My first international event. I was so, so excited for this race. It looked like a fabulous route. Just a few weeks ahead of race day I was fit and ran a HM PB.
How things changed! Long story short, I arrived in Canada with legs of lead. Every run felt tough and pace totally eluded me. Then I picked up an infection which caused one side of my mouth and face to swell, blister and scab - just delightful! My glands were so painful it hurt to even turn my head. Eventually I braved the Canadian medical system where I was given antibiotics for the infection and antivirals for a possible shingles outbreak (they did a test for shingles but I still don't have the results of that).
Well, the antibiotics gradually took the infection down, and although my face still looked an absolute mess I was beginning to feel a bit brighter. I knew from my last shingles episode that the tiredness really affected my running (that was my awful Great South Run experience) and that running was likely to affect my recovery. Rotten timing. So for a week I really didn't know if I would (or even should) make the race. I certainly didn't want a repeat of the GSR doldrums.
But I had looked forward to running this for so long and there was no reasonable deferral option; our Vancouver accomodation was already booked too. With a cut off time of 4 hours I knew I could walk it if needs be. I decided to go ahead, albeit with totally revised expectations; it was time to apply a little flexibility and adaptability. So on the Friday I made my way into the city and picked up my race kit from the expo. As I left the Convention Centre, having dropped my post race bag, it dawned on me that I was now fully committed to making it to the finish line one way or another!!!
By race day, the antibiotics had had their wicked way with my stomach! Dehydration and lack of nutrition had been in my mind for the previous 48 hours and I had tried to drink well; but eating much really wasn't an option on race day! I'll say no more, but suffice to say it was a major worry !!!
Race day finally arrived, drier than forecast. Lovely and cool but not too windy. Perfect. Up at 5am for the 7am start, we managed to drive from our airbnb and park within walking distance of the start line. This meant my father could accompany me right to the start (imagine doing that in London!). Loo queues permitted one last nervous visit and then I headed into my corral. Top layers handed back to my father and it was finally time to start. My planned finish time of 2h 5m was out of the window. I decided I would try for 2h30m, but at the last minute I upped this target to 2h 20m and plugged that into my watch - if I could achieve that, at least it wouldn't be slower than my first ever HM 🙃
As promised this really was 'stunning running'. Breathtaking views, fabulous cityscapes and quirky things to spot en route (the totally unexpected chandelier hanging from an underpass will be an overriding memory from this event cbc.ca/news/canada/british-... ). Everyone was friendly and the organisation was slick. Each wave started off bang on time. With 11,000 runners in the half marathon, on entirely traffic free wide roads and paths, I was always among runners but never blocked or crowded. I knew (from setting up the HUHM10K soundtrack) that there were lots of aid stations all of which had loos. I also knew the route pretty well, but was blown away over and over again by the views - the sheer size of everything, the water, the bridges, the mirrored skyscrapers, the massive trees and the lush green of Stanley Park.
I would say there were less cheer stations and entertainment than at an equivalent race in London, but I guess it meant the three live music stations I did spot were all the more welcome. There was also a noticeable lack of fundraising shirts - I only saw one runner wearing one (for a mental health charity) - which is very different to London events. There was enough crowd support along the way to motivate without overwhelming me; although the strength (and volume) of support in the last few hundred metres was just awesome!!!
My head wasn't in the best of places - I didn't feel strong, or that I could take anything for granted, although the presence of an aid station with loos every 2.5km or less was a real comfort. My plan was to run steadily, with no heroics, and to take a small drink and walk at every one of the aid stations. In the end I also found myself walking up the hills as I wanted to be sure my legs would make the finish line!
And make it I did! I even picked up the pace for the last few hundred metres. Finishing in just under 2h 14m I was well within my revised target, so very happy to have achieved something😍
I then made my way by Skytrain to meet my father (that ten minute stretch of skytrain was entirely underground; as an extremely claustrophobic individual who hasn't been able to use the London tube for over 25 years, this was undoubtedly my biggest achievement of the day).
Was it all worth it? Oh yes. Definitely. Without any shadow of doubt. The 'stunning running' tag line is spot on. The medal is big, heavy and a lovely design! The t-shirt fits! And I did feel a real sense of achievement rather than disappointment after the race. I still do! Finally, and thankfully, I don't feel I have done any harm or set myself back. I have added a few wonderful memories to the bank. All in all a very good outcome after a horrible week of worrying!
Just one last thing - a huge thank you for all the lovely messages of support I received here on HU and on strava. I can't tell you how much they lifted me over the last week or more. Thank you 🙏❤️
Murcia Half Marathon
Folkestone Rotary Half Marathon - Done!!!
Hertfordshire Half Marathon
Inverness Half Marathon