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Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k Archives - Canada Running Series

Jun 06 2018
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Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k – Elite Field

By | Elite Athletes, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Introducing our Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k Elite Field.

 

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Male Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
1 Kangogo Kip Lethbridge AB
3 Tomsich Anthony Vancouver BC
8 Setlack Matt Cold Lake AB
9 Onsare Benard Calgary AB
10 Mutai David Etobicoke ON
11 Voth Chris Vancouver BC
12 Derr Tom Eugene OR
13 Manning Aaron Mississauga ON
14 Nicholson Drew Surrey BC
15 McNamara Paul Vancouver BC
16 Gomez Inaki Vancouver BC
17 Dunfee Evan Richmond BC
20 Finlayson Jim Victoria BC
21 Ziak Jeremiah Vancouver BC
22 McMillan Craig North Vancouver BC
Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Female Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
F3 Gollish Sasha Toronto ON
F4 Pidhoresky Dayna Vancouver BC
F5 Setlack Emily Cold Lake AB
F8 Olsen Courtney Bellingham WA
F10 Morrison Amber Bellingham WA
F11 Hungerford Briana Vancouver BC
F12 Pepin Cheryl North Vancouver BC
F13 Lee Andrea Vancouver BC
F15 Moore Katherine Vancouver BC
F16 Kassel Melanie Chilliwack BC
F19 Slaughter Gemma Vancouver BC

presented by:

Jan 30 2018
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Ryan Chilibeck joins Canada Running Series as Western Race Director

By | Community Leaders, Eastside 10k, Newsletter, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

VANCOUVER. January 30th, 2018. Canada Running Series is delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Chilibeck, who will join the team as Race Director, CRS West, replacing Clif Cunningham. Ryan’s first day will be tomorrow, January 31st, though Clif will continue full-time until the summer as part of a smooth transition.

“After 17 years, we’re sad to see Clif move on in search of new adventures,” said President Alan Brookes, “but thrilled to have someone with Ryan’s combined running, community and business experience on board to continue to build on the success of the events.”

Ryan ChilibeckA lifetime sportsperson, Ryan turned to running in 2010, and got the “race experience” bug when he signed up for Canada Running Series’ Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon in 2014. That was also the year he founded East Van Run Crew:

“Until 2014, I typically ran alone,” he recalls. “Then one of my friends was running with Parkdale Roadrunners in Toronto and I couldn’t stop watching his social media feed to see what was going on. I looked around Vancouver and didn’t see anything that really captured the energy of this new running movement that they were bringing to the streets every week. In the lead up to my 2014 Scotia Half, EVRC was founded over social media, to a lukewarm reception. From there, things have just snowballed into what EVRC is today…a large, dynamic, inviting, open-door, community-building and thirsty group of people who also like to run.

Once this social aspect of running came into my life, it gave me another thing to look forward to every week: a new circle of friends and a creative output that no job could not offer me at the time. We were able to raise money for charities, jump on social media to connect with runners across the globe, host group events in our own city and represent our run crews at races around the world.”

From 2012 to 2016, Ryan also gained invaluable business experience establishing and managing a flourishing Famoso Pizza franchise in East Vancouver that also helped sponsor races and act as a popular location for crew runs, post-run pizza and beer, as well as supporting a wide range of community-based charities. He also coordinated and oversaw the training of new Famoso partners and their management teams, and re-vamped and refreshed the music offerings at 29 Famoso locations across Canada.

Ryan has spent the past year in Edmonton where he launched and managed the Northern Alberta Trail Run Series.

“Bringing a new Race Series to Edmonton was an incredibly rewarding experience. I was able to use my previous racing knowledge to coordinate the entire runner-experience from registration to finish line. There is no better feeling than seeing a lofty vision and months’ worth of planning come to reality. The only downside was that I never got to race in any of them! I’m really looking forward to bringing my personal experiences and talents to the amazing structure that Clif, Tom and the rest of the CRS team has worked hard to create across the country.”

Ryan will be joined on the Canada Running Series West team by Jen Cerullo and Ron Denischuk, two high-energy event professionals, as Event Manager and Operations Manager, respectively. Jen has worked on many Vancouver-area events including prominent roles with lululemon’s Seawheeze, the Rock ‘n Roll Vancouver Half marathon and the First Half Half Marathon, as well as with CRS on the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in a range of volunteer-management, course, venue and “people” areas. Ron has worked with CRS under Tom Skinner for 5 years, as well as on the Sun Run and other major events. A UBC Business graduate, he is eager to step up as Tom moves on to a new challenge with HUB Cycling. Like Clif, though, Tom will be there in the transition to support the Scotia Half and the Under Armour Eastside 10k in race-week roles.

“We’re really excited about 2018, from Vancouver to Toronto and Montreal,” said Brookes. “And we’re looking forward to seeing the running community out in force to give Clif and Tom a royal send-off, and be part of the new energy, excitement and innovation that Ryan and his team will bring. We’re all building this together.”

Canada Running Series [CRS] is the nation’s premier running circuit with 7 events: 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver and 1 in Montreal.  It annually attracts some 60,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly-local charities. The Series includes the IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Scotiabank Vancouver Half marathon, the only event in Canada to receive “Inspire Gold” certification from the Council for Responsible Sport in Oregon for its exemplary practice of sustainability. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization. We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels from Canadian Olympians and International stars, to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners; and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process.  Our mission is “building community through the sport of running”.

Jun 19 2017
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Race Day Tips for #ScotiaHalf

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Every year we’re joined by hundreds of new runners at both the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and the 5k. For many people, it’s their first time participating in an event of this size. We’ve taken some tips from the seasoned runners out there and come up with the ABC’s of how to set yourself up for a great race – both before and after the event.

While this guide is primarily aimed at new runners, it’s always good to refresh your memory even if you’ve been racing for decades! Also be sure to check out our Race Etiquette Page.
Confirm your registration here.

Before the Race

A – Know where you need to be and when

This may seem obvious, but it’s so often overlooked. You can save yourself tonnes of stress on Race Day (and the days leading up to it) by knowing where to go and when. This includes knowing where to pick up your race package and bib number in the days leading up to the race, as well as how to get to the start line.

  • Expo – ALL participants must pick up their race package and bib number at Package Pickup before Race Day. Package Pickup is located on the Second Floor at the Vancouver Convention Centre East (999 Canada Place) and is open on Friday, June 22 from 11am to 6:30pm, and Saturday, June 23 from 10am to 5pm. More details here.
  • 5k Start Line – the 5k begins on Stanley Park Drive, just west of the Fish House restaurant. Red corral begins at 9:15am, Blue corral at 9:20am, Green at 9:25am, and Purple at 9:30am (more on corrals further down the page). Make sure you leave plenty of time to get here, as there is NO PARKING near the start line – you will need to either take transit and walk, or park at the Rose Garden lot on the other side of Stanley Park and take our shuttle to the start (leave an extra 45 minutes for this). Details on this, plus maps, are here.
  • Half-Marathon Start Line – the Half begins on East Mall at UBC, near Thunderbird Arena. Race start is 7:30AM SHARP – leave extra time to get here due to road closures. Translink has increased service on the 99 B-Line and 25 bus routes for the morning, but if you are driving we recommend carpooling and parking at Thunderbird Parkade. Full details and maps are here.
    ***Important*** Make sure you leave plenty of time to find and use the washrooms before the run starts, although there are some washrooms available on course. Start Lines will CLOSE 10 minutes after the scheduled start times, meaning you will not be permitted to start after this point! Also note that there are construction closures on SW Marine Drive this year, so please use West 16th Ave, West 10th Ave, or Chancellor Blvd to get to UBC.***

B – Don’t do anything new! We mean it!

A common mistake is to try something new just before or on Race Day. This could be anything from wearing a new pair of shoes during the run to changing up your diet the day before. If you typically eat a simple pasta the night before your training runs, don’t try out that new Mexican Food Cart on Saturday night. If you don’t usually have coffee before your training runs, don’t go for a double espresso on Sunday morning. Stick with what works for you – from your meals to your running clothes to your morning routine.

C – Start in the right corral

When you pick up your bib number, you’ll notice a coloured corral box on it (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, or Purple). This colour matches up with the corral you’ve been assigned to and there’ll be coloured corral flags at the start line to show you were to line up.
But what’s a corral? In order to give everyone their best experience on Race Day, we assign all participants into a corral based on their predicted finish time. This way, speedsters can start at the front of the pack while walkers start further back. Please be respectful of other runners and line up according to your expected finish time. Please also be mindful of other runners who may need to pass you on course – if you are running with children encourage them to stay close or hold their hand. Corral details for Half-Marathon and 5k.

BONUS – use our Gear Check to store a bag of warm, dry (and less-sweaty) clothes for after the race. Your $2 donation will go to our Featured Charities.

During the Race

A – Make sure your bib number is on your front and visible

We use a bib-tag timing system, which means your timing chip is embedded in your bib number. In order for it to work properly and have your time recorded:

  • Do not remove the “bibTag” or foam spacer from your bib.
  • Do not fold your bib or excessively bend or twist the “bibTag”.
  • Wear your bib on your chest/abdomen. Do not wear on your back, side, leg or arm.
  • Do not cover your bib with clothing – always make sure it is completely visible.
  • Make sure you cross over the timing mat at both the Start Line and the Finish Line.
    ***Start Lines for both the Half and 5k will CLOSE 10min AFTER THE SCHEDULED START TIME

B – Start slow and stay even

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Race Day and start out too fast. Do the opposite – start a little slower than your normal pace and gradually pick up your pace over the first kilometre. After that, try to keep an even pace throughout the race and save your extra energy for the final push to the Finish Line!

C – Stay hydrated out there (and wear sunscreen!)

It can be pretty hot in June, so make sure to keep hydrated while on course. It’s a good idea to bring your own water, but we’ll also have plenty of aid stations on course, serving up both water and Gatorade. If you are using one of the aid stations:

  • When approaching a hydration station, move to the side of the road, grab your fluid/nutritional needs and keep moving. There will be multiple hydration tables so if the first table is busy KEEP MOVING.
  • Throw your used cup to the side of the road as close to the hydration station as possible, ideally in one of the marked bins. Drop your cup down by your waist so you don’t hit/splash another participant.
  • If you plan to stop at the aid station, move past the tables and pull off to the side of the road.
  • Say thank you to the volunteers!

After the Race

A – Keep moving

Collect your medal as you cross the Finish Line, then keep moving through the chute until you get to the Post-Race Recovery Area. Keep moving for at least 10 more minutes afterwards to gradually bring your heart rate down and help your legs flush out that lactic acid (this will prevent you from being stiff tomorrow).

B – Refuel and rehydrate

Right after the finish line we’ll have water and Gatorade for you to rehydrate with. Grab a cup and keep walking – there will be more in the Post-Race Recovery Area. A variety of snacks will be available in the Recovery Area, including bananas, bagels, KIND bars, cookies, raisins, juice, and yogurt. The carbs will help replenish your energy stores while a bit of protein will help rebuild your muscles. Make sure you eat something within 30 minutes of crossing the line.

C – Get warm and enjoy the Finish Area

After you’ve fueled up, stop by Gear Check to collect your spare clothes. Even on a sunny day, your core temperature will drop fast once you stop moving, especially when you’re still wearing sweaty clothes. Once you’ve done that, check out the live band, our Charity Village, and Awards Ceremony (10:30am).

If you’re looking for a place to meet your friend and family after the run, our five Charity Village tents will be labeled A, B, C, D, and E – pick a letter and meet in front of it. Full map of the Finish Area is here.

Congratulations! Now it’s time to start planning your next race – join us at the Under Armour Eastside 10k on September 15, 2018!

Jun 10 2017
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Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k – Elite Field

By | Elite Athletes, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

 

Scotia HalfIntroducing our Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k Elite Field.

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Male Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
1 Kangogo Kip Lethbridge AB
2 Toth Thomas Plaistow NH
3 Wykes Dylan Vancouver BC
4 Martinson Geoffrey Vancouver BC
5 Woodfine Tristan Guelph ON
6 Kimosop Willy Lethbridge AB
7 Kasia Dancan Toronto ON
11 Bascal Shoayb Victoria BC
12 Gomez Inaki Vancouver BC
13 Browne Nicholas Vancouver BC
14 Blazey Paul Norwich UK
15 Mulverhill Chris Vancouver BC
16 Dunfee Evan Richmond BC
17 Nicholson Drew Surrey BC
21 Ziak Jeremiah Vancouver BC
22 McMillan Craig North Vancouver BC
23 Hatachi Tatsuya Coquitlam BC
24 Fieldwalker Matt Vancouver BC
25 Newby James Squamish BC
26 Portman Bryan Nanaimo BC
Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Female Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
F2 Pidhoresky Dayna Vancouver BC
F4 Tessier Lyndsay Toronto ON
F5 Wilkie Sabrina Vancouver BC
F6 Olsen Courtney Bellingham WA
F7 Coll Neasa Vancouver BC
F11 Moroz Jen Vancouver BC
F13 Lewis-Schneider Meg Vancouver BC
F14 Smart Kristin Cobble Hill BC
F15 Pepin Cheryl North Vancouver BC
F16 Dale Shannon North Vancouver BC
F17 Longridge Corri Vancouver BC
F18 Moore Katherine Vancouver BC
F22 Kassel Melanie Chilliwack BC
F23 Montgomery Darcie North Vancouver BC
Scotiabank Vancouver 5km Elite Athletes    
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
5002 Wilkie Mark Vancouver BC
5003 Watkins Catherine Vancouver BC
5004 Gustafson Kate Vancouver BC
May 04 2017
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Beginner’s Guidebook to Race Etiquette

By | Racing Strategy | No Comments

If you’re preparing to run your first race or your hundredth race, here’s some important race etiquette to keep in mind.  In order to make a race the most enjoyable experience possible for everyone participating, follow these simple rules:

PRE-RACE

  • Read the website, entry form or other race information before contacting the race. All of the race details you need to know are probably there.
  • Respect entry restrictions. Check if the race permits wheelchairs or baby joggers, imposes a minimum age, or has time restrictions.
  • Pay attention to packet pickup hours. Do not show up at other times and expect to receive your race packet/number.
  • Carefully check your information at packet pickup. The time to correct any errors such as age, gender, or misspelling of your name is BEFORE the race.

RACE DAY:

  • Pin your number on the FRONT of your shirt or outermost clothing and keep it visible. Announcers, photographers, timers and medics use it to help identify you.
  • Start in the correct corral. There is a reason why races ask for your predicted finishing time.  Slower runners and walkers should move into to the later corrals as their race bib indicates to avoid any congestion for faster runners trying to pass by. Arriving early doesn’t mean you can start at the front of the race. If you want to switch corrals, there are usually spots at package pickup to request that change.
  • No more than two abreast.  It is incredibly frustrating to try and pass a large group of slower individuals who take up the width of the street during a race.  If you’re in a large group, respect other races, and stay two abreast.  If you’re walking, please remain behind the runners to avoid obstruction.
  • Pass on the left, stay to the right. If you’re speeding along, pass runners on their left. If you need to slow down, move to the right to allow others to easily pass. The first mile or so of a race can be crowded and sometimes you need to weave to pass people.  Just be aware of those around you.
  • If you need to stop for any reason move to the side.  Whether it’s an untied shoelace, your walk/run program, or an urgent phone call, don’t stop dead in your tracks. Look around, move to the side and slide back into the race when you’re ready.
  • Be careful taking mid-race photos. Many runners love documenting their journey, especially since selfies have become all the rage.  These are great mementos, but please step to the side when taking them. The last thing you want is another runner plowing through you and your phone shattering on the ground.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Portable headphone devices for iPods, MP3 players, phones etc are discouraged for your safety and the safety of others.  Blasting music in your ears can block out any verbal warnings/directions or sounds of vehicles/participants along the course.
  • Be conscientious of other runners at water stops. If you’re skipping the water, run straight through the station and don’t crowd where the water is located.  If you need to wet your whistle, minimize congestion by grabbing quickly and move to the side once you’ve passed the water station volunteers before slowing down.
  • If you drop out, tell someone.  Sometimes race day doesn’t go as planned.  If you need to drop-out, be sure to tell a race volunteer so no one is looking for you afterwards.
  • Run through the finish line. Hundreds of runners are coming through behind you, so move towards the medals and snacks to avoid congestion in the finishing chute.

Now that you know the basics, if you’re looking for your first race to run the Scotiabank Vancouver 5k in June is a great beginner-friendly option. Make sure to sign up soon though, as this event has sold out the last three years running!

Jun 17 2015
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Running: A State of Mind

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

VANCOUVER June 17th 2015. Digital Champion Mike Hsiao began his running journey in December 2012. He was borderline obese, stressed from life and school and suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). After spending the night in the ER due to complications Mike decided that he needed to make a change for good, and that change was running! He started out with just two laps around the track, and after pouring hours into his training, that two laps quickly turned into his first 10k race. In 2013 he ran the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon, his first 21.1k race. Since then, mike has completed close to 18 races, including 6 half-marathons, 1 full marathon, 137 Grouse Grinds, and 1 triathlon. He’s lost 1/4 of my body weight and is now fully cured of the NAFLD. Now, Mike is raising awareness and funds to help find cures for liver diseases so no one has to go through what he did. Connect with Mike on Instagram and on his blog.

Running: A State of Mind. By Mike Hsiao 

rs_svhm15_digital champions-14Something that is often overlooked is how important the mind really is. You aren’t becoming a Buddhist monk so it’s not a thing where you sit and meditate for countless hours to get the right state. Rather, it is a process of learning and understanding your body and the little unnoticeable accomplishments that are like pieces of a puzzle that creates a bigger picture, which is an image of you.

When I started running, I was all alone and struggled with myself. But what I really struggled with wasn’t my weight or the workout, but really the little insecure monsters that creep out here and there. I would start to compare myself to other people and wonder why I wasn’t like them. At the gym I would compare myself to the guys with the six pack abs, or during a run, I would compare myself to the people who seemed to be bolting by me without breaking a sweat. Having these insecurities and not knowing what to do when your mind starts to think like this isn’t a good feeling. The mental struggle is real and probably the most challenging of all of the factors when it comes to training for a race. Until I figured out some ways to make it better for myself, racing and running felt like a drag. It really comes down to two things: realizing what your limits, strengths and weaknesses are and letting your mind grow so you can become a better person.

Realizing your limits: One key thing that I’ve learned is that everyone is different. This may sound cliché but if you think about it, it’s meaning is profound. Our genetics are different and depending on our life experiences, there is not one identical person in this world. So you can’t expect to run as fast as Usain Bolt or look the same as that really annoying guy next door with the six pack, beautiful hazel eyes and perfect teeth. You were built to be you and no one can replicate you. There’s a famous saying by Oscar Wilde “Be yourself, because everyone else is taken”. So if you put in an hour to train for a race and Mr. Super hot dude next door is also putting in an hour at the gym, but the “results” look more visible on him than you, that doesn’t mean you haven’t trained. You are both putting in an hour, you are both trying your best. The key is to find out what your best is and be satisfied with that. You can only really go as fast as you were built to go (if you go any faster, you risk injury). Once you accept yourself for who you are, then all of a sudden there is only one competitor on the race track, and that is you.

Building your strengths: This is where the challenge really begins. Once you realize what your limits are, you need to fight the inner battle on the other side of things, and this is recognizing where your weaknesses are. These weaknesses are things that you can build upon and they don’t necessarily have a limit. For example, if you always have a hard time running non-stop up hills, this is a weakness. If you have a hard time running up hills at the speed of Usain Bolt (that said, if you are Usain Bolt or an Olympian, then pretend the Usain Bolt we are talking about in here is a Cheetah or something), then the expectation maybe beyond what you were built for. Once you find your own weaknesses, this is where the mind comes in. Your mind will help you set your goals to build on the weaknesses and convert them into strengths. Your mind will keep you going to achieve your goals and overcome your weaknesses. Your mind will ultimately bring you through the hard times and help you persevere through tough training and that last few kilometers of every race.

The result: When you throw away your insecurities and just enjoy the moment of the race, the people around you doing the sport and thing they love, that is when running becomes fun. The training leading up to a race is more about the mental challenge than anything else because you are getting to know the person you should know the most, which is yourself. You are getting to know your limits, your strengths and ultimately, you are building your own owner’s manual. At the end of the race, besides being more physically fit, it is really the mind and what you have put yourself through to grow as a person that is the prize.

I look forward to seeing you at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon on June 28th! I love making friends so feel free to connect with me via Instagram or Facebook.

 

 

Jun 16 2015
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2015 #ScotiaHalf Elite Start List

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Vancouver, BC – June 16, 2015
Elite list and numbers, for the 2015 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

Men’s Start List

Bib Name City Prov Twitter
2 Reid Coolsaet Guelph ON @reidcoolsaet
3 Rob Watson Vancouver BC @robbiedxc
4 Sami Jibril Toronto ON
5 Matt Loiselle Toronto ON
6 Willy Kimosop Lethbridge AB
7 David Le Porho Montreal QC
8 Berhanu Degefa Toronto ON
14 Jeff Symonds Vancouver BC
15 Jeremiah Ziak Vancouver BC
16 Nick Hastie Vancouver BC @nehastie
17 Craig McMillan North Vancouver BC
18 Corey Gallagher Winnipeg MB @CoreyGallagher4
21 David Larpenteur Bellingham WA
22 Bryan Andrews Vancouver BC
23 Drew Nicholson Surrey BC
24 Chris Napier Vancouver BC @runnerphysio
25 Tyler Cannon Bellingham WA
31 Skeets Morel Coldstream BC
32 Mark Bennett Vancouver BC @mbenvan
33 Dave Stephens North Vancouver BC
34 Barry Young Vancouver BC @BourryYang
35 Hicham El amiri Victoria BC

Women’s Start List

Bib Name City Prov Twitter
F1 Lanni Marchant London ON @ljm2525
F2 Natasha Wodak Vancouver BC @tasha_wodak
F3 Lioudmila Kortchaguina Markham ON
F4 Catherine Watkins Vancouver BC @runmommaster
F5 Kimberley Doerksen Gibsons BC @kadoerks
F10 Danya Crawford Midway UT
F11 Lissa Zimmer Vancouver BC @lissa2s
F12 Melissa Ross Errington BC @melissaross929
F14 Katherine Moore Vancouver BC @runningintoyoga
F15 Kristyn Webster Port Moody BC
F21 Melanie Kassel Chilliwack BC
F22 Margreet Dietz Squamish BC @MargreetDietz
F23 Karen Warrendorf Vancouver BC @kwarrendorf
F24 Karyn Mitchell North Vancouver BC @karyn_mitchell
Jun 09 2015
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Going for Gold at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon.

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

VANCOUVER June 9th 2015. Digital Champion Karin Jackson began running in July 2008 with some good friends at work and completed her first race that fall. Over the past 7 years Karin has lost 120 pounds and has completed 13 half marathons, 5 marathons, and an Iron distance triathlon! Karin loves the social aspect of running and is grateful for all the friends she’s made on this journey. When she’s not running, she’s swimming, cycling, or yoga-ing and trying to convince others to join her! You can connect with Karin on Twitter, Instagram and on her blog.

Going for Gold at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon. By Karin Jackson.

Recently I was accused of being goal-driven.  I know, there are worse things…thinking Crocs are fashionable is one of them and thank God, that doesn’t apply. And well, it’s true. I am.  I’m a big believer in goal setting. Big, scary, dare-to-dream “stretch” goals, and smaller confidence building goals. I think they keep you focused on a place you want to get to, and motivated to continue on that journey despite any setbacks or pauses along the way. For me, they’ve also played a role in moving forward, in getting better, going further, going faster, in testing my limits. Because when you reach a goal, the logical next step is to set a bigger one, right?

Karin Blog Photo 3I started running in July 2008 with some girlfriends at work. We were following a learn-to-run program and had set a goal of running an 8k race in the fall. None of us were runners. The first day, we had to run 1 minute, walk 2 minutes, 8 times. On the fifth run interval, I had to stop and walk. I had the big October race day goal but starting out, my goal was smaller. It was about making it through each of the run intervals without having to stop and walk. And then it was about making it to that point where I could do the whole run workout without walking. Not that there’s anything wrong with walking. And if you’re worried that walk breaks make you somehow “less than” the other runners out there, let me tell you, I have been passed by walkers while I was running. When that 8k race rolled around, I ran every step of it and finished happy with having met my goal. My girlfriends? They raced doing the run/walk we had trained with and finished with faster times than me. There’s something to be said for recovery breaks. But I digress… I was talking about goals… Right.

After that fall 8k, I got it into my head that I could run a half marathon the following spring. It was the medal that hooked me. All I had to was run 21.1 km and I’d get a medal? Sign me up! In May 2009, I ran my first half marathon, finishing in 2:52, super proud and excited to do it again, but faster. That was my next goal and I ran a 2:45 in October of that year. Thinking I’d reached the limits of the speed I had in me, I had to come up with a new goal: go further. So I declared that in 2010, just after my 40th birthday, I would push back against Father Time and run a marathon. Because really, what better way is there to deny your advancing years than by subjecting yourself to a grueling physical test that will leave you hobbling around for days afterward? In case you were wondering, I finished in 6:56, just ahead of the sweeper vehicle and while much of the finish area was being dismantled. But I finished.

My goals since those first races have varied – almost always about going faster, sometimes tackling a bigger challenge (hello Ironman!), sometimes trying something new. Trail racing, anyone? In rattlesnake territory? Anyone? Bueller? And I haven’t always met my goals. And that’s OK. Alright, maybe I have had a bit of a potty mouth or shed a few tears, but it’s still OK. It just means that it’s not time to set a new goal yet. Or maybe it’s time to park that goal for a wee while, and focus on something else.

Early in my running days, a friend relayed a second hand piece of advice from a former Canadian Olympic athlete (and yes, a runner!). She talked about stepping up to events with Gold, Silver, and Bronze goals. I love that and is something I’ve tried to adopt before each race. My Gold goals are usually focused on achieving a certain time, my Silver on still netting a PB, even if I didn’t achieve my time goal, and Bronze, well usually that’s no PB, but injury free and chalking it up as a training run. You see what I’ve done there? I always podium! Incidentally, these Gold, Silver, Bronze goals can work for your training too. I always dread track sessions on my training plan. So I negotiate with myself –  if I hit my pace target for all my intervals, that’s Gold, within 10 seconds: Silver, and maybe it’s just that I finish all those hard efforts without peeing a little for a Bronze. You mommies out there know what I’m talking about.

Karin Blog Photo 2Anyone who has read my personal blog, or even my Scotia Half Digital Champion bio, knows that my goal for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon is to run it in under 2 hours. I have come so close. So. Close. A year ago, I ran a 2:00:33. That was a PB of 3:32, and a Silver effort by my race goals. I did not celebrate. I asked myself if I could have run every kilometre just 2 seconds faster. And of course the answer is yes. Of course it’s yes. One-Mississsippi. Two-Mississippi. That much faster? Yes. I parked the sub-2 Half goal for a while and focused on something else (an Ironman), but in January of this year, I was ready to try again. Another Silver. 2:00:24. I kid you not. I’m ready for that sub-2 and I’m changing up my goals. Gold is that sub-2. But I am too close to declare a Silver performance if I PB but miss that Gold by One-Mississippi per km! No, Silver is a great race photo (unlike the one above!) And Bronze? Well Bronze would be running it hard, finishing injury free …and not peeing a little.