In the Guelph area 15 October 2006? Join the Guelph community as we celebrate the life of Scott Labron with his family and friends. There is a 2 and 5 km run for the family. a BBQ to follow. The running event takes place at the University of Guelph Arboretum. See this website for more details. See you there! http://www.strideforlife.ca/sfl/public/home
chris
09 October 2006
03 October 2006
Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2006
Hi everyone, a little Toronto Waterfront marathon recap. Also, to many of you, thank you so much for your pledges to raise $ for breast cancer research. Your combined $=$315.
A brief recap, the waterfront marathon raised $750k for all its charities. So great! I was hoping for a 3:15 to 3:17. This would have taken about 5 minutes off my PB. I went to the run with my friend Patrick and his neighbour Elka. I was staying at my sister Andrea's place. I lost track of time and was a little late, only to fall down the last step of the stairs as i went down in the dark. I understand why their hardwood floors are called hard. Into Patrick's CRV downtown, and got a good parking spot. I took a wee power snack ~45min before the starting time, not my usual routine. It was a large start as the half and full marathon both started at 7am. I got a poor starting location too far back, so i spend the first 3km weaving in and out of traffic despite being right on pace for at 3:15hr. So, first km in 4:34 minutes. A 3:15hr time requires a 4:37/km pace. Second and third km were 4:20s as the congestion got a little thinner. Km 4,5,6 were still at 4:22 pace, but it was around here as we were heading into the windy 10km stretch east along the lakeshore that stomach cramps were appearing. Maybe the banana and 1/2 powerbar shortly before the run wasn't such a good idea! So, you can still run with cramps fairly well, it is just quite uncomfortable, but this time they were getting quite "noticable" and by 10km I was only able to take shallow breaths. The African race leaders were heading back
towards downtown breezing along. Amazing to see. Around 12km we started to double back and now with the wind. I was taking water at the stations in small amounts - too much would cause cramps, but too little would not dilute the extra carbohydrates in my tummy causing grief. But water was a good thing on a humid morning. The rain was holding off and there was even a little sunshine peeking through. At 55minutes I took a little gel to keep me going over the next hour, but this of course was not going to be helping my tummy a bit.
Around 20km we are going through the southern edge to downtown again past the Harbourfront area. If Elise had had luck finding parking she would have been there with Emma and Isabelle. Alas I pass through the area and concluded parking was still a challenge. Touching my tummy I had the interesting experience of seeing what a very cramped gut looks like - quite concave and very tight. I don't have beauty rippling abs [explains the only reason why you havn't seem me on the cover of one of those silly Men's Health mag]. You always learn something about yourself on a run and today was tummy's time. After 20km I guess my breathing was taking a toll as I was starting to get a little tired. I went through the halfway point at 1:35hr At 22km I was still on a 3:14hr pace - perfect for a 3:16 finish if all was going well. I was running along with one of the two jugglers, this guy was from Chicogo [sp?] and he was the second one. The first juggler was already ahead and ended up getting a world record at 2:28hrs. Interesting comments from the spectators.
But I felt like slowing down so I did. I went through 21.1km half way point at 1:35.28, still a good time. My heartbeat monitor must have been out of batteries as it was not working but i figured my pulse was about 172-5. High for me, but I was pushing it. Just after this point, I was very pleasant supprised to see Julie Schmidt on a bike patroling this section of the race when she called out encouragement. Julie and Lloyd Schimdt organized the ENDURrun [.com] event in August. She biked along side a bit and we chatted - she is always so positive.
Looking at my split times [you can download them after tonight from my blog: runchrisrun.blogspot.com] my pace was good with the typical slight progression to longer split times/km till about 25km. We were now heading south on the Leslie Spit and I saw people who i had passed earlier passing me. My splits were going at 5:07 +/-7sec now. I was feeling low on water now and still only taking little sips of water at each station [~2.5km]. I had to take some gel at 25km for the next hour. For the next 5km I hung in at 5:10 average pace, but I was getting tired. "I wonder if I should drop out". "If this was a training run and a friend drove by and offered a ride, I'd have to be careful open the door all the way as I dash into the passenger seat!". "It would be silly to drop out here. I only ever dropped out of one race [ironically, a 1500m at "The Baron's" track meet in early 1980's due to stomach cramps!]". "I can't drop out here because so many people have pledged $, I can't disappoint". "Drop out? No! Then I'd have to WALK back anyways!". So, at 30km, i dropped the pace, and decided to let this go. No point getting hurt. And besides, I was tired. So, my split times climbed to the mid 6min and I just plodded along, taking an extra few rest steps through the water stations. Finished off the rest of my gel, took some water each time. A guy, passing me asked about the ENDURrun shirt I was wearing and I encouraged him to look at the new lovely website.
The CN Tower was still looking FAR away, 8km to go. Gosh, it looked far away. But i knew from experience that you can sneak up on it from behind, under the cover of small buildings and other runners. And after a few km of 6 1/2 min, it gets a little closer.
Pretty soon, the tall downtown buildings were getting close, and still the CN tower didn't know I was coming along slowly. The stretch past Redpath Sugar is pretty industrial and ugly, but it is just east of downtown. Running past it, it seemed that the volunteers at the water stations were cheering, hollering, and yelling a lot louder, saying "you can do it", "it is only a 5km race now!", and "you are almost there". You know, they are right. Hey, all good things come to an end. So do stomach cramps. Still light on the water, Redpath sugar was behind me, and there was only 3km to go. I picked it up and did 2 km at 5:10, 5:56, and 5:10 [where did that one come from?]. At 41km Lloyd Schmidt was there, again another cheering friend. He last saw me finish a 3:21, but now it was 3:25 and I still had 1.2km left. Turning north, under a bridge, and at the last corner, there another live band playing a great reggae tune. Only 500m left and now just a little extra kick to finish off. Elise is holding Issy about 100m before the finish line and they are both happy to see me finally. Emma is waving like crazy and is already turning and heading to the finish line shute. I cross at 3:32:16. The last little kick over few km was all out of me and I was a little vertically challenged. The volunteers are quick to help you along and having someone to keep you straight is a good thing. I was a little dizzy and thirsty - go figure - so she decided a quick drink and lie-down would be in order. In the tent the doctor did the routine pulse and blood pressure, and asked me my name.
A few details to fill out her stats form. Within 1 minute I had some water, feet up, pulse only 130, and was feeling good. I got up after a couple of minutes as Elise and girls would be looking for me. I thanked the nice people and was on my merry way - for food and drink of course! Oh ya, and ought to pick up my medal. It was nice to see Elise, Emma, and Izzy, Emma caring for me excessively kindly. Elise had found out where the massage location was. We got some bagels, drinks, banana, and headed to get my gym bag and to the massage. All was well and I appologized to Elise for coming through later than expected and giving her 15minutes of stress as she watched for me to emerge around the last corner. My name did not appear on the signup list for massage and there was a half hour wait. Only 11 tables. Crazy. I was heading to Quebec with OMAFRA colleagues that afternoon for 3 days and a massage would have made the hours in the van much easier. But we had to get home so no point wasting time at that "schmozel".
Well, as I said, always something to discover with a run. It was very cool to be seeing the front runners. I saw and cheered on 75yr old Ed Whiltlock of Milton on the Leslie Spit enroute to his world record 3:08:35. He was coming back in while I was heading out the 5km stretch. Yes, I was whumped by a 75yr old. I was also behind 2 women from Guelph, but if I had held my pace I would have been the 2nd person from guelph across the line. Next time. A week later, good resting, all is well. Did 2 runs of ~8.2km this weekend in 35min. Nice to run again, but I can still feel my ankles and the reminders of the 25.5km Chicopee Ski Hill race that was part of the ENDURrun. November and December's rest will be good for these poor ligaments and tendons. And, best yet!!!! The Niagara Falls marathon is on the 22nd Oct!. Stay tuned for the next report if they let me across the border. Four marathons in 4 months and I'll be ready to put my feet up for a while.
Thanks again for all the pledges. Chris
A brief recap, the waterfront marathon raised $750k for all its charities. So great! I was hoping for a 3:15 to 3:17. This would have taken about 5 minutes off my PB. I went to the run with my friend Patrick and his neighbour Elka. I was staying at my sister Andrea's place. I lost track of time and was a little late, only to fall down the last step of the stairs as i went down in the dark. I understand why their hardwood floors are called hard. Into Patrick's CRV downtown, and got a good parking spot. I took a wee power snack ~45min before the starting time, not my usual routine. It was a large start as the half and full marathon both started at 7am. I got a poor starting location too far back, so i spend the first 3km weaving in and out of traffic despite being right on pace for at 3:15hr. So, first km in 4:34 minutes. A 3:15hr time requires a 4:37/km pace. Second and third km were 4:20s as the congestion got a little thinner. Km 4,5,6 were still at 4:22 pace, but it was around here as we were heading into the windy 10km stretch east along the lakeshore that stomach cramps were appearing. Maybe the banana and 1/2 powerbar shortly before the run wasn't such a good idea! So, you can still run with cramps fairly well, it is just quite uncomfortable, but this time they were getting quite "noticable" and by 10km I was only able to take shallow breaths. The African race leaders were heading back
towards downtown breezing along. Amazing to see. Around 12km we started to double back and now with the wind. I was taking water at the stations in small amounts - too much would cause cramps, but too little would not dilute the extra carbohydrates in my tummy causing grief. But water was a good thing on a humid morning. The rain was holding off and there was even a little sunshine peeking through. At 55minutes I took a little gel to keep me going over the next hour, but this of course was not going to be helping my tummy a bit.
Around 20km we are going through the southern edge to downtown again past the Harbourfront area. If Elise had had luck finding parking she would have been there with Emma and Isabelle. Alas I pass through the area and concluded parking was still a challenge. Touching my tummy I had the interesting experience of seeing what a very cramped gut looks like - quite concave and very tight. I don't have beauty rippling abs [explains the only reason why you havn't seem me on the cover of one of those silly Men's Health mag]. You always learn something about yourself on a run and today was tummy's time. After 20km I guess my breathing was taking a toll as I was starting to get a little tired. I went through the halfway point at 1:35hr At 22km I was still on a 3:14hr pace - perfect for a 3:16 finish if all was going well. I was running along with one of the two jugglers, this guy was from Chicogo [sp?] and he was the second one. The first juggler was already ahead and ended up getting a world record at 2:28hrs. Interesting comments from the spectators.
But I felt like slowing down so I did. I went through 21.1km half way point at 1:35.28, still a good time. My heartbeat monitor must have been out of batteries as it was not working but i figured my pulse was about 172-5. High for me, but I was pushing it. Just after this point, I was very pleasant supprised to see Julie Schmidt on a bike patroling this section of the race when she called out encouragement. Julie and Lloyd Schimdt organized the ENDURrun [.com] event in August. She biked along side a bit and we chatted - she is always so positive.
Looking at my split times [you can download them after tonight from my blog: runchrisrun.blogspot.com] my pace was good with the typical slight progression to longer split times/km till about 25km. We were now heading south on the Leslie Spit and I saw people who i had passed earlier passing me. My splits were going at 5:07 +/-7sec now. I was feeling low on water now and still only taking little sips of water at each station [~2.5km]. I had to take some gel at 25km for the next hour. For the next 5km I hung in at 5:10 average pace, but I was getting tired. "I wonder if I should drop out". "If this was a training run and a friend drove by and offered a ride, I'd have to be careful open the door all the way as I dash into the passenger seat!". "It would be silly to drop out here. I only ever dropped out of one race [ironically, a 1500m at "The Baron's" track meet in early 1980's due to stomach cramps!]". "I can't drop out here because so many people have pledged $, I can't disappoint". "Drop out? No! Then I'd have to WALK back anyways!". So, at 30km, i dropped the pace, and decided to let this go. No point getting hurt. And besides, I was tired. So, my split times climbed to the mid 6min and I just plodded along, taking an extra few rest steps through the water stations. Finished off the rest of my gel, took some water each time. A guy, passing me asked about the ENDURrun shirt I was wearing and I encouraged him to look at the new lovely website.
The CN Tower was still looking FAR away, 8km to go. Gosh, it looked far away. But i knew from experience that you can sneak up on it from behind, under the cover of small buildings and other runners. And after a few km of 6 1/2 min, it gets a little closer.
Pretty soon, the tall downtown buildings were getting close, and still the CN tower didn't know I was coming along slowly. The stretch past Redpath Sugar is pretty industrial and ugly, but it is just east of downtown. Running past it, it seemed that the volunteers at the water stations were cheering, hollering, and yelling a lot louder, saying "you can do it", "it is only a 5km race now!", and "you are almost there". You know, they are right. Hey, all good things come to an end. So do stomach cramps. Still light on the water, Redpath sugar was behind me, and there was only 3km to go. I picked it up and did 2 km at 5:10, 5:56, and 5:10 [where did that one come from?]. At 41km Lloyd Schmidt was there, again another cheering friend. He last saw me finish a 3:21, but now it was 3:25 and I still had 1.2km left. Turning north, under a bridge, and at the last corner, there another live band playing a great reggae tune. Only 500m left and now just a little extra kick to finish off. Elise is holding Issy about 100m before the finish line and they are both happy to see me finally. Emma is waving like crazy and is already turning and heading to the finish line shute. I cross at 3:32:16. The last little kick over few km was all out of me and I was a little vertically challenged. The volunteers are quick to help you along and having someone to keep you straight is a good thing. I was a little dizzy and thirsty - go figure - so she decided a quick drink and lie-down would be in order. In the tent the doctor did the routine pulse and blood pressure, and asked me my name.
A few details to fill out her stats form. Within 1 minute I had some water, feet up, pulse only 130, and was feeling good. I got up after a couple of minutes as Elise and girls would be looking for me. I thanked the nice people and was on my merry way - for food and drink of course! Oh ya, and ought to pick up my medal. It was nice to see Elise, Emma, and Izzy, Emma caring for me excessively kindly. Elise had found out where the massage location was. We got some bagels, drinks, banana, and headed to get my gym bag and to the massage. All was well and I appologized to Elise for coming through later than expected and giving her 15minutes of stress as she watched for me to emerge around the last corner. My name did not appear on the signup list for massage and there was a half hour wait. Only 11 tables. Crazy. I was heading to Quebec with OMAFRA colleagues that afternoon for 3 days and a massage would have made the hours in the van much easier. But we had to get home so no point wasting time at that "schmozel".
Well, as I said, always something to discover with a run. It was very cool to be seeing the front runners. I saw and cheered on 75yr old Ed Whiltlock of Milton on the Leslie Spit enroute to his world record 3:08:35. He was coming back in while I was heading out the 5km stretch. Yes, I was whumped by a 75yr old. I was also behind 2 women from Guelph, but if I had held my pace I would have been the 2nd person from guelph across the line. Next time. A week later, good resting, all is well. Did 2 runs of ~8.2km this weekend in 35min. Nice to run again, but I can still feel my ankles and the reminders of the 25.5km Chicopee Ski Hill race that was part of the ENDURrun. November and December's rest will be good for these poor ligaments and tendons. And, best yet!!!! The Niagara Falls marathon is on the 22nd Oct!. Stay tuned for the next report if they let me across the border. Four marathons in 4 months and I'll be ready to put my feet up for a while.
Thanks again for all the pledges. Chris
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