Race Report: Montreal Marathon

This race report is very different then I thought it would be.  Per my previous post (see here), I did not have a great training season.  Due to this lack of training, I was going into the race with pretty low expectations.  I just wanted to run a comfortable pace and finish standing up.  Honestly, I think having low expectations helped a lot.  I could just go out and run and have no pressure on me.  And it worked!  I had a great race!

We started the race weekend with a visit to the expo.

Expo was nice - nothing super amazing, but big enough to entertain me and Pam for an hour.  Smaller selection of race clothing then other Rock n Roll races, but still a good selection.  I (of course) bought the race jacket (we know I love race clothing!).

I am going to run that!

The expo did also have a really cool booth were you could make your own North Face shirt.  I made one which had an upside down shoe with the Montreal skyline on it and a 42K on it.  For only $20 bucks!  Pam also made one with a shoe print on it.  Mine says Run MTL.  Great expo find!

Mine shirt is the top one - great expo find!

After the expo, we walked around Montreal a bit, but tried to stay off our feet.  We did encounter part of the race course - a big hill right at mile 10.

Yep, we'll be running up that hill

Race Day

The race started at 8:30am on Sunday morning out by Parc Jean-Drapeau.  Pretty easy to get to via the subway (they told us).  And it was - minus the 15 minute walk to the start which was pretty annoying.

The race started on a bridge (sorry, don't know the name).  We started near the end and ran down the off ramp.  The corrals were pretty well organized and they had the wave starts running smoothly.

A pic of the start from the race website

The first mile was down an off ramp and off we went!  My first mile was a little fast - combination of the excitement and the downhill.  I just kept telling myself to slow down and run my race - don't let the people around me control my pace.  The first couple of miles went around an amusement park - pretty fun to run under a roller coaster.

I had decided to break the race up like I do half marathons - two six mile sections with a mile in the middle.  By breaking it up like that, it was a lot more manageable then counting down from 26.  Since I had never been to Montreal and had no idea where I was, I just tried to soak in the event and scenery.  It was really beautiful.

My pace was turning out to be pretty consistent.  I was trying not to push it too much.  The half and full split at about 12.8 miles.  Once it split, the course really emptied out.  I was genuinely worried that my pace would slow once I was truly alone.  But surprisingly, I didn't.  I just tried not to over think it.  One foot in front of the other.  And my pace stayed the same.

Since I hadn't had a great 18 or 20 mile run, I kept waiting for the pain to set in.  But then I hit the 10k to go marker and realized I still felt really strong.  I almost startedto cry.  I couldn't believe it.

My pace really didn't slow until 22.  And then only by like 10-20 seconds.  I was amazed - couldn't believe it.  It was around 22.5 miles that we ran past the Olympic Stadium (Montreal hosted the summer games in 1976).  It's actually a pretty unique stadium and I was pretty psyched to get to run past it.  Shortly after we past the 5k to go mark.  I could not believe it.  My pace was still starting to slow, but I just kept telling myself it was okay to slow, I had run 23 miles.

There was a hill at about 24.5 miles.  It was an out and back so I had seen it going out and knew it was coming.  Right at the base of the hill, the 4:15 pace group caught up with me.  Since they were right next to me, I decided to see if I could keep pace with them up the hill.  And I did.  I continue to run with them for a little bit figuring I could try and prevent myself from slowing too much.

Right after 25, with the pace group right next to me, I was ready to be done.  So I decided the faster I ran, the faster I would be done.  And I took off.  Like literally took off.  My body was hurting but I knew I could push through it (and it made for some interesting race photos).  My mile 25 pace was much faster then any of the other miles.  When I turned the corner and saw the finish line - I was so happy.  I kept pushing myself until I crossed the finish line.

Once I crossed, I looked at my time - 4:16:52.  Holy cow.  It immediately occurred to me, I knew it was one of my faster times.  I knew it wasn't a PR (pretty sure my Dublin time will be my PR for a long long time).

My times overall were pretty consistent.  I was so happy and excited.

As they handled me my medal, tears definitely welled up in my eyes.  It was such a relief to be done and I was so happy it went well.  Better then expected.  I think since I had no expectations, it was pretty easy to just run how I felt.

I was definitely pretty sore for the next couple of days, but I was so overjoyed about the race it didn't matter.

Overall, this was an amazing race.  My final time was my second fastest time yet.  So happy about that!  I was happy I ran a comfortable race and was able to keep my pace the entire time.  Montreal provided a great course and a wonderful experience.

While the course wasn't lined with spectators, the ones that were out were fabulous.  They all cheered and yelled my name and definitely helped keep me going.

Marathon #9 in the books.  And a great one to boot.

Me in my official race jacket.

A happy marathon finisher.

It's here....

Sorry for the whole week plus off from blogging.  Every night I kept meaning too, but then I'd work late or be exhausted and it just never happened.  The last week has been crazy.  Last weekend I was on the West Coast (Santa Cruz area to be exact) for a wedding.  One of my favorite people got married and I was so blessed to be there, but combine traveling cross country and work and it was a crazy week.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful.  It was outdoors and so wonderful.

I haven't even had time to upload my photo's from the wedding - but here are a couple at the bottom to preview!  Once I have mine processed, I'll post some more.

The other reason I haven't really posted...it's MARATHON week!  And as I'm sure you've imagined - I'm freaking out a little.  I can't believe it's finally here.  It's been all consuming my brain this week, so every time I would think about blogging, I'd get distracted with something I need to do for the race.  I was also trying to sleep more this week and that definitely cut down on my free time.

Off to Montreal tomorrow night for the race.  Will definitely update next week (have lots to catch up on and a race report!) but will leave you with some shots from this past weekend.

View of the coast during my run

Me and my travel partners before the wedding (I'm second from the left)

Me and the gorgeous bride!

Sparklers instead if rice - loved it!

Race Report: Providence Half Marathon

Last weekend was race number #26 in my 30 for 30 goal - the Providence Half Marathon.  I did this race last year and will admit (at the time) it was not one of my favorites.  The course is slightly hilly (although in my mind it was way hillier then it actually is) and it monsooned last year.  I mean, it literally downpoured the entire time.  Some parts of the course and 3-4 inches of water in it.  So needless to say, it did not have the best memories of any of my half's.

However, I have very different feelings about this race after this year.  It was great!  The weather could not have been more perfect (it was sunny, but not too warm or humid) and the course is beautiful.  I really feel in love with Providence during this run.  I came away totally thinking I could live there.

The course is hilly, but not nearly as bad as I had it in my mind.  There is a brutal hill at about 4.5 but otherwise everything is small rolling hills.  I do think the worst park is the finish line.  It is literally at the top of a hill.  You turn a corner, see the mile 13 sign and are staring straight up a hill.  I am not joking.  If you ever do the race - save a little bit for the finish!

As you know, I love a good race t-shirt and this one might be one of my new favorites!  The design is super cute and it fits perfectly.  Race t-shirts can always be hit or miss, but this one is a definitely hit!

As I've said, my training has not been ideal lately, but this race went incredibly well.  I went out there with a "we'll see what happens" mentality and ended up having a great race.  Finished in 1:58:10 for a 9:01 pace.  Makes me feel that my new plan of a 10:00 min pace for the marathon is right on target.  Combine that with this weekends solid 20 mile run (seriously, went much better then expected and in high humidity) I am starting to feel a little more confident in the marathon.  Going to really focus on getting my workouts in during the next 4 weeks before the race.

Speaking of the marathon... they released the elevation chart.

It's not too bad right?  Minus that hill that goes from about 12-16 (or 19.5 if you want to be really mean)?  I am trying to not really think about how hilly this could be and just take it for what it is.  Nothing I can do about it now, right?

This upcoming Saturday is race #27 in the 30 by 30 countdown - the Virginia Beach Half Marathon.  I must say, I am really looking forward to 5 days at the beach.  Basically, that is all I am thinking about.  I keep forgetting that I have to do a half marathon while I'm there.

Training?

(Yes there should most definitely be a question mark in the title)

You have probably noticed there have not really been many posts lately about the marathon (which is rapidly approaching in approximately 5 weeks).  Well... that would be because this has not been my best training season.  In fact, I think I can honestly say this has been one of my worst.  I don't think there is 1 thing that contributed to it being bad, but a combination of a lot of things.  Let's review -

1. My training schedule
I tried a new training program this season.  One of the reasons I choose it was because in their "our story" section they take about coming to terms with a conservative running approach (not as fast, not as many miles, etc) and how well it worked for them.  I thought - this is awesome.  I am definitely a less is more running and I know this about myself.  I should have known it wouldn't work for me when after I put in my criteria and they had me running 9-10 miles on Tuesdays and 7 on Thursdays.  I can barely get in 10 on the weekends sometimes let alone 10 on a weekday.  But I persevered and tried to maintain to the schedule as best I could.  I should have known better.  After 2 months, I was completely burnt out.  With 2 more months of training to go.  I've taken to adjusting the workouts to fit me better, but I think the damage has already been done.  I actually don't like running right now.  Which is awesome considering how much running I still have to do.  Like I said - awesome.

2. My time
It has been so long since I started a new job (I was at my last place 5+ years) and I forgot how time consuming and stressful starting somewhere new can be.  I really like my job, but getting up to speed and feeling comfortable takes time.  And when my time is taken at work, training suffers.  So I've been skipping cross training days in order to get my designated runs in (see above).  Not good.  I need my cross training and I can feel myself paying for it in my runs.

3.  My diet
Let's just say when I am stressed, I don't eat healthy.  Not as in I eat a lot of crap, but I prefer comfort (i.e. fattening) foods.  And when I am busy, I want the quickest thing possible.  Suffice to say, I have been eating a lot of unhealthy food.  For example, instead of bringing something healthy or getting a salad, I've been getting Chipotle (comfort).  And I may or may not (translation: I most definitely did) eat chips and salsa for dinner one night this week (quick).  And when you eat like crap, you feel like crap and I most definitely feel like crap right now.

4. My body
I have no idea why, but my body is not liking training in the heat this summer.  I really seem to not be handling the heat well and it is showing up in my runs.  I have also been having some stomach issues when I run and as any running can tell you - is not fun.

Given all the above and my training season, I've really had to reevaluate my race.  I will still be doing it, but I am just going to be doing it for fun now and will try not to stress about my time.  I plan on joining the 10 minute pace group for the marathon and doing it with them.  That's the plan.  Fingers crossed!

I'm off this weekend to Providence for race #26 on the 30 by 30 goal.  Will let you know how it goes next week!

Montreal Marathon - Training Recap Week 7

As I said earlier, training for the marathon has started.  This past week was Week 7.  Runs are starting to get longer (and the temperature is starting to get hotter).  Only 11 weeks until the race!  Can't believe how quickly it's approaching.

Week 7
Monday - Cross Training
Tuesday - Track Workout
     - 16 x 200M at a 7:24 mile pace with 200M recovery
Wednesday - Cross Training
Thursday - Easy Run
     - Supposed to do 5 miles, but was very hot so only did 4
Friday - Rest Day
Saturday - Long Run
     - 13 miles, very easy (was over 90 degrees)
Sunday - Pilates

This was the first long run in which I got to use my new Garmin.  I'm enjoying it already!  Splits below for my long run.

Let's hope the heat breaks this week!

Montreal Marathon

It's official.  I am all registered for my marathon this year.  Took some time to find one as I have 3 weddings in September/October so had limited weekends.  Will be running the Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon on September 23, 2012.  More details about the race can be found here.

Registering for a marathon is always weird feeling.  It's exciting to finally make the decision and pull the trigger.  But it's also slightly terrifying because it is 26.2 MILES.  And just because I've done it 8 previous times does not mean it makes it any easier.  Because it doesn't.  Trust me.

But now it's done.  Montreal.  9.23.12.  26.2.  Bring it on.

Only 22 weeks and 5 days.