Friday Five: Races for 2016

Reflecting back on 2015, it was quite a year in my running career. Here are the numbers:

• 12 half marathons (click link to read about them!)
• 27 races overall (including my first trail race, and my first cross country race – in the same weekend!)
• 2 countries, 3 states (including 2 during one race!), 3 provinces (again, 2 during one race!), and one territory (yep – I raced in the Arctic!)
• 388.5 km raced
• 1470 km run

After all of that, 2016 is going to be a more conservative year in terms of racing in particular. I want to focus more on training, on strength, on form, and on recovery. But don’t worry – I’ll still be racing! And here they are: 5 races I’m looking forward to in 2016!

First Half Half Marathon

When: February 14
Where: Downtown Vancouver & Stanley Park

Admittedly, I always look forward to the First Half! One of the title sponsors of the race is Forerunners, who I run with on a weekly basis. It’s a relatively small race, extremely well-organized, and the start line is about a 10-minute walk from my front door. The post-race food and swag giveaways are awesome. It sells out every year, BUT they allow bib swaps. Really, it’s everything a race should be.

The First Half also holds a special place in my heart because it’s the first half marathon in which I broke 2 hours, back in 2013. This year will be my fifth time running the race. You can read about last year’s race here: First Half Half Marathon 2015.

West Van Run

When: March 5 & 6
Where: Dundarave Park & the West Vancouver Seawall

If you read my blog regularly, this won’t be the first time you’ve heard about the West Van Run. I am very honoured to represent this race as an ambassador for 2016. Some of the neat things about the race this year:

• 2-day event, with a 5k on Saturday and 10k on Sunday (I’m running both)
• 1k Kids’ race offered on both days
• Variety of team challenges

West Van Run was the very first race I ever reviewed when I started my blog back in 2014. You can read about past races here:

• West Van Run 2014
• West Van Run 2015

Also, until Wednesday, January 29, you can enter to win a free entry!

Platte River Half Marathon

When: April 10
Where: Denver, Colorado

I’m really excited about this race for a number of reason:

• First visit ever to Colorado!
• We’re visiting a friend of mine who I met in Japan – she lives in Denver with her family. We haven’t see each other in well over a decade!
• This will be my first race officially representing BibRave! I was pleased to received a free entry as a result of being a BibRave Pro

One of the things I’m nervous about, though, is running at altitude. I live on the coast and I’m used to running at sea level. I’m not entirely sure what to expect – but I’m not expecting a record time!

I am also able to offer 10% off with the discount code: ‘bibrave10‘

San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon

When: July 31
Where: San Francisco!

Why the 2nd Half? Well, the SF Marathon is unique in that it combines a full marathon with two half marathons that mirror – surprise, surprise – the first and second halves of the full marathon course. (There’s also an ultra is your one of those people!)

In 2015, I ran the 1st Half (race report), which took me across the Golden Gate Bridge! The 2nd Half starts in Golden Gate Park, runs through Haight/Ashbury and the Mission District, and ends at the Embarcadero, where I started last year.

Also, by doing both half marathons in consecutive years, I’ll qualify for the Half It All Challenge, and get an extra medal!

SeaWheeze Half Marathon

When: August 13
Where: Downtown Vancouver, Kitsilano & Stanley Park

I got in! Most folks in the running scene have at least heard of the infamous SeaWheeze, sponsored by yoga brand lululemon. Spurred on by a couple of girlfriends, I jumped on the registration bandwagon, and got a coveted entry. Now I’m excited!

It’s interesting to note that less than 20% of SeaWheeze runners are male.

Apparently there are tons of weekend events, so I look forward to experiencing what it’s all about! Stay tuned!

*****

I’m linking up with Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?! again this week. It’s a ‘free Friday’ – but I’ll stick to running!

What races are you looking forward to in 2016?