Wow…Marathon #3 was tough. I didn’t get my “A Goal” (sub-4) but at least I got my “B Goal” (PB). It was only 44 seconds faster than my @towaterfront42k time, but a PB is a PB! 😂

We met up with Sean, Jon, Vanessa, Denuja, Suba, Ravi, and Luis at the start. It was great to see so many people there!

We decided to follow Peng, the 3:50 pacer, because the 4:00 pacer was nowhere to be found. The plan was to run at 5:10-5:20 pace for the first half anyway because it was net downhill.

The first 21k was amazing. Lisa, Sean, and I ran it together. We basically flew from #yongeandsheppard to downtown in 1:53. Best half marathon split Lisa and I have ever done! Of course, the net downhill helped. 😊

The plan was to take an Endurance Tap every 9km but I started feeling a little lightheaded at about 6k and decided to take my first Tap at 8km.

They say not to try anything new on race day. Usually I eat my pre-race breakfast 1.5 hours before the race. This time, I ate it 3 hours before the race because I wanted to avoid GI issues (like NYC). So maybe I didn’t have enough energy at the start. 🤷‍♀️

We saw @runthesix at ~9km and @mellyruns at Davisville. We still looked good!

At about 25k, the heat started getting to me. My body doesn’t do well in the heat. TMI – this is why I always wear a pad for long runs and races! I was dehydrated, my shin started hurting, my calves felt like they were going to seize at any moment, and my quads were burning. I was so desperate I even started to take Gatorade at the aid stations which I knew I shouldn’t have because Gatorade doesn’t sit well with me.

At about 27km, I looked at my watch and I knew I was slowing down. Lisa asked me what was my plan and I told her to run ahead because she was still so strong.

After 30k, my legs felt like lead. I was running at a 6:40-6:50/km pace which is about 1 minute slower than what I was supposed to be running. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it for another 12k. By about 34k, I wanted to walk the rest of the race. I walked for most of km 35 after I passed the timing mat. Walking felt so good!

Thankfully, around 36k, Ravi showed up and started to run with me.

He pushed me to keep on running. He gave me water. He filled my water bottles at the aid station. He told me how many km’s I had left (albeit inaccurately 😂). He told me to keep my head up and back straight. At some points, I was running with my eyes closed because I was so tired – it was strangely calming to do that. He took my hand and literally pulled me up the last hill. He kept on yelling at me to push it when I headed into the finish chute and even after crossing the finish line, he shouted “Stop your Garmin!” 😂 I would not have been able to PB if it wasn’t for him. Thanks bro for always pushing me!

The @runninjas cheersquad Parm, Amy, Bridget, Maggie were right by the finish line which gave me that extra boost at the end.

Lisa waited for me at the finish line for almost 10 minutes! I gave her a big wet sweaty hug and we got our medals together.

After I finished, I was so dehydrated and famished that I inhaled a banana, a protein bar, coconut water, and lots of Clif samples. I’ve never been so hungry and thirsty after a race.

It was great to eat brunch/lunch together afterwards. I love my ninja family. ❤️

Until next time 42.2km! 😄