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Run Forest Run

My sister C reminded me today of a time that seems almost light years away as I sit look out a window of the PILES of snow and the MINUS of degrees in weather.



This is a shot of me finishing my 2nd 10km this October. I kinda like how I'm in mid air. And thats a look of joy and satisfaction and MAN DO I KICK ASS on my face. So, I'm physically AND mentally, flying.

And that fuzzy person? Taking the picture in the left hand side of the screen? Well, that's my biggest cheerleader, D.

I decided to take on a long distance running challenge thanks to friends of our L&J. L had done loads of long distance when we were younger, so she pretty much breezed through the 10km that got me addicted to running.

She set up a running schedule for us, I think it was 10 weeks in advance, and by sticking to it, I surprised myself.

I remember the first couple of days, struggling to complete 3.5 km, wondering how it was I thought I was ever going to go 3 times that amount without my lungs giving out on me.

And, then it really just got easier. It's a simplistic statement, and a bit of the obvious, but essentially, my body just began to figure out what it was suppose to do.

Before a knew it, a short run was 5km.

Some days it was harder (eh-hem, on mornings AFTER a good night out) but some days I surprised myself (like the night I started my run frustrated and managed to run 10km IN THE RAIN) and in the end, the scariest day was the day of the first 10km, when I was so terrified that I wouldn't finish or WORSE I would end up walking across the finish line.

By the time I got to the 7km mark of my first 10km on Toronto island, I was feeling pretty confident, although I knew all the people I was running with were probably already at the finish line.

Then, my MP3 player died. It had happened. My worst nightmare. I didn't have music to push me through. I was TOTALLY going to walk across the finish line.

Singing in your head anyone? Focussing on that person you're going to pass ahead of you anyone? Ignoring your achy feet anyone? More singing in your head anyone? And then, of course, cheers from the crowds as I sprinted in.

There are many reasons to hate winter, especially if you don't get out there and play some sports in it. I can't wait for the spring so I can back on the road and go flying.

Comments

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Elizabeth said…
You're an inspiration to me... I'll be going for a run later today in the cold (well, not as cold at T.O., but cold for London) and wet... so this summer I can do what you do!

Miss you loads. Thank you for everything! x

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