Mississauga

[Sandy]

Well, what a great run.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, Elizabeth's group, Trenton and Belleville groups all had a good run.  There were many firsts and finishing times were fantastic.  Outside of a few bathroom issues that really didn't impact on times too much I dare say it was a flawless day.  I know that some of the first timers probably hurt more then they had hoped but congratulations to all on your hard work in training and happy graduation day.  I don't want to speak for Elizabeth as I'm sure she will comment but I'm sure she would whole heartedly agree that you should all be proud of your accomplishment today and we are very proud of you all, our little running chick-a-dees.  Hey I sense a new name!!!

Well enough gushing.  While Mississauga had some downsides (t-shirts, waiting, buses, lack of port-o-johns) I personally loved the course with it's gentle downhills, lots of green space (thank God for bushes), waterfront and beautiful homes.

I do want to make special mention of our 3 marathoners, 2 experienced and 1 newbie.  Janet in 4:58, Petra in 4:42 and Jutta in 2:55 (2nd woman).

I look forward to chatting with all of you about your experiences today and about what will be next for you.

[Heath]

The photos that Adam took from Mississauga are up on his website:

http://www.agptechcanada.com/home/Photos/main.php?g2_itemId=4927

Some runners were faster than Adam's new camera (he is still learning how to use it) and he missed a couple people.

Enjoy!

My race report will be posted in the near future... Survivor is coming on... and I am just pooped!

[Derek]

yes Sandy it was a great day for the full and half marathon.  Congrats to all of us            who ran and finish. Adam good  job again with the pictures to bad u did'nt get me near the finish well thanks to the runner beside me waving his hands that would have been nice one too take oh well he was happy good for him he worked  hard for that glory moment.     Sandy I  gave u the wrong time for me it  was 1.37.43 not 1.33  that is still a great time for my first half marathon. once again  wtg to all u Belleville and Trenton runners it was nice to see u all again.  bye for now Derek. ps next marathon I go in I will  take a book to read wile i'm waiting  for my turn to start running wow!!!  they were lot of ppl front of us a Sandy oh well it was all  fun.   

[Sandy]

You did fantastic Derek, 1:37 is an amazing time.  Jeff said congraatulations and wanted to know where you get your wings?  It was great to see you and your family at the finish line as Ryann and I crossed, thank you for your cheering.

[Derek]

You did fantastic Derek, 1:37 is an amazing time.  Jeff said congraatulations and wanted to know where you get your wings?  It was great to see you and your family at the finish line as Ryann and I crossed, thank you for your cheering.

Thanks Sandy and Jeff . Tell Jeff I got those wings from my grandmother.and your welcome. It was great seeing u and Ryann   Jane and Heather running cross the finish line together on mothers day.  bye for now say hi to Jeff for me  and also tell him it was tough running that pase hard trainning pays off.  Derek.

[Janet]

Well,
  I just gotta give a great big CONGRATULATIONSto Petra and Derek!  You guys did amazing!  See Derek I told you that you'd have no problems finishing in under 2 hrs. .  Petra it was definately your day to run, and I'm glad I was part of it for a little while.  You had some wings in those shoes of yours, but I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and had such a great time.
  As for me, it wasn't my day .  You know how some days a run just isn't happening, and the marathon was one of those.  It started not bad, had good company, but then it just went tough from there.  My only thing is I finished in not too much pain, I had a smile seeing Jane with all her running mania friends with Heather and Adam there cheering me on the last 200 m, then my husband the last 100m, then I was done, and Petra came swooping out giving me a great big hug!  So you guys pulled me through!  Thanks!
  The course was as good as I remembered it, although the wind was pretty strong, especially along the water, lots of volunteers smiling and cheering you on, lots of water and gels, and there was still food left as I crossed the finish line and got my medal.
 So not my best run ever, but I learned that I can make it through the tough times, and seeing Petra as I crossed the finish line made it all worthwhile!

Janet

[Petra]

I just want to congratulate everyone on their great runs in Mississauga yesterday!!
Finishing your first half marathon is such an accomplishment!!!

Thanks so much for everyone's support and all the hugs at the start that made me cry.

And then it was great seeing our van load and Jutta cheering me on at the end.

But I especially want to thank Janet and congratulate her.  Thanks for starting me off - leaving you at 25k or so was really hard.  I think you did awesome.  It is one thing to run a Marathon feeling good, but it is a fabulous accomplishment ro run a MARATHON and be HURTING most of the way and finishing upright and SMILING.  So you were definitely a winner yesterday!!!

I really enjoyed the course, even the really windy parts at the ends (just wish the wind was blowing at my back instead of in my face).  And the volunteers and spectators were so encouraging, it really helps to hear you name yelled out, too.
Thanks Adam for taking pictures and taking my jacket Jane could get me dressed at the finish line, haha.
It was such a good day and we should all be proud of what we accomplished!

Petra

Petra

[Derek]

Well, 
  I just gotta give a great big CONGRATULATIONSto Petra and Derek!  You guys did amazing!  See Derek I told you that you'd have no problems finishing in under 2 hrs. .  Petra it was definately your day to run, and I'm glad I was part of it for a little while.  You had some wings in those shoes of yours, but I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and had such a great time.
  As for me, it wasn't my day .  You know how some days a run just isn't happening, and the marathon was one of those.  It started not bad, had good company, but then it just went tough from there.  My only thing is I finished in not too much pain, I had a smile seeing Jane with all her running mania friends with Heather and Adam there cheering me on the last 200 m, then my husband the last 100m, then I was done, and Petra came swooping out giving me a great big hug!  So you guys pulled me through!  Thanks!
  The course was as good as I remembered it, although the wind was pretty strong, especially along the water, lots of volunteers smiling and cheering you on, lots of water and gels, and there was still food left as I crossed the finish line and got my medal.
 So not my best run ever, but I learned that I can make it through the tough times, and seeing Petra as I crossed the finish line made it all worthwhile!

Janet

Thank u Janet yes you were right  I had a feeling too, I did'nt know I would get that time  at the 10k mark I knew I would get a great time it was 47 minutes at that mark.  I wish I would stay for your finish Janet we had to  leave early,friends of ours was waiting at the other side were the start was, but congrats on your full I did'nt know u and Petra did the full  wow!!! wtg u to  must be proud of your self's to do that full.I will some day doing the full.  bye for now Janet it was nice seeing u again. Derek.  once again wtg  Janet and Petra.

[Elizabeth]

To everyone,

Congratulations!!!I would have to agree with Sandy, the course was beautiful and to see so many people achieve a goal whether it be running their 1st half or full, performing a personal best or finishing a race even though they are not having their best run is fabulous. You should all be very proud and bask in your accomplishments.

Elizabeth 

[sweetsue]

Congratulations to all the runners, it sounds like everyone did amazing.  A special congratulations to Petra in completing your first full.

Susan

[Cathy]

It was truly a pleasure to be along with all you this weekend.  Congratulations to everyone.  All you newbies made a fantastic showing.

Congratulations to my bed buddies, Shannon and Sue and thanks Shannon for driving us all. You ladies had spectacular runs.
 
Petra you are awesome.  You should be very proud.

Janet you are inspiring.  Congratulations on your well deserved finish.  You have such amazing strength and determination.

Adam thank you for being our photographer again.  You always do such a wonderful job in capturing the moment.

[ShoppinShannon]

You all are SO amazing.  A truly moving weekend.  Congrats to all of you for all that you have accomplished.  I was so glad to have shared this wonderful experience with everyone.  Elizabeth was so motivating, I think she even helped a few other people along the way too!  Petra, you are a goddess :)  I hope someday, I will be able to do a full marathon, and look amazing as you did when I finish.(by the way, I have your jacket)
Cathy and Sue, I will room with you guys anytime!  (Sue brings the best buffet!)
Special Thanks to Adam, for taking the pics and bringing the clothes for us.  Because it sure was chilly.
I can't express my gratitude enough to everyone, for sharing this experience and running with me.  YOU are all amazing people. 
I can see how addictive this can get.
I want MORE!
I had alot of fun at the expo (even though everyone said it was small), Cathy and I got cool shorts.  Then shopping was a fun experience at the mall, we got lost, thank goodness for the pool at the hotel, because my feet were screaming.  The best part was eating at Moxie's. Too bad we couldnt sit with Sandy, Patti and the gang, we got spread apart.  I learnt that the word Foccacia can be used in various ways!  hehehe  Thanks Cathy for the correct pronunciation!

My run went well, I started off with a stich in my ribs and Jane and Heather told me to have some water and I soon felt good after that.  Mid way, Elizabeth motivated us by dedicating each Km to someone special.  That was fun.  Then she got me to sing to her the songs that was playing on my MP3.  I'm sure she got a kick out of that.
Towards the end, It was exciting to see the first place marathoner scream by me.  Then when I realized, that I had 1 K togo, I don't know what got into me, but something kicked in and gave 'r.  Such a wonderful feeling.
I timed all my gels right and hydrated properly.  I wouldn't have changed a thing that day.  Thanks coach, you taught us well.

[Sue]

What an awsome weekend! 

Thanks to Shannon for driving us!  I love your van, it was so comfy!
Thanks to Cathy and Shannon for sharing your room with me you guys were great fun to be with!  I will pack a buffet for you guys anytime! You guys had such wonderful runs!

Congratulations Petra you are awsome!  You looked so good when we saw you coming by us!  I can only hope someday to feel as good as you did if I ever get the courage to do a full.  I am so proud of you!

Congratulations Derek on your awsome time of 1:37!  It was so nice to meet you and your family!

Janet, I don't really know you well but I have to say to finish the full marathon when you weren't really feeling your best and hurting is amazing!  Your awsome!

Congratulations to all the newbies for doing their first half!

Heather and Jane I think it was so great that you guys ran together!  I'm sure it's a Mothers Day you guys won't forget!  Heather you did awsome! Please thank Adam again for all his help, lugging our stuff all over and for the great pics.

I would like to thank Sandy for a wonderful program. I couldn't have done it without you!  I was pretty excited about doing a Personal Best!

A huge thank you to Elizabeth!  I was not part of your training group, but you made feel like I was!  The last 2k I was having trouble and you were just so encouraging and I so appreciate that you were there!

My favorite parts of the race were at the start seeing the Mississauga Mayor who is so loved by her city waving at us all at he start line!  All 10.000 of us!
I also loved the older folks out in front of the retirement home all bundled up cheering us on and their band playing for us.  Those two things made me a little weepy.  Just a couple of others things did as well! What an emotional day!
But what alot of fun!

Sue

[Heath]

I would like to congratulate everyone who ran this past weekend!  It was an awesome weekend and we could not have asked for better running weather (I like the cooler weather for running!). 

First of all, I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to my whole half clinic group that completed their first half marathon!  It was awesome to journey through the training with you and it was an great accomplishment!  I am sooo glad I got to complete my first half with a group wonderful, motivating and supportive runners    It was great that we all stayed so close in the race so we were able to talk, laugh, and cry with each other.  Elizabeth, you were a great instructor!  You made the training and the race just that much more fun!  Dedicating the km's was a wonderful idea.  Took our minds off running and made us think of who we should be thankful for and how many supportive people we have in our lives.  Thank you all!

Petra, you did amazing!!! What an inspiration... and you were sooo nervous... at the end you were just flying... very impressive!  You looked soooo good compared to some others that were hobbling to the finish line!

It was emotional weekend for most, especially Petra at the start line:


Here she is just after the race, TRYING to keep warm:


Janet, I was sooo proud of you for finishing even though your troubles!  You are one strong girl!!!

Shannon, thanks for driving us to the race.  It was a lot of fun navigating.  We will have to do another road trip in the near future.

Here is Shannon (on the phone with Bob), Sue and Cathy.


Sue, I was sooo glad that you joined us.  It was nice to get to know you this weekend.  And congrats on your PB!  You didn't mention that on Sunday!  Well you didn't to me anyways! :)

Thanks sooo much for putting up with 6 girls all weekend, Adam.  It was great to have you there to see me complete my first half marathon.  Thanks for carrying all of our jackets around and for taking the pictures.  Also, thanks for the lovely gift! 

And last but not least, I would like to thank my mom for running my first half with me.  I picked the best day to run my first half.  It was great running over the finish line with my mother on mother's day.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Thanks for getting me there :)  You were with me every step of the way (please don't cry ladies) and really appreciated it! 

Here is a photo of us at the 8K mark that one of our runningmania friends took:


Here is a finish line photo that Julia took:


I would say the first 18K of the run went well.  Around the 18K mark, I started to have some problems.  Those last 3Ks seemed to take forever.  Most of the run is a blur to me excepted the early part of the run such as dedicating km's, Amanda calling her mom to wish her Happy Mother's Day, the nasty water at the first drink station, oh and peeing in the bushes (first on a run, yay me!).  After the 18K mark, I was pretty zoned out as I was not responding much to my mom when she was trying to talk to me.  But all in all, it was a good race and I will definitely do another one... I am already registered so I guess I have to! 

[Lisa C]

Congratulations everyone.  Sounds like it was a great weekend.