July challenge...my story

[Decker]

My running/ fitness experience is fairly new but here goes...

Q: Please attach a picture, doesn't have to be of you if you don't want - but tell us here: what is the picture about?

A: The pic is me during the Toronto HM (sorry about the watermark), probably the high point so far for me, all things considered.

Q: Tell us a little bit about you!

A: My name is Roger and I am a self-employed graphic designer living in Ontario, Canada. I’ve been married for just over 18 years and have two children aged 11 and 14.

Q: How long have you been a runner?

A: I started last year right about this time. Never really did much before that. Since last year I’ve done a couple of 5k runs, a couple of 10k runs and the Toronto HM. I also joined a weekly long run group called the North York Run Ninjas :).

Q: Did you start running with a C25K programme? Why or why not?

A: I started only with the C25k app on my own and upon completion I was poking around Google and stumbled upon this lovely group and have been hooked ever since.

Q: But what made you want to start running races?

A: Inspiration from some of the stories here and I have a friend who is a triathlete that provided additional motivation. Mostly though, I turned 50 this year and knew I needed a plan to get fit based on my family’s heart and stroke history. Suddenly things felt like they needed to get done. Poor man’s mid-life crisis maybe too

Q: What's it like to run in your area?

A: It’s nice, nothing fancy. Most runs are through a cemetery (I know) or down the hydro corridor (exciting, right?!) But the run group I joined travels across the city so I’ve gotten a lot out of that.

Q: What is your favourite race event so far? And why?

A: Definitely the Toronto HM. It was the culmination of all the work done this year and it fell together really nicely on the day. Plus I ran into and then ran with a friend from the Sat run group which made it more enjoyable.

Q: What are your favourite mid-race snack, and post-race meal?

A: For the HM, someone gave me a maple gel, just maple syrup and sea salt...soo good. But normally I don’t snack while running any more. I just bring some water for anything over 10k. Cliff nut butter bars too sometimes afterwards. After a long run I enjoy a good burger or steak and maybe a cold beer

Q: Name a favourite running website (plus link, please!):

A: its not really a running site but I look up most of my local races from this site: runguides.com/toronto/runs. Plus of course Healthunlocked

Q: What's next for you, running-wise?

A: I am currently working towards another HM in October, the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

That looks like a great website!

I am definitely going to try out those maple syrup gels, they sound pretty perfect.

Thank you Decker, a wonderful post - and a very chilled out pose in that photo, I love it How cool to run into someone during the HM like that!

Hope you don't mind if I link this and the challenge post together?

Challenge post is here:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi, reading your story was awesome too! Sure, link away...

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Fabulous and so good to read about your journey.... you’ve come so far!!! Blimey I bet that cemetery is a bit spooky in the dark? Love the pic too 😎

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks Ju-ju. Your story was an amazing read too. Can’t imagine a 1000 day streak! Wow! Haha I run in the mornings so there is usually enough light but it’s been quite foggy on a few occasions, upping the spook factor.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Decker]

Blimey I’d be terrified and start seeing zombies or something coming for me!!!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Haha! No its actually quite relaxing most of the time

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

I love running in fog

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

We got some fab warm fog on Jersey. It was like a film set. I have a photo of a graveyard there when it was coming down Not spooky at all

I run through a graveyard quite regularly which is spooky, especially in the gothic bit. In the daytime it’s fine but at dusk 😬. Good though as it makes me titter and get a move on

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I do find myself nodding my head to certain names on certain stones as I run by them almost like we are saying hello. That might be a little strange 😬🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Decker]

I find them fascinating places I always go to the graveyard when I visit a new place, to get an essence of what the place is about.

I found the grave of my uncle last year over in Holland I had said for years i’d visit it 🙂

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Well I’m happy I’m not the only one that runs through them on a regular basis 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Yes it’s very surreal. I like it too

[Hidden]

Lovely to read your story Decker, you have achieved so much that I think running suits you. Here's to more hm in the bag!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you RFD!

[misswobble Marathon]

It’s great to read about running in other countries

Good luck with your upcoming half 👍😃🏃‍♂️

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Of course, your list of favourite routes can be extended a bit.!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

Usually it’s down to how much time I have available so I tend to fall into patterns for routes. That is why I like the Saturday group runs, as I know I’m probably going to see a new part of the city. Missed yesterday’s run due to dealing with a broken hot water heater, but I did get out for a longer run on my own in the morn.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

What as troy my friend.. you truly have come a very, very long way... Wow!!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Hi Floss! Thank you. It doesn’t feel very far on some days, but it is a long way from the couch where I started

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Decker]

One heck of a long way... and you have taken us with you, with some super photographs!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Wow Decker you've done loads in one year! Brilliant acheivement! So interesting finding out about everyone with this feature! 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali. You and many others here have been a great inspiration throughout the year!

[Mummycav]

You’re brilliant Decker & have been such an inspiration to me....

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Mummycav]

Aw, thank you.

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

The North York Run Ninjas 😆 I love that. I hope you have appropriate uniforms and that you stealthily and silently move around in a pack, selecting your next unfortunate target.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sqkr]

😆 they don’t have the full black uniforms as it tends to overheat in the sun, but they do have some fetching Ninja tee shirts I’d like to get my hands on. There is an awful lot of neon in the group too, so we may need to work on the stealth bit too.

[Hidden]

That's quite a journey, cemetery and all I really like the sound of the salted maple gel. I use maple syrup as a substitute for honey as I'm vegan, and i love the taste.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick. Yes the gel really made a difference. Great taste too!