Slcc
What: ING National Capital Marathon
Where: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
When: May 30th, 2004
Why: Still not sure
Who: Me
How: With my feet
Weather: Sunny and 7 degrees Celsius at the start and 17
at my finish
Goal: beat 4 hours Gun: 4:06 Chip: 4:05
I would like to preface this report with: This is my first
posting to the group and this is also my first marathon. I
only started running 8 months ago to get in shape but after
running my first race (11k) 2 months later I am hooked on
the racing aspect.
Notes about the event: It was extremely well organized.
Start was exactly at 7:00am with a split at the halfway
point. This year is a new one-loop course after previous
years with 2 loops. Some of the elites thought the new first
half had too many turns but for a mid-packer it was very
scenic taking in many of the attractions Ottawa has to
offer. The crowds were very large in some spots and at
enough points along the course.
Notes about my race: It took only ~1 minute to cross the
start line and we are immediately met with a 400 meter
incline up to Parliament Hill. After leveling off the course
is in decline for the next 3km. I hit the 1 km mark on
target and was a little fast at 2 and 3. The water stations
we set up every 3km and they were very well stocked and set
with 4 8' tables with about 10-20 meters in between them.
The first two would have Gatorade and then the last two
would have water. After crossing the river into Quebec for a
brief visit we cross back into Ontario for the next 12km
winding through various areas including the prestigious
Rockliffe Park and run in front of the Prime Ministers
residence. Back into Quebec for about 2km then back into
downtown Ottawa to complete the first half.
The first half was very uneventful as far as the race was
concerned. I was about 1:30 ahead of pace at the half and
knew that I would be in trouble for the second half. The
second half is one loop of the original course that is a
scenic run around the Rideau Canal. I noticed I was getting
dehydrated at the 25km mark and things began to fall apart
at the 30km mark even though I was still on pace.
After a short jaunt up a hill to hit the 30km my quads
screamed in pain. While trying to stretch I ended up with a
spasm in my hamstring. It took me about 2-3 minutes to get
everything under control to continue. From then on it was a
slower pace with walk breaks every 1.5km. I was able to get
in the final 2.5km because of the crowds. The crowd got very
loud as I came in, surprising me but not the winner of the
half marathon who zipped by me with about 150 meters to go.
It was like I was standing still....
Through the chute to get the space blanket, 2 bottles of
water, remove my chip and the coveted medal that is very
nice. Roses for the ladies, continuing a tradition from
previous years since the race was on Mother's Day. I will
definitely do it again next year after a new weight program
to help with the quads.
Thanks for reading
Where: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
When: May 30th, 2004
Why: Still not sure
Who: Me
How: With my feet
Weather: Sunny and 7 degrees Celsius at the start and 17
at my finish
Goal: beat 4 hours Gun: 4:06 Chip: 4:05
I would like to preface this report with: This is my first
posting to the group and this is also my first marathon. I
only started running 8 months ago to get in shape but after
running my first race (11k) 2 months later I am hooked on
the racing aspect.
Notes about the event: It was extremely well organized.
Start was exactly at 7:00am with a split at the halfway
point. This year is a new one-loop course after previous
years with 2 loops. Some of the elites thought the new first
half had too many turns but for a mid-packer it was very
scenic taking in many of the attractions Ottawa has to
offer. The crowds were very large in some spots and at
enough points along the course.
Notes about my race: It took only ~1 minute to cross the
start line and we are immediately met with a 400 meter
incline up to Parliament Hill. After leveling off the course
is in decline for the next 3km. I hit the 1 km mark on
target and was a little fast at 2 and 3. The water stations
we set up every 3km and they were very well stocked and set
with 4 8' tables with about 10-20 meters in between them.
The first two would have Gatorade and then the last two
would have water. After crossing the river into Quebec for a
brief visit we cross back into Ontario for the next 12km
winding through various areas including the prestigious
Rockliffe Park and run in front of the Prime Ministers
residence. Back into Quebec for about 2km then back into
downtown Ottawa to complete the first half.
The first half was very uneventful as far as the race was
concerned. I was about 1:30 ahead of pace at the half and
knew that I would be in trouble for the second half. The
second half is one loop of the original course that is a
scenic run around the Rideau Canal. I noticed I was getting
dehydrated at the 25km mark and things began to fall apart
at the 30km mark even though I was still on pace.
After a short jaunt up a hill to hit the 30km my quads
screamed in pain. While trying to stretch I ended up with a
spasm in my hamstring. It took me about 2-3 minutes to get
everything under control to continue. From then on it was a
slower pace with walk breaks every 1.5km. I was able to get
in the final 2.5km because of the crowds. The crowd got very
loud as I came in, surprising me but not the winner of the
half marathon who zipped by me with about 150 meters to go.
It was like I was standing still....
Through the chute to get the space blanket, 2 bottles of
water, remove my chip and the coveted medal that is very
nice. Roses for the ladies, continuing a tradition from
previous years since the race was on Mother's Day. I will
definitely do it again next year after a new weight program
to help with the quads.
Thanks for reading
