tobermory

Team Running Free Alumni

Member Since: 2008

Occupation: Producer

Home: Etobicoke

About Me: A cantankerous yet gregarious woman of contradiction, who was probably a sailor in a past life. I'm a producer at a commercial photography studio (Westside Studio) and I've been there for the last 10+ years. It can be pretty stressful but I love it. I'm married to another triathlete (Gary) and it was watching him compete in his first Ironman that inspired me to get into the sport of triathlon.

Sports: Triathlon, Running and outwitting the squirrels in our garden.

Athletic Goals: 2013 Goals 1) Break 1:30 in a half marathon 2) Run a sub 3:20 at Boston 3) Do 13 races in 2013

My most catastrophic racing experience was: Boston. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. That was the title of my race report. It was the best of times for all of the reasons listed below. It was the worst of times because I struggled for the full 26.2 miles. I knew going into the race that it was going to be a tough day. I had had nothing but problems in the 2 weeks leading up to the race; cramping, stomach issues, sluggish legs. I chalk that up to peaking too early. I was so freaked out about running Boston that I started training 20 weeks out instead of my usual 17 weeks. To top it off, it was HOT and we had just experienced one of the coldest winters in a while so I had done A LOT of training in freezing cold temperatures. I get to Boston and it's 20 celsius at the start of the race. Nothing I can do at that point but try to keep cool. There was a lot of walking and dumping water on my head (bad idea!) as I watched my hopes of running a sub 3:30 marathon fly out the window. I took in fluid and food as much as I could to try and keep my energy up but I couldn't. I had to dig really deep to get to that finish line. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that Gary was waiting for me at the finish line.

My most memorable racing experience was: It's a tie between Ironman Lake Placid and Boston for very different reasons. Ironman was a perfect day, I was so happy to be out there racing. My family and my husband's family as well as a TON of our friends came to watch so I saw them many times throughout the course of the day which was great. It kept me smiling. The highlight of that day was seeing my husband waiting in the finishing chute to give me my finishers medal. Boston 2013. Absolutely perfectly executed race from start to finish. I smiled the entire time and came away with a new PB.

Favourite Racing Gear: Mizuno shoes, Compressport compression socks, Zoot clothing, injinji socks

Favourite Race: Ironman Lake Placid & Boston

Favourite Race Food: Cliff Bars, Margarita Cliff shot bloks, Chocolate Raspberry Roctane, Just plain & chocolate mint Gu & GU brew recovery