Running through this:

Gambia has been on my mind this week. The Love4Gambia campaign released the official call for a 2016 runner to travel to The Gambia this summer and have the most amazing running adventure (maybe it will be you! get in touch with me!).  I  revisited one of my most favorite pieces that I wrote about my run there, titled “Together.”  It listed all of the things that my team ran through together on the 424km road across the country in 2011.

Running solo at the crack of dawn this morning, I was thinking about this compilation of Gambian running memories. Then I was thinking about this week’s workout session. Our coach was away and half of our group was missing.  The workout was big and challenging: x 20 short and fast intervals, totally 10+km.  The girls who I run these workouts with weren’t there so I was lonely x 20.

I feel like I experienced all of the emotions of a 10km race in this workout: I got this; I’m lonely: I’m bored; I’m giving up: I’m mad at myself for giving up; I’m un-giving up; and back to I got this.  That’s a lot of life in one workout. Then I starting thinking about this training cycle for Boston Marathon.  Two training months have slipped by and while not as mind blowing as the road to Banjul in The Gambia, I’ve run through a number of things on this road to Boston.

Here the things I’ve run through:

• Lots of camaraderie. There was this one lonely night with Halifast amid many workouts with many bodies working together. The work isn’t so hard when there’s company on the road and when it’s shared.  I hope this feeling carries through to Boston as many of us are running Boston Marathon. Though we will all be separate and running our own races, I will want to feel like we are all out there sharing the work in some way.
• Some magic workouts. I’ve definitely run through some kick-ass workouts in the last 2 months. The best was a workout with many (MANY) short intervals at 8km pace. Leah had her watch set to beep at us. I didn’t look at my watch once for this 9+km. Our bodies know how to dial in to pace. We just worked together, matched strides and ran hard. When I scrolled through my watch later, we had totally nailed it. That’s workout magic.
• Illness. I began to run through the illness of of both my children and then lost 3 of 5 days of a running week when they “germed” me too.
• Running humour. My sister (who I train with Halifast with) and I were out for a long run when she told me that she always has a bath after our Wednesday workout so that she doesn’t have to stand up anymore. I told her that if I wasn’t so oxygen depleted recovering from my illness, I would be laughing my head off. Then after my solo 10km suffer-fest workout this week, I also wanted to lie down in the bathtub and not stand up anymore (alas, the bathtub in my 84 year old home is cast iron and always too cold).
• Friendship love. I’ve shared many kilometers, hard and easy, with my 3 best girls Tonya, Sarah and Shauna. Always grateful that we have this in common so we can get face time with each other amidst busy parenting life (we 4 mamas have a combined total of 12 children).
• Some snowbanks. Possibly 23 snowbanks on one particular 23km run that Kristen and I did. But overall, we’ve run though pretty acceptable weather for 2 winter months. There have been some -8 with feels like temperature in the -teens. I’ve taken only workout inside at the Dartmouth Sportsplex. Though this is easy to write on a mild and rainy Friday when the sidewalks are perfectly runner-clear.

Canadian ice bath

• Some useful snowbanks aka “Canadian ice baths.” When our Saturday workout volume (including warm up and cooldown) started to hit 17, 18 and 19km, I started to sit in the snow bank on my patio when I got home in hopes to prepare/recover for Sunday long run.
• Some winter hate. I know that there was at least one solo long run that I completed in full on winter-hate. Thank goodness for scheduling as it was a step-back week.  I was down at Marginal Road.  I had my phone with me as I was listening to a podcast and stopped to take this photo of the tunnel as it was the only nice looking I had seen in 10km. Photo snapped but it was so cold out that my phone promptly shut down after photo was snapped and the resulting solo silence increased my winter-hate.

• 

  The battery-killing photo

• Podcasts! I’ve run though five or six of favorite running podcasts: Runner Academy with Matt Johnson. You’re welcome.
• Many off-hours runs. I flipped through my log and counted 7 runs at 5am and 5 runs at 7pm over the last 2 months.
• Commons, Marginal Road, repeat. My log book also shows that of the 500+ km I’ve run in the last 2 months, 85km were at the Commons and 83km were at Marginal Road (Halifax Seaport). Familiarity = Comfort. And well-lit safe footing.
• The end of Nova Scotia. My most thrilling run was a run on our Cape Breton
  

  End of road in Bay St Lawrence

  Christmas holiday. I set up in the afternoon while everyone was napping. I told husband I might be back in one hour or maybe two hours. I turned north to run north of the Cabot Trail: uncharted territory for me. It was such a beautiful mild sunny afternoon and my body felt so strong that I kept running until I reached the very end of the road 12km away.  This is where the road through Bay St. Lawrence turns into a wharf into the Atlantic Ocean. Amazing. Then I had to run back up a mountain to get home but whatevs.

• Season of work. The end of January brings the start of a new season at work- that of High School Semester Two. This is when we welcome back many students who didn’t make it through first semester for many reasons. I support many of these young people in my role and often they have stories of far from idyllic childhoods. Thinking about their early years often makes me miss my own children intensely and I have a strong want to be at home with them. I sometimes run with this wish to be home (hence my off-hour running).
• Valuing my team MVP. While my husband doesn’t run, he’s the most valuable person on my running team for the time he spends at home with our 1.5 and 3.5 year olds on Wednesday evenings and long Sunday morning.

That’s the end of my 2-month list. I’d love to hear what’s on yours.

Boston calling!

Another Season Ends

The PEI Race Weekend’s 10km race yesterday brought my summer/fall racing season to a close. I’m returning to my long-neglected blog as I feel like I have some profound things to write after ending this season with time to think while driving 3.5 hours home with 2 sleeping kids in the backseat.

I had a really awesome race season. I didn’t reach any of my race goals.

I’ll state that again. My summer/fall 5 and 10km race season was really awesome for me.

I didn’t reach any of my race goals.

This must be one of the best things about our sport.

My race goals were to run a sub-40 minute 10km and a sub-19 minute 5km. My PBs stands at 40:10 and 19:09. Prior to this, in my spring 2015 season, I wanted to run a 3:10 marathon (not my first attempt) and also missed that goal with a 3:15 in Nashville.

I made this season and this year count in many other ways.

Sometimes a racing season is about doing what you love and being thankful that you can do it in the way that you want to.

My little team

I raced while healthy and fit at a handful of local 5 and 10 km races in PEI and NS. A few were with my sisters now that we all live in the same city and these were the best. I’ve enjoyed a few wins this season. When I line up, I’m leaving an 18 month old and a 3 year old at home. My execution in racing hasn’t been perfect but I have no business being disappointed over seconds anytime I toe the line and give it my best.

If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. And we wouldn’t do it in the same way. We wouldn’t spend 5-6 days a week, multiple loads of laundry, many household chores and childcare juggled and frequent early mornings/late evenings pounding the pavement, track and punishment loop at Point Pleasant Park (“Lee, can we run on the road instead of on this loop?” “No.”). All for the sake of 10-12 seconds. We wouldn’t close a season excited for the next. We wouldn’t celebrate our training partners’, our friends’, accomplishments like they were our own.

I’m on down-time now. I already can’t wait to begin the Boston 2016 training cycle.

Like many of us, I transitioned to a new training life after the death of our beloved Cliff Matthews in March 2015. I’ve grown to run with and enjoy the new-ish road running division of Halifast Athletics. This season I’ve loved training with Linda, Leah, Denise, Erin, Mike + Mike, Jamie, Ian, Clint, Nick, Josh, Kevin and company.  Under coach Lee, I shaved 40 seconds off my 10km PB. This season, I solidified my new running home.

Maritime Race Weekend

I’ve lined up at many start lines with a Cliff’s or Halifast singlet on and appreciated the camaraderie, athleticism and support at the front. I believe that our sport is rare for this and we’re so lucky for this. My best race was a head-to-head race with fast Chloe, capitalizing on this amazing blend of camaraderie and athleticism.

This season, I watched the fifth runner in five years, Juliane Lacroix, run all the way across The Gambia while raising money to keep Gambian kids alive through the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association.  Juliane kept my Love4Gambia campaign alive: a feat that I never considered would be possible five years ago when I completed my run across the country.

This season, I was asked by one of my longest-time Halifax friends to become an online half marathon coach for herself and five other girls. An opportunity to spread my love for our sport.

On my drive home from Charlottetown yesterday, as this season closes, I found myself singing a tune by the wise (?) Mick Jagger

You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

I got what I needed this season.

Love4Gambia part 3

On June 15, Jennifer Pasiciel and the Love4Gambia team began running at the small cinder block in the middle of a farm field straddling Senegal and The Gambia in West Africa. Their destination is Banjul and the Atlantic Ocean, 424km away. They intend to make it on foot, one stride at a time.

Two years ago, with the same team of Dodou “Spider” Bah, Kebba Suso and Pa Modou Sarr, I made it to the Atlantic Ocean. I suppose I blazed the trail to Banjul. The run was my creation. I was the first to run clear across the country. It’s not my run though. It never was. Not even as I became the first person to complete it.

In 2011, it wasn’t even a solo run. It was a team run. The run belongs to the team. The run belong to The Gambia. It belongs to Pa Modou and Kebba and the exceptionally talented staff of the NSGA in Gambia. It belongs to the young students who have been lining the road in the first 3 days of the run, waiting for Jennifer and team to run by their school. See, they are the recipients of Jennifer’s run and the money raised by it. The money goes directly to their peer health education programs, where they learn life saving knowledge like how to prevent malaria, STIs and HIV; how to avoid water bourne illness; how to make decisions about their reproductive health. And maybe most significant for youth in this male-dominated society- they learn about gender rights and gender equity.

The run belongs to the mamas in the farm field who work hard all day to provide for the basic needs of their families. They know that a “toubab” (foreigner) is running for their children- to provide them with education that they would not otherwise receive without NSGA. They will be waiting for Jennifer, to thank her and the team. I think the team will owe them more thanks as I know that these mamas will lighten their kilometer-weary feet more than any amount of fuel and rest could.

This is the second time that I’ve watched the Love4Gambia run take flight with a new runner. Take flight without me. Last year, I watched Andrea Moritz run with the team. It’s emotional for me. I feel emotions that I can’t quite pull apart. Pride, mostly. Satisfaction. Extreme joy for what Jennifer and Cielianna will experience. Conviction that one person can make a different. Faith in the goodness of humanity. More faith in the tenacity and strength of Gambian women and children. I don’t feel anything close to envy or jealousy that someone else is doing my run. Because like I said, it’s not my run.

How amazing is this photo. Jenn running with Abdoulie

On the second day of Jenn’s run, a young boy named Abdoullie ran alongside Jenn for 6km in 40 degree heat wearing jeans and sandals. He ran with her because he know that she was running for young people. The Love4Gambia run belongs to him.

Supporting the team is super important to me. The best way to support the team is by donating to the team. I’m saving my donation for their victory day- the day they reach the ocean- this will be the best way to congratulate them. Click here to donate online.

I’ve also been supporting the team by writing them daily messages. I know firsthand how important these messages are. They are like little bursts of fuel when the road gets long. These messages probably best sum up my experience of Love4Gambia from the sidelines.

Here is my “transcript” of messages to the team to date.

Erin Poirier, Friday June 14, 9:29pm

Dear team. This will begin my daily notes to you while you run across the Gambia for Love4Gambia. Now that you’ve spent the day together in the car, across the most amazing countryside on earth, I’m thinking that you are feeling the beginning of team togetherness and I’m so lovingly pleased for you because I know your bond is going to grow with each kilometer you cover together and it’s going to be amazing.

I hope you’ll get some rest tonight in Basse, Basse, Basse, the hottest place on earth. The run will feel cool, Jennifer, after the night you’ll spend in a hot Basse bed! I hope you’ll see the old man on the farm tomorrow morning when you get up. And make sure you pay close attention to how you are feeling when you start your run in the morning- those steps are pretty special and belong in long term memory.

For god’s sake, no one trip and fall! Careful!

I wanted Regan to cheer for you tonight. Instead, she pulled some pages out of a book. So I think she means to think of her when you see road signs. Kinda like pages in a book.

I’m sending you so much love, until tomorrow
xoxo,
Erin

Pa Modou, Saturday, June 14, 3:31am (Atl Time)

Hello sister Erin… this is so nice of you.. everyone had the oplortunity to read through and am sure it got everyone excited we receiving so much love from you. Hello to Regan and everyone in there.. we begin in 30 mins as i write this measage. BANJUL CALLING

Erin Poirier, Saturday, June 15, 5:30pm

Dear team. Congratulations on day 1!! A big day because it the first. Now Jenn can be convinced of the reality- she is really going to run all the way across an African country with 3 of the best men on the planet.

I hope your day was full of lots of fun and laughs and waves and horn honking!

Now rest well and eat well. And be strong tomorrow

wee little runner for Gambia

It was beautiful and sunny today in Halifax as I was thinking about you guys all day- it was perfect to think of the same sun warm on your faces too. I ran 8 km with Regan in the stroller. We will do 17 tomorrow to have 25 with you. We will run on all of your running days for you.

Regan isn’t quite walking yet but she “ran” about 500m in front of the house pushing this toy hippo- photo here. She’s even supporting you with her tiny steps.

Much love. (Don’t worry about responding- you don’t need too) xoxo Erin & Regan

Pa Modou , Saturday, June 15, 6:55pm

Thank you so much erin and Regan…. its really nice to read something from you and i read this aloud to the team w whiles we were havin our dinner… we rested today at the exact place we rested two years ago with you on the run…  thank you so much for the support and keep them coming.

Much love

Erin Poirier, Sunday, June 16, 11:00am

It’s day 2 and you’ve done it! 50km in two days. You are off to an excellent start. Now the first thing is for Jen:

The road across an African country is run 20 minutes a time. You don’t need to think 20 minutes ahead. You don’t need to think 20km ahead. Just run 20 minutes at a time.

The full belly water/gatorade will lessen as your body adapts- promise!

I loved reading about all of your running together and supporting each other. All together, you are the greatest ally to legs that must run every day.

I loved the photos too! The children and youth are so excited for you! And they should be! And their excitement- put it in your pocket for when you need it. It’s so wonderful to see the team running together. And Jennifer is turning color already! “Toubab, you changed color!”

Regan and I ran this morning- 15km beginning at 6:40am. I liked knowing that we were running together at the same time. We ran down to Point Pleasant Park so that we could look out across the Atlantic Ocean and send your all strength. We were supposed to run 17km today for a 2 day total of 25 but Regan is heavy in the stroller so I think you’ll let the last 2km slide A photo coming in a second. She had a rattle in her hand and was shaking it for most of 1 hour 20 minutes- I think for you all!

I wish you lots of rest this afternoon and lots of food to refuel.

Tons of love,
Erin and Regan

Pa Modou, Sunday, June 16, 12:00pm

Wow this is amazin Sister Erin thank you like always

Erin Poirier, Monday, June 17, 8:18am

Dear team,

Here you are on day 3! Can you believe you’re going to have 3 days and more than 75km in when day 3 is complete!! Only the most serious marathon runners will run more than 75 kms in a whole week now here you are with that many kilometres in 3 days. Jennifer, you are a very strong athlete! And boys, you are so strong too! My message today is for you to all celebrate how strong you are. your strength will carry you to Banjul.

I’m looking at photos and Spider is much more muscular! Are you the eldest now? and has there been a boss each day?

It’s raining in Halifax today so maybe you’ll encounter some nice rain today too. I hope it will stop raining so that I can run with regan when I pick her up at the end of the work day.

Jennifer, I also have a message for you from Cliff today- he’s thinking about you. Here it is: Tell her to be patient. be in no hurry and enjoy this exceptional experience, wish her the best and all those that will meet her will come to appreciate what an outstanding person she is. they will come to know as we have.

Lots of love,
Erin and Regan

Pa Modou, Monday, June 17, 1:51pm

Thank you so much sister. This was read to the team during our rest time and we all laughed at you calling spider muscular hahahaha

 Jennifer Pasiciel, Monday, June 17, 1:53pm 

Thank you so much for the daily messages Erin. We always read them along with Cathy and “Aunty Debby” during our 20km rest break and it really carries us through to the end. Also, the kind words from Cliff were so nice to hear! The team is coming together so nicely (Pa and Spider pending…), but Mama Cie is keeping her two sons in line:) All the best to you and Regan. We are all thinking of you too lots as we are running, and I am blown away by your ability to do this run! Miss you lots and enjoy the Nova Scotia coolness:)

Jenn

Welcome to Forever in Running Shoes

Thank you for visiting me at my new blogging address.  As I wrote in this blog, introducing our new Love4Gambia runner Andrea to the world, Andrea will be assuming most of the blogging at love4gambia.com. I love to write and I love when you read my writing and leave me comments, so I’ve decided to continue here. You can find all of my writing from The Gambia on this site (thanks to team wordpress!).

I am thrilled beyond words that Andrea will fulfill my team’s dream to keep our Love4Gambia legacy alive and will run across the country of The Gambia beginning June. Her journey in support of the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association will keep kids and communities alive in The Gambia.

Andrea will fulfill this dream while I work on another: bringing a healthy baby into the world this April. Most of my life now revolves around running while pregnant and preparing our life for Baby Poirier, aka Lil’ Pear.  Expect more blogging about this pregnant runner.

I wish that I could take credit for “Forever in Running Shoes” but credit goes to the creative genius of one Vira Kou. I love this blog name for a few reasons. It reminds me of Vira, my forever life friend.  I’ve enjoyed Vira’s friendship and uproarious sense of humor for more than a decade. The name also makes me think of growing up happily to the soundtrack of Neil Diamond’s “smooth velvety voice.”  My father is one of the biggest Neil Diamond fans around.  Finally, “Forever in Blue Jeans” is my cousin Melissa’s favorite Neil Diamond song and thinking about that makes me happy.

So for now, see you the roads and on the blog.  I leave you with the most fitting video that I can, “Forever in Blue Jeans.”