As this year is the 20th anniversary of the Scotibank Toronto Waterfront race, there was a nice display of finisher's medals. Amazing how the quality of the medals has evolved over the years. I actually like the round style. The dog tags were awful. This year's medal isn't as thick as last year's but I love the super shiny gold. Can't wait to earn mine tomorrow!
I don't know how many times I "circled" the booths both yesterday and today. I was looking for the poster booth so I could buy the running poster that I've seen the psat 2 years -- just my luck, he's gone :-( It seems like there were fewer booths this year (but that could be since the venue is located in a larger location). Personally, I liked the Metro Convention Centre since it was central and there was the University fair happening on the same weekend. I sampled the Oasis juice and a few Cliff bar samples. I did buy 2 items -- Body Glide with a 10% off coupon by spinning the wheel at the Running Room booth and a mini-belt for holding gels and house key (no gels given out on the race, which is a bit surprising). It cost $26 (tax included) and is water resistant.
The highlight of the Scotiabank expo is the guest speakers. This year, they had a superstar lineup! Unfortunately, I couldn't hear Ed Whitlock speak since he only was scheduled on the Friday at lunch (and I had to work). The speakers I did hear were inspiring :-)
1.) Silvia Ruegger
I heard Silvia on the Friday. She placed 8th in the 1984 Olympics for Canada. She spoke of how she was in a pack of 5 women trying to catch up to the leader, Joan Benoit. Soon, the pack ran faster as Silvia couldn't keep pace. This was her second marathon ever, the first being the one she used to qualify. Her time remains a record for faster marathon ran by a Canadian woman. She tried to run in the 1988, 1992, and 1996 olympics but was plagued with injuries. She said the marathon is a journey to changing one's life, as you become a person of courage, perseverence, inspiration, and audacious hope to others. Fortunately, I was able to get my photo taken with her holding her display of her bib from the 1984 olympics and a note that she wrote to herself stating she would represent Canada at the olympics (which she taped to her floor in her room and then coloured it the colour of the floor).
"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what he or she gets for it but what he or she becomes of it."
2.) Joan Benoit Samuelson
Joan's session, on the Saturday, was crowded. She won the first ever woman's gold medal in the full marathon (1984 Olympics). She led in the race right from the start and never lost that position. She said she leaves her watch at home on races and "I'm going to run the race I feel." She said a marathon is a "metaphor for life - anything can happen," which one sets goals and sticks with it. She reminded us to believe in our training and that marathoning is a life-long pursuit as there is no finish line. Running is affordable, accessible, and instant gratification, which develops self-esteem and a can-do attitude. She definitely is a superstar!
3.) Fauja Singh
If Fauja Singh doesn't inspire, I'm not sure what will! Singh is currently 98 years old and will run the 5 K tomorrow. He ran his first marathon at the age of 89 and has run 7 marathons (5 in London; 1 at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront, and the other in New York). He has also run 4 half marathons. His marathon PR is 5 hours 40 minutes which he set in Toronto. His secret is to be positive, eat in moderation. I asked him why he chose to run a marathon at age 89 and he replied (through his personal trainer who translated from Punjabi) that he wants to remain healthy and inspire others -- the London marathon has lots of charity. He was extremely funny e.g., if his doctor prescribes medication, he will put it under his bed until he gets better. Very special man! He won't be running any more marathons as his personal trainer doesn't believe it is worth it at his age.
And found thes Adidas ads on the Internet:
Looking forward to getting to sleep early tonight. Tomorrow is the big day of celebration! I took Bud on his afternoon walk and went through Nathan Phillips Square -- the porta-potties are wheeled in one at a time from the loading truck. It's going to take all night probably to set everything up for the big race. Can't wait to earn that finisher's medal. Trained months for this...
