I started behind the 1:50 pace group and figured I would follow then for at least the first half. Pace was to be about 8:20. First half mile had a little bit of a climb but was at 9:00 pace. Next half mile the pacers brought it down to 7:40 pace. Next mile was about 7:50. First 5k was way too fast and this hurt the rest of my race. Not only was it too fast but people where cutting in front of me to get around poorly seeded runners. I had two close calls within about 50 yards where I had to pull up hard to keep from crashing into people that cut into my path. This really hurts an old guy that has to build up a head of steam. It was pretty crowded the whole first half of the race to the point where half my focus was on avoiding other people. It was really bad. I'm glad this was not a car race.

The course had a few more ups and downs then I expected and the a long gradual climb ove rthe Burrard St. bridge twice. Despite the yoyoing pace guys, I was right on pace at the half way mark and feeling pretty good. That lasted for a few more miles before I started to run out of gas. The gel offered was vegan raspberry stuff that tasted like it was processed through a grizzly bears digestive system. I tried to choke some down but it was too nasty. So no nutrition. The aid stations were also cluster@#@$%'s. Everyone came to the first table and just stopped or walked slowly through the station. I'd aim for one of the later tables but missed probably half of them. Was a little frustrating.

The last few miles I slowed to about a 9:00 pace because I just wanted finish without a total blowup. The beers were upsetting my stomach so had to ease up the finish. It is not uncommon for me to throwup at the finish line if I'm really pushing it but I did not want to do that in the barricaded parade type finish area lined with hundreds of spectators.

Not trust the pace group, not rely on the course for nutrition, not run in an event that was more a celebration of the female spirit than a race.

Had a great lunch with more tasty drafts. Then layed around the hotel pool the rest of the day. Went to the evening concert at Stanley Park. They started with about 500 people doing yoga with some yoga master guy. Really a cool outdoor setting. I had never heard of Xavier Rudd but he was an amazing musician. Not really my type of music but it was very good. Kind of spiritual in a way.


This would be a pretty lengthy list. I guess poor desicion making would sum it up pretty well. If this was a real race I would have been a little disappointed but with all the distractions and different aura of the event I settled back and just rode the horse it was going.


The course was really spectacular and a great way to see Vancouver which is an amazing place. The event was 85% women and probably should be billed as a women's only event. It is totally geared to a weekend experience with a very heavy emphasis on yoga because that is the way Lululemon designed it. Great if that is your thing. We met people from all over the country and all were very excited and happy. It was interesting that when I looked in the results for my age group placing there were no ages listed. Just male and female placings. Lululemon thinks of everything from a women's perspective. My wife can't wait to go back next year. She did really well for as little as she trained. Next year I may play sherpa and focus more on my drinking.