After training for over 5 months, Stephanie, Anita and Tricia (that’s me) ran their first marathon. They chose the Twin Cities Marathon for the beauty of the course and the reputation of the spectators. It did not disappoint. It is READ MORE
Category: Inspiration
Overcoming challenges to succeed. People, places and stories that inspire.
First Marathon Pre-Race Thoughts
Our first marathon is 3 days away. Eek! The Struggle Buster Trio of Stephanie, Anita and Tricia (that’s me) have trained for over 20 weeks to prepare for the Twin Cities Marathon. With the race fast approaching, excitement and nervousness READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week 19
Training for our first marathon has peaked at Week 19, which had us running 20 miles yet again. The training so far has been a whirlwind of fun, laughter, friendship, pain and mental struggle. The Struggle Buster Trio of Stephanie, READ MORE
The Kakabeka Falls Legion Half Marathon Demands Respect
Oh those hills! The Kakabeka Falls Legion Half Marathon has several steep hills that cause a runner’s mind to fill with doubt and dread weeks before the race. The tallest hill reaches over 980 feet evoking sleepless anxiety the night READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week 15
It is hard to believe that there are only 9 weeks left to race day. Stephanie, Anita and Tricia (that’s me) are now up into the high numbers for long run mileage. We are now running at least a half READ MORE
Anita Wants To Run A Marathon
Anita wants to run a marathon. She is a busy woman, working 50 – 60 hours per week managing a local grocery store and taking care of her family. While her children are now adults, Anita is far from an READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week Twelve
In preparing for our first 18-mile run, doubt and anxiety filled my head. This trio of first-time-wannabe-marathoners, consisting of Anita, Stephanie and myself, continue to train for our first marathon. We are now at Week 12. Running these new longer READ MORE
The Most Famous Runner You Never Heard About
Jim has run over 100 marathons and about 80 half marathons to date. He is working on completing 100 half marathons by April 2020. Jim is also the race director of the Kakabeka Falls Legion Half Marathon and 8 KM READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week Ten
The 2019 Marathon Challenge Week Ten is done. I am finding it hard to believe that the Struggle Buster Trio, comprising of Anita, Stephanie and I, have progressed this far. We are now into the very heart of the long READ MORE
The Black Fly Half Marathon is Off The Grid Fun
The Black Fly Half Marathon is a great race that few have heard about. The race course follows a scenic route nestled in the hills of Wawa, Ontario, Canada. The route is both challenging and beautiful. It is a peaceful READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week Nine
Oh my goodness! Is it Week Nine of our 2019 marathon training challenge already? Time sure flies. My apologies for not blogging about our adventures sooner, but there has been so much other stuff to blog about lately too. I READ MORE
Running The Royal Recreation Trail in Guelph, Ontario
I discovered this little gem of a trail to run in Guelph on a recent trip to Southern Ontario. The Royal Recreation Trail North is such a beautiful trail to run that I thought it worthy to tell you about. READ MORE
Voyage North Run Is Worth The Climb
June 2019 saw the second running of the Voyage North 5 K & 10 K Race in Grand Marais, Minnesota. My husband and I ran it last year during the inaugural run. Both runs were fabulous. Who doesn’t love free READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week Four
The Struggle Buster Trio are progressing well in these early weeks of marathon training. Week Four marks one fifth of the way through our training plan. The weekly mileage will now be steadily increasing. This week saw us running 12 READ MORE
Couch to 10 Miles: The Most Inspiring New Runners
I am so excited to introduce two runners to you. This father and daughter duo went from couch to 10 miles in 18 weeks. Their story is so tremendously inspiring. It was such a pleasure to help them along in READ MORE
Good Times at The Fire Fighters 10 Mile Road Race
On May 20, 2019, I ran the Fire Fighters 10 Mile Road Race in Thunder Bay, Ontario, along with my marathon training buddies, my husband and a whole bunch of friends. It was the perfect day to run a legendary READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week Two
May 14, 2019 is the end of week two of our 2019 Marathon Challenge Training. Anita, Stephanie and I, Tricia, are all training for our first marathon in October. The training is just getting under way. I will be blogging READ MORE
Marathon Training: Week One
May 7, 2019 sees us at the end of the Struggle Buster Trio’s first week of marathon training. It didn’t go as well as we had planned. This past weekend was suppose to see Stephanie, Anita and I continue our READ MORE
First Day of Marathon Training
May 1, 2019 was the first official day of marathon training for 3 crazy ladies. And, this is the start of my story telling as we train and prepare for the Twin Cities Metronics Marathon on October 6, 2019. It READ MORE
Runner Pushes Pace at Fitger’s 5K Race
On April 27, 2019, my husband and I ran in the 30th Annual Fitger’s 5K Race. I had been struggling with my running for the past several years, since taking tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer recurrence. I have been working READ MORE
An Elite Experience for Boston Marathon Runner
The Friday before the 2019 Boston Marathon, Trevor Zimak received an email from the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). He was invited to start with the Boston Marathon Elite Men. He qualified with a time of 2:20:04 at the Grandmas Marathon, READ MORE