Regina Royal Road Race 2014

I almost stopped to take a picture during the race but I had to keep walking.

I almost stopped to take a picture during the race but I had to keep walking.

This year was a cold spring and I didn’t practice 5 km walks very often so I relied on my muscle memory.

This is the 4th year of the Regina Royal Road Race, http://jaletapacers.com/royal-road-race/ . As happenstances happen, in 2010 I participated in the first because after I found out that it wasn’t a bicycle race and that there was a 5 km walk for different age groups, I knew I could do this. I had walked around Wascana Lake often over the years and walking from my home and around the lake is approximately 6 km.

This year a friend joined me.

We're ready and warm

We’re ready and warm

But then we went outside again.

It is about 4 degrees Celsius and a 21 km wind.

It is about 4 degrees Celsius and a 21 km wind.

I wore about five layers on and Carol wore two. We crossed the start line together but she had to hustle faster, she was cold besides she is a faster walker. We discussed early that I wouldn’t hold her back. She crossed the finish line 3 minutes 5 seconds earlier than I did, to garner second place.

I managed third place in our age group.

Muscle memory can claim the prize but the body was weak afterwards.

“The Royal Road Race is a family event that promotes wellness and the sport of running. The race is designed for everyone from walkers to competitive runners. The race distances are 10 km Timex series, 5 km and 1km Mini Mountie Run. The course is fast and flat with a 5 km loop run twice for the 10 km distance. The proceeds raised from this race go toward local charities.” (from the web page)

Chili for Children and the United Way were the charities who benefited from the proceeds this year.

Ted Jaleta the motivator behind this event will be receiving an honourable degree from the University of Regina later this year. It is well deserved. Please check out his web page. http://tedjaleta.com/index

Will I be in the race next year? I hope so. This year has been my best time, maybe next year it will be better. I now understand that this is something I do for me, not to win a medal but to participate.

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