Running Against The Wind: Racing Again!

It was time to kick it into gear and sign-up for another race! This time I started early so I could be in shape for the rest of the summer. I was able to talk T into it, with the help of her good friend Melissa, and we decided on the BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon. It was a beautiful day and Vancouver is my new favorite place!

The training was a little painful this time. I managed to roll my ankle on a dirt running trail on my first training run- by getting distracted by a squirrel fight in a tree. A squirrel fight?! Honestly. It actually took a few weeks for my ankle to feel better enough to run on. Then, I thoughtlessly (though excitedly!) signed up for a weekend art retreat, just a few weeks before race day so I lost another long-run. My longest run before the race was only 9 miles. And it sure felt like it during the race- ouch. Note to self: don't skip your long runs.

We drove up and found our hotel in the South Granville/Mount Pleasant neighborhood. We were very excited that there was a Whole Foods right down the street.

I have to say that Vancouver seems to have figured out public transportation. The Skytrain was great and easy to use- we only got on the wrong train once.

Packet pick-up was on the waterfront at Canada Place so we got to wander around the city afterwards- Gastown, Chinatown, Yaletown. We stopped at a fabulous deli and cooking class shop called The Dirty Apron, where I ate one of the most delicious salads ever - spinach, roasted butter-nut squash, pecans and a bit of goat cheese (my non-vegan splurge!)

Then we walked over to the False Creek Seawall walking/cycle path. Wow. To be in a city that created a safe place for people to run and bike and skateboard and relax was amazing. No fear of being squashed by cars. Hmm... I wonder if Seattle can learn a thing or two from them...

No one slept very well- not because it wasn't comfortable but I think it was nervous energy/anxiousness/anticipation. Our race started at 7 am, and they suggested we arrive at the start line no later than 6:45am. Ouch. We took the Skytrain with several thousand other runners- on the same train - to the start at Queen Elizabeth Park.

We ran through all the great parts of the city - Cambie St, Chinatown, Yaletown and Stanley Park into Downtown. There were blue skies, fluffy clouds, sunshine, mountains and water- kind of unreal.

Like all of my races, I was toast by mile 12- no energy left in tank. I'm not sure what to do about that. Is it not enough carbs? Better training? Or is just that 12 miles is enough or any body? It's about that time that I always declare I will never do this again, no I really mean it this time. After 8 half-marathons I haven't learned. And I can't say that I won't do it again- in fact the Bellingham Half and the Fairhaven 15k are already calling out to me. This time- I have all summer to get ready. No excuses.

PS- T did AWESOME in her first half-marathon.