Yesterday I completed my 3rd BMO half-marathon. Voted Vancouver’s best, the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon is an extremely fast course. From start to finish this race is top rate, taking you through different neighborhoods on your journey to the Finish Line. Chinatown to Yaletown, to the beautiful West End. You experience historic landmarks, breathtaking views, vibrant communities, and my personal favorite, thousands of spectators cheering you towards the finish line!
Read on for this years race review and personal highlight.
The half Marathon started at 7am on Sunday, May 6, 2018. The Start Line was located inside Queen Elizabeth Park, the race features a fast downhill start, and finished with an incredible downtown finish line stretch on West Pender Street.
What is included with Registration
Race bib with built-in timing chip
Technical t-shirt
Commemorative finisher medal
Free Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo
Likes:
Route – The fast downhill start and the high energy finish line have always been highlights for me.
Fitness Expo- I love visiting the fitness expo, the atmosphere is positive and everyone is so excited. “Running” into old friends, and making new ones….it’s also an inspirational way to go into the race.
Technical Shirt- A technical shirt is provided which makes for a great training shirt for future race as well as an economical addition to my teaching wardrobe. Tip: order a size smaller, I got a medium and its too big. 🙁
Dislikes:
Hills – given my recent struggle with my Si joint and pelvis the hills were really tough for me. The one going into Chinatown physically hurt. This was alarming as I wasn’t even halfway through, thankfully the pain passed and I was able to settle into a rhythm until the tortuous Stanley Park hills. Once I get my SI and pelvis issues sorted out I have a lot of hill training in my future.
How did I do?
It wasn’t my personal best, and I didn’t make my yearly goal of 1:50:00, despite this I am happy with my time of 1:59:30. #Momlife duties and working full time made consistent training a challenge. Given my pelvic issues this half-marathon was the most challenging to date, but it was also the most rewarding.
Personal HIGHLIGHT:
We attended the free health, sports & lifestyle expo on the Saturday afternoon, where we meet the legendary John Stanton, founder of the Running Room. John asked me how my training had gone, and I shared some of my struggles. He shared with me that Kara Goucher ran a PR of 2:24:52 at the 2011 Boston Marathon seven months after giving birth. Paula Radcliffe won the 2007 New York City Marathon less than ten months after giving birth. And, Deena Kastor came back after a difficult pregnancy to take sixth at the 2012 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials in 2012. Citing that many women have a longer stride length after childbirth due to more flexibility in their joints. Resulting in faster times. In addition to this, he said that the rigors of childbirth make women mentally tougher.
I took this information with me through my entire HALF-marathon. Every time I wanted to stop, my pelvis hurt, or my legs felt like lead, I thought of our conversation and of childbirth.
Crossing that finish-line is always an overwhelming and emotional feeling, having John Stanton present my medal after inspiring me through was incredible. You may not be able to tell by these pictures but I am holding back tears…and an incredible urge to give him a big sweaty hug. 😉
Would I do this again?
Absolutely see you next year!!!!
Comments