Course de L'Escalade

After finishing a 5K back in May, I've been itching to do another one.  Last month, P signed me up for the Course de l'Escalade.  Once I had the proof of registration in my hands, I knew it would be a bad idea.  But I had to suck it up and do it, and now that it's over, I'm so happy I did.

As much as I 'd like to say that I trained for the event, my "training"really only involved me running with a dog that likes to stop every two minutes to smell something.  Not really that effective.

The course.  I ran the dark blue one, which is twice around.

If I'm lucky enough to still be in Geneva next year, I will definitely do the run again.  And hopefully I'll get to run it with some of my friends!

Me after my run with my goodie bag!

Another Tick - 5K Done

My Medal :)

As I said before, I don't think I'll ever get the "runner's high", but I now understand the "racer's high".  There's nothing like running towards a giant finish line with hundreds of people chanting, giving you chocolate and a new shiny medal.  Today I ran my first (of many, I hope) 5k.  I ran in the Toronto Women's Run to benefit POGO (Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario).  My aunt (author of Barb Still Running) ran the half marathon and got a PR.  Wahoo!  I of course got a PR too.  But that's because I hadn't ran before.

The race was in Sunnybrook park and I couldn't have got better weather.  I was stressing earlier since the always reliable weatherman was predicting hot, humid, sunny weather.  When I woke up this morning it was raining.  Luckily when the race started, the weather had shifted to overcast.  Other than dodging giant puddles, the course was great.  Apparently the 5K-ers lucked out and didn't get all the hills the Half Marathoners did (although they were promised flat terrain).

Me at the Start/Finish pre-race.  Notice the nicely blow dried hair.

Seconds after I finished.  Hair now a disaster.

My Aunt finishing her race.

Time check.

Yay!

Me and my Aunt after the race

And again

How was your weekend?  Do anything exciting?  Have you ticked off anything on your bucket list recently?

Working on my Bucket List

Me enjoying the beautiful weather in my backyard

As you may have seen on my Bucket List page, one of my goals is to run a 5k.  Back in January, I thought it would be a great idea (and enough time to train) for the Toronto Women's Run 2011 in Sunnybrook Park on May 29th.  So since January, I've been attempting to train.  I've never been a runner.  I've never experienced the runner's 'high' and would much rather bike, blade or swim.  Despite this, I have been running as much as I can.

Today I went on my run down the Humber River Ravine.  Not my best run.  The temperature in Toronto is hovering around 25 degrees (Celsius) without a cloud in the sky.  Running at 2pm on the hottest day so far this year might not have been my most brilliant idea.  I sure hope it's not this hot next Sunday.  I may end up walking a lot more than I planned.

Anyway, along my route, I stopped to take some pictures.  The river has swollen with all the rain from the past week.  And the mural is from under a bridge.  I wish my Blackberry had a better camera on it.  These really don't do the day any justice.

Amazing mural under the bridge

More of the mural

End of the mural

Canada Goose cooling off in the overflowing river

The Humber River

How's your weekend been so far?  Have you been enjoying the weather (if you have the sun like we do?)?