Queen City Marathon!!!

 

Good morning!  It is the day after Queen City Marathon and I’m feeling great!  I think with all the stretching I did over the weekend, it really helped with my recovery.

So, yesterday’s marathon started at eight in the morning.  The sun was out, but it was very chilly.  I opted to wear a thermal shirt and leggings.  I was going to wear a jacket, but from previous marathons, I usually start warming up after 3km.  We arrived at QCM at 7:30am.  I immediately looked for a washroom before going to the volunteer station to pick up my Pace Rabbit Board that I would be holding at the beginning of the race for those that wanted to follow a pace rabbit.  There was a long lineup for the washrooms and by the time I was finished, it was fifteen minutes before the race would start and I had to start lining up.

I was hoping to get some pictures, but the morning was so rushed from going to the bathroom and lining up, that I didn’t have time.

When I lined up, I had several people stand really close to me because they were going to follow me.  Then we heard the announcer say “On your mark.  Get set.  Go!!!”  There were almost four thousand people crossing the start line, that at first you’re shuffling along until the crowds start to thin out.  I had a pace wrist band telling me that what time I should be at at this km for a time of 2:45.  Around 5km mark, I noticed the time wasn’t accurate and I discovered the times from 5km to 9km were not right and it kind of messed me up.  At 9km the times were more accurate.

I had a hard time to keeping to the pace of 2:45 because it was a lot slower than my normal pace.  At around 7km, the people that were following me started to fall behind.  I was always checking my watch and km signs to see were I was at and I was always about five to seven minutes faster than what I should be.  I ended up crossing the finish line at 2:35. 

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any pictures of me crossing the finish line because my husband had a hard time working the camera!  Oh well…but I did get some pictures.

This is my brother approaching the finish line.  My brother didn’t train for the marathon.  This is his second time doing QCM.  He was one minute shy from his personal best last year.  He is very proud of himself.

This is me and my husband, Wayne after the marathon.  He promised me last year that he would race this year.  I’m still waiting for him to race…

This is me with my boys and our dog after the race.  Next year, the boys are going to participate in the mini marathon.  Josh (the middle boy) is very excited!

And this is me and my brother standing together after the race with our medals!