I ran my first indoor meet on the weekend at the beautiful facility at the University of Washington in Seattle. This was an invitational meet with a very competitive university field featuring varsity runners from the US most of whom were trying to make NCAA standard. The UVic Vikes had athletes competing in different events and heats and everyone PBd in their event which was fantastic! We all went out to dinner the night before and ate a great meal at The Keg.
Waiting for my race the next day was tough. I ran in the second fastest heat of the 3000m which was in the late afternoon on the Saturday, (Valentine’s Day) which happened to be my 41st birthday! It was a long wait and I felt a sense of relief once I started doing my strides. My team-mates were so wonderful with assuring me that I would be fine and would have a blast racing on an indoor track. I stood at the start-line, feeling excited and scared hoping I would survive running such a short and fast race. The race ended up being great fun. I ran well but reflecting back I probably ran a bit too relaxed in the first 1200m and had to make up a lot of ground in the last km. I couldn’t hear any splits so relied on Brent’s advice as I ran by. I moved up from about 13th position to finish 4th in a time of 9:39. I was pleased with my effort and know I can run faster so I am looking forward to our next race which will be in two weeks in Regina for the Canada West Track & Field Championships.
When I came back from my cool-down, I was given a birthday pie in the face! The girls on the team planned it so that when I came back from my warm-up they asked me to pose for a picture and that’s when I got it right in the kisser! It was very funny!
Our Magazine
