HSBC Calgary Marathon - First Full - RunMarathon

Started with the right group (3:30) and that put me pretty close to the front so I didn't have too much issue with congestion. Kept the pace bang on 4:50 for the first 3-4 K and that's when the potty urge came on hard. By 5K I knew I was screwed so figured better go early when there wouldn't be others with the same idea. Wrong. Stop ended up taking almost 3 mins, and watching the 100s go by was annoying. But it was worth it and I felt fine for the rest of the race. 2 mins behind schedule at the 10k point but I knew trying to make up time so early would be stupid. Do it later - IF possible.

Made it to the bottom of the hill and did my lean in and machined up holding a nice 5:25 or so. Heart rate didn't go over 150 so perfect.

Saw my crew at the top (since we loop past 3 times it's a great spot) and then looped the University. Close to halfway now, started major muscle pain in the left quad/lower groin. Sort of like a stitch, but it can be kicked out sometimes. Some sharp foot pain, some knee pain but they went away.

Halfway split was 1:46 - a touch slower but set me up for a good neg split especially since going back I'd get the downhill. Best HM was 1:36, so not too worried (double the HM and add 30 mins was my outside time window).

So pace went up to 4:50 or faster every time I looked at my watch if it said 5:xx I'd say to myself "Faster slacker".

One awesome sign I saw said "That's not sweat. It's your fat crying." I repeated that a lot.

Around the mall and into Varsity - I never bothered to drive/run/bike the route as I assumed it was flat. It's not. Lots of rollers and the road slopes to the side quite a lot so you either cut the corners correctly and run on an angle or run in the center of the lane and don't slope. I mixed depending on foot soreness.

At 31 I was waiting for "the Wall" since I haven't done the volume fast guys on slowtwitch etc say is recommened to avoid it. But really I don't think I hit it. I was well fed and took water and gu brew alternating every station and ate my gel every 40 mins or so (I had 4 for the whole race). One strong period of stomach gas but it passed within a min or so.

At 32 I said screw it, it's a 10k race from now on and started holding a 4:45 - I passed a LOT of people in this last stage.

Then around 37 I passed the 3:30 pace bunny and a lot of death-marchers, and basically ran at 4:30 the rest of the way. Plenty of kick for a 3:40m/k final 500m sprint which is why I think I could have squeezed out another 5 mins with better pacing (next time!!)




With this baseline and a better idea of the true perceived effort, I will go harder. Problem will be hotter weather as that seems to hurt me more, so I'm sure my next race will also be unknown for that reason.

Met up with wife, daughter and support friends from work - even one of the execs came and brought a case of beer!

No blisters (!!), went for a slurpee and hamburger and then hot shower and hottub with the little one.


The Unknown. Since this was the first time racing this distance, pacing was strictly based on Mcmillan calculator and reading other race reports. McMillan is known to be very aggressive on the marry prediction (based on my 10K it said I was within 2 mins of BQ) but my HM times put me into the 3:20s.



If I do another marathon I think I'll attempt to BQ on a faster course. I have no doubt I could have knocked anther 5 mins off my time, as well as a couple minutes for the course hills. So it's within reach with some hard work.