took a detour up into a residential trail area away from the river. I was able to run in an area that I had never been in before where the view of the river and the city was great!

The drink stations were pretty well spaced except toward the very end of the run it felt like a long time between the last cup of water and the finish line! I was disappointed at the lack of gatorade....on this morning especially I really could have used the extra electrolytes! The Asics running hat that came in the race packages is pretty spiffy; but to date, I haven't been much of a hat wearer. We'll see if I make use of it in the next couple months.

The Excuses

I am FULL of excuses for this one!

Again, we had a jam packed weekend that I had organized and coordinated so that everyone was able to be and do what they needed to when they needed to. As with everything in life it seems, there are always a couple things that pop up unexpectedly....so, when my husband got called out for work Wednesday afternoon, I wasn't shocked. In fact, I was kind of expecting it. What I wasn't expecting was a phone call from my brother saying that my niece was major sick and being transported from Regina to Saskatoon to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

All that I was able to do was be here for them, make them lunches, do their laundry and hold my breath and wait for news....everything else we had planned would have gone out the window if need be, but Alivia started to slowly improve as the week went on. My husband got back from work and Friday my parents arrived to help us out for the weekend.

I had originally planned to run the Regina Police Service Half Marathon. Then, we realized that it was the same weekend as my husband was to be involved in a co-worker's wedding. So, I was lucky that the SPS event was an option and that way we would be able to be at the wedding and I would still be able to complete my April run. We were treated to a nice rehearsal dinner Friday night.

Saturday morning, in the rain, I met the group of "Moms on the Run" that have started getting together for a weekly run. They were such troopers to come out in the rain! It gave Sarah and I a chance to decide how we should dress the next day in the less than optimum weather. It was obvious that I wouldn't be able to wear my shorts as I had planned, but my capris were slipping around and would have driven me bonkers if I had had to wear them for the half! I'm very thankful that my friend Ang offered to lend me a great pair of crops that worked wonderfully. I didn't have any time left to shop before the next morning!

I got home and got organized, packed everything we needed for the next 24 hours, had lunch with my family, got spiffed up and headed to the city for a beautiful wedding. I hadn't realized how long it had been since we had been to a wedding, but it would seem that I'm still as much of a suck as I used to be!

Between the ceremony and the reception we got checked in to the hotel, zipped over to Brainsport to get my race package, we went up to the hospital to visit Alivia and then I still had time to do a quick blog post! When we got back for cocktails, it was clear that this was going to be a fun evening!

Because my parents were able to come and stay with Owen and Myles, we had decided that we would just get a room at the hotel and that would simplify everything. I had planned to behave myself, have a couple of drinks and dance a couple songs and then sneak off to the room to get a good night sleep while still making it possible for my hubby to have fun with his friends....well, those good intentions quickly went out the window!

We were having so much fun that I didn't want to leave and before I knew it it was 1:00! While my husband was sound asleep within seconds, I lay awake too excited to sleep. I didn't actually sleep much before the alarm went off at 5:30. I got up and made coffee and using the second cup I whipped up some instant oatmeal. I lay back down for another hour before it was time to get my duds on. Of all the things for me to forget at home, I had left my gatorade! I drank as much water as I could and then headed down to meet Sarah & Kevin in the lobby. To say I wasn't feeling 100% would be a bit of an understatement, but I was committed to running and ready to give it my all.

The Best Part

Only a city block or so into the run, Heather's mom Barb was standing at the corner cheering for us as we started on our way. It was so early on a cold Sunday morning; and yet, there she was giving me the encouragement I so needed.

Sarah and I ran the first half mile or so together and then she wished me well and took off like a gazelle! She finished the half marathon in 1:41:55 shaving over ten minutes off of her time from the Las Vegas Half Marathon she ran in December!

I popped my earphones in and found my pace. I was doing fine until around the 5k point when the route went right past the hotel. I had a room key in my pocket and it took all of my willpower not to just sneak off and snuggle back in to the warm bed. BUT, again a block later, there was Barb on the curb ready with a hug and a cheer and that reaffirmed what I already knew. I had to stay the course.

Kristen beat her previous 10k time by a minute and a half. Although she is pleased to have bettered her time, she said that she found the run tough. She is training to complete the half marathon at the Mogathon in June and I'm sure that she is going to ace it!

If this run had been half the distance, I would have completed my best 10k time. The second half of the run, however, was when my body started to retaliate for my antics the previous night. There were some of the regular culprits like sore hips and quads; but, I also had a smattering of new aches and pains such as sore calves and a tight chest which were more likely due to dancing in my beautiful wedge sandals until all hours and the over-consumption of Great Western Light.

With about 1.5 km remaining, I was happy to see Sarah. After completing her run, she had walked back to find me and was ready to help me get to the finish line. Together we ran across the Broadway bridge back to the police station where I was so happy to have Barb, Kristen, Angela, Kevin and my husband (who was a smidge groggy and a bit put off by the exuberant person cheering with a cow bell!) waiting for me.

Usually I have a little bit of gas left in my tank to give an extra surge for the last bit of the course, but this is the first time that I've been completely out of energy when I finished. I am very pleased to have completed my fourth run of the year in 2:11:40 (only a minute and a half more than my event last month). Although I do not regret staying out late and having fun, I definitely learned my lesson and will NEVER run a half marathon after a night out again!

My niece is still in the hospital, but she's improving each day. Her hospitalization has served as another reminder for us to focus on the important things in life. Family, friends, love & fun. We only have one life to live, so lets make the most of it!

I am excited that this half has put my 2012 total distance to date over the 330 mile point! I'm already one third of the way done for the year! Now I've got 4 weeks to prep before the Saskatchewan Marathon on May 27th.