Most of you know that I am a competitive recreational runner.  While I have been running for about 20 years, this past fall I had my best race ever: I completed the Scotiabank Waterfront Half Marathon in Toronto in 1 hour 36 minutes, placing 12th out of over 600 women in my age category.  It was not my fastest time, but it was the only race I ever started training for 10 weeks after falling down the stairs in my house and breaking three ribs in my back, then contracting whooping cough which made me sicker than I have been in my entire life.   This was in addition to the regular back and knee problems I have from time to time.  I stood at the start line with zero race day nerves, just total excitement to be able to run and feeling blessed to be able to experience racing again. The route of the race was changed two years ago, and now it goes right through my Annex neighborhood!  My husband Tzvika and my kids waited at the end of my street for me to pass.  And here I am, nearing the finish.  I look like I am suffering but I wasn't.

Even though it wasn't my fastest half marathon time, it was by far my best race.  I learned that through sheer determination and will, I could achieve a goal that, only five months before, seemed completely impossible.