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 Natasha Lemire-Blair of Toronto...
Date: Mon May 27, 2002
Subject: Race Report PWC4 - I finished!
Yesterday I finished my first half marathon not the way I expected to but I am nonetheless thrilled to have crossed that finish line and learn more about the true spirit of penguins. If my guardian penguin, Bruce Kochman, had not stuck by my side, and I had been on my own, I probably would have pulled myself of the course around what I think was the 16 or 17 kilometer when I started to feel light-headed and dizzy. I guess my electrolytes went out of balance... I'm still not clear on this whole over hydration or electrolyte imbalance thing. Seems one set of people say you can drink "too much water" while another set says that "you can never drink too much water" you just have to balance your electrolytes while drinking. Another odd controversy, when I took both my learn to run and 10k clinics we were always told to drink till your urine is clear - that means you are properly hydrated. A few told me over the weekend that clear urine means your electrolytes are out-of-balance. If anyone can point me to some good (accurate) reading on electrolytes and running I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you Bruce for getting me through my first half marathon and across the finish line, as another penguin stated, vertical and with dignity in a time of 3:04:27, which I am proud of given the fact our walk breaks were exceeding the length of runs for the last 5-6kms. In true penguin spirit, you did not let a penguin run alone and kept me smiling (even when I did not want to!) so I could finish "looking" strong. I look forward to the day when I can return the kindness by helping another penguin get through their first race or reach a PR.
Kel, Mau, Tracy (Cross) - thanks for doing all those long (cold and windy) runs with me and your awesome company. Tracy, you rocked yesterday - congratulations and I am looking forward to Becky Buckeye's report! Carlene, thanks for all your advice and wisdom in putting
together my training program.Glenn, great work on organizing such a wonderful conference! The two sessions I attended were very informative and I had fun hosting the Thai ethnic dinner night and getting to know some Penguins over some spicy food. Thanks to all the Toronto Penguins who contributed in so many ways to pull the weekend together and make it so great for everyone that attended!
Kathryn, so sorry we missed your presence. I have to tell you the QCYC was just terrific and that was hands down the best vegetarian lasagna I have EVER had - even the meat-eaters were staring at my plate and drooling ;)
To all the penguins that traveled to the conference, thanks for coming and spending the weekend with us. I was truly glad to have the opportunity to meet you all and look forward to encountering with you again.
John and Karen, it was great to finally meet the people who started the penguin spirit, which kept me from quitting running. If I had not found that column in Runner's World magazine, gone to waddleon.com, discovered the Toronto chapter, I don't think I would be running today.
For those who want to check their results online, see here.
Here's looking forward to another late fall half marathon (without any dizziness) and PWC5!
Tash
PS... I am still trying to figure out why everyone laughs when someone says "What Not"?!?!?
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