Penguin World Conference IV
Toronto, Canada
May 24 to 27, 2002The first international Penguin encounter and the first encounter outside of the United States
PWC IV Report from Debra Meier of Buffalo, N.Y...
Date: Mon May 27, 2002
Subject: PWC4 yet another report
Hi everybody, I can't even begin to express what this past weekend meant to me; the unconditional acceptance, support, and friendship of the people I met was amazing.
Shari and I drove up Friday afternoon, through some appalling traffic. It did appear that half the USA had decided that they HAD to go to Canada that day. Four hours later (in what is usually a two hour drive), we parked at the Courtyard Marriot, just in time for the Opening Ceremonies. Then on to the ethnic dinner; by the way, are Richard and I the only ones who liked the red bean sorbet (the stuff with snow)? This is reminiscent of the chicken feet episode.
The workshops were excellent! Ken, I really enjoyed listening to your talk on Marathon Training. Also, after hearing John B's abbreviated Flight School chat, I am now motivated to someday make it to one of his running camps. These workshops were a great chance to hear different perspectives on running, as well as chat over water, Starbucks coffee and Krispy Kremes. I even found that I had a "twin." Bryan and I wore the same race shirt, from Hamilton's Around the Bay 30k, so we decided that we had to be twins who were separated at the race start.
Shari got to watch me arrange and rearrange my race gear for the next morning. Hey, everybody has to have a hobby to occupy them the evening before a marathon. Luckily, the Leaf fans were happy to keep us awake, so there was plenty of time to get things ready.
In spite of not reaching my race time goal for this run, it was a triumph for me in other respects. First and foremost, it was just plain fun! I started out running at the start with Bryan for a half mile or so, and finished up the last half of the run pacing with Todd. All along the way, I ran and chatted with some great people.
It was such a thrill to be welcomed by the Penguins at the last (but BEST) water station. You folks rocked!!! I crossed the finish line with a chip time of 5:53:48 for the full marathon, keeping my HR at 75 to 80 percent for the first 24 miles, and above 80 percent for the last 2.2 miles. You don't have to PR for an event to be a personal victory. Some of the hardest victories are hard to see, especially when one is close to them. This was the best that I could have run on that given day, and for that, I am happy. Even better that that feeling was being welcomed by friends as I crossed the finish line. Nothing can possibly compare to that.
It was very clear from the beginning that this was to be a weekend gathering of comrades, people who are bonded by more than a common joy of the sport. This warm, golden thread ran throughout every activity, from the ethnic meal on Friday night to the goodbye breakfast on Monday morning.
Toronto Penguins, kudos to you for your efforts in making this such a successful weekend. You are the best! Thanks also to everyone who attended and made each and every one of us feel like "birds of a feather." Now I'll know that I'm not alone, even if I'm on my own at the track.
Flipper hugs to all,
Deb
Click here to return to PWC IV Reports Index
Home About Us Calendar T.O. FAQ Photos Links PWC4 Page last updated: Oct 1/02
