Scotiabank Toronto Marathon 2017

2015 Erie Marathon - The Easiest Marathon

I decided to sign up for Erie in early Spring as a training run. I'd heard it could be a perfect BQ race because of the flat course and temperature in the 60s. I knew I wasn't going to be ready for any PR or BQ but I wanted to test how I felt physically after completing a marathon. Since facing some medical issues in April, I hadn't been able to do a long run without some sort of issue. At times, I had felt I could not run a marathon anymore and perhaps a half marathon would be better.  But rolling the dice sometimes works.

At packet pick-up before the race, the weather was horrible.  Rain and high winds made for a less than ideal marathon conditions.  I ate a calzone around 2 p.m. near downtown and went to the pasta dinner provided by the organizers.  Dinner was outdoors and while pasta, meatballs, and everything else were warm, it was cold enough to make me wear a jacket.  I got to the hotel room around 8 p.m. and went to sleep.  I woke up once at 11 p.m. but went back to sleep until 5:30 a.m.
When I woke up the rain had stopped. It was still cold, water puddles were everywhere, and the winds were strong but at least rain would not be a factor.  The race started at 7 a.m. and I started lining up with the 4:30 marathon group.  I just wanted to start slow and see what my body could do.

 This was the smartest decision since it forced me to slow down in the first two miles while I was "boxed in" around other runners.  Once I got to mile two I reached the 4-hour marathon group and later the 3:45 pace group.  I stayed with them for 4 miles but I knew based on my GPS that they were going way fast but it was a pace I could maintain for at least 20 miles.  While pace groups are great, they forced you to be "boxed in" with other runners and not really feeling like you got space to move around. In addition, this pace group had someone talking way too much and I couldn't focus on my run.  I sped up a few yards until I couldn't hear them anymore and joined another group.  These guys were shooting for 3:45 and I thought I could hang with them for a while.

My pace was even during the first loop and I did not feel like I was pushing it.  Once I started the second and final loop around the park, I thought I was going to start slowing down but to my surprise, I kept going at an even pace.  I could still see the 3:45 pace group a quarter of a mile from me but my new group was slowing down mile by mile.  At mile 19 I could hear music coming from the finish area and I even saw a few runners on the other side of the road at their mile 25.  I knew a 4-hour marathon was in the bag even if I had to walk for a while. However, to my surprise, I kept running at the even pace of 8:15s. I reached mile 24 and I was still going strong until I hit mile 25 my legs weren't fresh anymore so I dropped back to 8:22 pace. But who knew once I saw the finish line I sped up and pulled a 7:42 pace.

I was very happy with my splits as they can't be more even for 26 miles. The fact that the course is totally flat except for a small bridge helped a lot.  There were no medical issues and I did not feel any pain in my right knee, the one that has been bothering me lately. Erie is definitely the marathon to run to get a PR/BQ, it can't get any flatter and the water stops at every mile helped tremendously. Volunteers were amazing and were cheering at every water stop.  Additional porta-johns could have helped as the race started late because many runners were still in line.  I will go back to Erie for sure to break a PR or perhaps a BQ time.

2015 Raleigh Marathon - New Super Rolling Hills

Having had my worse marathon ever (4:00:07) I had planned to return in 2014. Those 7 seconds had tormented me for months! I knew it was a challenging race but I thought I could have done much better.  Yes, there was the humongous hill at mile 19 that just kept growing at every step I took but I had climbed higher.  I was traveling alone and I stayed at a B&B about a mile away from the start of the race.  I got there on Friday afternoon and walked downtown for dinner at this place called "Beasley's Chicken and Honey."  This was by far one of the most delicious chickens I've ever heard had.  I highly recommend this place if you are ever in Raleigh.  After all one of the benefits of being in Raleigh is enjoying southern food and refreshments.

Saturday Morning I met my friend Mike and his kid for breakfast before I went for some swimming at a Lifetime in Raleigh.  Later on I went to pick up my number at the expo. Packet pick-up was uneventful, except for the people asking for a sample of my blood for research. Were they nuts?  Take my blood after the race if you must. I managed to get some GU and got out there in a hurry.  Later on I met my friend Nancy for lunch at this chicken wings place before meeting my friend Melody and Jenn for drinks and dinner.  I got to the B&B still early and went to sleep right away.  I woke up at 5:30 a.m., got ready, and was out the door by 6 a.m.  I really should had left earlier as walking to the start, checking in my bag, and finding a free port-a-porty took a long while. 

I started in the 4 hour corral which allowed me to start slow.  At least I felt slow, my first mile was 8:03 - way too fast.  I saw my friend Melody at mile 2 and she was going even faster.  I tried to keep up but the first 3 miles of this race I didn't feel that great.  I actually thought about dropping out but I know myself, even if I was dying I wouldn't drop out. Perhaps it was the food I had the night before, who knows.  I was keeping an even pace for most of the first half.  There were some rolling hills but I knew biggers ones were coming in the second half. The first half course was pretty much like the year before and I knew I did not need to work as hard. Well, maybe I went out a little fast that I should had, I was averaging mid 8s per mile.

Beginning the second half I felt fresh, I was getting into the race and I hit the gas a little way too early and got some low 8s at miles 15-17.  Before mile 20 the course took you to this very scenic lake and a somewhat flat area. I was begining to see people hitting the wall and slowing down.  I went by with no problems until I hit the wall myself at mule 21.  The last 5 miles were full of steep rolling hill. This guy next to me started skipping, passing me and then letting me pass him.  I just let him do his thing, I had to energy to play around at this point.  I started to go a little faster and faster until I got to mile 24 and I slowed down again.  A guy passed me and asked me if I was in the 3:45 pace group.  I nooded and he said, well, they pace group felt apart I'm the only one who survived.  I tried to keep up with him and we ran together for about two miles.  At mile 26, I saw that guy who was skipping and he kept trying to pass me.  I was tired and eventually he passed me.  I had gotten what I had come here to get an under 4 hour marathon and I was at 3:45 at this point.  I finished the race with no injuries but I needed to stretch a bit.  I crossed the finish line at 3:47:35.  As I walked to get some water, the skipping guy approached me and said, "you're a bad mf. I tried to pass you and I couldn't."  I said, "thanks, I'll take that as a compliment" and just walked to get water.  The heat was not a factor like last year.  The temperature was about mid 60s at the start and low 70s by the time I finished. 

I walked over to the finish area and I got to enjoy the Smash Mouth show.  Yes, they are old and their songs aren't as hip as back in the days but I still like their music.  They played Walkin' on the Sun, I'm a believer, and All Star, and Why can't we be friends. I sat there on the lawn for a long while but I knew I needed to get up soon and start planning my exit.  I wanted to try going to the same restaurant I had gone with my friend Carl last year, The Pit.  My friends bailed on me so I slowly walked over and enjoy the best BBQ ever.  How could I not come to Raleigh and not enjoy this?  Couldn't and wouldn't!  I had met my goal and there was nothing better than to enjoy at least a nice meal.

Nazca Lines

Back On My Feet - In 24 - 2014 - Lone Ranger - Going The Distance!

July 19th-20th 2014

July 18th - Raj and I picked up our bib numbers, t-shirts and discovered that all runners needed to get their vitals taken. I had not been able to sleep the night before and I had forgotten not taken my BP pill so I knew my blood pressure was a bit high. However, not as high as 180/110. I was told by the race doctor I couldn't be cleared to run the race. Fortunately, I was told that I could come back the next day and get my vitals again. I knew I had to get to a CVS and get my prescription refill and try to sleep. After a salt-less pasta dinner, I took my BP pills and went straight to sleep.

July 20th - The plan was to get my BP as low as possible to avoid disqualification. I went out for a mile run, took my BP pill, and a long cold shower. I layed down on the ground before getting checked by an EMT and my blood pressure was a surprising 150/79. The EMT shook his head while relucntantly saying go ahead. I ate a banana and a pretzel before walking over to the pre-race meeting. This was

The laps:

Lap 1 -- 1:27:13.7 / Pace = 10:19 / Distance = 8.460 / Time = 1:27:13.7

I had trained by running like a marathon but doing two long runs on the weekends back to back. Sunday long run

Lap 2 -- 1:32:05.0 / Pace = 10:53 / Distance = 16.92 / Time = 2:59:18.8

Lap 3 -- 2:01:23.5 / Pace = 14:21 / Distance = 25.38 / Time = 5:00:42.3

Lap 4 -- 1:46:24.3 / Pace = 12:35 / Distance = 33.84 / Time = 6:47:06.7

Lap 5 -- 2:17:50.6 / Pace = 16:18 / Distance = 42.30 / Time =  9:04:57.3

Lap 6 -- 1:54:27.4 / Pace = 13:32 / Distance = 50.76 / Time = 10:59:24.7

Lap 7 -- 2:15:43.4 / Pace = 16:03 / Distance = 59.22 / Time = 13:15:08.2

Lap 8 -- 2:01:22.0 / Pace = 14:21 / Distance = 67.68 / Time = 15:16:30.2

Lap 9 -- 2:02:09.4 / Pace = 14:26 / Distance = 76.14 / Time = 17:18:39.7

Lap 10 -- 2:00:34.7 / Pace = 14:15 / Distance = 84.60 / Time = 19:19:14.5

Lap 11 -- 2:17:37.1 / Pace = 16:16 / Distance = 93.06 / Time = 21:36:51.6

This was the toughest lap and one I could not have completed without Carl running with me. At 7:34 a.m., I knew I had less than 2:30 hours to complete this lap. Carl took my headlight and he catched up to me before the Rocky Statute.  I knew it had taken me over 2:20h to complete the last lap and I was feeling like given up at this point. Carl kept saying all you have to do is keep running.  I felt like a boxer who had survived 15 rounds wthout getting knocked out. Later on Carl admitted I looked like crap at the start of this lap. I knew the bikers checking on runners who kept asking me if I was okay thought the same thing . I simply kept saying, I'm feel great! I had to dig deep and kept telling myself that I had a good chance to go over 100. I didn't want to come back because I had to but because it was my choice. I was running, not fast but I was moving. During some stretches Carl was going as fast walking as me running. After the bridge I remember one voluneer running a bit with me and Carl.  I knew I had it in the bag with 1 hour to go and two miles to go. This was the start of my victory and hallucination lap. I told Carl I wanted to get blessed by a priest walking towards us.  Carl looked at me and said, "that's a homeless guy with a white scarf." I started hugging every volunteer and saying hi to everyone walking towards us. I know some people were probably wondering why there was this guy at 7 in the morning saying hi to everyone. Once I got to the last water stop, I knew it I had it in the bag and all I had to do is walk.  Carl said, "if you go to the next water stop you might have a higher seed." I got to the 101.52 and I heard congratulations from all the volunteers.  In a moment of weakness, I said, "I want to keep going."  I quickly heard, "are you sure?" Yes, I want to keep going, was my only reesponse.

The start of the last lap was the toughtest momement

Lap 12 -- 1:57:04.0 / Pace = 13:50 / Distance = 101.52 / Time = 23:33:55.7

Carl said, "all you have to do is walk."  I thought okay, I can keep going but my knee thought diferently. I tried to run and walk but I was going very slow.  I knew I had over 25 minutes to get to the next water stop.  Carl was by my side and kept pacing me.  My GPS watch was dead already and the battery had died at 99 miles.  At this point I could barely believed I had gone over 100 miles. Who does that? Me, that's who!

After Running for 24 hours!

Next Water Stop - 1 Mile -- 0:26:54.3 / Distance = 102.52 / Time = 24:00:00.0

Total Mileage: 102.520 at 23:33:55.7

Back on My Feet 2013 - 20 in 24

Race got cancelled!

After driving all the way to Philladelphia, the following is the message we got. I'm not saying it wasn't hot because it was over 100 but we could have done it anyway. I ran about 20 miles anyway in protest to show them!

"Runners,

After developing a modified solution with our partners at the City of Philadelphia the afternoon of July 19, we were asked by the City at 5:00 p.m. the same day to completely shut down all races on both Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21. 

No races will take place this weekend due to safety concerns.  We appreciate the City of Philadelphia's focus on health and public safety.   We recognize and are grateful for your enthusiasm in communications today. However, we ask that you honor the cancellation and not congregate or organize informal runs related to 20in24 this weekend.  We are working with the City to hopefully and potentially reschedule the race this year.

We greatly apologize for the changes today and will address all questions in an updated FAQ as soon as possible.  Please hold all questions and feedback until this information is available.

Additional information will be posted at philadelphia.in24race.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

With regret, concern for safety and appreciation for your support,
Back on My Feet

Link to City Letter:

http://philadelphia.in24race.com//media_center/documents/"

The North Face 50 Mile Challenge (Washington, DC - 2013)

Have you ever seen dead people? I can't say for sure but it was so hot at this race that I think I saw my dead grandpa. I carbo-loaded with bread and potatoes the day before and got my favorite gels at REI but as much as I wanted to go to sleep early it just didn't happen. I moved around under the covers, counted sheep and listened to an audiobook with no success. I finally fell asleep at 2 am., one hour before my alarm started going off.

The race started at 5 a.m. and I was already tired from lack of sleep but I was excited to run my first 50 mile race. There was a 13 hour limit so there was little pressure at going over 15:30 minute mile. The temperature at the start was 70 degrees and forecast called for 90+ degree weather by noon. I declined having my bag taken to the midpoint because I thought I had everything I needed, something I won't do again.

The first 21 miles was uneventful with lots of stretches of flat trails. Of course there were hills that had to be walked and risky downhills that had to be taken seriously (I've learned my lesson). I thought there was a lot more competitive runners at this race than at the previous 50K two weeks ago. After mile 21, there were 3 loops to be completed of about 4 miles each. As easy as that sounds, each mile had tough hills and the temperature was already in the 90s by 10 (at least it felt like it).

After reaching Great Falls (mile 21) there were three loops to be completed. The loops took you on nicer dirt trails and near the potomac river rocky side. A rocky area I won't forget since I went down twice around there, fortunately never hitting my head. The temperature at this point was already high and the humidity made you think about quitting. While I twisted my ankle twice during this time, it wasn't bad enough to stop and I just "walked it off" as someone behind me told me to do. After completing the third loop it was time to go back to the Algonkian Park, the start/finish line. I took some water and loaded my water belt with gatorade.

I tried walking for two minutes and then running for 10 minutes. It worked initially but then I was feeling the effects of the oppressing heat. I got myself together and reached mile 39 with no gas left in the tank and no liquids. I was just walking at this point but I was not alone.  I went by a lot of people just sitting on the side of the trail or just waiting for the medical team to arrive. We all had ran out of water and we were just walking to mile 42, the next water station.  I knew something was up with my feet because they felt like they were burning. I haven't had blisters in two years so it's hard to remember them but it was either that or rocks inside my shoes. I reached the water station and I just sat there for 5 minutes, got liquids, and got offered to be taken to the finish line. Of course I declined but I was a bit tired of the race already, I wanted it to be over.  I put myself together and made a determination to just run the whole thing until the end. "No walking, just run, " I told myself.  Fortunately, I had the energy in me and I managed to run until I reached the next water station, mile 45.5. I stopped for a minute and got more liquids and gels, I knew the finish line was just a few miles away.  I continued running and my body was already used to the heat, I found myself focus - in my zone. I kept running until I reached mile 49.75 where I saw one of my running friend, Rohan, from the gym. He asked me to stop for a pic so I had to do it! God knows I needed proof that I had reached 49.75 miles.  I kept running and I started hearing music so I thought okay, I know you are tired and I just want to sit on the side of the trail but how many times have I felt like this today and before. Many! I went by a few strugglers and we just waved at each other, I knew I wanted to finish in under 11 hours and I thought that was possible. I finished my first 50 mile race in 10:42 minutes, sweaty, smelly, hungry, and most importantly proud! Another race in the books, next up....100 miles this coming July!