Holy shit..... I did it!
I can't quite believe it, but this medal I'm wearing is my own proof.
And by far, the hardest thing I've ever done!
So I woke up to crying skies. Was I impressed? Hellz no! But, I had trained in -20C, snow, ice, wind.... what's a little rain (well a lot of rain)? I thought that, if nothing else, maybe I wouldn't over heat.
Anyway, I have this issue with time. Time anxiety? Ok. So, I forced my family to get up at 7 so we could be transporting ourselves to Copps no later than 8am (it helped that Kimberly had to work at 8:30). So we get there, and the place is buzzing with chaos. And I'm not sure how well you know me, reader, but let me tell you this: Christine + Chaos = WATCH OUT! It's just my anxious biology that makes me that way. Anyway, people are taking every square inch of the concourse at Copps, and for whatever reason, none of them knew who I was and the fact that I needed to get a hat before they all sold out! So they didn't move and spread like the Red Sea as I was coming down the concourse (Note to self: Talk to Moses and see about getting a stalf). So I got the hat, and then peed (HA! I didn't wait in line like those common folk, either. I went downstairs to use the employee bathroom... Just one of the few perks that comes with employment at the Oval ;). And I'm back, eating my orange (my magic running fruit!), and am ready to go!
They call "all 30k runners might want to consider making their way to Caroline and Hess for the start of that run". Ok... I can't be late or I'll literally have a panic attack, so I say: "Later Parents", and bolt. I step outside and make my way to the starting point. And see, the best part of this whole thing, which would be the precursor to the climate of the whole race, was that it was POURING as we were making our way over, and my shoes were soaked through and through by the time I was half way to the starting line. I thought: "oh, this is going to be a good blog" . And isn't it, so far?? (I kid!)
So many of the 30k runners are there and warming up and stretching and all that stuff, as am I. But I wanted them to start to get their spots on the street... I have to place myself just right. I have fears of being trampled at the sound of the starters horn, so I have to place myself closer to the back, or at least on the side of where ever I am (an easier escape that way ;). I found a spot that I believe had my name on it... I find it, and refuse to move... for anyone. I squatted on it, actually, because that's harder to push over ;). Ha! don't they know I'm a scorpio? We don't budge for anyone!
5-4-3-2-1 - *hoooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrn souuuuuuuuunnnnnnnd*
Ok, so I overreacted with that trampeling I was covinced was going to occur... We literally walked over the starting line, haha. But they had loud music playing, and it totally served well to pump everyone up. Here we go!
I have a lot of intersting.... quirks when I race. Ok, they're actually compuslions that border the OCD line, but quirks sounds less severe. Anyway, I HAVE to touch every marker which tells you how far you've gone. And if I can't touch it, I have to mimic touching it. But really, I rarely miss... I cut 3 people off 3 different times today in order to do this. I don't think they were very happy about it.....
It is very hard to not go with the flow when you run long distances. It's a race, right? Why not actually race? I think it's an ego thing.... no one wants to be passed by anyone else. Normally I let that get to me... "Christine? Lose? You're clearly off your rocker!", but today, I let it go. I knew that if i went with the majority flow, I'd burn out by 15k or so, and I definetely wanted to finish. So I kept to my pace, which, I can't lie, isn't very fast (hopefully that hasn't disillusioned anyone too much).
I think what the best part of the race was all the people who lined the streets, in the rain and cold, to cheer the runners on. I cannot tell you how much this helped! They rang their bells and shook their tambourines. They held signs that told us they were proud of us, and they stood in thier driveways cheering us on up the Northshore Blvd. hills (which, can I add, kept me going up one monstrous hill in particular!) I appreciate those people very much!!
Ok so now I'm at the marker for 21k (touch) and all of a sudden.... wait.. what.... I'm drying off a bit! Has... has it stopped raining?? YES! it's actually a bit brighter, too! HOLLA! So Brian had told me to think dry thoughts, and I did, and they worked, which basically means I am a very powerful thinker. If you need help thinking about something you need to happen, you can contact me at: christine.pastrak@powerfulthinker.ca . Anyway, this was marvelous news!
Now I'm lost in my music. You have to force yourself to do that when you've been running for 2hrs. It helps you forget about the fact that every toe on both feet have blisters on them from soaked socks. It's funny, too... I put my iPod on shuffle, but somehow, everytime I had a challenge in front of me (a hill, a boring stretch, just sheer tiredness), the perfect song came on to keep me going. Someone more powerful than me must have possessed my iPod today!
26K (touch).... 4 to go... but also Heart Attack Hill (i.e. Valley Inn Road). Hey God. What's going on? Sorry I bailed on you this week... I think you understand. So anyway... there's this big hill in front of me, and it would be really cool if you could keep my heart beating and my legs attached until I get to the top (beyond would be nice too). Cool? Thanks. I'll put extra in the collection next week, promise. Amen.
I'M ALIVE!
Ok, so less than 4k to go!
Wanna know what's really boring? York Blvd! The whole race, there were people on the side cheering us on. Get to York after that ridiculous hill... NOBODY! Also, can I tell you that it's the last 3k or so that are the HARDEST in a race of this sort?! Yeah, I could'a used at least ONE sign and/or cow bell (why be picky when you're about to die, right).
La la la.... 28k (touch)!! Just don't stop Christine! You know that scene in Finding Nemo when Dorey bumps into Marlin and she begins to lead him to where she "thinks" she saw the boat with Nemo on it go? She says "Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming, la la la". My last 2k mantra = "just keep running, just keep running" (no "la la la", I wasn't as happy as Dorey by this point, haha). But again, it worked! I didn't stop!
And I'm pretty proud I didn't end up rolling down the loading dock ramp, too (trust me, I've seen it happen!)
And I cross the finish line and someone tells me to "slow down" (I didn't think I was still moving because I really couldn't feel anything, haha). I DID IT! I FINISHED! ALIVE! ALL OF ME ATTACHED! I have never appreciated this fact more!
I was aiming for at time of 3hrs and 15mins, but the clock said 3hrs 30mins when I looked as I crossed. I think I'm ok with that. Many factors could have played a role: climate (damp and soggy), the rain, my shoe came untied, people in my way, hold ups at water stations. I'm just proud I did it.
And then I had chocolate milk! Not gonna lie... I reminded myself I had one waiting for me at the end throughout the race. I've already told you, it's the little things with me, people!
My stretching was orgasmic, no lie.
Anyway, this post doesn't encompass everything I saw and experienced today, and if anything comes to me, I'll update it.
All I know is I stink and need a nap!
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