The Toronto Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Toronto, Ontario
Canada
The Toronto Marathon
5C / 41F
Sunny
 		Total Time = 1h 58m 6s
Overall Rank = 1626/4191
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 1117/1985
Pre-race routine:

While packing my knapsack the night before the race, I realized that I had left my running shoes and HRM at work. In my defense, I was unexpectedly pulled out of work last week due to a family emergency so it's not like I was beeing completely negligent.

As a result, I left home a little bit earlier before the race to stop at work and get my gear. Interestingly, while I was getting my stuff and putting on my HRM, in the completely silet and dark office building, the fire alarm went off which made me jump out of my skin. I had to evacuate using the stairs and in the process set off a couple of "emergency exit only" alarm which further added to the anxiety of the moment. What a nice relaxing start to the day :)
Event warmup:

None, other than the building evacuation noted above.
Run
  • 1h 58m 6s
  • 21.1 kms
  • 05m 36s  min/km
Comments:

I'm verry happy with this run. I wanted to finish in under 2 hours and I did that. I'm also happy with my pacing which for the most part averaged around 5:37. I was really pushing during the last 4 km and given the gradual but steady climb I'm quite happy with my performance.
Post race
Warm down:

Some slight stretching but really I just wanted to get warm because once I stopped running, the cold breeze against my wet clothes was not a pleasant feeling.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing. Given that my longest distance was 10km just a month ago, and the fact that I only had minimal training during that month, I don't think I could have done anything better. Heck, for a guy that could not run for more than 2 minutes just 7 months ago, I am very very happy with the outcome.

Event comments:

The race was pretty well organized except for the following two points.

1. For the long stretch on Rosedale Valley Rd and the Bayview extension there were no drinking stations.
2. The shuttle busses that were supposed to take racers back to the morning pickup point were not availble at the end of the half marathon due to the road closures. Since this was not communicated, lots of racers were not prepared with money for the subway. The long 5km walk back to the pickup point was NOT fun in the freezing cold weather.




Last updated: 2006-09-11 12:00 AM
Running
01:58:06 | 21.1 kms | 05m 36s  min/km
Age Group: 1117/1985
Overall: 1985/4191
Performance: Good
Course: Start at Mel Lastman Square near Yonge & Sheppherd. Down Yonge St and left onto Rosedale Valley Rd. Over to the Bayview extension and down to King St. Across till Cherry St. and down to Lakeshore Blvd. East until York/University and then straight up and around Queen's Park Circle just south of Bloor. Go to the link below for the course map. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=495464 Though elevation maps show this to be a downhill course, it's hard to actually call it that. The incline is very gradual and in fact there are some challenging hills; e.g. at Hoggs Hollow and the long but steady climb for the last 4km.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4