Manitoba Marathon - RunMarathon

Given the extreme heat I am very happy with my run. I had some GI issues at the 23km mark. I had to duck into a hotel on Portage Ave (The Viscount Gort) to use the washroom. I then had to duck under the Mid-Town bridge to let out another "load"!! I kind of figured that the heat combined with warm gels, warm Gatorade, and warm water at the aid stations all combined to cause my GI distress. I unfortunately had to lay off the gels from that point forward. I that that was unfortunate because I needed the energy at the 36km mark (I had planned on a double caffeine GU shot around that point) but figured that since the gels were passing right thru me in about 10 minutes it may take more liquid out of me and dehydrate me even more. It was truly was a battle to keep enough liquid in your body. There were people dropping off like flies in the later parts of the race...they were starting I.V.s on people on the side of the road and the course was actually closed at the 14 mile mark around the 3 hour mark. (only the second time in 31 years they have closed the course!) I felt awesome until about that 36km mark (mile 22 -23) I needed to walk for about 1.5 km (1 mile) - it was the stretch along Dunkirk drive to St. Vital road...it was like a frying pan! This proved to be good for me once I hit St. Vital road and some shade I was able to pick it up a little...not much faster than a slow jog mind you! I also walked up the Bishop Grandin overpass.

Unfortunately we had cool weather to train in leading up to this race...it only started to get warm around here about 1 week ago! If the weather would have thrown us some warmer temps earlier (like usual) to train in it would have helped a lot of people, including myself aclimatize!)
I need to find some fuel that agrees with my gut a little better in the heat.
Also the liquids at all the aid stations was warm...I think I would also be wise to start training with some warm liquid here and there...just to get used to it.

I feel I was very wise to lower my race goal by a little bit...when I finished I was totally spent.

Found a small patch of shade and sat drinking a chocolate milk and tried to choke down a banana...only got half of it down! (it was really, really, really hot!) Tried to stretch my legs a little...but mainly rested.


THE HEAT!!!!!

My 2 stops for #2...I figure that they cost me close to 10 minutes.

My gels and the warm liquids a the aid stations irritated my gut...which of course produced the aforementioned GI issues!

Mentally I was really good.


This will most likely be my last Manitoba Marathon...I feel great after this years race (not like last year!) I would still like to do the marathon distance but I would like to maybe do a "destination" marathon next. The Manitoba course is OK but I think twice may be enough for me! I was thinking Twin Cities next year? Maybe Fargo...we'll see (those aren't really Destination spots though!!)