A severed member and the Victoria Marathon by Irene Aschwanden

I was sitting in the ER at LG Hospital waiting for the X-ray results. I had totally wiped out on a trail (run) with the charming name “Severed Dick” the evening before. Luckily I’m a female! Then the results came: Nothing broken, no punctured lungs nor dislocated shoulder – but some of my ribs were bruised and the right knee was banged up too. When I mention to the Doctor about running the Victoria marathon in three weeks time, he answered “I don’t think so.” However, the good thing was I just started the taper and it was okay to take a week off from running. Lots of resting with ice packs and Ibuprofen helped me to complete a 12 mile run a week later. I certainly lowered my expectation. All I wanted was having a good race with a realistic time goal. There will always be another race!

On Saturday morning the day before the Marathon, we were heading over to Victoria. The ferry was packed with runners and you could already feel the excitement. The energy level increased even more by the time we picked up the race package. I liked my Bib# 136. The low number made me feel like an ‘elite runner’ plus 3 is my favorite number. Later in the afternoon, Ruedi & I were meeting up with Elvira and other runners for the bus tour driving the course. For only $10, these organized tours are guided by volunteers who usually have run the course before. It is part sightseeing, part torture. The course is absolutely beautiful BUT, the hills or better lots of undulations, the sloped roads and sharp turns (seven corners for the last kilometer) made me realize once more how intimidating 26.2 miles are. Ruedi who ran the marathon the year before gave me great tips on what to watch out for. With that in my mind I definitely saved some energy during the race. The tour took a little over 2 hours or about the same time Patrick Makau from Kenya ran the world record in Berlin in 2:03:38 (insane) two weeks earlier!

Having a pasta dinner at Milestones, Elvira & I debated if we should order a glass of wine. Even though one glass of red wine the night before calms the nerves (right Laura?) we decided to postpone it until after the race. Back at the hotel I was trying to organize my race cloth. Except for the lucky pants I wore during the last five marathons, I never know what to wear. I bring along at least 5 different outfits and still question if I left ‘the best one’ at home! Sadly, my lucky pants gave me chafings (yuk) so I had to retire them after the marathon.

Race day was picture-perfect: overcast, dry & crisp with temperatures around 10 degrees with stunning fall colors. At 8:15 AM Ruedi, Elvira & I are meeting other NSA runners in the front of the Parliament Building for some warm up drills. All of us are in great spirits. After exchanging hugs and wishing each other a good race, I’ m heading over to the starting area. I needed a few minutes alone to visualize my race strategy which was don’t go out to fast, relax, enjoy as much as you can enjoy 26.2 miles! Singing along “Oh Canada” always tears me up. The gun fired promptly at 8:45. My journey started about one minute later.

The first two corners were very crowded. One runner almost tripped me by stepping on my heel (I*@#^!!!). By the time we passed the Empress Hotel the pack started to spread out. Moving along Wharf Street about 1km into the race I have not found my rhythm yet – the heart rate was way too high. Knowing that I will hand over my jacket and gloves to Ruedi on Johnson Street (2km) relaxed me. After dropping off the warm cloths, I felt a lot lighter which helped me settle into a rhythm. Just after the first aid station a guy on the bike who’s name was printed on the back of his jacket was yelling at us to hold back at this point of the race. Coach Mike’s tone was so intense it sounded like he was grasping for air because someone was trying to strangle him. (Laura’s voice has the sound of an angel compared to his). My brain got hammered by his voice during the entire Marathon. “Pump those arms, the legs will follow! Pick up the pace, great work, shorten your stride on the hill, almost there, let it rip!” and so on…. I think he rode the course at least 3 times to encourage all of us. THANK YOU coach Mike for all your support. Instantly, you made me feel being a member of your community AND following your advice certainly helped getting to the finish.

Seeing Ruedi again at Beacon Hill Park around mile 4 was great. It must have been the training on the North Shore – these short rolling hills around the park didn’t bother me at all, although Ruedi mentioned later I looked a bit unhappy. I was concentrating on racing smart, not looking good. Running along the ocean was stunningly beautiful. It reminded me of the spring marathon in Big Sur. On the other side of the road the half marathoners were on their way back and for a split second I wished it would be me. Around mile 6, I hear a familiar voice asking “Do you want me to carry your water bottle?” It was James Go and with him was Simone. By fluke they bumped into each other shortly before catching up with me. Both looked strong. James & Simone walked through the water station while I kept on going. Around mile 8 or 13 km, the Marathon route split from the half Marathon. Now we are heading into Oak Bay a well manicured neighborhood. Crossing the time mat at the halfway point, my watch shows 2:03. Great! My race strategy running by heart rate instead of pace worked. So did the fueling. I took a shot block every 50 minutes, a Thermolyte pill every 4 miles and a brisk walk through most aid stations gulping down 2 cups of water. Shortly before the turnaround I’m passing Gordon Brown who looks awesome in his NSA Superman shirt running his first Marathon.

Going with the flow, the miles just clicked away: 15, 16, 17, 18, passing the beautiful Victoria Golf Club, Oak Bay Marina, Willows Beach. Around mile 19 the right knee started to ache and the legs felt heavier. Suddenly I felt lonely. The finish line seemed so far away, not a lot of spectators on this stretch, plus more and more people around me started to walk the hilly parts. I knew Ruedi was waiting for me with flat coke at mile 23. Okay I’m telling myself; three is your favorite number so 3 miles is nothing compare to the distance you already covered. Heading back into Oak Bay a large group of spectators cheered us on. A guy wearing “THE” Boston jacket tells me “good job!” I thank him and mention that I’d love to own the same jacket. With a smile he answers “go and get it!” WOW, what an inspiration! Not slowing down at all, I reached Ruedi on Dallas Road who handed me that well deserved Coke. As expected, the sugar and caffeine spiked my energy and I powered up Beacon Hill. Reaching the 25-mile mark, I realize for the first time that qualifying for Boston was in reach and I become very determined to fulfill my dream. Using the mantra “pain is temporary, pride is forever” I’m pushing hard through those last seven corners. What also helped was that for the last kilometer, the organizers posted signs counting down every 100 meters to the finish. With only 800m to go, I think “This is the same as twice around a track!” I remember those seemingly endless Yasso’s we did not long ago and push. The announcer is calling my name, the crowed is cheering, my arms are way up in the air, crossing the finish line with the clock showing 4:06 – well below the 4:10:00 I needed for BQ. Overwhelmed with emotion, I’m yelling out loud “I JUST QUALIFIED FOR BOSTON!!!” For that, and as a complete surprise, I got a big hug from Bart Yasso, who in turn yelled over to Katherine Switzer “Hey, Katherine, she just qualified for Boston!” and so, Katherine Switzer came over and hugged me too! How cool is that?

After the finish line, I’m meeting up with Ruedi and Elvira (who also BQ’d again in 4:02). Then we watched Gordon sprint to the finish line. Not far behind him are Simone and then James Go. Most of the NSA runners seemed to have a fantastic day out there. Dave H finished in “threesomething” and Guy accomplished his first Marathon in just under 5 hrs. As for me, Marathon #6 was victory in Victoria with a chip time of 4:05:06 (bettering my PB by 8 minutes). The smile on my face seems to be lasting – at least until the next NSA Marathon clinic starts again in November.

Cheers,

Irene Aschwanden