After a crappy running summer, I had no idea what to expect in terms of time, so I figured I could be under 1:50 for sure, and settled on being happy with anything under that. As a result, I didn't feel a lot of pressure, and I wasn't sweating my splits all that much.
My first few splits were within 5 seconds either way of 5:00/km, with a couple that were 5:10-5:15 (but again, I wasn't really worried about it) and I crossed the 10K mat at 51:59. I was feeling good, and I put on my ipod at this point (I was sick of listening to people's conversations
). For the last half of the race, I consciously focussed on people and picked them off. I also trash talked them in my mind! It was fun and helped the race go by faster (literally and mentally). "You came all the way from MEXICO and I'm passing you!" "That is an ugly shirt- I'm PASSING you!" 
I latched onto a couple girls that I sort of went back and forth with for a few kms- "braid girl" and "barbie girl". I finally got rid of them at about 17km, but they really helped push me, especially up the little hill by the Legion.
At 19km I was feeling kinda tired, but I knew there was a downhill coming up, and I knew there was a chance at getting 1:45:xx, so I kept pushing. The last km was the only part that really sorta hurt, but thank god the last 500m were marked (400m to go, etc) so that really helped. It also helped that the 1:45 pacer was within sight in the last few hundred metres (he had been out of reach since about 5K). I pushed, and pushed, and ended up crossing at 1:45:48, a new pb by 1:18! I am THRILLED. Absolutely THRILLED!
What I learned:
-I don't need food to run a half marathon. I was fine with gatorade at the water stops
-The strategy of "comfortable first 10K, push the last 11K" worked really well for me- I had a negative split
-I think the biggest reason this race was so good for me is that I didn't put a lot of pressure on myself. I will have to remember this for Ajax.
I think there is a chance I could break 1:45 in Ajax on Oct 26, so that's going to be my goal, but I'm going to definitely make it a major focus to be relaxed going into the race. I think the speed workouts I'll put in during October will help, and I think if I pushed just a tiny bit harder starting from maybe 8 or 9 instead of 10K, that's where the 48 seconds may come off. We'll see. For now, I am SO happy!! I feel I've earned some celebratory Roti tonight when we go out for our anniversary dinner.
ETA- I forgot to mention- I saw the kids from my previous school after the race! They had run the marathon kids 5K. They all had a blast and really loved the event!
