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 Terri Jordan of Jacksonville, Fla...
Date: Mon May 27, 2002
Subject: Back from World Conference and My Race Report (VERY LONG!!!)
I am back and I must say - -I had the absolute best time!!!! Ok - now for the detailed trip & race report. The trip begins on Friday with my departure from JAX at 8am arriving in Buffalo, NY at around 2:30pm. Immediately I got worried. Cheryl was not waiting for me. She had told me that her flight arrived at 2:10. Worry. Now of course, I left my cell phone at home since I was going to Canada and Verizon said it would cost .99 cents a minute plus roaming. So... I went to baggage claim (is she there- no) on to the rental car place -- she is not there either. Now I am really worried. I picked up the car and drove over to short term parking (could not put my bags in the car, leave it at the rental center and go get her - security issues). Still no Cheryl. I paged her and waited. I am so worried (and we all know how I handle stress and my HUGE amount of patience -- right?? Finally went over to the Southwest check in desk and asked her to check if Cheryl Coto was on the 2:10 arrival from Baltimore. Her response - you mean the 3:10?? No - the 2:10 (that was the time Cheryl had given me) -- there is no 2:10. Yes Cheryl is on the 3:10 - which had just arrived. She came down to baggage claim - and after we talked she realized she had told me the departure time (instead of arrival).
Headed to the car - loaded up and headed for Niagara falls. Stopped in a little town south of the border and bought powerade and snack food (good thing too), crossed the border (only took 15 minutes) and within 20 miles had hit a 15 mile long traffic jam that took us more than 2 hours to get through!!! Of course, the original idea had been to arrive in Toronto around 5ish, check in, attend the opening events and go to dinner. Well --- Terri's grand plan was quickly shot down (GRR!! Planner was not happy at all). We got out of the traffic jam and still had more than an hour to drive to Toronto. Cheryl and I both commented on how pretty the drive was. We arrived in Toronto and using the driving directions from Marriotts website preceded to get absolutely lost!! We finally found a pay phone (FYI - phone calls in Canada are still .25) in very northern Toronto (mind you the hotel was in downtown, south by the lake) and called the hotel - who transferred us to Glenn's cell phone - I thought the boy was gonna have a heart attack when I told him where were!! He gave us directions and we finally arrived at the hotel around 8:30pm. We checked into the hotel and decided we were too tired to go tromping all over the city trying to find folks for dinner - so we ate at the hotel restaurant. Great steak.
Day 2 - woke up at 6:30am and met the penguins for a morning run on Yonge street (the longest street in the world) followed by a run with a local running group. I think we did about 3 miles. Back to the hotel - 20 minutes to shower and change and head over to the conference for two fantastic sessions!! Great info and lots of new things to think about!
After the sessions headed out to lunch with Toronto penguin Julie as the worlds best tour guide (see you at Disney babe!) and headed to Casa Loma - Toronto's own castle! Lovely turn of the century home lots of walking - but worth it.
Back to the hotel - took a quick nap and headed over to our pre-race dinner. Absolutely great meal and great resturant!!! Fantastic time. Headed over to the CN tower with Nancy, Carol, Shawn, John & Julie (did I forget someone??) - it was fantastic!!! The glass floor was a hoot. This is the tallest building in Canada (1800+ feet) and there is a glass floor that you can walk on. I am not afraid of heights - but it was un-nerving.
Back to the hotel in the rain and off to bed. Luckily I put all my stuff together earlier in the day. Slept really well - except for all the Torontoites honking their car horns since the Maple Leafs won their game.
Day 3 - Race Day.
We got up at 5am, got dressed and headed for the bus to Burlington (southwest of Toronto). I was not sure how this race would go. I was excited after my comfort level at CMM 1/2. My training had been good -- and after 8 miles in Galveston with Cherrie I was ready to roll. We lined up for the half and started out. Within 10 minutes - we were not quite solo - but folks ran off fast. I know why I like the bigger races - there is always someone slower than me. I had to walk after the first kilometer. My legs and shins were so tight - I really think it was the cold - it was in the 40s, damp and windy. I was not happy. The elite marathoners past us - that race had started 15 mintues after us (first and only time I have ever been in front of the elites!!). After 2 miles (40 minutes total - I was already in trouble here time wise) - I was warm enough to run 0 but Cheryl's knee was hurting, so I offered to stay with her - she insisted I go ahead - so I did. I passed lots of penguins headed in the opposite direction on an out and back section and got lots of go girls and high fives! thanks. At about 9km - Tonya ran up and joined me - we stayed together for about 2 km. Todd was pacing her and had stayed with Cheryl for a bit. After a bit, Todd arrived (with an ambulance in tow), informed me that Cheryl was doing well, gathered Tonya and off they went on the full marathon. I got to the point that I could not see anyone in front of me and the ambulance was behind me (not too close though). After about 20 minutes - the passenger attendant ran up next to me and asked me if I was running the full - I told him the half and he realized they should have left with Todd and Tonya - so he jumped back in the truck and peeled off to join them. From here on out I was pretty much solo. I was wishing for music, book on tape - something - but then I began to just enjoy the cold morning. The half marathon course turned back and joined the full - and surprise surprise - I was in front of the elite runners again!!! After the first two passed me - I passed an older gentleman who informed me that I was in THIRD PLACE!! I had to laugh! It was so sweet - I informed him that I was actually, probably one of the last two half marathon - but he had made my day!!I trugged on and between 18-19 km rounded the corner and there was the Penguin Aid Station!! I was so happy to see these folks. I grabbed water, gatorade and potato chips (best tasting chips I have ever had) and waddled on. I have since learned that cameras were present -- oh no!! After passing the station - I heard this high pitched "TERRRRIIII" coming from behind me - I turned around and there was Cheryl!!! She had caught me (so how slow was I going???) and we trudged forward on our merry way. At one point one of the elite runners told us we were looking great -- that blew me away. So we continued on our way and there was the finish with lots of folks in pink hats yelling -- I looked at Cheryl and suggested we cross together so that neither of us was last. We came in at 3:30:11 (chip time). Got my medal, ate a burger and headed back to the bus for the ride back to Toronto. I am not too upset with my performance since my first two miles averaged out at close to 20 minutes each!!
After arriving back at the hotel - took showers and promptly fell asleep and almost overslept. We got all put together, hooked up with Tonya, Todd & Ginnie and headed to a fantastic awards banquet that was so wonderful it left some of us very wound up!! I can not wait to see the photos and to see everyone again in Chicago next year in August!!
Today was a very quick drive to Buffalo - got Cheryl on her flight home - then I got on mine. Came home right abound 7pm to find two boys very happy to see there mom!! Now to unpack and prep the laundry -- but I wanted to file my race and trip report before I got wrapped up in my evening.
Terri in JAX, FL
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
