Joining JP's Team!

I signed up to run the Ottawa Half Marathon last December and I thought I would just run it for myself. But then I met Jean-Paul Bédard during a fun run with Black Toe Running in Toronto, and I decided that I wanted to be part of #JPsTeam. Read on to find out why!

16 Runs with 16 Friends: January Update

Starting off my 16 runs with 16 friends with fellow Hot Potato and Runivore, Stephie!

Run with Friend #1: University District / Puente de Luz / Waterfront Trail (Downtown Toronto)

Date: January 1, first run of the year!

Temperature: Feels like -8C.

Distance: ~7K

Highlights from the run:

Being able to start 2016 with this girl was awesome! Our friendship has really grown since last January when we first met while recruiting for the Hot Potatoes relay team. Long story short: We connected when I Facebook messaged them about running in the Goodlife Toronto Marathon Relay together after reading Runivore's post about running their first marathon at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2014. Stephie said yes and the rest is history. I look forward to more running adventures with Stephie this year (including racing in Ottawa)!

Also, finally being able to run across the yellow bridge that I love was definitely a "cartwheel moment" for me. Too bad we didn't bring a camera! I first saw the "yellow bridge" during one of my trips on the GoTrain a couple years back and immediately fell in love with its design. The way the bright yellow stood out and how the shape acted as a stream of light in the midst of the blue and grey of the condos in the area. Soon after my first sighting, I searched it up and learned that its wonderful name, Puente de Luz, meant Bridge of Light! How appropriate!

16 Runs with 16 Friends in 2016

Taken on my first outdoor run of 2016 in Barrie. Ran a nice 11.6K that day in -2C. :D
Unfortunately, I don't think I actually look this smiley when I'm running. Haha!

When I started running regularly about 3 years ago, I thought I could only ever run alone. I was so slow and didn't know if I should keep running. How could I run with others when I'm so focused on just breathing and staying on my feet? Today, I still consider myself slow and I still don't really know what I'm doing. But now I love meeting friends for runs! It just makes me so happy! ^_^

Meeting the Fearless Dragons in 2014 taught me that I don't have to run alone and how to find community through running. Forming the Hot Potatoes in 2015 showed me that sharing our passions can allow us to find inspiration/inspire others. As part of my 16 in 2016 goals, I will go on 16 different runs with 16 different friends (preferably one on one) throughout the year.

I hope to make new running friends/get to know my existing friends better through our shared interest/love in running and explore new places on each run. :) If you run and we're friends, you'll be hearing from me.* If you run, I don't know you and you want to run together, give me a shout!

Look at the beautiful sky! Gotta run! More updates to come. :)

*I'm going to try to stay local/in Ontario to start. But if travel opportunities come up throughout the year, I'll be sure to get in touch with friends outside of Ontario/Canada. You know who you are. ;)

Thoughts on 2015/16

I'm sorry for taking a photo of this page instead of buying your book Cheryl! >_<

I came across this page from Cheryl Strayed's newest book, Brave Enough, in late November 2015. A part of me wishes that this book had been published earlier in the year, because her words really resonated with me. I took a photo of this page so her words could serve as a reminder of how I want to live my life in 2016 because I did not live bravely (or as bravely as I could have) in 2015.

Feelings from a year of "Personal Worsts"

I see the giant red numbers on the clock by the finish line. 02:14:4x My heart sinks and I know I haven't made it. Sub 2 hour is out the window. But no time to start the negative self-talk now (that'll come later), I have to dig deep and finish strong!

I lengthen my stride little by little to get myself into my usual finish line sprint and take a deep breath. Nothing. No air. I exhale quickly and try again. But again there's no air and I choke a bit, panicking. What is happening? What's up lungs?! My legs keep going and my arms keep pumping. I gasp and finally get a bit of much needed air. Ok. Small breaths work, keep doing small breaths.

02:14:54! Push! You can do this! You can cross under 02:15:00!!

Dear My Saucony Hurricane 14s

Clockwise from top left: Grouse Grind (Vancouver, BC), STWM Half Marathon (Toronto, ON), R2EP 10K (Kingston, ON), Seongsang Ilchulbong (Jeju Island, South Korea), Barrie Waterfront Half Marathon (Barrie, ON), Guide running in Hong Kong, Goodlife Toronto Marathon -Hot Potatoes relay team, Sporting Life 10K (Toronto, ON).
Center: My Saucony Hurricane 14s. =)
It was hard to find photos that actually showed my shoes. XP

Dear My Saucony Hurricane 14s,

We met in late July 2013 and for nearly 2 years, you've been supporting me along every step of my journey in learning to run. (Beware, more puns comin' your way!)

I ran the Barrie Waterfront Half Marathon!

Earlier this month, I ran the Barrie Waterfront Half Marathon on Sunday June 7th. ^_^ It marked:

• My 1st race in Barrie!
• My 2nd half marathon!!
• My 3rd running race this year!!!

Finished my first half marathon of 2015!