Hello blogosphere and dear readers, I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve written in this thing.
But you see, I have been busy. Busy running my (not so) little buns off.
Today was the Beaches Jazzfest race. I ran the 10 K (6.1 mile).
This race was the culmination of a few weeks’ worth of sweaty, dizzying, pant-filled runs that made me question what the heck I was thinking when I decided to sign up for this race back in May. This past week, I braved the sizzling temperatures in Toronto and ran my heart out in air hotter and smoggier than a witch’s cauldron bubbling with a nasty, gaseous brew.
Toronto is suffering from an extreme heat wave– emperatures have consistently been in the high 30’s and low 40’s(that’s 100+ degrees farenheit for yall American folks). The sun has been unrelenting, the atmosphere heavy and stifling, and the air thick with humidity and the smell of sweat.
Read: not the best running conditions.
So I didn’t have high hopes for this race. I didn’t think I would do particularly well. Remember, I said in this post from a few weeks ago that my only hope was to finish. My first race, a 10 k that I did back in Hong Kong last November, I finished in exactly an hour. I was ecstatic. I didn’t think I’d be able to best, or even near that time.
But guess what? I rocked this race. I ran 10 k in 53 minutes. I didn’t ever think I would be capable of that.
This morning, as if by good omen, the sun shone, but not too bright. The air was fresh and felt nothing like the suffocating vise that had the city in its grip just days prior. There was no sign of rain, though the forecast has called for thunderstorms. I woke up bright and early and had my mom take this picture before I got on the bus to go downtown.
I met my running companions and we excitedly talked about the upcoming race and took photos… many many photos.
The atmosphere was charged and pregnant with possibility.
I started the race, both serene and hopeful. I kept to my pace and made sure to not exhaust myself. By the end of the first kilometer, disaster: my calves screamed and shin splits began to act up. This had happened during my last two runs and I had had to stop and walk. This time, I pushed on. By kilometer 4, the pain had numbed.
I jammed to the Kanye album and made sure to hydrate. By around kilometer 8, I was just about ready to lie down and take a nap. I pushed on. Before I knew it, I was at the finish line. I didn’t get a photo of my finish as my purse and camera were stowed away at the registration desk near the start of the race. But as I enjoy these monumental occasions, I quickly grabbed my cam and staged this “I crossed the finish line!” photo. Trust me that the real thing was way sweatier and exhausted looking. I’m also pretty sure that I wasn’t smiling when I crossed the finish line for real. HA!
Anyway, as you can imagine, I am pleased as punch and smiling like a Cheshire cat. I did it! And in good time, too. One of the reasons I love running is because I feel like I am constantly pushing my body to the limit and achieving things I never thought possible.
So that’s what I got up to this weekend. What about you?
P.S.: I am still eating (and shopping) my way through Toronto. But that’s for another post.
55 Comments
Get it girl!! You make me want to sign up for a 10k. Btw, thanks for the Fahrenheit numbers! 🙂
I am so impressed! Good job, that is so awesome. WOOO hoo!
That's an amazing time! And I love that you were relaxed enough to take pictures before the race…I always show up feeling stressed out and just go get in line right away, none of this cute photo business.
Congrats! Sounds like a great personal challenge and you should be so proud of yourself!
I've heard the weather in TO and surrounding areas is really really hot and I'm wondering if it will last through my trip back too..wait and see I guess, but I secretly hope so because I'm not getting much use out of my cute summer dresses here in Paris!
Oh and I love how you are standing in front of a Starbucks in that one pic 😉
WOW! 53MINS??????!!!!!!!!!. That's good. I barely manage 1hr and I do this 3-4times weekly. Ok, I go real slow and it's quite hilly where I live (just looking for excuses….). Am proud of you. Really chuffed…..Good one!
WOW, congrats!!! You did so good, you went so fast! I'm super impressed.
Also, ditto what Emily said, I'm amazed you had the presence of mind to take (and look cute in) pictures.
That so amaazing!!!! Congratulations! You're a true warrior to do all that, and within 53 minutes! I'm such a lazy person, because the only time I run is when I'm late for the train or the bus lol.
@Celeste: Thank you lady!! Did you end up doing that 5k you signed up for?
@Deidre: Thank you!!!
@Emily: I think I wasn't nervous because I was convinced I wasn't going to do well anyway- really took the pressure off!! And me and my friends are really really really photo-crazy to begin with. 🙂
@Crystal: Only you would notice the Starbucks!! Hilarious! You know what? The weather has already started cooling down this week! What's on the agenda for your visit? Are we still on for a meetup?!
@foosrock!: Thanks! Honestly, I have NEVER done a 10k in under an hour. I don't know what happened!!
@Afromorena: *dying from laughter*!!!
GO YOU!! I need to up my running, but it's been waaaay too hot. When's the next race?
Ok, those are some seriously fun "in the air" pictures. I love it! Good for you.
That's awesome. I started running and I don't like it but I like cycling so I am thinking of doing the London to Brighton bike ride next year.
@Terri: Thanks! Not too sure because I think running season is already over by the time I get to London. But somewhere in the back of my mind I have a (pipe?) dream to do a half marathon next spring!
@Melissa: That sounds really cool! I haven't owned a bike in years but wouldn't mind taking cycling up. Do you ride your bike to get around in London?
Congratulations, well done! Gosh, at the finish line you look as if you hardly broke a sweat!
I am very inspired! I have been trying to get into running, but have not made the commitment…but I think I am ready now…there is a movement sweeping across the nation called "Black Girls Run" and I am part of the DC group (I haven't run with them yet).
My goal is to do at least one 5K this fall around my birthday (end of Sept.)
I have this dream goal of traveling to cool spots across the country (or world) to participate in races!
@Sprite: Thanks!! For the record, I was EXHAUSTED but glad you cant see it in the photos!
@Mae: Yes, I've heard of them and frequently check out their website and facebook page! It's such a great initiative, no? Running is all about building yourself up to run a given distance- it takes time, when you can set a target and then hit it it is such a great accomplishment! You should sign up for that 5k!
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