Rubber Ducky Half Marathon

So I finally did it! The big day came and it started off with rain. Not down pour but constant rain. I had mentally prepared for this because the weather forecasted for rain for the whole week. I was just trying to be hopeful that the day of the run would be cloudy with no rain for just 2 hours but that didn't happen. I set my alarm for 7:20am cause the run started at 9am. I slept around 10:30pm the night before so I had plenty of rest before the big day. I prepped my outfit the day before as well and charged my fitbit, earbuds and phone. The day before I also carbed up a bit. Had pasta, poutine and hot dog. I woke up around 6:30am that morning cause I was worried that I didn't wake up on time. I think its the nerves that got to me. It was fine I felt rested. Woke up changed and did a 5 min stretch. I didn't drink any liquids in the morning because I have a small bladder and I tend to cramp up if I have anything in my stomach. We got there around 7:30 and pinned our race number on our shirts, our time card on our shoes and I was ready to go. I think it was about 9 degrees that morning and it surely felt cold. I wore my merino wool long sleeve, my Nike shorts and my trail running shoes with the under armour cap. We got to the start line and they did another 5 min warm up before the race. My fitbit listed my heart rate was about 107. I was very eager to finish the race cause it was cold and wet I only ran once in the rain and it was 8k so I didn't know how well I would do in the rain. Another issue was that this was my 3-4 time wearing my trail runners. I've always been training with my other runners which weren't waterproof and these were the ones that I got fitted for. I also didn't know how my skin will react to two hours of being in the rain with sweat as well.

The race started and my bf and his friend, Hanz decided to run the same pace as me throughout the run. My bf told me that I would be running a constant 5:30 pace. So I followed him. He did tell me that we will start a little faster to avoid the crowds. So we started off at around a pace of 4:20. I usually train at about 6:30-5:30 so 4:20 was quite fast for me so my heart was just pumping out of my chest. The adrenaline was strong but it helped me warm up faster cause it was cold. At first many ppl past me by but later around the 5-9k mark ppl started to die down. I started to get tired at the 5k mark but I kept going. After the 10k we had to look around Burnaby lake again for another 11.1k. My shoes were super helping with the puddles. At first I started to dodge them but the more you ran the more you realize it was more work to dodge the puddles then to run through them.

At about 16k that is when my body felt the run. I know my weakness usually hits at this point but I just continued to run. There were a couple of times when I held a further distance from my bf playing catch up but I just continued to run. I forgot to mention that when I started to run I had to pee. Not badly but I did. But I knew if I ran hard enough it will go away. Nope didn't happen but I tried not to think about it during the run. I also had two cramps during my run one on my right abdomen and another on the left. But I still trekked on. My breathing was heavy and my heart rate was high but I kept on going. There was twice also that I almost sprained my ankle due to the branches coming up from the ground. They were slippery and wet like the bridge but thank goodness my shoes corrected my slip. Or else I would struggle my way to the finish line.

At about 18k I decided its going to be over soon just keep going. And at 20 I knew I had to go go go that I'm almost there once I saw the finish line I sprinted all the way. Making 25th place along with my bf and Hanz. I'm so grateful to have made it. The 14 weeks of training really did help. I was panting at the end and cold but it was well worth it.

I'm so grateful for my bf for being my constant supporter in my life. He has made a better and healthier me. He has taught me to be strong, to be confident and to never give up. And I'm so thankful to have him in my life. I'm so grateful to have Hanz there to run beside me for running with me during my training. I'm so grateful to have such a great friend.

This race has taught me that anything is possible. You just need to work for it. Just do it, don't give up and keep running!