I didn't do it for the glory. The fastest time by a runner from Squamish, of the 116 participants who came from Howe Sound, was Trevor Lowe's 39:32. I didn't do it for the fame. Long-time local runner Kate Inman was 36th in her division and 311 out of nearly 25,000 total female participants with her time of 46:48. No, I did the 24th annual Sun Run in Vancouver last Sunday purely for fun. I had a different strategy this year: strap on my iPod and go. Knowing I hadn't trained for a time I've had in other years (anyone else get that knock-'em-down flu in March?), I left my watch at home. My only instruction to myself was to take it easy at the beginning, especially with the unexpected cold weather, to let my muscles warm up. In the five or six blocks of cue gates on Georgia Street, where we waited like steers at a rodeo, bands entertained runners and spectators as waves of participants were released to the scenic 10-km course. Happy to be moving, finally, I settled into an easy pace while a hyperactive cheerleading group nearly bounced off their platform. This year, the Sun Run itself was not a goal, but part of my bigger plan to stay active and prepare for the hiking season. In the four years I have been running, I've done several 10-km races, but always stopped in between due to injuries or season changes. When I moved to Squamish in 2006, I discovered the gentle training program prepared by Sport Med BC offered here through Brennan Park every January. I was able to keep my recurring knee and back pain at bay and continue running. This year, I joined the clinic as a volunteer and switched gears to help motivate others. Kate Inman and Tanya Bennett co-coordinate the 13-week program, which usually has up to eight volunteer leaders and 40 participants, both new and experienced runners and walkers. I thought of eagles and my favourite trail beside the Mamquam spawning channel as I held a comfortable pace in the moving crowd. We skirted Stanley Park, jostled down Beach Avenue and slowed to cross the Burrard Bridge. On the downhill, I opened my pace and took long strides as I admired the Sunshine Coast mountains in the distance. Who's counting minutes?Close to 20 musical acts, including First Nations drummers, a highland band and a DJ tent, lined the course and kept our spirits high. I felt surprisingly fluid. When my energy waned in the final few kilometers, I pulled up my shoulders and took my own advice to participants in the clinic a few weeks ago: "you can do whatever you want for the rest of the day, but for this hour, keep your legs moving." It worked. I reached the finish line (even though I had to wait to cross, because the crowd was that backed up!) feeling energized and rejuvenated. To me, that is a great success. For local Sun Run top ranking results, turn to Page A41.
