Victoria Half Marathon Champion

Race Weekend recap

Had a good flight out to Victoria I got upgraded to executive class so that was a good start to the weekend, checked into a nice room at the Grand Pacific thanks to my friend Amanda for the room hookup.

Headed out to the expo picked up my race package and I was able to move from the full marathon to the half and this turned out to be a great thing.

Spent the evening with my fellow racer Glen and our coach Steve on the patio overlooking the bay drinking ice cold water.

Saturday got the wheelchair together and ready to go for Sunday then had lunch with Amanda, she offered to show me the course. Now I was expecting a flat course I figured when the website says fast Boston qualifying times I'm thinking flat, I was wrong I heard the world rolling and that it was very rolling with some steep sections I new that it was going to really challenge me.

Got up early on Sunday headed down and did some warming up, then off to the start line and off I went, I am pretty sure that were not ready to for me as they still had some roads closed off but I did get a police escort for a while.

After the first 3km up hill I was caught by the runners I expected it and received lots of encouragement so that was all good, at around the 10km mark I was thinking hmmm good thing I am only doing the half, at about 11km mark I was thinking what the heck am I doing out here my arms were getting rubbery and I was having trouble lifting them, at the 12km mark I was feeling better for the rest of the race I felt good and bad but kept pushing through it.

Crossed the finish line and I must not have looked very good as they kept asking me if I was ok, I got my finishers medal and headed back to the room.

Post race went to the awards and found out that they did not have my chip time so I went off my computer 1:56 slower then I wanted but considering the conditions of the course I feel ok with it.

I received my first trophy that Jack has been wanting since I started racing and he was very happy to receive it when I got home, its now his trophy and he is very proud of it.

Post race had a hot tub, sangria on a patio and some wine.

The next day I was pretty sore but better then I thought I had a good flight back to Calgary Glen and I both got bumped to executive class can't get much better then that.

POST RACE thoughts

I am very happy that I was able to move into the Half the Full would have been less then fun it was the right choice, I think that this was a great first race in the chair and prepare me for Vegas in Dec, I will now have to get some rollers and get training for it as I don't role so well in the snow.

Next race Vegas baby!!!!!!!!