Been over a year since I wrote “How Little Data changed my life”. Added a few more achievements since then to my journey down the Little Data path. I completed my first 10k race in September of last year in well under an hour much to my surprise. I then of course immediately set my eyes on doing a half marathon. Seemed quite daunting but with the confidence in using data to measure my progress I set that as my new objective for Spring of 2015. Unfortunately I hit a wall with the dreaded IT band pains after a few months into my training program.
Back to some regular treatment at physio and slowly back on the training plan for a Sub 2:15 half marathon. For good measure I did two 5k races and two 10k races right around the Half Marathon in April. Amazing what a difference a year makes. I did a new PR in the 5k and in the Yonge St 10k this year the weekend before my half marathon.
The half marathon was hard. During the initial downhill I had about 10 minutes to stare at the huge hill that I had to climb. Mentally it was tough because there was still a lot of miles yet to do. I thought of my family again as I got to the bottom of the downhill and willed myself to suck it up and sprint up the hill. The faster it was done the sooner the hill would be over and I knew the rest was a long downhill cruise more or less. My training set me up well and I did my first half in about 2:01 and change. Completely slaughtered my goal of under 2:15.
The many races did take a bit of a toll and found myself sidelined for a bit after with some bad pack pain. Quickly got through that and now back on the Little Data program again. I’m now doing a sub 4:00 marathon plan for the Scotia Waterfront Marathon in the fall. I’m going to see how the plan goes and decide later if I in fact sign up for the full or the half. For this once upon a time fat boy, I’d really like to tick the I did a marathon box.
My Little Data has guided me well and still keeps me motivated. More than anything though I love the cheer from my little girl, “Run Fast Daddy!” as she sprints down the hall in front of me and the encouragement when her and my wife cheered me on close to the finish line of my PR 10K this year. My daughters eyes lit up when she saw me running towards her, my arms waving frantically overhead. “Daddy! Daddy!” she screamed all smiles as I ran past them both.
That look of joy is something that is immeasurable and priceless.
