Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A Personal Best at Toronto Goodlife!!



After 2 unsuccessful PB's at Spring Fling, we decided it was time to take a different course of action. With only 3 weeks to recover and prepare for Toronto Goodlife, the focus was on tending to any lingering issues/injuries and working a bit on speed.

Since Kaitlin tends to run faster, and not give in to the mental"ness" of a run when she and Melissa are running together and chatting; Melissa decided to be Kaitlin's Pace Bunny for this run.

The day couldn't have been nicer and the course was amazing. We first expected fast and flat, but it turned out to be a nice combination of uphill/downhill and flat surface. Thanks to Corey Turnbull and Mike Stashin, we have been practicing leaning forward, using shorter strides, and running through uphills; as well as bending our knees a bit more and avoiding heel striking on downhills. At certain points on both up and downhills, we were flying by people, weaving in and out of the crowd. The most amazing thing about our running communities (especially our awesome coaches), are all of the tips and tricks that get passed on and knowledge that is imparted from one runner to the other; that is often used on the course.

So, Kaitlin did it! With a previous PB of 2:15.....Her Toronto Goodlife time was 2:09.16!!! Six minutes off of last years Army Run time, and 11-25 minutes better than our other 4 races this year!

This didn't come without some interesting events en route though. At 8k (and every few km's after that), Melissa became Kaitlin's massage therapist; as her neck and shoulders were very tight (time for a run effortlessly clinic). At 17k Kaitlin threw up after we took our last gel. And throughout the race, not wanting to risk her PB by stopping for the bathroom,   Kaitlin peed her pants numerous times. The situation was certainly not ideal, but she was definitely not embarrased by it. Sometimes you just need to leave it all on the course, AND even though we ran hard, we still managed to fit in a little bit of fun!

Next stop Niagara Women's!!!

K & M