Wine Country Half Marathon

Who knew?  PACERs like to run and drink wine...

I caught up with a few PACERs who were running the Wine Country Half Marathon before I left for Europe but I am sorry I didn't have time to post their awesome interview.  My apologies to Karen Kennedy and anyone else in PACE who ran that I missed in this interview.  Congrat's to all!

Judy:
Q:  What are you most looking forward to about the race?
A:  It is a beautiful course.  It starts in the East Kelowna vineyards & orchards, then winds down to the Greenway and finishes along Lakeshore, Abbott & downtown to Waterfront Park, with some of the best views you can get on a non-trail run.  I’m also looking forward to the fun social (wine) part after the finish and getting together with the other PACE peeps who are doing the race. 
 
Q:  How did you train for the event?
A:  I have a really good fitness base from the PACE clinics, especially this summer, doing a few 21+K runs, the Enduro and Pincushion.   I normally do a little road running each week, anyway, so right now I am ramping up the mileage on my road runs for the next couple of weeks to get the legs used to running on pavement.

Jennifer:
Q:  You’re a busy Mom of 3 kids.  How do you find the time to train for a half marathon?  Do you have secret Mom Super Powers?
A: I don't really know!!  I fit runs in wherever I can.  After bedtime, or early mornings.  Sometimes I will run one way either out or home on a family outing.  It's a team effort.  My husband does triathlons so he understands and shares the training time :)
 
Q:  Obviously you drink wine at some point in this event.  Tell us a little bit about what makes the wine portion of this event so significant and is that a big draw for you?
A: I have three kids so I really like wine!  I heard it's a fast course with a lot of wine at the finish.  I didn't want to miss it.

Susanne:
Q:  Who inspires you to run and/or what motivates you when you’re out running 21km?
A:  I guess I inspire myself and following my heart on living a happy healthy life. I feel a sense of freedom when I run. It makes me happy!
 
Q:  Do you have any specific goals going into this race?
A: for this race... I'm running for the wine at the end, enjoying beautiful Kelowna and seeing happy friendly running faces!

Kym
Q:  What’s your favorite local wine? 
A:  I love the wine from the small local wineries.  They are all amazing but if I had to pick one that stands out I would say the wines at Intrigue Winery in Lake Country are some of my favourite.
 
Q:  How do you recover from a race like this?  Tell us how a typical recovery week looks for you.
A: After I finish my fair share of wine at the post race festivities I might not be thinking too much of recovery but my typical recovery after a race involves a lot of rolling with my stick and my foam roller, wearing my compression socks and then taking it easy for the next couple of days.  I usually try to get in the pool for a swim to loosen everything up and then do an easy 5 km run during the week after the event.  And if I have the time I like to fit in an easy bike ride also. And of course I swear by a massage the week after a big race!  The best part of my recovery week!