Monday, August 14, 2017

SeaWheeze 2017

I was pretty sure I wasn't going to do SeaWheeze this year. I mean, I LOVE it. But it's becoming expensive to go to Vancouver every year and the anxiety to even get registered is unreal. When they allowed legacy runners to register in advance, I thought, might as well go then!!

Leading up to the race, I had anxiety about the smoke. One reason I love Vancouver is because of the blue skies and crisp, clean air. I was fixated on the weather and checking it constantly.

We arrived on Thursday, August 10th and it was hazy. It didn't smell smoky, and for that I was grateful. After dinner at Cactus Club Cafe (love that place), we headed out for an evening bike ride around Stanley Park. We had to get to bed early because it was going to be an early morning to get in the SeaWheeze store line! I woke up at 2:30 am, and was in line by 3 am. Yup, crazy. 


A part of me didn't want to wait in line for clothing, but I thought if I didn't I'd regret my decision and miss out (ahem, FOMO). It is a ton of fun and the line isn't boring. You make friends and get to share the excitement. Although... people cutting in line, joining friends in line, etc. is really frustrating. I was in the store by 7:20 am. And yes, it was crazy inside.


I thought the reflective gear was okay... not something that I had to have though. I really love what I brought home. I got exactly what I wanted, plus a shirt, haha.


Like last year, legacy runners received a different colored bracelet. All runners received a lulu bag and a water bottle. I was bummed that they were not doing hair or spray tattoos on the plaza. But they had new things like boxing (which didn't appeal to me). They were painting nails, but that line moves super slow. I didn't do any of the yoga on Saturday... they offered three different sessions this year! I wanted to at least do one, but I was too tired for the 9 am session, too hungry for the Noon session, and we went out to dinner with family during the evening 7 pm session.

I love SeaWheeze weekend, but it's so tiring. (Okay, not as tiring as Disney Dopey). But there are a lot of early mornings. Thursday we were up at 3 am to catch an early flight, up at 2:30 am on Friday to get in line for the store, up at 5:00 am on Saturday to get ready for the 7 am race start. Then it's time to run 13.1 miles!!!

I went into the race with no specific goal. It's an easy course, but the congestion is what makes it hard. Also, I didn't know how I'd react with the air quality although it looked like conditions improved big time on race day.


I ran this race based on how I felt. I wasn't going for a PR. I just wanted to experience it as much as I could. I high-fived a lot of people, I read race signs, I walked through water stops, I enjoyed all of the entertainment. If you read my past SeaWheeze recaps, I struggle through this race. I think because I'm on my feet a ton leading up to the race, tired, and probably drinking too many caesars. But I felt GOOD. I didn't look at my time, I was only paying attention to my splits. I was happy with my splits, but knew I wasn't going to get a PR. Although I didn't PR, I did get a SeaWheeze course PR!!

2012 - 02:28:09
2013 - 02:15:02
2014 - 02:20:28
2015 - 02:26:08
2016 - 02:24:18
2017 - 02:02:03

HECK YAH! I'd like to give a shout out to my husband who did PR!


The finish area was less hectic than last year, but I also finished earlier. The medal isn't my favorite SeaWheeze medal, but it represents the sea wall and I like that. 

Race recaps from previous SeaWheezes:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012

I did manage to finally do yoga at the Sunset Festival. I really liked the session with Goldie. She is a great teacher! We didn't stay for the music... I was too hungry and too tired.

I decided that it was best for us to wake up early again on Sunday morning and do the Grouse Grind. I've never done it, and I didn't quite know what to expect, but I knew it was going to be a challenge. It was raining, but we went for it. Yes, definitely one of the most challenging things I have ever done. Plus I had tired legs from the half marathon. It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to get up. WOW, what an experience!!!