Wow, what an incredible day! I feel like a few of these posts have begun the same way, and perhaps I have to expand on my vocabulary, but this girl just keeps blowing me away day after day with outstanding progress!
Guess what? Chantal is OVER HALF WAY DONE! Yeehaw! 52% through to be precise.
After a late night last night with a shower (yay indoor plumbing!) massage, dinner and laundry, Chantal decided to start a bit later this am. Whether it was the extra sleep, or the awesome company, Chantal was kicking butt out there on the trail!
Steve from Team Running Free started off with the first two legs with Chantal- a 10km then 20km ish leg. There were some beautiful views and lots of hills on this section. Some roads as well which is what really hurts Chantal's feet. Chantal is often in excruciating pain from a condition where her feet bones 'lock' in place and can't move, and therefore don't absorb any shock. You would never know this if you are running with Chantal- she never lets on how much pain she is in and is always focused on her goal. Steve told us at AS2 (aid station 2) that Chantal was moving so fast he wasn't sure he was going to be able to keep up! She actually was so fast she came to AS2 30min early and the next group of pacers were late. Since Chantal wanted to keep going, Steve was a trooper and hopped right back on the trail with her. Nothing like being thrown in your first day pacing to do almost a full marathon worth of distance! Virginia and Cathy had to head to the next trail intersection and run backwards toward Chantal to meet her en route, and Ed who showed up about 10min after Chantal left the aid station sprinted up the trail to catch them. What a crew!
As some of you may know, Virginia holds the current womens' FKT for the Bruce Trail. Chantal thought it was pretty special that she came Virginia came out to support her. Cathy wasn't sure if they amused her or drove Chantal crazy.... perhaps it was a little bit of both. A highlight from their section of the trail included a close encounter... with a herd of cows! The cows were in a section of the farmers field the trail ran along, and the cows just didn't want to budge so the team had to take a wide circle around them. Yes there is a video of it... but that will be saved for anther day ;)
After another refuel at AS3 Chantal headed out with Alan. Chantal ran into the evening and finished at 9:30pm at grey road 19 with 70kms in the bag.
I was talking to the team about how strong Chantal was today- both mentally and physically. I asked Steve if he could share some thoughts about what he saw on the trail with respect to Chantal's strength and here is what he said: "What I saw was the simple strength that we as pacers doing 10,20 or 30k legs take for granted.
It's the strength to start again every morning after a kick ass day! It's the strength to power up the crazy climbs. The strength to navigate through the rocks without falling.
The strength to power through the road sections when her feet hurt the most! The strength to get back up from the aid station chair when you want your end of the day reward drink.
The strength to end the day and start all over again!"
Chantal, we are so proud of you and how far you have come already. We look forward to seeing you continue to kick some trail butt. Thank you for being an incredible role model, friend and leader. You truly show us what it means to have strength.
We believe in you!
Today's fun facts:
Todays' kms: 70
Total so far: 467
Support crew: Simon and family, Amy and Amie, Craig, Caitlin
Pacers- Steve, Ed, Virginia and Cathy, Alan
Ended: Grey road 19 and line 2 (end of map 24/ beginning map 23)