Dita Does Distance

Some video insight on my foray into the world of middle distance! Good Times.
Have A Blessed Week,
PF

A Victory Report: Slow Twitch Edition

Yesterday I experienced something I have never felt before. I'm sure you've all heard of runner's high, some of you may have even experienced it.

I haven't.

But last night I am sure I felt its inferior and much slower cousin: Sprinter Runners High.

Yes, I went where few of my kind have ever gone before. I ran distance and I loved it!.

I hung out at the Nike Toronto Runners Lounge for Girl's Night Only. Last year I ran a 3k in 28:00. And in my second annual appearance my goal was to run that same distance but to set a new personal record.

They surprised me with signature "12.46" Nike Lunar Glides for the run

It was a great intimate group of focused women, ready to conquer the night.

I took off with the pack down Avenue Road and by the third set of lights they were mere dots in the foreground. Ah hell, there goes my drafting strategy. No matter. I stuck to my pace: Slowest.

Soon I let my body settle into a comfortable rhythm and I started to open up to my environment. I realized the neat thing about running or training on city streets is that people get to see you. There is something very African Lion Safari about it, no?

P. Felicien-Middle Distance (part time)-Bringing guilt to a windshield near you

See when I am training over the hurdles there is rarely an audience, certainly there are no oldies in a beat down SUV to impress. Honk Honk. I was beaming!.

But apparently my sprinter thighs weren't clearing the crosswalk fast enough. Oh. Suddenly I regretted making eye contact. Soooorie.

I rounded the corner home and felt euphoric that I wasn't bonking yet or even thinking of quitting. I did many times last year. I had to represent for stick jumpers everywhere. I couldn't stop, event pride was on the line. I started to think WWPRD. What would Paula Radcliffe do?.

Paula Radcliffe Marathon World Record Holder

She would kick, P!. She would sprint hard the last few metres and overtake everyone in her path. She would show mercy to no one!. So this is what you must do too. I took off. Within a few meters I passed a woman pushing a stroller. You're done. A man on a cell phone talking about nonsense. I swallowed his slow moving self in one stride. A dog walking his owner. Move pooch get out the way.

I was on fire. Cue Chariot's of fire music....

My final time was 23:52 minutes! Victory. And I found out that I didn't run what I thought was a 3k, my thunder thighs ran a whopping 4.1k.  Who knew I could do it. Go me.

Thank you ladies! And Paula, where ever you are

African Lion Safari, Runners High

Today is my birthday. I am thirty.


And you're saying No duh. But I have been repeating this to myself and whoever happens to be near me all day. The policeman at customs. The hotel receptionist. The woman showing her young son the airplanes at the airport.

You'd be minding your own business and suddenly I'd bust you in the ear with the information. Expecting you to comp my snacks from the mini bar or drop the hand of your small child and come see about me. Well Happy Birthday stranger, whoever you are!. 

Nope. For the most part people took this information dryly. Some even looked at me all crazy.

What?...today is P-day.

Crickets.

But it didn't matter. I kept repeating my Dita Day mantra to myself: Today is your birthday. You are thirty!.

And you know what, after ten hours of saying this it actually feels like my birthday. Even if I spent it flying to Croatia and no one around knew how special the day was.

Such is the fate of a trackster born in August. I love my life and feel grateful to God I get to see another anywhere on our beautiful planet.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

In commemoration of my arrival into the 30's, I bought a totally age inappropriate birthday present in honor of years gone by.

The best 30th birthday gift on earth A Cookie Monster Tee

Hello dirty thirty! Where have you been all my life? Let's get this partay started Ok k k!

Thanks for the birthday L♥ve Friends & Fam
Have a blessed day everyone!

Perdita xo

Media Tuesday

I have to admit today was a long day it started at 7am and finished after 4pm. Nevertheless it was great to promote track at home and this weeks championships.

I didn't even attempt to get a serious workout in, that would have been torture. But I managed to get lose, stretch and squeeze in a massage. And this day was already factored in to my week's preparations.

The AC press conference is Wednesday morning @ Nike on Bloor. And after that it's back to business as I know it. As many of you have reminded me...lol. Much appreciated. :)

OTR will air on TSN Wednesday at 6pm. With eTalk on a short summer break our segment won't air before the weekend.

Here are some shots from today, I got to meet and reconnect with some very cool people.

Perdita

xo

John the best driver in the citay...best snacks too!

Canada AM with Seamus and Marci

Outside CTV Canada's National Olympic broadcaster-2012

P is in the building-OTR

P & P on set

It's a wrap...with host Michael Landsberg

With eTalk before taping

Priscilla on mic duty

Gotta love B-roll

Blocks minus spikes?...ya, we know

Cheesin hard about something...what's new?

A well earned reward...(u see my men's?!)

Inventory acquisition...my fav!...as well as randomness

...aint this the truth!

Livestrong 2010

Livestrong is Lance Armstrong's global initiative to fight cancer. You'll recognize its symbol whenever you see someone wearing a yellow band on their wrist.

I have lost a loved one to the disease, and I don't think there is anyone in the world that hasn't been affected by it.

This year during the Tour de France Nike has printed thousands of messages of hope and inspiration on the streets of the tour from their athletes, celebrities and people involved with the cause.

I just received the picture of my own personal message written on the road.

Talk about the cool factor. More than anything I am proud that I supported the cause in this small but special way.

The opportunity is there for anyone around the world to submit their own message and have it written just like mine. Thousands have already done it and you can too by clicking: http://bit.ly/chlkbot.

Help the fight. Spread the word. Tweet and repost your own message or this one and let the world know your stance!

Livestrong!

Perdita

With the craziness of indoors I didn't get a chance to post some links, so here they are.

Canada Reads 2010

The winner was crowned last week, unfortunately it wasn't my pick Fall On Your Knees. Congrats for Nikolski. If you missed the debates they are online, with full audio, video and one on one confessionals.

I know how big the Canada Reads brand is across the country and I worked very hard to be well prepared. So I was disappointed I could not get my book further in the competition. Yet despite not winning the top prize, I had a blast being a part of the 2010 edition.

This is what the Torontoist had to say about my role:

"Perdita Felicien, however, wins Canada Reads MVP for her passionate, no-holds barred commentary that shocked nearly every listener.... “I did not see Perdita Felicien coming,” Julie Wilson, former CBC Book Club guest host and current BookMadam, admitted. “For all the performance of what makes the ideal reader, the most thoughtful reader, the best-prepared reader, she just balls out loves Fall on Your Knees and that’s that. End of story. Say what you want, she’s leaving there with her fave book of all-time on her arm, and she got to debate it on behalf of one of her favourite authors. How bloody cool is that? I loved her. I absolutely loved her.”".

The producers and entire team made the experience one I won't soon forget. A special thanks to: Anne, Sarah, Barb, Rosie and the whole team at CBC!. And of course (my) author Anne-Marie MacDonald.

The Score Celebrates Black History Month

I was happy to be a part of The Score's Black History Series, which aired last month. During taping I had no clue the finished product would be as thought provoking and commanding as it proved to be. So glad I was able to lend my own female African-Canadian perspective.

What If?

Money Management

Education

I haven't updated about Canada Reads 2010 in a while, but still a lot of activity going around in anticipation of its start next month. Again I am defending a great one, Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

It's my week to be spotlighted on the CBC website, with blogs, pics, audio, video, etc. Of course it is not too late to go out and get the books and join the adventure!.

Below are a few links from the site, but do visit *it here* and look around. There is lots to see and do, and the content changes daily.

That's all for now, I'm in Arkansas for the Tyson Invitational and I race Friday afternoon. It has been extremely cold in Atlanta this week, and with no indoor track we had to improvise a lot. So I'm glad to be able to spike up tonight during my pre-meet routine and run hard tommorrow.

Ciao Bellas & Bellos

P

From launch day my book choice is revealed!

Click here for parts 3 & 4

A few off the cuff questions

World Tour: Part 1

The world tour has concluded and now I'm back in Atlanta. Your girl has been to three different countries in less than a week. Lots of fun I must admit but when I blogged about this a few posts ago, I didn't think I'd feel so beat up.

Two Days of T.O

First I flew to Toronto late last week and spent the next day on a set as part of a media commitment. The day was long, demanding but I was surrounded by great people and the best catering a girl has ever had. (Shout out to those mini PB cookies, wherever you are... dee-lish!).

The next day I was able to squeeze a work out in, it was basic and I was happy to not feel too drained from the day before.

Another highlight before I left town was being able to hook up with one of my favorite networks: The Score.

DJ and I sat down to chat about some very interesting topics for The Score's Black History series airing during February. I was happy to lend a black female perspective and not necessarily from a sports angle. Big up to DJ for the provocative line of questioning, I can see why the series was nationally nominated last year. *And off topic but, Cabbie Snuggies are for everyone!

Carlton & I

The next day I jetted off to Cancun, Mexico and I was ready for it. Flip flops? tankini? sunscreen? check!.

Unfortunately I was too ready, since I was only there for work and not for a mini vaykay. But between the two hours it took to address the gracious audience and sign autographs I did find time to take a few walks on the beach.

...and kick my dawgs up!

RBC held their work force convention on site, a trip earned by the top 10% IRPs and Mortgage specialists, etc. across all of Canada. It wasn't my first time addressing a major corporation but I was pretty nervous having to address them so far from home. It better be good: "They flew her all the way over here for that?!".

In the end I was myself and shared my ups and down in my sport and paralleled them to the ones they face every day in business. I spoke of what we had in common as the best of the best: It's what drives us, what excites us and how unshakable our commitment is no matter what others say. I closed with reminding them that devotion to our craft is great, but devotion to self and family is greatest.

I was honest and hoped they got something out of it once I walked off sage. Needless to say I was completely floored to receive a standing ovation from 400+ of Canada's business elite. Wow. Talk about humbling. At least if I ever need a mortgage, now I know where to go.

Thanks to Steve and everyone from RBC for having me, it was an absolute honor. And BTW sorry if anyone got in trouble, after I left. I can't say how many Bvlgari lotions went missing from carts mysteriously abandoned in hallways (shrugging shoulders).

TBC...I'll fill you in on the Georgia Peach & Big Apple parts of the world tour in my next post.

P

Perdita Reads!

If you know anything about me you know I am a lover of books. A major treat when I was younger was when my dad and I would go to the Oshawa Centre and we'd stop at Coles The Book People. I would always end up on the floor reading everything and anything, while other patrons gingerly stepped over and around me. I always got to pick one book to take home, but that was never enough.

I do have the same voracious appetite for literature, however because of my job and other obligations I don't seem to have the time to satisfy it (boo). So imagine the huge grin on my face and absolute delight when I was approached to be a panelist for CANADA READS 2010.

"What's that?" you say, find out here!

Now that you're in the know, let me tell you that I love my pick. I read it this summer as I was preparing for the World Championships in Berlin and what a wondrous and welcome escape from my every day grind!

The ninth edition of Canada Reads was launched last week in downtown Toronto, it was a long day of press and promotion. I got to meet my Author for the first time and not only is she brilliant, but wonderful to be around!

The five books for this year are killer, so if you love a good read CR 2010 won't disappoint. So pick up the set for yourself or someone else and start reading.

Personally, I am so excited to be a part of something so impactful and that is outside the realm of sport. Though I do plan to bring my competitive edge and desire to win to this totally different competition.

Peep the video below to discover the faces and names of Canada Reads 2010!

Canada Reads debates will air March 8 - 12 on CBC Radio One & their digital TV channel Bold. Visit www.cbc.ca/canadareads for all things Canada Reads 2010. The site is updated daily with new features and specials. I'll also update you from my vantage point as well.* And since I am assuming you already read the post, I'll let you know I am currently working on "Good to a Fault" by Marina Endicott.

Happy Reading,

P

So You Wanna See The World

Howdy,

so I know a lot of peeps have taken August 19th the day of my final off. Thanks & Yipee!

Just know that CBC will not be airing much on TV except on August 15 @ 2pm Eastern. But they are streaming everything live online @ www.cbcsports.ca.

So if there are any thiefs "borrowing" wireless signals, time to hook up internet for a few days, and you can always call  Bell or Rogers on August 20th to cancel...kidding.

But not.

Also www.universalsports.com is showing live coverage online but this may only be available to viewers in the States.  Click here to see Universal schedule.  

NBC will be showing television coverage on the weekends during the following:

August 
15—World Championships (1:00, NBC) 
16—World Championships (2:00, NBC) 

22—World Championships (1:00, NBC) 
23—World Championships (2:00, NBC) 

I compete Tuesday August 18 and Wednesday August 19 but there is a lot of action and great events from Berlin starting Saturday August 15.  Click here to view complete World Championship Events Timetable. I know everyone will want to watch the men's 100m final to see Tyson Gay & Usain Bolt.

Some local knowledge for those back home, Berlin is 6 hours ahead of Toronto or Eastern Standard Time. 

Hope this helps, see CBC schedule below & be sure to double check this info!

P

CBC Sports Streaming Online Daily Schedule. 
Eastern Standard Time  All Live 

IAAF World Championships Berlin

Saturday August 15

3:55-8:30 ET LIVE 
11:00-12:00 ET LIVE 
12:05-15:30 ET LIVE 

Sunday August 16

3:55-7:30 ET LIVE 
11:55-17:00 ET LIVE 

Monday August 17 

11:45-16:00 ET LIVE 

Tuesday August 18 

3:55-6:30 ET LIVE 
11:35-15:30 ET LIVE 

100mh Heats @ 12:10PM Toronto Time

Wednesday August 19

3:55-7:30 ET LIVE 
11:55-16:00 ET LIVE 

100mh Semi & Finals @ 1245 & 315PM T.O Time

Thursday August 20  

3:55-10:00 ET LIVE 
11:45-16:00 ET LIVE 

Friday August 21

3:00-7:00 ET LIVE 
10:20-16:00 ET LIVE 

Saturday August 22 

4:50-8:00 ET LIVE 
11:35-15:30 ET LIVE 

Sunday August 23

4:50-11:15 ET LIVE 
12:30-13:30 ET 
16:00-17:00 ET 

Eight!-Nationals 2009

I'm off to Norway this evening and wanted to post a few pics before I get out of town. Hoping to post even more as soon as I get the chance.

Ciao,
Perdita