Marathon #13 completed

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is marathon #13 (10th as a runner). Awoke to rain (!) and did a slow run for 750 m towards the start line. Wore a jacket to keep me my tech shirt dry. The baggage check was well organized and free this year. Stayed in the Cheshnut hotel for U. of T. students to stay dry until start. Made my way to the starting corral for 8:30 AM - and the rain stopped :-) Temperature was about 12C and would make its way to 20C at the end of the race (with the sun making momentary appearance). The route changed this year:

In particular, the race started running north on University until Wellesley, then east to Church, north to Bloor, west to St. George, south to College, west to Bathurst, then south to Fort York. The change in route caused more road closures... The positive change was fewer rolling hills on Queen Street East. Due to lack of speed training, opted for slower pace. In all previous races, aimed to keep below 6:00/K. In this race, did my best to keep below 7:00/K. Took breaks at each of the fluid stations - organized as Gatorade first then water. First half was scenic. Lots of spectators in the first half and then again on Queen Street East and at the finish line. In fact, a former student who has now graduated saw me. Marathon #13 was not easy. The legs tighted up - not sure if the stretching of the calfs made the legs worse. As always, the first 28 K were fine and the final third of the race was challenging. Each K went by so slowly - and the wind didn't help. With 1 K to go, I was running and walking. It was only when I reached the finish line that the legs felt better with about 10 minutes of walking. Overall, the race was very well organized. Can't think of any glitches - wow! Happy to have finished - although it took nearly 5 hours (!). Place = 2524 out of 3314 Gun Time = 5:04:24.6 Chip Time = 4:56:44.0 Pace = 7.02 Age Category = 304 out of 348 Gender = 1735 out of 2085 10 K Gun = 1:04:30 13 K Gun = 1:23:11.2 21.1 K Gun = 2:14:21 30 K Gun = 3:16:39 35 K Gun = 3:55:46 40 K Gun = 4:38:23