Rock n Rollin in the Rockies

My morning started early, 5:30 am to be exact, leaving me lots of time to take my time. Making the best of that, I sat by the window looking at the dark cloud covered mountains, sipping on my coffee and listening to the fireplace crackle. Yes, my room had a fireplace! As the time passed, I checked the hourly morning forecast so I could make a wise choice on running attire as that plays a big part for me. I came prepared with pants, long sleeve shirt, jacket, hat and gloves. I also tucked in what I decided to wear, shorts and a short sleeve shirt. That was the perfect choice for today!

The half marathon started 45 minutes before the 10km and the 5km so us halfers got the choice parking spots. In fleece and tear-a-ways, I walked around to loosen up, picked up my chip and took two bathroom breaks. Then back to the car for final preparations. I then seeded myself accordingly and waited for the gun! I couldn’t resist, a start photo! What a view ahead of us!

At 9:15 we were off! The first few kilometers were through downtown and throughout the townsite. We turned onto a pathway that followed the river and at times I felt like I was running in peoples’ backyards. This was a great way to see Canmore. I was paying attention to my walk breaks but not to the kilometer markers or my timing. I was engrossed in my surroundings. I felt enveloped in mountains! The first half was mostly flat, not so lucky for the second half. It was quite hilly, up and down, around, up again, up around and down and over and over and over...this felt like "rock n rollin". I just knew on the downhill I could make up time if I just open up and go with it. It was here, I was able to pick people off! Could all that mountain hiking be paying off? In this area, a bunch of people including three young boys were very generous with hi-5s. I participated and found myself getting high on hi-5s.
Around the 19km mark, I had a walk break, a few runners came from behind and overtook me. The photographer on the side, let them run by then aimed the camera at me and I heard click. I said "oh no, not during my walk break!"
The last couple of kilometers were going by quickly. I realized now that I was going to have a decent finishing time. To try and make it a more decent time, the competitiveness within took over and I began picking off those that picked off me. I finished strong and happy with my arms high in the air in victory, yet once again!
Having noticed Sarah at the start and along the route, I watched for her as she crossed the finish line. She was beaming bright, I could tell she had a good race too! Check out her race report. We caught up at the watering hole and made introductions. We chit chatted for a bit and took some photos. I then headed off to get some coffee, fruit, cookies and to hear the band play.

This was my fifth half marathon this year and it was my second best time on a course that was the hardest of them all. I will definitely sign up for this one again. But right now, I am excited for the Half Marathon in Kelowna in October and training for that.