Page 1 of 1

Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:11 pm
by Double Bellybuster
I had seemingly been training for this one for a long time - after overestimating my capabilities coming off injury in a November Marathon I declared a February do-over in which I was placed in a sauna.

So a Doo-Doo-over was on. It was evident from the consistency in printed date on the only two items handed out race morning that this race would be flawlessly staged:

Image

I found a spot at the start line - with the volunteer holding the sign for the 3:35:00 second/third corral split standing with the four other corral signholders (and no runners) on the course side of the start line, I took a spot in the disorganized mass of runners close to where the 3:15:00 and 3:40:00 pacers were standing next to each other. That's right, the corral signs were on the course rather than in the corrals - just like pictured below but with Marathon times, fiddling with cell phones and timing mats between the signholders and runners:

Image

My goal for this one was 3:35:00 or 5:06/K. This was a group of only 2,000 on wide roads so the pack ironed itself out quickly and the 3:30:00 pacer went by in the first K as expected. This was a downhill first half, from Mel Lastman Square to the Distillery District, so I would be able to keep this pacer within view for a while.

1K to 7K Splits - 5:00, 4:52, 4:47, 4:44, 4:50, 5:27, 4:59

8K to 14K Splits - 5:05, 4:50, 5:12, 5:02, 5:15, 5:04, 4:52

14K to 20K from Casa Loma to Corktown on Davenport, Rosedale Valley and Bayview was a one long downhill. I had been increasingly on the 3:30:00 pacer group's heels on each flat and downhill for 45 minutes and at 18K I made the seemingly ridiculous decision that I had been considering for a while to pass this large group despite their aggressive target.

15K to 21K Splits - 4:49, 4:57, 4:52, 4:57, 4:59, 4:58, 5:04

+ 0:09 GPS 21K to Race 21K

Official 21K (not 21.1K) Timing Split - 1:45:04, 469th place of 2130

I was still feeling good and started to pass runners that had taken the first half too quickly. Ks 24 and 25 saw me blazing as if Mr. Goshdashditar was with me:

Image

22K to 28K Splits - 5:01, 5:02, 4:37, 4:38, 4:54, 5:03, 4:55

As we passed Ontario Place at 28K to start a westbound leg to Humber Bay Park, the runners I was passing were in a worsening state of disrepair. This was surprising on a course with such an easy first half, though I had been dumping water over my head each aid station from 15K to keep cool as it was sunny throughout. I knew a PB was in the works, I just needed to keep it together.

Image

I consciously slowed it down to my goal pace of 5:06/K and then to my PB pace of 5:11/K to make sure I wasn't the one out of gas mid-course later on.

29K to 35K Splits - 5:02, 5:10, 5:07, 5:05, 5:11, 5:11, 5:13

- 0:22 GPS 35K to Race 35K

Official 35K Timing Split - 2:54:51, 353rd Place of 2130

The closing 7K eastbound on Lakeshore Drive had the only headwind of the day and the warmest temperatures. The last four Ks of this stretch saw me slow - the gel I ate at 32K was almost one too many for my stomach so no gel for energy at 37K and consecutive aid stations at 36.5K and 39K had run out of cups - so no Gatorade for energy and no water for hydration or for cooling. I drink just enough to stay ahead of the need so I started to have hydration issues to compound the stress a PB pace was having on my body. My sides felt like one big cramp the last 20 minutes of the race and I got it done without a lengthy slowdown but there was no sprint finish in me Sunday.

36K to 42K Splits - 5:15, 5:17, 5:17, 5:27, 5:41, 5:36, 5:43

1:01 for last 0.195K (5:12/K Pace)

+ 1:16 GPS 42.195K to Race 42.195K

Official Result - 3:35:24 (5:06/K Pace), PB by 0:03:27

Gun Time - 3:35:36, 338th Place of 2130, 54th of 175 M35-39

I was thrilled to find Lisa at the finish line as she had been saving a medal for me, even if I was going to be real slow.

Image

The 3:30:00 Pacer never caught me, worst pacer ever.

I liked this race. Clearly it had some imperfections that come from being the Mayor's favourite whipping target and having dates and finishing locations yanked from it. But that's a big reason I considered this race for the first time. If the Boss Man keeps picking on it I'm sure to be back as long as he's in office.

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:17 pm
by Size5
:lol: I loved the last lines!!! Well done in holding it together and pulling off the PB

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 5:35 am
by orleansrunner1962
I love the strategy that went in to this race -- I think you might be on to something -- nice PB!! Awesome....

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:14 am
by HCcD
Congrats, on an awesome race and a spankin' new PB ... :clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:21 am
by cbaker1
Congrats. Did I read correctly that you finished a head of the 3:30 pacer...?

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:14 am
by jes
Wow Dave! Congrats on the PB!

Although...I was feeling a bit of dread reading your report, seeing that your goal was 5:06 min/k and that you were posting some splits much faster than that in the first half. Glad that didn't come back to bit you!!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:27 am
by Double Bellybuster
Thanks all!

cbaker1 wrote:Did I read correctly that you finished a head of the 3:30 pacer...?


This is correct. I was within earshot of him for a long time and he seemed to be very jovial and encouraging a big pace group of 20 or so. He just seemed to be pacing poorly, I don't know how he was going to hit sub-4:59/K when he was 5:05/K or so through 18K on the easy half and then was nowhere to be seem when I glanced back around the time I finished the first half in 1:45:35 or so.

jes wrote:Although...I was feeling a bit of dread reading your report, seeing that your goal was 5:06 min/k and that you were posting some splits much faster than that in the first half. Glad that didn't come back to bit you!!


I had lots of energy and had to hold back several times with the amount of downhills in the first half, glad I was only marginally too quick. You never know what the day will bring you.

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:29 am
by Sandra
Nice PB! congratulations on a strong race!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:37 am
by irun4me
Congrats on a race well run and a PB!

Once I got on to the link, I couldn't stop reading the rest of your RR's. Fantastic!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:50 am
by Double Bellybuster
irun4me wrote:Once I got on to the link, I couldn't stop reading the rest of your RR's. Fantastic!


Aw shucks, thanks!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:52 am
by Robinandamelia
Congratulations on a fantastic result!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:59 am
by IronColl
Great job!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:59 am
by Strider
...and you ARE running a 50km trail race in 3 weeks? Congrats on it all coming together-all your learning's were used. So happy for you.

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 8:23 am
by Double Bellybuster
Strider wrote:...and you ARE running a 50km trail race in 3 weeks? Congrats on it all coming together-all your learning's were used. So happy for you.


Thanks Bro. This is the plan. Once I get through the Sporting Life 10K this Sunday in one piece, I am signing up. I've only been putting off sign-up as there are no discounts for early registration. Besides if I don't run, I have to pace a crazy man through the dark that evening... :lol:

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 8:27 am
by purdy65
Good work DB!

It was good to see you! Too funny hearing my name being called out while I was picking up more medals! :lol: :lol:

Glad you got your revenge on Miami! Conditions were definitely not an issue. Some complained about it being too hot, but - well - after Boston, the complaints did just not compute for me.

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 8:41 am
by Avis
Very nicely done--congratulations!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:38 am
by La
Sweet new PB! Congrats!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 12:27 pm
by Habs4ever
Good stuff DBB. :D

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 12:29 pm
by scrumhalfgirl
awesome stuff! congrats on the pb!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 12:39 pm
by abirdd
Size5 wrote::lol: I loved the last lines!!!


This... have not lived in Toronto since '95, but I hear about "Boss Man" from family all the time :lol:
Congrats on another stellar race, and for putting up a wicked report. 8)

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 12:47 pm
by IronGoddess
WOW great race. I love reading your race reports.

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 4:23 pm
by DJHL
Congratulations on a well controlled run and a PB

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 10:07 pm
by RobW
Congrats on the PB!

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:42 am
by chunkymonkeymelonhed
Nicely done DBB!!! Congrats on the PB.

Re: Toronto Marathon Race Report

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 10:01 am
by Stampie
Great race report DB and congrats on a new PB, well done!