Category: October 2015

lost cars, trains and towers

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19 October 2015

After the race we had a lazy afternoon for the most part. Apparently, running twenty six point two miles takes it out of you a bit. Commando had a chat with David in reception about having lunch at the CN tower and we did venture out during the evening in search of food. Once again, standing on the street looking slightly bewildered attracted some local assistance. A kind man stopped to ask if we were lost. When we said we were looking for somewhere to eat he directed us towards Queen Street.
“There are lots of places to eat around there,” he said.
Commando settled on fish and chips, wondering how they would compare to the ones at home. As it turned out, they were different but very nice. Back at the hotel we treated ourselves to a drink at the bar and whiled away an hour chatting to an American woman who’d also run the marathon. Continue reading lost cars, trains and towers

…and on to the finish line.

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18 October 2015

So there I was waiting around like a troll under the bridge near Toronto’s Distillery District wondering if Commando had already gone past and, if not, exactly where he was.  Now I’d stopped moving I was getting cold again and the light wasn’t the best under there the expressway so it was touch and go whether I spotted him at all. Runners came past in dribs and drabs and I squinted at them all. The problem was I didn’t know exactly when he’d crossed the start line or how far I was from the cheer point. The longer I waited to more worried I got. Continue reading …and on to the finish line.

A very chilly start

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18 October 2015

The hotel restaurant had barely opened when we went down for breakfast but, with the marathon starting at eight forty five, far earlier than most, we had to eat early. The only other diners were also runners. Back in the hotel room Commando put on his shorts and Itchen Spitfires running shirt and checked his bum bag one last time. Outside the window a row of blue and yellow portaloos had appeared overnight and I could see the start line a little way up University Avenue. We stood in front of the window, using the view as a backdrop for a pre race photo of each of us and then tried to watch some TV to take our minds off the day ahead. Most of it was about the Blue Jays second loss in the series. I hoped this wasn’t an omen for the race. Continue reading A very chilly start

Pre marathon nerves

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17 October 2015

Filled with Starbucks coffee and cake we retired to our hotel room where Commando checked over his race kit and muttered about being sure he’d never finish in under four hours and not knowing why he’d ever signed up for this in the first place. While he paced and worried I reminded him of all the marathons he’d already run, checked out the race course on my iPad and went over my own plans for the next day.
“You finished your last long training run on target,” I reminded him. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You just have to think positive and do what you trained to do. Whatever happens I’m proud of you.”
All the while we half watched an episode of NCIS that I’m pretty sure we’d already seen at home. The day before a race is always a bit like this, Commando gets nervous and I try to be the voice of reason and pretend I’m not nervous too for different reasons. After a bit Commando said he was going out for a run to loosen up.
“Why don’t you get out and explore?” Continue reading Pre marathon nerves

in which we discover the colour isn’t all on the trees

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17 October 2015

Rather than go out in the freezing cold zero degree air, we decided to start the day wth breakfast in our hotel. It was also a bit of a reconnaissance mission as, with the marathon starting at 8:45, we would probably be having breakfast in house on Sunday morning too, as long as all Commando’s running nutrition requirements could be met. As it happened the coffee and juice were excellent, there was porridge, granola, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, croissants, interesting breads and, of course, the usual eggs, bacon, sausage and hot things. Breakfast in hotels is always a good people watching experience too and we were certainly not left wanting. Continue reading in which we discover the colour isn’t all on the trees

Canadian views

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16 October 2015

Our last evening in Gravenhurst was another wonderful family affair, sharing pizzas, memories and stories with Maggie, Alan, Jen and Marina. Although Katie wasn’t well enough to join us we did get to spend some quality time with her in her little room of happy things. She was in better spirits than she had been the day before, still frail but less tired, and she joked with Commando about doing a trathalon, as she had herself some time ago.
“It’s the swimming that puts me off,” Commando laughed. “I’ve never been a strong swimmer. Maybe one triathlete in the family is enough.” Continue reading Canadian views

Bears and cars, fear and learning in Muskoka

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15 October 2015

Over a coffee Commando told me about his run all around the streets of Gravenhurst and how he’d found a nice place down by the lake and I told him about my hike on the trail and how I’d got lost, found another amazing fungus and been a bit worried about bears.
“There is a bear in the woods,” Commando said, “didn’t you see it?”
“Seriously?!” I gasped.
“Yes, it’s down by the lake,” he smiled, “I’ll show you if you like.”
“You are kidding me, right? It wouldn’t still be there now anyway would it?”
“This one would, come and see,” and he took my hand and led me outside. Continue reading Bears and cars, fear and learning in Muskoka

The Hahne farm trail, rocks, fallen trees and hidden markers

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15 October 2015

We’d had a great evening with Maggie, Alan and Marina, reminiscing until long after dark. Sadly, Katie wasn’t well enough to join us but we did get a few moments to visit with her. She was frail and tired, so we didn’t stay too long but there were hugs and she seemed in remarkably good spirits, surrounded by beautiful things to make her smile. It seems she’s a girl after my own heart in that respect. The sky was filled with stars when we left and Alan explained Gravenhurst is a dark sky area. The street lights here face downwards, not out or up allowing a fantastic starry view. Continue reading The Hahne farm trail, rocks, fallen trees and hidden markers

A family outing, Port Carling, Huckleberry Rock and Bracebridge

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14 October 2015

When we got back to the chalet we found a note from Alan saying he and Maggie would be round to pick us up in about an hour so we made ourselves a coffee and waited. We had both fallen asleep by the time they arrived. Maybe it was the jet lag catching up with us or all the fresh air.
“We thought we’d take you out to see some trails,” Maggie said.
“Not far, just about an hour’s drive there and back,” Alan added.
This was when I realised that not far has a completely different meaning in Canada. In England, not far means a mile down the road, in Canada, if it’s less than an hour’s drive it’s nearby. Suddenly I began to wonder just how long these trails were. Continue reading A family outing, Port Carling, Huckleberry Rock and Bracebridge

Are there bears in these woods?

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14 October 2015

Now we had some breakfast inside us and supplies in the fridge Commando decided to go for a short run leaving me to my own devices. As I was itching to get out and explore the lake I didn’t mind one bit. Beside the row of chalets, some steep wooden steps led down a grass bank, turned to gold by the covering of pine needles, to the lake shore. At the bottom of the bank, below our balcony window, upturned canoes rested on a rough stone wall and some weathered boards. The tall pines turned the ground to a patchwork of light and shade and the air was clean and fresh. Continue reading Are there bears in these woods?