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After the.Columbus Marathon in l990â€"spmmdonbyhersuccessâ€"the Glen Abbey woman ran the Toronto Marathon in 1991 and the Boston Marathon in 1992. In June of this yw, she ran her best time .(3 hours and 35 minutes) in the Buffalo Marathon, c0m- ing second in her age class. “Yes, I run in blizzards,” she cheer- fully admits. Adding, “Serious runners run no matter what. ” With hubby Dave (also an accom- plished mamthoner) and other members of the Oakville Runner‘s Club, Bandy runs throughout the year â€" in sun and wind, rain, snow, or sleet - The dynamic, part-time technologist at Oakvilleâ€"Trafalgar Memorial Hospital says she runs for a variety of reasons to increase her energy level, to release her tension, and to achieve that lovely ‘rush’ which comes with strenuous exercise. She has always enjoyed athletics (soft- ball and track as a schoolgirl); fitness is an important element in her life. And it is something the whole family - Christine 9, Laura 7, Matthew 5, and husband Dave, can do together. No doubt, the two dogs join in, as well. RUNS YEAR ROUND In. more recent times, She has gone on to local glory in the Glen Abbey Summerfest 5K race, winning two years in a row. (Not as easy as you might think, she says candidly, since the first half of the race is all up hill.) Marathon runner takes sport seriously V _ irginia Bandy, mother of three, ran her first marathon three years ago in Columbus, Ohio She was 35-years-old. It wasadreamshehad harbored foralong time and it was oh so sweet when that finish line appeared. Althothh she had ‘hit the wall' at mile 18, momentarily,- she was sprinting at the end. It is no longer enough to ‘just finish Prominent V Travel Virginia’s slight physique makes her excellent long-distance material. And her very efficient style is low key and uses minimal energy. “It can be,” the‘marathoner explains. Every runner is a little different, she says. Some very competitive runners don’t like to be held back by companâ€" ions. PersOnally, she likes to'run with someone in her club, so they can encourage each other, share the pace set- ting, and build mutual self-confidence. Her husband Dave- who is just a bit fasterâ€" often helps her to push her times down. Who ever said running was a lonel‘y sport? “It’s just phenomenal, so emotional. For the whole 26-miles, the route is lined with people who call out names with encouragement.” “It’s so totally different from other races," she explains. "There are 10,000 legal runners at the start line, plus a whole horde of bandit runners and they’re all on this country road, no wider than my street.” ' Her “all-time high,” she says, came at the prestigious Boston Marathon. Though it was not her best time, Bandy calls this race “the common person’s Olympics.” First, you have to qualify, and then on race day the excitement is exquisite; the numbers of participants incredible. the 26-mile endurance test. For Bandy, results are important. She expects her times to improve on each outing. 5 - '07- (“1' Call our experts today and save, save, save! all Packages 6 NELL VANDERWOUDE Cruises .DIANNE GAUVIN SIMONE SUN The autumn is the prime race season for runners. Bandy on the road â€" literally â€" almost every weekend. This past weekend she ran (and won) the Ontario Hydro 10K race at Sunnybmok Park in Toronto. This Sunday, Oct. 3rd, she will run we Toronto Half-Marathon; and the What does the serious nmner wear? In the summer, she dons a singlet and running shorts that ‘wick’ the perspira- tion away from the body. Through the winter, she wears Lifa underwear, again to move the perspiration away from her body, and then adds layers of clothing. The experienced runner also recom- mends Vaseline to protect the face from the elements. Bandy is a terrific enthusiast and spokesperson for running. She says it is something you can fit into any schedule at any time ofthe year and equipment is minimal. A good pair ofrunning shoes is the key. These can cost anywhere from $80 to $120, but they are essential. Anditisbesttogotoanexperttoget ‘They say you should visualize what you’re going to do when you get tired; how you’re going to encourage yourself along,” the avid reader of running maga- zines explains. “You do sometimes have to talk to yourself â€" not out loud â€" but mentally.” She laughs. Clearly, this_woman‘ has a mental toughness and ability to focus on her goals which is extraordinary. Much of long distance running is a case off‘mind over matter,” she says. Fortunately, she says, she has had few bio-mechanical problems. Her knees and ankles are sound, and injuries have been few and far between. She popped a ligament on her big toe play- ing soccer‘once and strained her back hoisting a patio stone, but recovery was swift MENTAL TOUGHNESS following weekend, she will be in the Finger Lakes region of New York state running the Taylor Wineglass Marathon, in relay with two other club members. ' It makes for a busy life, but one that obviously agrees with this woman and her family â€" all eager runners. The Running, she says, or even fast walk- ing, is an excellent fitness tool and something people can do forever. It can (See "Her goal . . . ' page 4) thine-lime mom says it is important for kids to have a positive outlet' for their