NCM-Mike's race reort

[The Moose]

What a great weekend!  We drove up Saturday to a friend's house, where we caught up on old times.  Because of recent stomach "issues" I brought my own dinner.  I also brought my own breakfast (my friend is a marathoner as well and understood completely.)  We had a wonderful time.  Damon stopped by and we had a mini group run (very slow 8k) to stretch the legs out, then crashed early.  Sunday at 4:30 came early, but soon enough we were off the the start line, where I proceed to make several 4 block trips back to the car, eventually bringing all of my race gear over to Damon's hotel to save any more pre-race jogs.  I loved the start this year.  The staged starting area made a huge difference, I actually crossed the start line only 20 odd seconds after the gun, instead of the normal 2 minutes or so, and I didn't have to fight my way past any walkers.
No offence to any walkers, but too many of them find it necessary to start at the front, in front of the runners, instead of the back, where they belong.
The first 15 kms went by very quickly, and seemed rather hilly to me, but that's probably because I was running between 15 an 40 seconds/km faster than I had planned.  By the 16 km mark I was beginning to feel that my legs were getting tired...not a good sign this early in.  I decided that I could afford to slow my pace to below projected for about 10k to recover, and still make my time.  I actually slowed to just a bit faster (3-4 seconds/km) than projected race pace, and held a slim hope of beating my projected time by 15 minutes (Boston time).
At 26 kms I realized that this was a dream that would not be realized today, and started to calculate how much time per km I could lose and still meet my goal time of 3:30, things were starting to look a little bleak.  My fast first half had levied a large toll on my legs, and 83% of my HR max delivered slower and slower kms.  My 3:24 gimme time began to evaporate like a melted Popsicle on a hot driveway.  The calculations in my head were being updated every kilometer now, as I pushed to stay under my goal time.  The rain that started at about 10:00 was a non-issue, but the thousands of half-marathoners (all finishing at about the two hour mark) suddenly clogged the road with 3kms to go.  Concentration broken, legs on borrowed time, my pace dropped and I began to panic.
Just past the 40km marker lay I guy I recognized from passing me earlier, face down, not moving.  I regrouped, put on a final push, after all 2kms isn't even a good warm up, right?
As I passed under the finish line, the clock read 3:29:09 (chip 3:28:43).  A new personal best by 23 minutes!  I haven't been that happy since I completed my first marathon.
So, I'll limp for a few days, then on June 23, I'll start over, because now I only need another 14 minutes for Boston, and I nearly doubled that today...piece of cake.

 

Mike

[Derek]

Like your report Mike and congrats on beating your time that's alot. Some day you will get to Boston. Keep trying.That's is a good time for the full. Bye for now Derek.

[Sandy]

Congratulations on your PB Mike, how did the calfs hold out?

[The Moose]

A little sore today, but then again, so's everything else.  Calves were just fine during the race and my Saturday shake out.  The week off did wonders!

[ShoppinShannon]

Great report Mike.  I agree about the slower people crowding the front.  There should be some sign or an announcer telling the walkers to move to the back or something.  This way you wouldn't have to weave your way out of the crowd!

[Jane]

Wow, awesome PB Mike!!  I believe that you are going to crack that BQ barrier very soon!

the thousands of half-marathoners (all finishing at about the two hour mark) suddenly clogged the road with 3kms to go.  Concentration broken, legs on borrowed time, my pace dropped and I began to panic.

Try running in London next year.  This wasn't an issue for the marathoners -- I don't think!

[The Moose]

You're right Jane, the full and the half start at the same time in London, so, other than tripping over the people who insist on being at the front (at every race on the planet it seems), there's no mad crush of people joining the course part way through.

London is a beautiful race and I have a place to stay but, I always have a good day when I run in Ottawa.

You see for my second marathon I did not do the "13 week bare minimum training" program.  I started in November of the year before (almost 7 months before) and ran every Sunday from Stirling, climbing Oak Hill at least once each run.  I then ran the entire marathon with the friend who cheered me through the last 5km of my first marathon (Ottawa was his first) to a 4 hour finish.  I never felt so strong in my life.  At the end of my marathon I borrowed a bicycle and rode back 10kms to walk in with my wife, and was still strong enough to run ahead to ask them not to close the course until after they finished (we were only about 200m out).  I have a huge soft spot for this event, and now that I have my PB there (I can't believe the margin, I had convinced myself that I'd run a 3:44 somewhere so it wasn't as big a deal to run under 3:30 for me, but to learn that my PB was over 3:51 and I was 23 minutes faster shocked me.)

Even the rain this year did nothing to dampen my spirits, and I'm sure this will be the first finish line picture ever of me not stopping my watch.  I had a great day.

Looks like London will need to wait until Ottawa betrays me.

Mike

[belleville runner]

I know what you mean about having a soft spot for Ottawa....I do too.  I am seriously thinking of doing London next year but I get so sad when I realize it means I won't be doing Ottawa....UNLESS i do the half in Ottawa as part of my training for the full, which is two weeks later in London.  (I did that in Mississauga last year).  but that would be an awfully expensive two weeks wouldn't it....with hotel rooms and gas and such.  Nope, could not do that and justify to the NON running hubby! I love Ottawa too, don't know what exactly it is but I just can't imagine a more scenic view than those parliament buildings when you're coming over that bridge.  It takes your breath away.  (I know, I know, London has BEAUTIFUL areas too....I used to live there....Western U. has some breathtaking views also....).  ottawa is the first "big" race I've ever done...the only half marathon's I'd ever done before Ottawa were my first, in Kingston (10 yrs ago) and my second half marathon, here in Belleville a year later.  (what a lonely, lonely run that is when you're at the back of the pack let me tell you!)  so I guess maybe that's why I'm partial to Ottawa....it was my first "real" race...with big crowds, chip timing, entertainment, loud spectators etc.  I also have a really hard time finding accommodations that come close to the value offered by the Minto Suites in Ottawa.  Has anyone ever stayed there??  I tell you, it's the best hotel bargain anywhere.  I cannot believe they charge the low rates they do on a weekend where they KNOW they'll sell out.  couldn't find anything like that in Mississauga.....don't know about London though....what are the prices like there for a suite?  i prefer a suite so I can cook my own meal... i'll have to look into that if we consider London for next year.

I will say though that when the full marathoners and the half marathoners merged in Ottawa I felt for the runners who were serious about a p.b. or anything because it was awful.  It was just so packed there for a while, and I noticed that the spectators were not kept back on the curb, they literally took up one entire lane of the two lane road, which was supposed to be for runners!  I found myself getting very frustrated at the fact that we were all so crowded and the spectatorse didn't seem to notice that if they had been on the curb where they belonged the crowding would have been a non-issue.  Like I said, I really felt for people who were trying to qualify for Boston, or simply aiming for a p.b.  I wasn't but it could have cost some runners precious time trying to dodge in and out of the traffic.

Sorry this was so long!  i tend to ramble on and on!

[Janet]

Hey Mike,
  Great report, glad to hear you got a PB, and without any calf pain!  Plus taking 23 minutes off, wow, I'm happy with minutes, o.k seconds . Congrats!  So what's next?

Janet

[The Moose]

Janet,
After all the griping that my knees don't like the course, I'm going to say..........PEC.  I trained really hard this spring with only 1 minor setback, and had a great race.  I figure if I train as hard this time (with a little more emphasis on speed) I can muddle through PEC without injury (knock wood).  I do love the scenery, and it's nice to sleep in your own bed.

If I train hard, and don't take any shortcuts I'm hoping to take another 13 minutes out of my PB  (check out my time at 1/2 way), and we all know what that means  .

I was so happy at the end of Ottawa, I was very glad to be wearing sunglasses (yes, I know it was raining and dull).........

Thanks to everyone.

Hey Belleville Runner, check out the University of Ottawa for cheap suites...Not only are they stupidly cheap, but they are literally right across the canal from the start (just over the bridge).
Can't tell you how much in London, I tend to race where I can stay with friends or family...I've got a good friend in Washington D.C. that says she's only about an hour away from the start of Boston, can't wait to visit her.

Mike

[ironman]

Great run Mike.  Too bad we all didn't, but PEC is coming and I'll be going to Boston for sure there.  If we train as hard as we did for Ottawa, the next 3 months should be a peace of cake just a little hotter.

[The Moose]

Not liking the hot already....