21.1 km road race
Mississauga
May 10, 2009
http://www.mississaugamarathon.com/index.asp
Before race
I had planned on doing this race for quite a while, however couldn’t find the time to train properly for it. It was during track season, and the end of my hockey season. I didn’t manage to run for more than 10km for a whole month prior to the race. Therefore finishing became my greatest goal. Although I hadn’t trained, I still managed to set a high goal for myself of finishing in under 1:30. I had set myself up for failure.
The Start
I was completely unprepared. I was exciting the highway and my parents told me to get out of the car and walk to the race, because the traffic was so bad. I didn’t have my shoes on or anything. I quickly grabbed my things and jumped out of the car. After getting there and warming up a little I realized that I didn’t have my timing chip. I ran all over the place looking for my parents until the start of the race. About 3 minutes after the race had started I found my dad. We sprinted about 500m to the car got my chip and sprinted back. By the time I got back I was crossing the start with the last 20 people out of the 12,000 participants.
The Race
I ran along the sidelines for almost the entire race. I was tiring quickly from weaving through some of the people, but I managed to keep a good steady pace. I felt alright for most of the race, especially considering the little training I had done. When I saw the split for the half and full marathoners I was relieved. Finally it thinned out a little. For the last 4km I gradually began to pass less and less people, but not because I was slowing down. I crossed the finish line and the announcer sounded impressed when calling my name out and seeing I was only 15. Although he didn’t know I started 10 minutes after everyone else.
After race
My parents laughed at me for my lack of preparation. I finished the race in 1:29.38, but by the start clock I finished in 1:41. I was the 372 to cross the line, but I had the chip time of 113th place. I must have passed around 10,000 people during the race. I was 4th for ages 15-19. It was a great race, but next time I plan on training before I do it. I reached my goal unexpectedly, and I am very proud of my finish. I plan on doing this race again next year.
