For the first time in many weeks, all members of the Toronto Go Girls and the Gentlemen's Auxiliary were present at our Saturday morning run. We also welcomed Janice, a newcomer, to our group run. And so we hit the streets of Toronto in full force for a lovely fall run along Rosedale Valley Road (hereinafter known as "Death Valley") and then up through Cabbagetown and back to our Timothy's for coffee.
The Go Girls are pleased to announce that they will soon be adding a new dimension to the group's training regime: shinny hockey! T is already an avid hockey player and Olga plans to join the ranks of hockey-playing runners very soon. We were delighted to learn that Janice also skates and can likely be convinced to join T and Olga out on the ice. Yes, the Go Girls will soon have their very own "Punch Line". We now need a few more players: four, to be exact so that we can have five skaters plus a goalie and one sub. As luck would have it, we have four more runners: Joanne, Mariana, Carol, and Nana. It seems that we have a ready-made hockey team.
Of course, there are some obstacles to overcome in forming the Go Girls Toronto Hockey Team (hereinafter the "Riff Rats"). For example, at least one of our players does not really know how to skate, although she assures us that she is "familiar with the concept and understands the principle of skating". The Leafs seem to exhibit a similar approach to hockey (i.e., the Leafs are familiar with the concept and understand the principles) and they play in the NHL. So surely this lack of practical training in skating will not be a barrier for the Riff Rats.
Another player insists that she only figure skates since she is a "lady". However, I believe that we can overcome her aversion to playing hockey if we print "Lady J" on her hockey jersey and if we treat her like a diva. For example, she should only have red and blue M&Ms in her dressing room and her hockey water bottle should be filled with Evian, not tap water. I am confident that if we give her a hockey stick and some real skates, she will be crushing people in the corners in no time.
Our Southern Belle objects to playing hockey on cultural grounds. This is easily resolved. We only need to advise our Belle that we will rat her out for un-Canadian behaviour and have her deported if she does not play with us. I think it will also help if we tell her that she won't actually have to skate too much. Maybe she can play goalie. (Isn't it a tradition to put the people who don't know any better or who show up last in net if a team doesn't have a goalie?)
As for the last member of our squad, Carol, I believe the biggest concern may be springing her from work. Again, I have a plan. We simply send in the goon squad, aka the Punch Line, aka the Janice-Olga-T line to rescue Carol from her office. Then we use her Blackberry as the puck for the first period. Problem solved.
Alain, our token male, can serve as the coach/bench door opener/water boy/skate tie-guy. Et voila! A ready-made shinny hockey team. Look out, Toronto Maple Leafs! The Go Girls Riff Rats are here and I think we can beat you (as can every other granny hockey team out there)!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Best in Running
Runners World has published its list of "The Best in Running". Here are some of the highlights:
- Best invention or trend in racing: Disposable timing chips.
- Coolest runner: Pre
- Most inspiring runner: Terry Fox
- Best training secret: Value rest.
- Must-have item for every race: Body Glide.
- Best performance by an Underdog: Billy Mills.
- Ideal Runners Food: Bananas (I include this item under duress; Mariana insisted that I highlight this reference.)
- Most Important Female Pioneer: Katherine Switzer.
- Best Postrun Food: Chocolate Milk.
- Best time of the day to run: Early Morning.
- Best workout to wind up puking: Mile repeats.
- Best thing about runners' bodies: Legs.
- Best trend in running: The run-walk approach, opening the door to running for many of us.
- Coolest runner: Olga K.
- Most inspiring runner: Terry Fox.
- Best training secret: The power of the group.
- Must have item for every race: post-race lunch or dinner plans, preferably with a reservation.
- Best performance by an underdog: each of us, in every race we have ever run.
- Ideal runners food: Bagels (especially if Bagel Boy is working) or bananas (I include "bananas" under duress; see above).
- Most Important Female Pioneer: Jean Marmoreo.
- Best PostRun Food: Timothy's Coffee or Beer.
- Best time of the day to run: Any time we can fit it into our schedules.
- Best workout to wind up puking: We're flexible on this one, but running with beer in one's tummy is never a good idea. Mile repeats can do the trick, as well.
- Best thing about runners' bodies: our hearts...they're still ticking and we feel great!
- Worst eye sight and worst ability to provide a description to the police: Joanne
- Worst tolerance of cold and all things winter: Mariana
- Worst jokes: T
- Worst excuse for missing a run: "I had to write an exam" (Nana). Priorities, woman!!
- Worst language: WTF?! Clearly, it's Olga. (Pay-back for calling T's bruises "pussy bruises" and "pigeon droppings")
- Worst job: a tough call, but this honour goes to Carol, who coordinates exams for a living.
- Person who keeps the worst company: Obviously, Alain. He is a gentleman among wild women. We salute you, sir!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The International Run-Down
The Go Girls Saturday morning run on November 7 was truly an international affair. In addition to the usual Canadian suspects, the Go Girls were joined by Luciana (the representative from Brazil) and Arthur (the representative from France). It bears remembering that Nana, our Southern Belle, is an American. It was not long before the two Canadians in the group (Olga and Theresa) began to feel out-numbered.
When one considers that Olga is from the ROC (Rest of Canada, i.e., not Toronto), the Go Girls were left with one lone Upper Canadian: Theresa. However, as Nana noted, "But, Theresa, you're not even a real Upper Canadian. You're an immigrant."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Theresa replied, as her wooden shoes clattered down the street. "Just because my parents are fresh-off-the-boat and my family wears wooden shoes and we have all those white lace curtains and eat herring and...oh, screw it. I'm an immigrant."
Ironically, now that the Go Girls has encompassed a handful of Canadian-born runners, an immigrant or two, an American, a few Brazilians, and a Frenchman, the Go Girls Running Club is more Canadian than ever. We're all about the diversity, eh. It's the Canadian mosaic, ya hoser. Put on yer toque and hit the roads, ya Crazy Canucks.
When one considers that Olga is from the ROC (Rest of Canada, i.e., not Toronto), the Go Girls were left with one lone Upper Canadian: Theresa. However, as Nana noted, "But, Theresa, you're not even a real Upper Canadian. You're an immigrant."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Theresa replied, as her wooden shoes clattered down the street. "Just because my parents are fresh-off-the-boat and my family wears wooden shoes and we have all those white lace curtains and eat herring and...oh, screw it. I'm an immigrant."
Ironically, now that the Go Girls has encompassed a handful of Canadian-born runners, an immigrant or two, an American, a few Brazilians, and a Frenchman, the Go Girls Running Club is more Canadian than ever. We're all about the diversity, eh. It's the Canadian mosaic, ya hoser. Put on yer toque and hit the roads, ya Crazy Canucks.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Opera, Arts, and Ice Cream
The Toronto Go Girls demonstrated this past week that they are not just a bunch of uncultured road jocks. This week, the Go Girls showed that they are endurance athletes in the truest sense of the word: on the road, at the office, and at the opera.
On Tuesday, the majority of the Go Girls attended Opera Atelier's performance of Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride (1779). This opera had a background story (you know that the opera is serious when there is a background story): father sacrifices daughter to rescue sister-in-law; mother is highly annoyed at this aggressive form of parenting and kills father; son must avenge father and so kills mother; son goes crazy with guilt; daughter, unbeknownst to all, is rescued and sent to an island where the gods dictate that she must kill every stranger who washes up on shore; and son sets out on an unfortunate voyage that results in him and his best bosom buddy washing up on the shore of his sister's death island.
The opera itself focused on the terrible premonitions that apparently everybody was having on this island, the daughter's duty to kill the strangers who are really her brother and his friend, and the bonds of friendship between the brother and his friend, who are both willing to die for each other. Of course, since no opera would be complete without some form of mistaken or secret identity, the daughter and son do not learn that they are related until it is almost too late. In short, there were many heavy ruminations on fate and the gods, discourses about guilt and cursed lives, and pledges of love and loyalty, in addition to much cleaving and heaving, dancing and prancing, and so forth.
The music was spectacular and the costumes lovely (though at times, a bit revealing). The dancing was amazing and wonderfully choreographed. In sum, Opera Atelier put on a wonderful production. However, to be truthful, there was a lot of death, heaving, and sighing to endure for a Tuesday night. Tuesdays are, as Miedema commented, "the best TV night of the week". It was occasionally challenging to sit still to watch nymph like dancers tormenting the brother, as he sang of his madness and his guilt. But the Go Girls are endurance athletes and endure they did. In the end, the runners did appreciate the artistry of the production. As Carol noted, the dancing was perfectly timed and all could agree that the music was outstanding. Alain and Carol were able to speak intelligently about the opera in the context of the period in which it was written. Miedema was able to speak appreciatively about the ice cream that she and Carol had during intermission. Well, we each bring a different strength to the table.
The Go Girls also had the opportunity to meet the lovely ladies with whom Olga recently vacationed. These ladies assured us that Olga acted with the utmost decorum while vacationing abroad. "Like a nun," they told us, "Olga was like a nun." We are not sure that the ladies had the right Olga, but we will have to trust that the three rather mischievous looking ladies did in fact conduct themselves with conduct akin to nuns.
As a final note, the Go Girls missed having Joanne and Mariana with them at the opera. However, Joanne and Mariana have assured us that they already have enough culture (or at least more than the rest of us) and therefore can afford to miss one artistic event. I suspect that both Joanne and Mariana were at home watching a special edition of Monsterpiece Theatre, but I cannot confirm this information at the present time.
On Tuesday, the majority of the Go Girls attended Opera Atelier's performance of Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride (1779). This opera had a background story (you know that the opera is serious when there is a background story): father sacrifices daughter to rescue sister-in-law; mother is highly annoyed at this aggressive form of parenting and kills father; son must avenge father and so kills mother; son goes crazy with guilt; daughter, unbeknownst to all, is rescued and sent to an island where the gods dictate that she must kill every stranger who washes up on shore; and son sets out on an unfortunate voyage that results in him and his best bosom buddy washing up on the shore of his sister's death island.
The opera itself focused on the terrible premonitions that apparently everybody was having on this island, the daughter's duty to kill the strangers who are really her brother and his friend, and the bonds of friendship between the brother and his friend, who are both willing to die for each other. Of course, since no opera would be complete without some form of mistaken or secret identity, the daughter and son do not learn that they are related until it is almost too late. In short, there were many heavy ruminations on fate and the gods, discourses about guilt and cursed lives, and pledges of love and loyalty, in addition to much cleaving and heaving, dancing and prancing, and so forth.
The music was spectacular and the costumes lovely (though at times, a bit revealing). The dancing was amazing and wonderfully choreographed. In sum, Opera Atelier put on a wonderful production. However, to be truthful, there was a lot of death, heaving, and sighing to endure for a Tuesday night. Tuesdays are, as Miedema commented, "the best TV night of the week". It was occasionally challenging to sit still to watch nymph like dancers tormenting the brother, as he sang of his madness and his guilt. But the Go Girls are endurance athletes and endure they did. In the end, the runners did appreciate the artistry of the production. As Carol noted, the dancing was perfectly timed and all could agree that the music was outstanding. Alain and Carol were able to speak intelligently about the opera in the context of the period in which it was written. Miedema was able to speak appreciatively about the ice cream that she and Carol had during intermission. Well, we each bring a different strength to the table.
The Go Girls also had the opportunity to meet the lovely ladies with whom Olga recently vacationed. These ladies assured us that Olga acted with the utmost decorum while vacationing abroad. "Like a nun," they told us, "Olga was like a nun." We are not sure that the ladies had the right Olga, but we will have to trust that the three rather mischievous looking ladies did in fact conduct themselves with conduct akin to nuns.
As a final note, the Go Girls missed having Joanne and Mariana with them at the opera. However, Joanne and Mariana have assured us that they already have enough culture (or at least more than the rest of us) and therefore can afford to miss one artistic event. I suspect that both Joanne and Mariana were at home watching a special edition of Monsterpiece Theatre, but I cannot confirm this information at the present time.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Go Girls Goes Global
The Toronto Go Girls has officially expanded its reach internationally. Member Mariana packed her running shoes with her on her recent trip to Brazil. While visiting Rio de Janeiro, Mariana took time out of her very intense coffee-drinking schedule to log a 7.5K run at Lagoa. Lagoa is a lagoon located in the Zona Sul (South Zone) of Rio. The lagoon is connected to the Atlantic by a canal which is bordered by the Garden of Alah park. The canoeing and rowing events at the 2016 Olympics in Rio will be held at Lagoa. While there is speculation that Mariana was scouting this location for the Canadian Olympic team, Mariana was not available to confirm this story.
The impact of the Go Girls' first international foray was felt almost immediately. Various Rio running clubs commented that they were honoured by the presence of this growing Canadian running club. Some clubs, however, noted that it would have been nice if the Go Girls had sent along a true Canadian representative to accompany Mariana, who is, of course, a Brazilian national. This sentiment was apparently shared by the Canadian members of the Go Girls, who were left behind to shiver in Toronto while Mariana runs in Brazil. "She didn't even know that we make ice rinks inside all year round," one member complained. "Plus, it sounds unnatural to say 'hoser' and 'toque' with a Portuguese accent. I'm not saying Mariana should not have been our official representative to Brazil. I just think that someone should have accompanied her."
Perhaps future diplomatic missions to Brazil involving the Toronto Go Girls will involve more members than just our token Brazilian runner. For now, however, Mariana is doing a fine job representing the Go Girls on the roads in Brazil (and in the coffee shops, too). We salute you, Mariana, for representing our Canadian running club in your native Brazil. We also wonder: is it finally warm enough for you to take off those running gloves?!
The impact of the Go Girls' first international foray was felt almost immediately. Various Rio running clubs commented that they were honoured by the presence of this growing Canadian running club. Some clubs, however, noted that it would have been nice if the Go Girls had sent along a true Canadian representative to accompany Mariana, who is, of course, a Brazilian national. This sentiment was apparently shared by the Canadian members of the Go Girls, who were left behind to shiver in Toronto while Mariana runs in Brazil. "She didn't even know that we make ice rinks inside all year round," one member complained. "Plus, it sounds unnatural to say 'hoser' and 'toque' with a Portuguese accent. I'm not saying Mariana should not have been our official representative to Brazil. I just think that someone should have accompanied her."
Perhaps future diplomatic missions to Brazil involving the Toronto Go Girls will involve more members than just our token Brazilian runner. For now, however, Mariana is doing a fine job representing the Go Girls on the roads in Brazil (and in the coffee shops, too). We salute you, Mariana, for representing our Canadian running club in your native Brazil. We also wonder: is it finally warm enough for you to take off those running gloves?!
New York, New York
New York, New York: if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, at least according to Frank Sinatra. It's a reasonable assumption, at least in terms of the NYC Marathon. The NYC Marathon course is challenging. You run NYC to run NYC, not to set PRs. Then again, tell that to this year's winners.
This year's NYC Marathon had its own set of happy endings. Meb Keflezighi won this year's NYC Marathon, becoming the first American since 1982 to win this event. The win was particularly emotional for Keflezighi; two years ago, he feared that an injury would end his career. Moreover, two years ago, his friend, Ryan Shay, died whilst running the NYC Marathon. His victory was not only a personal comeback, but he also notched a personal best (2:09:15). Keflezighi made his break at mile 23 and beat second-place Robert Cheruiyot to the finish by 41 seconds. Ryan Hall, the other great hope for American runners, finished fourth.
In the women's event, Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia took the victory, beating Paula Radcliffe, the two-time defending champion in New York. Radcliffe, struggling with an injury, finished in fourth place. Tulu only decided to race in New York in September, after she ran a solid half-marathon in Philadelphia. She completed the course in 2:28:52. At age 37, Tulu is the oldest woman to win NYC since 42 year-old Priscilla Welch won the event in 1987. Interestingly, the second place finisher, Ludmila Petrova, is 41. Apparently, 2009 was a good year for "women of a certain age" racing in NYC.
As for our friend and mentor, Dr. Jean Marmoreo, Jean had an outstanding race. She completed the course in 3:49:33 notwithstanding a 14mph headwind that slowed runners down and the inherent challenges of the rather hilly NYC course. Jean finished third in her age group. Congratulations, Jean! As always, we are proud of you!
For a full race report, see the article by Fanhouse Newswire, "American Meb Keflezighi Wins Emotional NYC Marathon".
This year's NYC Marathon had its own set of happy endings. Meb Keflezighi won this year's NYC Marathon, becoming the first American since 1982 to win this event. The win was particularly emotional for Keflezighi; two years ago, he feared that an injury would end his career. Moreover, two years ago, his friend, Ryan Shay, died whilst running the NYC Marathon. His victory was not only a personal comeback, but he also notched a personal best (2:09:15). Keflezighi made his break at mile 23 and beat second-place Robert Cheruiyot to the finish by 41 seconds. Ryan Hall, the other great hope for American runners, finished fourth.
In the women's event, Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia took the victory, beating Paula Radcliffe, the two-time defending champion in New York. Radcliffe, struggling with an injury, finished in fourth place. Tulu only decided to race in New York in September, after she ran a solid half-marathon in Philadelphia. She completed the course in 2:28:52. At age 37, Tulu is the oldest woman to win NYC since 42 year-old Priscilla Welch won the event in 1987. Interestingly, the second place finisher, Ludmila Petrova, is 41. Apparently, 2009 was a good year for "women of a certain age" racing in NYC.
As for our friend and mentor, Dr. Jean Marmoreo, Jean had an outstanding race. She completed the course in 3:49:33 notwithstanding a 14mph headwind that slowed runners down and the inherent challenges of the rather hilly NYC course. Jean finished third in her age group. Congratulations, Jean! As always, we are proud of you!
For a full race report, see the article by Fanhouse Newswire, "American Meb Keflezighi Wins Emotional NYC Marathon".
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Wittenberg weighs in on the "plodders" debate
Mary Wittenberg, CEO and President of the New York Road Runners (NYRR), has weighed in on the continuing debate about the role of the "plodders" in the marathon. Her response is excellent and captures what I believe is the heart of the marathon: a distance that humbles you; a distance that requires focus, dedication, and perseverance; and a distance that, when conquered by you, empowers you.
You can read her full comment by following this link: "Wittenberg: Plodder debate misses the point". Here are a few excerpts from Wittenberg's response that are particularly compelling:
"To us, it’s about conquering the distance and conquering self doubt. The marathon is about dreaming to achieve and putting in all the work to make that dream reality. That quest, and the runner's ultimate success, routinely changes people’s lives in rich and meaningful ways. Our runners, no matter the pace, typically overcome all kinds of hurdles and challenges to reaching the marathon finish line. It is that ability to persevere that translates to other parts of their lives. Making them stronger and better for the pursuit – well beyond improved physical fitness."
"A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow. It’s all in conquering the challenge. Ask any marathoner you meet in NYC on Monday, November 2."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Thanks, Mary Wittenberg, for expressing so eloquently what many of us not-so-swift runners feel.
Now, who wants to go for a run?
You can read her full comment by following this link: "Wittenberg: Plodder debate misses the point". Here are a few excerpts from Wittenberg's response that are particularly compelling:
"To us, it’s about conquering the distance and conquering self doubt. The marathon is about dreaming to achieve and putting in all the work to make that dream reality. That quest, and the runner's ultimate success, routinely changes people’s lives in rich and meaningful ways. Our runners, no matter the pace, typically overcome all kinds of hurdles and challenges to reaching the marathon finish line. It is that ability to persevere that translates to other parts of their lives. Making them stronger and better for the pursuit – well beyond improved physical fitness."
"A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow. It’s all in conquering the challenge. Ask any marathoner you meet in NYC on Monday, November 2."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Thanks, Mary Wittenberg, for expressing so eloquently what many of us not-so-swift runners feel.
Now, who wants to go for a run?
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