Queen City Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I started well, and had some excellent early paces between 5 and 6:20.
first half was stronger than second half, sadly.
Walked through every water station and twice just before as I took my gels, then took on water.
Started getting a little tired after 15 k. My mind then started to play it's usual tricks, trying to get me to walk. I stick to my strategy of only walking through hydration stations. At about 16 K I caught up to the 2:15 pace bunny group and stuck with them for about 3 k, then I had to slow down a bit.
At 11 k, I stopped for a pee at the water station. Didn't really need to that much, but it got it off my mind and my bladder!

Overall, I used my Garmin well and kept checking my pace...my pulse was always around the mid 150s.(which is normal for running for me...) I got a little distracted a couple of times and noticed my pace slowed to 7:10 so I picked up the pace big time. I found I was running a faster pace just before water stops. I played cat and mouse with a few familiar runners.

Chewed gum and that helped.
Wore little stretch gloves and those helped got a little warm near end when temp went up to 14 c
Wore long sleeved "walk" shirt...just a little hot near end.
Chafed nipple near end...didn't bother with it as I was almost done. No S&M for a couple of days.
Paul was near course with mountain bike and camera and said he got some pix of me.
Two Cliff Gels espresso gels. worked well, they were on my race belt and were a little uncomfortable, slight cut on hip.
Great fast all out sprint to finish - 3:26 pace!

fight those mind games even more.
try to skip every other water station.
Better tunes on iPod...get playlist from Milaminute!!!Lift knees and less shuffle, although I shuffled a lot more last race.

Other than that, I planned to have a pace below 7 and to beat 2:30. I did that in spades!

Not much. Saw G. Ignored John Stanton. got my medal. Budded in the food line, Not as good as Marathoner's tent - they had Powerbar recovery drink - nothing remotely protein related in food tent other than yoghurt.

Saw lots of friends. Looked for first wife. Found her in about 25 minutes. She missed my finish. I was really glad to see her. I think this is the first race this year that she has shown up. There's hope.


More time training needed. I think going to Penticton messed up my training schedule. It was worth it, though!
I have to work on trying to keep up with others. I got passed by quite a few people, I could have stuck with them and had a better time.
Otherwise everything went according to plan.


Crappy race package. Better shirt for marathoners. Better food tent for marathoners.
Water stations were a little boring. Good police and volunteer work at intersections.

Apart from that I almost didn't notice I was in an organized race.
Smaller crowd than last year.

Initial pix by Paul C!