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Friday July 30 2010
 

Mississauga Marathon 09 - Race Report

Printer friendly version Posted on: Monday May 18 04:02:08 PM
Mississauga Marathon finish line photoSo, this report took a while. Generally, I like to do my race reports the same day or the day after, when it is still fresh in my mind. You would think I would have done this report much quicker due to the fact this was the biggest race of my life so far.

For those of you who know me well enough, you know my goal is not just to qualify to run the Boston Marathon but also to continuously improve my running capabilities for as long as my body will let me. Maybe until my mid to late 40's. This is probable considering I did not start seriously running until my late 30's.

Well, none the less, a major goal has been completed. I don't mean to cut to the chase so early in the race report but there it is. My friend Nir and I were in this together, throughout most of the training since last fall, and we ran this one together, both needing the same finishing time to get the prize.

We needed to run at least 3:20:59. A 4:44 per km pace! We knew it was both possible, and not possible depending on the day and how the final stages of training played out. This included the need to be injury free, which we both flirted with, as well as all of the little stars needing to be aligned.

When it came down to it, we both felt confident that we'd done the training as best we could, and if we were in good enough shape, we'd reap the benefits. We also had doubts as this would have to be a personal best time of around 17 minutes for the both of us. All we could do was plan our race and race our plan. We had all the support we needed, from our running community friends to our adoring partners. Of course, Nir's own Julie was running her first marathon on the same day which make this fairy tale all the more interesting. She did, by the way, run a fantastic debut marathon of 4:39 with our other good friend Graham side by side. Well done to those two!

Julie and Graham, 2 of our running heroes!So with all of this support, training, confidence and surprising calmness, we went into this day quite...well...ready. Nir and Julie picked me up bright and early and we got to the start line with plenty of time to spare and managed to meet up with about 10 other running friends, some running the marathon and some running the half. We stayed warm, waited in toilet lines both in the cold and in the warmth of Panera Bakery, by the start area. I managed to stay warm with about 5 minutes of light running, not wanting to tire myself out but not wanting to take off at race pace too cold. By the time it was ready to start, we were way at the back and had to further warm up by running up the sidelines to get into the 3:20 corral. We made in time to get our walk on after the gun went off, taking 50 seconds to cross the line. (The marathon and half marathon started together making for a crowded start)


Our running friends...early in the morningWe ran together, same pace, same goal, not saying much other than confirming pace and commenting on certain bits of terrain like, hill coming up, water stop ahead, wow that guys runs weird etc. We spoke of niggling injuries, which became more common as the race wore on. Our plan was to bank 3 minutes in the first half and make good use of the downhill portions and then 'coast' in for the 2nd half. This worked well, the weather was good, the pace of the crowd we were in was steady and similar to ours so it seemed to flow very well. At 14k, we split from the half marathoners and suddenly it was quieter. Quiet due to far less footsteps, less runner chatter and was less crowd support. Not to worry, we can do this ran through our minds consistently. This is also where my hamstring started to play up and shoot pain up through my groin and butt. This worried me a bit, and more so when my knee ached a bit, probably from compensating. Tylenol here helped somewhat as did some strong mental blocking. Although it got worse around the half way point, it also started to ease up shortly after and no longer seemed to be an issue.

We got to the halfway mark in 1:37:10, just where we wanted to be. Normally, I'd be freaking out thinking, too fast, too fast but we did let the downhills carry us which is where we banked the time. Good to go. Time to work harder now. In fact, shortly after the half way mark, we headed south with the wind at our back, which was nice, but that meant turning around at 25k and back into the wind...which was very strong. For 10 minutes / 2k we slowed down to over 5 minutes per km and let it happen knowing that fighting it was not worth it in the long run. We turned out of the wind and ran in a really nice, secluded neighborhood for a couple of k's which took us to the 30km mark at exactly 2:20 minutes. This meant we could average 5 minute k's for the remainder and still make our time. This was a great confidence boost, especially because I could feel a slight slow down beginning.

The last 12k was hilly, and windy, from every direction it seemed. We stopped for a short walk at the next 2 aid stations. The 2nd stop, I took extra time to work out some issues with my hamstring that had returned. Nir continued on from here,  and although I wanted to catch up after I stopped, I resisted the temptation to burn out by attempting to run fast enough to catch up. I decided to keep him in my sight and let him run with his pal who was waiting for him at the 35 or 36 km marker...I can't quite recall. All I know is I was enjoying the feeling of finishing strong without suffering and looking forward to crossing the finish line standing and smiling and not crawling!

Nir and I at the finish. Yes, we did it.And that's how it played out. The last 5k are very vivid. No wishing it to be over, no need for any walk breaks, just a pleasant steady 4:50 pace that got me to within 1k to go and with 8 minutes to spare! I just kept running and smiling as much as possible (yes, I was pretty tired here, but also elated) - I got to 300m to go where Anita, Sarah and Cam were and said hello, high fived Cam and continued on, careful not to trip over the several paths and roadways we have to traverse at the end of this route. A good crowd awaited us at the finish and I heard a few familiar voices call out my name, recognizing them but not really knowing where to look to wave back. And the finish line appeared. As I approached, it read (gun time) 3:19:55. I stopped at the mat, let it turn to 3:20 and hopped on. I thought that would make a good photo but unfortunately they took the finish line photos with 50m to go so alas it got missed. Anyway, Nir was there and the first thing he said to me was 'Did we do it?'. I said of course, and he was still in a bit of disbelief but finally realizing together that we did what we set out to do and a huge load was off. We hugged it out, like men do and then posed for a photo together. If you see it, you will notice Nir still looks a bit unsure if we'd really done it!

And so it ends, we are Boston bound. Not for a while mind you. Still many races between now and next April and possibly a new PR by then. Who knows. Here we are, a week after Mississauga and I am still elated at what we accomplished with a feeling of confidence that if I continue to train hard and smart, I can accomplish a few more fantastic things down the road.

I cannot take credit for this accomplishment without offering a huge thanks to Anita and my family for their support and encouragement. Sarah and Cam have been so fabulous and inspiring in their own races lately - I had to carry that over! Thanks to Nir for his companionship both in training and on race day and to Duff, for his words of wisdom and keeping me down to earth. And thanks to the members of our running group and marathon clinic for their inspiration. I hope to share many more of mine and their goals in the future.

For now, it's time to enjoy this a while longer!

P.S. Thanks to our pal Debbie T for the photos!
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 COMMENT 
 Posted by Dave on: Monday May 18 04:02:08 PM

Comments:

comment bubble Pricey
 
Mate, congrats again, from what it sounds like you had the perfect plan and it all came together for you. 

Id be interested to hear about your race nutrition, did you have a nutrition plan?  Gels, gatorade or water?
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Posted on: Monday May 18 07:47 PM
comment bubble heather v
 
what a great report for that memorable day! You should be a sports reporter. You have inspired Graham so much and now he wants to try for Boston too!
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Posted on: Monday May 18 08:34 PM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
Nutrition plan didn't change much from previous events which is kind of why I left it out of this report. (although I did mention taking the last of 3 gels)

Also, as I have gotten fittere, I feel less need for on course supplements. Here is my race day nutrition (with a brief race week addition)

Monday-Thursday: Well rounded meals, not emphasizing anything other than standard Canada Food guide recommendations. Lot's of water. 2 coffees per day, no other liquids. (1 glass of wine 1 night) Snacks, mostly good, some bad, lot's of fruit.

Friday: Higher than normal carbohydrates, including Quinoa and salty pretzels. Lot's of water, 2 coffees no other liquids. Snacks, mostly good, lot's of fruit

Saturday: Well rounded meals, higher in carbs. No dinner, just a big breakfast, snacks, then a big 4:00 dinner, pasta with chicken, no greens, no fibre. Bread and pretzels snacks throughout the evening.  1 coffee, 1 Gatorade G2, Lot's of water. No  past 9:00 so I'd sleep well. (Thwarted by Anita's midnight arrival from travelling :)

Sunday AM: 2 egg plain omlette on whole what toast. 1 Banana 1 bottle of Gaterade G2, water. Nothing else 2 hours before race.

Sunday Race: 1 Gel 15 minutes before, 1 gel at 45 mins, 2nd gel at 1:20, 3rd gel at 2:10, avoided 4th and 5th gels partly becaus estomach was upset and partly because I did not feel I needed them. Drank water with all gels plus a small cup at each aid station. For last hour, drank small amount of Gatorade at aid stations. DId not carry my own water or gatorade due to the 2km spacing between stations. Nice touch.

Sunday Post race. You name it, I ate it!
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Posted on: Monday May 18 10:11 PM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
I guess it's only fitting to include the toe shots. (click to enlarge...if you dare!)

Day 1 - blisters
Day 1


Day 2 - bruising
Day 2


Day 4 - healing
Day 4

Day 8 - the nails have fallen!
Day 8
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Posted on: Tuesday May 19 09:16 AM
comment bubble Duffman
 
Well, well, well, a postive blog, no moaning and groaning. Well done Dave. You accomplished a goal. You worked hard and did it. Glad to see you actually have a self congratulating post with no reasons/excuses on why your race wasn't what you wanted.
Good  ,  no actually , great job (and now you want to move up in the corrals?)
Recover well and just think how easy and what the  "minimal pressure run" will be like in Ottawa.
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Posted on: Tuesday May 19 08:31 PM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
Thanks Duff - we're looking forward to running Boston WITH you!

Now, everyone, I warn you ... do not click this link unless you are prepared to witness toenail surgery :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FouHIw1IAA0
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Posted on: Wednesday May 20 01:35 PM
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