Florida Marathon Race Report

The next time someone tells you that Florida is flat and warm, make sure you clarify which area of Florida they are referring to.  Let me tell you, Clermont Florida is NOT FLAT and was NOT WARM today for the Florida Marathon.  Clermont is not just a hilly area of Florida, it is hilly compared to most places. 

Click HERE to see the route and elevation map of the course.  The Marathon course was a double loop of the Half Marathon course. 

Last night, Tim and Jamieson went to the opening night of the movie Avatar, leaving me to rest and get to bed early.  I slept really well and woke up at 5:30am when my alarm went off with no problem.  Because Florida is supposed to be warmer than Vancouver (which it is) I packed my Sugoi Brand Champion tri top, running shorts and hot pink Newton Racers for my race.  This morning the temperature was around 12C with high winds.  We actually had the heat on in the car (something we have never had to do on a trip to Florida before).  When we arrived at the race site I did a lap of the track and realized I was going to freeze if I didn't wear a jacket.  Luckily, the National Training Center gear shop had a booth at the Start/Finish line and Tim bought me a new pair of Sugoi arm warmers.  Later on the run I thought about how ironic it was that I had to purchase a product made in Vancouver in Florida.  The arm warmers worked like a charm and were very cute also (black with colourful hearts on them). 

My first 21.1kms were GREAT!  I felt good, my feet and calves felt good, my hands were cold and the wind was pretty high but I had a smile on my face.  I had chosen to wear my Fuel Belt since I was not sure what would be available on the course.  Turns out that the course was well stocked (about every 2miles, sometimes closer) with water, Gatorade, GU Gels and GU Chomps. 

By the start of the 2nd loop, the sun had come out and it was getting warm.  Not hot but warmer than the first loop.  I would say it got up to about 17C.  I peeled off my arm warmers, took off my Fuel Belt and left them at the track.  As I climbed back up to the main road I could feel that I was falling off my pace.  I had been comfortably doing 5:45-6:00/km until that point.  My stomach started to give me some trouble and within about 8kms I had to make two port-o-potty stops of about 2 minutes each (I will not go into more detail than that, I promise).  After that I was feeling better but had really fallen off my pace and my legs were really starting to feel the hills.  At about the 35km point I was pretty much done and was looking forward to the finish.  The last 1km is all downhill and then 200m around track.  The track was like heaven on my feet and legs but the 3% downhill grade to get there took its toll.  Who knew it would be so tough to run downhill?  Ouch!

I didn't know exactly what my time was until I crossed the finish line.  I had forgotten to turn the Auto Pause off on my Garmin so my watch had stopped during the 2 port-o-potty stops.  As I rounded the track I was very happy to see the 4:24 time with my final finishing time being 4:24:34.  This is a PB for me and I was happy with the time given the course.  I had origionally thought a 4:15 would have been possible until we drove the course yesterday.  Needless to say, I was suprized how hilly it was.

All in all, I am very happy with how this last even of 2009 went for me.  I would recommend this marathon to everyone.  It was very well organize and only had about 400 runners total.  I would guess there were no more than 100 marathon runners.  Most people ran the Half Marathon.  I would also recommend wearing an iPod.  The first loop of the course was busy but not crowded.  The 2nd loop was lonely and I was glad to have my tunes with me to keep me company.  Most of the event is run on a paved bike trail so no need to worry about traffic.  Volunteers were great and well placed along the course. 

Oh, and the best part was that I placed 2nd in my age group and received a plaque!  I was initally awared first in my age group (OK, it was because there was no one else running in my age group) but then awarded 2nd when another runner was accidentally placed in the wrong category.  Guess it doesn't pay to hand around the race site after you get your award.  LOL.

Because we are still in Florida, I haven't yet downloaded any camera photos.  Here are two from today's race taken on Tim's phone.  Stay tuned for more Disney, Universal Studios and vacation fun in the next few weeks.

Half Way, starting the 2nd 21.1km loop

Feeling strong after the finish.  Jamieson's comment "Gee, the medal is really small"  LOL.

Happy Training!

Bowen Island Pre Christmas Retreat

Bowen Island 2009 037
Originally uploaded by erinlesleylee

With Tim away in Las Vegas running the Rock and Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Jamieson and I decided to have a get away of our own.

We booked a 'cabin' on Bowen Island, rented 5 movies, loaded up our iPods, picked up books at the library, bought microwave popcorn and headed to our island retreat.

We stayed at the Bowen Island Waterfront Cottage . I highly recommend it. Full kichen, fireplace, amazing shower (no bath), flat screen TV with cable, DVD player and iPod stero link.

This year has been a busy one for all of us so the opportunity to just do nothing was very well received.

Click HERE to check out our photos.

Bowen Island is a 15 minute ferry ride from West Vancouver but it really feels like a true get away.

We were there for two nights and I didn't run at all when we were there. The rest must have done me good because I had a great run on Monday when we returned home.

Happy Training!

Running in my Hood, Steveston BC

Ready to Run
Originally uploaded by erinlesleylee

Today was a beautiful day in Steveston BC. The temperature was -1C clear and sunny. Nice change from the dreadful rain we have had for the past 2 months.

So I put on my capri tights, short sleeve base layer shirt with a heavier long sleeve over top, my hot pink Newtons and my great new touque from Sugoi and headed out for a nice 6km run.

If you click the photo of me, you will see the great stuff that I get to see when I run in my neighbourhood.  Or click HERE for the photo set.

Great place to live and run.

Happy training!

Maybe I Need New Shoes?

Here are my 3rd pair of Newton Neutral Trainers.  Prior to this pair, I had the first generation Yellow Neutral Trainers.  I also have a hot pink pair of Neutral Racers which I reserve only for 'racing'. 

Now, the past few weeks, my feet, shin and calves have really started to ache.  Ok, well not just ache but hurt.  Mostly after a run but also in the morning when I take my first steps.

I usually replace my shoes every 6 months and I only got this pair in July so I figured I couldn't need a new pair already.

I love my Newtons but I was starting to think, maybe they aren't the shoe for me.  Why am I getting all this pain in my lower legs?  Why are my feet so tired all the time?

I even went so far as to try on a few other brands of running shoes when we were shopping for new shoes for my son.  Boy, regular running shoes sure feel weird after wearing Newtons for over a year.  Could it be the shoes?  Maybe I should try the new Sir Isaacs?  The thought of changing running shoe brands again after a year was exhausting.

That is when I had the bright idea to see how many kms/miles I had on my current pair of Newtons.  Funny thing happened...turns out (thanks to my Garmin 405 data) that I had run 720kms or 600miles on these trusty pair of runners.  I ran the data report another time just to make sure it was correct.  It was.  I then sent a message to all my Tweeps asking after how many miles they change their runners.  Turns out, most change between 300-500 miles.  A couple of people even changed theirs every 200-300 miles. 

After inspecting the bottom of my shoes, I also discovered this split in the lugs.  Who knows how long that has been there?  I run on a crushed gravel trail most of the time so I guess a rock must have split the sole.

You would think that after all the training I did this year, I would know when to replace my shoes.  Well, guess again.  I have never really trained or run at the volume I did this year and never needed to change my shoes more than once every 6-8 months. 

As most of you know, Newtons are not cheap.  Good thing my husband is running the RNR Las Vegas this weekend and Sir Isaac will be there selling at the expo.  I can buy them locally or on-line but they are about $20 more expensive that way. 

For now, I will train in my hot pink racers that have less than 100kms on them.

At least running shoes are cheaper than race wheels or bike parts.

Happy training!

Three Weeks Until my Last Race of 2009

With only 3 weeks left until the Florida Marathon I am feeling pretty good physically and mentally.  I have to admit that signing up for a December marathon seemed like a better idea back in September when the weather was still good for training.  With the constant rain of the past few weeks, getting out for a run has not been so enjoyable.  Even though I do OK in the dry heat, I am starting to have some concerns about the potential of humid heat in Clearmont, FL. 

My training plan had me run my longest run last weekend (4 weeks from the race).  I felt good for 26kms of my 36km run.  The last 10kms were tough.  I met up with The SAA members at the Sea Island Starbucks after 26kms.  I made the mistake of stopping for a 'quick' chat then started my final 10kms.  Getting going again in the cold and rain was not so easy.  I did slug it out and finished happy and without any injury.  I certainly felt the run in my legs but nothing to be concerned about. 

I also have to mention that all this running has been hard on my legs and feet.  I am used to having sore legs after a run but the sore feet is a new thing.  Maybe it is time for a new pair of Newtons?  My feet simply feel fatigued all the time.

Of course, if my race is only 3 weeks way, that means that my Florida trip is only 2 weeks away!  In addition to my race, there will be plenty of rest, relaxation, shopping and DisneyWorld fun!  Not a bad way to spend the holidays I think. 

Happy training

What Is On My Race Calendar for 2010?

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that I am a very big advocate of having goals. There is no way that I could have trained a year for Ironman Canada without having milestone goals along the way.

In 2009 I raced 2 sprint triathlons (Delta Tri and North Shore Tri), 2 Half Ironman (Victoria and Vancouver), the big show at IMC 2009, one 5km race (Las Vegas), a Half Marathon (New Balance Fall Classic) and to wrap it all up, a Marathon (Florida Marathon). It has been a fantastic year of training, racing and personal achievements.

Many triathlete and runner blogs I follow are now starting to make public their races and goals for 2010. Which got me thinking about my 2010 goals. At this time last year, I had my race schedule planned and was two months in to my IMC training plan.

So what do I have on my race calendar for 2010? Well....nothing.

2010 in my house is known as "The Year Of Tim". My always accommodating and supportive husband is having a milestone birthday in 2010 and declared it 'his year'. How could I argue with that? After all, he did spend ALL of 2009 working his life around my crazy training schedule and big racing goals. Tim hasn't finalized his goals yet but there is a lot of talk about marathons, paddling and travel. He has signed up for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

For 2010, I am going to keep swimming, biking and running. Perhaps do a few running races, sprint triathlons and possibly a Half Ironman.

Ultimately, my main goal for 2010 to show Tim the same level of support for his goals that he showed me this year. :-)

Happy Training!

New Balance Fall Classic Half Marathon Race Report

The New Balance Fall Classic Half Marathon was a great day for me! The weather was cold, windy and rainy but that didn't stop me from getting a PB. My previous PB was the Pacific Roadrunners First Half in 2000 in a time of 2:08:28 (back then I was in the 25-29 Age Group). That was also the first half marathon I ever ran. Since then I was able to run everything from a 2:10 all the way to a 2:20 a couple of years ago but never anything under 2:08:28.

My goals for Sunday were to:

1. run under 2:08
2. run 2:00
3. run under 2:00
   

The race started out quickly and mostly downhill as you can see by the chart below. Once the first 3kms were done, I settled into a solid sub 2hour pace. The course is 2 loops which can be boring but also helpful when trying to set a consistent pace. I started to slow down around the 16-18km mark but had 'banked' a few minutes with my faster start time so I still felt I could come in under the 2 hour time.

I used the pacing feature with my Garmin 405 which clocked me at 1:57:31 for the 21.1km distance. However, as many races are, this route I suspect was about 100m longer than the 21.1km distance. My net time was 1:58:15 which made me very happy!

Here is a photo from the official photographer's website. Thanks to the Sugoi warehouse sale and my flashy Newton racers, I think I look pretty stylish also. I don't care what anyone says, red and hot pink DO go together.

Now, I don't want to jinx my last race for 2009 but virtually ALL of my races this year have been PBs.

My previous Marathon PB is 4:32:56 from the Vancouver Marathon in 2001. This was also my first Marathon and I have never come close to beating that time since.

Will Florida be lucky for me?

Happy training!