In the fall of 2008 I signed up for The Pacific Road Runner First Half Marathon. This was my first attempt at training for a half marathon and I was really pleased to find out that my friend (and now trainer) deWolf had also signed up. Both new at distance running, we decided to join a running group. The ForeRunners was holding a three month training program where about 60 runners met every Saturday at 8 am. Corey the running coach would give us a small pep talk and walk us through the running route he’d mapped out for us then we’d break up into difference pace groups and head out for our run.
The first week we ran 8 km; the course increased in distance by approximately 2 kilometers every week. Each group had a lead runner to ensure we’d stay on pace. de Wolf and I were in different groups because he’s a much faster runner than I. My goal was to run my first half marathon just under two hours while he was aiming for a one and a half hour finish.
To me the group pacer was the biggest benefit of group training. I found keeping a consistent and manageable pace was hard to gauge when I first started distance running. Having someone there to set my pace, and push me when I got tired and slowed down was extremely helpful. I was surprised to see my endurance and strength progress rapidly; however sitting at breakfast after our 15 km run I recall being worn out. “My legs are like spaghetti; there’s no way I’ll manager to go further next week,” I confessed to de Wolf.
The following Saturday I woke up at 6 a.m. to a West Coast monsoon. My windshield wipers couldn’t keep up to the downpour as I drove to the ForeRunner store. Discouragement from last week’s run, combined with this nasty weather was conjuring feelings of anxiety. When I got there I noticed only half of the regular runners showed. “Do you blame them?” I thought. “If most of the hard core runners aren’t here, why am I?” As the coach started his pep talk I noticed that deWolf had decided not to show. “If he’s not here…I’m skipping the run and going home.” I decided. I planned on sneaking off to my truck as soon as the groups broke out.
As Corey talked about the long running route a wave of relief came over me; I was secretly gleeful that I’d be back in my bed in less than an hour. And then …the front door opened and my inner happiness was shattered. He showed up! Damn it!! “If he is running I have to run” I thought. To this day I can’t explain why, but he brings out extreme competitiveness in me. “Hey! Mornin’ I didn’t think you’d come in this rain…” de Wolf said sarcastically. That remark solidified my willpower. “I’m going to man up and run 17.5 km on the darkest, coldest and wettest day of the year even if it kills me.” I vowed.
I was soaked to the bones before I ran the first kilometer, my feet or hands were numb by the 5th kilometer and as I ran along Kits beach I looked around and noticed I’d lost the running group. I struggled around kilometer thirteen, with the cold ocean wind whipping through me and the rain starting to come down even harder. “Why am I doing this? I need to get a hold of myself; this is so not worth it!” I said out loud. With only approximately 4 kilometers left, my Lululemon pants were so heavy with wetness they’ d stretched about 4 inches and were dragging under my heels. Now I understood there was an element of practicality to the ugly tight runner pants.
As I turned the corner and headed down the road toward the running store a surge of energy overcame me and I sprinted the last 5 blocks. I survived my longest and most painful run and I felt fantastic about it… but of course, there was de Wolf standing in front of the store clapping his hands “Come on, hurry up will you, I want breakfast.”
A month later I completed my first half marathon with a finish time of 2:01:37; missing my goal by 98 seconds!!!! (Average pace of 5:46/km ). Although I was proud that I’d actually completed the race my stubbornness to achieve my goal persists; that is why two weeks ago I committed to running the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon and this time crossing the finishing line under two hours is not an option.
PT Girl xo
