I hope everyone was
able to get out and walk their distance in cooler temps this weekend!
I was with the
Montreal group of Phyllis, Rorie, Shirley and Michael. We all had a very good
time. Phyllis booked a good hotel in a great location. We enjoyed Saturday evening
dinner in Old Montreal.
They say it takes a
village to raise a child. I think that applies to marathon, half or full.This
weekend was no exception.
Phyllis shepherded our
group to the start, provided Montreal bagels for pre-race breakfast and found
us a home away from home. Congratulations on your half marathon finish. Thanks
for staying with Rorie and me for the first 3-4km of the race.
Michael was my dinner
partner Friday night. It was nice to get to know him a little better.
Congratulations on completing your first marathon as a walker.
Shirley was my roomie
for the weekend and it is like being at home with her. We began our walking/
marathoning journey in 2005 and are going strong. She met me at the finish line
and I was very very happy to see her. Shirley provided post-race food and
most importantly a direct route to the Metro and hotel. Congrats to Shirley in
her 10k finish!
I walked with Rorie
and she stayed with me in spite of my multiple trips to bathroom/porta potties
before 18k. It was a different race experience for me and she was
supportive and stayed with me until the course split off for full and half. No
exaggeration, I am responsible for 30 additional minutes of her time. She
is a good friend and I have to say when we hugged around 19k I shed a tear or
two. Marathoning is an emotional sport at times. Congratulations to Rorie
on her half marathon finish.
My race time is one
for the record books after so many stops. I was happy to move along at a
reasonable pace for me (8:15-8:55). The
second half of the race was sporadic as I walked with a runner doing her first
marathon (a 30 year old from Montreal). I welcomed the conversation and I
hope she enjoyed the company.
I morphed into my
volunteer ‘back of the pack’ role and for approx. 4km I walked with a first
time marathoner from Messina, NY. She ran the marathon but when I met her
she was dealing with a very sore hip. I stayed with her to the finish and I
think our pace was 20 min/mile at one point.
I did meet my goal of
finishing the marathon. Thankfully my focus was not on my time. I
received the gift of support, friendship and kindness from my fellow
TPW'ers.
I know I impacted the
runner from Messina, she told me as she asked me to be in a picture with her.
Then she gave me a hug and kissed my cheek. It was a bit disconcerting but a
genuine moment.
I think it's important
to know that you never know who you will inspire, the impact you may have, when
you head out the door to walk or train for a long distance. This is an you
experience that changes your life and who knows maybe someone else's.
