Race Report: Philadelphia Marathon

Well if I were to grade myself based on criteria I set before the race, I guess I would give myself a C-. In retrospect though, I think I may have given the race a B+ effort. Read on and I will explain.

This was my second time running the Philadelphia Marathon. Last year I found it to be a lot of fun because its a great course with varied terrain and scenery, great crowd support and a fun destination. These reasons and others drew me back for round two, and once again, Philly didn't disappoint. Its a kick ass-phalt event!

The weather forecast was ominous for Philly Marathon. The night before I went to bed I checked on final time and it was supposed to be -4C at the start, and a high of 4C at the finish. I decided begrudgingly that it was not skirt weather and settled for compression tights, and three layers on top. I was glad I did, it was cold!

Hubs and I had travelled down to Philly with a group of running friend and we had a really nice pasta dinner at a place called Maggiano's. Travelling with running friends makes the race all that more enjoyable, IMO. We had an early dinner and had finished eating by 5:30 and went back to the hotel to rest up until the morning. I slept O.K. tossing throughout the night, probably banked about 4-5 hours.

Race morning came and we walked to the Museum of Art. It was extremely crowded, so I stood in line at the porta potties while Hubs took our bags to the bag drop. One neat thing was that Bart Yasso from Runner's World was one of the race announcers. Lots of inspirational advice and encouragement was provided, and of course, fellow runner's camaraderie.

We stood in line in our start corral listening to the Rocky theme music which got us all pumped up. It was nice and warm being huddled with all of the other runners. I lined up between the 4:00 and the 4:15 pace bunny, because I didn't want to go out too fast.

Famous last words. Hubs and I took off and we immediately began running about a 3:50 marathon pace. I kept trying to slow us down, but we would relax, and I would look down and sure enough, our pace had crept back up.

The first half of the course went smooth. My legs felt fantastic, and I glided along. There was a large uphill around 10 miles, but I seemed to handle it OK. There was also a small cobblestone section which was scary to run over, but just past that was the best cheering section ever. Hundreds of people lined up with cow bells, music and whistles. I felt empowered and inspired, Philadelphians rock! I started to wonder, maybe today was the day to go under 4 hours? I crossed the halfway point at 2 hours, 1 minute. I was thankful when the half marathoners peeled off to the finish line, it meant more road space!

Past the halfway point, I started to have doubts about sub 4 hours. My legs were fine, but I just kind of felt exhausted. Tired. Pooped. Nada. Zilch. At the 14K point there was a huge hill that I made the mistake of stuffing a GU in my mouth before I crept up. I was halfway up the hill with the GU in my mouth still beginning to choke (running uphill and eating not a good combo) so I walked and finished the GU off. A little defeated that I had to walk, I told myself, so what, you walked, now run girl, RUN! So run I did, down a nice long downhill and settled back into a 5:41 min/km pace.

The next few miles went OK. We were running along the river towards the warehouse district called Manayunk. This section is often where runner's wall can occur. It an out and back loop. But the out is a long gradual uphill. This section is fun to run though, and there is beer at mile 17/21 and brownies and great crowd support. I didn't have either, my stomach just didn't feel like it.

By the 20 mile turnaround, I was tired. I knew I was off pace, but also knew depending on how much I could hold on for those last 6 miles, would depend on whether or not I would get a PR. I kept running interspersed with short walk breaks.

I struggled and pushed, but a PR just wasn't in the cards for me. I crossed the finish line at 4:15:38 (official time). Certainly a respectable time, but I was disappointed. How was it possible that I ran Hamilton faster (4:09:20) in a back to back marathon, and then after three weeks rest, I couldn't do the same. The body is a mystery sometimes. I think I was just overall tired. This was my seventh marathon this year, and my third best time, and a PR for this course, so I'll take it.

Afterwards Hubs and I got our picture taken, had hot broth and a pretzel (awesome post race treat), and ran up the Rocky steps and took a few silly pictures.

Final Race Stats:
Clock Time 04:22:56
Chip Time 04:15:38
Overall Place 4121/7231
Gender Place 1337/2986
Division Place 239/504
Age Grade 53.7%
Pace 9:45.1

Congratulations to all finishers, and I look forward to reading all of the reports. Thanks for reading!

** I didn't bring my camera USB cable to upload pictures so I will edit this post on Tuesday to include pictures**

Race Report: Niagara Falls International Marathon

I was attracted to the Niagara Falls International Marathon for a few reasons. 1) Its the only marathon that begins in one country and finishes in another. 2) It is a fabulously flat course (real PR material), and 3) It ends at the base of the Bridal Veil Falls. This race was really terrific for these highlights and others as I'll describe in this race report. Put it on your list people, its a good marathon to run.

When Hubs a I arrived in Niagara Falls Saturday afternoon, we went straight to the expo. The expo was small, but very well run. Before you could pick up your race kit you had to clear customs, and were told to bring your passport on the bus ride to the start line. We were a little disappointed that the pasta dinner was sold out, but I figured I could meet Laura in the morning since there was about an hour wait after we were bussed to Buffalo. The race kit was good and included a complimentary wine sampling coupons for a Niagara-on-the-Lake winery, a huge bag of pasta, and a complimentary art book from the museum that would host us before the race started. The shirt was one of the nicer shirts I have gotten. Hubs and I snapped a few pictures by the Falls, had a quiet dinner and were laying low by 9:00. I actually slept pretty well before the race.

The days leading up to the Niagara Falls Marathon had me worried about the weather. During the week before, it snowed, and they were calling for rain and huge wind gusts. It was also cold and wet when we arrived. When Sunday morning came, the weather gods blessed us with a nice sunny day with a high of about 12oC. The wind would be a tailwind and at our backs for most of the race (or so we were told!). In our race kits we were given a rain coat which I wore for warmth over my race clothes, and wrapped around my waist just in case it did rain at some point during the race. A very thoughtful detail.

When I boarded the bus to the start line Sunday morning, I got to meet Laura, and we hit it off right away, chatting the whole way to the start line. We had a few tense moments at the boarder when some of the clueless runners forgot their identification and the bus driver informed us we may be turned back (thankfully we weren't). Hubs snapped a photo of Laura and I on the bus.




When we arrived at the Museum (a beautiful white building with fabulous art -Picasso, Monet, etc), we were greeted by jazz music, and flushing toilets!! (Yippee, runners have such class, LOL!) We could only eat in some rooms, so Laura, Hubs and I went to the eating room and relaxed for a little while waiting for the race to begin. I was impressed on how many people approached Laura with her Maniacs singlet, there are alot of Maniacs out there! LOL! I am tempted to become one (I save the details for another post).

Outside of the Museum

Waiting inside the Museum

When the race started, I promised myself that I wouldn't go out to fast, so when the race started, I tried to stay calm when so many people shot forward. In fact we had a short out and back loop before the race headed to the boarder, and I noticed I was definitely towards the back of the pack. I kept telling myself "run your own race".

I loved how I could settle into my pace so quickly. The air was crisp and clear, and it was sunny and bright. I found myself letting out a happy sigh. I was relieved that we were finally off and that the weather was co-operating. I thought about how I love running, that this is what its all about, and this is the reward.

We toured through some beautiful old homes in Buffalo for the first few miles, before we headed towards the border. Hubs brought his camera, and documented most of the route.

Notice the "Canada, No exit" sign. Thats right all you Americans, once you enter, there's no escaping! The border crossing was awesome, and it was so much fun to run across the border, even though it was so windy on the bridge!

Here is a picture Hubs snapped, he was still on the bridge and I was off the bridge heading to Fort Erie. He yelled out so I looked up.

It was windy heading over to Fort Erie were we had a small loop before we headed due North towards the Falls. This section was windy, and a small group of runners and myself took turns drafting each other from the wind. I felt relaxed and kept wanting to pick it up but stayed calm

I passed 10K (6 miles) at 56:00 minutes, and felt relaxed and strong. I could see the 4:00 pace group ahead, but had no plans to pass them. I told myself that would happen if I felt strong after the first half of the race.

We ran through a few ghost towns, and along some large beautiful homes along the Niagara River. The first half flew by. Around the 11 mile mark I passed Laura, and we gave each other some support, and then the 4:00 group (only briefly since they were run-walking and I was steady running). I felt terrific. I reached the halfway point at 2:00:30, and I was inspired by the fact that I still felt so strong. My pace was a steady 5:40km/min the whole first half.

Kilometers 22-30 went well, I had parts where I struggled, but nothing that made me want to stop or slow down. I told myself I could take a walk after 32K if I wanted. There were very few spectators along the course, but the aid stations volunteers were terrific! They wore costumes and cheered so loudly that you could hear them from half a kilometer away!! WOW! I reached 30K at 2 hours, 51 minutes. I started to think just maybe I could hold on for four hours. I still felt relatively strong, and my pace had slowed only slightly 5:41 km/min. I did start to notice a some pain from emerging blisters but nothing to make me want to stop.

I kept going on, and reached 32K at 3:03. I felt emotion grip me, I knew it was possible to maybe make 4:00 hours. I remember *Aron's* sign. 10miles in your head, 10 miles with your legs, and 6 miles (10K) with your heart. Did I have the heart?!! 57minutes for 10K should be a piece of cake, but after 32K, was it possible?

I felt myself thrust my hips forward. I still felt strong cardiovascular wise, but my blisters were starting to hurt and my hips were tightening. As I ran by an aid station I asked them in desperation, did they have Advil?!? No they didn't! Unfortunately I forgot mine (now I know Lily you wouldn't approve, but I would only have taken one). I was a little mad at myself for forgetting to put it in my skirt pocket. I told myself I was tough, and didn't need it.

I took my first walk break (rather suddenly) at 32.5Km. It was then that I realized how stiff and sore I was. In retrospect, I wish I had never walked. I think it made it worse. Next time no promised walk breaks until I am finished! I began run/walking, not wanting to let my chance of a PR slip away.

Laura gave me the boost I needed when she ran by me at 36.5K. She told me I was going to kill my PR! I wanted so desperately to pick it up and run with her, but it did help me get going and I pushed as much as I could to to get to the finish line. She looked strong and effortless in her race!

It was weird to be not tired, my feet felt raw with each step, and my hips were so tight. The wind was out in full force, but I was determined to keep going. I was going to win the mental game today.

Eventually the gentle flowing river turned into angry rapids and then the mist of the Falls emerged. I was so thankful to see that mist!! The last few kilometers were downhill, and I pushed hard to get in under 4:16, and I did it. I felt so proud that I pushed through, and had such a strong race. It turns out those last 10K(6 miles) took me 1 hour, 12 minutes. I need to work on those last miles, but it gives me hope that I can improve in Philly.

Stats for my 9th marathon:

Time: 4:15:20

Gender Place: 121/307

Age Place: 20/38

I love running marathons! Between Laura and Hubs I am inspired to become a Marathon Maniac. More details on that to follow. Thanks for reading!