This time it was much different.

After Deb's race started I went back to the hotel to change and get a bit of breakfast before the start of my race.  I ate a small bowl of Kashi Go Lean with skim milk, then readied my water belt with two bottles of orange Gatorade and three gel packs.

I wore a light long sleeve shirt and running shorts with an old cotton shirt on top for an extra layer due to the cooler morning air this time of year.  Three Ks into the run I had warmed up and tossed the top layer.

I moved along pretty good and started knocking off the miles. It is such a pretty course, it starts up through downtown Victoria and weaves along the ocean, up into Oak Bay then back along the ocean.
I hit the halfway point with a 2:02 split.  Everything was feeling right, the legs, the lungs, the heart, I was at running at about 156 bpm and keeping pace with the people I started with. The race starts now I thought.

This was a different race for me than the one I ran here three years ago.  Back then I did not have enough mileage on my legs so they were not up to the punishment that the marathon distance throws at them.  Last time I had shooting pains in my shins that stopped me from running the whole distance. I managed to finish the race, but it was long and painful. This time it was much different.

I smiled the whole way around the 42 kilometer course. I talk to people, I thank volunteers and I totally enjoyed the run.

The last seven kilometers were tough, but I knew I was going to finish. I picked up speed and felt strong.  As I ran across the finish line I raised my arms for the victory photo, shook hands with the race director and bowed my head to have a beautiful metal placed around my neck.

 I crossed the finish line at 4:08:54.  A personal best.