Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Happy Spring.... and Some Views Along My Half Marathon Route

I am so excited that Spring arrives tonight... I just know it means our weather is going to get warmer very soon.

We had such a mild winter this year that our weather really hasn't changed much at all.  Yes, the days are longer, and yes, there are flowers in bloom, but they all seem to be about a month behind this year.










On Sunday morning it was beautiful outside and I was itching to get out... so we printed a map of the half marathon route we will be running in May and decided to drive it.  We both think it is a good idea to familiarize ourselves with the route and perhaps run some of it during our training as well.

It starts out in a seaside 'village' which is part of greater Victoria... right on the main street, and then runs a loop through a beautiful old neighborhood of large estates for about the first 7 km.  Then it takes a turn to the waterfront, and the next 5 km wind along the ocean, through a golf course and then another mansion-filled neighborhood.  Then there is a turnaround, and it retraces the those same 5 km back and a slightly different, shorter route through the village to the finish.  Holy Cow!  13.1 miles is a long way.....








Most of that 5 km stretch is uphill on the way out, and so will be downhill on the way back...which is good, I think.

I love this little village... full of quaint shops, huge estate homes, marinas,  and English ex-pats who celebrate their British Heritage with great enthusiasm at every opportunity.

Can you tell I am getting excited?



16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful route! I haven't seen any flowers here yet:( hopefully soon:)

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  2. Our flowers are in bloom here, Toronto, a month early! So happy to see spring.

    Looks like a gorgeous running route.

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  3. That looks like a beautiful course! It's definitely exciting to see the exact course you will be running!

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  4. Oh it is SO SMART to get to know the route. We ran about 16km of the half marathon route at Mississauga last year and it was so nice to know where I was on race day. You're going to do so well.

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  5. What a pretty course! I love to drive race courses too. I like to know what I'm in for. :) Yay for spring!

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  6. I would be just as excited!! You are so lucky to have such beautiful scenery around you while you run your half!!

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  7. Those flowers in bloom are gorgeous!!! Wow I would love to run that route one day :D Lucky!!

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  8. ELLE!!! i seriously think i think about your half almost as much as my own races coming up! i am sooo excited for you and itching with excitement that its getting so close! the area looks incredibly gorgeous! it WILL be an amazing day for you!!!

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  9. How beautiful Elle! What a beautiful course!

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  10. Just came across your blog and I love it!!! I am so jealous of your cosy boat! That would be so fun!
    And your running story is amazing! That is so exciting about your first half! congratulations, it looks beautiful!

    Look forward to reading more from you! :)

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  11. That is a beautiful course! I'd probably trip b/c I'd be so caught up in looking at all that beautiful scenery. No wonder you are excited!

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  12. Found your blog through Marcia's and it is great! I want to run on a course like that! Wow! I'm super jealous! Love the blog!

    Carilyn

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  13. what a gorgeous running course...i'm going to come and visit you! and I bet it's more beautiful as spring rolls on...

    you are doing a fabulous job, keep it up!

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  14. Oh wow what wonderful views! Nice to meet you!

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  15. I am totally jealous and totally excited for you! So beautiful!

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  16. Elle, your course looks gorgeous, and what a great route for your first 13.1!!

    I was mapping out a 12 miler a couple of weeks ago and Tripp's only response was "wow, 12 miles is a really long way, huh" - but my response was, not as far when you have done it a couple of times ;) Don't let the distance psyche you out though - you will be fantastic and have the captain right by your side!

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