Vancouver Sun Run 35:11 (1:27:15)

Friday, April 18, 2008 

Friday was a rest day which included a massage with Kimmy. She did a great job as usual. She seems to know exactly what you need at any given time…thanks Kim! We made a tentative appointment for Dave and I to get a flush-out massage on Sunday after the race depending on what time we get back from Vancouver. I printed up a schedule of all the track and road races that are being held this summer so that this weekend OCal and I can look at scheduling a 10- day running break for me (since I have been going at it since mid-July) and to schedule my summer race season.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

We woke up this morning and were dismayed at the sight of the  snow-covered ground and wet snow coming down.  I decided to get my pre-race run over with before heading to Vancouver. I ran 20 minutes along the Goose and did a few strides once I got back home. 

Juice dropped me off at OCal’s and from there we went to the Commonwealth Pool to pick up a few other members of the team. It was still snowing. I couldn’t believe it. Our van had OCal driving with passengers Merm, Jim, Dave, Ian and Eric. Merm was at his best and had us laughing and shaking our heads at his stories and singing. It was one crazy trip!!

Once we checked in, we picked up our numbers in a small room they had set up at the hotel. They had a nice spread of food for everyone and we all ate our fill! Nanc and I ended up rooming together along with Cathy since a couple of runners didn’t show. Our room was pretty huge so we had plenty of space so we had the team meeting there later in the afternoon. 

A group of us went for dinner on Robson St. and were amazed at Kev’s appetite! This guy can eat!

Yes, he really did wear that shirt.

OCal and David

Eric, Mike and Nanc

It was still early when we got back so some of us hung out at the hotel lounge for an hour before going to bed yakking mostly about tomorrow’s race.

Race Day!

We were so relieved when we looked outside on Sunday morning to see that the skies had cleared. It was still nipply out but at least it was a sunny morning. I did my usual 20 minute warm-up with a few 30″ pick-ups and strides near the start line. I saw Jess, Glenn, Wayne, Melina and so many others at the start. Glenn and I agreed that if we happen to be running close to each other during the race we would give each other support along the way. As we lined up I turned around an jumped up and down so I could see the sea of almost 60,000 people behind us. What a sight!

The race started much like what I remember from last year…it was a fast first km with some people sprinting down Georgia St! I relaxed and let the hill take me down. I wasn’t thrilled about how I was feeling 2km in despite running slightly less aggressively than last year. I tried to ignore how I felt and stayed as focused and as fast as I could while staying in control. The plan was to run steady to around 5km and then try and move into a faster rhythm to the finish. Glenn and I took turns leading which helped me focus on either hanging with him or taking the lead and making sure we were running at a good clip.  I had to work bloody hard but I managed to pass a quite a few people on the straight stretch between 7-9 km and I think this is where I unfortunately pulled away from Glenn. Sorry Glenn! I eventually caught up and passed a woman that I had set my sights on from the 5km marker. She was running with a small group of guys and as I passed, I was aware that a couple of the guys joined me and continued along running on either side of me. I listened hard to see if I could hear “female running sounds” but all I could hear were male snorts, throat clears and breathing but I had a feeling the woman I passed was not far behind. I charged up the final ramp which spilled us on to the Cambie St bridge and was hurting at this point.  I hadn’t looked at my watch (just hit a couple of split) until I got to the 9km marker. I knew then that if I wanted to break 35 minutes I would have to run a hell of a last km! I did my best but I was using everything I had to hold the pace. Sure enough, the woman I had passed 2kms before, bolted right past me with about 300m to go. She apparently was tucked close behind me and made her move with a sprint to the end. I tried to go with her but just didn’t have the wheels today. I crossed the line in 35:11, not a PB but still a good time, all things considered. My slight disappointment with not running under 35 was quickly erased when OCal told me I was the first female Master and fourth Canadian woman and had won a total of $1250! Sweet!! Kev ran an impressive PR as did Sean. Eric too had a great race. Nanc ran about 30 seconds faster than she thought she could do right now so she was pretty happy. It wasn’t Dave or Ian’s day (and still that’s running 30:3X and 33:0X!!) but we’ll all have another crack at the race next weekend. This course is so darn fast in comparison though so I’ll have to be really sharp next week!

After a quick change at the  hotel OCal and I headed back to the awards presentation at BC Place. I got a chance to chat with the famous Nancy Tinari…this athlete is almost 49 years old and ran 36:36 today! Her long and impressive running career is mind-blowing. She won this race back in 1992 in 32:44!!

I was chuffed that The Aspire team hung around to watch the presentation…thanks you guys!!

We went back to the hotel and got treated to a brunch for all the elite athletes. There was a huge spread of food. We were treated so well this weekend!