Chicago Marathon 2006

After getting rejected from the New York Marathon Lottery system, Jen decided that we should do the Chicago Marathon instead. I have never participated in a race like this before, where there were cheering crowds and entertainers almost the entire time we were on course. I would say that it was a good way to tour Chicago on foot. This would be the Marathon that I recommend for people after Disney.

We managed to run Jen's Godmother Donna in for a new Personal Best.

Hamilton Boxing Day 10 Miler 2005

One would think there is a scarcity of running events in December given the holidays, but there were actually quite a few fun runs out there during the holidays that kept us running in anticipation of the Disney Goofy Challenge in mid January of 2006. The Hamilton Boxing Day 10 Miler was yet another winter run in cold, wet conditions, but it was made pleasant by the running into our good natured friend Martini, who worked with Jen at Texas Instruments. I ended up doing the run with him, and there were some challenging hills on this course! Despite the freezing rain, it turned out to be a much better experience than the New Years 5km we did less than a week later that had Jen and I sliding around in a heavy snow-storm. I found it next to impossible to run in a foot of snow on top of ice.

What I love most about athletic events is the swag, particularly when it departs from the usual t-shirt (my walk-in closet is drowning in race t-shirts). Registering for the Boxing Day 10 Miler earned us those snazzy red quick dry running vests complete with pockets for water bottle and an embroidered snowman.

Missauga Half Marathon 2005

This day was memorable because Jen posted a new PB at close to the two hour mark in the half marathon.

Angus Glen Half Marathon 2006

Our second year running this race which takes place in my hometown of Unionville, ON.

DISNEY HALF MARATHON 2005

The very first running Marathon I did without Jen. She was doing the Full Marathon, and at that point I had not yet done one of those and opted for the half instead of waiting on the sidelines to cheer her on. What a fun race this was. I generally don't like running, but this event is so entertaining and everyone seems to be in such great spirits, despite the crowded conditions of the Course.

My friend Scott from the Marathon Dynamics Inline Group who also ran the half (while his wife was doing the full) dropped me an email commenting that I probably would have come in at a better time if I didn't stop so often to get my picture taken with all the Disney characters. I figured what's the point in doing this race if you don't keep stopping to have your picture taken with the Disney characters?

Little did I know at the time I would be returning to this event the following year for the Goofy Challenge!

Angus Glen 1/2 Marathon 2005

Angus Glen is a Golf Course in my home-town of Unionville.

Another wet race. Things are starting to dry off as we approach the finish.

Run for the Toad 2005

The Run for the Toad is one of my favourite local running events. It's a 25km cross-country off-road race through a conservation area. You would not believe the incredible grade that we just finished climbing up from in this photo (note the tiny people down below in the background... not an optical illusion!)

Hannukah Hustle 10km 2005

Much of my off-season cross-training this particular winter involved running with Jen in various races. This was one of many suprisingly scenic runs out in the Hamilton area.

We were looking for events to keep us running during the Christmas season because we had registered for the Disney Goofy Challenge in January. While there were no Marathons in the GTA and surrounding area, we found quite a few holiday oriented fun runs, including the pre-Christmas 5km Jingle Bell Run, The Hamilton Boxing Day 10 Miler, The Resolution Run 5k taking place New Years Eve, and the Hannukah Hustle ending in Hamilton's Shalom Village where they fed us Latkas (Jewish Potato Pancakes) in Apple sauce.

High Park Spring Run-off 2005

Traditionally the first run of the season. 10km in high park. In my experience, it's inevitably a rainy rainy experience.

I love the optical illusion in the photo below. It looks like Tara is carrying me on her back like Luke Skywalker carrying Yoda through the Dagobah Swamps.

Mud Run 2006

The last stretch to the finish requires you to dive face-down in the Mud and crawl under the lines with the flags!


Jen and I leading her Godmother Donna to the finish.

Bay Street Rat Race 2006

5k with the YWCA team!