Hamilton Marathon - Race report

Printer friendly version Posted on: Sunday November 02 09:58:42 PM

This report is for 2008 ~ For 2009 click here

I am really happy with this race result. I just have to start this report off by saying that.

So yes, the "Trilogy of Terror" is complete. 3 Marathons in 5 weeks and 7th total, and I am happy to say lucky number seven was the best one yet. Although I missed a personal record by 5 seconds I am not to upset about that. I know I could have run easily 5 plus minutes faster today knowing then what I know now.

The craziness of the whole day has been 2 weeks in the making. After the last marathon I developed some pain in my left foot, maybe plantar fasciitis, hard to say. Just really sore to walk on. It eased up enough to get some runs in although it turned out to be the lowest 2 week mileage since I was laid up in January.

My Diet this week....hmmmm

Top this off with the fact I wasn't behaving in the nutrition department. I didn't lower my daily calorie intake and was seen enjoying ice cream on an almost daily basis. It didn't concern me much because my goal was to just finish this marathon so I didn't take the whole 2 week layoff very seriously. The runs I did get in were a bit painful but bearable and that's what I hoped for on race day.

My carbo loading day was different than usual as well. A protein shake for breakfast, Burger King for lunch, grilled cheese and some leftover pasta for dinner. Add to that an apple, 2 bananas, a pear and lots of pretzels thrown in throughout the day. No ice cream though!

Race day morning

I didn't set my alarm for daylight savings and it ended up going off at 4:00 instead of 5. I didn't really get back to sleep but I wasn't worried as I slept well up until then. I laid there questioning my sanity though :)

We didn't register until Thursday so we had to do it by fax as online registration was closed (remember fax machines?). With the race an hour away we resorted to race day pickup which was an event in it's own right. First of all, the city of Hamilton is laid out in a non grid pattern scattered along a very hilly area. So the fact we missed our exit to the registration/finish area it was a nightmare trying to navigate our way back and forth trying to get there. We were at one point in time 2 minutes from the right area but didn't actually get to the right spot until 20 minutes later, which was only 10 minutes before race kit pick up closed. We then had to take a shuttle to the start and caught the 2nd to last bus for the full marathoners. On a bright note, I am thankful Mrs Daddyo was able to fit the car into a VIP spot right by the kit pick up (and this was also nice after the race not to have to walk a mile to get our change of clothes). Anyway, the freak out was over and we made it to the start with enough time to stretch and breath deeply again.

The start area was a 5 minute jog from the school we were keeping warm in and after waiting in the long port-o-potty line (surprise) I got there with only a few minutes to spare adding more stress to the morning. I till you, it was a relief when the gun when off (actually, there was no gun, no horn, just a guy yelling 'Go!' which didn't quite resonate to the back of the pack where I was) - I was finally off and running and really able to relax.

Race Strategy

My race plan was in progress, just run smooth and easy and try to enjoy it all the way through assuming that this time around I could possibly crash and burn so I went out with no real time goal other than maybe finishing under 4 hours. I have also been nursing this foot soreness and was worried that it might flare up and slow me down. Every 'left' footstep hurt but it never got bad enough to hinder my running.

This first half of this marathon was set in a rural area, farmer's fields, nice older homes, and no spectators other than at a few turns here and there bit the ones we did pass were very supportive. It was extremely windy in most of these parts with a fair bit of it straight in our faces making me think this was going to be a loooooong day. Still it was enjoyable and without too much strain I made it to 10K in 52:00 then made up a bit of time getting to the half way point in 1:48:30. This worried me a bit because I have never negative split a marathon so I figured I would end up 3:50 or so. I decided to just keep running around 8:15 miles until I started tiring and coast in smiling. We hit the long downhill, about 3 kms of steady downhill, which was nice but for the strong headwinds as this section was run on a very open highway. Still, down hills are always nice halfway through a marathon. So the 2nd half wound it's way back into civilization and along a road by the waterfront . This is where we hit the 20 mile mark and I felt better than ever, of course because I went out nice and easy even though I was actually making good time. I figured if I felt this good at 36k I would pick up the pace and try to keep it in the 3:30's. At 36k I felt so good and my time was close enough that if I finished strong I could actually PR. I picked up the pace and got it going as fast as I could muster, around a 7:45 per mile pace. Unfortunately at this point we had hit the waterfront trail which is where the wind was crazy so this pace was making me work hard and I was expecting to bonk, but never did. I did the best I could to run as fast as I needed to PR and thought I could do it. It was a tough HTFU final 5K, in about 24 minutes but 5 seconds too slow to tie my PR. I finished in 3:35:07 - 2 weeks earlier it was a PR of 3:35:02. So freaking close. I wish I could go back and run just one of those mile 10 seconds faster!

Not to worry, like I said before, this was my best (marathon) race so far, in all aspects. I really enjoyed every moment, from the sore footsteps, a small field of friendly runners, and nice route, to joy of being able to givie it my all and run a fast final 5k with no wall. And my first marathon negative split, really cool, making it very apparent that at this rate a Boston Qualifier awaits me next spring.

I must mention that Anita ran as well. Another 'long training run' she calls them as she has not really been able to train hard so these races seem to act as her long runs. She was a few minutes shy of her personal best but that's pretty impressive based on her training, the weather and the fact that she drove for seven hours the day before allowing me to snooze in the car, to which, I am deeply indebted! You can read her race report here.

The post race was decent for a relatively small event (489 in the marathon, 850 in the half). Shirts were tech and passable, medals although not the best were decent enough and the food was good (including pizza!). I would definitely run this one again - and next time we will know how to get there on time!

Oh, this 3 in 5 week spree earned me my Marathon Maniac Status - Woo hoo!

With that downhill in the middle and a fast finish, I imagine I am going to be sore tomorrow so I head now for a hot bath and early night and dread the walk down the stairs in the morning. Who doesn't love marathons?!

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COMMENT

Posted by Dave on: Sunday November 02 09:58:42 PM

Comments:

Kirsten

You go, you Marathon Maniac, you! Nice job, Dave. Enjoy a LONG, well-deserved recovery! :)

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Posted on: Monday November 03 07:08 AM

Marky Mark

Congrats! I enjoyed the post half pizza last year and thought the volunteers were great. No big photographers but a very responsive private photographer.

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Posted on: Sunday November 01 01:13 PM

Marky Mark

I loved the pizza post-race last year. Congrats!

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Posted on: Sunday November 01 02:25 PM

Marky Mark

Thanks for your comment-three of us may do the Chilly Willy half so maybe see you then (and look for me hanging around the chili)!

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Posted on: Sunday November 01 03:40 PM

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Hamilton Marathon - Race report