The best thing about a race is the opportunity to really test yourself… ok that’s a lie, the best thing is the energy of the running community and the inspiring display of humanity, followed up with a post-race celebratory beer and your favorite meal with friends or family.
This past Sunday I completed my 6th BMO Marathon Event, and historically I always post a race recap to help you decide if it’s the right race for you. Things like if there are lot of hills or uneven surfaces, Or if they skimp on porta potties. All the things that matter, and of course detail about how the race went for me.
This year instead of the same tired race recap I am going to share a few of my favorite memories from BMO events over the last six year, highlighting what makes it more than just a race.
2014- 8Km race
My First BMO Event I ran the 8km. My fondest memory from this event was when I attended the fitness Expo. John Stanton founder of The Running Room was there signing books. When I was getting my copy signed, he asked me, “What distance are you running tomorrow?” I responded by saying, “Oh I am just running the 8km.” and he said, “it’s not just 8KM, you’re on your way to a half marathon.” And I thought…. yeah right…. But he was right 8km turns into 10Km, 10km is half of a half marathon. Fast forward 8 years, I have run 10+ half marathons.
This was also the year that I fell in love with the W. Pender Street finish line….I have yet to run a race with a better finish line energy.
2015- Half marathon
2015 was my first BMO half marathon, you can read about the full experience here. Besides being my personal record for a half marathon time, below are a few more highlights.
At 19km on the Denman Street hill a woman cheering the runners on called out to me, “Your almost there Shannon, keep it up, you’re doing great.” That really helped me push through when I needed it the most.
Prior to this year I NEVER thought I would be running half marathons and I didn’t think I could ever complete one in under two hours. This run taught me that “I should never say never,” and 2015 continued to be a year of surprises.
2016- BMO Half marathon
This one doesn’t count because I registered for it directly after the 2015 race but ended up pregnant a few months later.
For the 2016 event I was 1.5 months postpartum, and recovering from recovering from Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) during pregnancy, so Adrian ran this event in my name.
2017- BMO Half Marathon
I think it goes without saying that being my first postpartum half marathon is the biggest memory. This race was a mental game, you can read the full details here. In summary, having a 13-month-old and working full-time didn’t leave me nearly the same amount of time to train that I was accustom to. I was also nervous about running the distance after recovering from Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) during pregnancy.
2018- BMO Half Marathon
You can read about the full race recap here but the biggest highlight by far was as follows;
We attended the free health, sports & lifestyle expo on the Saturday afternoon, where we meet the legendary John Stanton, founder of the Running Room. John asked me how my training had gone, and I shared some of my postpartum struggles. In response He told me that Kara Goucher ran a PR of 2:24:52 at the 2011 Boston Marathon seven months after giving birth. Paula Radcliffe won the 2007 New York City Marathon less than ten months after giving birth. And Deena Kastor came back after a difficult pregnancy to take sixth at the 2012 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials in 2012. Citing that many women have a longer stride length after childbirth due to more flexibility in their joints, resulting in faster times. Plus he pointed out that the rigors of childbirth make women mentally tougher.
Crossing that finish-line is always an overwhelming and emotional feeling, but to have John Stanton present my medal after his inspiring pep talk was an all-time personal BMO highlight.
2019- BMO Half Marathon
By far the biggest highlight of the 2019 event wasn’t my race at all but it was watching Adrian cross the finish line of his first Marathon. #42for42
You can read my full race recap, including my takeover of Oasis Canadas Instagram story, and Adrian Finish line video here.
2022- BMO Half Marathon
After 2 years of virtual running the obvious highlight was the return of the race, the community, and the energy. The unfortunate hour plus delay will also be a memorable part of this year’s event.
The BMO is so much more than a race
It’s a whole experience; the training and preparation, the distance, the time, the fitness expo, the excitement, the race day energy, entertainment, post-race celebration, and personal glory…..it’s an experience.
Yet its so much more than that…. it’s the human connections; the conversations-
The ones I have had with John Stanton, with Mike the legacy runner I met on the sky train that came over from the island to run in 2019. The women I chatted with on the walk to the start line that flew in from Calgary. William and Aneka that I chatted with during this year’s delay. The mother and daughter on the sidelines of the marathon cheering for their Daughter/sister Cassandra , and running friend Steve. They helped me track Adrian and stayed with me to cheer him on.
The BMO is not a distance, a time, or a race, its all of these moments and so much more.
