My running year consists of so much activity I never know where to start . While I still make my weekly mile totals from January to March, the actual racing season starts for me in that month with the Ft Vancouver 15K and then proceeds from there. It culminates in the Vancouver Marathon, or the Half for myself, each June Father's Day weekend. This is a major highlight of my running year and what really begins my summer. So, that being noted, Friday night of this last weekend started it off with a pre-race carb loading dinner with my running family. We met at a fun Italian restaurant in downtown Vancouver called Little Italy. Some great food, wine and even better, social time with our running peeps!!
Below are a few photos from that dinner. Thanks to Rolf and Elba for the shots!!!
The next morning, Saturday, was the Freedom 5K and Kid's Race. I was not able to attend these due to scheduling conflicts but it looks like all went very well and that the weather and race were perfect!! This time of year is really always a risky one as June can be gloriously beautiful and in the 70°'s or raining like crazy.
Sunday, the day arrived for the fourth annual Vancouver Marathon and Half. Up at 5am and ready to head out the door and get a parking spot early, as they fill up fast. This beautiful course winds through a large cross section of Vancouver and past historic buildings and the Columbia River, ending in Esther Short Park downtown.
We met up with our friend Jules and headed to Starbucks for a shot of caffeine and some chat. Just enough time to catch an interview with the CVTV camera man and get to the start for the full marathon.
The half marathon start was at 9 AM and so that gave us some time to shoot a few pics and meet up with running pals. Also, to scout the park and see what was new for this years event.
A friend was gracious enough to shoot a photo of Ann and myself at the clock tower as we awaited the start. I decided on a Sport Kilt this year and found it to be very comfortable. What would it be like after 13.1 miles of running? I would find out very soon.
Then we entered the corral for the start of this delightful race! I always get giddy and so excited when racing and go out super fast, tiring myself out by mile five or six. But I have been slowly getting better at NOT doing this and was determined to slow it down to 8:30 or 9:00 per mile paces. When my Garmin battery died before the race, I had no choice but to go it without that information, the first race I have done like this.
Before you know it, we were off and running. I maintained my pace internally and am usually pretty good at knowing where I am at with that. As I ran past the court house, another running friend who couldn't make it this year due to work, shot this photo, Thanks Charlie and also to Laura for her mile 12 photo!!!!
Running in the kilt was fun and I appreciated most of the comments from the fans and fellow runners. Only two sideline supporters yelled out "I like the skirt", only to have myself and another runner next to me retort "It is a KILT! ". Surprising in this day that more don't know what a kilt is or the difference. Oh well. Maybe they know now. :-)
After mile six, I we all had the hill ahead on Evergreen and 5th to look forward to. This is not a horrible hill and the incline is lower but the distance is longer at close to a mile. The weather was holding out very nicely at around 60° and perfect. Then the downhill stride to the Columbia River and back towards downtown Vancouver. I started to feel my joints ache at mile eight and that is when I slowed down even more. By mile nine, the hips and knees were screaming at me, although not so much I had to walk. I kept what I thought was a 9:15 or so pace at mile twelve, the location Laura shot the pic above with me in the yellow circle. Thanks to her and Richard for the support there as well as the great photos!
Then on to the final mile, over the land bridge and past Fort Vancouver. This last mile has a rather steep hill that lasts a few long blocks but is a bit trying after a long race. The home stretch is always great fun when the crowds really cheer runners on. As I raced down the last hundred yards I did hear a lot of the word "kilt" and was happy for that. Showing that Scottish Pride I have for my ancestry is something I really enjoy when wearing my kilt!!!! As I passed the mats at the finish, I forgot to see what my time was and didn't find out till six hours later. An average 9:15/ mile pace. Not too bad as I was not intending on running this race fast nor competitive.
Energy Events and the staff who put on this race are to be commended over and over for the success it has in the last four years. Brian and his team have really made this event a special one for so many and it just keeps getting better!!!! Now to look forward to next years race and all of the other races in between!!
After the finish, it was a trek to the car for the Nikon and some pics to be taken. The following are some of the photos of my running family. What joy and pride I have for this circle of family and friends!!!
So ends my first half of the 2014 racing season. And what a great way to do so!!!! This does not mean I'm ceasing running at all, but that I will not have another race till the North County Wine Half marathon in September. As most know, I do not like to run in the heat of the summer and try to get morning or late evening running in, usually 20-30 miles a week if I can manage it. I take my summers off in a way for writing, photography and hope to get back to Welsh and flute playing. One thing I look forward to though, is taking more photos at running events for my running family. I might not be running in those events but I just might be there taking photos.
Many thanks to all my running friends and family for a wonderful first half of 2014!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment