Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Group Love

Everyone from my training group has been sending "race reflections" from the marathon on Sunday to our coach, who then sends them around to all of us. I love reading them and reliving the excitement of race day.

I submitted my own "Spectator's Perspective" and thought I would share it here also:


What a thrill to be out there on Sunday supporting the team. Having 30+ of us rally together to support one another in a great day of running is a true testament to the kind of group we have. It's been quite the summer as we've shared countless miles of blood, sweat, tears and sexual innuendos, and I hope to share many more miles with all of you in the future.

But back to Sunday... it was extremely rewarding seeing everyone out on the course to celebrate their training, and running alongside Sue, Micki, Scott, John, Neil, Wayne and Jane throughout the morning.

I'd like to note that I had arranged to meet Micki for the tail end of the race to keep her going and bring her in on pace. Micki and Scott were running together when I jumped in around 36K and imagine my surprise to discover they were both running so strong that I struggled to keep up! I was humbled to find myself counting down the KM markers for my own benefit as much as for theirs (of course I didn't admit it at the time) - keeping in mind that I had run about 25K less than they had at this point! Neither of you needed me, but it was a pleasure to share the experience with you.

A highlight of my day was certainly accompanying Micki for her "victory lap" around Queen's park into the finish. We both knew she had a BQ in the bag and I was so excited, you would have thought I had achieved it myself.

At the end of the day, I "finished" the race 4 or 5 times, bringing several of our runners around the seemingly endless loop to the finish line (and falsely promising "It's right around the corner!" over and over again). I could get used to this - simply running the END of a marathon; all the glory without all the pain. I wonder if some of the spectators started to recognize me....

This is much longer than intended - oops! Congratulations all around!


I can hardly believe this clinic is officially over after tomorrow. Another session will start up in January, but sadly our coach has decided not to return next year. It turns out his wife would actually like to spend some time with him. Go figure. Despite having a different instructor next time around, most of the group will be returning - myself included. (And many of us will continue to train together 'unofficially' in the coming months in preparation for Goofy and other races.)



Tomorrow evening is our end of session get together where we'll rehash many good (and not so good) stories shared on the roads over some food and drink, and also watch a slideshow that coach has put together of photos taken throughout the season. It should be a good time, although bittersweet.

26 comments:

Marky Mark said...

Doing the training as a group really does sound like it was fun and highly rewarding. Sounds like you got a ton out of it. Hoping the weather hangs on for you in NF!

Unknown said...

I bet you'll miss this experience a lot! I thought it was funny that you refinished the race so many times but since that's the best part of every race, I'm sure you didn't mind.
Nice report, have fun celebrating and rehashing!

Unknown said...

enjoy the end of season get-together. it's weird when it comes to an end, huh?

Erika said...

Sounds like you belong to a really awesome group! Have fun at the end of season get-together.

MCM mama

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have been part of a quality team! Congrats to all of you for a great season!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

maybe you could take over the clinic next year ;) it's sad when we all sorta go our own ways eh?

RunToTheFinish said...

you are very lucky to have found an amazing group to join!! I love hearing everyone's stories I think it pumps us all up for our next race

Jen Feeny said...

Ahhh the bittersweet end of the season... Great recap! :)

Sarah said...

Awwww that is so sweet! Have fun tonight!

No Longer Using said...

you have such a great group!!! "end of season"... awwww.

Being Robinson said...

that is so wonderful you have such a great (and big) group to train with. hope you have a fun time!

Unknown said...

It sounds like you guys had a great training group. Bummer about the coach, but hopefully you can still all train together. It makes me want to sign up for a training group, I was just always too scared to be the slowest one but I need to get over it and just do it...next year:)

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

This post makes me really excited for my upcoming training group. I cant wait to become more of a part of the local community. Love the look on Snoopy's face.

ShirleyPerly said...

Hee, I laughed when I read about the "all the glory without all the pain" :-)

Hope the new coach will be as good!!

Denise said...

Aw, that's sad. But hopefully Jan will come soon and you'll love the new coach just as much!

Runner Leana said...

You really do form some amazing friendships with a group, eh? So glad that a bunch of you are going to stick with it through the winter. I'm sure your next coach will be amazing too!! (Have you ever thought about leading a running group? We get e-mails from the RR all the time because they are looking for group instructors...)

Heather said...

Sounds like you are part of a great group!

joyRuN said...

Your group was lucky to have each other - so awesome!

I need one of those around here. Maybe I should just suck it up & start one.

B.o.B. said...

Cool recap. Sad to see your coach leave, but totally understandable on his side.

I am sure you and your training buddies will continue to have great races! Have fun at your farewell dinner.

Jess said...

Enjoy the end of season get together! It sounds like you have a great group.

J said...

Aww thats too bad you are losing your coach but at least the group will mainly stay together! That is the great part about having all those running friends that you can now continue to run together post marathon! Enjoy your last meet up!

Irish Cream said...

Aw, I love your recap! What a fun group too . . . I am super jealous!

Also, yay for us both tackling Goofy! I thought I knew someone else who was doing it . . . but couldn't remember who! YAY, it's you! :) We definitely have to meet up!!

macnic said...

Sounds like a great group!

Anonymous said...

I'm a little late in ready blogs this week--dang work! What an awesome experience....

Anonymous said...

I'm a little late in ready blogs this week--dang work! What an awesome experience....

Lindsay said...

hopefully your "informal" running dates will fill the void of the official training group. at least you still have peeps to run with! :)

loved your spectators report. lol about finishing a marathon 5-6 times in one day - i think i could handle that!