First Half Preview | Rob Watson Q&A

Having a look at your history in this event, it’s fair to say the First Half sits close to your heart. You’ve won this event three times now 13’, 14’ and 18’ — was there a particular year that stood out to you more than any other?

Oh man, absolutely- I love this event. It holds a lot of great memories both as a coach and athlete. I have been fortunate enough to win it a few times, but for me the best one was when I came 2nd in 2019. That day was simply good ole’ fashioned fun. I had no expectations in regards to performance as I had been focusing on trail work in prep for a trail race, I managed to get sneaky fit for a road race doing all the trail work. When the gun went off we just got going and it was a really cool experience rolling w/ DW and Tony, it was a pretty special day.

I remember seeing epic photos from 2019 where you, Dylan, Tony, future M2M coach Trevor and Kevin went 1-5. I think this year has the potential for that to happen again? How cool was that to race with and against fellow coaches? 

Yeah, that 2019 was my favourite First Half. I think the top 5 men are all M2M coaches w/ KC being in the mix too. The 1st 10km of that race was pretty tactical and we used some teamwork between DW, Tony and myself to drop the group, after we shook everyone else off we raced each other to the end. DW took care of business to take the win, it was good fun.

I really think that the race this year could go the same way. Between You, Luc and Trevor I expect to see some fast running up front. Then there is a friend from M2M [Ben Preisner] in there as a very strong competitor as well- It’s going to be fast and I can’t wait to watch!

This year features a new course. First, what do you think of the new out and back style, and second, if you had to make a move to win, where would you make it? 

I think that this new course is going to be fast. They have taken out the west side of the seawall, which can be windy and annoying, and there is also not that annoying loop around Lost Lagoon. There are more hills in the 1st half of the race w/ the rollers on SP drive, but they are not that bad, and you guys have ample experience on that Palmer segment anyways. If I were in there and feeling good I’d tuck in and stay calm until the SP drive rollers hit, then I’d start increasing the pace in hopes to put some junk in peoples- drop all the pretenders, then reload and sit back in until that little rise coming out of Stanley park near 2nd beach, there is like 4km from there, put your head down and just go. Gotta break the kickers

As the head coach in Vancouver, I hear you have an army of athletes lining up this weekend. Why do you think it’s important for athletes to mark the First Half on their calendars to start the year, and what makes this race so special? 

There are so many M2M athletes lining up, it is going to be awesome. I really like the timing of this race and using it as a launching point for a new season of racing. It is an opportunity to check in after the holidays and see where they are fitness wise. It is generally, “alright we’re good let’s keep rolling” but if an athlete may not have not get the result they want there is still A LOT of time to put in the work leading into the spring season, there is no need to panic and the 1st ½ can simply be a bit of a kick in the pants.

Lastly, for many this will be their first in-person half marathon since the pandemic, any race day tips or words of advice for those lining up?

Some folks have had a race or two at this point, but this is the first big one going down in Vancouver and it is really nice to get the run community back together on our own streets. I would advise everyone to take a second to pause and appreciate the moment. The last couple years have been challenging, but we are getting back to where we want to be and doing what we want to do. Race hard and run with gratitude. We are lucky to get to do this sport.