After injuring my back just days before the Scotia Marathon 3 weeks ago and having to miss the race, I went through a stressful taper week this time, very careful to avoid any injury. The adversity made me stronger, and I was in a better place mentally than 3 weeks ago, more confident about making my goal time. My race pace runs were much better, I realized that a 16 k race pace run was not a walk in the park. It would be hard, but a hard pace I could maintain for 42.2 k. Thought about the 3:10 pace group, but made smart decision to go 3:15. No need to gamble, the goal was a BQ at 3:15. Weather was great, about 8-10 deg. C for the start, up to 13 or 14 at the end. Windy but not too much of a problem.
Race started and I went easy, stayed behind the 3:15 pace group. 1st couple k were still fast, but some went much faster. When we reached the big uphill at Hogg's Hollow took it fairly easy.. Through the 1st half of the race, the pace was moderate, lots of downhill sections which helped. 1:35:56 at the half. (4:32 pace) I felt strong. 1/2 gel every 30 mins, 1 cup water every station.
As we moved through the city and out to the lakeshore path, the real test began. Now running into the wind, there was some mental distress. Still well over an hour to go and it was getting tough. From the 20-30 k mark, people dropped off the pace. First you would hear heavy,
laboured breathing for a couple minutes and the next thing you knew they
were just gone. At 25-26 k there were only 2 or 3 of us left trying to keep up with the 3:15 pacer, and he was surging periodically, then slowing briefly, then surging again. This b_stard was my lifeline to Boston and he was trying to lose me..I kept up, but it was hard work. There was a loop back at about 30k, so that was the next goal to hit. Saw the leaders coming back toward the city, saw the 2nd place guy stop on the side of the road with hands on hips and bend over. I thought "once you stop you are cooked..you won't start again" (later i heard he crashed and dropped out of the race) Saw one of the guys I train with, Troy, running strong - he would finish 16th in 2:50! Hit the turnaround and felt a bit of a boost, just had to stay in the hip pocket of the pacer. Felt ok physically. Passed another training partner, Jason, at 35k, he had been going for a PB of 3:07 but hit the wall and was just holding on. he said "Go for it". He would finish in 3:30, and go on to fight another day, he runs Philly in 3 weeks. Toughest stretch was the 36-39 mark, down Queen's Quay. Pacer was still surging here and there, I was starting to labour for the 1st time. Told myself to hang on, who knows if you will ever get this close again. Quick thought of all the training I did: the early morning wake ups, hill repeats in 34 C temps, in pelting rains at night getting honked at by cars. It will not be for nothing. You are going to be in a world of hurt whether you run 3:14 or 3:16 so you might as well do it. Push, push, push. Just hang on to that pacer. Finally the turn north up York. All uphill left but just over 3 k to go. Went through a short tunnel under the Gardiner it was dark and I felt a momentary sense of calm, checked my watch - I had 15 minutes to do the last 3 k. I was going to make it! Still tough on the uphill towards Queen's Park. Could see the legislature building in the distance but I wasn't getting any closer.what was going on? Just push on, and hang on to that pacer! Alright, where is that 41 k sign..i must be there by now.41. Push On. Saw a sign in the crowd "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever" Push, push, push. Alright, on flat ground, cheering crowd, heard Andrea and Sharon cheering. Didn't look up, couldn't look up. Around the bend, there's the finish. Clock at 3:14. 50 m to go. Neck and neck with another guy and a girl, split second thought -"if you sprint here there is no turning back, you have to beat them" my body didn't want to go. i went and they went, and they dropped off, beat them by a second. Crossed the line. YEAHHHH! YEAHHHHH! What a feeling. Heard Andrea call out again, she had run across the park to see the finish. Turned around and thanked my pacer. "You got me to Boston" 1st time we spoke all day. Got my medal, walked through the chute, crazy feeling. As I walked toward the public area my elation was mixed with another thought "I will Never do this to myself again". Met the family - Andrea, Lori, Sharon, Ron and Diane. It mean a lot to have them there, hugs all around. Then went back to get some food and a quick massage. My legs were tightening up...couldn't stop from groaning when they stretched out my hams, quads, calves. Sometime as I was dripping sweat on the massage table it started to sink in "I'm going to Boston, all the training was worth it!!". And for the first time I thought "how about 3:10 in Boston?" That sounds about right.
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