Running Reunion: Icebreaker 8k 2019

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icebreaker 8k

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary entry to the Icebreaker 8k as part of the West Van Run Team. Don’t forget to sign up for the 2019 West Van Run – and save with code ‘bradley’!

The day started out on a weird note, as I woke on race morning with a feeling of anxiety. My last race was the Fall Classic 10k back in November. Subsequently, I fell ill enough to miss nearly two months of running. Heading into 2019, I’ve laced up my sneakers again, but I’m nowhere near my optimal running condition. However, all that anxiety washed away as I reunited with my running family at this year’s Steveston Icebreaker 8k!

Big thanks to Debra, who picked up a whole heap of bibs for various folks on Friday evening. This helped me immensely because it meant I didn’t have to venture over to Kitsilano after work during one of my busiest weeks.

My Sunday was full – after the race, I had to hurry back home to North Vancouver to shower and eat before heading to Kerrisdale to perform with Simple Gifts Choir in our winter concert. So, I booked a Modo share car and headed out early, picking up Jeannine (fellow blogger and West Van Run teammate – you can read her review of the Icebreaker 8k here) en route to Steveston. The roads were quiet at 7:30am, so we arrived at Steveston Community Centre with plenty of time to spare.

icebreaker 8k

Chatting with Jeannine was the first step in relieving my concerns about the race. We discussed my intention to start doing some more trail running – since she’s far more experienced than me! – and encouraged each other before the race. We caught up with Debra, Sam and Margaret soon after.

icebreaker 8k
icebreaker 8k
icebreaker 8k

During a brief pre-race jog, I saw a bunch of my Forerunners family. I used to run regularly with Forerunners 4th Avenue, but since relocating to the North Shore, I’ve missed seeing a lot of these friendly faces. As he ran past, Darrell called out, “It’s a running reunion!” and that’s what inspired the title of this blog while amping up my enthusiasm for the race.

Despite the ridiculous winds that challenged everyone at the 2018 Icebreaker 8k, I was already invested in my training for the Eugene Marathon. I had a good race and was happy with my results. While standing in the corral, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I wasn’t going for a PB – I was there to have fun, see friends and run my first race of 2019.

icebreaker 8k
icebreaker 8k
Credit: Debra Kato

I may sound like a broken record, but truly one of my favourite things about the Icebreaker 8k is the fact that – as an out-and-back course – you get to see everyone running. I made it a point to keep an eye out for my friends and cheer as many of them by name as I could. At one point, there was a whole gaggle of familiar faces at once, so I simply screamed: “Go Forerunners!”

icebreaker 8k
What I love about this photo is that I know everyone in it!
icebreaker 8k
Credit: Debra Kato
icebreaker 8k
Credit: Shannon Banal

At the finish, with a respectable result of 41:08, I regrouped with everyone, gave out some sweaty hugs and smiled a whole lot. Then back to the community centre for some of the best food offered at a local race: pizza, soup, donuts, fruit, CAKE and, of course, coffee.

icebreaker 8k
icebreaker 8k

The Icebreaker 8k is also known for its awesome door prizes. Sadly, I couldn’t stick around for the giveaways or celebration since I had to go and sing! And all that anxiety? Gone. I got to see my running family and that made it all better.

Final Results:

Chip Time: 41:08
Overall Place: 191/371
Place in Gender: 116/181
Place in Age Group (45-49): 11/16
Click here for full results

Up next? The West Van Run on March 2 and 3 – yep, both the 5k and the 10k! Sign up now and get your discount with code BRADLEY. You won’t regret it!

icebreaker 8k
My West Van Run family
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