North Vancouver

Cindi's Account of the North Olympic Discovery Marathon (NODM)

"This bus is full enough. You can leave now," noted the Event Coordinator to the Sequim/Port Angeles bus driver. I looked around, the bus was barely full.

On the morning of June 6, 2010 I wimped out and wore my 3/4 length running pants due to the rain and walked the short distance to the bus depot. No line-ups. The start was a heated building in a park just outside Sequim. My race number was 220 and I was amazed to discover at the start how few people were registered, about 300. There were far more in the Half. Before the race I attended a race route preview by a fellow who has ran the course many times, both directions. I knew someone who had ran the race earlier and I was planning on walking up the really steep three to four hills.

At the start there were even time flags starting at 10:30 pace and 4 hour and 4:15 hour pacers. I'm not going to tell you much about the course because we all like surprises, but you begin with moderate hills through farmland then the 6 mile marker is downtown Sequim. There are cows and horses to keep you company in the farmland portion of the race and you are mostly running on your own. In the forest section, you travel over two unique tressel bridges (old railroad beds) and most of the paths are paved and rather undulating. Yes, this course is rather hilly but if you pace yourself on the steep hills you'll be fine. I walked down one steep hill in this section.

One word of advice, this race provides a velcro timing chip for around the ankle. I forgot to apply gel to my right ankle. I was running with a physician who gave me a sample of gel. I stopped at the 6 mile marker and squeezed it on the area to relieve some of the pain. At the first aide stop, a man popped on a bandaide and I was on my way. I wore my Canada shirt and arm warmers. I was hot at the beginning but the wind and rain picked up and I was cold again.

I was crestfallen when the 4:15 pace group passed me at mile (forest section)? But I soldiered on, relieved I was entering the Port Angeles portion of the route at mile 20. Soon we run along the highway on a pleasant snaky downhill and the cars were honking at us! When does an old gal like me ever get honked at anymore?! I briefly ran along the ocean but jogged inland further for a bit and along a rocky path and back to the seaside and only 5K to go! I passed a man with a severe achilles cramp and onward to the finish line. I even met Allan, my husband in the very small crowd and he snapped a picture of me. My time was 4:31:02. Allan had to listen to me how unhappy I was with my effort (and mistakes) but I had FUN and really enjoyed a different course. I would return, just to improve my time!

A very good 15 minute massage with a thick blanket, good food and thankfully a very short shivery walk to the host hotel, The Red Lion Inn, where we stayed.

All in all, a marathon I would highly recommend: fairly close by with a 5 hour drive, very well organized and supportive water stations and friendly volunteers.

Kindest regards,

Cindi Loucks

Clinic Members