Woot!

I'm happy.

No, I didn't get my 3:20 I was hoping for.  I didn't even get 3:25.  But I did PB and had fantastic support for my race.

I woke up at 4AM to start my day.  A cup of beet root juice and a bowl of oatmeal with berries.  The weather outside looked pretty clear by 5A and cool, but comfortable.

I picked up Chantelle and a couple of her friends and then headed to park about 1k from the start.

I made my way to the start area and stood about about 20m in and saw Kate.  She invited me warmly and told me to hang on, it was going to be a fun one.  As the race neared the start, I threw off my H2H hoodie and found the temperature fairly comfortable.

I started out, and immediately kept my sights on Kate.

We didn't talk much, but by 13k, she said we were going in a bit too fast.  I felt pretty good, but I thought I'd heed her warning.  By the time we hit Stanley Park, we were on track for a 3:20.  I was still feeling pretty good.

There's a lot of rolling hills as you make your way around the park... you don't notice them much when you drive, but when you're running, it's hard not to.

At this point, I notice our time is slow for the km markers.. I decided to take advantage of the downhill sections and give it.  Kate's now behind me... mistake or not?  We'll see.

I make my way out of Stanley Park.  I'm feeling a little tired and there's another slow incline up to the bridge.  I'm excited now because my bunny, Sue, is going to meet me at 27k.  By the time I get her, I'm 40 seconds off my target pace.  I'm not happy, but I figure I can still reel it in...

Well, that didn't happen.

I pushed, Sue pulled, but my body was really starting to feel the effects of the pace and distance.  We put another 5k or so at a pretty decent pace and I thought, 3:20 is out, but 3:25 is still there.   But my body had other plans.  The effects of the rolling hills in Point Grey with the stupid #@$@# U-turn up 4th Ave, the sun beating down, and going out a bit fast... my body started to really hurt.  By the time we saw Eric at 36k, I was nearly all spent.

6k.  That's barely a warmup.

Only problem was there's 36k before that.

About 1k from the finish

At this point, my body was screaming to stop, but Sue and Eric wouldn't allow me to.  I trudged up the bridge and picked off a few runners.  At the crest of the bridge I ran as fast as I could down.... which probably wasn't that fast.  The last 100m or so, I just gave it.  Caught one of the guys, but couldn't pick off the woman in black.

3:27:38.

Broke my PB by 10 minutes.

Officially it's a BQ, but I realize being last in line probably won't get me in.

I thought I'd be upset.  But I'm not.

It's what I tell people... all you have to do is your best.  Whatever happens after that, is just that.  Just make sure you have no regrets and leave nothing on the table.

I ran.

I ran as hard as I could, and can proudly say, I gave it everything I could.  There's no woulda/coulda/shoulda's.

I socialized how I was hoping to get a 3:20.  And I was.  (Still am??).  If I fail then I fail, but at least I gave it a shot.  When my days are up, I never want to ask myself, "what if?"

Live life.  No regrets.