River Run Half Marathon Run Report

Carmen (super cyclist from Frank Dunn)...Jenna and me

This is three races in three weekends. Now I am done for a bit!! But what a day this one was!
Torrential rains.
30km/hr winds.
Soaking wet shoes.
A test of mental toughness like no other.
I could not decide if I wanted to run this half marathon. Justin's words rang in my head all week "This fitness you have would be a terrible thing to waste..." I was watching the weather every hour on Saturday...it rained and rained all day Saturday and finally at 4:00pm the forecast changed to "Periods of rain" for Sunday. Good enough. I was off to Brainsport (local running store) to register at the last minute. As I was leaving the store and walking back to my car, I had some serious, serious doubts. I just wanted a good run. I feel like I have not had a good run all spring/summer. I worked really, really hard on my running all winter and everytime I have lined up for a race something happens...the weather, I got sick at the run in May, races done on tired legs from training...I just wanted to enjoy running again.

So this was my goal.

No matter what is going on, just enjoy the day, keep your sense of humour, put one foot in front of the other, and just run.Woke up in plenty of time and hummed and hawed about what to wear. I'm allowed, I'm a girl. Itwas not raining at 5:30 when I got up so opted for shorts and a long sleeve under a t-shirt. Grabbed breakfast, did a ton of warming up and stretches at home. Made my way to the race start and hung out in my vehicle until literally 45 seconds before go time. It had started to pour and it was freezing. No problem. I can do this, I am fit and I am tough!! I was really wishing I had brought some gloves...it was seriously cold.

Off we go and I ran with Jenn for a few minutes and we chatted and visited. I really tried to run in the moment and assess how I was feeling the entire way. I was wearing my garmin but did not look at it the entire time. The first half was pouring rain. I felt good. I felt like running. I wasn't breathing hard. My legs were peppy. I kept telling myself to slow down..slow down...slow down...

At the halfway turnaround...holy wind!! Julie...I am not complaining...I am just saying...holy that was a mighty headwind. No problem. I LOVE THE WIND!!!!!! Just ran steady and started catching all sorts of people. Walked up the sharp little hill at the Victoria Bridge...because I always walk up that hill...why run up it today!! Struggled a bit mentally at the 16-17-18km mark....but I always do and my secret goal today was to stay tough in my head for these three kms. Just keep going...get inside yourself and just run...don't walk. The last km was as steady climb up a gradual hill and then the finish line was about 500meters away. I felt so strong at the finish!! Oh my gosh!! That has not happened for a very long time. And, I will have to see the official results, but I was very close, as in within maybe 90seconds OF A PB!!!!

When I hit the finish line I wasn't very steady on my feet (the race instructions said there would be gels at the last aid station ,I'd only had one gel (that's IT for the whole run!!) but of course they had none when I got there...) and a guy I know from swimming was a real sweetheart and grabbed me and put me in a chair and went and fetched a drink and food and cookies etc. Thank-you!!! He waited for me to get myself together and kept asking "You alright?? You alright??" I was good and really happy with that run.

On a side note: I bought new jeans yesterday. Size 8 new jeans.....That's TWO sizes down from what I normally wear...having a GREAT weekend!!!