Mississauga Marathon Race Report

May 11, 2008

Overall I was happy with the day although I was
disappointed at missing
my goal.

My thoughts - What a difference 5k makes.

At 32 k I ran through the wall marker and I was
pretty sure I was home free. Running in good shape, feeling good, at goal
pace and sitting on a 2 minute cushion that I had built up in the
downhill sections. Although there was that tight feeing in my quads that was
starting to bother me.

Well that "tight feeling" turned into a real
problem
and progressively
made me slower and slower over the next 8k until
the last 2k when I was down to 6 minute k's!
At 37K I knew it was gone - and there was
absolutely nothing I could do about it, I did try to
raise my pace a couple of times and realized my
legs were close to locking up completely. The
struggle now was to finish.

Lessons learned - Quads aside, I felt great and
from a cardio perspective I had a lot left. I think the downhill
sections blew up my
quads in the last 10K - plan to talk to you and
Bill
about training for
downhill's. I believe I have the cardio to run my
time - just need to
strengthen my legs.


Bill V gave me some good advice before the race -
3 points really stuck with me;

1. "At the half-way point it should almost feel
easy - if you feel good there then go for it".
Well it did and I did and it almost worked.

2. "Make sure you have 2 goals - if you miss the
first one you still have something to shoot for".
That was what kept me moving to the finish line.

3. "Even pacing all the way through" - I think I
did that - built a small cushion through the downhill's.
Although I think the downhill's wrecked my legs in the end.


I plan to go at it again in the fall - right now I
am undecided between Niagara, Toronto Int, Toronto Waterfront
or even Picton - any comments?

Thanks,
Gavin