Great weekend at PEC

[casual-runner]

It was amazing Running Mania experience. I met a lot of Maniacs - runners and supporters. Fantastic two days of fun

I went to PEC event to win 3:30 shallonge. I was sure that it will be race in which we all will be close to 3:30 time. I felt strong and ready. This was my second marathon. I thought that I knew how to run marathon after my first one. It isn't true. I know now that there is a long road ahead.



My race pace was right on the planned pace until 29 km. I didn't have enough strength to keep my pace beyond that distance. I was hoping that things will change when I switch my running shoes to racing flats at 32 km. It felt better for a moment but sudden cramp ended positive excitement. I didn't have plan B for this race, I quickly calculated that PB is still possible, but it wasn't my day. From 33 km to the end I was cruising on the verge of cramps to the finish. My time 3:43:42.





I have made a few mistakes. The biggest are those before the race. In my attempt to do one day carbo-loading I consumed 4800 calories (800+ grams of carbs) on Friday and I was suffering on Saturday evening with stomach problems and huge headache. I think that the FIRST program, which I like because it fits my triathlon training plan, is not good enough for the 3:30 marathon goal. I think that I need to build much higher millage.

I am disappointed with my performance, but it will motivate me to do better training in the future. Congratulations to David (dgrant) for wining, Sheldon (Doonst) for consistency, James (Ironboy) and Andy (HCiD) for determination. Congratulation for other runners for PBs, BQs and effort.

I don't like my result but I like the experience of this race. It was perfect Running Mania event starting with Pasta Dinner on Saturday, excellent, beyond any words support from non running Maniac during the race, and great after party on Sunday. Thank you again supporters and fans

[scrumhalfgirl]

Congrats on another marathon finish - I think we all learn from each race we do!

[dgrant]

You have to give yourself credit man... completing your first two marathons both under 3:45, especially when this summer was devoted in large part to triathlon training. It wasn't quite the result you'd wanted, but there's a lot to be proud of there.

You're a great guy and nice to be around at races.

[HCcD]

Congrats on great effor, Wesley ... It was great seeing you again this weekend ...

And, yes, each marathon is a new and different journey and learning experiences ... Take and remember the things that worked and take note and chuck out the things that did not work ....

[cgraham]

Nice meeting you at the race, and good results. Nice photos in the report as well.

Sounds like a pretty painful ending (although you may want to edit your report - your finish time was 3:43 - not 4:43 - that would have really been a miserable last 12k.)

Nice job overall. You're obviously learning and I'm sure that if you make this a priority, your times will drop dramatically.

Congrats

[mcshame]

It was great to finally meet you in person. Sorry that Sunday wasn't your day. You will nail the next one

EDIT: OK!! 3:43, I didn't think you were over 4 hours!!. That a great result for a difficult day

[Robbie-T]

That is a quality result, don't be too hard on yourself. Learn from what worked and what didn't and apply next time.

Maybe skip the shoe transition next time.

[Ironboy]

It was great as always to race you Wesley.

You had a solid performance. There is such a fine line between just fast enough and just too fast, and I think we were both just on the wrong side of that line!

[Marg]

I am very proud of you and I think that is a result to be proud of.

I was really looking forward to meet you to test my now rusty Polish!

Hope to see you at another race some time!

[a-slow-5]

It was great to meet you Wesley! I'd heard/seen the casual runner name around for quite some time and it's always great to put a face to a name. (we need to work on a new one for Mrs. though,as I don't think casual-wife is appropriate!!!! Perhaps she doesn't either!!!! LOL!)

I loved the look on your face when Marg greeted you in her so called "rusty" polish! That must have been a pleasant surprise, eh!

You're racing result is terrific! The others are right, don't be so hard on yourself! You seated yourself in amongst some pretty fine athletes at the finish line, mister! Good job!

[pts]

Congrats on finishing, and it sounds like you have taken a lot of lessons away from this race, and i am sure you will use them to get your 3:30 next time!

[Doonst]

I still think you are faster than that on a good day right now Wesley. Your headache and stomache issues may or may not be attributed to your carbo-loading, but it doesn't take much to drag you down over that distance. You were so strong at ITT! Total distance run in training is an important factor, but not the only way. Thanks for your keen interest in the shallonge, it was fun from start to finish! Fun weekend for sure.

P.S. Hamilton marathon is in 4 weeks! Think about it.

[HCcD]

P.S. Hamilton marathon is in 4 weeks! Think about it.

And, Toronto GoodLife is next, next weekend

[canalrunner]

Congratulations on your marathon. Every marathon is a learning experience. Know you will adjust your approach and will feel better next time. Interested in knowing the strategy to changing to racing flats for the last part of the race. In some ways, if I was going to do that (not sure I would recommend it), I would use racing flats at the first...and then switch to training shoes at the end, when support/survival and cushioning may be needed more than speed.

[RayMan]

It was great seeing you before and after the race. That's a fine result for your second marathon - now you know what it takes to reach your next goal. Keep it up!

[blank]

It was great to meet you this weekend Wesley!

I really enjoyed our discussions. A 3:43 is a great result and I know you will meet your 3:30 goal soon.

[Smitty]

Congrats on another marathon. From the pics it looked like you had a great day out there.

[Jo-Jo]

Although not the race you were looking for at PEC, you still had fun. I confess when you told me how many calories you had ingested on your carb load day I was a bit daunted....when you got to the buckwheat part...I started to feel sick

Great seeing you again Wesley. I like your "casual wife"...she's a great sport

[ratherBrunning]

Congratulations on your run, Wesley! It was a real pleasure to meet you and casual-wife. I enjoyed our conversations and learned a lot from you.

[Ed Fizz]

Not what you wanted but still a solid result. With a bit of fine-tuning, 3:30 is in your future.

[QuickChick]

Wesley, congratulations on a really strong finish. Sure we can always find things that we'd like to have done differently, but at least you can take that information and learn from it for next time. You should be very proud. I loved your trash talking, too- you were hilarious! Congratulations.

[JSmitty]

Wesley, it was great to see you again. I am sure that 3:30 is in the cards real soon. 4800 calories....wow and no beer!!

[Irongirl]

not sure what else to add - since we had a great chat at the post-race MnG! It was great to see you throughout the weekend!

here's a couple more pictures for you....

32 km


Finishing kick

[UltraQueenga]

Congrats on finishing your second marathon! You were awesome. I'm sorry it wasn't your day, but I'm glad that you're taking this experience and turning it into motivation to get better at this distance. Way to go!! Your hard training will pay off. We need to find another marathon challenge for 2009.
It was great to see you and Beata again. I hope to see you at Sulphur next year. Or at the Hamilton Boxing Day 10 miler, if you feel like working off the Christmas dinner.

[दिवंगत]

You have done a lot of racing this year Wesley, and to cap it off with a 3:43 marathon is still pretty impressive to me! Well done on a great season!