Scotia Bank Half Marathon 2015

Photo from Pamela

It's 3 o'clock when I finally write these words. A call from mom gives me the energy to drink some chicken soup and, then, to write this race recap.

Honestly, my running is going well. In the past weeks, I did some crazy trainings at the end of which I was verifying the distance shown by my polar V800 on Google Maps because I couldn't believe it. Since January, my goal is to run today's half marathon under 1 hour 23 minutes, which is 2 minutes faster than my PB. I believed in my goal. Two weeks ago, I was sure I could make it. However, 10 days ago, I had a cold that hasn't left me. But, I still believed in my goal when I woke up this morning.

The start was at 10. The day is perfect : not too cold, not too hot, bright shiny sun and not too windy. Pamela is my PERSON today, the one who keeps me company until the start, helps with nervosity, cheers, etc. #BSCE

At the start line, I meet James and his friend, Eric, both wishing to run the same time as I. James is the one who invited me to race this half marathon. We've been cheering each other since January. Thanks James and congratulations !

At the gun, I leave James behind and get into a faster pace than anticipated. However, I know from experience that the two first kilometers are easy whatever the pace. You just have to make sure to get into yours at the right time. At kilometer 6, I can hear Pam cheering though I can't find her in the crowd.


Photo from Pamela

At kilometer 8, way earlier than expected, my body starts sending me unusual signs. My legs are heavy and my quads are tight. I worry a little, but my watch shows me I'm running on time. The wind starts to be a factor so I make sure to NEVER run on my own. I jump from one man to another. At the some point, Eric caught me and I'm so grateful for its help from kilometer 9 to 16.

From kilometer 9 to 10, my stomach is now having mix feelings. At kilometer 11, I have to force myself to take my gel. My stomach wishes otherwise, but my legs need it badly. It's a fail. My stomach ache gets worse and the legs aren't getting better. Knives are cutting through my quads at each step.

At kilometer 17 is when I lose it. I'm running 10 seconds slower than I should be. I have to concentrate on keeping those sphincter shut because all they want is to empty my intestines.

When there's no more than 2,5 kilometer to do, I see Pam and, even if I was not having much fun, I grin.


Photo from Pamela

The last two kilometers are terrible. I cross the line at 1:25:23, which is 11 seconds slower than my PB. I don't even have time to be disappointed because my only focus is to get to the restroom as fast as possible

Well, some days the body is unpredictable. It's always frustrating when it happens on one of those days you absolutely need him to collaborate. Anyway, I'm still convinced I can break 1 hour 23 minutes this year.

Thanks to all the volunteers and to all of you who cheers me, at the race or on the web. Next stage : triathlon sprint at Joliette.


Stats 

1:25:23
5th woman
89th overall


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bring It On !

Image
Year 2016 is far gone. It wasn't the end of it that my aim was already on 2017 and the next four years. Teaching is quite flexible. We have holidays and we have short days sometimes. However, it's exhausting. This year, every day I have a class with the 14 years old, it feels like I ran a half-marathon. And in about 4 months, I got a sinusitis, an unbeatable cold and a gastroenteritis. Top shape, really ! In Cozumel, after my unfinished race, I lay down on the beach, both feet in the sand, the Mexican sun burning and I thought... I'm 28 years old with one broken tooth and an old back, but still full of potential. I'm strong enough for both the swim and the run, but I'm way behind when it comes to the bike. If I could cut down 20 minutes on the bike, I would be less than 5% behind the winner. If I cut down another 10 on the bike and a 10 elsewhere, I'm up for Kona. I think this is possible with a better training environment. If I do nothing and keep
Read more

First Half of our Training Camp

Image
  Meeting the turtle, I was a bit nervous More than a week done and I'm feeling stronger than ever ! We were a little worried at the beginning because of the cold weather. The first days, we were going to the pool with all the warmer clothes we had brought and still couldn't get warm enough. Luckily, the NTC pool is heated... when it's not too windy. The thing is, it was too windy so they couldn't leave the pool tarp during the night. Some ended up wearing their wetsuit and we weren't taken much break between the sets. However, since friday, the hot Florida sun is back and our tan is getting better. Running at the NTC track I have to say, after our two first group bike rides, I was desperate. I was wondering how I would get through this training camp with my old and heavy bike. I should have brought my TT bike. In addition to my bike problems, I had trouble with my injuries to the right foot and to the right IT Band. Sincerely, I was asking myself why I
Read more

The day has come in 2015 !

Image
The first time I saw a triathlon was in Taupo, New Zealand, in 2006. I was running my first half-marathon that weekend, which was the same as Taupo Ironman. I learnt about the Ironman distances and I thought those athletes were crazy. But I remember feeling a little light of excitement inside me. A few months later, I started training for triathlons in Quebec. In 2008, I went to Lake Placid Ironman to cheer some friends. The weather was terrible : rain, cold, falls, hypothermia. Numerous athletes did not finish. I remember seing Hilary Biscay getting off the bike first, but losing on the run. She had such a short and fast stride. Her knees were low. I couldn't believe this stride could make her run a 3 h30 marathon. I had cheered the whole day, mostly on the run course, yelling the name of every runner passing by. That day, even with the worst weather, even if I saw so many struggling bodies, I swore I would do an Ironman. Because even though these athletes were suffering,
Read more