Late Scotiabank Marathon report!

Sunday Sept.28th 7:30am

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com

Firstly,

I must apologize for filing this race report so late,but the last month has been a blur.What with the post-race buzz and the anticipated arrival of my baby daughter,writing the race report slipped quickly down the list of priorities.Now Zoe Anita Davey is here and life is slowly reorganizing itself and I find time to recall my marathon story.

The morning was perfect early on,prior to race start.I wasn’t my normal nervous self but I wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad omen!Regardless, after a short ,easy warm-up,race time was suddenly upon us.

After a usual crowded ,jostling for position start,I settled into a comfortable pace.I was determined to run close to even split times and avoid a 2nd half bonk.

The downtown beginning of the course flew by and before I knew it,Rogers Centre loomed in the distance.The route continued westward toward High Pk.and my pace remained constant.My goal was a 1:27 OR 1:28 first half and a repeat in the second half of the race.As I approached the 18k mark,an old high school running mate joined me for some company and to ensure my pace stayed even.We chatted for the next 3k until he turned homeward,assuring me my cadence was solid.Now for the hard part of the course,the somewhat unexciting kilometres along Commisioners St. and onto what turned out to be a windy and warm Leslie St.Spit.

As we hit the turn-around and headed back inland,the wind was fierce and the sun seemed 10 degrees warmer.I was feeling dehydration setting in as the wind was rapidly drying my perspiration.Just past the 30k mark and I recognized the  familiar face of Frank Van Den Bosch who had been pacing a friend of his.The friend had decided to drop out,so Frank asked if he could pace me.I was more than happy to have him along as the dreaded “wall” felt like it was creeping up behind me.

Frank helped tons,carrying the flat Cola and GU2O my wife Louise had for me at the 32 and 35k points and generally encouraging and keeping me focused.The heat was taking it’s toll,but a sub 3 hour finish was still in the cards.Finally after what seemed an eternity,I was on Bay St. and the countdown was on.I vaguelly remember Anthony Dale riding up to me and saying something that I took as him asking if I needed assistance,which I refused.I believe now that he was asking if I wanted an escort in!

Anyways,there it was, that gorgeous Finish Line and a few ticks of the clock past 2:57,I was done!Thanks to Frank and the great Neighbourhood Cheering sections and volunteers for all their help on my 6th marathon day (7 if you count the one I walked as a boy) and 2nd sub 3hr finish.

Sa-weet.

Cheers