I trained myself over the past 2 months since I got to Vancouver for my first half marathon. I learned from past experiences not to push too hard too fast with my running as though I generally feel really good with running the body can sometimes pull up very sore very quickly.
Like any good physio I've made mistakes, pushed too hard and had to recover from injury so this time around I was going to play it safe. I built up my milage slowly and kept up my yoga and cross training with other activities to balance everything. I was advised from friends to make sure I'd run the 26.1km distance at least once in training and I did, surprised myself with a good time though the route wasn't very hilly. Now my brain knew I physically could do it.
The time had arrived. Sandra and I headed on the bolt bus to Seattle. Sandras first trip to seattle but not her first half marathon, so it felt comforting to know and be able to ask her loads of questions about what to expect and exciting to be there with her exploring.
As everyone knows Seattle is a hilly place and when we went wandering the streets it soon became apparent we were in for a hilly run the next day, nerves kicked in. I didn't think I'd done enough hill training. Sandra had previously been in a running clinic and the group organiser always used to tell them remember "hills are your friends" so thats where the mantra came from and I kept it going all weekend. Saturday was our day of exploring and some shopping, with a stop at REI outdoors, wholefoods and some clothes shopping of course! We found the first ever Starbucks and picked up a souvenir for Paul who loves the place.
Walking to dinner we came across these guys and girls playing what would be described as bike polo. They were riding there bikes holding polo sticks and hitting the ball. It was all very physcial watching quite a few of them crash heavily to the ground. A very funny sport indeed ( I found a link to it while doing some research) bike polo! We had an amazing delicious vegetarian dinner at this great restaurant and had pretty tired legs after being awake since 4:30am that day. It was time to head back to our hotel room to use the spa (or hot tub as they call it here) to recover the legs, but not before I discovered the mountain hardware shop who were having a sale. I've finally been able to buy back a four season tent, so now snow camping is a must this winter :-)
 |
| The famous catching of the fish at pike market |
 |
| Bike polo |
RACE DAY
Sunday 25th November
We were up super early as we knew we could walk to the start line but needed to make sure we knew where we were going. Trying to stick to a normal breakfast is hard when travelling so we had both brought what we could with us. I had trained running with music going but decided to soak up the atmosphere and try to battle with my brain by running with no music this time.
It was a cold crisp foggy morning, but no rain!! We dropped off our extra jackets at the bag checkin area and both needed the toilets, a combination of nerves I guess. The start line was so busy I could see the pace setter I wanted to start with 2:15:00 but could get no where near them. In fact a huge number of us were trapped behind a waist height barrier. We all made some nervous jokes our first hurdle for the run was to get over this thing.
In good spirit everyone helped everyone over the barrier after the race started and I quickly lost my pace setter. Your time for the race doesn't start until you cross the start line so no one really pushes past you it stays in a huge pack of people gradually moving forward. What it did mean though was I had fallen back far in the pack so jogged a little faster than my planned pace to begin with just to catch up to the 2:15:00 pace setter. Settled in for a bit then found my stride not comfortable so went it alone....
The first half of the course saw us travel down major roads, through tunnels all blocked off from traffic pretty neat. I did my best to stop every now and then to take some photos and some of the blurry ones I took while still running. There are water and first aid stations around the course so I forced myself to keep up my fluids by grabbing a cup at most of these stations, We hit the waterfront but due to the fog missed out on awesome views unfortunatley.
Though I didn't know anyone in Seattle that would be out supporting there were actually a few people who made signs that had GO LISA on them and I used them as positive energy for me, making me smile and keep on running. My main aim had been not to walk any of the race and not to go in with a time in my mind. Just before the half way marker I passed the 2:00:00 pace setter, surprised as I was still feeling good I decided then I would try to see if I could come in under 2hrs and had to stay in front of them.
BOOM!!! We turned a sharp corner and there was the hill. I have no photos to describe it as it was a grit your teeth and get up it moment but here we were on Seattles hilly streets running. I instantly groaned then changed to "Hills are my friends" and got up it. The last half of the course was a mixture of hills, short and steep vs long graded inclines through beautiful park areas.
There were a few different groups out playing their instruments and people out chearing which encourages you to keep going. When I saw the sign showing we only had 2 miles to go, I was smiling on the inside. Perhaps it was adreanline but I was still feeling good. I kicked the pace up a notch and pushed harder. I wanted to feel like I'd crossed the line and worked hard to do it.
More hills to finish and the downhills were just as a killer trying to control your legs but the crowds thickened with support and as I ran into the arena, I had this silly smile on my face here I was in Seattle about to cross the finish line on my first half marathon.
Satisfied doesn't quite cut it. I didn't have a watch and had no way of knowing my official time except that the main timer showed I'd come in under 2:00:00 so I was very very happy. With the medal around my neck I remembered the last time I was in any sort of running race was back in high school. I waited for Sandra to finish and we celebrated together. Food at the recovery area and it was back to the hotel for another hot tub, the legs were going to need this.
We had a few hours before our bus was to leave so wandered around the space needle area then walked down to the ocean front, the sun was out it was a beautiful day. We found a lovely park (myrtle edwards park) and walked. Our legs needed to keep moving.
The greyhound busstation was pretty dodgy (a dive) and at that point were were both tired ready to board and head home.... 4 hrs later, plus further public tranport from the bus terminal and we were home about 9pm.
My Official race time 1:54:40sec
My new goal: First full marathon BMO Vancouver Sunday May 5th 2013
I've joined North Shore Athletics running clinic to help with training over the winter, the experience and guidance from those who have achieved so many running goals is sure to help me to push myself.
I'd absolutely love as much support from friends along the course as possible so if you can mark it out in your diaries just to come out with a sign or even just your voice, hearing support from the crowd really lifts you when your running and I know I'm super appreciative of it.
I had such a great first half marathon experience and am grateful I got to share this with Sandra. Thanks for the fun time and support through this :-)
See if you can spot me running over the finish line. If I had known they would do this I'd have done a silly jump in the air or fist punch of victory alas its just me happy to see that line :-)
Lisa's finish video
 |
| crossing the start line |
 |
| heading into the tunnel |
 |
| running through the long tunnel |
 |
| foggy ocean front running |
 |
| the ocean front in fog |
 |
| I'm half way!!!! |
 | ||||||||||||||||||
 |  |
