Week 2- Sunday Long Run- 15ish

Yesterday’s run was lovely for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was optimal running temperature, and the early morning coupled with the overcast skies made for a fairly empty seawall and quiet streets in Van. Secondly, I ran the whole way with a Marathon Round 1 buddy, Evelyn, who was making her return to Sunday am.

The route planned was a 14.6km “lollypop” around Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, and back up to the store on Broadway. Lost indeed, as (despite both of us carrying a map!) Evelyn and I managed to inadvertently add a couple extra detours to the run, including a loop around the 2nd Beach Pool and and wee bit extra heading to Vanier Park towards the end of the run. The gossip was just that good, we had to make the run longer. As both our Garmins were acting up, our exact distance is blurry, so I will round up to a solid 15k, and the 13.1 km mine did record indicated a 5:22/km pace. No walk breaks! That is a lie. We walked up the stairs back up to the Burrard St. Bridge. We are awesome. Here is the route, with artistic credit to Dave.

Although the runners scattered for various Father’s Day activities, Amelia and i still enjoyed a delicious brunch with our Mount A bud Jenn, at Abigails Party on Yew St., where the gossip sesh continued. So great to reunite on the west coast, friend!

This feels like kind of a murky time in marathon training, as the long runs aren’t “long” yet, and the Scotiabank half is looming on Sunday, which I keep sort of forgetting about! Hopefully my lack of nervousness/obsessing will translate into a more relaxed race? Trying to take this quote tweet from Scott Jurek to heart-

“When running mental focus is down: set small goals, use the competition, focus on run form & stop “thinking.” It’s the noise that destroys.”

Time will tell!