15 Points about the Oak Bay Half Marathon

• There simply cannot be a more beautiful half course in the world; running along the ocean, past marinas and multi-million dollar homes.
• I decided to wear red 70's-rollerskating-style shorts for fun.  Made my butt look huger than normal, dang.
• Warmest day of the year so far.
• Humu was popular with the spectators and Jason had to hold her back when I'd go by.
• Did the early start (one hour ahead), so the Kenyans didn't catch me until kilometer 14.  It was like gazelles going by, they run so beautifully.
• My scheduled walk breaks (8 min run / 2 min walk) never hit any of the uphills.
• It wasn't windy, which is super rare for Victoria.
• My friend Lori caught me with less than 2 km to go.  I pretended I was holding off a 2-time Ironman world champion, but of course she started an hour after me.
• Vega pre-workout energizer rules.  Also as a during-workout energizer.
• The website states "downhill finish".  Yeah, the last two blocks are downhill.  What they don't mention is the several kilometers of uphill just before that.  Downhill finish, my ass.
• I missed a few weeks of training because I was sick.  Didn't affect me during the run, but I tell you it's affecting my after - my legs are wrecked.
• Pretty much every flavour of Old Dutch chips (or "BC Spud" as Matt would say) were being handed out at the finish.  Remind me to do this one again.
• Only deviated from my race plan once, and that was a quick stop at the "Hug a Sheep" sign.  How can I pass up hugging someone dressed as a sheep?
• Vaseline on my crazy weird toes = no blisters.  Thanks Kiki!
• Sunday afternoon sitting in the sun without feeling guilty/lazy... bliss!