Royal Victoria Marathon - RunMarathon


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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
8C / 46F
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 58m 54s
Overall Rank = 58/1895
Age Group = M25-29
Age Group Rank = 5/77
Pre-race routine:

Leading up to the race I pulled my left calf muscle about 4 weeks out. I thought this would be enough time to rest, recover and get back into some speed work before the race. However, I didn't rest enough at the beginning and I was still feeling the pull up until race day. Wasn't even sure how it was going to hold up.

Up at 6am and had a Boost and a muffin. At 7 went downstairs and had a piece of toast with water and talked to some other participants. Race start was 8:30.
Event warmup:

Light jog to the start line from the hotel and some strides along the side street. Didn't want to do too much because I was afraid of what I might feel.
Run
  • 2h 58m 54s
  • 26.1 miles
  • 06m 51s  min/mile
Comments:

I wanted to be a lot smarter this year as I didn't know what was going to happen. Goal was sub-3, but who knows. I started out a lot easier than last year, didn't get caught up in the excitement like I usually do. Kept my pace controlled and relaxed. Ran the first km in 4:10 - close to target (4:15). Was in pretty good spirits and my leg felt okay, but a bit tight. Hit the first 5k mark and was a little faster than my goal, but not too much like last year - saw Kirsten and it gave me a nice boost. Now I settled into my pace and got into a nice rhythm with a group of about 5-6 other guys with 2:58 goals - nice to run with them. At the aid station along Dallas just before you leave the water and go up a hill into the residential is where I got a bit ahead of them (15k-ish)- I think they slowed down, they think I sped up! Anyways, felt good so held that. One of the guys caught me around 20k and we were together again for a while. At the half I was just where I wanted at 1:29. Saw the leaders go by which was great and saw some other people I knew - a triathlete from Osoyoos, Doug, and of course Chris (Hazmaster) who said my name so loud it almost scared me!! Last time it was at 30k where I started to die, this year I was determine to keep going strong. It helped being around a good few people although it was starting to get a lot more spread out. Saw Mike a couple times on his bike and he was talking to me a bit - helped to take my mind off the run. It wasn't until 35k where it started to hurt, the last uphill was good though because I knew what was up there. Tried to pick up the pace the last few kms and get my sub-3 - it was so close I wanted it SO bad! Came around the last corner and hear the CRAZY LOUD CROWD!! The best feeling ever! Saw the clock was at 2:58 and knew I would get it, crossed right at 2:59!!! YEAH!! BEST...FEELING...EVER!!

5k split times:
5k: 20:49
10k: 21:11
15k: 21:04
20k: 21:10
25k: 20:17
30k: 21:09
35k: 21:57
40k: 22:10
2.2k: 9:20

First half 1:28:55
Second half 1:29:29

Nutrition: 1 gel at 1hr, 3 more every 30-40mins, all Van Gu except last was espresso gu
Shoes: Adidas Adistar Comp 4 racing flats
What would you do differently?:

Not get hurt. No speed work for the last 4 weeks was killer. Start my marathon training sooner.
Post race
Warm down:

walked around a lot. Ate and drank (bananas, a muffin, water, g-ade and a powerbar recovery drink - LOVE those things!) and did some good stretching. Went back to the hotel and put some ice on my legs for a while.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

My injury and lack of training for the last month.

Event comments:

Love the race. Love the course. LOVE the fans and volunteers. Couldn't ask for a better marathon.




Last updated: 2008-10-05 12:00 AM
Running
02:58:54 | 26.1 miles | 06m 51s  min/mile
Age Group: 5/77
Overall: 58/1895
Performance: Average
Course: Beautiful course through downtown, then a park and then out along the water and back. A few nice slopes but no major hills to worry about. Mostly sunny today with a few high clouds, no wind.
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] 5