As I walked along Bremner Blvd with my wife Louise on our way to the Team Running Free season kick-off party last night,I was taken back to that cool,crisp Sunday March 16th morning when I ran the Achilles St.Patricks Day 5k.

Achilles Canada is a wonderful  non-profit charitable organization that helps disabled athletes realize their running dreams.

We gathered at Steamwhistle that cold morning and though my heart was warm with the thoughts that the funds being raised were for such a great cause,the rest of my body was shivering.

A long warmup out back of the brewery did the trick and I was ready to race!

I got myself a good position on the start line and away we went past the Rogers Centre and up Spadina Ave.I managed to stay near the front pack for a few minutes until the 15 & 16 minute speed freaks finally left me.The course turned east on Wellington to the turn-around near Yonge and proved to be a nice out and back course save for the slightly icy conditions at Clarence Square.

I ran a strong consistent race from start to finish and ended up PB ing by 1 second in  17:11, chip time.

St.Paddy’s wouldn’t be complete without a pint, so into the roundhouse for a cold post-race libation I went.Picked up  a couple of medals to boot,and one of my favourite short races of the year was complete.

Thanks to Steamwhistle and Achilles for a great day at the races.I’ll be back. 

Cheers

Anthony