Well, I am finally back from my gallivanting and can write something! It is TERRIBLE when you don't have any internet access for four days! I was just dying to read what everyone wrote!
Now.... can I remember what happened on Sunday? Oh yes. Heather and I ran her very first half marathon together!! And I was extremely proud of her! She did much better than I did on my first half marathon! And from the sounds of it, she didn't suffer all that much this week from it either!
I too would like to thank everyone for making it a memorable day. First to Heather, for making it a great Mother's Day! How many mothers get to go out and run 21.1K with their daughter on Mother's Day?? It was a lot of fun -- even the last 3K when your tummy wasn't cooperating! I am glad that you managed to fight through it! The last few Ks are always hard, but you did GREAT!
To Shannon for driving us! You were a great driver and your van was very comfortable! The trip down and back was so much fun, I don't think the time has ever gone so fast!!
To everyone, you were all so much fun to run with!! Thanks to Elizabeth, I'll bet no one else can say they had such a great time on their first half marathons. Dedicating the kms to someone made the distances just go so quickly! I will have to file that away for future runs. You were great entertainment and I agree that it probably made the run a whole lot more fun for EVERYONE around you! I'll bet every time Debbie runs a hill now, she will be thinking of you and our group! You sure were a great motivator!
To everyone that I ran with at some point on Sunday, thanks for being part of the group! I got to run with so many of you as we bounced back and forth, I am almost afraid to mention anyone for fear of missing somebody! Everyone was very inspiring. Special mention to Bill Huffman who ran his first half marathon. Bill, you are an inspiration and a great example for some of the younger generation who say that they "can't" do it. To start running after the age of 60 and to be running a half marathon a year later is truly awesome! I clearly remember you running the 5K at Canada Day last July, and now you are a Half-Marathoner! I hope you have showed that medal to everyone you know!
Derek, you did great! What more can I say? I knew that you had it in you. And I knew that you would not be running slowly with us at the back of the pack! (like you told me once a little while ago!) Do you realize that you came 391st out of almost 4,000 people??!! I am wondering if your grandmother can send me some wings too! I am sure she was watching you and cheering you on too, and was very proud of you.
Petra and Janet -- you are both amazing. Petra, you were so ready for that marathon. When we saw you coming around that corner, you were just like a little road runner. I would never have believed that you had already run more than 41 kms! You looked like you do after a Tuesday evening group run! And you were just passing people right, left and centre!! I would love to know how many you passed just on that little bend around that beach! I am a little disappointed though -- didn't you say you were going to cry at the finish line?
See, if you cry at the beginning, then you don't have to at the end! Janet, you fought through whatever was bothering you (did you ever figure out if it was the hip flexor or your hamstring?) and still managed to finish in the same time that I ran my first full. I am glad that you were able to finish. We were so happy to see you round that corner and to know that you were ok. What a trooper!!
Cathy, I didn't get to see you much after the start of the race, but I am glad that you went out there and ran "your" race. You did great too! I have enjoyed running with you through all the training runs and can't wait to get back out there with you again!
Sue, you have really picked up your speed! I remember running with you back in January (Cora's breakfast day) and we were at the back of the pack. Well, you have sure speeded up!! Thanks for sharing the tears with me. It is nice to not be the only weepy one! I agree -- the Retirement Residence was one of the highlights of the spectators.
Thanks to Adam for being so patient with all of us women and putting up with the nerves and the crankiness. For carrying our after race clothes and taking photos of us. Can't wait for your debut at Sulphur Springs!! You have to promise to let me run ahead of you, so I can get YOUR finish line photo!!
I know I am forgetting a few things. I have photos too, which I will try to upload to either Adam's website or photobucket when I get a chance - probably on the weekend.
I just want to say that we have an amazing group of runners. I don't think I could ever find a better bunch of friends. It is the greatest feeling to be part of your achievements on Sunday.
