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Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:07 am
by Habs4ever
This is marathon #8 for me.
Gun time: 4:26:09
Chip time: 4:25:47
50-54 AG: 6/15
Gender: 45/132

I had signed up for this in May when I was riding high on the vast amounts of running I was doing for Calgary Ultra. I know training in the summer is always tough for me for various reasons, so I wasn't sure what to expect by the time September rolled around. Sure enough, running this summer was OK, but it definitely wasn't training.

The day started perfectly. Cool, but sunny and bright. I met up with Ian and his friend, by chance, and chatted with them for a few minutes. I reminded them both that I had told Steve that Brendan would win and Ian would come in top 5. As it turned out, Ian came in 4th, congratulations, and Brendan won for the 7th time (I think it is).
We started with the National Anthem, and everybody sang. I loved that, and got a bit choked up. With all the wars and conflicts going on around the world, it really made me pause to think how fortunate we are to live in the great, vast, peaceful country of Canada.
I went out with the intention of doing the first half sub 2. It felt way harder than it should have for the first half, but I squeezed in at 1:59:40 by my Garmin. I think on-line it showed a few seconds over 2, so I guess it took about 40 seconds to cross the start mat. I knew that holding that pace was going to be impossible for the rest of the race, so I backed off. It got warm around 25k and just wouldn't let up. There was little to no shade. I didn't want to do the death March, so just started doing run/walk combos. Run for 4-8 minutes walk for 1. I never let myself walk for more than 1 minute, so that's an improvement over just walking endlessly. The heat seemed pretty intense, then right near the end we got into an older section of town with huge trees. RELIEF! Then you cross back into the park where it all started and it was over! John Stanton was the one who put my medal around my neck. I'm like "Hey, John, how are you? Nice to see you again" :lol:
It was slow, but I didn't do the death march, and I feel pretty good today. My legs are a bit stiff, but I can walk and go up and down stairs fairly normally.

Highlights:
The volunteers were amazing, super friendly and doing their jobs
Showcased a beautiful part of Regina
Super well organized
Enough food for everyone, even later marathon finishers
A lady was handing out watermelon-what a nice treat for a dry mouth
A lady handing out ice. I took some for my hat and stuffed some down my bra

Lolights
It got hot and stayed hot with no cloud cover
I wasn't prepared as much as I wanted and it showed
The roads and pathways were full of potholes, you really had to watch your footing
Saw a few people staggering from the heat I asked if they were OK, they assured me they were. I kept going, I hope they were fine.
One fellow down (after the race) about a block from where we parked. People were attending to him.

I would definitely go back and do it again IF I could train better over the summer.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:38 am
by ian
Habs4ever wrote:I went out with the intention of doing the first half sub 2. It felt way harder than it should have for the first half, but I squeezed in at 1:59:40 by my Garmin... I knew that holding that pace was going to be impossible for the rest of the race, so I backed off.

Veteran move. Once it got hot, I was worried that my sub-2 suggestion could lead to a death march, but you obviously made the smart decision early enough to stay safe. It's also a reflection on your base fitness that you were able to settle in to the new pace. Even without ideal preparation, this race should have you in a good place for when you're ready to do your annual winter training push, and the pacing experience you gained will serve you well for the future race when everything else is falling into place.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:47 am
by purdy65
I concur with Ian. Sounds eerily similar to my 2012 Scotia marathon. I got to the half in 2:00, but definitely knew I wouldn't be able to keep that up.

The heat did not help I'm sure!

Congratulations on another marathon!

Enjoy the recovery!

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:15 am
by RA.
Congrats, Habs! Sounds like a good run for the day! I hope you're proud of yourself!

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:24 am
by Hammie
congratulations. you ran a very smart race, which is sometimes the hardest thing to do. I'm in exactly the same boat as you for Portland in a few weeks (running yes, training not really!), so I will try and channel my inner Habs to pace myself.

Well done on #8!

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:28 am
by Nicholas
Great race!! Smart mid-race adjustment to allow for the heat. Your training was not what you wanted but you delivered 100% on race day....can't ask for more than that. Next time, bring the bungee cord and attach it to Ian???

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:28 am
by HCcD
Way-da-Go, Habster .. another marathon in the books ...

fyi .. Ottawa Marathon registration just opened last week ... :shifty: :shock: :P :wink:

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:38 am
by grimskot
Congratulations! Nicely done, little or no training not withstanding :)

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:42 am
by Jwolf
Congratulations, Sue. 8 marathons is impressive. :)

You made the smart decision to reign it in soon after the half. Marathons are so difficult to pace properly, and those decisions often seem obvious after the fact but it's hard to make them on the fly.

Looking forward to seeing what's next for you!

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:57 am
by Joe Dwarf
Well done, and glad you enjoyed QCM! Not sure how it manages to be hot so often in early September though, you'd expect much cooler here historically.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:38 pm
by Robinandamelia
Congrats on #8 and great result in tough conditions. Very wise to evaluate the situation at the half and alter the game plan! Made for a great finish!

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:44 pm
by trixiee
Great work! :D :dance:

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:18 pm
by scrumhalfgirl
congrats on #8! that heat can really be a game changer - sounds like you made the smart move.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:43 pm
by Spirit Unleashed
Good job.

What was wrong with the shirt?

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:19 pm
by Habs4ever
Spirit wrote:Good job.

What was wrong with the shirt?

Nothing really....
2 rival football teams.
One named Saskatchewan Rough Riders, based in Regina. One named Winnipeg Blue Bombers, based in Winnipeg.
Regina and Winnipeg were playing on Sunday afternoon. Regina won.
The marathon race shirt looks eerily similar to the Rough Riders uniform jerseys.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:22 pm
by Joe Dwarf
Habs4ever wrote:The marathon race shirt looks eerily similar to the Rough Riders uniform jerseys.
So, it's basically the most perfect race shirt every designed. Nothing wrong with that.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:32 pm
by OLRunner
Congratulations! Sorry for posting in the wrong place. :oops:
Last year it was a "home" green/white shirt, this year an "away" shirt.
They had to get special permission last year to put the stripes on the shoulders.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:47 am
by Mark.AU
Well done. Making the right decision at the right time is, as Ian said, the hallmark of an experienced and disciplined racer. You got a nice result from a well executed race.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:29 pm
by La
Yay, Habs! :)

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:54 pm
by Ken B
Congratulations on running a smart race. Nice report. I am with you on the heat - It is wise to respect hot conditions and run/walk accordingly!!
Well done!! :)

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:58 pm
by Avis
Congrats, Habs! You did a great job under tough conditions, and show, as always, an admirable attitude. I admire your wisdom.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:00 pm
by IronGoddess
Great job. I had no doubt you would be awesome!

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:36 am
by Habs4ever
Thanks for all the support, I really appreciate it.

3 days later, looking back, I'm still happy with my decision not to push the pace after the half way mark. I *could* have, for a bit longer, but I think towards the end I would have fallen apart and not enjoyed it so much. This way, it was a controlled 2nd half, and I'm feeling ready to get back to running right away. (Do I ever really stop) :lol:

One day, my dream of doing a 4 hour marathon will come true, and if it doesn't I'm OK with that too because the ultimate goal is running as late in life as I possibly can.

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:47 pm
by alexk
Congratulations on another great marathon, Sue! I love your attitude - it's a special gift to be able to dream big & be hopeful while acknowledging, and being content, with the reality that our dreams don't always unfold as we imagined :). Your positive attitude will keep you running long after you've ran your 4 hour marathon :).

Re: Queen City Marathon

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:54 am
by Stampie
A little late to the party hear, but congrats on another marathon under your belt. Sounds like you had a great day and I'm deeply impressed at your execution of this race. Well done!