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 Una Beaudry of Ottawa, Ont...
Date: Wed May 29, 2002
Subject: PWC4 Conference and Race Report - long long long.....
Ok so where to begin! The weekend was so much more than I had imagined. I must start off by thanking the Toronto Penguins, what an amazing bunch they are. Professionals do not organize as well, and you never once looked stressed! Ok, Julie looked stressed only once, which would be when she commented on how ugly her shoes were, and then I promptly showed her mine were identical…. HOWEVER… :o). I am very grateful to have been included, and welcomed so thoroughly.
A quick prerace preamble: Friday night Opening Ceremonies, very exciting! Said hi to the only Penguin I knew face to face, Carlene, who was showing her lovely quilt. Met John and Karen Bingham, such nice people. Finally met some of the Toronto Penguins, Glenn, Kelly, Maureen, Mau, Julie, Natasha, Dave, I hope I’m not forgetting anyone! Sorry to not have met Mary D and Kathryn, but life happens. Next time!! Also met MC from Quebec City, who used to be on the CTS list, Deb and Shari, and a wonderful lady named Debbie from Massachusetts, who I don’t believe is on any lists!
Fast forward to the Mexican Dinner hosted by Julie, very yummy, met Shawn & John from Indiana, and Ken, one of the original Penguins. Walked back through a questionable part of town, which would not have been noticed by us out of towners had my Sweetie not ‘enlightened’ us. Steve is sorry he made you blush Julie! Ok, maybe Julie looked stressed twice. LOL
Saturday, attended the workshops and all I can say is “I wanna go to flight school!” Met some more new faces, Ginnie, June, and the ladies from Lindsay! Many more, I apologize, but names are escaping me today. Then off to Casa Loma for a tour, made more special again by Julie, who shared with us the memories of her wedding held there. It is truly beautiful. New faces met were Terri and Nancy. Ok, off to the pasta dinner! Glad to report, I did not eat my chocolate cake, Steve took care of that for me. Incidentally, Steve’s verbal contribution to the entire weekend, from my perspective, was along the lines of “I’m hungry, when can we eat?” LOL! Got to know sisters (not in the religious (nuns) sense that’s for sure! ;o)) Tracy and Lynn, Tracy G, and Carol and Birgit from Germany. What a great time! Warren, sorry I laid into about the Maple Leafs. I'm a passionate Sens fan... you understand...
Race Day!! I was excited. Not nervous at all. I was happy. We were aiming for 2:30 finish. When John Stanton of the Running Room announced over the PA that John Bingham and 80 Penguins were running in races, I became a screaming mimi. Hope I didn't embarrass the group! Steve and I lined up where we felt we would not be trampled. Glenn warned us there would be rolling hills. I have decided, I do not like rolling hills! After 4k or so, the course was flat, a welcome relief. My ITB made an appearance at 8k (darn rolling hills), I was hoping it would not get any worse, and glad to say, it did hold up.
We continued our pattern of 10/1 until 13k when Steve's body started to fall apart. This man did not train. I love him, but I never said he was smart!!! Our walk breaks then came to be every 8 minutes or so. Other than my ITB, I felt amazing. Until 13k we were looking at a 2:15 finish, but Steve’s body had other plans, which is fine. He was hurting, and to his credit, he pushed on. We were so grateful to the Penguins at the water stop, they’re spirit was a much needed boost. I so wanted to stop to say hi, but I had Steve in motion! LOL
On the final stretch, Debbie from MASS and John from INDY were cheering (thank you J), we used this energy to run as fast as we could to the finish. I have no recollection of seeing any recognizable faces there, but Steve said John B gave us the thumbs up. I’m sorry I missed that! I was all excited because John Stanton announced our names over the PA. Honestly, not posed, I had no idea there was a camera in sight! Thanks again Frank and Tash! From there we stopped for a bagel, and Steve beelined to the massage tent. Too funny.
Stats:
Gun time: 2:33:12
Chip time: 2:31:37
995/1082, 148/156 age groupWe did not attend the awards banquet, I have a fear of boats. I hear it was, as expected, awesome. We did attend the goodbye breakfast, had a chance to chat with Shari a little, and say goodbye to those we met. I don’t think I spoke with half the people who were there sadly, but that will be my goal in Chicago!
Life is good.
Una J
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