Crossing the line stronger than I started.
Race Day: Sunday, May 4, 2025
After five years, one global lockdown, and a few stubborn injuries, I finally made my official return to racing — not just jogging a bibbed event, but actually racing — at the 2025 Georgina Spring Fling Half Marathon.
To say I didn’t know what to expect would be putting it lightly. My last real race effort was The Chilly Half in March 2020, a lifetime ago in running terms. Back then, I was gearing up for more… until everything shut down. When races returned, I was sidelined by injuries.
This race felt like closure — and a new beginning.
Algorithm vs. Athlete
Heading in, Garmin predicted a 2:05 finish, while Strava guessed closer to 2:20. Honestly? I was hoping to split the difference. My workouts had grown progressively spicier, my heart rate was under control, and I’d been dialed in with strength training and fueling.
But… the truth landed closer to Strava’s estimate. And I’m okay with that. Here’s why:
Best. Training Block. Yet.
Despite faltering near the end of the cycle (fatigue plus calf tension), this was my most disciplined build ever.
I:
- Nailed my fueling
- Trained consistently in heart rate zones
- Kept easy days easy, hard days hard
- Lifted weights
- Cross-trained
- And most importantly — I didn’t quit when I had to pivot.
- I even ran a 2-hour session on the treadmill due to extreme weather!
Race Week: Taper & Trust
| Day | Planned | Execution Summary |
| Mon, Apr 28 | Rest | ✅ Respected it |
| Tue, Apr 29 | Zone 2 + 8x30s pickups | ✅ Executed with control |
| Wed, Apr 30 | Rest | ✅ Chose recovery over obsession |
| Thu, May 1 | 3x1K Tempo | ✅ Hit targets, felt sharp |
| Fri, May 2 | Easy w/ race efforts | ❌ Skipped to protect calf |
| Sat, May 3 | Shakeout | ✅ 1.1K easy — legs felt light |
| Sun, May 4 | Race Day | ✅ Executed with grit |
Race Execution
- Start Time: 7:30 AM
- Conditions: Cool, but warmed fast — glad I had salt chews!
- Fueling: On point. Gel 160s every ~20 mins, water + Gatorade at aid stations
- Pre-race meal: Locked in from our plan.
- Pacing: Opened strong, faded some in the second half, but kept moving.
- Heart rate said I had more. Legs said not today.
- Lesson learned: I need more runner-specific strength and race pace work on tired legs — especially threshold work when I’m not “fresh.”
Salt, Not Stumble
Usually, I’d be dizzy at the end of a race like this. This time?
- No dizziness
- Salt stains on the cap — yes
- Panic about it? Nope
- Recovery time? Faster than ever
Medal Monday Recovery Run (May 5)
For the first time ever, I actually ran the day after a race — and not because someone chased me.
Distance: 2.51 km
Pace: 8:09-7:27/km
Breathing: Easy, effortless
Support team: Essential oils applied to calves pre-run, then physio
Mood: Grateful. Grounded. Gear still in motion.
Takeaways
- Fuel smarter, not just harder
- Listen to your body — especially during taper
- Pop Tarts are dead to me now. Carb-loading first-timer here
- Strength training is not optional
- Threshold work is my next best friend
- Recovery isn’t what you earn — it’s what enables your next move
And to paraphrase Snoop Dogg,
I want to thank me.
I want to thank me for showing up, even on the days I didn’t feel like it.
I want to thank me for sticking to the plan, even when the mirror- and the watch – had doubts.
I want to thank me for fueling right, training smart, and tapering with trust.
I want to thank me for doing the hard things, quietly, consistently, and with purpose.
I want to thank me for never giving up after setbacks, for listening to my body, and for honoring the comeback as much as the finish line.
Because this wasn’t just a Half Marathon.
This was a reminder that I’m still in the race. And I’m still writing the story.