Be camera-ready, this race day

It's almost race day!

This will be my fourth year taking part in the Sudbury Rocks Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes' Celebrity Challenge. In those four years, I've accepted the fact that I'm not the top candidate to take home the Celebrity Challenge trophy. Yes, I do love running and I do it regularly, but I'm pretty average when it comes to the speed. 

In talking with a fellow Celebrity Challenger about race time goals, he told me it's not about winning the race, but being faster than I was the day before. I laughed and asked him if he stole that off a poster, but it really was good advice. That's a race I'm confident I can win, when, at least in my mind, I'm the only competitor to beat.

So with my dreams of being the city's fastest celebrity safely tucked away, I've decided to add another element to my race this year. On Sunday morning, I'll be out there with the other celebrities racing, but rather than focusing on beating them, I'm going to be focusing on you, my fellow racers.

I'll be wearing a camera on my head to get a different vantage point of the race and I'm hoping you'll take a moment to say hello and tell my why you're taking part. If you're speeding by me, I'll take note of the dust you left in my face.

I've done a few road races over the years, including a number of five- and 10-kilometres and a half-marathon. I certainly don't break any records, but there's much to be inspired by, when I take the time to notice.

In one road race, I was passed by a competitor running with a sighted guide. She was visually impaired but that didn't slow her down any. 

In another race, I saw a couple pausing to take pictures of each other en route. I caught up to them and offered to snap a photo for them so they could both be in the shot. Those few extra moments really weren't going to make or break my race, and I was able to give that couple a memory of something they'd obviously worked hard at achieving together. 

I know those taking part in Sunday's races have good stories to share as well — I've spoken to quite a few of you already.

Veronica Gordon, a Grade 8 student at Churchill Public School, has Type 1 Diabetes. She's taking part in the 5-km because she has a vested interest in finding a cure.

Linda Legault, the secretary at that school, is doing the same distance for the sake of her health — diabetes is prevalent in her family — as well as to be an example for her kids. After all, the race is taking place on Mother's Day. What better way to celebrate?

In fact, my mom will be out there, too. You wouldn't know it by looking at her — she's a wee little thing — but she used to be about 70 pounds heavier. 

My dad used to be overweight, too, but in 2001, he made the decision to get in shape. At her peak weight — more than 200 pounds — Mom was reluctant to join him, she was intimidated by the sheer amount of weight she needed to lose. But as she watched Dad slimming down, she decided it was time to get her health under control. She made drastic changes to her diet and she started walking, a lot. Rain or shine, Mom was out there logging kilometres on the country roads, dropping the pounds with an unwavering determination.

She's fast, too! Despite the fact that I have at least five inches on her, height-wise, I used to get shin splints trying to keep up with her tiny 5-5 frame.

Actually, she's participated in most of the races I've participated in, but this is her first year in the Sudbury Rocks event. She'll be blazing her way through the 10-km, and as she comes speeding across the finish line, I'll be there cheering her on. And I'll be beaming with pride, just like she has been for me all these years.

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you road warriors on Sunday and good luck in your races!

If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time. Visit sudburyrocksmarathon.com and register today.

Laurel Myers is the sports and lifestyle editor at Northern Life.