Doonst finally runs a marathon
Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:35 pm
Sunday, May 27, 7 AM. Set off with faithful sidekick dgrant on the last 42.2 K of my 3 year, 5000 K marathon. Okay, I'm the sidekick. If I had a beer for every time someone said, "this is your first?, I thought you'd done 1/2/3 already..." Jeesh, you do a couple dozen halfs and people think you've been running forever. For the record this is the third anniversary of when I first even thought of trying running.
So we set off crossing the line in 59 seconds. Cool running along Wellington and all the government buildings. Gatineau was alright, nice to mix it up. I didn't really find it hilly, inclines at best. Dave and I were running pretty good, maybe a little fast. Tried to keep it easy, kept forcing ourselves to chill. I jumped into the bushes around 6K, caught up by 7. Dave said Jacc had flown by. My mantra, currently my sig, was
"The first half should feel like a party,
the next 10 should feel comfortable,
and then you start to dig"
I was determined to keep the first half stress-free, enjoyable, and social. Lots of time to focus later when I needed it. Its always great to run with Dave, he is such a keen runner, a real enthusiast. I'm glad he was there to share the first third of the race. Thanks pal. Before you know it we're across the bridge and the 10 K mat. Sussex was pleasant, then into Rockliffe. My family was waiting at the 15 K mark, near my brother's house. 2 nieces, 2 brothers, 2 parents, Heather the S.O., my dog Bud, and unknownst to me, the whole block were cheering me on, thanks to 4 year old nieces' "Go Uncle Sheldon"sign. Do I look happy or what?
You can see Dave about 20 meters back, I never saw him again after that.
Immediately ran into AlfiefromPickering. He said he was finding it a tough day, we were close together for about 3 or 4 K. My family ran down Birch Ave to see me again at the 17 K mark, more pictures and movies.
Into New Edinburgh, there was a great cheering section there before Sussex. Back along that, seeing Holymoly again on the sidelines, and by the market and art gallery. I was feeling very good, it seemed easy going and right on track. Crossed the halfway mat in 1:50.
Part two, the canal out and back. According to my mantra, I knew the fun times were replaced with focus. Go time. Here, I was saying, stay comfortable. Concentrate not so much on pace, that should be steady, but on caring for your body. The distance seemed to fly by, beore I knew it I was at the 24 K Maniac cheering post. Irongirl was nice enough to remind me that Jacc was in front of me by about 3 minutes, and that i should try to catch him
I shrugged it off, I was racing myself, that and 3 minutes seemed like a lot. Around 25 I had my third gel; plan was 5 K, 15, 25 and 35. I also drank at every water station, usually Gatorade. I find it better to regiment these things, in case I don't feel like it; I don't think about it, just do it according to plan.
From 25 K on my mantra was, "I'm comfy, I'm comfy." Telling myself that I was feeling good, and i was. Then I figured, the plan was to maybe stay comfy to 32 k, then maybe34. I knew it would get tough, question was when. I had a slight calf twinge start around 27 K, I treated it as a plus because it forced me not to push too hard too soon. Cooled it a bit through here and it was fine. Even out the farthest stretch of the canal, when the crowds thinned out, things seemed to be coming along quickly. Soon enough we were at the 30 K mat, then the big turnaround. Started to see people struggling here, and I was passing more all the time. The hill up the bridge didn't seem to bad, I caught myself charging up it a bit, NOT according to plan. Then we were heading home!
I knew about the arboreteum loop, and how it can seem depressing if you let it because you aren't making any progress towards the finish line. I was determined not to let it get to me. It was focus time. Less than a k later, back on track towards the line.
Around 37 K I caught up to Jacc, exchanged pleasantries, and powered past. Then we had the half marathon people join in after Dow's Lake, with a new set of challenges. It did get crowded, and many were struggling or just going slow. There was less order to the road, fast and slow people all mixed up. By this point, 38 K, I knew I was going to pull it off. I thought here of Robbie-T and his great advice as to what to do and how it would feel along this stretch. Thanks to you, mentor guy. I was having such a time, i had fun with the crowds weaving in and out to pass. It wasn't frustrating it was exhilarating! That's how good I was feeling, doing the math for my results. Last 2 Ks I finally was confident enough to kick it, last 2 splits were 4:57 and 4:39 pace. I didn't fade! I literally never slowed down the entire race; my only splits over 5:20 were the first (crowds) and the ones that I walked through the water stations. Final chip time was 3:40:56.8. That is a 5:16 pace. Garmin said I had gone 42.91 K at 5:09 pace. I had figured i would do around 3:50, and said I would be giddy if I broke 3:45. I'm giddy. As much as for my time, is that I did it strong end to end, and finished healthy.
Shortly after I crossed, my calfs and quads really started to hurt. Saw Run26.2, and got my medal from Bebette. Waiting to get my chip cut off, the pain really set in. Crowds here were nasty; I actually went around the food tent because it was so crazy, but then went back. As soon as I ate something, my muscles were fine! I sure didn't stick around for long, as soon as I found my ride I was out of there. In the rain I was shivering. At this point I was both ecstatic and miserable.
Back at brother's house i showered, ate, and laid on the couch all afternoon with equal parts napping, beer, and surfing RM an Sportstats. Off to a great M&G, good company and good food. Thanks everybody for all that.
Monday morning, we took the dog for a 3 K walk down by the river. Wasn't my idea, but it was a good one. I felt totally fine, just a little slow. Driving home 5 hours my calfs started to twitch a bit, and I was a little stiff getting out of the car. Really no big deal though, I've felt worse after a race before. I pulled it off! Injury free, and ahead of my dream time, I'm a happy guy. I thank you all.
P.S. I'm 4:58 to Boston.
So we set off crossing the line in 59 seconds. Cool running along Wellington and all the government buildings. Gatineau was alright, nice to mix it up. I didn't really find it hilly, inclines at best. Dave and I were running pretty good, maybe a little fast. Tried to keep it easy, kept forcing ourselves to chill. I jumped into the bushes around 6K, caught up by 7. Dave said Jacc had flown by. My mantra, currently my sig, was
"The first half should feel like a party,
the next 10 should feel comfortable,
and then you start to dig"
I was determined to keep the first half stress-free, enjoyable, and social. Lots of time to focus later when I needed it. Its always great to run with Dave, he is such a keen runner, a real enthusiast. I'm glad he was there to share the first third of the race. Thanks pal. Before you know it we're across the bridge and the 10 K mat. Sussex was pleasant, then into Rockliffe. My family was waiting at the 15 K mark, near my brother's house. 2 nieces, 2 brothers, 2 parents, Heather the S.O., my dog Bud, and unknownst to me, the whole block were cheering me on, thanks to 4 year old nieces' "Go Uncle Sheldon"sign. Do I look happy or what?
You can see Dave about 20 meters back, I never saw him again after that.
Immediately ran into AlfiefromPickering. He said he was finding it a tough day, we were close together for about 3 or 4 K. My family ran down Birch Ave to see me again at the 17 K mark, more pictures and movies.
Into New Edinburgh, there was a great cheering section there before Sussex. Back along that, seeing Holymoly again on the sidelines, and by the market and art gallery. I was feeling very good, it seemed easy going and right on track. Crossed the halfway mat in 1:50.
Part two, the canal out and back. According to my mantra, I knew the fun times were replaced with focus. Go time. Here, I was saying, stay comfortable. Concentrate not so much on pace, that should be steady, but on caring for your body. The distance seemed to fly by, beore I knew it I was at the 24 K Maniac cheering post. Irongirl was nice enough to remind me that Jacc was in front of me by about 3 minutes, and that i should try to catch him
I shrugged it off, I was racing myself, that and 3 minutes seemed like a lot. Around 25 I had my third gel; plan was 5 K, 15, 25 and 35. I also drank at every water station, usually Gatorade. I find it better to regiment these things, in case I don't feel like it; I don't think about it, just do it according to plan.
From 25 K on my mantra was, "I'm comfy, I'm comfy." Telling myself that I was feeling good, and i was. Then I figured, the plan was to maybe stay comfy to 32 k, then maybe34. I knew it would get tough, question was when. I had a slight calf twinge start around 27 K, I treated it as a plus because it forced me not to push too hard too soon. Cooled it a bit through here and it was fine. Even out the farthest stretch of the canal, when the crowds thinned out, things seemed to be coming along quickly. Soon enough we were at the 30 K mat, then the big turnaround. Started to see people struggling here, and I was passing more all the time. The hill up the bridge didn't seem to bad, I caught myself charging up it a bit, NOT according to plan. Then we were heading home!
I knew about the arboreteum loop, and how it can seem depressing if you let it because you aren't making any progress towards the finish line. I was determined not to let it get to me. It was focus time. Less than a k later, back on track towards the line.
Around 37 K I caught up to Jacc, exchanged pleasantries, and powered past. Then we had the half marathon people join in after Dow's Lake, with a new set of challenges. It did get crowded, and many were struggling or just going slow. There was less order to the road, fast and slow people all mixed up. By this point, 38 K, I knew I was going to pull it off. I thought here of Robbie-T and his great advice as to what to do and how it would feel along this stretch. Thanks to you, mentor guy. I was having such a time, i had fun with the crowds weaving in and out to pass. It wasn't frustrating it was exhilarating! That's how good I was feeling, doing the math for my results. Last 2 Ks I finally was confident enough to kick it, last 2 splits were 4:57 and 4:39 pace. I didn't fade! I literally never slowed down the entire race; my only splits over 5:20 were the first (crowds) and the ones that I walked through the water stations. Final chip time was 3:40:56.8. That is a 5:16 pace. Garmin said I had gone 42.91 K at 5:09 pace. I had figured i would do around 3:50, and said I would be giddy if I broke 3:45. I'm giddy. As much as for my time, is that I did it strong end to end, and finished healthy.
Shortly after I crossed, my calfs and quads really started to hurt. Saw Run26.2, and got my medal from Bebette. Waiting to get my chip cut off, the pain really set in. Crowds here were nasty; I actually went around the food tent because it was so crazy, but then went back. As soon as I ate something, my muscles were fine! I sure didn't stick around for long, as soon as I found my ride I was out of there. In the rain I was shivering. At this point I was both ecstatic and miserable.
Back at brother's house i showered, ate, and laid on the couch all afternoon with equal parts napping, beer, and surfing RM an Sportstats. Off to a great M&G, good company and good food. Thanks everybody for all that.
Monday morning, we took the dog for a 3 K walk down by the river. Wasn't my idea, but it was a good one. I felt totally fine, just a little slow. Driving home 5 hours my calfs started to twitch a bit, and I was a little stiff getting out of the car. Really no big deal though, I've felt worse after a race before. I pulled it off! Injury free, and ahead of my dream time, I'm a happy guy. I thank you all.
P.S. I'm 4:58 to Boston.
You are an amazing runner...and a pretty nice guy too 
:whistle: