Race Review: Chilly Chase Half Marathon

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I signed up for this race towards the end of December because it fit with my full marathon training schedule and I really wanted a rematch with my 23rd half marathon. I was supposed to run the Vancouver Historic Half at the end of November but I wasn't feeling well and ended up not doing the race.

On Saturday, we went to Whistler to visit my family for the day.

After a total of 5 hours of driving that day (there and back) we didn't get home until around 9:00PM. After putting Griffin to bed I quickly gathered my stuff for the race the next day so that I could get myself to bed and hopefully get some rest.

This Nathan hydration pack (Torchlight HPL 020) has been on my wishlist for a while and it finally went on sale this month! It arrived this past week so I was eager to try it out on Sunday. I know you're not supposed to try new things on race day but it's not like it is any bigger than the pack I normally carry (in fact I found it to be a lot lighter), and I had a lot of faith in the product. I have to admit though, when I was filling the Hydrapak bladder I was a little nervous it would open up because it opens/closes really easily but I had no problems at all!

The race didn't start until 9:00AM so I didn't have to get up too early which was nice because I'm still struggling with going to bed earlier... which was part of one of my January goals which I think is going to have to roll right on into February...

Anyways, I found some street parking when I arrived in athlete's village (the old site for the 2010 Winter Olympic athlete's). Apparently this was lucky as most people paid for parking and I'm also probably quite lucky I didn't get a parking ticket for being there longer than 2 hours.

I headed into the Creekside community center to find some Twitter turned IRL (in real life) friends who were also running this race. Unfortunately for me, I was the only one running the half. Everyone else I knew who was there was signed up for either the 15k or the 10k.

This was Lisa's first 10k since having her 4th baby! She did awesome with a new PR :)

After wishing everyone good luck, I headed over to the starting chute.

It was incredibly foggy yesterday. So foggy that even though I know Vancouver quite well, I felt slightly disoriented. I knew Science World (picture below from a couple weeks ago with my son) was right in front of us but I couldn't actually see it.

I had seen many pictures of people running the day before with these beautiful clear sunny skies and I was sort of hoping that's what we'd be looking at during the race. As we got ready to start, I kept trying to remind myself that this was just meant to be a training run and to avoid racing or going too fast but I find that really hard most especially at the beginning of the race. I mean, I'm not a fast runner by any means, but during a race, it is hard to not at least try to go faster than your normal pace.

Anyways, off we went around the Seawall and under the walkway around Science World, through Yaletown, and onto the English Bay portion of the Seawall. I felt pretty good just moving along making sure to stick to my 10/1s.

I like the Try Events races for a different reason than why I like most other races. They're quiet, and a lot of the same people run all the races. I often find myself running around the same people as the previous races which is kind of comforting in a way. It turned into the most peaceful race I've ever run. The fog was thick but beautiful especially in and around Stanley Park.

It was the perfect race to use as a training run because with the fog being the way it was, I mostly felt like I was out there running by myself. I was keeping up a decent pace until the last 4 kilometers, which makes sense because I haven't run longer than 17km since November. I so wished that I could see my old apartment across the water but it was way too foggy. I used to run this same route all the time way back in 2010, well more of walk/run really as I was just learning. Because of that, I know the distances between the bridges REALLY well. It's nice and short between Burrard and Granville, but from there to Cambie appears to be deceivingly shorter than it is, that's how it feels at the end of a half marathon anyway!

I took my phone out to get one more picture of the fog clearing and Science World in the distance, not far from the finish line.

And as I went to put it back in my pack I dropped it at just the wrong angle and the screen shattered into a billion pieces. I wanted to look at it more because I was angry and upset that I had dropped it, but I knew I had to get going so I slipped it in the pocket and started running again. The whole rest of the way to the finish I started thinking about how much this was going to cost... iPhones are so expensive and my contract isn't close enough to being up so that I can get a new phone. This might seriously cut into my Dopey 2015 budget...

I had no time expectations for this race as my goal was to just keep a steady training pace. However, I had thought it would be nice to keep it under 2:20 and that's exactly what I managed to do. 2:18:03 is the official time, which I haven't been able to do since last June. With only a few weeks of training under my belt, I'd say that's a win for me. This finish line photo however, is not a winner... yuck.

Photo courtesy of the Try Events Facebook Page

Do I really look like that when I'm running?!?

I immediately called Cody to tell him about my phone problem and thankfully the phone was still operational. He said that we could get the screen changed out or we could trade phones and he could get a new one. We haven't figured it out yet, but I'm so glad buying a new phone won't be necessary... which means the WDW 2015 Dopey Challenge is still on the table!

I celebrated by stopping for my favorite post race meal at the White Spot Carhop including a chocolate milkshake, yum!

Race Review Summary

Package Pickup/Expo:
Cody picked up my package this time and said it was nice and quick. They have separated multiple package/group pick up from personal pickup which has definitely made things more efficient. They also added a pickup in the Fraser Valley which saved me a drive in to the city! New this year, were the souvenir hat and gloves. Though I liked them, the gloves are entirely too large for anyone to wear. They have promised to send new gloves and also offered a discount for any of their upcoming races. There is no expo for this race.

Price/Value: $65.00
Pretty much the same cost for all of their races. Considering you get the photos for free, assuming they captured a picture of you crossing the finish line it isn't bad. There was also great signage and many volunteers on course this time around.

Aid Stations: It depends on the distance how many you will pass, and it is an out and back so you pass them more than once. It seems to me there was 3 x 2 for the half course, but I could be wrong as I didn't need them with the hydration pack. One of the main things missing for me at these races, is chocolate milk at the finish line :(

Course Difficulty: Pancake flat and beautiful. There weren't many people running the half so I noticed on the way back the seawall  had definitely gotten busier with pedestrians and bicycles so that was difficult to navigate through at times.

Medals: Love them, they're always simple but nice.

Did you have a race this weekend, how did it go? 

Square One

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My 1st week of training for my second marathon is in the books and I feel like I have started back at square one. Taking a month off took more of a toll than I anticipated.

Last Sunday in particular was really tough. I admittedly started off a lot faster than intended as I really wanted to run with a certain group of people but about 5 km in, I realized that there was no way I could continue at that pace nor was it very smart to have done so up until that point. They were doing 16km and I only had 10 on the schedule so I wasn't sure how long I'd stick it out. Thankfully I ran into a couple of other friends who had already been running for 20km so they were happy to only do another 5 or so kilometers and dragged me along beside them. In the end I clocked that run in at just over 14km and I felt wrecked. It was discouraging and humbling. During marathon training I had felt so strong, I took that for granted. In a way, I think it is a good thing, it has given me a different kind of motivation and my body felt really rested and ready to get going again.

This Sunday, I once again had 10km on the schedule. Seemingly overnight, I woke up Saturday morning sick. I had had a bit of sore throat on/off throughout the week, but I felt like it was going away. Then when Saturday hit, everything fell apart. My sinuses felt so full and my throat was extremely sore. I decided that I would run on Sunday morning anyway. It wasn't a race, I was just going to teeter along at my own pace. I've heard that if your sickness is from the neck up, then it is okay to run, but usually I just go by how I feel and I didn't feel like sitting at home. So this morning, off I went. I dressed, what I thought, was warmly, and then I went outside...

Oh my, did I ever wish I had washed my long pants after Friday night's run, it was freezing! My weather app lied, it was WAY colder than -2 at our house. I didn't feel great, but once we got running, my spirits started to lift. One of the great things about moving to a new area is that I am not yet familiar with all the running routes yet, so it is always interesting, especially on a beautiful day like today! I met some new people along my run too which was also nice, as I'm still pretty new to the local running scene here.

Starting over is tough especially because of the year I had last year, but today I felt some of that strength in my legs coming back, there is some memory there and it will all come back with some hard work! Now to get rid of this head cold... Off to bed!

Today's run brought to you by Baywatch, chocolate milk, & a cold winter's day!

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You know how I know I'm not in training for anything in particular at the moment... nothing is charged and all my running things are scattered all over the house in various drawers and in all the wrong places. With so many races this year I always had a very specific goal in mind. I've almost forgotten what it feels like to just run for the sake of running. So today the opportunity finally arose to just run and I couldn't pass it up even though my watch wasn't charged, my iPod was also dead, and I had a really hard time locating all my winter running apparel. I very haphazardly threw whatever I could find on and ran out the door completely unprepared for the freezing temperature.

There was so much ice on the road that I could have gone skating!

It was only 5k, and it was mostly hills, but somehow I finished it feeling great. If you live in my neighborhood, which you probably don't (but humor me anyway), and you were driving past me today, you probably would have wondered why that woman was running up that giant hill with a huge grin on her face...

One of several hills in my neighborhood

Well firstly, I was thinking that I have a babysitter today and I get to run during daylight hours, woohoo!

Secondly, it was a gorgeous winter's day and that might just be one of my favorite kind of days to run.

Thirdly, I was laughing to myself that I was running "Baywatch style", meaning that if someone had been filming me, it would have looked like I was running in slow motion up those hills. At some points I'm sure I might as well have been walking. And in no way do I have a Baywatch figure so thank goodness someone wasn't filming me!

The point is, I was running and I'm starting to feel like I'm getting my love of running back after the post marathon blues and my disastrous attempt at the running streak. I had some chocolate milk to celebrate!

 

'Tis the Season of Giving!

This Saturday, I'll be running the Abbotsford Santa Shuffle in support of the Salvation Army and since it is the season of giving I'm asking anyone who can to donate something small. Even $5 can go a long way! You can donate here. Thank you in advance for your support!

Race Review: Vancouver First 1/2 Half Marathon

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This morning I woke up bright an early after a so-so kind of night, not the greatest sleep of my life. I showered to wake myself up and put on my race gear then headed to the kitchen for some peanut butter on toast. I felt pretty good and ready for the run, so I headed out to meet Nikki so we could ride in together to meet her friend Solana. When we arrived it was very clear to me that this was going to be a race of mainly elite or faster runners, I then started to get a little bit more nervous but we stopped to take some pre-race pictures anyway...

I was more than happy to get started because it was pretty chilly out there this morning. 

Within the 1st kilometer I realized that my left sock was going to be a problem, I had already adjusted it twice from slipping down into my shoe before the race... grrr! I made a quick stop and yanked it up and off I went again around BC place and back down Pacific towards the sea wall. As we approached the seawall I was very apprehensive -- the seawall and I have a love/hate relationship especially since Lululemon. At the SeaWheeze Half Marathon last August I got my worst time EVER, I blame the heat and the seawall, it just went on and on. However, at the Vancouver Historic Half last November I PR'd and that was a double loop of the seawall. I plugged along at a relatively good place, got a good picture on one of my water breaks:

At this point I knew we were about to round onto second beach, I looked at my watch and we were only at 13km so I knew there would be another little loop before heading back on the seawall towards Pacific avenue. To my surprise/horror we still had to run around the lagoon, it's not that far but I was annoyed because I could see the way back and then we basically turned and went in the other direction. At this point I got nervous about getting a PR, I knew if I wanted to try for one I really had to book it so that's what I did. I didn't stop again until the very last hill which was less than a mile from the finish, I very quickly walked up the hill and started sprinting. If I didn't sprint full out for that last little bit I never would have PR'd, it was close. So my new PR is 02:17:38.

I'm glad I PR'd but I honestly thought that it would be better after my experience at Running from an Angel & Disney. Anyways, it's time to look past this race and prepare for the Fort Langley Historic Half next Sunday. I can confidently say that will not be a PR, I know the course, and more importantly I KNOW THE HILLS but it's my town and I gotta do it.

So just like that, 3 races of the year are behind me, 13 to go. Here we go 13in2013!

Race Review: Running from an Angel Half Marathon

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I was nervous about this one, it wasn't until we arrived just outside of Boulder city at the Hacienda Hotel that I had my first glimpse of what I was in for the following morning. It was then that I had a hunch that I may have misunderstood the course description. The fiasco of realizing I didn't bring my running pants and racing to Target when I should have been sleeping only added to my pre race nerves. I went to bed shortly after we returned from Target ready for what I thought would be just another half marathon.

I awoke as planned at 7:00am, we planned to leave the hotel at 7:30am as we weren't exactly sure where we were going and how to enter Lake Mead National Park. Off we went (check out the beautiful wallpaper/carpet combo in our hotel, eww!):

We arrived pretty early and chose to sit in the car until the last possible second as it was freezing out, actually below zero in the desert... Then it was time. As I approached the starting line I got my first good look at Lake Mead, though freezing and windy, it sure was beautiful out:

Before I knew it we were off and running! No matter how big or small the race (this one being less than 500 people) I always find the starting line very exciting and the adrenaline usually pushes me through the first few kilometers with a smile on my face. However as we started off I gradually noticed the "rolling hills" mentioned in the course description, but after the first mile marker, there was no rolling... it was just up...

up...

and more up...

Every time I rounded a corner thinking we must be almost done with this hill, it kept going. The further I got into it, I wasn't sure how my time was going to be, I decided I better abandon all hopes for a PR and focus on finishing. I quit doing 10 and 1's which normally improves my time (10mins run/1min walk) and knew that I had to run when I could and walk when I needed. It felt like we went straight uphill for 11km. Having now looked at the elevation chart I know there were some dips, which then became hills after the turnaround. When we reached the top of the incline, we were at 1539ft: 

At this point there was a short bit of downhill and another very steep incline up to the turnaround, which of course I had to repeat backwards once I turned around. The rest of the race definitely went smoother. I knew the majority was on a downhill and there was a chance I could still finish with a decent time. At about the 10th mile marker I reached a point at the top of a hill where I could actually see the finish area, very far off in the distance, but I could see it. It looked like an oasis in the desert, sparkling water and palm trees... I got a short lived burst of energy and made it to kilometer 19, from then on we were in the "rolling hills" from the beginning, but after all that uphill/downhill my knee was done. I pushed and I pushed, I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere, but I did:

I crossed that finish line and left every last ounce of energy behind me. I was so happy to see Cody and get out of there. This was by far the MOST difficult course mentally and physically for me. I generally always find hills challenging, but usually in hill training its only a kilometer at a time or so and then you get a short break, this was so constant, it really got to me. On the other hand this was also one of the most beautiful courses I've ever run, the combination of the stark desert against that crystal blue lake water was breathtaking and I know I will never forget it. So the first race of my 13 in 2013 is now complete! 

Chip Time: 02:26:33

After a quick shower and checking out of our hotel we were on our way to LAS VEGAS, it was a great reward having just completed that challenge! The first stop: In n' Out

Las Vegas was a great way to relax and let off some steam after the race, but it was only a short trip. Today we drove back to Palm Springs, 4.5 hours through the desert, a lot of which I spent reflecting on this past race and the ones coming up. I also couldn't wait to get back and see my little boy, this was our longest time apart since he was born. Here are some pictures from our drive:

Now its time to prepare for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon on Sunday. I'm excited about this race, as it will be my first with my mother-in-law, Cindy, it will also be her very first half marathon! My son Griffin will be taking part in his very own 100m race on Saturday. So now it's back to eating properly and getting those last training runs in. Training and running while traveling is a completely different experience then being at home, exhausting but fun! Except for perhaps the ton of laundry and repacking I have left to do before our departure to Disneyland...

Half Fanatics Membership & Packing Procrastination

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Aha! I've finally gotten something for all these races I've done, I've been accepted into the Half Fanatics! Okay it's actually not that big of a deal and I'm only at the "Neptune" level which I achieved for running 3 half marathons in 22 days back in November. Anyways, I've put a widget right here on my blog so click on the Half Fanatics logo or here and check it out!

One week from now I'll be having my pre race dinner in Boulder City getting ready to run around Lake Mead. And two weeks from now we will be checking into our Disneyland hotel, exciting stuff ahead! 

I'm looking forward to the trip but I'm starting to get nervous about packing and my last week of training. Basically I'll be packing for 3 separate climates (Palm Springs, Las Vegas/Boulder City, Anaheim). How is one supposed to accomplish that and fit all your running gear, husbands clothing, toddler clothes, and other child related gear into two suitcases?! This may be more of a challenge than the actual marathon...

Here's what I've accomplished so far arrrghh:

Two runs are planned for this weekend, both are 10kms, I'm so looking forward to tapering, the last few weeks have all been pretty much half marathon distances. Now is the time to "sit back and relax"? Wait that doesn't sound right... Okay but I'm only doing two 10km runs, that's not so bad. 

Well here's hoping running at 7:30am tomorrow isn't as chilly as last week:

Stay tuned for a book review on "She's Come Undone" by Wally Lamb hopefully tomorrow. I'd also like to get a baking post in before I leave but I'm not making any promises!