I love you all.

Four months of hard work, fun runs and great conversation all came to a head yesterday when Running Moms ran and completed the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Half Marathon!

It was an emotional and momentous occasion for so many reasons. It's tempting to write about the race as one long story with a beginning and an end, but I feel the need to write things in a list-like form because every story stands alone; every moment deserves to be read as it's own separate and unique moment.

We met up by the gear check at 7:15am (15 minutes before the race start) to take a few photos and wish each other luck. I am so happy we did, or we wouldn't have this fantastic photo:

L-R: Me, Christy, Carey, Laura, Adrianne, Cristal.
Yes, it says "Running Moms" on the back of our shirts. :)
Thanks again to Christy for getting them printed on time for the race!

L-R: Me, Heidi, Christy.

After a group hug, we all went our separate ways into the start crowd; I couldn't be more proud that we entered the crowd about one minute before the start time. I am teaching these ladies well. (I loathe standing around before a race start and will waltz up to the start seconds before the race - why stand around getting nervous, right?)

I wanted to use the porta-potty, but didn't have time. I have been inside a porta-potty when the race started, but didn't feel like doing it again. So I didn't have enough time to pee before the race, but turns out I didn't need it. Nerves.

A few minutes into the race, while I was repeating my "run your own race, Sara" mantra in my head, I realized that there was a good chance that some of the speedy women in my group were already ahead of me, caught up in the crowd. I tried not to think about it, but my pace started to quicken, as if I could go find them; the mother duck wanting to keep her ducklings from venturing too far into the pond. I had a chuckle about that one, slowed a bit and kept up my mantra. 

People were passing me by the dozens. I could hear a few of them huffing and made mental notes of them, thinking "there's a good chance I'll see you again soon." If this were a novel and I was the heroine, I'm sure my eyes would have narrowed into a steely gaze or some such nonsense. Instead, I marvelled at how good my breathing sounded in comparison. Yay for training!

Got tapped on the shoulder by Jeff King, the guy from CHEK News who did the fantastic story on Running Moms. He was originally meant to run the full marathon and switched to the half because he had tweaked his knee a few weeks ago and had to halt his training. I laughed and told him he was going to be so happy he decided to do the half. He smiled and said he remembered what I had told him. What had I told him? I told him that when I ran my first (and only) marathon, I was injured and ended up way, way at the back with all the people who were saying "I shoulda done the half!" Only a few of them were joking. 

I headed into Beacon Hill Park and thought about the dozens of times Running Moms has run through that park in the past four months. I was very deliberate in including some parts of the race course over and over in our training; these were parts of the course that I found demanding and I wanted everyone to be able to anticipate any rough spots. And even though the not-so-steep climb into the park happens early in the race, it's also a point in the race where you may not have sufficiently settled into your stride and may still be going too hard. That relatively easy climb can suck a lot out of you, with the majority of the race still left to run. I passed the washrooms and took a deep breath. "Run your own race, Sara."

As I was coming out of Beacon Hill, I passed Christy and her husband (Running Dad?) Brad as they were running into the park. They looked strong. I was so happy to see them!

Out of the park and onto Dallas Road, and I realized that I was ahead of the 5:00/km pace I was hoping for. I was feeling good so I didn't slow down; I merely thought of it as a buffer for later if the wheels started to come off.

Crossed the 10K mat at 48:01, six seconds faster than my TC 10K time in March. Did a small, low fist pump. 

No sooner had I crossed 10K than I saw the leader and eventual winner of the half approaching. At that point he was between 15 and 16K. I said to the woman running next to me, "Nothing like congratulating yourself on running a 48-minute 10K then looking up and seeing that!" She got it immediately and laughed.

I started really wanting to see some of my Running Moms. As I closed in on the turnaround at 13K, I was scanning the crowd already heading back, looking for our pink shirts. I soon discovered there were a whole lotta ladies wearing pink shirts. I was so intent on the oncoming crowd that I started to feel a bit dizzy, but I loved having something to focus on.

Once there, I said a silent thank-you to the race organizers for putting the turnaround at 13K. There is nothing better than heading back knowing that you are well past the halfway point of the race. Brilliant. It put a little pep in my step.

Finally saw Carey as she was nearing the turnaround. It was such a relief to see someone, if only for the split second it took us to pass each other. She looked great!

Moments later I saw Laura and she looked awesome too. Way to go ladies!

And then I saw Cristal! I was so excited I started chanting her name. Yes, I yell a lot during races; at other runners, at people I know on the sidelines, thank-yous to volunteers and people cheering on the side of the road. I love the distraction. 

Moments later I saw Christy and Brad again and they looked the same as they had at the park. A very good sign!

The only Mom I hadn't seen yet was Adrianne and her husband Andy (another Running Dad?), and at that point I knew I'd missed her although I was still scanning the crowd. Watching the runners coming toward you can be pretty hypnotic and I started to get a woozy feeling, so I moved to the outside of the road.

A funny thing happened once I'd seen the other Running Moms: I felt like I was done. Not that I was too tired to go on or anything, but that my work was done. It's hard to explain, but I actually had to tell myself to snap out of it, refocus and finish this thing. Just keep running.

I reached 16K, which was partway up a badly-placed hill. It's possibly the worst place for a hill in the history of hills. We've had many talks, this hill and I, during many races over the years. I don't like the hill and the hill doesn't like me, so I usually pour on whatever I have to get it over and done and yesterday was no exception. As I passed the sign for 16K, I looked at my watch and discovered I was a full three-minutes ahead of my goal time and wasn't feeling too much in need of a buffer. I suddenly loved the badly-placed hill and the hill didn't know what to do with itself. Awkward.


I started to recognize some of the people I was catching up to: they were the same people who had sprinted past me at the race start. If this were a novel and I was the heroine, I'm sure I would have ran proudly past them, chin up, gaze set straight ahead, or some such nonsense. Instead I thanked the people cheering on the side of the road and kept my pace. Yay for training!

After the badly-placed hill lurk a series of long false flats. Very gradual ups and not-too-satisfying downs. They continue that way for over a kilometre until you reach a much needed, long downhill. But you have to be very wary of this downhill because if you take it too fast thinking you'll make up some time, it can rip up your tired quads and make the series of short climbs and turns to the finish seem like a never-ending gauntlet of misery. I believe this may have been the first time I have benefitted from this downhill and run it at perfect pace during a race. I actually shook my head in disbelief. 

I started to psych myself up for the finish. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I knew I wanted to finish as strong as I possibly could. I practically growled as I climbed the little hills and gritted my teeth as I passed the signs marking the number of meters to the finish. As I entered the finishing chute, people were flying past me as if shot out of cannons. I know I sped up, but I also knew I wasn't going to go much faster. 

I finished at 1:42:13, over three minutes faster than my goal time of 1:45:30; I was elated. The first person I saw at the finish was my friend Jim, who was taking photos. Jim is a coach and has won his fair share of races. He looked so impressed and congratulated me on my race and I was humbled. To receive such a genuine sentiment from such an accomplished runner was incredible.

Race director, and my boss, Rob Reid was (as usual) shaking hands at the finish line and he gave me a huge hug. Best. Boss. Ever.

I was so stoked that I impulsively ran up to the crowd and asked if I could get a picture with them. These two guys were happy to oblige:

I stayed with Jim at the finish for awhile, hiding from the volunteer who was trying to get me to leave. I saw Carey finish and soon afterward Laura. By that time, I had to keep moving, but I wished I could have been there to take all of their photos. 

Adrianne came in soon afterward, then Cristal, then Christy.

Their official times are:

Carey 1:47:08

Laura 1:52:03

Adrianne 1:53:44

Cristal 2:01:20

Christy 2:02:09 (according to the results, Christy beat Brad by a second - that's a bit of a joke to Brad from me)

And now a word to my Running Moms:

I just have to say that I am so proud of all of you. And I feel justified and proud of myself too, because I knew, I just knew in my bones that all of you guys had it in you to finish where you did. 

I knew during training that Carey, Laura, Adrianne and Cristal were all capable of finishing somewhere around or even under 1:50. I've never been so happy to be right. 

Carey, you were a dream to coach; I love to hear "I always finish races feeling like I could have pushed myself harder." Usually you work on teaching people to conserve, so when I heard that, I was like, "Well OK then, let's do this!" You looked fantastic out there and I hope you are feeling very proud.

Laura, I know you were a bit uneasy after not being able to run much in the past month, but you are one of those runners who has so much ingrained experience and strength that you will always know how to dig deep. And I look forward to getting you out on a track again during the next clinic; a joy to watch.

Adrianne, my Summer-absentee Mom who came out and ran long distances like it was no big thing. You seriously made it look easy. This was your first half and I hope you are patting yourself on the back right now. You killed it.

Cristal, I know you didn't finish at your goal of 1:48; abdominal cramping and leg pain prevented it, but I still believe that that goal is attainable and we will work together to achieve it. I meant what I told you in the medical tent. Don't you dare ever forget it.

And Christy, my "not a runner" turned "I am a runner", you were always the wild card. When we started, I know you didn't believe you would run a two-hour half, but I did (and so did Brad, but I was nicer about it - that's a bit of a joke to Brad from me ...again). I'm so glad you came to believe it too. Onward!

Finally to Heidi, my non-Mom, who came in under her 2:30 goal at 2:27:37: you are a beautiful delight! You'd better come run with us some more or I'll be seriously offended. Oh, and in case you needed more proof, that medal you got at the finish line means you're a runner. ;)

I love you all. Thank you for everything you have taught me. Let's do it all again soon.