Photos from Marathon Day

First Marathon Experience

I started running for the first time less than a year ago...and somewhere along the way decided that doing a full marathon would be a good thing to check off my bucket list. After seeing someone at the Sporting Life 10k wearing a really cool blue and yellow Boston Marathon shirt, I also decided to set my goals even higher and try for a qualifying time in my first marathon.

After signing up for the Goodlife Toronto Marathon, I officially started a training plan in June of this year consisting of runs at least 4 mornings each week. After months of waking up at 5am, regular long Sunday runs, some over 3 hours, tolerating shin splints due to the significant ramp up of distance and speed, and many 20 minute ice baths for recovery...the big day finally arrived.

Although I had lots of training, realistically, it was over a relatively short period of time...meaning my Boston goal would be a big 'reach' to accomplish. That being said, I still made the decision to make an attempt, with the understanding that I would risk possibly hitting the "wall" early. I didn't do all this training not to give it a try.

So here's how the run went:

- Started off great and felt good from the week of tapering and rest;

- I was able to keep the 3:15 'pace bunny' (Boston qualifying time) behind me for the first 21kms with a half marathon time of 1:37:57 - exactly what I needed to be doing;

- The run from 21k to 32k was a bit tougher both due to some fatigue as well as running against the wind; 32k time was 2:41:12, which meant that the Boston pace bunny had passed me, however, I could still finish with a good 3:30 time;

- That's when it started to really fall apart...

- The pain set in...first it was cramping in one calf muscle...then another...then the quads...then hamstrings...then all at once in both legs...

- From 35k to 38k was my toughest time when it hurt with every step and I couldn't run...and I had many doubts of even being able to finish the marathon...it seemed so far away...my new goal was no longer based on time at that point...it was just to finish...

- With encouragement from the growing crowds at 39k and knowing that my family and friends were waiting for me at the finish....I somehow was able to keep things going, still a slow pace, but moving; at this point, it was more about pain tolerance rather than cardiovascular endurance;

- Approaching the finish...I saw that the clock was counting towards 4 hours and I gave everything I had left to get in under that time....3:59.45 was my official chip time;

The following is a link from my Garmin GPS which officially documented every minute of my journey: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/53430739

While I didn't achieve my 'reach' goal....I'm pleased with my final results...as I wouldn't have even thought that was achievable in the last part of the run. The last 10k was one of the toughest and most painful experiences in my life. Running a full marathon is a most humbling experience and I have learned much from it. While I'm still sore at this time...I have also started to think about when and how I will tackle it again...still with the goal to eventually get that blue and yellow Boston shirt.

There were many who were a part of my first marathon journey and I thank them for all for their support (and tolerance to my current addiction).

-billy