Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon 2009

Well, I went into this race with it being my first ever running race, fighting a cold, a low, but seemingly attainable, goal time (1:45), and a confidence that I could do this race, and then easily upgrade to a full marathon.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

So far, this race had to be the toughest thing I have ever endured. Which is weird because if you had talked to me or seen me for the first 16.5 km, you wouldn't have noticed, nor would I have felt that. However, at roughly the 16.5 marker (the aid station) I bonked hard!

I stopped to take in some water and immediately felt as though I was going to pass out due to dizziness. I drank a couple of glasses of water, thought that that would help me continue for the rest of the race, and began running again. My legs were sluggish, my brain fizzed out, and I was felt stranded physically and mentally for the last 4.5km. In what I thought would be a strong finish and a good showing for my first ever 1/2 marathon became a nightmare!

It started in the car actually. I left later than I had initally intended thinking I could easily get into the city to park...HUGE mistake! This left me having to pee in the parking lot and speed walk to Nathan Phillip Square from King/Spadina. I got to the course with 10minutes to spare (no warm up) and was at the back of my corral, which put me 11 minutes behind the horn and stuck behind the slow runners/walkers for the race. It took me 14 minutes to get through the congestion of the crowd and then I found some open sidewalk to try and make up time. I didn't gain the 4 minutes back (I was hoping to average 5minute splits), but I didn't lose anytime either until I bonked. I held a good 5:20 average from the 2km marker until the 16km marker. I should be happy with that as that was the longest I have ever ran in one continuous run (did not opt for the 10:00 run/1:00 walk format), but the carnage that played out on my legs and in my brain for the last bit were more of a discouragement.

I won't go into great detail about what happened mentally, but let's just say that I was pretty sad/upset with myself for the last few kilometers. Physically, my legs were holding up, but becoming very heavy and beginning to tighten up really bad. I had no more motivation, the sounds of the race seemed to go away, the crowds were gone, even the runners seemed to thin out. I felt completely and utterly alone, which scared me. It wasn't until the 500m to go marker came into view that I thought I could actually finish this race. The on going joke before the race was that a half dead me would be crossing the line right behind the full marathon winner would finish with ease. Funny thing is...that is EXACTLY what happened! I look over, everyone is going nuts, and with 50m to go, zoom! the winner flies by me finishing in record time!

I finished with 1:57:15, which is good because that means I finished. After the slow start, I was gearing for a 1:50 finish time, but that didn't hold up (but it did look like it was going to for quite a while so I am still happy with that!). My I.T. bands are still exacting their revenge for being put through that hell. I thought I had done something to my L.C.L. the pain was so bad after the race. I tried to get groceries that afternoon and was biting my lower lip to keep from screaming in pain with every step. Today the sharp stabbing pain in my knee is gone, but the dull stiff pain in the side of my legs are still there. Hopefully they'll be better by Wednesday so that I can get out running again. I have to achieve my 1:45 - 1:50 goal for the Toronto Marathon in 3 weeks!

First Running Race

This weekend I embarking on my first running race, the Scotiabank Waterfront 1/2 Marathon. It should be good, but I haven't been able to run this week because of a bad cold that I haven't been able to get rid of for 2 weeks now. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm more worried about the pre--race stuff: parking, what to do with my bag, finding the pacer, getting a good warm up in, all that stuff. Once the race starts, I'll be fine. If this race goes well, I might move up to the full marathon for the Toronto Marathon (currently registered in the 1/2 marathon).

Wish me luck!

Wasaga Sprint Triathlon

How does the saying go? Save the best for last? Well, that's what I did! Putting down some of my best times of the year, I had my best finish of the year in my last race of the year. I place 39/311 and 7/30 in my age group. It was bittersweet though, as I felt that I could have ran a little harder, and not messed up in T2 (went down the wrong row), which could have given me the 2 minutes I needed to get on the podium. Oh well. For a rookie, I'm plenty happy.

The Swim: At an average of 2:10 per 100m, I was happy to be out of the water. My time was 127 overall, putting me behind the 8 ball eary (as usual). It was a very rough swim, as since it is Wasaga, it is extremely shallow and difficult to swim. I tried diving, running, swimming, but I could not get comfortable until the deeper water. Then, I had difficulty getting into a strong stroke/breating rhythm. Add the rough waters, and it was difficult going out to the first buoy. The swim across was smooth, and the swim to shore was great. To save my legs, as the water got really shallow about 200m from shore, I relaxed my legs and grabbed the ground and pulled myself. I felt this was most effective as I was not as tired as others exiting the water because I wasn't running in thigh deep water.

The Bike: Great! That's about it. I passed about 60 or so people. I finished with the 16th fastest time, and if I can improve my swimming over the winter, I will be able to compete for a podium in a lot of races next year. The road was smooth, gradual inclines and declines, and well shaded. The opening was flat, so you could flush your legs out after the swim. I was blocked on a descent which really upset me, as the rider in front of me had 2 opportunities to move left (which I clearly communicated to him well in advance). What bothered me most was that this allowed other racers to catch up and complain that I was blocking (which I politely yelled that I wasn't, and when the blocker moved over I showed that I wasn't by speeding up to 55km/h and finishing the ride above 40km/h avg).

The Run: Although the bike was great, it left my feet completely numb. All my right toes had no feeling in them, and the last 3 toes felt as though they were being roughly cut by a handsaw with each step. I began at a 5:00/km pace, but knew I could go faster. Around the 3km - 4km mark I sped up as the blood started flowing to my toes, passing 3 runners in front of me. In the last km, I passed a person in my age group while running up a hill, and finished the straight-away at a strong pace, ensuring a strong finish.

Overall: I liked this race. I had heard a lot of negative things about Wasaga from past years, but it was a really nice course (obviously the good result helps me like it!), and the weather was great (which helps).I'd like to return next year to try and get a podium, but I also want to do Muskoka 70.3 next year, and if they are on the same weekend again, I'll opt for Muskoka.

So that's it for triathlons, now time for Marathon season. I've never done a running race before, and I have my first 1/2 marathon in 2 weeks: the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Should be good. I can't see it being anymore physically straining than the triathlons in Bala, Orillia, or Guelph, so I should be able to complete the whole 1/2 marathon without a break. My goal time is 1:45 to 1:50. I'd like to avg 5:00/km, but that may seem unreasonable. I'll let you know!

Guelph Lakes 2

Finally! Some nice weather to race in. I had to wake up earlier than normal (4:50) to get to the race site, but the later start allowed me to sleep in a little bit so I didn't have to wake up at 4:00. The water was great, very smooth, and a nice temperature. Very dirty though, despite having HD goggles, the water was so thick you could not see the bottom at all.

The Swim: Probably my best in water swim time this season. I felt strong and confident, and swimming straight made a big difference. I was able to see everything around me as I spotted and in the last 100m, spotted a group ahead of me that I was determined to catch before exiting the water...and I did! However, my time was 17:49 because of the 500m+ run from the water to transition. I was disappointed because I really felt as though I put in a strong time in the water that was hindered because of the long run.

The Bike: what a fiasco! They decided to start the duathlon at roughly the same time as the first wave started for the triathlon, so by the time I was ready to mount for the bike (I was 2nd wave), my wave AND the duathletes were all trying to mount at the same time! It was ridiculous. For the entire 30km, I never had a breathe of fresh air around me. I was always jammed in the middle of a group, with idiots crossing the centre line to pass, passing on the inside, swerving throughout the pack to get through. It was really silly. I had a decent bike time (54min), but I probably could have broken 50:00 for 30km if I had had clean air. I did my best to pass as many groups as possible, but every time I would, a drafting group (lots of those out there...as seen by the penalty list posted at the end of the race) would envelope me and pin me in as I would attempt to pass a rider, thus slowing me down. Oh well.

The Run: started off strong...really strong. And, I felt good. I got myself into a group that were running fast, but also had a good rhythm. I was feeling strong and got to the turn around (3.5km) in about 16min, which would have given me a PB for 7km. However just before the turn around I developed a stich in my right side that didn't subside, and I had to slow my pace down and try and breathe it out. I finally got it out after running a slow through the 4km and 5km markers, then picked it up for the 6km marker and sprinted (downhill) through the finish line. Not the best time (34:49...4:59/km) but I was happy that I was able to push myself harder for the first half, and hopefully I will be able to maintain that type of pace in future races.

Overall: a really nice race, great course, great weather, well organized. I disliked the long uphill run from the water to transition, and obviously, the fact that there were so many people mounting at one time on the bike course.

I will definitely do this course next June (Guelph Lakes 1) as my very first Olympic distance race the day, and possibly use the Guelph Lakes 2 sprint in September to warm me up for the Muskoka 70.3, which I will be doing to attempt my very first half Ironman.

Sable Optic RS 922 review

so after a year of swimming with old/cheap goggles, starting races crossing my fingers that I have a tight enough seal, I decided to unload on a pair of sable optic goggles. One word: WOW!!

I wore them for the first time last week and at one point I was literally laughing while I swam. It is amazing how clear everything is. It is like HD under water. Incredible.

I haven't worn them in a race yet...will be doing that this weekend in Guelph. But if they are anything like they are in the pool, this could be a whole new ball game. I'm sure the other participants will be happy I got them too, as I can now see them and won't be karate chopping them in the back of the head while I swim up on them. Hmmm, maybe I should get them to pitch in some money to help with the cost!

I'll add to this review after saturday's race to let you know how they are in open water and a race environment.

Open Water Swim Review: AWESOME! I now swim straight, can see anything and everything. The only problem is that now that I can see everything, I want to spot every stroke!