In this picture I am a mere hundred metres from finishing line of my first marathon, the Canadian International Marathon in Toronto in 1999. You're seeing me in one of the happiest moments of my life: accomplishing something I never thought I could do.
My third time at the Ottawa Half-Marathon in May 2001. The first year I finished in 2hr24min; this year's time was 30 minutes faster. That's why that huge grin is plastered on my face.
The start of the Marathon des Deux Rives (half-marathon) on the south shore of the St-Lawrence Seaway. The finish line, on the other side of the river, looks soooooo far away.
Mom, Dad, and Aunte Marie waiting, and waiting, and waiting....
And we're off! That great big smile on my face is because I've just spotted Dad, and because of the excitement I get when I think that I'm actually here, participating in something I've been thinking of for so long.
More smiles! By now I'm starting to focus on keeping my pace steady and not trying to race everyone around me. I passed them in the hills, anyway!
One hour and fifty-seven minutes later, I stumble across the finish line thinking "Oh God, I'm gonna throw up." Classy, Helen, really classy.
