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Marathon cancellation doesn’t stop Tsawwassen runner from charting her own course

Naturally I was disappointed when Vancouver cancelled the BMO Marathon that normally happens on the first Sunday of every May.
Nichole Windblad
Nichole Windblad.

Naturally I was disappointed when Vancouver cancelled the BMO Marathon that normally happens on the first Sunday of every May. After months of training what was a girl to do in these crazy times of COVID-19 and social distancing? No medal, no T-Shirt, no stat or number would be given.

I couldn’t let all my hard work go to waste so I decided to sign up for the BMO Virtual Race and designed a route around Tsawwassen, my hometown. With hours of hills, track, rain and wind behind me, I started out last Sunday at 7:15 a.m. for a 26.2-mile journey that would last four hours and 45 minutes. It was marathon No. 5 with five more to go before I’m 50.

I had amazing support from my community with pit stops of warm broth in the morning by friends from Boundary Bay, bike riding friends that talked me up the hills and my trusty husband meeting me at stops along the way with hydration, balloons and a cheer. There were people in cars honking, others clapping on the sidelines and lots of “keep on going.”

Big thanks to Kevin from the RunInn who supported me with a fresh, bright “Run Inn” T-shirt and numbered running bibs, all to help me feel that I was truly in a marathon.

I also decided to support my community by purchasing everything I needed locally, either going to the stores while social distancing, using the ordering and pick up options or having them deliver to my home directly. I was able to buy all the proper foods for nutrition and gear locally.

I must thank Wellspring Health for supplements, Your Dollar Store for my running visor, Albany Books for nutrition books, NoMiNou for my leggings and the amazing RunInn for my shirt, bibs and running shoes. I was able to shop at Thrifty Foods, Save-On-Foods, Meridian Meats and Newmans Fine Foods for everyday meals, at L’aromas Bakehouse for their gluten free bread and Joe’s Farm House for all my fruit and veggies. Of course, Four Winds and Barnside breweries were handy for that nice cold beer after the run.

All in all, I have to thank my community for making my special day amazing. I encourage everyone to get out there during these times, be safe, social distance but don’t be shy to get a little more exercise while we are all still home. Online shopping is more prevalent these days but don’t forget our local stores are depending on us.