Scotiabank Calgary Marathon-3:48:25

I took the whole weekend off from work and was able to pick up my race package at the Max Bell Center on Saturday morning. The Center was busy with a lot of excited volunteers and race participants! This energy was great to be around the day before the race! So, I hung around the Expo and got to see a lot of new dietary aids and gadgets. Around noon I headed to Stanley park in the snow/rain :) to walk Tikka and calm my pre-race day jitters.

Before going home Tikka and I headed over to see some of running fans...my sister and my niece and nephew!! It was a fun visit with lots of laughing and relaxing. Then homeward bound around 4:30 to make lasagna for my pre-race supper which also happens to be one of Trent's favorite meals! After supper Trent and I sat down to decided were on the course he would be to drop water and GU off to me. we decide on 5 drop spots (1st at corner 14th and 17th, 2nd at top of Shagannapi, 3rd & 4th Corner of 49th st and 40th ave for 2 drops going and coming out of Varsity....and last across from Tri it shop ). Then it was off to bed to try to get some sleep.

I got up at 4:30am to make sure I was relaxed and not time stressed. I had a bottle of boost right away and continued to get ready and then followed up with lots of water and 1/2 English muffin + 1/2 banana .

 The temps were low at  2 degrees Celsius with high of 6 degrees Celsius expected for the day! it was also overcast with a chance of ran/snow !!!! Is this spring or fall?? Since I get cold very easy, I decided on this outfit for the race...which worked out perfect :)

 Picture of my outfit.

The race start was 7am. So Trent and I headed down to the start to find parking and since it was my first marathon I wanted to be there early to get the whole experience! We walked around and took lots of pictures. The weather actually felt really good and at times the sun peeked thru the clouds! There was such a positive vibe floating around and I was so excited to be a part of it!

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Calgary Marathon Course with elevation

Then it was the count down and we were off.!!! Ya WhOOO.... The first 5 miles before I met up with Trent were great!

mile 1...8:16...Thinking wow legs feel great
mile 2...8:28
mile 3...8:19
mile 4...8:25
mile 5...8:29
 

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mile 6...8:14
mile 7...8:29
mile 8...8:23
mile 9...8:32
mile 10...9:02...Shagannapi hill (best 7:38/mi avg 9:02)...time in 1:24:37...were I  was 1.11 min ahead of 3:45 BQ :)
Meet up with Trent for a water switch out and a GU at the top of the 2km hill!! Picked up the pace again around the university and was still feeling strong

Top of Shagannapi Hill

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mile 11...8:25
mile 12...8:34
mile 13...8:33
mile 14...8:33...saw my sister and niece and nephew...lots of cheering!!!!!!!!!
mile 15...8:32...Water swap with Trent

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mile 16...8:49
mile 17...8:25
mile 18...8:32
mile 19...8:37

Wow varsity was so hilly...Just up and down constantly  my quads were getting cranky and I still had to go back down shagannapi 2km mountain ...I mean Hill :)

My sister cheering me on with a get going hand slap :)







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mile 20...8:47....descending  2km down Shagannapi my Quads were screaming!!! I have never experienced this before? must have been all the hills and then the final straw was this down hill. everything else was excellent (no hamstring, calf or feet issues) see: Shagganappi Hill
so I started to slow down :(

mile 21...8:50 (best 7:36)
mile 22...8:52 (best 7:41)
mile 23...9:06 (best 7:45)...My friend and co-worker, Laura, and her son, Bradley, came down to memorial Dr to cheer me on..it was so great to see them!

mile 24...9:05 (best 7:59)
mile 25...9:24 (best 8:02)....bad mile (but I was determined not to stop, Quads were dying on me)
mile 26...9:17 9best 7:52)
mile (last 0.2 miles to 26.2)...5:34...PUSHED IT REAL HARD ( and then forgot to turn off garmin..so shows 0.42miles not 0.2 miles)

Then across the finish Line....YAAAAA WHOOOOO!!!!! I had planned on doing a celebration dance as I passed over the line, but my Quads would not have any part in it!!!!!

Time..................3:48:25
Pace..................8:40
Female 35-40....8/57
female overall.....56/345
overall................251/857

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Then to finish the race off I was so very lucky to have, Andra, one of my blogging friends, whom I have never met in person, volunteer at the marathon and she actually gave me my metal! How great was that ;) Thanks Andra!!!!!That was the perfect ending to my very first marathon!

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Below,  my sister is pointing to the clock saying LOOK,  LOOK you broke your goal!!!!  

There is no better friend than a sister...and there is no better sister than you. Love you Rose xoxoxo

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My sister, and my niece and nephew....Thanks for cheering me on  when it was such a cold day! for 3+ hours...You are the Best xoxoxo

Me and my Hubby (you are the best support anyone could ask for...Thank you so much for being You! I could not have did this without you!!!!xoxoxo)

Me and my running buddy (Tikka). My Lips are blue in this photo below...I was just getting home and I was still very cold after the race.
After this photo  I had a recovery shake, a ice bath, a hot shower and a nap (all in that order)...then a pizza super at my sisters....best day ever!!!

Now for my next one?????