Farewell Lulu Hello Wally

So as I have blogged before I love my Lululemon clothing.  As particular races have filthified my clothes(Badass Dash, Run Or Dye,Spartan), who wants to crawl in the mud and ruin your Lulus and my budget limits bans Lulu purchases, I have tried to find other sports/clothing lines to buy.

My new favourite is Walmart!

I purchased a pair of black Capri leggings years ago from them, ran my first half in them and wore them until the crotch started to split. Seriously I think I had them for 10 years. I even bought the full length legging to run in on colder days. 

The leggings!

My purple running shorts I bought for Spartan, thinking if they get ruined it won't matter because Walmart sportswear does not cost that much, under $20 each for the items already mentioned. My purple shorts have gotten me several compliments and got me through my first triathlon.  

The purple shorts! At my second triathlon:)

My most recent purchase has been a black pair of biking shorts, bought for the Badass Dash. Get them dirty, get them ruined I paid so little for them it won't matter. But guess what they made it through the race and I can still wear 'em!

The shorts! Wearing them after the race!

So for now on if I need clothing to sweat in, get dirty in, Walmart will be my go to place. The convience alone makes purchasing quickly, so simple. There's Walmarts everywhere!

2:33:58

So when you show up for your third half marathon and someone is wearing the same running skort as you, what do you do?

Run faster than her!!!

Ok so I didn't beat my time from last year but I had so much FUN!!

I love the route, I love the crowds cheering me on, i love that my body did not cramp up on me.  I really didn't even mind that at the first few H2O stations they'd run out of cups and we either had to cup our hands and hope that it would be enough water or we all just drank out of the same large blue water bottles. Yummy!  

I love race weekend!!

While racing even caught up to a student's mom and now we share a racing memory together.

I have to thank Mirka my original racing buddy who drove me to the race, stayed to cheer me on with her baby Natalia and then waited for me to give me a ride home. Thanx Mirka!

And for my surprise fan who jumped out of the crowd and even ran with me a bit! Love surprises! Thank you Kathy!

I didn't even cry this time when I crossed the finish line !

I felt pretty damn powerful though! 

Ya I ph*ckin run 1/2 marathons!!!

My body hurt a lot afterwards, for days even and I know my left hip joint has some issues(drama queen), and every time I say this will be my last 1/2...I am pretty sure I agreed to run this race next year!!

Two halves make a whole right?

So if you are texting while in a 1/2 marathon this isn't a good thing...or you are really good at mulit-tasking?

Or you are walking the race because both your calves have ceased up!!  That would be what happened to moi:)!  I would like to thank the bike riding fool who was riding his bike into the oncoming herd of runners and caused me to jump out of his way...therefore resulting in one of my calves tightening.  I own the other calf tightening cause I did not drink enough water!

My chip time was 2:54 this included a pee break and at least 5 minutes on the ground at 19k because I couldn't even walk after the right calf completely tightened (this after I tried speed walking the rest of the race)

These are the guys (plus a volunteer) who  helped me when I went down.  Got me H2O and helped me stretch and I let them massage my calf;) ok gave them permission to massage it.

So I was disappointed that I didn't get a personal best (PB) but I did finish.

Thank you to Manon for waiting a whole hour for me after she'd finished and for crying with me at the end!  

In both my halves, it is funny after I cross the finish line, hugging my running buddy (Mirka & Manon). The announcer/MC states "finishing can be an emotional experience for some."  I like how Manon stated to me later " Be proud and be emotional is not a weakness it is human"

I love being human!

Also thank you to my two other fans who cheered me on during the race.  You know who you are.  Now that was emotional.

Race Bib Wanted

Looking for a bib for the 1/2 marathon taking place on Race Weekend in May!!! If you hear of anyone selling theirs please tell them I will buy it!!!

So disappointed that I have missed out:(

Or anyone wanna run it as a ghost racer with me?

That's kinda like a zombie...

My 1/2 Marathon

2:23:25

My time for my first 1/2 marathon

My friend Mirka, who believed and pushed me to the end (not literally)

Personally I think you can do it, Rob! You are a fighter.

 

This was what Mirka messaged me and something just clicked.  I tried a route near my place and did it in less than 3hrs and I was set!

 

Robyn ran 32.68 kilometers with MapMyRun. 7:14am

kilometers 32.68 hours 2:35

 

I was never nervous about it, more excited on the day it came.  I did drink a 5 hr Energy Drink that kept me buzzed.  they also gave us gel packs that also had me going (caffeine and who knows what else)  but most of all it was the crowds.  They cheered you on and because you have your name on your bib they would cheer you on by name.  High fiving all the kids as I ran by helped too.  B & D were there at 5k cheering me on also.

 

 

For me it was so much more than just a race! 

 

 

This was on my hand as I ran.  Whenever I run this thought keeps me motivated.  There are others who just can not run.  I am healthy, fortunate and able.  I also like to see how much I can push my body.  I am definitely sore and my feet are battered but it is such a rush.  I am probably still on a high from this race:)

 

MESSAGES:

 

 

 

 

 

What time do you start and approximate finish.

 

Good luck Brave Girl

 

Dad

 

Mireille Perras: Good luck today.

Sunday at 7:08am · Like

Sheila-ann Bailey You rock - rockin robyn!

Sunday at 9:25am via mobile · Like

Janine Marcotte Whooooo!!!! You did it girl,,,your wild,,,,xx