VIRA Island Race Series: Comox Valley RV Half Marathon 2019 Recap

This year’s VIRA Island Race Series Comox Valley RV Half marathon was definitely a humbling experience for me where I learned a few more things about myself as a runner.

I hope that the insights I gained from this exeprience will help me improve in the long run (pun intended).

Last week’s race is a reminder that no matter how well running has recently been going, there is always the chance that race day may not go well.

When I wrote the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon race preview, I mentioned that I was hoping to run well and post a faster time than last year. Unfortunately, the “universe” had a much different idea of what my experience at this year’s race should be.

Unlike the Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k a few weeks back, this year’s Comox Valley RV Half Marathon definitely did not have a perfect storybook ending for me.

The course was great, the volunteers were spectacular and the people cheering on the sidelines and high-fiving the runners were awesome too. The race was well-organized and the food was great.

My performance, on the other hand, was significantly worse than I was expecting. However, all the cheering and encouraging words from runners, volunteers and spectators helped lift my spirits as stomach pain and extreme fatigue plagued me for the last 14k of the run.

Attempting to smile as I saw Ken DeEll pointing a camera at me during the second half of the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon

The first 5k went very well but by the time I got to 7k, I had to slow down to my marathon pace. I contemplated turning around and walking back to the start line. I almost had a DNF as my result.

Then, I recalled that earlier this year I wrote a post about 19 Ways to Improve Your Life.  Point #2 on that list was about “finishing what you started.”

I came to a realization that although I was not feeling well on race day, I could not possibly justify a DNF. I wasn’t risking injury by finishing and therefore, I knew I must finish the race.

The problem with quitting a race is that if you do it enough times, quitting becomes a habit and it can potentially translate to other areas of life. We don’t want to get into the habit of quitting when the going gets tough.

Within 1km of the finish line at the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon. Photo: Lois DeEll

With that in mind, I kept plodding along and finally reached the turnaround. By the time I got to the turnaound, my stomach was very unhappy and I was feeling sick. I felt like I was overheating while at the same time feeling cold. My legs felt like bricks were attached to them.

As the temperature felt a bit warmer towards the second half of the race, I started to fall apart even more. Once I got to 14k, I was relieved to know that I only had 7k left in the race. To say that the last 7k felt like 70k would be an understatement.

Then, with less than 1km left to go, I could hear the finish line. Even though I knew I was getting close to finishing, the finish line felt so far away.

Comox RV Half Marathon Age Group Awards. Photo by: Joseph Camilleri

As I approached the finish line, I quickly glanced at the clock and saw 1:4X:XX. I ended up finishing just slightly under 1:42, which is miles off my best time.

Comox RV Half Marathon 2nd Place Age Group Medal.

Miraculously, I placed 2nd in my age group and therefore I’m grateful for that.

What are some possible reasons the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon didn’t go well for me?

1.I was feeling slightly burnt out before I started the race. Also, since I raced well at the Cedar 12k and the Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k, I got a little bit over-confident in my abilities as a runner.

With that in mind, I started this year’s Comox Valley RV Half Marathon way too fast for my current fitness level. Although it is ok to start this one a bit faster, I started significantly faster than I should have.

2. I got nutrition wrong. I used to be very dedicated to following a specific nutritional protocol before every race over 10k. However, this year, I have not followed that protocol as closely because I’ve had some very good races without it.

When it comes to achieving optimal running performance, nutrition is important. Even though I know what I need to eat and what I shouldn’t eat before a race, I take risks and last week the risk definitely did not yield a reward.

3. I wasn’t well-rested leading up to the race. It was a very busy week for me and I never slowed down.

4. My body just wasn’t up for it. Racing hard during the past month, not recovering, not eating properly leading up to the race are all contributing factors to my less-than-stellar performance on race day.

5. The weather was a bit warm. I definitely notice that as soon as there is a slight increase in temperature, my performance suffers a bit.

Not every race, run or workout will have a perfect storybook ending. However, at the end of the day, I have to be proud of myself for finishing yet another half marathon. I crossed another finish line even though I thought about giving up. I didn’t give up and I realized that I won’t give up.

If a half marathon time that I’m not happy with is the worst problem I’ve had in the past few weeks, then I’m doing OK.

Wherever you may be in your running journey, I urge you not to give up. You will have good days, bad days, great days and absolutely amazing days.

Be grateful for the absolutely amazing days.

Be happy when you have a good day.

Learn from the bad days and be grateful that your bad day wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

I will see you all in Sooke. Stay tuned for my preview of what will be the 7th race of the VIRA Island Race Series.