I’m extremely excited to once again be the VIRA Island Race Series ambassador for 2020, where I look forward to sharing training tips, race previews and recaps with the participants.
For those of you who don’t know, the VIRA Island Race Series is a series of 8 races, featuring some of the best road running that Vancouver Island has to offer with distances from 5 km to Half-Marathon.
When it comes to deciding what to post on this blog as we take part in the VIRA Island Race Series together, I’d LOVE to get questions and topic suggestions from YOU (the runners!!). You can email me or connect with me through social media and I will work to deliver the content that will serve you best.
I want to add value to you and to your running journey and the best way to do that is to learn how I can help you. My goal is to draw upon my own racing experiences (both good and bad) as well as coaching experiences and personal training certification materials and to deliver content that will help you achieve your fitness goals.
I will hold nothing back because I want to be honest with you about my journey and that it (running) hasn’t always been easy. I’m sure that I have yet to run my worst race and my best race, which is what I believe is the reality for all of us (and for life in general).
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been participating in the series since 2013. Seven years ago, I ran my first VIRA Island Race Series event and I’ve been running seriously since 2012. The first VIRA Island Race Series event that I ever did was the Cedar 12k in 2013 and since then I was hooked (and no, it wasn’t because of the free Nanaimo bars that we got after the race, although you can never go wrong with that).
VIRA Island Race Series Cedar 12k 2013. The run that got me hooked on the series and my first time taking part. Pic: Ian Simpson-IMS FotoGrafix
Now that I think about it, it’s getting to be quite a long time ago. Almost a whole decade of being part of the VIRA Island Race Series and yet I just keep coming back for more (for many reasons, which I will share later).
This upcoming season, I will be moving up in age group, which will get interesting and somewhat exciting. Honestly, I used to be nervous about moving up in age groups, but I’ve learned to understand that as I get older, it is a pleasure and a privilege to continue to enjoy the sport that I’m so extremely passionate about.
2nd Place Female Overall at the Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k in 2019. Definitely had a good day on the road.
WHY YOU SHOULD RUN THE VIRA ISLAND RACE SERIES IN 2020
1. It helps you stay consistent with your workouts during the winter.
Without a doubt, some people don’t feel as motivated to run in the winter. Days are colder, rainier, shorter and darker, making running a bit more difficult. However, when you have a race every 2 weeks, you end up becoming more consistent with your running because you are driven to improve your performances as much as possible.
2. You will meet some new friends with similar interests.
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some great people over the past 7 years that I have been a part of the VIRA Island Race Series. I love to connect with other runners who are just as passionate about this sport as I am and many times I will go to races just for social reasons. So, if you see me at a race, please don’t be shy to say “hi”, even if we have never met before.
A lot of times, in order to be consistent with workouts (and with running), all it takes is a few dedicated people around you to keep you inspired. Sometimes, I get inspired by my friends on social media that I met through running. Therefore, when they post that they went for a 10k run, I also end up getting positively influenced by that. We all need to have positive influences in our lives and anything that gets me off the couch and away from my computer for an hour or two is a good thing.
Running friends are awesome and it’s always fun to connect with people at the VIRA Island Race Series.
3. The entry fee is very reasonable.
For $175, you get to take part in all 8 races (which ends up being less than $25 per race). As someone who has done a lot of races all over the world, I have paid substantially more for one race than the whole cost of the series. Therefore, I believe that the value is extremely good. Even if you only want to sign up for the races individually, the cost will be approximately $30 per race (as long as you don’t wait until race weekend to register).
Above: I’m #268 engaged in a battle to the finish with #8 at the 2015 Bazan Bay. This was the year I got a PB and I will always cherish the memory. Photo by Chris Kelsall of Athletics Illustrated.
4. There are many opportunities for a personal best.
If you are someone who wants to run your fastest, there are plenty of opportunities to PB. I still have a 5k PB from the Bazan Bay 5k (19:25) and a Half Marathon PB from the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon (1:28:xx). I also know a few people who ran a 10k personal best in Cobble Hill.
Comox Valley RV Half Marathon Personal Best day. This is a day I will never forget.
5. Use the series as training and time trial opportunities for bigger races in the spring and early summer.
It’s possible to race often and race well if you find a way to moderate your intensity during the races. The VIRA Island Race Series provides you with excellent opportunities to learn your strengths and weaknesses as a road runner. You can learn to pace yourself as well as gauge where you are at so you can find out what you need to work on as you get further along in your running journey. These races are chip-timed, so you can keep track of your times on Raceday Timing.
6. You will be inspired by runners of all ages and levels.
Over the past seven years, I’ve witnessed some incredible performances and got to know some very inspirational local runners. Some inspire me because they are fast while others inspire me because they overcame a lot of physical and mental barriers to get to the start line.
I’ve also witnessed stellar performances from top age group runners in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s that give me hope for the future as I continue my running journey for as long as possible. Their performances bring me tears of joy and reinforce my belief that humans are capable of incredible things. Some of them have been running longer than I’ve been alive and I have HUGE respect for them for being the true ambassadors of our sport.
Joseph Camilleri is a very inspiring runner. In 2019, he was running in the M65-69 age category but was running faster than many 20 and 30 year olds I know! I am so proud to have him as a friend! He just recently ran a 3:25 marathon!!
7. Runners of all abilities are welcome.
The VIRA Island Series does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter if your best 5k time is 15 minutes or 50 minutes, you are welcome to come out and participate. No one will ever judge you for where you are at in your running journey. Everyone from Olympians to National Team Members to first timers shows up on race day to have fun and do their best.
8. These races start at a reasonable time.
I know that most runners are OK with starting a race at 7 or 8am, but I admit that I enjoy sleeping in a little bit on weekends. I typically wake up at 4:45 on weekdays. Therefore, the 11am start is awesome and I don’t have to rush in the morning to get ready for my race.
9. Awards, draw prizes and post-race festivities.
Participants will enjoy friendly competition for age group awards in every race and for the whole series. There are some amazing draw prizes to be won as well. Let’s also not forget the post-race festivities that include wonderful food and refreshments.
Winning my age group at the 2018 VIRA Island Race Series. I was also fortunate to win it in 2014, 2016 and 2019. Pic: Ken & Lois DeEll
I hope to see you at the 2020 VIRA Island Race Series. You can sign up for as many races as you want to do in this series or you can save money and do them all!
I look forward to meeting new friends and reconnecting with those that I’ve been fortunate enough to share the roads with.
While I definitely have some time goals for some of these races, over the past 3 years (after my injury), I’ve grown to appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful running community again.
Thank you for your time and see you on the start line! Keep watching this space for training tips, race recaps and race previews.