Read my full review here:
https://bradleyontherun.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/first-half-half-marathon-race-report/

The First Half Half Marathon is one of the most popular 'small' races in Vancouver. It sells out within a couple of hours - but if you are running with the Forerunners training clinic, you can get an automatic group registration! This race is also great because bib swaps are available free of charge.

There is no expo - simply a bib and shirt pickup Friday and Saturday at the Forerunners store. Quick - no fuss, no muss.

The day started out the way race days should. It was brisk but not too cold, quite foggy with the promise of sun. I brought along my throwaway BMO Marathon gloves and my sunglasses, and wore my First Half long-sleeved race shirt from 2014. Last year was a personal best (PB) in the half marathon distance, and while I had no expectations that this year would be another, I felt that wearing the shirt might be good luck!

The venue is Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown, so no matter the weather you can hang around inside and keep warm. The biggest challenge is toilets - bathrooms inside the building get crowded very quickly; there is a row of porta-potties outside, but I always feel like there aren't quick enough. There is a bag check - but because I live less than 10 minutes from the start line, I didn't bother bringing a bag.

Corrals are self-seeding, with target times well marked.

The first two kilometres take us from the Roundhouse, around BC Place Stadium, and back toward the Roundhouse. My first km was a bit fast, but the second was a bit slow…so I decided to try and find a happy medium. I managed to achieve a pretty consistent pace that put me on the right track.

I’ve gushed about the beauty of running in Vancouver, and today was no exception. We ran along English Bay, and the fog started to burn off as we passed Lost Lagoon. The course took us around Stanley Park, the halfway mark somewhere along the Seawall, I checked my time. Not ideal, but a time with some potential. I picked up the pace a tad. This part of the race is tough – Stanley Park continues to be my nemesis – though I have beaten it down before. On the dark side of the park, the fog was still pretty thick and I could barely see Siwash Rock.

We do another loop around Lost Lagoon (which, if you're not expecting it, kind of sucks) - then back along English Bay. Though the course is mostly flat, there is a short uphill at 20km, and a final one just before 21km.

It couldn’t have been a better day! This is my fourth First Half (and my best so far). As usual, the food are the finish line is amazing - coffee, juice, yoghurt, hot soup (including vegetarian), bagels and bananas. And the volunteers were stellar.

One of my favourite things this year was that each bib had a QR code - and volunteers with iPads could instantly tell you your results! I was very impressed with this new bit of technology, since trying to read print outs in tiny font is generally impossible. They also do a great awards ceremony with lots of door prizes.

My only complaint involves the shirts - again! This has been a recurring theme. I don't know what it is about Mizuno, but their quality and sizing is tremendously consistent. I've alternated between ordering a small shirt that was too small (2012), then a medium shirt that was too big (2013), another a small shirt that fit a bit too tight (2014) - and again this year, a medium shirt that was too big! Fortunately, I waited around long enough to get an exchange, and ended up with the size I wanted.

All in all - one of my favourite races - and consistently my half marathon PB!

It started on a whim – the thought that I should challenge myself to my first marathon (i.e. 42 kilometres) the year I turned 42. The Honolulu Marathon was to be held just a week after my 42nd birthday, and in January 2014 I got an earlybird notice and was able to sign up for just $50! How could I say no? I ended up completing the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May – a ‘practice’ run – but Honolulu was the true goal. #42for42

We arrived in Honolulu on a direct flight from Vancouver on Friday night. Saturday morning’s errand was race package pickup at the Convention Centre, just a block from our hotel. The expo was extremely organized and efficient – bib pickup in under 5 minutes, and multiple vendors with everything from crafts to pain relief to running gear. I kept my shopping to a minimum, but enjoyed myself nonetheless. See for yourself!

The Honolulu Marathon starts exhaustingly early at 5am. Part of our hotel plan was to be close to the start line in Ala Moana, and we had some stunning views from our hotel balcony. I had set my alarm for 3:30am, but awoke even before that. First I checked the weather…um, rain? And then I looked out the window. People were already gathering, lining up for the toilets, and doing their warmups. I made my instant oatmeal, drank some peppermint tea, and pulled myself together before heading out into the dark morning.

Oh, the crowds! A total of 21,815 people finished the race, so I can only assume that a few more than that started. I found my spot, watched the crowds, squinted into the rain, and soon it was time to begin – with fireworks! Most exciting race start ever!

Because this event is self-seeding, there were no corral restrictions. As such, while I seeded myself in the 3 to 4 hour corral, it was clear from guntime that many runners were not aiming to complete the race in 4 hours or less. Many people were running at a significantly slower pace, or even walking within the first kilometre or two. As such, I expended a good amount of energy over the first 5k dodging people (and puddles) to try to get up to a reasonable pace – I struggled to get below 6 minutes/km until the 4k mark.

The first 10k took us on a loop through Downtown Honolulu – which was fantastic due to all of the Christmas lights dotted through town – and then on to Waikiki. The main strip was remarkably crowded with spectators, given that it was only about 5:30am. There were a few drunken revellers who likely hadn’t been to bed yet (I got a very sloppy high 5 from one of them), but overall the crowd was simply there to cheer us on.

We rounded Kapiolani Park (where we would eventually complete the race), and then started the tough slog up and around Diamond Head – the ancient volcanic cone visible from Waikiki Beach (see photo below). This was probably my favourite moment of the race, and I hope I can describe it well enough to do it justice: Diamond Head Road curves up and around the crater. All along this stretch were volunteers, mostly high school students, holding a long yellow police tape – one person every couple of metres. EVERY ONE of them was smiling, cheering, encouraging, high fiving – and creating the most positive, enthusiastic race energy I’ve ever experienced.

I chose to put #42fo42 and my Twitter account (@bjcjapan) on a bib on my back. Somewhere around 14km, a guy came up to me and asked if it was my 42nd marathon! I explained my philosophy of 42for42, and chatted with him about his marathon experience (he was from Oregon, currently living in Hawai’i, thought he’d give the race a go). Unfortunately, I never got his bib number, so I wasn’t able to see how he did in the end!

After a few twists and turns through residential neighbourhoods, we found ourselves at the 20km mark on Highway 1 heading east. And that’s when the real weather began – the rain started coming down in sheets, and the wind (from the east!) buffeted us. It was a tough slog. At one point, I though I felt something really heavy in my left pocket (my iPhone was in my right pocket…), but then I realized it was just my soaking wet shorts slapping against my leg. THAT’s how wet it was!

Even before reaching the halfway point, the lead runners came towards us, on their way back from the out-and-back loop around Hawai’i Kai, a good 15km ahead of me and those around me. Though dripping wet, they looked like they were flying – simply amazing. I love it when a race route allows you to see what the true professionals look like when they’re doing what they do best!

The Hawai’i Kai loop (kms 25-29) took us through some more residential neighbourhoods, where the locals were out in full force, and offering up pretzels, snacks, oranges, and the like. The community spirit was amazing – and while the weather continued to be very damp, I couldn’t help but smile (or grimace? Hard to be sure).

And then we were back at the freeway – and now we were seeing all the runners and walkers coming from behind. Costumes, great enthusiasm – even a couple who ballroom danced the entire route (it took them 11 hours!) – followed by one of the best rainbows I’ve ever seen! Turning towards the ocean, we ran by some beautiful homes and estates – at this point, a woman approached me about #42for42 – again assuming that this was my 42nd marathon! I guess the Americans can be forgiven, though, as they would see the marathon as 26.2 (miles, of course)!

At 39k the return ascent over Diamond Head started, and I truly thought I wasn’t going to make it. My reserves were very low, despite having stopped at every water and gel stop along the way. I had long since given up on the idea of improving on my Vancouver Marathon time, but suddenly it occurred to me that I might not make it to the finish line at all. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to bursting into tears during a race, and probably the longest 2 kilometres of my life. At this moment, I determined I would never again run another marathon.

And then I was there. Finish line. Cool shower. Puka shells. Sweet treats. Finisher T-shirt. Medal. So happy. Wearing my finisher shirt around town and having total strangers congratulate me – and likewise congratulating others wearing their shirts! This is what it’s all about – and why #42for42 was an unequivocal success! And will I run another marathon? We’ll just have to wait and see…

Final results:

Chip time: 4:14:24
Average pace: 6:01 min/km
Place overall: 2188/21815
Age category place: 259/1302

https://bradleyontherun.wordpress.com/

An excellent race - and one of my favourite race reports:
https://bradleyontherun.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/eastside10k-race-report-running-naked/