Standing akimbo (my favourite pose) after my 8k race in front of the Legislative buildings in Victoria, BC
I had such a fun time in Victoria this weekend at the 34th running of the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon event (8k, Half and Full). The weather was beautiful and the 8k course was more or less level through James Bay and along the waterfront. The sunrise view across the water to the Olympic Mountains from Beacon Hill Park was spectacular (yes, I also run for the views). Warming up and starting the race before sunrise was an experience not to be missed, but with so many other crazy runners doing the same, it was easy to go with the flow.
And what a great race it was! I have to admit I was a bit nervous before the race, but my fellow runners and coaches, including Penny and Jane, gave lots of encouragement and great advise: warm up before the start and begin in the front quarter of the pack. I ran the 8k in 38:36 and ended up being 4th out of 139 in my age category and it looks like, from the results page, in the top 300 out of about 2600 overall. Unbelievable! Apparently there were medals for the top 5 in each age category, but I didn’t collect mine at the medal ceremony, being unaccustomed to such things. Hopefully they will send mine in the mail.
This was my first BIG run with so many other runners. I’ve done lots of other fun local runs but with about 12,000 participants, this event was amazing, from the Expo, to the wonderful race organization and the post race snacks, drinks, medals, etc. I will definitely do the Victoria race again and plan to do many more local races this fall and winter. I hope others will join me!
