This past Sunday I ran the same half marathon that I've done for the past 6 years. I find it kind of funny that while I've done 9 marathon/ultramarathons on 5 different courses, I've only ever raced one half course. Probably not that interesting to anyone not running obsessed... 
So I thought I'd write about the race from a little different perspective this year.
13.1 Miles in 35 Songs
So I thought I'd write about the race from a little different perspective this year.
13.1 Miles in 35 Songs
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
I swear, it doesn't matter how nice it is the days leading up to this race or afterwards... the weather is usually cold. I don't mind too much because I run faster when it's cooler, but still, a little less wind would be nice.
I arrived at the start a bit before 8 A.M. and joined the rest of the runners at the starting line. I started up my ipod and hoped that it would randomly pick something mellow from my playlist to calm me down a bit before starting.
1. How Come Your Arms Are Not Around Me - Kristopher Astrom & Hidden Truck
Huh... okay. I had thought about not putting this song on because it's a wee bit too mellow for running, but as a pre-race song it was perfect.
2. 99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger
The race should have started by this point, but hadn't. This song was quite a bit peppier and great for the eventual beginning shuffle of the pack when the gun went off half way in. And I was off... kind of. The start of a race is slow. It takes awhile for people to space out and actually get running.
3. The Rest of My Life - Sloan
So far my ipod is doing a great job. Perfect song to get into a rhythm. Plus, happy! Put a smile on my face anyway.
4. If Winter Ends - Bright Eyes
So this song may seem sad, but it actually makes me smile. Also great for early race when I don't want to get carried away with the zippier runners. Getting into the residential part of the course. Some people were out on their porches watching all the runners. Don't they realize they could still be sleeping?
5. Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? - Moneen
About a mile in at this point, I would guess. Feeling much more awake than I did about 30 minutes before. Also, feeling like I may pull off a good time.
6. Our Weekend Starts on Wednesday - Hey Mercedes
This song makes me happy. So far, everything is feeling pretty effortless. Still running through the neighbourhood. I smile at the traffic officer at an intersection that we cross. He smiles back.
7. Bohemian Like You - Dandy Warhols
Just cruising now. Coming up to the bridge that will cross a major road. Then on to some trails which I enjoy infinitely more than running down the street.
8. Want - Jawbreaker
This song makes me all daydreamy. I spend the next three minutes floating along lost in thought.
9. I'd Like Your Hair Long - Hum
Passing a hospital right around this point. Also, people are stopping at the water station. I'm heading on through because I'm carrying my own water. I'm still feeling great.
10. Punk Rock Princess - Something Corporate
Back in a residential area for a bit. Very swanky. An uphill bit, but I'm enjoying the song and barely notice.
11. 60 Seconds - Drive By Punch
Back on the pathway and back into daydream mode...
12. Hysteria - Muse
Still daydreaming, I guess, because I hardly even remember hearing this song. There's a place to park nearby, so there are lots of spectators. Some little kids have signs for their moms. It's very cute. "You Can Do It Mommy!"
13. Don't Say You Won't - Alkaline Trio
I don't have anyone coming to see me race today. But that's okay. I've done quite a few races solo. Kind of my thing. Maybe that's why I like running so much.
The race detours from it's original path at this point due to icy conditions. Sigh. So there's some extra road running in lieu of running along the resevoir this year. The song carries me along.
14. Exiles Among You - The Weakerthans
This is probably one of my favorite pick-me-up songs right now. I would normally sing along, but it's a bit harder when running. Still on the boring road.
15. Counting Bodies Like Sheep - A Perfect Circle
This is one of my constant race songs. It has a perfect beat for running. Rejoining the path now and getting annoyed about where the aid station is set up. Bottleneck! Dodge a bunch of people and move on.
16. Baby, I'm An Anarchist - Against Me!
Heh. Chuckle to myself as I think about singing this song really loudly. I would probably get some strange looks.
17. Shirt - Jawbreaker
I can't remember where I was at this point. Just running along the path and enjoying the song.
18. A Praise Chorus - Jimmy Eat World
Another favorite song. I think I may have picked up the pace a bit here. I was getting close to my favorite part of the course, where the path is surrounded by trees for several miles.
19. With or Without U2 - Jawbreaker
This song also makes me chuckle. I pass a woman who is getting assistance from some of the bike patrol medics. She is one of the people who started early so they could walk the course. She doesn't look to be in too much distress. I hope she was able to keep going.
20. Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Now if only the sky was blue at this point, but no. Still very grey. Getting into the trees now and I'm happy.
21. I'll Catch You - The Get Up Kids
Hmmm, this song is a bit mellow combined with the previous song. Plus, I'm all thoughtful.
22. Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders
And wow, this song snaps me out of it. Peppy! Coming up to a big downhill that I'll get to go flying down. I reach it just as the song changes to...
23. Trogdor - Strongbad
Hee hee. Very fast downhill.
24. Johnny & Mary - Placebo
Just cruising along in the park some more. I've seem coyotes and deer along this part before, but nothing this year.
25. Punk Rock Girl - Dead Milkmen
Starting to pass some tired people. I can see the big hill that I have to go up in the distance.
26. Untreatable Disease - Sparta
I get to the hill during this song and walk up. It's the only part of the race I walk. It doesn't save me much time to run it and really drains my energy so... why? There are a bunch of spectators at the top urging people on. Including one guy who says, "You're almost there!" I turn to the woman beside me and say, "Liar! There's still like 5 or 6 kilometres left." She laughs. Note to anyone who thinks they might go watch a race. You aren't almost there until you're within a kilometre. And if the race is really long... you're not almost there until you can see the finish.
27. Float On - Modest Mouse
Gets me back into a good running rhythm nicely.
28. I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
Nice and mellow. Which is good because I'm starting to get a bit tired. This helps me keep an even pace. I smile at another traffic guy.
29. The Reason - The Weakerthans
Oh good, another song that cheers me up. The last quarter of the race is a bit more boring. A bunch of it is on a major road.
30. Chop Suey - System of a Down
Still on the road, but amost to the overpass where we get off.
31. Erase it Again - Sparta
A bit of uphill and then more road. The end is getting near.
32. Aside - The Weakerthans
Possibly one of my favorite songs to sing. Great at this point in the race. I sing along in my head. Soon, the route will turn into the college and then wind around to the finish.
33. Jaked on Green Beers - Alkaline Trio
La la la.
34. We Can Never Break Up - Alkaline Trio
Into the last kilometre I take off my toque now that it's warmed up. It's just something I do near the end of a race. It cools me down a bit and seems to give me that last little push. People are staring at my hair.
35. Taking Back Control - Sparta
Finishing song. When I'm coming down the homestretch a woman yells "You go pink!" I giggled a bit.
Final time? 1:49:47
I finally came in under 1:50:00! I go grab my post race foodstuffs, check to see if I won a door prize (I didn't) and rush home because I have to work in an hour.
I swear, it doesn't matter how nice it is the days leading up to this race or afterwards... the weather is usually cold. I don't mind too much because I run faster when it's cooler, but still, a little less wind would be nice.
I arrived at the start a bit before 8 A.M. and joined the rest of the runners at the starting line. I started up my ipod and hoped that it would randomly pick something mellow from my playlist to calm me down a bit before starting.
1. How Come Your Arms Are Not Around Me - Kristopher Astrom & Hidden Truck
Huh... okay. I had thought about not putting this song on because it's a wee bit too mellow for running, but as a pre-race song it was perfect.
2. 99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger
The race should have started by this point, but hadn't. This song was quite a bit peppier and great for the eventual beginning shuffle of the pack when the gun went off half way in. And I was off... kind of. The start of a race is slow. It takes awhile for people to space out and actually get running.
3. The Rest of My Life - Sloan
So far my ipod is doing a great job. Perfect song to get into a rhythm. Plus, happy! Put a smile on my face anyway.
4. If Winter Ends - Bright Eyes
So this song may seem sad, but it actually makes me smile. Also great for early race when I don't want to get carried away with the zippier runners. Getting into the residential part of the course. Some people were out on their porches watching all the runners. Don't they realize they could still be sleeping?
5. Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? - Moneen
About a mile in at this point, I would guess. Feeling much more awake than I did about 30 minutes before. Also, feeling like I may pull off a good time.
6. Our Weekend Starts on Wednesday - Hey Mercedes
This song makes me happy. So far, everything is feeling pretty effortless. Still running through the neighbourhood. I smile at the traffic officer at an intersection that we cross. He smiles back.
7. Bohemian Like You - Dandy Warhols
Just cruising now. Coming up to the bridge that will cross a major road. Then on to some trails which I enjoy infinitely more than running down the street.
8. Want - Jawbreaker
This song makes me all daydreamy. I spend the next three minutes floating along lost in thought.
9. I'd Like Your Hair Long - Hum
Passing a hospital right around this point. Also, people are stopping at the water station. I'm heading on through because I'm carrying my own water. I'm still feeling great.
10. Punk Rock Princess - Something Corporate
Back in a residential area for a bit. Very swanky. An uphill bit, but I'm enjoying the song and barely notice.
11. 60 Seconds - Drive By Punch
Back on the pathway and back into daydream mode...
12. Hysteria - Muse
Still daydreaming, I guess, because I hardly even remember hearing this song. There's a place to park nearby, so there are lots of spectators. Some little kids have signs for their moms. It's very cute. "You Can Do It Mommy!"
13. Don't Say You Won't - Alkaline Trio
I don't have anyone coming to see me race today. But that's okay. I've done quite a few races solo. Kind of my thing. Maybe that's why I like running so much.
The race detours from it's original path at this point due to icy conditions. Sigh. So there's some extra road running in lieu of running along the resevoir this year. The song carries me along.
14. Exiles Among You - The Weakerthans
This is probably one of my favorite pick-me-up songs right now. I would normally sing along, but it's a bit harder when running. Still on the boring road.
15. Counting Bodies Like Sheep - A Perfect Circle
This is one of my constant race songs. It has a perfect beat for running. Rejoining the path now and getting annoyed about where the aid station is set up. Bottleneck! Dodge a bunch of people and move on.
16. Baby, I'm An Anarchist - Against Me!
Heh. Chuckle to myself as I think about singing this song really loudly. I would probably get some strange looks.
17. Shirt - Jawbreaker
I can't remember where I was at this point. Just running along the path and enjoying the song.
18. A Praise Chorus - Jimmy Eat World
Another favorite song. I think I may have picked up the pace a bit here. I was getting close to my favorite part of the course, where the path is surrounded by trees for several miles.
19. With or Without U2 - Jawbreaker
This song also makes me chuckle. I pass a woman who is getting assistance from some of the bike patrol medics. She is one of the people who started early so they could walk the course. She doesn't look to be in too much distress. I hope she was able to keep going.
20. Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Now if only the sky was blue at this point, but no. Still very grey. Getting into the trees now and I'm happy.
21. I'll Catch You - The Get Up Kids
Hmmm, this song is a bit mellow combined with the previous song. Plus, I'm all thoughtful.
22. Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders
And wow, this song snaps me out of it. Peppy! Coming up to a big downhill that I'll get to go flying down. I reach it just as the song changes to...
23. Trogdor - Strongbad
Hee hee. Very fast downhill.
24. Johnny & Mary - Placebo
Just cruising along in the park some more. I've seem coyotes and deer along this part before, but nothing this year.
25. Punk Rock Girl - Dead Milkmen
Starting to pass some tired people. I can see the big hill that I have to go up in the distance.
26. Untreatable Disease - Sparta
I get to the hill during this song and walk up. It's the only part of the race I walk. It doesn't save me much time to run it and really drains my energy so... why? There are a bunch of spectators at the top urging people on. Including one guy who says, "You're almost there!" I turn to the woman beside me and say, "Liar! There's still like 5 or 6 kilometres left." She laughs. Note to anyone who thinks they might go watch a race. You aren't almost there until you're within a kilometre. And if the race is really long... you're not almost there until you can see the finish.
27. Float On - Modest Mouse
Gets me back into a good running rhythm nicely.
28. I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
Nice and mellow. Which is good because I'm starting to get a bit tired. This helps me keep an even pace. I smile at another traffic guy.
29. The Reason - The Weakerthans
Oh good, another song that cheers me up. The last quarter of the race is a bit more boring. A bunch of it is on a major road.
30. Chop Suey - System of a Down
Still on the road, but amost to the overpass where we get off.
31. Erase it Again - Sparta
A bit of uphill and then more road. The end is getting near.
32. Aside - The Weakerthans
Possibly one of my favorite songs to sing. Great at this point in the race. I sing along in my head. Soon, the route will turn into the college and then wind around to the finish.
33. Jaked on Green Beers - Alkaline Trio
La la la.
34. We Can Never Break Up - Alkaline Trio
Into the last kilometre I take off my toque now that it's warmed up. It's just something I do near the end of a race. It cools me down a bit and seems to give me that last little push. People are staring at my hair.
35. Taking Back Control - Sparta
Finishing song. When I'm coming down the homestretch a woman yells "You go pink!" I giggled a bit.
Final time? 1:49:47
I finally came in under 1:50:00! I go grab my post race foodstuffs, check to see if I won a door prize (I didn't) and rush home because I have to work in an hour.
So, that was my race. Next up is a marathon on June 9th.
That's all for now.
VIEW 19 of 19 COMMENTS
Nothing like a road trip, though, and I wager that you will have one hell of a good time on this tour.