SeaWheeze Half Marathon: Round Two!

A few days ago I received this in my email inbox:

After crushing last year’s goal of running my first half marathon, I was hesitant to run again because I hate running in the heat. But, if you know anything about me – I love a physical challenge! Last year it was hot, really hot, towards the end (and that was only a little after 9am!) so this year I’ve learned a few lessons that I know will help me this year.

2013 SeaWheeze tips:

Tip #1: Be prepared for heat. Wear very little clothing – trust me, you’ll thank me later.

Tip #2: Carry water on you. I didn’t train with water last year and I regretted it immensely when I hit the 15km mark. This year I’m buying a water belt!

Tip #3: Don’t change ANYTHING on race day. Make sure that you are 100% comfortable with all clothing, footwear and assescories you have on you. The only thing I wish I would have done differently here was fine tuning my play list a little better. I have a tendency to let my mind wander if I’m not feeling the music.

Tip #4: HILL TRAIN! If you take anything from this post, make sure you run the Burrard Street bridge and up West 4th to the lululemon store and back over the bridge. This was tough last year in the sun, I’m definitely going to do some practice runs over the race course – especially this league.

Tip #5: Have fun! I have many more friends running the race this year so I’m looking forward to doing some training runs with them. Go to the pre-race expo, get there early and do the group warm up, enjoy the after race brunch and go back to the yoga and concert to end the day!

It’s true that this is technically a race – but when it comes down to it, training for any kind of competition, test, presentation, performance – it’s all about enjoying the path to the race.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, but don’t cheat yourself either. Train hard, race hard!

2013 SeaWheeze goals:

1. Finish in under 2 hours. Last year (my first ever half marathon!) I was aiming for 1:50-2:00… and I crossed the finish line at 2:08.

2. Don’t stop. I let myself get overwhelmed towards the end of the last race and ran/walked the last 3 km – that will not be the case this time!

  There’s no backing down now!

Are you running the 2013 SeaWheeze? What are your goals for the race?

Roots, rocks and ramps

While running one of my long runs the other day I realized something pretty significant and I had to make note of it.

I had just run through a rough trail in the Pacific Spirit Park that was filled with roots, rocks and ramps and after literally zooming through it I came out of it feeling like I was flying. I kept running through the new trail with my music pumping through my head phones and I was really concentrating on how my body felt, paying close attention to how my breathing was, how my legs and feet were moving and the little voice inside my head saying don’t stop now! I glanced down at my nike+ distance tracker which read just over 13km and it occurred to me that after 13 km straight… I felt amazing.

I know that this upcoming half marathon has been a goal of mine for awhile and even thought I’ve been training like I should be for such a distance… I’m still nervous. I can’t help but think: What if I wake up late? What if I suddenly get sick? What if I pull something and can’t finish? What if I can’t do it… and then I stop and realize I’m already doing it.

All to often we forget that most of what we tell ourselves we can or cannot do isn’t dependent on our actually ability to do it… but rather on our determination and mental perseverance to get through it.

I feel better, stronger, faster, healthier and more grateful now than I’ve ever felt (and that’s saying a lot!). I know I have many physical goals and walls to climb over ahead but the journey getting there has enabled me to truly appreciate the small wins I’ve achieved and noticed along the way. I may not be able to do pull-ups or dead lift my body weight yet (I will get there)… but I sure as hell can run 21km straight!

Right now I have a half marathon to conquer; whatever happens I will be proud of what I’ve been able to do in order to get myself exactly to where I am today – and I know this is only the beginning for me.

And just because this post was way to serious, please enjoy the following photos of Faith and I on the VERY WINDY ferry ride to Nanamio this past long weekend (Faith don’t kill me!):

You’re welcome.