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 🙏❤️
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linda9389
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Linda,everything was against you and you ran anyway, that makes you one awesome string woman. It sounds amazing, and from someone who would expect to take about three and a half hours for that distance I am in awe of how fast you finished. Congratulations 👏👏👏 the medal is beautiful too
Rarely contribute these days as bad foot has stopped me running for months, but I have followed your Saga and soooo glad it all came so nearly right on the day. Well done and huge extra medal for perseverance! 🏅 You’re an inspiration! 👏🏼🥳
The foot is a bit mysterious - no agreement from assorted professionals - but it’s better than it was. Long dog walks aren’t making it worse so about to try a few small jogs and see 🤔. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
It must be very frustrating to not have a proper diagnosis that you can work with. Good that you are seeing some sign of progress though. We'll keep everything crossed for those small jogs. Let us know how it goes 😊
Linda, I take my hat off to you! What a rollercoaster for you in the build up, and I salute you for biting the bullet and going for it and in such an impressive time! Great event report, I felt like I was there!
What an achievement Linda! You did so well to keep going and look what you did! Amazing and lovely you could do it with your Dad near too. I know how bad shingles makes you feel so I am in awe! Congratulations!
Thank you. I still don't know if it was shingles or not, but it would definitely fit based on my previous experience. I suspect my results are lost and I will never know!
Thanks Kevin! On this occasion determination won the day, although I'm very aware it could have all ended differently - such a fine line to second guess!
Well, Wonderwoman strikes again! I think gutsy is the right adjective. Maybe unstoppable too. Your dad will have been so proud and happy to share the moment with you. Simply amazing achievement.🥇🏆👏👏👏
I think the word you're looking for is stubborn! I didn't feel in the least bit gutsy, that's for sure. I think my father - like me - was just glad when it was all over and the almost five hour drive was behind us 😍
What an achievement Linda! How on earth you summoned up the will to run a HM after what you’ve been through is nothing less than heroic. I’m so glad you didn’t need to pull out. You showed the running gremlins who’s boss. Woohooooooooo! 👏👏👏 Savour those special memories. 🥰
Thanks Cheeky. A bit like you and the upcoming HUHM, right? We don't give up!!! We keep making running memories 🥰 It definitely didn't feel heroic though 🙃
Linda, you are our very own Superwoman !! 🦸♀️ Seriously - nothing stops you! Fantastic time and wonderful medal - no wonder you are super- proud of this one! 👏👏🏅🙂
I'm no superwoman Sandra, but I am stubborn and determined - and I'd spent a lot of money on it too 😍 I had to explain to my father that wearing the medal all day was absolutely a 'done thing' 🙃
Hi there linda9389 , I’ve looked forward to reading your post. I’m so happy for you that you did indeed take part and finish the beautiful Vancouver HM, amazing achievement after everything you went through leading up to it.
I love that your dad could walk to the start line with you - how fab is that!
The sky train sounds like it should be an aerial outdoor type transport not an underground one, I’d be apprehensive about that too.
A huge well done and what a fabulous medal, and as you say it’s definitely one for the memory bank.
Thanks Dendev. I loved sharing the experience with my father. He is very proud of his country and as an event organiser in the past, he is always fascinated by the 'other side' of the event (he was super impressed by the organisation of this one, from the expo to the race itself).
I did read an article on what percentage of underground should be allowed before a sky train can no longer be called a sky train .... 😍
Resilience, mental strength, guts and determination in spades! You are one awesome lady Linda. So very well done, and how amazing and special to share your achievement with your dad like that. Just brilliant and what an inspiration 👏 🙌 👌
I felt very weak at the time BL! Getting my head in a good place was incredibly difficult in the face of so many gremlins! But I'm a stubborn old soul at heart ... and I SO wanted to run it 😊
Thanks TC. It's good training for getting used to the fact that PBs are going to be a thing of the past for me at some point ... and I may already be at that point!!!
You are AMAZING!! Huge congratulations on your achievement, all the more inspiring considering your recent health problems! Wonderful time as well 👍😀. I have to agree that your underground nightmare was also a massive achievement. I get claustrophobic too, so sympathise 😱
You are too kind! Well, apart from the underground bit ... I will take every bit of credit available for that! Only a fellow sufferer can fully sympathise with that 🙈 I'm sorry that bugs you too xxx
I have been in the channel tunnel just once - never again!! On a coach, in an enclosed box, on a train, in a tunnel, under the water - scary!! I had to be brave because I was one of the teachers on a school trip to the French Alps 😭
I've never even considered the Channel tunnel 😱. For a while I couldn't even fly without vallium (tricky when your family live in Canada), but thankfully I managed to get that 'under conrol' with some therapist's help!!! It's so limiting though isn't it 😒
FAB-U-LOUS! Need I say anymore? No, because everyone has already said it!
Just love seeing your name on that long list of entrants. Very, very well done and glad it all worked out for you. A T-shirt that fits is always a bonus, so wear it with pride Linda.
Haha. The chandelier was something else! We turned a corner and the paving changed to fancy polished slabs. I thought we must beheading through an outdoor mall or something. Then I spotted the chandelier. Then the realisation that it was hanging from the road overhead! Surreal!!! 😍
Thank you OF. At the time it felt much more limp, definitely not heroic 😍 But for sure, that medal will hold a lot of memories and emotions. No PB this time, but still a big win in my running adventures. Adaptability saved the day 🥰
Thank you. Of coursewe need to remember that times are only relevant when comparing your own times with your own times; mine with mine 😊 The fastest runner did his in just seconds over one hour!!!
This is absolutely amazing to read. Massive congratulations to you-especially given everything you had to contend with in the run up. You are a machine!!! Enjoy that bling. Never had a medal been so well earned 🏃♀️💪🏅❤️
Congratulations Linda that's an amazing achievement given the fact you ill the week before, I'm so glad you were able to run and it sounds like you had a great run 😀
I absolutely loved Vancouver and running around it must have been amazing. I really can’t imagine how bad it would have had to get for you not to take part when you had been looking forward to it so much. You are a brilliant runner and that was a fantastic time under the circumstances xx 👏🥳
It really was amazing! Before I began to improve, I was already thinking ... well I can almost walk the whole thing in the 4 hour cut off - I just need to find a way to justify it to everyone else ... 🙈🤣🤣🤣
Thank you. It really was a great route, such variety and great organisation. I just realised I totally forgot to describe the exit process and the absolute mass of food available at the end 😊
I am so pleased you got to do this Linda. I know you were looking forward to it for yonks and it was such a bummer when the running gods tried to wreak havoc with your plans. But they didn't reckon on you and your determination and so I’m not surprised you did it!
A huge well done and many congratulations to you on a memorable, epic run. And with your dad there too 😍 such special memories for you both.
Fab time, fab medal and a fab lady. You deserve lots of whoop whoops 🥳👏👏xxx
Sorry only just seen this post Linda! So glad you were able to attend the race and your time is great, congratulations! Xxx sounds like one to remember that's for sure! Xxx
Wow, not exactly the shape you had expected to be in for this race Linda, I applaud your determination and resolve getting to the starting line at all.... you did amazing to finish in that time.🌟
It must have been an emotional run for you, with your dad there to see you off on that scenic route. I hope you felt ok afterwards and have recovered well from that nasty virus (possible shingles)
Thank you BB. It was all round amazing, worth the risk! I'm convinced my results are lost, so not sure I will ever know if it was shingles or not. Whatever it was though, I'm bouncing back 😍
Fantastic! Well done Linda. It is amazing that you made it to the start line, let alone the finish line. You have great strength and determination 💪🎉🎉Thanks for the great race report too - you are an inspiration 👏👏👏 xx
What a great run. Many congratulations and the run and especially on the Skytrain. 👏👏👏Doing events abroad is so interesting and fun - lots of things to envy and like you I noticed the almost total absence of charity shirts (in my case this was doing the Munich HM)
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