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 Todd E. Byers of Long Beach, Calif...
Date: Tues Jun 4, 2002
Subject: Waddling in Toronto
Over the Memorial Day weekend, I attended the Penguin World Conference IV (PWCIV) in Toronto, Canada. As part of the conference activities, the nearby Burlington Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K were chosen as the running events for that Sunday for those attendees who wanted to get in a little competition as well. The Penguin Brigade was started by Dead Runners Society member John Bingham in 1996 as a virtual running club with 18 members trading e-mails regarding training for the Marine Corps Marathon. Since then, the entire “Penguin Phenomenon” has flourished, John has written two books on running (The Courage to Start and the recently-released No Need for Speed) and is now a national motivational lecturer as well as a columnist for Runners World. Many AREC members met John and his wife Karen when they visited Long Beach and ran with us last year while they were on their 2001 United States tour.
A main premise of the Penguin Brigade is that anyone can run or walk toward a chosen goal if they so choose. Speed is not always the primary focus, but an emphasis on determination, commitment, and safety is ever-present. Currently there are several thousand Penguins around the world sharing the joy of injury-free running and walking without the all-absorbing need for speed.
With this fourth gathering of about 80 like-minded “flock” in Toronto, this conference was the first truly international Penguin gathering.
Glenn Gabriel and many Toronto Penguins made all of the arrangements for the weekend activities which started on Friday evening with the Opening Celebrations. John and Karen were introduced for those who did not already know them and friends old and new had the chance to socialize. I was reunited with people from my Antarctica trip last year which is where I first became involved with the Penguin Brigade. Afterward some of us went to a great Ethiopian dinner with our international friends.
Saturday began early with a nice touring run around Toronto led by local Penguins. John, Karen, and Washington D.C. area Penguin Ken Myers then conducted entertaining and informative lecture sessions on a variety of training subjects. The afternoon brought a Blue Jays - Indians baseball game -– we lost! Interestingly, with the Stanley Cup playoffs in progress, there were more jerseys in the crowd supporting the Maple Leafs than there were Blue Jays!! With the Marathon the next day, that evening we had a traditional pre-run carbo load dinner at the nice Italian restaurant Joe Badali's.
Sunday was an early call for the 45 minute coach ride to Burlington, Ontario. I felt like an elite athlete as I stepped off our own hired coach near the staging area. Since I was there as part of the Penguin Conference I had decided to run with some of my fellow winged wonders so Penguin Tonya Fischer led me through 19km before calling it a day then Deb Meier and I helped one another the rest of the way on in. No matter how many times I attempt that distance, I always glean something and was glad to be taught by Tonya's courage how to make the wise decision to not continue when it is not a good day on the road.
One realization I had during the day: After about 135 completions at that distance I still wonder "Why do we run that far to just end up where we started?!". The Penguin aid station at 39K was awesome and even won the Best Water Station award.
Another interesting thing about this marathon was that because of the pacing we had been following, I found myself as the VERY LAST runner on the course!! Toward the end Deb picked it up and I was running in with a first-time marathoner I had met early in the race. A course volunteer said she thought I was trying to be last, but I was actually participating with the people I wanted to be around. Janet finished just ahead of me hence was not last in her first marathon and an 81-year-old man had been waiting on the corner as we passed and crossed just after me. I finished in the perfect spot – behind a first-time finisher and ahead of one of the oldest participants who was welcomed with the pomp and circumstance befitting the final one in. So a last place marathon finish for me will have to wait for another day! Of special note – every finisher was done in under six hours. International marathon events certainly do not cater to the slower runners like they do in the United States!!
The PWCIV celebration banquet held at the Queen City Yacht Club was amazing. Many accolades, recognition of Boston qualifiers and race award winners, and draw prizes were awarded including a beautiful Penguin-oriented quilt made by one of the attendees and won by a woman participating in her first Penguin gathering ever. I received a great penguin ice cream scoop which I will use - even though I am the one who says that a half gallon of ice cream is its own single-serving package!!
Monday was a day for some teary "see ya laters" at the closing breakfast. There were too many people and not enough time to do each one's meeting justice. Suffice to say that I will treasure all of the people who were kind enough to share their time with me.
It was then on to do some last-minute sightseeing in Toronto including the Hockey Hall of Fame and the CN Tower before heading to the airport and home. A great time was had by everyone and the spirit of sharing will remain within each one for a long time to come.
For those who are interested in knowing more about the Penguin Brigade, its philosophies, and its activities, surf the net at www.waddleon.com
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