The Great Return to the Runner's High

The problem with letting a blog go untouched for over a year is that you feel more and more pressure to return to the blogosphere having produced something significant; for a while I had a hard time coming up with an adequate subject for my renaissance, but the events of the past few weeks have provided me with ample material.

I hesitated to write a post following Boston, because although I, like every other member of the running community, was deeply shaken by the hateful acts at the finish line, I wasn't actually there to experience any of it first-hand. I sifted through the articles and posts by fellow runners and was inspired and comforted by the rich currents of hope, resilience and solidarity that coursed throughout their writing. My dad Jim and our friend Ian were in Boston that day and crossed the finish line well before the explosions, although they felt immensely connected to their comrades and to the entire city as it was rocked by this unthinkable tragedy.

Jim and Ian running Boston in 1988

What has inspired me to write is that which I have become increasingly aware of in the weeks since Boston; that I am more in love with my sport and the people of which it is comprised than I am with almost anything else in my life. The story of the Boston Marathon that I will remember most is not that there was an act of terrorism against a peaceful, motivated, collaborative, inspired, healthy, happy group of runners. That tragedy is now indelibly etched in our collective memory, and is worthy of reflection, mourning and remembrance. However, it would be a great shame if the dialogue surrounding the bombings overshadowed the countless stories of perseverance, camaraderie, success and love that are truly at the heart of every race. What I will remember about that day is that my 57-year old father and his long-time friend Ian Griffin—who began as training partners over 25 years ago and raced their first Boston together the year after I was born—ran side by side again this year, working together and supporting one another every single step of those 26.2 challenging miles until they crossed the the finish line victorious and full of pride. These two men are my heroes, and I count myself unbelievably fortunate to lead a lifestyle in which I encounter heroes on a daily basis.

Jon's AMAZING signs at Payton Jordan

I watched the live feed of Boston in a beautiful California house a stone's throw from the pacific ocean, where Peter and I spent 5 sunny weeks training and hanging out with the wonderfully generous and supportive Quinn family. Our awesome hosts, all runners in their own right, opened their home to us and provided the perfect setting for an early-spring training camp. During our time in the Santa Cruz area we made friends with Jon Gugala, who became our faithful cheerleader/timer/tourguide; Jeff Moreno, an incredibly knowledgeable and kind doctor of physical therapy who kept us healthy and strong; the coaching staff at Aptos High, who invited us to train at their beautiful facility on a daily basis; and several other amazing people who made our experience unforgettable and made it difficult for us to leave paradise to return to Toronto. It is this community, that exists from coast-to-coast and allows us to transplant nearly anywhere, that makes our athletic journey not only possible but also immensely enjoyable. 

Peter, Jon and I during our day trip to San Francisco

All smiles post-Buffalo Marathon!

Since returning to the GTA my love affair with the world of running has only intensified. It began when I accompanied my dad Jim just south of the border for the Buffalo Marathon at the end of May, where--only 6 weeks after Boston--he ran a remarkable 3:07.58, his fastest marathon in at least a decade. I ran the last 12 miles with him, and was so honoured to share that experience with the man who is responsible for my introduction to the magic of distance running, and who has been my life-long coach, supporter and training partner. Next, I shared a foggy, chilly evening a few weeks ago with several tough and speedy Canucks at the Speed River Inferno, and felt such a sense of community as I looked around the room at the post-meet dinner at so many familiar faces belonging to the people who I have run with since I was a junior. Last weekend our whole family drove to Streetsville for the annual Bread and Honey event, where not only did Peter and I win our respective races, but my amazing sister Emma broke the 30-minute barrier in her second-ever 5km alongside our encouraging dad, while my mom (an injured runner but avid rehabbing cross-trainer) and Emma's daughter Charlotte cheered from the sidelines.

My incredible sister at Bread&Honey

Throwing a road-race into the middle of the track season provided a nice change of pace (literally) and environment, as I got to reconnect with several members of the Mississauga Track and Field Club family, as well as some awesome MBP athletes whom I hadn't seen in far too long. After the race I went to the car to get my dry clothes, and was stopped by a man who asked if I wouldn't mind having my picture taken with his two teenage daughters who had just completed their first 5km races. The look of pride on the girls' faces as they held up their finishers medals for the camera was humbling, and served as yet another reminder of how unifying our sport really is: at the end of the day, regardless of how fast or how far we run, we all just want to be the best we can. 

With just over a week until the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Moncton, I find myself constantly reveling in the joy of the Runner's High. With the help of the Newmarket Huskies, Peter and I have been able to cruise through some rockin' speed sessions over the past few weeks, and it has been a tremendous luxury to have 15+ guys to work through the intervals with after spending much of the spring doing workouts on our own.

Post-workout in Newmarket

I am in the shape of my life, and have never been so simultaneously excited about and unsure of what the next weeks and months hold.  I have run personal bests in every distance I've raced this season; from the Harry's Spring Run Off Toronto 8km, to my first-ever track 5000m at the Mt. SAC Relays, to 1500m's at Oxy HP and most recently Aileen Meagher, to the 800m at the Speed River Inferno. I am within striking distance of IAAF World "B" standards in both the 1500m and 5000m, and am hungry to get after them! I want so much to represent Canada at the World Championships in Moscow this August, and for the first time in my life I truly believe that I can do it.

1500m at Aileen Meagher 2013

All of that being said, throughout my quest for World qualifying, I want to make sure that I never lose sight of something that my coaches have always preached and that Peter has reinforced for me this year: although times matter (a lot!) we are often most successful when we go into the race with the intention of being present in each second and step, seeing each competitive opportunity as a good, old-fashioned footrace, and finding ways to enjoy some element of ever run, workout and meet. Run hard, have fun, and the times will come!