Race Report: Whitby International Marathon

The Whitby International Marathon is in the books - marathon #17 (including last year's 50 K ultra). I had signed up early for this race last year with the bargin price of $30 + $3 processing fee (total = $33.00). When people say you get what you paid for, I understand! I cannot see myself paying $85 for this race. But, I am remaining positive as I'm seeing this marathon as a "bonus" with the 2 local marathons (Toronto, Mississauga) continuing to be on the same day (!).

Great weather! Sunny and in the mid-teens, with no humidity. I wore my sunglasses and cap. The cap really is good as it keeps the sun out of my eyes.

Issue 1: Communication
There was no e-mail several days before the race with final race instructions. I even checked the web site and nothing. I wasn't even sure the race was a go.

Issue 2: The Route
On the web site, there was an update that the route had changed from last year. Due to construction, there would be 2 loops for the full marathon. Guess there's nothing the race organizer can do. The majority of the route was on the waterfront trail. An advantage of the 2 loops is in the 2nd loop you are familiar with the route. It is scenic. Tonnes of mosquitoes in the 1st loop. Kilometre markers were spray painted on the ground (!). In the 2nd loop, some of the volunteers at key turns on the route had left.

Issue 3: Accuracy

Like last year, the race was not 42.2 K. Since we ran on paths, there should not be much difference from the Garmin. There is no reason why my Garmin would say I ran 41.2 K. With the tangent used at turns, an accurate race would have my Garmin state I ran more than 42.2 K. This race is a Boston Qualifer so this is problematic.

Issue 4: Fluid Stations

Some stations had only water. Fortunately, I brought along 3 gels - good thing I bought them last month at the Running Room store. All stations were stocked with fluids. It would be good to use different cups for water and e-Load. The fluids were cold :-)

Issue 5: Spectators

This race turned to be so low key I wonder how many of the residents of Whitby knew about the race. Spectators were non-existant along the route and at the finish line. There were a handful of spectators on the trail. 

Issue 6: Time Mat

There was a time mat for the start and for the finish. There was no time mat along the route. For someone wanting to cheat to qualify for Boston, this is the race! It's always good to have official results midway to compare results.

Issue 7: Same tech shirt and finisher medal!

Very surprising.

Even with the above issues, I am happy to have registered for this race. As I said, it is a "bonus" - unless I signed up for the Ottawa Marathon. The route is safe as there were auxilliary police officers on the street. The volunteers were nice.

The rule of thumb is not to run a full marathon for almost 4 weeks - i.e., 26 days. Unfortunately, my massage therapist was sick last week so missed the opportunity to loosen the legs. Wow - the right leg got very tight and after a brief stretch, I was good to go. Will need to loosen with "The Stick" and to reschedule my massage appointment.

Results:

* Overall = 58 out of 69 (for a 4th year marathon, very few registrants)

* Gun time = 4:37:15

* Chip time = 4:36:56

* Pace = 6:35

YTD = 641.9 K

Next race in 4 weeks: Niagara Ultra 50 K :-)

tomorrow's marathon

Forgot to report 3 K run after work this past Wednesday. Last run before tomorrow's Whitby International Marathon at 7 AM. Had to check web site to see if it's still a go as I didn't get an e-mail with final details. Oh well. YTD = 599 K.

Race report tomorrow!

5 K Victoria Day

Beautiful weather this long weekend! Got in a 5 K run this morning on Victoria Day. Sunny and warm - no humidity - in downtown Toronto.

Hoping for COOL weather next Sunday at the Whitby marathon. Read that the forecast for the summer will include cool spells - unlike last year's "drought". This is good.

YTD = 596 K

This Week

3 runs this week:

(1) Monday, May 13th - 5 K
(2) Wednesday, May 15th - 2.5 K
(3) Today = 21.1 K - through Ashbridges Bay Park - enjoyed running on the Martin Goodman Trail.

Next Sunday is the Whitby International Marathon. Weather this weekend is excellent - hope next weekend is the same. Looking forward to marathon #17.

YTD = 591 K

Two runs this week. Legs were sore for 48 hours after last week's Mississauga Marathon. Letting the legs naturally repair. Also in taper mode as next marathon is in 2 weeks: Whitby International Marathon.

Tomorrow morning is the Sporting Life 10 K race down Yonge Street. Will not be running it as my focus is on long distance running.

Wednesday = 3 K
Today = 20 K

YTD = 562.4 K

Race Photos and Video Crossing Finish Line

Check out 17:50 - this is the time in the below You Tube video in which I approach the finish line!

Surprised I was able to save the low resolution photos that were taken by the professional photographers at the race this past Sunday:





And a couple of photos I took with Bud today after work:



Race Report - Mississauga Marathon

First marathon of the 2013 year. Excellent weather - sunny and cool with a breeze. Temperature at the start (7:30 AM) was 14C and went up to 22C in the afternoon.

Arrived to the start line with 5 minutes to spare. Once again, I went the wrong way. I exited the highway at Mississauga Road but headed south rather than north - I need to read the sign! As a result of this blunder, I eventually headed north on Hurontario Street. Unlike the last time I ran the Mississauga Marathon, there was no entrance to the Square One Mall. So I took a risk and parked at a shopping plaza just over 1 K from the Square One. Fortunately my car was not towed nor ticketed when I arrived to make the trek home.

Saw Mayor Hazel McCallion waving at the start-line. Police made a presence at both the start and finish line due to the Boston Marathon tragedy.

Both half and full marathon races started at the same time. There was enough room to run for all. Forgot how scenic the route is! Headed west on Burnhamthorpe and then south through the University of Toronto Mississauga campus on Mississauga Road. Lots of green! At the 14 K, the half and full marathoners diverged - with the full headed west on Indian Road. Very expensive houses here! South on Southdown Road wasn't interesting as it's their industrial area - Suncor oil factory here. Heading north was not fun. There were rolling hills from 31 K to 36 K along Lakeshore Road West - I always walked upwards. Majority is either flat or downhill. Running through the waterfront trail is neat - with a nice cool breeze from Lake Ontario. The finish line is great at Lakefront Promenade Park.

Fluid stations are located every 2 K, which is great. Lots of volunteers and police presence on the route. Spectators especially strong with the final few Ks.

Overall, an excellent full marathon. I prefer this route over the Toronto Marathon. I took the highway 403 back home as I didn't want to get stuck in downtown Toronto as the Toronto Marathon was also taking place on the same day - this happened last year as well.

Gun Time = 4:35:06
Chip Time = 4:31:15.6
Pace = 6:26
Category Place = 143/164
Gender = 383/486
8 K = 48:15
21.1 K = 2:07:02
25 K = 2:31:44
Overall = 611/851

YTD = 539.4 K

 Finisher's Medal above. Bud wearing finisher's medal below.

Expo

Went to the Mississauga Marathon Expo after work yesterday. As I was on the Queensway, turned right on Hurontario - rather than left. That resulted in 20 minutes trying to find the major intersection to the expo. Stopped at 2 gas stations but the attendents were unable to help. Checked the map twice and took the "safe" route of heading south to the Lakeshore. Police were stationed at the main entrance - due to the Boston Marathon tragedy. The expo was small. In and out within 15 minutes.

Went to the Toronto Marathon expo this morning at the Direct Energy Centre in the CNE. This expo was smaller than last year. Bought KT Tape for pain relief and support. Picked up some freebies then make the trek home.

The weather is going to be sunny and warm. By the time I finish around noon, it will not be easy. Thinking of cap and sunglasses.

YTD = 496.1 K (as I had 2 mid-week runs of 3 K each)

Race report tomorrow!