Sunday, October 15, 2000 Toronto, Ont I am feeling relaxed today. Weather is cool (12C), cloudy, misty, not much wind. I got to Mel Lastman Square just at 8am, and I found a corner to get ready in. I assisted three ladies get their bib numbers written on their bags for the bag-check. I stretched and had my Fastrack energy bar. At 8:30am I stripped to my chosen running gear: hat, ss shirt, & shorts. I had the 'psyching team finish-line' on my shirt. I had a big debate with myself about whether on not to take my sunglasses. Since I could wear them on my hat, I decided to. I took my bag to the bag-check, and then, after a pee into a hedge (too long a lineup at the washroom) I went to Yonge St. to watch the 1/2 marathon start. Rob and MaryAnne Schattemann came along, and we watch and cheered the 1/2 marathoners go by: Peter Kent (Global TV news anchor); Darren from XSNRG; lots of TnT people. There were still some desperate 1/2 marathoners streaming north as the runners went past us - bad planning on their part. After all but a couple of stragglers had gone by, the Schattemann's left, and I wandered down to the marathon start area. I met up with Allan and Margot from Marathon Dynamics and we gently chatted. I got my watch all ready - 10min and 1min on the timer for my 10/1 run/walk schedule. The horn went off, and we were off. I settled into pace fairly quickly. At my first walk break I was just behind the 4:15 pace group, and the 4:30 pace group caught me up. Someone is a little off here !?! I thought about staying with the 4:15 group, but decided not to cuz I wanted to run "my race". I left Allan behind. Nearly dropped my water bottle a couple of times - nervous maybe? I don't think so, but... At the end of Sheppard was the 5km mark, 30:17, a little faster than the 31min 5km that I wanted, but to be expected for the beginning of the race. I took my first gel, and settled in as we went up the Allen. Into G. Ross Lord Park and I got my water bottle refilled at the water station - I was being careful to drink lots: even though it is not a hot day, it is a bit humid. At 10km the 5km split was 30:47 - much better. I took my next gel. Going up Steeles, I was still not quite comfortable - the legs were slightly 'dead', but I did not worry, cuz I was sure they would come around. Rob Schattemann caught up to me - I wasn't aware he was running a relay leg. We exchanged hand slaps, and away he went! I put the sun glasses on as it was getting a little lighter. The traffic is getting worse now - people honking and cops firmly directing them. I started nodding and 'thank you' to the cops and traffic directors. I started to really relax. At 15km my split was 30:25. Going good. And I took the next gel, and finally found a garbage can to get rid of the old used ones. Going down Yonge I got into a groove. I still wasn't worrying about my pace - it was a little faster than planned, but it was still effortless, so I didn't worry about it. The laces on my left shoe were bugging me a bit - they felt a little like they were digging into me. I almost stopped to retie the shoe, but decided to wait and see if it got more annoying, and I put it out of my mind. I forgot about it for the rest of the race. Passing Mel Lastman Sq again at 18km was neat, with loudspeakers cheering us on. I started passing people and I noticed that it was only relay-runners who were passing me. Going under the 401 was fun as I made 'echos'. Approaching the 20km as I started to dip down into Hogs Hollow, the relay runners was lined up, forcing the runners into a narrow corridor - I was a little annoyed. At 20km my split was 29:01 Whoa! A little fast! The downhill from Steeles had alot to do with that. I exhorted myself to "relax, slow down". I was afraid of my legs seizing up too early for me to had the strong finish that I wanted. I took it gently down the rest of Hogs Hollow hill. There was alot of sound from traffic and other runners, and I thought that I had missed my watch. I also wanted to take another gel, so as soon as I crossed the 1/2 mat (in 2:06:53), I took a walk break and a gel. This also had me walking up the Hogs Hollow hill, which was good. I got going again, and just cruised up the hill, without pushing too hard. At the top of the hill I exulted "I'm king of the hill!". And I ignored the next walk break, because I had gotten slightly off schedule with the last one. But I returned to taking them at the prescribed times. As I came through the intersection at Lawrence Ave, there was an ambulance attending to a runner. I said a short prayer for them. I continued down Yonge towards Eglinton Ave. There was a guy on rollerblades, and he was swerving back and forth around the runners. It was a little un-nerving. He was staying with a girl (girlfriend or sister). I asked him to "the support you are giving is great, and I know how invaluable it is, but please could you do it from the sidewalk. We don't want to get tangled up in you. Thanks." He complied without arguing. The weather is not getting an lighter, maybe even darker now, so I returned the sunglasses to my hat, after nearly dropping them. What is it with me a fumbling things today? I am not nervous: on the contrary, given the way I am running, I am very relaxed. At the Marathon Dynamics water station at Chapman there were lots of cheers and lots of familiar faces. Most were surprised to see me, and gave an extra "Hey Andrew! Go!". That was envigorating! I then realized that I had missed the 25km mark for the next split. No matter. On Chapman, saw the 4:15 pace group just ahead of me, and I knew I was picking up the pace on them. Going up Oriole, I saw a guy leaning against a railing and I instinctively stopped to make sure he was ok. He was. My checking on him was just another sign that I was focused outwards, on the day, the people, the fall colours, the route, and not inward on how I was feeling. I was running relaxed, and care-free. Ran around Upper Canada College, and at the turn onto Kilbarry I yelled out "I got you beat now", cuz that is the spot where I had thrown up last year, and lost my race. Cars were heavily backed up through Forest Hill there, all very stoickly staring straight ahead, not at the runners - silly people! At the turn onto Spadina Ave, there was a water station, with Queen's "We will we will rock you" pumping out of the speakers. I joined in with pumping fists, and sanging at the top of my lungs. Wow! What a high. I felt tingles all the down to my toes!! My 1hr split at the 30km mark was 59:36, which was very good considering all the uphill since the bottom of Hogs Hollow. I caught and passed the 4:15 pace bunny just as we crossed St. Clair and I took my last gel. They were on the same 10/1 run/walk schedule as I was, so we were stopping and running together now. I went gently down the Casa Loma hill - I didn't even look at the castle. One lady started hopping crazily from a sudden cramp - ouch! As I proceeded down Davenport, I started to leave the 4:15pacers behind me, although I could still clearly here the bunny yelling "stop", "run" at every walk break. The Tnt water station, at the top of Rosedale Valley Dr. and just before th 33km mark, was a little disappointing - small and not very loud. I saw Zelda Harris there, and told her that "I feel great today". I refilled my water bottle for the last time, and kept on merrily going. I was still passing people, with no one but relay runners passing me back. The colour of the trees down Rosedale Valley Dr. was most magnificent. Wow! By the time I reached the bottom of that gentle hill, I could no longer could here the 4:15pacers behind me. I was keeping a eye on my watch at every km marker, and I was watching my pace slowly dip under 2min faster than 6min/km pace. Wow! My 35km split was 29:11, so my pace was still amazing! Coming off Rosedale Valley Dr., my legs were starting to tightenup and hurt - I started looking for the XSNRG water station. I thought it was at 35km, but they were at 36km. What a boost the XSNRG water station were!! Loud, and a great boost right when I needed it. Lots of familiar faces and "Go Andrew! Go!". I was most energized, and noticably increased my pace to my next walk break just before the 37km mark and the turn onto Front St. At that turn, the 37km mark, I knew I was good to the end, it was just a question of time. A guy on a bicycle came by and said "25min and you're all done. Just 5km to go". I did not say back to him "no, 30min for us folks". I passed a guy in a red shirt really weaving: the next cop I saw I asked him to get some medical assistance. Maybe I shoulda stopped to assist him. I don't think he had a water bottle belt - maybe he just needed some water. He haunts me still. I was still passing people like crazy - one guy said "nice pace". I replied with a "yeah, just trying to maintain". The walk break just past 38km REALLY hurt to start again, so I resolved to run the rest of the way. My legs were really hurting now but I refused to give in to it - I drew from past races experience to deal with the discomfort and know I had less than 3km to go. Plus I used some 'magic' from the 'psyching team finishing-line tape' touched on my legs to make the pain go away. My feet are fine. Onto University Ave and around the slight bend and Queen's Park is in sight, and I can imagine the finish line now. I maintained focus on it. It began to rain, and that was good - it helped me focus just on me now. I stopped talking to others and admiring the scenery. I nearly lost the 40km marker in a water station, and I nearly ran into someone, but my pace was still good: 29:05. The pain did not get worse, but my hamstrings started to spasm slightly. This was a new feeling for me. I was slightly concerned about it, but since I had less than 1km to go, I wasn't too concerned. I just hoped/prayed that I would remain in control of my legs. It was another good sign - it meant that I had run to the best of my ability on this day, and at the finish, my body had given all it could give. I maintained pace up around Queen's Park circle, waving to Adrienne and Cheryl, but didn't make much effort to sprint - I hurt enough to prevent that. I guess I will have to work on that 'wall' next race. I see the finish line, and lengthen my stride slightly. Line up on the cameraman for a good photo. Across the finish line. YEAH! WOW! Final split for the last 2.2km - 12:40, which was an increase in pace. My stats: splits: 5km - 30:17; to 10km - 30:47; to 15km - 30:25; to 20km - 29:01; to 30km - 59:36; to 35km - 29:11; to 40km - 29:05; to finish - 12:40 4:11:06 official chip time 4:12:15 gun time 775/1177 men 128/193 age category 973/1627 finishers 1677 started all goals were met, even the "i'd love to" ones: training was injury free finished finished strong (increased pace) negative split PB got under 6min/km pace - under 4:13:12 Final reactions/thoughts: I can't believe that I managed a pace under 6min/km. That was a "dream goal", and I did it this day, without meaning to, without trying to. Wow! I was so relaxed, and I just let the body run. I did not push the pace until the very end. I ran my own race, looked around me, enjoyed the day. My pace was VERY consistent. When the legs were still not feeling quite right at 12km, I did not worry, just was patient. When I thought I needed to re-tie my shoes, I just put it out of my mind for the rest of the race. And when the pain in my quads started, I did not slow down, I did not allow it to take control of my day. I had mental strength to deal with it, not trying to fight it, but welcome it and I just knew that I would make it to the end. Taking my gels (6 of them) early and often (every 1/2 hr) worked because the stomach did not reject any of them. The weather clearly helped me. It was cool, little wind, and no sun, so I was not hot or cold. Lovely!