Oak Bay Half, here I come!
I was excited about running the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon again as recently as Tuesday.
Tonight though (Friday), when it’s time to be packing and hydrating and fueling, I’m looking forward to spending a few days at home instead.
I love Vancouver, but I’ve been back and forth a lot lately and one more trip just looks like No. Fun. At. All.
I just got back from there yesterday. If I was to go to Vancouver tomorrow, I would return by ferry Sunday afternoon, then turn around and go back to Vancouver Tuesday through Saturday next week. I’m getting exhausted just writing all that, let alone running a 21.1 km race on Sunday to boot.
I don’t think M. feels all that great about my traveling either, and we discussed it tonight. If she were to come with me she would have to work around my race instead of having fun with Mom in the city.
I’m not without choices though: most of my other running clinic buddies are signed up for the Oak Bay Half Marathon on May 16. I can sign up for that one, hop back on the final two weeks of their schedule by running 1:30 or 1:45 tomorrow and some hills on Wednesday, then taper (again) for another 10 days. Heck, it would even be cheaper than taking the ferry over and eating all our meals out, etc.
In the end it comes down to this: I run for fun. It’s not an imperative, it’s not a job. It’s a way to challenge myself and feel great afterward. It doesn’t matter if I run Vancouver or Victoria; it doesn’t matter if I run sub-2 hours or 2:15. What matters is I show up and feel good about my effort.
So, the plan has changed – I’m in training for another 2 weeks and I’ll run in my own town May 16, after sleeping in my own bed the night before.
Photo: me (front & centre) and my gang, about an hour into a long run, about a month ago.
Good move. All that traveling can wear you down. It was starting to remind me of living in Hamilton and working in Toronto. Not a situation I’d recommend. Work-life balance should always tip towards life, in my experience. Have fun in Oak Bay.
Good for you for knowing your limits and not stretching yourself too thin. I’m slightly disappointed at not running in a gown and tiara, but I think I’ll do the half as well. Good luck!
Thanks Skye! You know there are always lots of opportunities to run in costume. In fact, during the Royal Victoria Marathon last year I passed several people in costume (I guess they really slow you down …) I’ll be on the lookout for the next available opportunity to form another Team Lava: We Run Slow But We’re Smokin’ Hot!
Thanks Dave! Maybe you will come out to cheer me on at the finish line!
I was going to ask you how the race went. Mine was OK and, given the recent few years of life, injury and surgery I was OK with it. If you’re at all interested I posted a very short race report at http://james.wanless.info/2010/05/vancouver-marathon-half-marathon-race-report/ and you can play back Garmin data if you’re at all interested.
Wow – great time! Congratulations – in the rain and everything. Way to go!
As for me, I’ve adjusted my goal to 2:05 at the Oak Bay Half Marathon. I ran Vancouver last year and I remember Prospect Point. While I rocked it then, I knew I would struggle this year as I’m trying for a significant PR.
So watch for a race report from me on May 16~!