Team Diabetes Race Report. On Nov 8 '09 I failed to finish the Athens Classic Marathon. The day began very early at 4am. Our team headed to the Olympic Stadium at 5am to get on the buses to transfer us to the start line. Unfortunately it was 15C and pouring buckets. Everyone was soaked by the time we got onto the buses. A chilly 45 minutes later we were standing in garbage bags shivering at the start line. A two hour wait later we were off. I think the wet and cold really contributed to the end result. I knew within the first few kilometers that I was going to have trouble. The aches and pains I usually feel after 20km were beginning really early. I think my legs had cramped up. The woman that I was running left me behind and I was on my own fairly early. The pack kept thinning out until I couldn't see anyone else competing in front or behind me. I also learnt early on that the race closed at a six-hour-pace not at six hours. This meant that there were no course markers, water, powerade, bananas, gels, medics, etc. for most of the race. I had counted on the electrolyte replacements so this lead to me feeling really sick later on. At one point I was hit from behind by a bicyclist. Around that time I was feeling uncomfortable with my situation. I stopped, sat down and waited for the next people to come by. Luckily they spoke english. I power-walked with a father-daughter team until the race officials aggressively suggested we get into their van. After a drive to the finish line I walked back to the hotel quite emotionally upset.

Thank you John & Karen Miner for your donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association!

Thank you Grant Dussiaume and Nicole Groulx for your donation!

Thank you Norm & Angela Bradley for your generous donation to my Team Diabetes campaign. I really appreciate the continued support!

Thank you Bob & Carole Bellmore for your continued support of the Canadian Diabetes Association! I look forward to seeing you at next year's reunion.

Run for the Cure. This morning I met up with the ladies from Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Sudbury to participant in the 5km Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer. I haven't run in this event since high school and since I now have some training experience I could look on the whole experience with new eyes. It was lovely to enter into a race and there be no timing chips. Everyone was there for the charity, to dress in pink or just to get a fun run in. The atmosphere was lovely. They even had a stage set up and got people to dance to 'warm-up.' The kids especially enjoyed this. Actually as expected this event was very family friendly. Lots of kids, strollers and many dogs. My favourite costume was the man dressed up as a pig

Because I completed my longest-run-ever yesterday I was feeling pretty sore this morning. Last night I was even wearing toe-seperators, the kind you use to paint your toenails, in order to keep my toes/blisters apart. So running so soon after meant I now have blisters on top of blisters - yum. And I'm now walking a little slower after the 5k than beforehand. I have no idea how anyone could participate in the Goofy Challange at Disneyworld (run a full marathon on sat and a half-marathon on sunday)!!

On a personal note, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and as such I dedicated my run to her.

Longest Run Yet. Yesterday I set out on a four hour journey to complete my second highest training long run yet - 29km (18miles). I woke up to cold pouring rain and so I procrastinated until 4pm until it stopped (luckily for me it didn't rain the whole time I was out!). I started out strong. I felt better than I did during my two runs earlier this week. I met Dave 1:30 in to swap for more water/gatorade and a granola bar and some tylenol. I then completed another suburban loop. I didn't feel as strong and I started to double my walking breaks. A mile or two past the half-marathon point (21.1km or 13miles) I starting calling around during my walk breaks to hear someone other than my own thoughts for a change. I was starting to feel it and I needed a little "go Taylor go" encouragement. Luckily I got a hold of my dad which also had the extra benefit of arranging to the use of his hot tub later that evening. I met up with Dave once more for some more liquid/granola and head out to finish the last three miles. I basically grunted the whole way through the last 3 miles - I had no shame. I once had a conversation with my marathon-running uncle about the sport and his best advice was to "just keep going." At the time I thought "well obviously - that helps" but during those last three I repeated my new mantra many times. As much as I was grunting, cold, and exhausted I think I could have pushed out another 13km out of sheer determination and stubbornness in order to complete a marathon. I was very happy and proud to complete the 29km run. I had a big bowl of pasta to celebrate.

I have one more monsterous training run left before the big 42.2km race. The most I will ever run before I reach Athens is 32km or 20miles. You are, in theory, supposed to have the rest in you somewhere.

Thank you Sherry & Mark Dupuis for you generous donation! I look forward to seeing you at next year's reunion.

Thank you Randy & Angie Kitts for your generous donation today! And thanks Randy for the running advice!

Thank you Sue & Bruce Cardinal for your generous donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association!

Thank You Donors, Bidders, and Sponsors! The Team Diabete Online Charity Auction was a great success, bringing in more than $1,900 in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.  Generous donations from the following businesses, artists and individuals were integral in making my first online auction a success. I would like to thank them for their contributions and everyone who attended the auction for their support and generosity.

Kao Brands
Molly Maid Sudbury
La Scandinave Blue Mountain
La Scandinave Mont-Tremblant
Black Knight
Dowling IDA
David Chirko
CAA Northeastern Ontario
The Princess of Pottery
OM Yoga Space
Doolys Sudbury
Cottage Country Crafts
Mike Shantz
Angie Nussey
Olson Foods
Kitchen Bits
Melanie Hayes
CareLink Advantage
Julie Berthelot
Curves
Pink Pearl Images
Cara Doxsee
Evan's Home Building Center
Cathee Shantz
Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show
Sudbury Rocks Marathon
Rusty Cellars
Pixatron
Laurentian University
Just Soccer
Vineland Estates Winery


Thank you to my Sponsor RealDecoy, and the many donors and bidders for your support!

Thank you Grandpa Dave Shantz for you generous donation. You have been very supportive throughout my entire Team Diabetes experience. Many Thanks!

Thank you Marcia & John Jessop for your donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association!

Inspiration. I was surfing the web this afternoon and I came across this photo and just had to share it. It reads:

$1000 - Shoes, clothing, electronics and incidentals
$7500 - Hours training and fundraising converted to salary
$6100 - Funds raised for Team Diabetes to participate in the Barcelona 2008 Marathon

Running my first 42Km marathon on my 42nd birthday in honour of my diabetic wife Tammy . . . priceless!!

A big thanks goes out to Mary & Jim Volk for their generous donation!

You too can donate online. Click here to find out how.

There are one day left to bid on an item at the Team Diabetes Online Charity Auction! Bid on gift certificates, spa passes and sports equipment starting at or under 50% retail value!!

Go to http://www.realauction.ca/teamdiabetes-sudbury to bid now!

Ottawa Army Run 2009. On Sunday I took part in the Army Run in Ottawa. It started off with a bang - literally - they shot off a cannon to start the race. It was a beautiful course that started downtown and ran along the Ottawa canal all the way to the experimental farm, around Dow's Lake and then onto Queen Elizabeth Drive back downtown. Dave followed me the whole way cheering me on every 5kms or so. It meant a lot to have someone on the course with me since I was running alone.

I started out pretty strong setting a new personal best for the 10km with a time of 73'49". The second half of the run slowed down as I was having a lot of pain in my lower back. My new orthotics have been great for my feet, no pain there, but they are a killer on my lower back. I think I need to make an appointment to check them out. I came across the finish line at 2:47:22 coming in 317/334 in my age/gender group (yay not last!).

After the race Jen, Melanie, Jim and I went to Le Nordik to soak in the nordic baths. Jen asked about massage cancellations and luckily there was an opening so I had a 60min swedish massage to aid in recovery. Thanks Jen! I love massages! We stayed at the spa for almost 4 hours - I love that place - especially the hot tubs.

Check out happy Taylor in the hot tub with the sunglass burn:

A big thanks to Jessica Bennett-Heywood for her donation! Very much appreciated! Jessica is raising money for cancer research through the CIBC Run for the cure on October 4th. You can sponsor her here!

The online charity auction for my Team Diabetes Campaign is now live! You can check out the items for bid at http://www.realauction.ca/teamdiabetes-sudbury.

Highlights include:
- CAA Plus Membership
- John Frieda Gift Baskets
- Le Scandinave Spa Passes
- VIP Wine Tour and Tasting at Vineland Estates Winery
- Couple Portrait session in Toronto with Pink Pearl Images
- Molly Maid Gift Certificate

Teammates. On the way back from the wedding David and I stopped to meet fellow Team D participant Marilyn at Cottage Country Crafts in Collingwood. Marilyn is also running the marathon in Athens and she generously donated some books to my online auction.

Her entire store had signs about Team Diabetes. Art hung on the wall with the proceeds being donated to CDA. Various craft supplies and toys has CDA signs on them. And there was a pledge form at the cash in case you felt inclined to donate. Check out the opening/closing times sign. If you can't read it, it says "It's Team Diabetes long marathon training time again! We will be closed Sundays for training until after the marathon in Athens, Greece in November." Fantastic! If you never heard about Team Diabetes before you entered Cottage Country Crafts you sure did afterwards.

Check out Marilyn's 'trophies' of her previous Team Diabetes races that are displayed above the cash. She's been to Rome, Rio and Dublin and she's already signed up for the London marathon next year! I really like meeting other Team D members - it makes me feel more like I'm on a team and gives me renewed spirit in my fundraising/training initiatives!

Cottage Country Crafts
69 Hurontario Street

Collingwood, ON
L9Y 2L7
(705) 446-0877