Running: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Monday, October 16, 2006 - 05:02 PM

Another weekend, another marathon for some....





Someone looks pretty good here....the un-mistakeable orange jersey!

This race in my opinion is Toronto's best marathon, the route is nice, and
is challenging for all levels of runners. You get to see much of the nicer parts of Toronto, Young Street, Forest Hill, Rosedale, Queens Park, Casa Loma , plus many other spots. Spectator support is great and the volunteers and security support is excellent.

I would say this is a must do Marathon if you live within 4-5 hours and
would like a good challenge.

This was the last race of my GTA Marathon Triple Crown - Mississauga,
Waterfront, Toronto and for the Grand Slam add Waterloo, 3 out 4 were PB's
not a bad year of Marathon racing. I went into this race hoping to redeem myself from 3 weeks ago at Waterfront. I spent the 3 weeks trying to understand what happened at waterfront, I think it had to do with a few things: a bug, and low sodium and potassium that could of caused the cramping. So I took care of that by loading on
salt and bananas through out the week before the marathon. Also I found
out that the new Power Gels have 4x more sodium then the old ones, they
now have 200mg per gel.

Made my way to the start, checked out the Half Marathon start looking for
some Maniacs, no sightings, I prepared for my race and joined the crowd.
My goal was conservative for this race, I knew this a tough course and can
be even tougher if you go out too hard. 3:30 goal or PB, if that fails,
just finish and enjoy the day.

Started out easy, at 5k (25:40)I was about 1 minute off pace, not worried.
At Half I was 1:45:49 still about a minute off, no worries. The long down
hill before Hog Hollow was causing some quad pains, I was worried, and
happy to be going up hill (yeah I'm odd)

Met up with a guy, I call him Super PowerBar Guy, he had on a skin tight
long sleeve powerbar shirt, and was farily tall the nickname seemed to
fit. He said they just had a new baby so he hadn't had much time to train.
He mostly does Tri's and his longest run was 21.1!! and would like to have
a negative split. I told him about my situation with 2 boys both younger
then 2 years, then he let me in on a few more tidbits. He has 5 kids under
8 years (Shocked) , and he has planned a 'special' operation for after the
marathon. I said it was kind of a reward (Laughing) heehee. He left me
going up Hog Hollow, I so wanted to join him but my motto of the day was
"THINK." and I let him go, I'll come back to him later.

Saw the Maniacs on Hog Hallow, perfect spot and helped me up the hill.

Through Forest Hill I started feeling rough but kept going and burst
through that. Coming up to km 28 I was on fire, I was flying by everyone,
it was time to make my move to the finish, time and km's seem to go by
quickly for now. Every once in a while I'd hear "Go running mania!" I'd
yell back, I had no idea who they were but it was nice.

Met up with Alan on his bike, I was still feeling great, and he stopped
for a few action pictures. Got to about 35k and I was starting to hurt a bit, but held pace and kept making ground, however it was much harder and time started to go by slower as I was concentrating on my form. I counted down the final k's one at a
time. Finally turned up towards Queens park a few km's left, and up ahead it's
Super PowerBar Guy, I had no time to talk now, drove by him and we share
grunts at that point. I finished about 3 minutes ahead of him, props to
him though for finishing with a great time on limited training.

I don't think anyone passed me in the last 14k (I passed 147 in second
half), I remember one that did but I caught her again in the final few kms
too.

Saw the Maniacs again, just after that I passed that girl, thanks for the
push guys! Saw Alan again, and finally made it up to Queens Park, that's a
nasty few km's up from Lakeshore, very hard to finish fast. Turn the
corner and haul to the finish.

Got changed and hung out letting my stomach settle before taking the
subway back to my car at the start. Looked everywhere to congratulate
Maniacs at the finish but did see any.

Some Stats:
Chip Time 3:34 281/1620
Gun Time 3:35 284/1620 (top 18%)

21.1 - 428th position (passed 147 people in second half)
240th fastest second half

48/178 Age Group (top 27%)

Splits according to Garmin:

5k 25:40
10k 50:00
15k 1:14:45
20k 1:39:20
25k 2:05:26
30k 2:30:56
35k 2:54:33
40k 3:22:01
42k 3:32:53 (Garmin was out 200m or so at the end)