Second race of the season

Nike 1/2 marathon
April 24, 2005
Place Ile Notre Dame, Ile Jean Drapeau.
Time 10am, Temperature 10 C slight breeze

What I wore, Blue Sugoi top, Nike run shorts, wright socks, White Nimbus V, Garmin Forerunner

What I ate before: 2 yogurt and 1 banana
Slept 7 hours the night before

How I felt going into the race:

I approached this race with trepidation and apprehension as the only running that I did was lsd (about 6min/km) and interval training. There were no Endurance II runs. Physically, I was well rested. I treated myself to a massage on my legs and greatly reduced my mileage during the week. (8km on Tuesday, 8km interval on Wednesday and 12 km on Thursday).

Race strategy: Completion of the race recording a time of 1:45-1:50. In my mind, I would come close to 1:50. I had bad luck the previous year at this race and that weighed heavily on my mind. Being the first major race since my injury in Toronto, the fact that it was at a race where I did poorly the year before weighed heavy on my heart. I could not withstand a repeat of last year. I had to run this race conservatively.

Logistics: I was fortunate to have been offered a lift by Karl, who picked up Sophie as well. They arrived at my door around 8:30am, and their sight softened my tense mood. Karl had not slept much as he had a dinner party the previous evening. He as not happy because his dog had just chewed up his Garmin. He showed it to me with the cracked screen. Sophie had back problems which plagued her all week. I suggested we stop at the Pharmaprix on Ste Catherine east near Berri UQAM metro station. Karl offered my bagel on the way to the subway. I explained to him how sensitive my stomach is. He was surprised when I told him that I'd start to fade if I were to have, "complex" food. Hence the yogurt and banana I munch on.

We parked the car at Berri station and took the subway there. Everyone in the subway station was dressed in their running attire, headed toward the big dance. Where else would people be headed so early on Sunday. It was interesting to see people headed home from their after hour party. There is quite a few after hours clubs in that area.

On the subway platform, I bumped into Allison (works for the Gazette as a reporter and a member of the gym) and her friend Gill. Both of them are fast runners Gill told me that he was aiming to run 4:30/km and Allison was gunning for a time between 1:40-1:45. People in the train were giggling when I showed them Karl's chewed up Garmin.

We arrive at Ile Jean Drapeu metro station and half of the people in the train disembarked. Everyone was dressed in track pants and jackets. I stored my jacket, ball cap and track pants in my backpack. We were waiting for Jurgen to at the entrance to the station. We took that moment to use the facilities and I decided to change on the spot to stay warm by throwing on these extra layers on top of my race outfit.

Jurgen never appeared so Karl, Sophie and I headed toward the race site around 9:30pm Allison and Gill had taken off earlier. As we arrived on site, the crowds were thick and the line up to the washroom were long and baggage check was even longer. I separated from Karl and Sophie and walked around the area looking for other members of the Running Room.

I bumped into the Cool Runners in front of the baggage storage area. I saw KJ, Grommit, Mr and Mrs Omni, Mr and Mrs Mars and Chops. I changed out of my clothes and donned on my sexy translucent garbage bag, KJ and Mrs Mars were laughing. Chops had on his green garbage bag and I took heart in knowing that I was not the only one foolhardy enough to wear a garbage to keep myself warm. I took that moment to share hand my camera over to Mrs Mars and demonstrated how to use it. She took a candid photo of Chops and myself. Tom walked by and we were ready to do battle on this glorious day. We had it in our plans that I would pace him for the first 10km by running 5 min/km and then he would venture forward on his own.

After some brief conversation with them, I headed over to drop off my bag and the the baggage claim. Many were surprised and even aghast that I would contemplate donning on a garbage bag. Many of them wore their running jackets and track pants for the event. Some even chose to wear their Nike t-shirt on top of their jacket. This raised an interesting question. Is it appropriate to wear the shirt prior to the run? After all, we haven't actually earned the right to wear the shirt until after we complete.

The people working at the baggage claim were working at a frenetic pace to keep up with the influx of runners dropping their personal effects. I was joking with one of the women working the station and told her that she should deserve a medal for working so hard. I added, that we were just a bunch of posers in short shorts and t shirts standing around looking good (especially the one with the sexy garbage bag). She howled in laughter and that made my day as I found my way back to the group.

After some more idle conversation waiting for the others to return from the baggage check, it was time to assemble in the starting corral. "Moo" I thought in my mind as all the runners were being herded together. The start line was beside a series of port-o-lets where everyone was lining up. I think people read too much about dehydration and they all end up drinking to the point of bursting their bladder. Let's just say, it was very, "fragant" standing in the adjacent area waiting for the event to start.

The weather had stabilised as the rain and winds had ceased. The sky was overcast and I felt my body starting to warm up. I separated from Tom to discard my improvised poncho and as I was returning to meet Tom in the thickening crowd, I bumped in to the Running Room crew. It was really sweet to see everyone from the 2004 marathon Clinic. Josée, Jurgen, Samir, Sangeeta, Karl, Sophie, Nolain and others I can't remember. It was truly a treat for me. We exchanged greetings and best wishes for a successful race. I was surprise that Josée recognised my from behind as she gave me a hug. Everyone knew each other's paces so they did not mind that I did not run with them.

My intention was to run with Chops and Mars but I lost them in the crowd. At that point, I thought that we would all meet up once the crowd thinned out into their respective pace groups.

Tom introduced me to his friends who were running as well. A couple who want nothing but to simply enjoy this experience. That was really touching and nice to see. His friend was sporting the Garmin Forerunner 301 and boy was I salivating. I'm using the 201 model and I was fawning over the integrated HRM in new unit. Yep, what can I say? Toys for big boys... How about running hard? Nah... I'd rather spend more money on gizmos rather than put in an honest days' work.

I didn't hear the gun go off but I do remember clapping as everyone's attention was directed forward. The race started and in typical fashion, everyone took one quick step forward only to slow down due to the bottle neck at the start. We all chuckled as we knew this always happens. People slow down as the step on the carpet to start their watch or to step a few extra steps on the carpet to ensure that their time is being recorded by the machine.

Tom and I were fortunate as there was not that much human traffic to negotiate. Perhaps it was because of the wide road, lack of participants or our placement in the crowd that made this possible. In all fairness, I think it was a combination of all three, but mainly the second and third reason.

I am so fortunate to have used my Garmin as it recorded my pace per kilometer. The first kilometer was a slow one at 5:10km due to human traffic. Normally I would have started a touch slower but I had a mission to pace Tom.

At the fourth km, Tom ventured out on his own and I did not see him until the end. I was so caught up with my the pace according to my watch that I barely noticed my surroundings. I do remember seeing a guy peeing in the bushes by the basin. Now I know why the plants in their are so rich and green. I remember seeing many runners either carrying their jackets or tieing them around their waist due to the weather warming up. I felt the effects of heat as well and regretted not having worn a singlet.

Because I was so adamant on adhering to that pace that I can't help but to wonder how successful would I have been had I ran without it. If I ran this event completely devoid of any expectation or responsibility, would I have been able to record such a time.

I remember landing on the first timing carpet signaling completion of 6km at 30:40. I do because I remember cursing at myself for being behind. I don't remind how I felt at the 10m mark but according the split times provided by the official records I was on my way. I think I must have been flirting with the idea of a 1:40 completion. I think that provided to be a critical factor in my undoing. I'm pretty sure that I found myself succumbing to the temptation of such an elusive goal that I pushed myself. I can substantiate such a claim when I refer to the statistics that I downloaded from the Garmin. Between the 10-21km I found myself running on a faster pace per km and I was punished for my greed. Greed made for a poor tactician that day as I almost failed in realising my running objective. Then again it could have been my vanity as well.

The course is layed out in such a fashion that runners revisit certain segments of the course that they had orginally run.. This would provide opportunities for friends to see runners heading out and returning back. As my run found it's way through the course, I saw Mrs. Mars and Mrs Omni cheerleading. With my spirits lifted by their cheers, I extend my arms toward them and blew air kisses in their direction in appreciation. This occurred on more than one occassion and upon reflection, perhaps the cost of doing so was at the expense of a faster time or the extra effort exerted to obtain the recorded time.


Mentally the most demanding aspect of the run was the final 2 km which I dub the, "doubleback" Running along the F1 track on the 19km mark, I would see runners on the other side of the concrete barrier running the opposite direction to the finish line. Knowing that the end was near as the ambient level of noise rose, I would find myself running a at a faster pace. But I had to temper this urge with the knowledge that my body was riddled with fatigue and that I was running on borrowed time. It was just a matter of time before someone collected. I knew that if I were to slow down, for any reason, I would not be able to resume my previous pace.

To counter that urge to sprint, I would deliberate look at toward the runners on the other side of the barrier headed toward the finish line. By not focusing ahead, this would force my body to slow down allowing me to actively rest as the I made my way toward completion of this long arduous journey. I got the opportunity to see those who had passed me.

I spotted Tom and in one sharp blast, called his name. It broke his concentration as he directed his concentration toward my direction and shouted words of encouragement. He cracked a smile and took off toward the finish line. I stared at my watch and he was about 8 minutes ahead of me. Eight more minutes, I thought to myself, eight more minutes.

There were so many times that I would see a opening in the concrete divider separating the runners on the F1 track and those headed toward the finish line on the basin. So many more times, I would contemplate taking a short cut just to end my misery. But like so many others before me, I somehow summoned the courage and determination continue.

I found my way to the doubleback point and I felt elated. I felt as if I was the beneficiary of a major sugar rush. Knowing that the finish line was just 1.1km away was the best thing that could happen to me. Fatigue was banging loudly on the door and I knew it was just a matter of time before it came charging in.

I continued to look toward the other side of the concrete barrier to those who were catching up. Someone actually called out my name. It was Chops! I had forgotten about them during the race but his presence was definitely a sight for sore eyes. However, I did not see Mars with him. It was only a mater of time before we all got the chance to see each other at the finish line. Fate smiled upon me as I heard me name being called out again. This time it was Karl. At that point I was concentrating hard to maintain my composure and could only expend just enough energy to wave toward him. The crowds grew larger and noiser and everyone headed toward the finish line.

With approximately 200m remaining, I saw Dorys in the horizon. Dressed in black and always staring at his watch, he jogged toward me and in his eternal enthusiasm urged me to speed up and be able to record a faster time. I was at the cusp of exhaustion when he challenged me to sprint to catch a runner just ahead of me. I could not even articulate an answer as I waved at him that I would not. I saw Tom headed toward me as he shouted words of encouragement to add some spark to my fading spirit. I guess the saying is true, third time's a charm, as I heard the Cool Runners in the stand cheering and could not ignore the hails of Grommit for me to, "move my fast ass"

At that point, I went for broke and charged the finish line. I crossed and felt like crumbling. My breathing was erratic and could not make sense of the environnment around me. I was handed the completion medal and could not stand still as the volunteers removed the timing anklet. Tom passed through to congratulate me and we proceed to head toward the food :)

My quads were slightly shattered but what took me by surprise as I performed an audit of my body was that my shoulders were tremendously sore. I must have shrugged my shoulders in a runners' fury for over an hour. By far the shoulder pains were the most significant of all issues.

Tom and I made our way to the baggage claim first to retrieve our personal effects. We wanted to avoid the rush on runners that would ensue. Furthermore I needed to put on some dry clothes. The weather conditions had started to deteriorate, the winds were picking up and the rain started to fall again. I threw on a pair of track pants, a running jacket and a ball cap. Tom did the same and we proceeded to toward the concession stand. It was sponsored by Nike so we were entitled to water, apples, bananas, bagels and waffles. There was no syrup for the waffles, just butter. However the waffles they made did taste pretty good. Shucks, no yogurt. There were big screen televisions displaying Nike shoes, including the Air Max Moto and the Nike Free. I did not care for a demonstration at this point. I needed to continue moving.

As Tom and I left the tent, we encountered a deluge of runners who had just crossed bearing their medals lining up for the food. I'm glad that I was able to completed ahead of the main rush. Heading back toward the finish line to greet those in the stands who cheered, I encountered, Mars, Chops, Karl and the remainder of the Running Room gang. They were content to have completed. Not in a talkative mood they were exhausted and headed toward the food stand.

Everyone began to leave the premises, seeking shelter from the wind and rain. However, in my mind it was sunny inside and tears of joy on the outside. Not because of the time but because I had people around me telling me to, "move my fat ass"

Here's a link to a several pics of yours truly suffering

http://www.global-pix.com/marathonphotossite/marathon.html?job=Sports%2F2005%20Sports%2FCanada%2FMontreal%20Half%20Marathon;match=1653

Here's a link to the course itself

http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf/21kmtlmap1.jpg

http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf/21kmtlmap2.jpg