Thursday, April 18, 2013

Race Report: Minto Run for Reach Half Marathon

I struggle with writing race reports at the best of times, but after the Boston Marathon tragedy on Monday I really don't have the heart to say much about my half marathon the day before. I'll take the easy way out and copy what I wrote in my training log right after my race (see below).

I will add that it was a fun event, and it was interesting to return to the roads after being on trails and on snowshoes for so many years. I'd like to take around five minutes off this time to put me back to the sorts of times when I was running marathons, but am very happy with it as a first crack. Not to mention it is ten years later - but I feel that just means 'out of practice' (specificity), not 'old'. In other words I don't feel limited by that. Looking at my fellow masters runners I don't see any reason why I should be.

Another thing is the La Sportiva Helios are a great road shoe as well as trail shoe. I think the pink and green version rocks, I totally love them. Very lightweight-yet-supportive, and comfy. They have a 4 mm heel drop, so as with all low-drop shoes, be sure to ease in gradually if you're not used to it.
Women's Helios - they look like a spring flower



Run race (Run for Reach Half Mar) 1:42:48
shoes: Helios 40
Ottawa. First road race in a looooong time. Felt pretty solid and hit my B goal, which I was very happy with. Executed it well I think. Structurally felt really good. Had a recurring side stitch which got pretty uncomfortable a couple of times, but didn't really slow me down I don't think. Took a Vitargo gel I made (about 20g carbs) at around 45 minutes. It was great, and doing it again I would have made another one for a bit later.

Nice seeing Derrick on the course and then Christa and Shae at the finish too.

Good weather, cool, overcast and not overly windy. Mostly flat course, just a few grades with one being a bit steeper. Breezy around Dow's Lake.

Gun 1:42:48 Chip 1:42:34.
11th female.
Suunto Ambit was great (borrowed Derrick's). Had the distance at 21.18 and feedback on pace was helpful.

Suunto data:
Split time Lap time (5km splits)
1 0:04'56.3 0:04'53
2 0:09'53.3 0:04'57
3 0:14'44.3 0:04'51
4 0:19'39.4 0:04'55
5 0:24'28.3 0:04'49 (24:28)
6 0:29'24.3 0:04'56
7 0:34'09.3 0:04'45
8 0:38'58.4 0:04'49
9 0:43'51.3 0:04'53
10 0:48'45.3 0:04'54 (24:17)
11 0:53'25.4 0:04'40
12 0:58'12.4 0:04'47
13 1:02'54.4 0:04'42
14 1:07'52.3 0:04'58
15 1:12'45.3 0:04'53 (24:00)
16 1:17'47.3 0:05'02
17 1:22'39.3 0:04'52
18 1:27'27.3 0:04'48
19 1:32'18.3 0:04'51
20 1:37'03.3 0:04'45 (24:18)
21 1:41'57.3 0:04'54 (24:10)
21.18 1:42'48.9 0:00'51.6 (4:51 min/km)







4 comments:

Eliza Ralph-Murphy said...

Great time and pacing!! Did you have to hold yourself back at the beginning? I am hoping to get a pair of Helios this weeekend. Hope they have my size in the women's version so I don't have to settle for "boy colours" like usuall.

Sara Montgomery said...

Thanks, EJ. I did hold back for the first few km, but that wasn't hard to make myself do. 8 am running for me is a big ugh.

I think you'll like the Helios. They also have a nice blue for women.

Lakewood said...

Nice steady and even-paced race Sara....and heck of a good finish time too. Coincidentally, I also played around with a pair of Helios last weekend...and I must say, they were pretty darn fun to run in. Good to see a thumbs up for the ambit as well, as I've been really toying with the idea of a new altimeter/heart-rate watch (ambit or fenix style).

hope you both are well. Will I see guys at Finger Lakes this year?

-j

Sara Montgomery said...

Thanks, John. I'd love to do Finger Lakes, but it sells out so quickly now! We totally missed the boat. There's one in Ontario called Limberlost around the same time that we might do this year.