When I started out on my journey last year to get back in shape, I wanted to lose 25 pounds and run a half marathon in under two hours. At the time, that seemed like an impossible mountain to climb. So if you had told me a year later I would be in good enough shape to go after a half marathon PR, I would have have thought you were crazy.
But 25 pounds and 2 sub two hour half marathons later, that is exactly what I set my sights on as I planned my 2014 training schedule. And I couldn't think of a better place to make that attempt than in my hometown at the Vancouver USA Marathon.
Up until about five weeks before the race my training went exceptionally well. I joined my company's Hood to Coast Relay team, so I had a lot of support around me both at work and at home. I ran the Portland Shamrock 15K, a great tune up race in March. Everything was lining up for me...
Until...
I came down with a nasty cold allergy sinus muckety muck. I lost one full long run, parts of two others and, most importantly, I lost about three weeks of running with any intensity. And after a couple of less than great training runs in the last two weeks leading up to the race, I wasn't sure I had enough to get over the hump.
But race day is an amazing thing and sometimes all you have to do is give yourself a chance and great things can happen. Which is exactly what happened in Columbus Ohio 4 years ago when I ran a 1:36:06 half marathon, 2 minutes better than my goal that day and 6 minutes better than any other half marathon I'd ever run before or since.
Race day conditions for the 9am start were about as good as it gets. Low 50s temps and overcast. I got to start up at the front near all the elites. I felt great. When the gun sounded I got out to a fast start. The first few miles wind you though downtown. The next couple take you around Fort Vancouver and the Airport. There is a decent climb during mile 7, so the plan was to be a little ahead of pace going into that hill, take it very easy up the hill to save my legs for the back half of the race. I was +14 seconds through mile 5.
But race day is an amazing thing and sometimes all you have to do is give yourself a chance and great things can happen. Which is exactly what happened in Columbus Ohio 4 years ago when I ran a 1:36:06 half marathon, 2 minutes better than my goal that day and 6 minutes better than any other half marathon I'd ever run before or since.
Race day conditions for the 9am start were about as good as it gets. Low 50s temps and overcast. I got to start up at the front near all the elites. I felt great. When the gun sounded I got out to a fast start. The first few miles wind you though downtown. The next couple take you around Fort Vancouver and the Airport. There is a decent climb during mile 7, so the plan was to be a little ahead of pace going into that hill, take it very easy up the hill to save my legs for the back half of the race. I was +14 seconds through mile 5.
During mile six, one of the volunteers was getting an earful from the driver of a car trying to turn through the course into a shopping center. After my experiences with several races recently where cars and trains have held up runners, it was great to see the volunteer protecting the runners and not allowing the car to make the turn until it was safe and clear to do so.
During Mile 7 I took the hill nice and easy and was rewarded with a nice downhill on the other side. I finished mile 8 less than a half a minute behind target pace, perfectly positioned for the next 4 miles that were basically flat as you return along the Columbia River, so I could make up that time. By the 10 mile marker I was starting to huff and puff a bit but was right on pace. If I did 7:20s on the way in, I'd be a final sprint from my PR at the finish line. I remember thinking to myself, "just dig deep and give it your all for this last 5K. You got this." I looked down at my watch and saw I was running at a 7:30 pace. "C'mon, pick it up," I told myself, "you got this." Still giving it my all, I looked down at my watch a couple tenths of a mile later. 7:40 pace.
Uh oh.
My feet were numb. My quads were burning. My mind was willing. My body unfortunately wasn't able. The wheels fell off a bit from there as I made my way to the end. My wife and my boy cheering me on as I approached the finish line. For the PR, it wasn't my day. But it's hard to be too disappointed.
It was a truly fantastic event. The course itself is deceptively challenging. I wouldn't call it hard, but there is enough to it to keep you on your toes throughout the race. The scenery is very cool and unique, getting to run through Historic Fort Vancouver, the Vancouver Airport and along the Columbia River. There were so many volunteers all along the course, never once had to think about where I was going, they were very active and vocal keeping us on track and cheering us on every step of the way. Great finishing area in Esther Short Park, with a lot of room to walk around and recover and plenty to eat and drink.
Great day. I ran my race. And very proud to call VanWa home.
Official Time: 1:37:33
Overall Finishers: 95/1722
Male: 77/654
Age Group: 15/102
