Ten years ago I ran my first marathon, the
Royal Victoria Marathon. My friend Kevin convinced me that I go from being a non-runner to running a half marathon over the course of spring and summer. When we learned that there was no half-marathon in Victoria (there is now), he persuaded me that I could run a full one.
I’m a fool. I believed him. I ran a 4:01:34 (I think) and knew that I had to do another marathon one day just to get under 4 hours.
So I did.
Five more times now.
[insert big sigh here]
To mark the tenth anniversary of my first marathon, I returned to Victoria. I’d had a summer of fast, good training. My runs were remarkable, in fact, I was fairly sure that I had a best time (better than 3:38) in the bag. Chickens, eggs hatching, etc. Instead, I survived yesterday’s marathon. I wish I could tell you all that I had a phenomenal run and that I kicked serious butt. Sorry, no. I found myself in a tough slog yesterday, and instead of a fast, easy run, I had to gut it out through the last 15 km.
It was a gorgeous start to the day. I was up early and was ready well in time for the 8:30 start. The sun was breaking through, and the temperature was at 11 degrees Celsius, on its way up to 13. Victoria is a gorgeous city to visit and run in. The event was small enough to feel intimate and yet with sufficiently sparse participation to make me feel like I had the road to myself. Chicago had a few times the population of my hometown registered. Here’s what the start area looked like about 15-20 minutes before the race.
Not what I’m used to!
Conrad left me to my myself, and shortly thereafter, I was on my way. He caught a shot of me and my dazzling, blurry speed within the first kilometer.
The marathon sure seemed like a fun idea at that time still.
By the time I next saw Conrad (along with my best friend – sorry Jeph, you'll always be my NBF, though – Kendall), it was cloudy, had cooled down a little, and rain was introducing itself to the day. I was about 14 km into the race, hitting Oak Bay Avenue. I had a brave face for the camera,
but I’d just climbed to the highest elevation in the race. Just the same, though, I was maintaining a good pace, not losing ground. All was good.
I saw them again 20 km in, near the Oak Bay waterfront.
A bit more rain. Still holding up. 1 km short of halfway, but the layout of the out-and-back course was such that I had about 4 km to go to the turnaround. That makes it about 28 km when I saw them at that same point as previously.
By now, I was slowing down. My legs were stiffening up. Inclines?! My legs knew nothing of these. They began to protest.
Conrad and Kendall saw me for the last time during the race at the same point on Oak Bay Avenue as before.
My brave face held up, but I was not doing well. I still had a best time within reach, but the rain was setting in, I was getting colder (quite something to complain about given the immense difficulties caused by the heat in Chicago the same morning), and my legs were very very tight.
Come 37 km, I had to add in some walking. A best time was not realistic unless I resumed an 8 minute mile or better. I had to aim for a respectable time. I knew I could finish, but it might not be pretty. I was soaked through and through. I wanted to see the Parliament Buildings and know the finish line was just ahead. I had 5 more km to go.
With 3 km left, pride took over. I didn’t have much kick, but I could muster up 3 solid km of running. I crossed the line at 3:44:29. My third-best time ever, and every minute well-earned. I got my chip removed, got my medal, got my plastic sheet to wrap around me.
And there was Conrad awaiting me on the other side of the runners’ area. As soon as I got to him I leaned into him and began sobbing. No, not disappointment over my time. That would be silly. Just overwhelmed by what I’d done. I moved through the racers’ food area, ate a few things and carried a few things back to the hotel with me. We walked the three blocks slowly, painfully, me crying on and off but very happy indeed.
at the home of Rick and Deann Bayless of Frontera Grill, a prize won in a silent auction. No, they weren't there.
Excellent dinner, bittersweet having to have it.
Conrad joined us for most of it, 
and among the highlights was a long-awaited dinner at Woodberry Kitchen. And I ran a marathon.
The time there was marred only by the cold I was suffering post-marathon.
Much shopping ensued. 
It's been a lovely autumn all in all.
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