North Vancouver

We caught up with Laura Jones after her return from running the Annecy Marathon in France last weekend. The marathon sounds like a race to put on your “TO DO” lists!

1. What made you decide on the Annecy Marathon in France?

We were looking for a destination marathon that fit with the Vancouver Marathon Clinic training and we wanted to avoid huge crowds like Paris April 11 and London April 25^th so April 18^th in Annecy worked perfect! It helped that I had been to Annecy twice before and knew the ladies would LOVE the picturesque city and the shopping.

2. What does a typical training week look like for you?

I adhere to the NSA training plan running 3 x a week, I do a 60 min stair/hike route in Lynn Valley once a week and try to do 1 day of weights/core workout.

3. What about the trip were you most looking forward to?

Hanging with the my running babes (Hilary, Patsy and Betty), shopping, sightseeing, drinking wine while eating cheese and bread, shopping, oh, and trying to run a marathon at heart rate rather than mile pacing.

4. What did your days leading up the event look like?

We hung out in Chamonix-Mont Blanc (French Alps) at Hilary’s brother’s place (aka training at altitude) toured into Italy & Switzerland for daytrips, and drove into Annecy one day to check out the shopping and, of course, the race route.

5. You ran the marathon in 4:07, the fastest you have ran since 2003. I know you had been backing off the mileage a little earlier than anticipated due to some low back pain. What did you do different in your training this year compared to in the past?

Yes, my low back pain in early spring seems to be my nemesis and running 18 miles was my longest distance, but due to the fact that I did a Blood Lactate Test in November (and retested in March) I have been training according to my heart rate. This resulted in running way faster during the speed workouts and also increased my LSD pace for Sundays. Thus despite my lack of distance training I went into the marathon in strong speed form and just prayed that my muscle memory of years of long distance running would come through.

6. What was the course like?

The out and back course was the most enjoyable, scenic 42.2 kilometers imaginable. You start right on Lake Annecy and follow this along a bike path surrounded by quaint chalets, through meadows, bell tolling cathedrals, a charming village at turn around super friendly French supporters. Upon returning we saw Annecy in the distant with rainbow colored sailboats scattered upon the lake and the French Alps in the background and you are just mesmerized by the beauty of it all!

7. What was your favorite part of the marathon?

Besides my finishing time, the 9:50 tolling of the Cathedral bells calling the village to Sunday mass as we ran along the path and entered this medieval tunnel.

8. Was the marathon well organized? How many participants were there?

Despite the fact that there were no toilets en route it was by far, the best organized race I have attended! Not exactly sure how they did it with over 3,000 participants but after 30 years of running the race I guess they have all the glitches out!

9. Any post race indulgences?

Besides more wine and cheese, a pair of shoes, of course!

10. What else did you do while on vacation??

We rented a car (Picasso) when we left Paris and drove to to Chamonix, stopping in Dijon for mustard (and wine & cheese). Upon leaving Annecy we drove to Epernay and managed to squeeze in a tour of the Moet & Chandon Champagne house, which included a glass of the bubbly to celebrate our big race! In Paris we shopped, visited the Musee d’Orsay, The Louvre, shopped, saw the Eiffel Tower, strolled along the Champs Elysees, shopped, walked to Sacre Coeur, toured Notre Dame, shopped and finished the trip with a fondue dinner in the Latin Quarter!

Congrats again on a fantastic race. Good luck with your training for the NYC marathon!!!!

Clinic Members