Race recap: Okanagan Marathon

I signed up for the BMO Okanagan marathon because the couse is flat and fast. The race is held on the same weekend as the Victoria Marathon so a lot of runners choose one or the other for a fall race. 

After the Friendship Run with John Stanton on Saturday, I was super excited to run. I knew I wouldn’t break any PB records because of my right foot (still injured) but I was pumped nonetheless.

The race started at 7 a.m. Super early. Still I walked the 14 minutes from my hotel and met Audrey at runners’ tent. Brrr it was chilly! I followed Audrey into the corrals. I don’t think she believed that I was injured and that I would run with her. We lined up in front of the 4:15 bunny. I knew I could run a 4:15 without too much effort. My endurance was spot on and my legs were strong. My feet, on the other hand, would not welcome the four-hour effort. In my mind this would extend the ability of my feet to keep moving.

The race began and ended at City Park on Abbott Street, near the waterfront. The route took us along the waterfront, through the industrial area, residential streets and along the lake. Audrey and I chatted a lot. I tried to maintain an even pace but Audrey kept running faster than I wanted to run. I knew if I pushed myself in the first half, I would be toast in the second. 

My goal for the second half was to run an equal split or faster. I was feeling amazing so I picked up the pace. I think that’s where I went wrong. I didn’t take walk breaks (like in the first half). I ran strong and I ran fast. My foot was not amused. It was seizing and feeling wonky. I walked a lot in the last 4 km maybe 6 minutes. Oops!