I have never had a race where I enjoyed every minute of it, but today was that day. I caught up to another running friend from our group and she and I kept each other on pace the entire time. Running through the heart of a city you’ve spent so many years in was really incredible. So many familiar sights from a new unique vantage point. We managed a 6:19 pace with a 2:16 finish time, 21 minutes faster than the time I posted back in Feb! And I think its largely down to this great Saturday Ninja running group. My running mate and I paced ourselves well, got over the big hill and then it was flat and towards the end became a fast and furious downhill all the way to the finish. Even had a sprint at the end. So much fun and the legs are not screaming. AND there was a cold beer at the end. The temp was perfect during the run. A little overcast but very pleasant with a nice breeze. But by the lake at the finish, it really dropped and got windy, so I was very thankful my wife had brought me some extra layers. I will remember this one for a long time.
Toronto Half Marathon done! - Fun Beyond 10K & ...
Toronto Half Marathon done!
Top end, man, top end, congratulations - and you did it one minute faster than me, a blast!!!
Thought of you this morning during my 'advance' training to my next half marathon (and yes, I had Floyd in the cans), and knew you would smash it.
I am genuinely hoping that you are somewhere getting refreshed, you've earned it!
Fantastic result Decker! That sounds lots of fun and I love a good sprint finish,excellent 😊🏃🏃🏃🏃✔
Thanks Ali, yeah it was everything I was hoping for. Things just came together😊.
Yes!!!! Well done Decker! Great pace, great pics, great race!!!! A well earned beer and a super supper tonight with your super supportive other half letting you run a HM on your anniversary. She’s a keeper 😁
Thanks Sask. 😊Yes indeed, she is a keeper. When I mentioned it was on the same day she did not hesitate before saying ‘go for it’
Anniversary run - must be love. My first HM is on fathers day. My 80-year old Dad thinks it is all a commercial rip off so I am ok to go!
Haha yes. My Dad is 90 and I can tell he thinks I am a little off my rocker with all the running business 😁
Huge congratulations....on the run and your anniversary
What a brilliant run and as you say, one to remember... You have come a long way, my friend
Congratulations. Brilliant when it all comes together. Nice bling. Happy Anniversary to you and Mrs Decker. The planned celebration sound delicious.
Great work sir! Having a running mate to keep you company is great, a real motivator and spirit lifter. Excellent time too 👍👏👏
Well done😃👍🏃♂️🏅. Your race sounds wonderful, especially with the ideal conditions. Brill finish time too
Cold beer and a steak dinner afterwards to round off a perfect day 😃
Rest up today 🙂
Thanks MW. It just came together. I was really quite thankful, as there are so many factors that can rise to create problems in a big race like this. The dinner was first rate too, but we were seated on the second floor which my legs were not loving, but I cannot complain 😁
That sounds like a great run Decker ! Congratulations! And nice to run it with your friend too. Well done!
Thank you! Yes with so many people there, it was nice to bump into someone I knew. Made it all much easier.
Well done - great time and wonderful that you enjoyed every minute!!🏃🏻🙂
Now the bigger question arrives the morning after. Can we do the Big One? The Long One? What do the tendons say? Does the brain agree? 
I'm sure you've got the answers, we both know how we got to this point. I will drill HMs this year and into the next one and see how the body responds. My biggest problem is point 3 of my list of resolutions - ''Thou Shalt Not Walk'', by far my toughest one. ''Thou Shalt Wear Nothing in ZeroC'' pales in comparison.
I can't see myself running the whole distance at the moment and it's running or nothing for me. My book of resolutions like, the Ten Commandments, cannot by edited easily.
Hope you have a more pragmatic and sensible approach!
Haha, I’m a bit more easygoing these days. Just taking things as they come. I’ve signed up for a 10k trail run in June, maybe try a local trail clinic. They seem fun. At the moment I have no overwhelming interest in the full mara, but you never know about next year
This is fabulous - jolly well done!!!!! Glad to hear you had so much fun I love it!
Another one to add to the list
Fantastic run Decker, well done! Glad it all came together on the day and you had a great time. Fantastic time and well deserved medal !
Thanks RFD! What were we worried about? 😊 It was so much better and easier than I had built up in my head.
My hm was horrendous in my head and I was a cat on a hot tin roof for a few days before but it was so much better in reality despite the heat! Maybe another one in the future?
Our heads play games with us. Yes most definitely another one. I am thinking HM is the ideal distance for me right now. I am thinking about the waterfront race in October maybe.
That sounds like a nice event, October weather hopefully not too bad. I am looking at great south run which oddly is 10 miles rather than hm like all the other great series. Or there is another hm about that time of year.....decisions! I am hoping to keep running 8-10 miles for my long runs if I can to maintain fitness.
GSR sounds good. Looks like there will be some elite runners there. That would be a nice distance to run. I have a short trail race in June too so I may look into a trail run clinic offered nearby, but it conflicts with my Saturday run group. Yes, decisions!
Sounds like an amazing day, and one to savor. We don't often get races that feel as good as yours yesterday.
I do appreciate that fact C3. It was one to remember. Another big factor that I did not mention was the fact that ten thousand of us took our streets back from the cloud that hung over us in the wake of the senseless attack a couple of weeks ago. It was really heartening to see so many participants and supporters out in the same place. The organizers and police were first class all the way through.
Sounds perfect! Well done, Decker . I'm glad it was such a good experience, and I also hope you had a wonderful wedding anniversary
Thanks Helene, yes things really came together for the race and we had a lovely family evening out as well for our anniversary, so it was a good day all round.
Hey Decker! Congratulations and congratulations!
Brilliant 😀
Absolutely fantastic! Many, many congratulations I was thinking of you on Sunday. It was very warm in Ottawa at 27C and I was hoping it was slightly cooler over in Toronto. I kept wondering how you were doing and imagining you heading for that victory line What a great race, and what a brilliant time! You are a star
Thanks Annie. I was thinking about you as well. I think you would have really enjoyed this race. Ottawa gets some big temp shifts I’ve heard, so it can be a bit disconcerting. The weather here was perfect for running, especially the bits through the wooded areas. It was very fun. Now I am thinking about the Scotiabank Waterfront marathon in October which is huge. 😊
Go you! Keep it ticking over through the summer, increasing the distance and you will be perfect for the big one in October!
Haha I am only thinking about the half this year. 😁
Ohhh... well... you could 
You have more confidence than I do Annie :).
Congrats! Sounds like it was a perfect day.
Sounds a great run. Having a running buddy you can pace with makes a world of difference. Well done on a great time, too.
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