Montreal 21K - A Perfect PB Day

scrumhalfgirl · Postby **scrumhalfgirl** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:30 am

I'd heard great things over the past few years about this race, and I was so excited to be finally able to fit it into my schedule. I decided to make it a mini-weekend trip, and took the train to Montreal and stayed with my gracious host, bruyère.

This race is flat and fast, but there are quite a few twists and turns, so be ready to run some tangents (or as dgrant and mikeruns to perform some complex math formula for you!). The set-up is great, with change rooms and lockers, and it is really easy to get to by metro. A must do spring half, in my opinion! It is also the national half marathon championship, which means all the speedy runners come from around the country to race (but there's lots of run for us regular folks too!).

This was my 4th half marathon and my goal was to finally beat 1:50. I'd come close with a 1:51 and change at NCM last year, but just wasn't able to pull it off. I set off and hit my target 5:12 pace right away for the first km, but then felt myself creeping up a *bit* too quick. I will still fairly well on track though, but knew I needed to be careful not to go out too early. I felt comfortable through the first looped sections, and heading out parallel to the water. I was able to see some fellow maniac racers during this part, including Michal, Heather, Crash, and RunLolaRun. It was really special for me to run along the Olympic rowing basin, as I had watched an old friend race here in the National Championships a few times many years ago. He broke his neck in a diving accident almost two years ago, and at this point is learning to walk again, his whole life being turned upside down - I thought of him as I ran along, so grateful to be able to be out there participating in the sport we love.

Around the 14km mark, I started to drag a little - I was getting tired, and the end still seemed so far away. My splits slowed a bit, and I wished I had my beloved iPod to cheer me up. But who needs music - I'll make my own. I distracted myself by singing some of my running favourites in my head - the Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party kept me company! When I was done with those, I ran through the better part of the Rent soundtrack from memory - that helped a couple of kilometres click by!

Soon we were back near where we started, but had to turn to go the long way around instead of heading home. I was so excited to see Dr S and Framboisine at the 17km marker, cheering like crazy - I needed the boost then! This is the first time in a race someone had a sign with MY name on it - very cool! I was back on pace, and was pretty sure I would be able to make my time goal if I kept going. These last few kilometres felt hard, but I did my best to push to the end. As I ran along the last stretch, I thought to myself - "I do NOT want to run this hard for this long again any time soon!". I crossed the line, and looked at my watch - 1:48:27! I had smashed my goal, and set a three minute PB! Just as a glimpse at how fast this field is - this time put me about 20% of the way into my age group. The same time at NCM would have been in around the top 6%.

The weekend was capped of by a great meet and greet with both new and familiar faces. Thanks again to Heather for opening her home to me!

Splits:
1 - 5:12
2 - 5:06
3 - 5:03
4 - 5:09
5 - 5:08
6 - 5:08
7 - 5:02
8 - 4:59
9 - 5:09
10 - 5:20 (gel)
11 - 5:10
12 - 5:11
13 - 5:05
14 - 5:14
15 - 5:14
16 - 5:16
17 - 5:09
18 - 5:06
19 - 5:06
20 - 5:08
21.1 - 5:22

tallrunner · Postby **tallrunner** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:35 am

Great race Jess,

Congrats on the PB. Wow 3 minutes, that is awesome. All I can hope for are seconds :shock:

Your right Montreal is an awesome race and one not to be missed. Next year I will be there, hopefully healthy and ready.

Best
Tall

rdmsgirl · Postby **rdmsgirl** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:36 am

Way to go!!!! :dance:

Sir Crashalot · Postby **Sir Crashalot** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:43 am

Woo! Hoo!
Nice work! Hopefully this race will be on your annual calender!

VeloCarrie · Postby **VeloCarrie** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:46 am

Speedy! Congratulations! :clap:

Darth Tater · Postby **Darth Tater** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:51 am

Excellent race scrummy! Congrats on shattering your PB. Very well written report - your descriptions of how you were feeling both physically and mentally were very vivid. Good job! :clap:

treadlightly · Postby **treadlightly** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:52 am

Wow you are fast! Super! Congrats

ian · Postby **ian** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:57 am

Awesome result. I'm a big fan of the mental jukebox because you can usually find something that synchs to your steps.

dgrant · Postby **dgrant** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:58 am

Great race! A 3 minute PB is huge.

QuickChick · Postby **QuickChick** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:00 am

Hey, way to go on the new PB! Great race and pacing.

msdesigner · Postby **msdesigner** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:01 am

Fantastic job Jess. Congrats on smashing your goal with an incredible PB! :clap:

HCcD · Postby **HCcD** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:03 am

Congratulations, again, on yet another awesome and smokin' race, Scrummy ... It's been great following your running/racing/triathlon career over the past several years ...

La · Postby La » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:06 am

Wow, that is a HUGE PB! Congrats!

Sandra · Postby **Sandra** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:20 am

Great race and congratulations on your PB!

purdy65 · Postby **purdy65** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:22 am

Nice Work Jesse!

Your training is clearly paying off!

Smokin' fast!

Congrats!

Lisa

cgraham · Postby **cgraham** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:23 am

Awesome job and really consistent running too from your splits.

Way to bust through your time goals.

Congrats

Robinandamelia · Postby **Robinandamelia** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:32 am

Congratulations!

Doonst · Postby **Doonst** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:33 am

Well done! Onward and upward.

horselady · Postby **horselady** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:40 am

Great race Jess!! WOW a 3 min PB is awesome!! Great job!
You are getting faster and faster..how am I ever going to catch you!! :roll:

bruyere · Postby **bruyere** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:45 am

Yaaayyyyy!!!!

I'm glad you stayed with me. I enjoyed having you around.

jes · Postby **jes** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:37 am

Way to go Jess! I knew you could do it!!

What are your plans for NCM? Are you available for hire as a pace bunny?

Gourou · Postby **Gourou** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:44 am

scrumhalfgirl wrote:Soon we were back near where we started, but had to turn to go the long way around instead of heading home. I was so excited to see Dr S and Framboisine at the 17km marker, cheering like crazy - I needed the boost then! This is the first time in a race someone had a sign with MY name on it - very cool!

I just compared your time and mine and I came up with an interesting theory..

When I arrived at the 17th Km, I saw Dr. S and Framboisine cheering like crazy too. I gave them a big smile and thumbs up, but they didn't even look at me!! :shock:

They were cheering for someone behind me and I think it was you!
You must have passed me not long after that

Great Race Jesse and congrats on your PB!

Hermes · Postby **Hermes** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:56 am

Hurray for Jess! You smashed the 1:50 barrier with lots of room to spare.

The pain of pushing to the end paid off. Must have been great to see Dr. S. and Framboisine cheering away!! and your name in 'lights'.

Cheers!

blank · Postby **blank** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:04 pm

Congrats Jess!

Your splits are super consistent, a really well run race by you.

AndyM · Postby **AndyM** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:40 pm

Congrats on setting such a huge PB! You are going to rock NCM.

Montreal 21K - A Perfect PB Day

Montreal 21K - A Perfect PB Day

Re: Montreal 21K - A Perfect PB Day

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