2 bits of great news to share...

Jeff in Ottawa

New member
Hi everyone. I have two bits of great news to share. The first is that I successfully completed my first marathon a week ago today. I was hoping for a time under 4 hours but the race didn't quite go according to plan. Problem number 1 was that I developed a blister at the 7 km mark so I had to run almost 85% of the race with that. When I got home and checked it it was bigger than a quarter and 1/3 of an inch high. Awesome! The second problem was the my iPod died at the 25 km mark. It just couldn't handle the combination of sweat and vibration. It didn't come back after the race, either. By the time I got to the 28 km mark the breeze had completely stopped, the sun was out and the temperature was rising quickly. By the time I hit the wall just after the 30 km mark, I thought I was going to throw up from the heat. There was also virtually no shade from the 25 km mark to the end of the course. Despite all that, I still managed to set a half marathon personal best of 1:52:04 over the first half and finish the marathon in 4 hours, 8 minutes and 6 seconds. I'll take it!

Here are a few photos.

Getting up at 5:15 on a Sunday isn't easy, even if you are a morning person. The shirt, by the way, is as much a self-depricating joke as anything else.



This was around the 27 km mark. Watch out for spiders! By the way, the building is the National Art Gallery of Canada. We also ran past the National War Memorial, the War Museum, National Museum of History, the Royal Canadian Mint, the National Research Council, the Prime Minister's Residence, the Governor General's Residence, and about a dozen embassies.



"Will run for kisses!"



I was glad to have my dad (behind the camera), his girlfriend, and Allison there to cheer my on! I saw them three times through the race.



When I was done I was so exhausted that all I wanted to do was hug my wife. She was less keen on the idea.



The second piece of news might have been picked up if you were paying attention to some of the photos... :whistling: ... October 2...

 
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Jeannie

Super Moderator
Congrats on your first marathon. I'll never run one. Don't have the desire. I had a girlfriend who ran a marathon last fall. She developed a huge blood blister on her foot about the 10 mile mark. She did finish.

I know what you mean about the music dying. I cannot run without my music. During every day runs I can go without it because we talk. During a race I HAVE to have it. It drowns out my labored breathing. If I cannot hear myself breathing I run better. Strange I know.

Everyone one I talk to say from mile 20 on is really hard.

Again congrats on an awesome accomplishment.
 

wrknnwf

Active member
Love the photos! They really tell a story of love and triumph.

Congratulations on achieving a personal best! Especially in adverse conditions. Way to go. Looking forward to hearing about future achievements, too.

Oh, and I understand the blister problem. I once hiked down a mountain with that size blister because I sprained the ankle of my other leg at the top of the mountain. Had to put all my weight, including my pack, on the good leg, which caused the blister. Took me 11 (yes...eleven) hours to get down (only 5.5 miles), the last two hours in the dark and crying like a wuss.
 
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Carlina

New member
Congrats on the new baby you will be great parents and your baby will have a lovely Newf to play with
 

victoria1140

Active member
Congratulations and well done on the running.

My first half marathon took me 3 1/2 hours and l have to admit l swore never to do one again.l killed my knee.

Soak those feet and enjoy the baby bump
 

Jeff in Ottawa

New member
Thank you all for the positive wishes. We just had another positive appointment with our midwife. Things are looking great. :)

I'm starting to get back into the groove of running and I will be doing a 10k race on Father's Day. My training run last Sunday was harder than I expected until I realized that I had given blood on Friday.

Jeannie, I don't blame you for taking a pass on ever running a marathon. IT IS A CRAZY THING TO DO! I've reached the following conclusion: Every marathon involves a crazy person – it's either you or the guy you're running from! ;) I also wanted to congratulate you on your last half marathon. As I recall you either set a PB or were very close to it. Nicely done! Congratulations! Any plans for more races soon?
 
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