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Sunday September 05 2010
 

Whitby Internation North Marathon Race Report

Printer friendly version Posted on: Tuesday May 25 10:03:22 AM

Whitby Internation North Marathon Race Report Well, that title is a mouthful. The race itself ... a handful. Especially the week after a hard effort marathon. I ran this with Nir who himself ran the Mississauga half marathon, is the 3:50 bunny for next week's Ottawa marathon and somehow let me talk him into running this marathon with me, which I am very glad he did as it would have been tougher and lonelier without him there!

The race was actually very well run and the volunteers, water stations, course marshals and all were fabulous. it is a good thing there were a lot of volunteers as it made up for the very small amount of spectators and crowd support.

The route was interesting to say the least. Definitely more tiring than your average route as there were about 60 turns. There were well over fifty 90-degree turns, several sweeping curved turns plus 6 of the dreaded u-turns where we'd hear the marshals call out 'around the last pylon boys' ...



Some of the course was really cool and different form most marathons. There were trails that led from one rural side street to another, tree lined roads, waterfront paths, boardwalk, grass for a few hundred metres, wooden foot bridge, metal foot bridge over marshes but unfortunately there was also the 26-32km portion of mostly desolate commercial / industrial which wasn't so bad if not for all of the turning around pylons!

It was overcast for the first half of the race which of course kept me from putting on the necessary amount of sunscreen! And I wore a singlet to boot so the sunny 2nd half, well, 18k onwards actually, got me pretty good and now I have a neat temporary tattoo of a singlet on my upper body.

Water stations were every 3km and well manned with water and e-load drinks as well as e-load gels at 26km and 32 km. I staggered home with Nir urging me on to 'get it over with' but I was really tired and the heat got to me, and for the 2nd week in a row I was quite nauseous. Up until 40k I felt great, but had really tired legs. for the final 2k it was fatigue everywhere and I was reminded of how much I dislike running long distances in hot weather. The last 90 degree turn was at 39k and then back up a hill where I was running so slow that I walked to pick up the pace! I usually enjoy the final 2k even when that tired as I get excited to see the finish but this time with no spectators and the sun beating down and vomit barely staying down and wondering if I am going to feel this crap next week, well let's just say it was not my favourite final 2k! That said, within a few minutes I was my old self again and I actually felt pretty good on Monday. Much better than last week and today, I definitely notice better recovery from a the 3:56 time vs the previous week's 3:35 so I am not fearing Ottawa's 4:00 pace bunny task.

The finish area was a bit cramped despite the fact there was a huge field right next to it and we had to walk across the field and road to get to the post race food, which was well worth the walk as they served us turkey subs, chips, cookies, apples, bananas and ICE CREAM. Best post race food ever!

It was a small town race with a great small town feel. Definitely a mental struggle in parts and a very challenging route but also very satisfying to complete and despite the fact it was my slowest ever non-pace-bunny race, I feel good about it under the circumstances. I am getting older, I am going to have to learn to deal with the fact there may not be a 3 at the beginning of my multiple-week-marathon results much longer!

Thanks for joining me Nir. I owe you. That's 2 marathons in a row that you helped me finish! Can you come back and get me next week after you complete your 3:50 task? Thanks in advance!

~Dave

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 Posted by Dave on: Tuesday May 25 10:03:22 AM

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I forgot to mention, I was also guest tweeting for iRun magazine. From the start, finish and several during the marathons. Check out the transcript.

#whitbymarathon - great, no, Best post race food ever. Subs, drinks, cookies, bananas, apples AND Creamsicles! Awesome stuff guys! 12:31 PM

#whitbymarathon winner 2:56:24 - Stronski Franciszek with our guest tweeter ( @beachesrunner ) http://tweetphoto.com/23658670 12:56 PM

Finishline glory, it always looks nice! Heading to the post race 'party' http://tweetphoto.com/23652781 12:09 PM

@ 41km of #whitbymarathon. Lot of great finishers....one, not being me ... yet:) 11:55 AM

Hot and getting hotter! The wall is near. Sparse now that its marathoners only. Volunteers have been awesome! 10:42 AM

More lovely trails! #whitbymarathon is beautiful. 23k down. http://tweetphoto.com/23638965 10:05 AM

No sun, but hot and humid en route. Everyone is still smiling. 13km in. 9:10 AM

Nice trails on the whitby marathon route! http://tweetphoto.com/23630768 8:37 AM

#WhitbyMarathon, 2 minutes to start. Good looking crowd. Rain should hold off. http://tweetphoto.com/23627884 8:29 AM

Live from #WhitbyMarathon - Good luck to all runners today as well as Halifax's Bluenose Marathon - anywhere else? Let us know! 8:17 AM

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Posted on: Tuesday May 25 11:06 AM
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Thanks for the race report - I was very curious about this new event.  Congrats on the double and enjoy Ottawa!
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Posted on: Saturday May 29 02:55 PM