Victoria Marathon Race Review

Sunday, October 12, 2008 - the 29th running of the Victoria Marathon.  My 3rd running of the Victoria Marathon.  Along with the marathon, there was also a 8K and half marathon events taking place.  The marathon started promptly at 8:30.  And prompt it was, I know because I was still sitting on the porta potty.  That was a first for me.  The lineup for the porta potty just didn’t go quick enough even through the encouragement of the fellow marathoner standing in front of me as he called out to those in the porta potty to “pick up the pace”.  It didn’t matter too much, as by the time I got out, scuttled across the racers (as they were moving forward) to meet my husband on the other side and run through the starting gates, only 1 minute and 40 seconds had lapsed.  Because we were using timing chips, it was all irrelavent.

Other than the shaky start - the race day itself was beautiful.  I had heard that there were 10,000 racers out that morning.  We were treated with sunny, clear weather and phenominal views!  The race course itself winds, twists and undulates and was much more challenging than I had remembered it being in 1997.  Runners run through downtown Victoria and Beacon Hill Park before hitting the coastline and smelling the salt water and feasting their eyes on stunning water views.

Personally, my race was great.  I was pumped and in a very positive frame of mind.  After the half-way mark, I was still feeling great, so I just kept my pace up.  I passed runners who were starting to fade and I have to admit that it felt great and fuelled my fire even more.  My goal for this race was to beat my Vancouver Marathon time earlier in the year (4:24), I didn’t care how much I took off, but I knew that I had trained more for Victoria and had the distance under me.  You can only imagine how proud I felt when I came through the finish line at 4:04 - a whole 20 minutes off my Vancouver time.  Next year my Boston Marathon qualifying time is 4:05 - I now think that I can do it!

Tapering Strategy for the Victoria Marathon

Well, the big race day is clearly in sight now. On October 12, 2008 I will be running my second marathon of 2008. After 4 years without running any marathon, I must have been clearly mad when I agreed to a second marathon this year almost immediately after finishing the Vancouver Marathon.

With one month left before the marathon, we are running our last long-distance run tomorrow morning. I hope to complete a 3 hour and 45 minute run at least, and hopefully a bit longer. Weather’s looking great for our run and our route is mapped out.

With one month in my marathon training, what is my strategy?

Well, as I mentioned above our longest run will be taking place a month before. Typically, I like to do my longest run 3 weeks in advance to the marathon, but we were lucky enough to have a half marathon happening right in our own community - The Peace Arch Rotary Half Marathon in White Rock, BC which is taking place 3 weeks before the marathon. Needless to say, we’re in and will be racing next weekend. The half marathon will not only give me a chance to get some running in at race pace, but also allow me to have a race day rehearsal.

After the half marathon, the taper will begin. I will allow myself more rest if needed - keep my easy runs - easy. I feel that this is the time to take a couple days in a row off to get my body feeling strong again and get rid of any feelings of tiredness or exhaustion.

Figure out what I might like to wear on race day and take it for a test drive/run. I’m very comfortable with my tried and true running apparel that I will be sporting on marathon morning. However, I did just just purchase some brand new running shoes from Roadrunner Sports. Delivery will be in about 5 days - too late to try out on my long distance runs, but I will still have a couple of two hour runs in my marathon training which should give me a good indication of how they will feel. I would have liked to have had the runners sooner, but, call me cheap, but I was holding off for a sale. Which, by the way I got and saved over $30 on my new Saucony ProGrid Hurricane 10 s plus free shipping. If you are in need of new runner I suggest that you check it out at: Free Shipping and 15%off on all purchases through 12/13/2008 at Roadrunner Sports

On the final week before the marathon the things that I will be keeping check on is sleep, proper diet, stretching and drinking lots of water. Oh ya, very limited alcohol consumption. I do love my wine, but there isn’t alot of give in a marathon and I find that I need all my body has to give. The wine will be saved for the post-race celebrations!