I got over my fear of running in the rain!!
I ran the GoodLife Toronto Half Marathon in the rain today and I have a lot of people to thank!! I am normally a pretty decisive person but when it comes to “races” ..I procrastinate. I’m always signing up for them at the LAST MINUTE.
Case and point this past Friday which was the last day to sign up and pick up your race kit.
After studying weather patterns like a mad woman, I realized the weather was going to be lousy. I called up a buddy who said “think positive”. I replied “I cant”. I then asked him if he ever ran a race in the rain. He replied “I raced a half ironman in the rain for 7 full hours”. That answer certainly put things in perspective for me.
Then I tweeted “looks like rain on Sunday…cant decide if I should register. So nervous”! The words of encouragement came pouring in:
@aurorameyer…a half marathon in the rain means no sweat stinging in your eyes. It also means investing in more Body Glide, wet clothes rub.
@karmasdogma….I did a 20km training run in rain. Wear a hat to keep rain off face. Use good (not cotton) running socks. Good luck.
@Ontario Culinary…it’s refreshing. You’ll do great.
@Botdenlrma….go Vicky. It smells great outside when its raining maybe that keeps you going
@KiddingAround…Perhaps the rain will be refreshing. Best of luck
@MichaelNus..the rain will cool you down
@CookTrainEatRce rain or no rain, it’s still 13.1 miles and you have trained for it. You will be golden.
@HorriblePeanut..Ive done a 32 k training run in the pouring rain. Just concentrate on the the feeling of WIN you will get and a hot shower
@HorriblePeanut..YOU CAN DO IT
After all those great tweets…I went down to the CNE grounds and registered!!
So how did it go? I had a terrible sleep (which is what happens every time before a race)..woke up at 7 a.m., got dressed, make an egg white omlette and a piece of toast and at 7:20 a.m. I was picked up by my buddy’s friend. We got to Mel Lastman Square and before we knew it, it was 8:00 a.m
By 5 km…I didnt notice the weather anymore!! I put one foot infront of the other and kept going. The last few kilometres up University were brutal. I was stopping more then I wanted to.
Finally after 2 hours and 16 minutes I crossed the finish line. I felt great!! I walked to grab a taxi and treated my muscles to the best spa ever…Body Blitz!
I dipped into the sea salt pool, the green tea pool, the cold plunge pool, and also took advantage of the infrared sauna and the eucalyptus sauna. I rested. I drank an ice tea and left feeling AWESOME.
I will actually be able to climb down the stairs tomorrow AND sit in a chair thanks to the water therapy at Body Blitz.
I really had a great day. Thanks again to everyone for all the words of encouragement. It really made a difference.
