Insane Inflatable 5k

A few months ago, Jeff, Gwen, Ashley, Jill and I signed up for the Insane Inflatable 5k. It's one of many novelty fun-runs that have been making their way from city to city in North America. Lacey was only a few months old when we signed up, and through my fog of new-baby brain, I vaguely thought that signing up for the race in the fall would give me some motivation to get back in shape again. That didn't exactly happen, but it was still a fun way to spend the morning.

We ran in one of the last start waves of the day, starting at 11:00am. I'm glad we picked this start wave, because it was hella cold and windy, and I hate waking up early. Of course, Lacey chose to wake up extra early anyway, so it wouldn't really have mattered!

Can you tell we're cold?! Jill, Ashley, Gwen, Jeff and I waiting at the start line.

The Inflatable 5k is pretty self-explanatory. Over a 5 kilometer course set out at Spruce Meadows, there were a series of inflatable obstacles that could be navigated. They could be anything. Walls to be scaled, objects to be crawled over or under, giant slides, bouncing balls, swinging inflatable pendulums, giant ladders-- it had it all.

Here's me scaling one of  the first obstacles!

Jill and Jeff taking a jumping approach to scaling the same obstacle (with a random racer in the between them).

Ashley, Gwen and Jeff at the bottom of an inflatable slide.

Guest appearance from work-pal, Ryan! He ran the race with his wife and kids.

A random photo op with a merman along the course (because we're obviously very serious racers!)

Jill bouncing from obstacle to obstacle, gladiator style.

I guess the race wasn't fun and games for everyone. The second last obstacle that Jill was tackling in the photo above was closed for a while as EMT's helped someone who was injured.

But we survived, injury free. Here are Gwen and Ashley scaling the final obstacle to the finish line.

And.... Done!

 Woo-hoo!

Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon

Photo Credit

Race morning! Tom and I awoke to see the message light on our hotel phone flashing. This was a wonderful sight, because it meant that our luggage had been delivered to the hotel sometime during the night. Tom is not exactly what you'd call a morning person, so while he burrowed himself into the bed covers, I went down to the front desk to collect our bags. And then I reveled in having all our stuff again!

The race didn't begin until 4:30pm, so we spent a quiet morning and afternoon trying to find a healthy breakfast, and drinking lots of water. Andrew and Ashley (aka Crazy and Crazier) arrived on an 8am flight, after celebrating at a wedding until 2am that morning. They stored their luggage in our room until theirs was available, and then attempted to have a quick nap before heading to the start line to pick up their race packages.

Wings and race chips.

Tom and I laced in our shoe wings, and attached our race chips. Then the four of us headed down to the start village around 3:15pm. The strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) had been closed to traffic since 1:30pm, so we took advantage of the shuttle Aria/Vdara was offering to their guests.

While it had been a balmy 22 degrees the day before, race day temperature had a high of about 13 degrees, and was about 10 degrees while we were waiting for the race to start (or 11 degrees if you trust my Garmin watch!)

We all ended up running the race individually, so we snapped a quick family photo before splitting up to check bags, hit the port-a-potties, and pick up race packages.

And then began the waiting game... Good God! It was cold, waiting in the start corrals. There were something like 35,000 people that ran the race, and we were divided into about 40 start corrals. In theory, the crowd was divided by expected finish times, with the fastest runners at the front. Tom was in corral 6, while I was in corral 19. They staggered racers by letting runners go in start waves. About 1000 people per start wave, and 60 - 90 seconds between each start wave release. So Tom waited about 10 minutes in the cold before he started, and I waited about 30 minutes-- with shattering teeth! When we finally took off, it took about 3km before I warmed up, and then I was relieved that it wasn't any warmer out. 10 degrees it great weather for running, but not for waiting!

The race route started near McCarran airport and Mandalay Bay. We first headed south out of the city, and the looped back around so that we were running the opposite direction past all the remain racers in their start corrals. It took awhile for my eyes to adjust to running in dark. In some of the early sections of the race, the road was not very well lit, and the shadows of other racers around me kept tricking me into thinking I was going to run into someone!

Race route.

Running down the main strip was definitely the best part of the race course. The sidelines were jammed with spectators cheering and ringing cowbells, and the lights of the casinos and hotels were quite a spectacle. We progressed down to the old Las Vegas strip, and I began to see racers coming back towards the finish line on the opposite side of the street. I tried to keep an eye on their race bibs, in hopes I would be able to see Tom. At first, there were race bibs in the 2000's and 3000's, and I knew that Tom would likely be in a pack of 6000's. But my multitasking was not very successfully, and almost collided with several people when I kept checking the other runners for Tom. Eventually I told myself I had to focus on what was ahead of me, and stop looking! But wouldn't you know it? A few minutes later, I glanced over at the other side of the road, and saw Tom running past! He killed it, coming in 1090/25215 participants-- the top 4% of runners!

This race was less of a mental struggle for me than some of the previous races I've run. It was (of course!) challenging, but I trained hard for this race, and I felt good when I crossed the finish line. I think, if (or when) I run a race again, I will try to focus more on strength training. My cardio was telling me I could go faster, but my leg strength started to fail me in the last 4-5km. I finished with a time of 2:04:21. I didn't break that elusive 2 hour mark, but it was still a personal best.  Overall, I am quite pleased! I finished in the top 19% of participants, and the top 12% of female competitors.

Finishing medals and race bibs.

Following the race, Andrew, Ashley, Tom, Jasmine and Joel (who also killed it in the race!) and I gorged ourselves at Bobby Flay's restaurant, Mesa Grill. Mmm... Margaritas!

The following morning, we hit the hotel hot tub to ease our aches and pains, before catching our flights home.

And that's it! The 2014 race season has come to a close.

Glenmore Reservoir Loop

Exactly three weeks until the Las Vegas Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon. 15 weeks of training down, and three more to go.

Training through the fall has been a surprisingly pleasant experience. With the exception of two days of early September snow, the weather has been unseasonably warm for most of September and October. I have been able to complete most of my runs outside (rather than on a treadmill), and the weekend weather had cooperated for all of our long runs.

 

Tom getting ready for his run.

Yesterday, Tom and I completed our second-last long run before the half marathon on Sunday, November 16th. Tom is training for a faster pace than me, so he is following a slightly different program. This has worked out well, because although his distances are longer, we usually finish at the same time.

Running route.

Yesterday I ran an 18km loop around the Glenmore Reservoir, and Tom ran 22km along the Elbow River pathway system. I decided to test a new running armband I bought for my cellphone... It was both a success and failure. Success, because I was able to carry my cell phone, and take some photos along the way... A failure, because I yanked a little too hard the first time I was taking the phone out of the case, and I shattered half of my screen when it fell on the pavement... *Sigh* It's still useable.

Here we go!

 

Meandering Elbow River in Weaselhead Park.

We have been starting our weekend runs in the Weaselhead Park, and then head east into North Glenmore Park. North Glenmore Park tends to be full of people strolling and walking their dogs. This tends to be my least favourite section of the run, because many strollers and dog walkers are completely oblivious to the people around them on the pathway. Group span 3-4 people abreast across the path so that you have to run around them. Dogs run around gleefully and bound at you or run after you (not in menacing way, just in a curious dog-way). After about 4km, you have exited the park and are heading towards Glenmore Trail.

Glenmore overpass.

After crossing the Glenmore overpass, you weave your way along the periphery of a golf course, before crossing over the Glenmore Reservoir Dam, and crossing back over Glenmore Trail. At about 8.5km, the trail takes you on an up-and-down hilly route behind the Rockview Hospital. There are often patients sitting outside with their IV bags, taking in the view or visiting with family. Or maybe the odd nurse or doctor having a smoke break (always seems bizarre to me when people in medical professions are smoking!).

Trail behind the Rockview Hospital.

At 10km, you pass through a short section of the community Eagle Ridge, before popping out beside Heritage Park. Although most of the trees have already shed their leaves, there were a few aspens that were still hanging on to their foliage-- just starting to shed their multi-coloured leaves.

 Fall leaves.

For the next 4km, you run beside the reservoir. This was definitely the coldest run I have embarked on this training season. There was cold wind coming off the reservoir, and although I was warm from the exertion of running, my lips were still blue!

At about the 14km mark, you re-enter the Weaselhead Park area.  This is my favourite section of the trail. It is quiet-- I usually only see a few cyclists whipping by. There are aspens on both side of the trail that reach up to the sky. The trees mask the wind, and it always smells like fallen leaves and fresh earth. Of course, there are always critters rustling around in the leaves-- they have managed to spook me a few times in this section of the trail. Usually squirrels and mice!

 

 Re-entering the Weaselhead Park.

At about 17km, I reach a bridge, and then I know I'm on the homestretch-- only about a kilometer to go. I stopped this time around on the bridge to snap a few photos (with my partially shattered phone *sad face*) of the sun as it began to set on the Weaselhead.

 

Sun setting on the Weaselhead.

One kilometer, and one gigantic hill later, I am back at the start of my loop, taking in the view of the meandering Elbow River as it enters the Glenmore Reservoir.

 Sun setting at the end of my loop.

Next weekend marks the end of my long runs. Just 20km, before the ramp down and race day. Weather in Vegas is currently 26 degrees-- I'm hoping the average temperature comes down quite a bit in the next few weeks. No one wants to run in a sauna!

Today is a rest day, and I am soaking in the sweet sweet relaxation of the couch.

Happy Sunday!

Color Me Rad

It was about 20 minutes to 9am when we arrived at Canada Olympic Park to run in the 9am start wave in the 2014 Color Me Rad 5km Race. It was cloudy, it was windy, and we were all freezing our asses off in shorts and t-shirts waiting for the race to start.

Brrrr!!!!

About five minutes to the start and the glorious, glorious sun came out. We followed the hoard of people up the hill to the start gate, so we could have our chance to run the most challenging 5km course I have ever encountered! Mind you, I've really only encountered ten or so race courses, so it's not like I am overflowing with experience, but even so it was challenging.

Race course.

If you are at all familiar with Canada Olympic Park, then you know it was created for the 1988 Winter Olympics and it is perched on a steep hill to accommodate ski jumps and a bobsled track. Us runners-- we got to run UP the hill! And since it had rained heavily the night before, we got to run through fresh, slick mud on our way UP the hill!

Over the course of the race there were color bomb stations. Orange, yellow, blue, purple and pink! The paint bombs were delivered via coloured cornstarch powder. Essentially there were people along the race course hurling handfuls of powder at you. You spent a lot of time trying to avert your face so it didn't get in your eyes, and trying to hold your breath so that you didn't breathe the powder in.

Running up the hill under (what now felt like) the burning sun was a slow slog, and ended up being more of a run/hike. I cramped up on the downhill portion which made the "easy" part considerably less enjoyable.  The last 1.5km were a bit of a torture because you could see the finish line, but the course kept winding back and forth away and towards it-- taunting you. But at the end you were greeted with a bottle of water, and your choice of color bomb packet.

Joel and Jasmine after crossing the finish line.

My paint-speckled self.

Jeff, Ashley and  I.

We made friends with some policemen that were on site, as well as with Simon the Safety bear. Ashley then threw some green paint at them (they were okay with it).

Ashley, Jeff, Julie and I with the Police.

RAD-ioactive Runners, post race.

Overall, it was a beautiful morning and a great way to spend some time with friends. I won't speculate for now as to whether we'll run again next year... That killer hill is still too fresh in my memory! :)

Lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon - Vancouver

Second half marathon of 2013, completed!  I am happy to report I ran my third half marathon at a personal best of 2:05:10, a six minute improvement over the half I ran at the end of May.

Starting line: Photo Credit

This time Tom and I travelled to Vancouver to meet up with Andrew and run  with 10000 other runners in the Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon. Ashley was supposed to run in the race as well,  but the flooding in June caused the Ride to Conquer Cancer to be postponed to the same weekend,  so Tom ran in Ashley's place.

I admit I was disappointed that Ashley wouldn't be joining team Greig in Vancouver.  For the last three summers the four of us have done an annual hike.  A hike wasn't possible this year, but the race weekend would have served as a satisfactory substitute. Nevertheless, Tom and I are proud and happy for Ashley to be participating in the ride-- a particularly meaningful event for her this year.

Thousands of runners: Photo Credit

Lululemon knows how to put on a good party, but good gad do they have ridiculous rules about race package transfer. Essentially, their policy is no refunds, and no package transfers. Which... Seems unreasonable when you pay $128 for a spot in the race! For example, Ashley couldn't run in the race because of her ride-- but she wasn't allowed to transfer her package to Thomas. Something about liability (blah blah blah). But... Couldn't the new runner sign a waiver like the original runner did? Wouldn't that get rid of all your liability problems? Just sayin'...

But never fear! We bent the rules, and Tom ran in Ashley's place.

Race route and elevation profile.

I don't know Vancouver too well, so I was pretty turned around during most of the race. But I do know that we ran past BC place, over the Burrard Street Bridge, and around the seawall in Stanley Park. It was a beautiful course, and there were hundreds of spectators that came out to cheer at various cheering stations around the route. There were mounties on stilts, carnival performers, cheerleaders, and even transvestites strutting their stuff! Instead of pace bunnies, there were pace "beavers," and there was a brunch of muffins, waffles, tiny quiches and fruit at the end of the race.

I learned that Vega sports drink (a clean, plant-based nutrition supplement) is disgusting (I grabbed it by accident thinking it was water at one of the hydration stations). I spat it out and ditched the rest of it (and did NOT make that mistake again).

SeaWheeze 2013 Finishers!

By the end of the 21.1km, I was ready to stop running-- but I felt great! I found Andrew and Tom without too much difficulty, and we gobbled down some brunch before heading back to the hotel for a much needed nap.

I'm not sure what my future running plans will include, but the half marathon course has not seen the last of me! But for now... Much more rest.

2:10:56

Me and my dad at the Scotiabank Marathon.

On Sunday I completed my second half marathon, another 21.1km!

I had high expectations for this race. I have been training five times a week for the last 18 weeks, and I have only missed three training runs during that time. Despite my rampant runners paranoia, when compared to last year, I felt much better after and during all of my runs. I had been training with a goal time of 2:05 in mind, and I felt certain I could beat that-- maybe even break the 2 hour mark!

As you can see, I finished my race with a respectable 2:10:56. Not nearly as speedy as I'd hoped, but still a personal best (last year's run was 2:13:14)!

I had to fight some disappointment as I felt my pace slowing over the course of the race. By the 12km mark, I knew I wouldn't be able to make up the time to meet my goal.

However, lesson learned! You never know how a race will turn out-- and personal best (even if it's not the one you are hoping for) is nothing to turn your nose up at!

To quote one of my co-workers, "Your personal best is where it's at!"

My training will continue in preparation for the SeaWheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver on August 10th! I'll be running this race with Ashley and Andrew, and I'm looking forward to trying out a new course.

Here are a couple shots that Ashley managed to snap of me while I was nearing the finish line on Sunday.

Thanks to my dad, Steve, Jeff, Billy, Ashley and Andy who came out to cheer me on!

Self Diagnosed

With one week until race day (my second official half marathon!), I have self diagnosed myself with what I have come to think of as "Runner's Paranoia."

Runner's Paranoia is probably not an uncommon conditions for runners in their final week before a race. Symptoms include (but are not limited to), possible sore throat ("Oh no! I'm getting a cold, better take Cold FX"), heel pain ("Dear God, I'm getting plantar fasciitis!"), burning in the shin area ("It has to be SHIN SPLINTS!") and sore knees ("Could this be illiotibial syndrome!?"). Basically, you think you have suddenly developed every malady a runner fears while training for a race. Throw in some blisters and some bruised toe-nails, and full-blown paranoia sets in.

Photo Credit 

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

At this point, I really do think I'm getting shin splints-- they occur when lower legs are overstressed, and small tears in the leg muscles where they attach to the shin. However, the pain is very minimal (1 on a scale of 1 to 10), and once this week is done, I can have some serious rest!

I am looking to break my half marathon time from last year 2:13:14-- and I don't anticipate any problems doing this. I'll be out Sunday morning, bright and early.

Think good thoughts for me!!

Summer Race Season

Although it is hard to fathom, running race season is quickly approaching, and I am 5 weeks into my 18 week half marathon training program. This year I will be participating in the Centaur Subaru Half Marathon in the Calgary Marathon on May 26, 2013, as well as the Lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver on August 10, 2013.

I participated in the Calgary Marathon last year, and am looking forward to trying a new route in Vancouver. The Lululemon SeaWheeze attracted about 6000 participants last year, and this year I was happy to learn that Ashley and Andrew will also be running the race.

The route through Vancouver is through downtown, and along the seawall in Stanley park. The elevation profile is quite varied, and I suspect it will be a more varied course than the Calgary race route.

Lululemon SeaWheeze Race Route. Photo Credit

SeaWheeze Elevation Profile. Photo Credit

So far, I have covered 103km in training. I expect I will have covered more than 500km by the time August 10th rolls around.

I would have loved to run the Colour Me Rad 5k Run for fun, but I was too slow on the uptake, and registration sold out before I got a chance to put my name in. 

But there's always next year!