Sunday, September 5, 2010

Montreal half-marathon race report! :)

"I've never known anybody to achieve anything without overcoming adversity."
Lou Holtz

Let me start with the expo. If you ever decide to do the Montreal Marathon, do not do it for the expo. Just thought I'd let you know. There was nothing going on and only very few stands. Thank goodness it's downtown Montreal, so you can still spend money if you wish. I did get new socks and an extra pouch for my fuel belt, but not at the expo. Regardless, we had fun and a great dinner where we talked about running all evening, with my bro, P, and my super-SIL, J. Then last night we had our pasta dinner and a special sugar pie in honor of P and J, who were running their first marathon.

Mmmmmm

Before the race. The weather was perfect!

Ready to go!

The view up ahead. We're on Jacques Cartier Bridge.

Sorry, no pictures during the race...but, here's something interesting. I have a new little mp3 clip on and thought I might use it today. So I clip it on and pass the earphones under my top, put in the earphones and figure I'm ready when I need it. Around 5K I realize I haven't turned on the music yet, so I decide to give it a go. However, the first song is not over and I'm thinking, "I don't feel like listening to music now, I just want to soak in the atmosphere". Maybe later. So I turn it off again, only to reach the finish line never having turned it back on. Basically, I ran with earphones for no reason. I rarely run with music...and I guess during a race, I don't really need it. Well, maybe when I run 42.2, I'll appreciate a little extra distraction/motivation.

Yay!
I'm very happy with my race. Although, I was supposed to take it easy...I ended up feeling so good most of the race that I just went with it. So, I ended up with a PB by 3 minutes, at 2h18m29...oops! The weather was perfect and, for most of the race, so was my knee. I did start to feel some pain around the last 5K, but the rest of me felt great. A little ice and a little rest and I should be good to go. The pain was definitely bearable and I guess the next few longer runs will be most telling when it comes to the final decision regarding my fall marathon. If today was any indication, I continue to feel confident :)  

Bravo J and P!!!!
You have no idea how proud I am of these guys. J is a determined and strong woman. She is a topnotch ICU nurse and an amazing mother to her three teenagers. When she decided to join me on this running journey, I don't think even she realized how far it would take her. P is one of the most devoted and loving fathers I know, he's super smart and extremely funny. He didn't do the half-marathon with us last May in large part because despite how awesome he is, self-esteem "was" not his strong point. He's always been a runner, but a fast and furious runner. He slowly started joining J on her longer runs and realizing that he could do this long distance running thing. Before we all knew it, he was registered to complete his first ever race...a marathon! Today...both J and P were totally successful in their attempt. They both finished the race with a smile on their face and their arms in the air. J completed her first marathon in 4h46m...amazing! P completed his first marathon in 4h39m...what a great athlete!

                                  
I love you both very much and I can't wait for us to register for our next race together!

The journey continues!
Cheers!

45 comments:

Hi! I'm Erin said...

You all did so great! Congrats to everyone!

LMC said...

Congratulations! You guys did a great job!! I'm glad that your knee behaved for the most part. I think that's a sign of good things to come for you. Rest up now!

Allie @ The Constant Pursuit said...

Congrats on the PR!! Isn't it great when it happens unexpectedly? :)

P said...

Yay for you and your awesome brother and SIL!! What a great day, congrats on your unexpected PR!!

Alexandra said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog for a visit!

Congratulations! An unexpected or planned for PB, now that is the best kind of PB. You look so happy and fresh embracing your well deserved medal!

How wonderful for J and P also, congrats to them too!

misszippy said...

Congrats to you! So happy you had a great experience like that--ditching the headphones is sure indicator that you were having fun out there. And congrats to J and P as well!

Char said...

I love that photo of you - you look so happy! Great run especially for the first-timers. I hope they've pulled up well today.

Barefoot Neil Z said...

Great job! You make the end of a race look great!!

ajh said...

I am jealous but so happy for you! I hope you get to do that marathon. You look so cute in those pictures, so happy!

Firefly's Running said...

Congrads! What an awesome finish time!

MomRunningFromCancer said...

Congrat's on the 1/2. Great time and glad that you felt so good. Guessing that your weather has cooled off - just like ours. It makes so much difference running in the cooler temp's.

Hope you had a relaxing day - make sure to take a day off!

Have a good week of running!

Heather said...

Congrats on your awesome race and PR - great pictures!

Laura said...

Great job! Congrats on the PB, that's awesome, especially as you were just enjoying the race :-)

Jon Gilchrist said...

awesome job on the PB...you gotta love that...and it's so cool that U feel "confident" about the full mary!

Suzy said...

Congratulations on the race! Love all the pictures.

Lily on the Road said...

Well done Anne, shaving 3 minutes off is super fast! Good for you and you look as though you are all having a great time!

(I never have run with music, I just like to take in my surroundings too).

L.B. said...

How exciting! Congrats! I spent five days in Montreal last year and went running down in the Old Port, and thought that it would be awesome to run a race there. Definitely very envious of your feat!!

And congrats to the new marathoners!! What a great day for them!

Pierre said...

You are the fuel in our feul tanks and even the biggest or fastest car can not "run" without fuel!!!

Love Bro.

Amy said...

Congratulations on a great race! Loved the pictures and you make me laugh with your headphones in the whole time but no music turned on! I carried my Mp3 in my first half and never turned it on either - too much excitement all around.

Johann said...

This is just so super! Well done! All of you did great and you do a PR...! That is good. The rest for your knee definitely helped your body to be in great, rested shape for this race. Your marathon looks certain. Have a fantastic week!

Jennifer said...

Congratulations! You look great and that smile is contagious! Keep up the excellent work! Cheers!

Tara said...

Congratulations to you! And yay for a PR! I love your pictures, you look so fit and strong. And that is great that you never had to turn on the music; sounds like you had fun out there. :)

Julie, the super-SIL ! said...

You know Anne, it's all your fault if I am now a Marathoner!!!

Love ♥♥♥

Iron Mike said...

You have the best PT in the world, excellent finishing time and a great all-around day for everyone.
That shot of the sky tells the story of the weather, absolutely beautiful.

I could not imagine running a race and ignoring the cheers of the crowd. Plus, it's even more of a bonus if a fellow runner is grunting or otherwise expressing pain with every step. Why would you want to tune that out?

Wifey said...

Congrats on a great race! Love the pics - especially you with your medal!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

AM-GoalsfortheWeek! said...

nice race! woo-hoo!
am i missing something with the 422?

and i love how proud you are of your friends. that's just the best. and it shows in all your pics.

congrats lady;-)

MCM Mama said...

Congrats on the PB. Sounds like you had a wonderful race.

Beth said...

Awesome! Congrats on your PR and a fantastic race. I love all of the smiles and pictures. I'm so happy that you felt great and had a good day. :)

Alma said...

Great job Anne! You've been so good about taking care of yourself and it really paid off!

Molly said...

Congrats to you and your friends! So great that you did it without music, nice job!!!

TX Runner Mom said...

Way to go! Congrats on the PR and a great race!

Black Knight said...

Great and beautiful smiles, it means that you ran a great race (as the PR says). Congrats to all of you!
Anyway I like the hardware. Are you ready for new adventures?

Julie said...

Way to go Anne! Congrats on a fantastic race and a PR:) I am proud of you!

Giorgio said...

Glad you enjoyed the race and your knee went well. Nice race Anne! Congrats!
You posted a nice picture which shows your "running group" after the race. Beautiful report with photos!

Irene said...

I'm so happy for you!!!! Hooray!

The picture of you with your medal and that big smile says it all! Congratulations on the PR, too!

Matty B. said...

Fantastic! So jealous that I couldn't be running in Montreal, too!

Is that the Stade Olympique that you finished in?

Matty B. said...

... some tape may be required.

Jamie said...

Yea! Congrats to you all! Love the pictures!

kilax said...

So happy the knee is not bothering you too much! Congrats on the race and congrats to your friends! :)

I think I have only run one race with music... it's fun to run with people and talk to them or run with a friend. Of course, I say that now, and will probably run my next race with my MP3 ;)

racing dawn said...

Congrats to you and your friends! Looks like a beautiful race day. I love to run with music in the mid miles of the race but usually end up turning it off the second half - to get a little more focus to finish! :) I hope you make that fall marathon! Congrats on the PB!

Jamoosh said...

Awesome! Rock on with your PB!!!

Janine said...

Darling I agree to all your comments, you sure are the fuel of every one in the family.Dont change Mom

Marlene said...

Sorry I'm so late reading your race report! I was MIA from blogs Friday through Monday.

CONGRATULATIONS on your half and the unexpected PB!! How great that you felt so good throughout and that your knee held up okay!

Anne said...

I'm a little last to the post-race party, but CONGRATULATIONS!! I love that you didn't need music to keep you going. Here in the US, most half and full marathons technically ban them, but they are still popular. Love all the smiles in the photos - well earned.

Kelsey: the Blonde Bullet said...

What a wonderful race recap! The pie sounded very yummy :) Funny about the headphones. I've done that before on some of my long runs without even realizing it. Sometimes it's just better to take in the ambiance! Glad to hear your knee wasn't a problem either! I take that personally as inspiration!

Congrats!