Three hours, fifty minutes, and fifty-three seconds (3:50:53.57) after the fifth corral was released from the south end of the Jacques Cartier Bridge, I crossed the finish line in La Fontaine Park. What a rush of adrenaline! I am so proud of myself that I completed this huge goal that I set for myself months ago. I knew when signing up for my half-marathon in November 2012 that I'd like to eventually complete a marathon, so immediately after I finished that intermediate goal in May 2013, I started searching for a race that would be meaningful and keep my motivation high during the summer months. I decided on the Montreal Marathon on September 22, 2013. I fell in love with the city last year during my first visit, and I knew that doing my first marathon there would be very fulfilling, as I'd get to see my good friend, Max, and tour more of the city.
Preparing for the race was the most grueling task of my life, apart from the actual race. Months of sore muscles, early morning runs, missed social gatherings and hours and hours staring at the wall in the gym culminated in a nerve-filled train ride from Washington to Montreal the day before the race. I was so worried all week about the weather, with menacing news reports predicting a low of 39 and a 90% chance of rain on race day. Immediately after arriving in Montreal, the skies darkened, and it began to pour, continuing all night. I slept well and woke up early in the morning to see extremely overcast skies, but it wasn't raining, and the temperature hovered at a pleasant 54 degrees. I decided to go only in a t-shirt and shorts, and I brought an umbrella in case of rain before the start. I had to walk a few blocks to the metro and then take the metro to the station closest to the start line. I was in corral 5 of 24, so I had to walk the whole way across the bridge, about a mile, to start.
After soaking in the pre-race emotions surround me, the moment finally arrived, and I began to soak in the cool Canadian precipitation. By kilometer 2 my right foot was soaked, and the left foot was even wetter by kilometer 4, despite the pack trying to jump over huge puddles. It stopped raining at mile 8, and I dried off mostly, except my feet, which were completely wet throughout.
The first half of the race was without a doubt much more stimulating as far as scenery and crowds go. I pushed myself probably a little too hard through the rain and went runner and finished the the half with a personal record of 1:41. All of a sudden at mile 16 it was like I was carrying bricks on the back of my calves, and my hips started getting sore. The worst part of the race was miles 20-23 and the last mile. I slowed down considerably at the end but never let myself walk at all. I didn't meet my somewhat unrealistic goal of 3:30, but I had told myself I'd be happy with myself as long as I do under 4 hours, so I'll just have to do better next time.
Well, if there is a next time! ;) ...and knowing myself, I imagine there will be.
There was definitely a next time. :) I love this one!
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