Entitled: Heroes.
Today was my first day out on the road with the Step Into Action Run. Our sister, Lauren, and I flew to Toronto yesterday to join up with the crew and join in on the fun.
We kicked off the day with our Toronto send-off and celebrity run with Riley at Queen Quay in downtown Toronto. A big thank you to everyone who came out to show their support, and to those who joined us on the road for the run! We had about 35 people at the send off, and about 25 people who ran with us, complete with two police escorts - check out our photos on Facebook for all those who came out! Support is the fuel of dreams, and we thank you.
It was a hot morning, and it would only get hotter.
Mike and Riley rallied the crowd, and we were off. Our 25-person-peloton-pack stayed close to Riley, as the front Toronto police cruiser led the way, the MCC followed the pack, and the other police cruiser brought up the rear. I have to say it felt pretty boss to be running through downtown TO, crossing intersections with the cruisers trading places, sirens blurping away, escorting the brigade. We ran up University Boulevard onto Avenue rd. and from there spent most of the day heading north on Bathurst rd. We connected with many Torontonians on the road - uncle Buzz, cousins Tom and Chris, and Friends Kelly, Meghan and D'Arcy did an outstanding job of leaving the peloton-pack and running over to stopped drivers and pedestrian passersbys, handing out flyers and telling them about the cause - especially considering this added time and distance to their run! Thanks guys. And thanks to all the honks and high fives of support we received from the onlookers today - especially to those who handed out cash! The message of encouraging the early detection of prostate cancer is spreading.
After a solid 6 km, we said goodbye to many of the supporters, who ran back to from wherever they came. Many of those who joined us today said they wouldn't call themselves "runners". And yet many smashed through some personal best distances! A big shout out to my mother, Jean Senft, whom I've never seen run one km during my 29-year human existence, who shot off a full 5.4km today! You are an inspiration to many, brother, and today was no exception.
A smaller remaining group carried forward as our police escort carried us through the rest of the downtown core until we crossed over the 401 (kind of like they ran Riley out to the edge of town haha). Seriously though, thank you officers for looking after us and keeping us safe in the busy city.
At 13km, we were down to a 6-pack. Another display of inspired running from Ben Okolski, who banged out his first 21.1km half marathon today, having never before run even as long as 10km.
Riley has settled into a routine now. He looks comfortable on the road, and his running stride is calm and almost motionless. He seems to have settled comfortably into a streamlined running style as his feet barely float over the asphalt and his upper body remains tall and still, his arms hardly swinging. I tried to emulate it the best I could - conserving energy in this heat would be key. We ran the standard 30km before breaking for lunch, which included some delicious pre-made sandwiches (thanks Boog!), and more sandwiches, and some gas-station-style junk food for a quick hit.
But before long, we were back on the road. There was a lot of volume in the belly after lunch - I lost track of how many gatorade and water bottles we kept consuming, but lunch felt like a serious stuff-fest. Mike joined Riley and I for the post lunch session, with some buoyant spring in his step. He looked fresh and ready to go, and was clearly happy to have the chance to be out on the road again to run with Riley while the family support crew handled the MCC.
The Weather Network tells me today peaked at 25 degrees and 60% humidity, but the cloudless sky allowed for steady and intense sun exposure that kept us on the slow burn all afternoon. We were out in the green belt now, and the wide open road, and it was all I could do to keep up with fresh-legs-and-chatty-catty Mike, and Riley-the-veteran. The heat began to take it's toll my internal temperature gauge began malfunctioning, telling me I was too hot yet at the same time giving me the shivers, which is when I realized it was time to turn in. Mike and Riley made a valiant effort to encourage me on to run through to the marathon distance, but I was slowing, and I felt lucky to last until 40km.
2 km later, Riley paused for a cool-down break after a quick and unexpected dry heaving session cued the onset of other heat stroke symptoms that were coming on fast. But some ice packs and a fudgesicle later, Riley and Mike were back on the road - kid bounces back fast! They ran on to finish the 51.1 km, which was another half marathon tag for Mr. Mike. Great work guys.
I'm sitting here blogging in our aunt and uncle's living room, wearing a t-shirt with my favourite super hero on the front: Spiderman. And I think it's fitting because today we had a real American hero reach out to Riley and Step Into Action - Mr. Lance Armtrong!! It was an incredible end to an incredible day when just as we returned to our lodging for the night, we saw that Lance tweeted: "Big shout out to @stepin2action for their heroic commitment in the fight against prostate cancer. Thanks Dr. Senft!!!" Thanks Lance!!
Getting a shout out from one of our very own heroes feels surreal. And Lance is on point: Riley's efforts today, and every day out on the open road, are heroic - running a daily 50km and spreading the message to inspire the early detection of prostate cancer. Riley, you're our very own Canadian hero.
G'work brother.
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