Dumbo Dare and Coast to Coast

Welcome to the 'revamped' blog of my adventures in endurance sports.

I should really start writing these closer to he actual event they recap. But, just like the new title says, better to be slow and get it done to not do it at all!

The weekend of August 30th marked the annual Walt Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.  This year I signed up for the Dumbo Dare Challenge.  This was the second (or 3rd and 4th) race in my Disney series for 2014.  Back in January, I ran the Goofy Challenge (www.f1withabulldozer.blogspot.ca/2014/04/goofy-challenge-recap.html).  This was a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday in Disney World. The Dumbo Dare is a kind of 'mini' Goofy Challenge.  It consists of the 10K on Saturday followed by the half marathon on Sunday.   And since I participated in a race in both Disney World and Disneyland in the same calender year, I would also receive a special Coast to Coast medal.

I ran the Disneyland Half for an injured friend in 2013 and did not do very well at all.  I was in LA visiting friends and it was a last minute decision.   I was out late with friends almost every night and drove to the start line (about an hour drive) rather than staying in the park.  And with a 5:30am start, I was up pretty early for that drive.  These factors, multiplied by the fact that is was already 24 degrees (about 75 for those reading in the States) at 5:30am made for a very slow race.  I ran it in 2:52.  Not a good time given my previous half marathon times.

This year I was determined not to repeat the bad time (and bad time) I had the previous year.  I arrived in Disneyland Friday night just in time to pick up my race pack at the expo.  I then went immediately to the hotel.  No hour drive at 3 in the morning this year! I was staying close.  Once in my room, I laid out all my gear for the 10K and went to sleep.

The next morning was race day, or at least the first race day.  I geared up, got on the bus, and headed toward my corral.  The corrals differed from Goofy in that I had 2; One for the 10K and one for the Half.  My 10K corral was C.  This seemed strange to me.  The way it works is that faster runners are in closer corrals.  The elite runners start, then A, then B, and so on.  This was the closest corral I had ever been in.  

While waiting in my corral, I spotted a friend of mine from LA Team in Training.  She had also run Goofy and is doing her first Ironman next year.  We caught up on races we have each done and talked a bit about the state of TNT and the LLS (it's a rebuilding year).  She went off to her own corral, which I am sure was either B or A.  But, slow or not, I always finish.

Bulldozer.

Every year, the 10K race has a theme.  The theme may be a character or something from a Disney movie.  This year the theme was Ohana from Lilo & Stitch.  One of the central themes of this movie (which I immediately watched when I got home),  is that Ohana means family and no one gets left behind.  I reflected on this while waiting for the race to start.  It had so many meanings to me.

My own family, who has always loved and supported me in everything I do.  Sure, they all thought I was insane when I told them I was going to run a marathon back in 2012, but they all had faith that I could do it.

My Heart Family.  This is Abi and her family.  A family I have known since I was 4 years old.  We all grew up together, practically siblings.  To this day I still refer to family members as Aunt Ruth, Grandma and Grandpa, and Teresa and Denny refer to me as their son.  Unfortunate events in our lives led me to my new found passion for running.  Ohana. No one gets left behind.  I do this to honour and keep Abi's memory alive.  Her legacy (ultimately now locked with mine), will not be left behind.  She is with me on every run, on every training session, and at every finish line.

My Running Family.  This includes those I train with, those I inspire, those out there running whatever crazy race I am doing, the volunteers, the race marshals, and the cheering spectators.  I am humbled by the sheer amount and the vast diversity of runners.  I may be a bulldozer among F1 race cars, but I look around and see minivans, SUVs, hybrids, and a myriad of other makes and models all out enjoying what makes them happy.  We support, encourage, inspire, and lift each other in our own small way.  Be it a smile, a high five, a Go TEAM, a song, or just a simple 'You're doing great,' we are a family who recognizes the struggles and supports our own.

That was quite a bit to think about while waiting in the corral, but soon we were on our way!  The 10K course was primarily through Disneyland and California Adventure.  The weather was nice and cool and the sun was not quite up yet.  I met quite a few people from all over the globe, even a few from Vancouver.

I ran the 10K in my usual 10:1 interval.  I found that I was feeling very good.  My legs and energy level were holding up.  It was not until the end that I realized......



I ran the 10K at my normal 10K pace.

This would not be a problem if I was only running a 10K, but I had a half the next day.  Even when I ran Goofy, I knew to run the half slow to conserve energy. 

Too late now.  The race was over and I went to collect my medal.  On the way back to the hotel I met a man wearing a TNT jersey.  I chatted with him on the way back.  His name was Sean and he was on the Ohio Flex team.  As always with runners, we talked about what races we have done and where.  Turns out he had done the Vancouver BMO Marathon back in 2012.

The 10K was done.  I went back to the hotel, foam rolled the hell out of my legs, got cleaned up, then spent the afternoon in the park with some old friends.

Before I go into the recap of the full, I just wanted to (once again) say that I love runDisney events.  Despite how expensive they are, they are organized extremely well and the on course entertainment is always great! Most people show up in costume as their favourite Disney character.  Sometimes I question how they can comfortable run in some of them.  I saw a team of 5 running as The Incredibles, several varying Disney Princesses, tons of Star Wars, and even more Marvel superheroes.  The best costume I saw was worn by a couple running together.  The girl was dressed as Peter Pan and the guy was dressed exactly the same, except all in black.  He was Peter Pan's shadow.  Genius.

Sunday. Day 2. Race 2.  The Half.  I try not to predict how I will do in a race.  I reserve any sort of predictions until I am at the half way point.  Here I can better gauge how I feel and where I am.  No predictions where made about this race.  I knew going into it that running the 10K at my 10K pace was going to hit me at some point.  My goal was to find a pace that felt good, stick with it, and finish.  Pretty much my goal for any race.

I was in corral G this time.  This seemed more like the corral I am usually in.  This year, they were letting corrals go 2 at a time.  This was great for 2 reasons.  One, those of us in the back of corrals would not have to wait so long to start.  And two, we did not have to hear the song they played at the start of every corral as often.  Which was great because the song was...... You guessed it.........

Let it Go.

The race was off to a good start. I was feeling pretty good through the park. I took in all the sights and characters along the route.  Once out of the park, I noticed my energy level beginning to wane.  I took note of when this was happening during my run intervals.  My energy dropped with about 4 minutes left.  I took a moment to adjust my watch and switched to a 6:1 interval.  To lower my interval was a hit to my ego, but you have to listen to your body.


There were many race photographers on the course that day.  I believe that they hold a magical ability to know when the majority of runners will be taking their walk breaks. This is because they are always right there!!  At one particular moment this happened, I turned to a runner beside me and said,

"These photographers always catch me in a walk, but I'll be damned if all my race photos will be of me walking!  Let's run by him!"

She laughed and we began to run again.  Later on the course she thanked me for the laugh and told me it was just what she needed.

Later along the course I ran into the Eds.  When I first started training, I had 2 coaches, both of whom are named Ed.  Once again (as runners do), we caught up by listing what runs we have done.  It was great catching up with them, but at some point you have to let them run their race. 

At one point on the course, I found myself surrounded by the Puerto Rico Team in Training team.  One of them smiled at me and asked me if I was doing ok.  I told him I was fine, just slow.  He reminded me that I was at least out running the race and my speed was irrelevant.  They were running intervals as well, and our intervals lined up in such a way that we were playing leap frog all the way to Angels Stadium.

Just before Angels Stadium, there was an aid station.  I stopped to refill my water bottles and the Puerto Rico team pulled ahead.  Disney always packs Angels Stadium with Boy and Girl Scouts.  While you run one lap around the field, the whole place fills with cheers.  Just before entering the stadium, I noticed a runner who looked beat, walking up the ramp to the stadium entrance.  I ran up beside him and said

"You hear that?  That is for you!  You have to at least run through the stadium!"

He smiled and began to run.  I did not see him on the other side of the stadium, but part of me hopes that my encouragement in conjunction with the cheering masses, gave him the energy he needed to finish the remainder of the race feeling strong.


At every race, there are always spectators holding signs.  Most are encouraging, some are funny, and a majority are both.  One such sign I saw simple said "Do it for the D"  The D was drawn in the Disney style.  As I approached the woman holding sign I said,

"I am not sure how to take that sign."

The guy with her just smiled and said,

"Take it any way you want"

There was of course a very quick 'That's what she said' from a runner behind me.


As we approached the finish line, I was feeling spent. My legs were shot, the sun was up, and the weather was warming up.  I looked ahead and saw Ariel from The Little Mermaid.  Well, not Ariel, but someone dressed as Ariel.  As most of my friends know, I have a small thing for red heads.  I decided to follow Ariel to the finish line.  Not in any sort of creepy way, but as a way to keep me motivated to finish strong.

I ran into the finish chute smiling and waving at the mass of spectators there cheering.  I looked up at the clock. It said 3:30.  I knew it had taken 30 minutes to get to the start line after the gun.  This means my time was at about 3 hours.  I felt horrible.  I wanted to do better than my 2:52 time.  I knew better than to beat myself up, so I began to take mental stock.  I ran a 10K the day before.  I was running 6:1 instead of my normal 10:1.  It was a crowded course.  Disney runs are more about having a good time.

I began to feel better, reminding myself that this was still quite a feet to accomplish.  19.3 miles in 2 days.

I received my half marathon medal, walked down a chute to receive my Dumbo Dare Challenge medal, then another chute to receive my Coast to Coast medal.

As the masses moved away from the finish to their vehicles, buses, hotels, etc, there was a symphony of clanging medals, race recaps, and laughter.

I walked back to my hotel barefoot (my feet were killing me) smiling at yet another race under my belt.  I could not wait to get home and proudly display my 3 Dumbo Dare medals beside my 3 Goofy Challenge medals beside my Coast to Coast medal.

But first, I had a few more days in LA and the rollercoasters at Six Flags were calling my name!

10K time: 1:16:54
Half time: 3:01:29

Thank you for taking the time to share in my journey as an endurance athlete.

Up next:  Vancouver Eastside 10K!

RAGNAR, 200 Miles of Underestimation.

It's been a while since I have posted.  It has been a busy summer.  This past July, a team of 6 of us answered the challenge of The Northwest Passage RAGNAR.  The RAGNAR Relay Race Series is a 200 mile, 12 person, 2 day/1 night relay.  (https://www.ragnarrelay.com/)  There are 15 of them around the United States.  The Northwest Passage RAGNAR, started just across the border in Blaine, WA.  This had been on my bucket list for a very long time and wanted to get a team together.

I started asking my running friends who was up for joining the team.  I soon found that wrangling 11 other people would be difficult.  I read on the website that you could run the relay as an Ultra Team, 6 people, instead of 12.  Now THAT was a challenge.  I quickly found 5 people who were as crazy..... I mean who were up for the challenge.

Running as an Ultra team came with it's own set of challenges.  When you run a RAGNAR with 12, you have 2 vans.  Van 1 has runners 1 through 6 in it.  This Van does legs 1-6, 13-18, and 25-30.  While this van runs, Van 2 rests.  And Van 1 rests, when Van 2 is doing the other legs (36 in total).  Each runner runs a total of 3 legs each.  With a team of 6, each of us did 6 legs and had only one van.

I cannot speak for the whole team, but many of us thought "Oh with 6 people, I run, then get a rest while the other 5 are running. No problem!"

Let the underestimation begin. 

With the exception of myself, everyone on the team was fast.  So when we dropped one runner off at a relay point, we had just enough time to let the runner coming off their leg cool down and change before we had to race to the next relay point.  I think they were thankful to have me on the team so they could rest up while I took my sweet time.

Like I said before, I cannot speak for the whole team.  So this entry will primarily focus on my legs and experiences.

We joined as an Ultra Team under our team name TNT.  We all (started out) wearing our Team in Training gear and we decorated the vehicle (which we all still called a 'van' even though it isn't) accordingly.

We got the start line, checked in, and were pumped.  Alanna (a fellow Goofy Challenge finisher) started us off!

After Alanna, was Sean, and then me.  My first leg was 8.2 miles.  It was my longest leg of my 6 and it was hot.  I started my run just like any other.  Find a pace that felt good and keep with it.  I will be the first to admit, I did not train as hard as I should have.  But this first run felt good.  I told myself that the next run would better.  I would be all warmed up and loose.  I passed the sign that said "1 Mile to Relay"  That was the longest mile I had ever ran!  There was no way that was just one mile!  I get the to relay point and other teams are cheering.  But my team was not there.  I looked around dazed then called them.  The maps were a bit confusing.  If it was leg number 3, then they relay point was relay point 3.  Even though it was the start of leg 4.  It helps if you think of the start line as relay point 0.  Luckily relay point 4 (which was where they were) was not too far away.  This mistake would happen again.

My next leg was 6 miles.  A 10K.  No problem!!  The course had strict safety guidelines.  Between 8pm and 6am all runners had to wear a headlamp, a reflective vest, and a blinking red tail light. It was not quite 8pm, but I would be on the course when that time hit.  The leg took me along side Lake Samish and there was a nice cool breeze coming off of it.  I decided that since it was a 10k, I would not do my normal 10-1 interval.  I ended up pushing myself a bit too hard.  I still took walk breaks, but only about 2 or 3.  I wanted to make up for lost time on my 8.2 miler. We had started out keeping track of each person time for each leg, but soon (once the sun went down) we were all too tired to keep writing them down.

I was listening to my "Running Mix" (mostly cheesy 80s rock songs) and began to sing Bon Jovi.  Another runner passed me laughing.  I just smiled and said "Don't tell anyone I was singing to Bon Jovi!"  He ran on and I sang on.  I reached the '1 mile to go' marker and thought I was almost there.  Those signs lied.  There was no way that was 1 mile!!  3 at least!!

After leg 9, I was not feeling well.  I could not explain why.  I just knew I felt.... off.  Others on the team were feeling he same way.  We blamed it on food and lack of rest.  Leg 15 was 6.7 miles.  My night run.  I cannot remember what time I started, but it was close to midnight.  I remember starting out listening to music, then deciding to turn it off.  It was so quiet, but really nice to run to.  The leg started out though Mount Vernon, WA. It was a little town that kind of reminded me of where I grew up in Mount Vernon, IN.  Once outside the town, it reminded me more of where I grew up.  Corn fields, farm houses, a highway off in the distance, and at one point a train stirred up some coyotes, just like at home.  During this leg, my legs decided to stop working.  Every time I tried to run, I just could not do it. I could walk though.  So I told myself "If you cannot run slow, then you are going to walk fast!!"  And that is what I did.

A girl passed me and said "Oh am I glad to see a guy running this leg. This is scary!!"
I just replied "Safer than in a city.  It reminds me of when I was a kid"
"Well I have my pepper spray just in case"

I laughed so hard inside and wanted to know where she was from that the wilderness at night scared her.  But she was far ahead now and I didn't want to shout in the middle of the night.

A little while later, a van pulled up beside me.  It was a race official.  She asked if I could use some company.  So for the next hour I trucked on while chatting with a very nice lady about all the races we each had done.  We approached a farm house around 1:15am and there was a couple at the end of the driveway clapping and cheering for me.  I asked them what team they were there to cheer for. They told me that they lived there and cheer for every team, every year.  I thanked them and made a mental note to write about them in this blog.  It was 1:15am. They should have been in bed, but instead they were out cheering on strangers.  It was one of the best moments of the entire race. 1 mile to go.  I knew better. Those signs are liars!

After that leg, I crawled into the back seat of the 'van' and slept. I woke up about sunrise during another runners exchange.  I needed to stretch.  My legs were extremely stiff and sleeping in the back seat did not help.  My next leg was only 2.7 miles long.  I was still dreading it.  But, I was tired and told Dave (the runner who was driving at the time) the wrong exchange number (not on purpose).  Sean called us and asked up where we were.  I apologized and Sean said "Well it's just about 5k.  I'll go ahead and run it for you."  Sean's next leg was 3 miles, so I agreed to run that one for him in exchange.

So then I was up for leg 26 (Sean's leg).  It was 3.0 miles long, then I had my leg (27) at 2.4 miles long.  I started out running but this leg has a pretty good incline and I soon lost steam.  It was through the downtown of Oak Harbor and I had to wait for traffic lights and run on sidewalks.  Not ideal. 

When I got to the exchange I thought to myself  "This is halfway."  Then I saw Dave running towards me.  He asked me if I wanted Sean to do my 2.4 mile leg.  They all knew I was not doing well.  I told him only if Sean wanted to.  I could do it, but could use the rest.  Sean said he wanted to do it and that in the end, it would not have added too much to his total mileage. So I let Sean do leg 27.

Finally! Leg 33!  My last leg. One last 6.8 mile run and I was done with this horrible, horrible race.  Leg 33 was labeled at "very hard" and was very hilly.  It was all though a wooded area so it was not out in the sun.  I told myself I would walk the uphills and run the downhills.  I did not need to conserve any strength for any future legs, but had very little to begin with on this leg.  So, I walked up the hills and ran down them.

When I run, I do not heal strike.  I run on the balls of my feet, but as I get tired it slowly slips into a mid-foot strike.  When running the down-hills, I noticed that I was heel striking.  It didn't matter.  I had to finish.  If heel striking was all I could do, then that was all I could do.  Suddenly, a man passed me and said,

"I never told anyone about Bon Jovi"  I laughed and continued running.

Toward the end of the leg, it was all down hill.  I am talking at least a 45 degree angle for about 1.2 miles.  I sprinted them.  As I was coming down one of the hills, I saw the spotter.  This person radios ahead to the exchange to let them know what team is approaching the exchange. I kept sprinting down the hill.  I saw Alanna for brief moment.  She saw me, realized I was coming in fast, and went back to warn Tara that I was almost there.  I beat Tara to the exchange, but it didn't matter.  I was done!  About 31 miles over the course of 2 days and one night and I was spent. This was the only time that the '1 mile to go' signs had been accurate.

We had to hurry to the next exchange because it was a bit of a drive and Tara did not have far to run (and she is fast).  Once we got there I noticed it was a harbor (Holmes Harbor).  I took my shoes off and waded about knee deep in the freezing cold water.  It felt amazing!!!

A few legs and exchanges later, we got to the finish line.  We all hobbled our way to the line up to meet Dave so we could all cross together.  After we crossed, we got our medals.  Sean said it best when he said "I've never had to work so hard for a medal."  We got some team photos, some swag, some merchandise, then it was off to pizza and beer!!!!

Finish time: 31:49:11
14th in our Ultra Division
29th overall Ultra Team

During dinner, all we could talk about was "Well if we do it again we should ...."  Or "Oh that is something to keep in mind in case we do this again!"  Here we were. In pain. Barely able to move, and all we could talk about was the possibility of doing it again.  These are my type of runners.  Not only are they all TNT alum (with causes of their own), not only are they a blast to be around (even in a smelly van for 2 days and a night), they are the kind of people who see a challenge and want to do it. Over and over.

My kind of people.

Despite the pain.  Despite the agony.  Despite the underestimation.  It was a great weekend and I look forward to doing it again.

Next up.... Disneyland Dumbo Dare. 10k on Saturday, Half on Sunday.

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend (in the States) is Memorial Day Weekend.  First off let me be clear that this blog post is not intended to belittle the great men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.  But this weekend also has special meaning to me.  This weekends marks the 2 year anniversary of joining Team in Training.

I won't go into the reasons for joining TNT.  That was in my first blog post if you are curious.

Looking back over these 2 years I cannot help but feel proud of all I've accomplished.  That may sound a little arrogant, but there is a difference between boasting and recognizing how far you've come.

Over the past 1 year and 7 months, I have ran a total of 4 full marathons, 11 half marathons, and several 10k races.

First and foremost, I do this so that one day families and friends will no longer have to see their loved one suffer and die from cancer.  I do it to remember Abi, honour her memory, and share her story with others so she may live on, inspiring other with her strength.

I do it for me as well.  The feeling I get when I finish a race has not diminished over the past 2 years.  I still feel more alive than ever when crossing the finish line.  

The friends I have made, the memories we share, the obstacles I have overcome, the health I am keeping, all continue to encourage me to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I also want to thank all those who supported me.  Family, friends, team mates, coaches, staff, 

fellow runners, and you.  Yes you!  Sitting there reading my blog on your computer, ipad, phone, where ever.  Thank you for sharing in and (hopefully) continuing to share in my journey.

Thank you!

A look back over the past year and 7 months.  Cue clichéd slideshow music.  

Nike Women's Marathon, San Francisco CA
October 14th, 2012
6 hours 27 minutes.

Malibu Half Marathon, Malibu CA

November 11, 2012

Chip Time 02:47:10

Green Sock & Shamrock'n Half Marathon, Burnaby BC

March 17, 2013

Chip time 2:25:22. 

Sunshine Coast April Fools Half Marathon, Gibsons BC

April 7, 2013

Chip Time 2:23:15

Indy 500 Festival Mini Marathon, Indianapolis IN

May 4, 2013

Chip time 2:18:35

Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon, Anchorage AK

June 22, 2013

Chip Time 06:23:18  (Current Personal Best for Full Marathon)

Disneyland Half Marathon

September 1, 2013

Chip time 2:52

Surrey International World Music Half Marathon, Surrey BC

September 29, 2013

Chip time: 2:25:38

2013 Victoria Half Marathon, Victoria BC

October 13, 2013

Chip time 2:17:31 (Current Personal Best for Half Marathon)

2013 Fall Classic Half Marathon, Vancouver BC

November 17, 2013

Chip time 2:29:03

2013 Vancouver Historic Half Marathon, Vancouver BC

November 24, 2013

Chip time: 2.23.45

Walt Disney World Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, Orlando Florida

January 11+12, 2014

Half marathon:  3:29:16
Full marathon   6:28:49

2014 Pacific Road Runners First Half Half Marathon, Vancouver BC

February 16, 2014

Chip time  2.34.58

2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon (Full), Vancouver BC

May 4, 2014

Chip time: 6.44.24

COMING SOON!!

June, Scotiabank Half Marathon

July, Northwest Passage 200 mile Ragnar Relay

August, Disneyland's Dumbo Dare Challenge

September, Eastside 10k

2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon Recap

Well, full marathon number 4 in the bag!!

I will start off by saying that even though no personal bests were made, given certain factor of the race, I am still very happy with the result.

First factor.  The Training.

Back in February I started a new job.  The project (Sin City 2) was/is very demanding.  My work schedule did not allow for much training.  I got some 10Ks in and some 25Ks in but nothing much over that.

I remember thinking the same thing before The Goofy Challenge (I had only done one long run during training, about 35K), but still did really well.  Plus, I knew about 90% of the course from lots of local 10Ks, Half Marathons, and my own training runs.  I felt this would be beneficial.

We will come back to this factor later in the race. 

Factor 2.  The Weather.

For some reason I was under the impression that it would rain in the morning and clear up around 11 or so.  Well. this is Vancouver.  I should have checked the weather the morning of and not gone by previous forecasts.  It was pouring rain.

I took the Skytrain to the start line at Queen Elizabeth Park to cheer on friends who were running the half.  On the walk from the Skytrain to the start line, I made a startling discovery.  My waterproof Under Armor jacket was not 100% waterproof.  When I was close to the start line I found an overhang, where I stayed until my start time.  I texted my friends apologizing for not making it to see them off, but I had my own race to think about.

The rain began to subside, but then it got very, very cold. I luckily had a throw away jacket with me and put that over my legs as I huddled on a bench. For a brief moment I though about just getting back on the Skytrain and sitting this one out. But I am no quitter. Cancer did not stop Abi from being who she was and doing what she enjoyed, a little rain will not stop me from running a race I was looking forward to and had fundraised for.

When it got close to my start time, I managed to grab a gear check bag, tore some holes in it, and made a make-shift poncho.

I was told there was a hill at the 9K mark.  The Dreaded Camosun Hill!!  When I reached it, it was more of a gradual incline.  But then again, I have run a marathon in San Francisco and Anchorage.  Hills do not concern me.  Although, this one was pretty early on.  I decided to walk it and conserve energy.  Then I saw Karen!  With a sign!  And I had to run.  To be at a part of the course she knew was going to be rough and support her fellow TNT runners meant so much to me! Some much needed support there. Thank you Karen!

At kilometer 16 the rain had stopped and I had taken off my jacket.  From behind me I heard:

"Dad look!"

I turned and saw an older couple and their daughter (my age) running up behind me.  She was pointing at my calf.  I looked up and saw that her dad was wearing a superman hat.  She said that they were trying to catch up me to ask about my tattoo.  I told her Abi's story.  They smiled and told me how great it was that I was doing so much.  I answered the same way I always do:

"I wish I could have done more."

At the 18K mark, a paramedic on a bike cycled up beside me and asked about Abi.  I told him her story and he told me his.  He rides for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.  He asked me if I had heard of it and I told him I had.  He asked when I was going to join.  I answered "One race at a time.  Let me finish this one"

http://www.conquercancer.ca

From that point on, every time he saw me, he yelled to his cycle buddies: "That's Joe! He's gonna ride with us next year! I know it!"

The rain let up a bit until about kilometer 21....... The halfway point. 

That was when I crashed for the first time. I rounded the bend as the trees opened up to reveal Spanish Banks.  The rain began to pour again and the cold wind followed suite.  I tried to keep with my 10-1 run-walk intervals, but could not keep up with it.  I found that I was running out of steam after about 8 minutes.  So I reset my watch to an 8-3 run-walk interval.  I hobbled and trudged along until kilometer 26.

As I approached the aid station I had to stop.  I could feel a blister forming on the ball of my right foot.  I sat on a barricade, took off my shoe and sock, and applied some body glide (a runners best friend) to my foot.  Once I got back up and started running again, I noticed that I also needed to re-apply some body glide to another (rather tender) spot that was chaffing. The rain was reeking havoc on my initial application.  The good news was that there was a porta-john at the aid station.  I would duck in there and re-apply. 

Now, I make it a point to thank all the volunteers who work the races.  From the police officers blocking off the roads, to the people working the water/medical station.  As I was approaching the (much needed) porta-john, I thanked a volunteer who was standing beside a Road Closed sign.  I thanked her.  She smiled back and asked me why I was thanking her.

"You are out here all day volunteering your time to support us." I answered.

"You'e the one doing all the hard work!  Thank you for running!" She replied.

As I ran past her to my pit stop, she read the back of my shirt and shouted to me:

"And you are doing it for a loved one!  I am sure she would thank you too!"  

I made it to the porta-john and shut the door just in time for the volunteer to not see me break down in tears.

After my re-application and pit stop at the aid station for a water/power-aid refill, I found my second wind.  I was still keeping with an 8-3 interval, but man was I trucking.  For a while I feared I may have been trucking a bit too fast.  But I knew the course and knew what was ahead.

During this time there was no rain and for that I was grateful. I needed to make it to the Burrard Bidge before the 5 hour make.  I made it. The bridge was at kilometer 30.... 12 more to go.

"An easy 12" I told myself. "Just a quick jog around Stanley Park.  I've done this hundred of times!"

This is when Factor 1 comes into play.  Here I thought that knowing the course would give me a motivational feeling of knowing just how much more I have to go, but instead I got the agony of knowing just how much further I had to go.

At kilometer 31 (just outside my apartment), I met up with the TNT sweeper, Phil.  I had a feeling I was the last TNT participant on the field and I was right.  But I always knew I was slow.  It had never bothered me.  Hell, I am out here doing this.... And this was my 4th time!

Phil doubled back just make sure no other TNT runners were behind me.  While I pushed on, I noticed a younger guy struggling.  I slowed and walked with him for a bit.  He told me about how he had blown out his knee at kilometer 18.  I looked at him wide eyed and told him how impressed I was that he kept with it.  This guy was walking hard.  I could see the determination in him.  I asked him if this was his first marathon (knowing full well by the look in his eyes that it was).  I encouraged him.  

"The only true way to be prepared for a full marathon is to have already run one.  Think of this as a training run for your next one. The next time you decide to run a marathon, you will be surprised how well you do!"

I told him about my first marathon experience and told once again how impressed I was with his tenacity. Every now and then, from now until the end, we would pass each other. He would ask how much further. I would tell him, "X more kilometers more! You got this! You've already done Y kilometers!"

At kilometer 36, my spirit broke. This is the northern most point on the Seawall around Stanley Park. The rain was a torrential down pour. The temperature dropped (what felt like) 5 degrees. The wind kicked up hardcore. And I was spent.

Phil was still with me and at this point Andy (a TNT coach from the National Flex Program) had joined us.  Andy asked all the Coach questions.  Have you been hydrating? Have you been eating? What hurts?   I answered.  I knew what I was doing.  This was, after all, not my first rodeo.

Nothing was hurting, I just had no energy,  The Wall.  It hit.  Now I'm not stupid (some may argue with that).  I knew not to expect a repeat of Goofy, where I did not hit the wall at all.  I knew it was going to happen.  

Now you would think that a running coach would try and rev you up and get you going.  Push through the pain!!!  But TNT is different.  The coaches focus on getting you across the finish line feeling proud, good about yourself, and injury free.  After all, first and foremost TNT is about fundraising and doing something bigger for an amazing cause.  

Andy let me walk.  We spoke about our experiences with TNT, our races, our training, what got us involved in the first place. It kept my mind off of my lack of energy and kept one foot steadily moving in front of the other. 

At kilometer 40, Phil ran ahead, but we ran into Dave and Grace Jackson.  Grace is a TNT alum and the mentor for this season's team (and not to mention a good friend).  Her and her husband walked with Andy and I until around the 41.5K mark.  

As we were approaching the finish line, I kept saying to Andy,"I am going to run across the finish line.  With whatever energy I have left.... I am going to cross running and smiling."

He was very encouraging, but reminded me that it was "my" finish and I could do it how ever I felt.

At this point I hear a very loud  "JOE!!!!!!"

I looked over and saw Ruth.  Ruth was briefly mentioned in an early blog post (see 'My New Running Tattoo').  She had just finished undergoing chemo and surgery for breast cancer. Although Abi's picture in on the back of my shirt, and she is my initial reason for running, it's also known that I run for Ruth.  

I ran over (not sure where that energy came from) and gave her a big hug!  It meant so much to me for her to be there.  I started back toward the finish line, turned, and through tears shouted back "I am so glad you are here!"  It was only later I realized the many meanings that one statement held for me.

About a block later I see a whole group of my co-workers out in force with signs.  Work was only a block away and they had taken time to make signs and be there for the finish!  

Later I learned that my supervisor had come up with the "Renders Failing" sign (which was on my desk when I got to work this morning).

Once I saw them, I found the energy I needed to run across the finish line.  I got my medal and met Atul (the new TNT director) and Ruth had made her way up as well.

Atul noticed right away that something was wrong.  He asked me how I felt.  I told him I was exhausted but felt fine.  Neither Atul nor Ruth were convinced.  Atul told me that I needed to get some place warm.  I nodded and said ok. 

Only then did I realize that something was wrong.  I was cold.  Really, really cold.  My body was exhausted, depleted, spent.  I was shivering like mad.  

We made into the lobby of the hotel that many of the TNT team members were staying,  It was warm, but not warm enough.  Ruth brought me a warm drink and a blanket and tried my best to cool off my muscles while simultaneously warming up everything else.  It was the weirdest and possibly the most worrisome feeling I have had.

Ruth's parents where in town and staying nearby.  They were kind enough to let me use their shower and dryer (as well as feed me). 

While warming up I began to recap the race in my mind.  What aspects would I write about?  What do I remember?  But I kept coming back to one question: How do I feel about the race? 

First and foremost (as always) I did it for Abi and so that others and their families do not have to suffer the way she/we did. I am always proud that I can cross the finish line and know she is right there with me.

Then I began to think about my performance/time.  I never run with any particular time in mind, but all my previous marathons had been fairly consistent (about 6.5 hours). 

I went through the factors in my head and realized that I did not do bad at all.  Running a marathon is as much an emotional and mental feat as as a physical one.  The rain was crummy (I wanted to use a different word but you get the idea) and it broke alot of our spirits early on and set a "crummy" mood from the starting gun onward. Given that, 15-20 minutes over my usual time did not seem to bad.

Relatively, it seemed pretty on par. And besides........

I finished.

I finished my 4th full marathon.  I got to share Abi's story with other people.  I did something beyond myself and succeeded. I did something most would never attempt, and I did it 4 freaking times!

Yes, this entry does seem to have several negative aspects to it.  But so many times in life, the best things come out of the worst situation. If you take anything away from reading this entry, I hope it is that.

Thank you again for taking the time to read Abi's and my journey in running for their lives.

Next race:  The Scotiabank Half Marathon June 22nd 2014.