Nova Scotia: Not Up to the Half? Run the Full!

[Sanders]

The original plan was to try for a PB at the Nova Scotia Half Marathon in Barrington. As the race approached, it became apparent that my training and preparation were totally inadequate and that I wouldn’t likely meet my goal. A few days before the race, I started thinking about running the full marathon at a relaxed pace in order to see more of Cape Sable Island. I finally decided to switch on the morning of the race.

I ran the first 16 miles enjoying the company of bicycle.boy, slowing him down so that he wouldn’t burn out in his first marathon. We parted ways when I had to stop for a port-a-potty break. Amusingly, when I left the john and tried to run again I realized that I had strained a muscle while squatting and I staggered for a while until I recovered my stride. I ran the rest of the marathon by myself occasionally passing runners. I finished in 4:05. When I got to the finish, the announcer told a story about this crazy guy from Montreal who switched to the full on the morning of the race.

In the end I was very happy with my decision. Some of the best scenery on the course is found in the second half. The Nova Scotia Marathon is a small town race and has the associated charms. I was really impressed by the system they had to provide runners with their gels and special drinks at the water stands. One volunteer even opened my gel for me as I approached. At the end of the race, we were served fish chowder and pie.

All in all I had a delightful weekend with bicycle.boy, Ceilidh on the Run and my new friends, COTR’s daughters. Also had a much-appreciated M&G on Friday with Caro and drghfx in downtown Halifax.

[Stephan]

Well done my friend!!!!! Glad you enjoyed it!!!! It's always a blessing to be running anywhere and to do it with great company and scenery is awsome.

Fish chowder after a race........I gotta do that one next year.

[drghfx]

Great job Jeffery!

That's got to be one of the strangest (and funniest) marathon injuries ever! Good thing it didn't cause a DNF!

PS. Thanks for the brewski! I owe you one!

[trixiee]

Is this course Hilly? Silly question, I suppose, afterall we are talking Nova Scotia here!

Congrats Sanders.

Too bad you had to strain so hard in the bathroom. Maybe add a bit more fibre to your diet?

[Jo-Jo]

Too bad you had to strain so hard in the bathroom. Maybe add a bit more fibre to your diet?

ROFL.

Good job Sanders...I can just picture the announcer talking about you

[Hermes]

The original plan was to try for a PB at the Nova Scotia Half Marathon in Barrington. As the race approached, it became apparent that my training and preparation were totally inadequate and that I wouldn’t likely meet my goal. A few days before the race, I started thinking about running the full marathon at a relaxed pace in order to see more of Cape Sable Island. I finally decided to switch on the morning of the race.

Perfect logic! Only someone who runs under the name of Sanders, and is a distant relation of the Pooh Bear, would a) think that it made perfect sense to run a marathon when you haven't trained hard enough to meet your half marathon goal, because you'd see more of the scenery... and b) injure yourself, not while running, but while taking a port-a-potty break.

Well done on the marathon, my sweet! Sorry I wasn't there, of course. Glad to hear it was so much fun, and apparently well worth repeating!

[Sanders]

Is this course Hilly?:

Not very. I'd classify it as flat, although there are a few gentle slopes.

Maybe add a bit more fibre to your diet?

I didn't have my morning coffee.

Good job Sanders...I can just picture the announcer talking about you

Same announcer as at the Cabot Trail.

[Ed Fizz]

Not ready for a half but pulls off a full...

[Doonst]

Makes sense to me! Sounds like a great race.

[RA.]

Great job, Jeffrey! I may have to check that one out sometime. Sorry I missed you Friday night.

[Lightning]

Very fun report to read! Congrats on running another marathon.

[Nicholas]

That's got to be one of the strangest (and funniest) marathon injuries ever! Good thing it didn't cause a DNF!!

DNF being Do Not Fart?


Nice run, Jeffrey.

[CeilidhOnTheRun]

We're so glad you came!
Only a runner would be crazy enough opt to run an extra 21.1k just so he wouldn't miss the scenery on the other half of the Island!
We had a fantastic time hanging out with you. And thanks for everything, including the enterataining storytime in the van

[AirForceRunner]

WOW!!! It takes a great deal of confidence to say "ah, to heck with it, I'll just run the full".
Well done, and keep 'practicing your form' so that injury doesn't reoccur.

[bicycle.boy]

It was an honour and a privilege to run with you on Sunday, and it certainly made a huge difference in both my time, and the time I had. We should do it again soon! (Oh, and I think you placed fifth in your age group - congrats!)

[Dr. S]

The original plan was to try for a PB at the Nova Scotia Half Marathon in Barrington. As the race approached, it became apparent that my training and preparation were totally inadequate and that I wouldn’t likely meet my goal. A few days before the race, I started thinking about running the full marathon at a relaxed pace in order to see more of Cape Sable Island. I finally decided to switch on the morning of the race.

Perfect logic! Only someone who runs under the name of Sanders, and is a distant relation of the Pooh Bear, would a) think that it made perfect sense to run a marathon when you haven't trained hard enough to meet your half marathon goal, because you'd see more of the scenery... and b) injure yourself, not while running, but while taking a port-a-potty break.

Well done on the marathon, my sweet! Sorry I wasn't there, of course. Glad to hear it was so much fun, and apparently well worth repeating!

definitely men's logic!! haha your report made me laugh, nice of you to pace our first timer to a great half! Good job on another marathon under your belt, I wish I could swing a marathon like you do!

[q]

Dude you pulled what in the port-a-potty????

Seriously....

??????!!!!!!!???????

[JacSprat]

Great job Sounds like a good decision you made
Sorry I missed your visit

[Stella]

A marathon Sanders style. I love it!!!!

Glad you had a good time! I'm totally jealous that you got to hang out with the 'fax crew, but I guess I can't complain seeing as how I got to hang with Q, run_longer and his family and witness lone_runner's first 70.3!!!

I hope to see and run with you soon!!

Heather

[Robbie-T]

Great work Sanders!

Hey isn't this almost the same story as Boston, ..." we'll I'm under trained, I'll run a marathon anyway"?

Try not to make a habit of this