Robbie-T @ Mississauga Marathon 2010

[Robbie-T]

3rd time at this Marathon and 13th Marathon in my career

Silent Goal 2:49:59
Plan run 4:00-4:03 pace until 30k then go from there
Result 2:52:50 - 18th Overall - 3rd in Age Group

I trained for this marathon a bit differently, no long runs over 2 hours (~27k), but picked up the pace for those runs as much as possible (~4:30 pace)

I enjoyed training for this race, lots of fast workouts, and no killer long runs, but in the end I always wondered if those long runs over 30k that I based my training on for previous races would hurt me in the end. I don't think it did.

Got down to the race early about 6:30, I see there were already hordes of people there, the weather was nice and cool and I start to put my stuff together. I was feeling pretty good today and seemed liked all systems were good to go. Made my way up near the front for the start, ran into my training buddy Andrew to chat for a bit (he was going to be on his bike to watch a few people over the race).

We are off and I have no idea who the other marathoners are, that is kind of frustrating to not know who you are racing against, so I just settle into pace and enjoy the run.

Around 7km, behind the University I stop for a pee break in the woods.

At the top of the hill (10k) I see Doonst and Nick.

At 15 we break off from the Half race and I see one guy that is close to me Mr.Yellow, I eventually catch him after a few km and pass him.

I start feeling very gassy and stuff but keep passing it out, and not let it effect my pace, I keep taking in fluids and gels. Maybe I had too much Carbs in my stomach?

19k a spectator said I was in 30th place, that was further back then I hoped, oh well this was my plan.

Around 20k I puked up a bit hhmmmm? Did this again later in the race too.

About 24k MrYellow catches me again as we climb up Meadow Wood, up on Lakeshore he drops back again.

About 31k I run right into the Half race, frustrating, but a Police on a bike guides me through this trail section, that was very nice.
He leaves before the Port Credit bridge and I'm on my own again, "I'm coming on your Left Side!!" I shouted over and over again, some didn't hear me because they had Ipods on, others heard me and moved to their Left. Oh well that's racing and eventually I was on my own again.

35k we squirrelled around the old finishing area where Mr.Yellow caught and passed me this time, I stayed close to him and passed him on the 38k mat to never see him again. Back up on to Lakeshore for the final - never ending 5k to the finish. For some reason I had it in my mind that it was all down hill from there. Well it wasn't I think it was a slight incline actually from that point. I was losing a few seconds during this part and pushed hard to do my best and catch whoever I could see in front of me, it was starting to get rather hot and I was happy that I was almost finished.

In the final 2k I caught the Half race again, this time we had much more room and I didn't need to announce my arrival. Jumped the curb, wiggled into the finish path and booked it for the finish, couple more zig zags and done.

Marathons are tough. There is no such thing as a fast or easy course.

I'm happy with my run. I called Bridie she said I placed 18th, I said WTF I was 30th and I thought I only passed 4 or 5 people, I guess it was during the section I caught the Half race. It would have been nice to know I caught those runners, it might have motivated me to push a bit harder knowing I was catching guys.
I found out I placed 3rd in my Age Group, that was a very nice surprise.

Chatted with Doonst, Lisa, Pat, Dave good to see those folks again.
Saw Ben come through the finish.

8k - 36th place
21.1k - 23rd place
38k - 19th place
Finish - 18th place - 3rd in age group

5 - 20:09
10 - 20:00
15 - 20:11
20 - 20:30
25 - 20:26
30 - 20:41
35 - 20:19
40 - 21:12
42.2 - 9:06

[CinC]

very nice Robbie-T! you're a rock star!

[Ironboy]

Wow!

That was quite the performance. I guess if you puked (twice) it means you left it all out there!

Way to go.

So are you satisfied with how the training delivered on race day?

[AlfiefromPickering]

You were great as usual. No questions about it!!!!

[Doonst]

Not too shabby RT, you're still getting faster at least. 27 K long runs eh, in my humble opinion if you bumped that up to 29 say, you could have shaved off another 20 seconds. Man you looked so cool and collected at the top of that 10 K hill, everybody else looked stressed but you were just rolling along. Very nice, it was exciting to watch.

[purdy65]

Wow!

Impressive!

Imagine if you didn't have to stop to pee and puke!

Congratulations!

Lisa

[La]

Wow, awesome even splits! Well done! Sorry I didn't get a chance to say Hi (I saw you in the distance with Doonst).

[Robinandamelia]

Congrats you did great!

[ratherBrunning]

Look at those splits! AWESOME!!! Congratulations!!

[casual-runner]

Congratulations on another PB Those splits are really impressive

[trixiee]

W00t! You are still my hero!

I too think you would have made your goal, if it weren't for the pissin', the puking and the passing!

Congrats on a 3rd place age group! Wow!

[Darth Tater]

That was quite the performance. I guess if you puked (twice) it means you left it all out there!

You're a machine Robbie - way to go!

[Jo-Jo]

Great splits (I wish I knew how to pace like you do...I'm so envious )
Awesome how you moved up in position as the race progressed.
Nice PB.
Too bad about the peeing and puking..I think that probably took at least a minute!!

I saw Randy yesterday...and I told him you're catching up to him (he was only 30 seconds ahead at ATB)...I'm not sure he was all that amused at this news

[Kristen]

Marathons are tough. There is no such thing as a fast or easy course.

Yep, but you showed this one who's boss.

Super time and performance. Congrats on the AG placement and on 18th overall! Sweet!

[Ken B]

Another excellent race and great report Robbie!!! Congratulations!!!

[Strider]

Well done brother. Solid base you have for sure. BQ is done, wonder what you can pull off there.

[ian]

Another race, another impressive PB borne of hard work and perfect race-day execution. Some of us are racing vicariously through you and you didn't let us down. Give NYC some thought for 2011, even if you no longer needed 2:55 for an automatic entry.

[Sandra]

You never cease to amaze me. Congrats on your placing. Awesome!

[दिवंगत]

Nice! Good job on the PB! Advantage Robbie-T

[blank]

Always getting faster! Just incredible!

[VeloCarrie]

Wow.

You keep getting better and better and better and . . . .

[5km]

Congratulations. Awesome run!!

[Mid_Packer]

I too think you would have made your goal, if it weren't for the pissin', the puking and the passing!

Congrats on a 3rd place age group! Wow!

+1
awesome

dave

[HCcD]

Congratulations, on another smokin' race, Robbie

[richie-rich]

Great job Rob. Must be all the leverage and speed you generate by swinging your extra long arms Impressive!