Vancouver (Non)Marathon

My BMO Vancouver Marathon experience was a lesson in letting go.  I held on tightly to so many hopes, goals, and expectations for the run.  I'd been very dedicated to a rigorous training plan and had already completed the most difficult requirements (including 2 20-mile runs).  I looked forward to the marathon with optimistic excitement and envisioned a race that would improve on my Portland performance.  But I soon had to accept that it wasn’t meant to be.  I had to let go of the Vancouver Marathon that I’d visualized and come to terms with the Vancouver Marathon of reality.
 



I bought so many different braces, bands,
and wraps-- hoping that they could work miracles
in the short time before the race.

Three weeks before the race, things started to go awry.  I’d completed a very hilly 20-mile run on a Saturday and set out to complete a simple 3-mile run a few days later.  Just 1.5 miles into this short run, my IT Bands were so painful on the outside of my knees that I had to stop.  I rested and stretched for a full week before running again, but then everything seemed to be out of whack!  My IT bands still hurt, and I had pain in my shins, left hamstring, above my left knee. 

I desperately searched for a solution as the marathon date approached.  I got a 1.5-hour sports massage (which helped the IT bands but didn't fully solve my problems); I saw a drop-in physical therapist (who noted lots of swelling on the side of my left knee); I attended several yoga classes; I followed YouTube videos about how to heal all of my miscellaneous leg injuries; I iced and took Ibuprofen incessantly; and I rolled my legs out on the foam roller multiple times per day. But, as difficult as it was for me to admit, my legs were rebelling… and there was nothing I could do about it!  26.2 miles of pain would not be a pleasant experience.  I held out until the day before the race, when I switched to the half-marathon at the expo.  I knew that it was the right decision, but I was still quite disappointed nonetheless.

 

Here, Issac, Luis, and I pose at the end of the
race.  We had difficulty reconnecting with
everyone in the huge crowds at the finish line,
 and we were freezing and absolutely drenched.  I also
was hobbling about and couldn't keep my teeth
from chattering.  Not a shining moment for me!
 

Race day was cold and rainy (although not nearly as bad as the miserable Nookachamps race).  I had taped up my legs to help them through the 13.1 miles, and (remarkably) they didn’t start hurting until several miles into the run.  I was proud that I didn’t walk at all (yet didn't over-exert myself TOO much), and my stats were as follows: time= 1:51:52; place out of all females= 651 out of 6,112; and place in age/gender category= 145 out of 1,069.  It certainly wasn’t the pinnacle of my running career, but it could have been a lot worse.



Vancouver is a fun city, and we got to do a bit of exploring
during our time there.  This photo captures one of the few
moments when it was not raining.

We had a great time in Vancouver (with my aunts as spectators and several friends along to run or support the race), but I was limping and very uncomfortable (in my left leg) after the race had taken place.  I used the hotel’s hot tub to soothe my aching muscles and vowed to start a new recovery regimen.


Since our return to the USA, I’ve been fully committed to getting better.  I am cross-training; I’m attending lots of yoga classes; I’m seeing a Sports Medicine Doctor (who is most concerned about my hamstring, which may have not ever fully recovered from my original injury oh-so-long-ago!); I’m working on strengthening muscles in my glutes, core, and hips; and I’m taking a break from running.
I am hopeful that I’ll be back to normal soon.  I still plan on completing a 10K run in June and serving as a pacer in the Seattle Rock ‘N Roll Marathon on June 21st, but I’ll take it easy as I get there. 

This experience has taught me a lot about the body’s need for balance, and I am now more cautious about avoiding overuse injuries.  Perhaps another full marathon will be in my future, but I will try to be grounded and prudent as I get there.



One more half-marathon medal to add to the collection!  It
is my seventh one.