Race: Toronto Half Marathon, October 17 2010.
THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY JOGGER – PART 2
I have run the Toronto Marathon three times yet this was my first attempt at the half distance. I originally entered the full but changed to the half because I heard it might be the last time for Toronto. Luckily, we know now this is not the case – the Toronto Marathon has simply moved to the spring starting in 2011. I am glad I decided on the half. If you like the Sporting Life 10k, you will love the Toronto Half. It is simply a screamer of a net downhill run, give or take a few hills along the way. The last 3k climb to Queen’s Park makes it interesting and definitely makes your result worth it. Toronto 2011 is scheduled on the same day as Mississauga, yet another net downhill screamer. Both are great halfs – such a tough decision for next year!
Starting sometime around last August, three runners could be regularly seen training together out of Ajax Running Free: John Tranter, Jeff Fyfe and Daniel MacKinnon. All three had decided that the Hamilton Marathon would be their fall race, and more importantly, a goal time of 2:50 was mutually agreed.
In past years, I knew if I could just keep up with John in a race I would be assured of a 
good result. Now, it seamed the roles had reversed. And as far as training went, whatever I did, Johnny would do better. And then there was Jeff. We just could not match his pace most days.
September was a good point to test our training. Jeff ran the Disneyland half in 1:17:44 (12th overall!), I did the Run for the Grapes half in 1:20:02 (10th overall – 1st age prize) and Johnny smoked the new Yorkville 5k in 17:12 (1st age). And our track training was, at times, ridiculous. On one session of 800 m repeats, John was to lead off the first 800 fairly easy, say about 2:55 or so. He gave us a 2:40, and then all the other repeats around 2:45 as well. I did manage to get Johnny back during another session of 1200 m repeats. On my turn to pace a 1200, I led them to a 4:01, for once the pace just a bit too rich for John! In summary, we were all in fine shape, training well and our race results were predicting good results for Hamilton. And then the Toronto half happened.
The Toronto Half was to be the final test race for John and I, and it was a tough call to pick who would be the better. John was confident that his training was level with my own, and I could not disagree. I told John my plan was to run 3:40/k (11:00 every 3k) for as long as I could and then take it home hopefully for a 1:18 something. However, I secretly wished that John would be my better: I had plans after the half to scoot back down to the waterfront to anchor the last leg of the marathon relay for my office. Our expected finish time for the half would likely be good for a top master’s prize, and I didn’t want to have to stick around for the awards presentation.
On race day, John found me near the front of the start line and not much before the gun sent us off. We ran within seconds of each other from beginning to end! At 2k I spotted Anthony Davey just ahead and pointed him out to John. Know your competition – and I knew Anthony would likely be on our pace. Heading down Hogg’s Hollow, I took over the lead. On the upward side, Johnny and Anthony passed, and I worked hard to catch up after the climb was done.
We were losing time against my planned pace, but not for trying, and passed 8k just under 30 minutes and already 30 seconds behind where I wanted to be. By this time I had been stung a couple times by the sharp elbows of Johnny, having meandered just a bit too close for his liking. It was good to keep a safe distance, and Summerhill presented a good opportunity to stretch it out a bit. I took over the lead, Anthony and John up for the game, and continued pushing the pace down into Rosedale Valley with my good company in hot pursuit. I do like running down hill!
After the 4-way stop at Park Road, the Rosedale Valley Road begins a long pitch down to the Don Valley. My Garmin says I ripped three consecutive 3:30 km’s along here. I arrived at the Bayview Extension, surely having left John and Anthony in my dust and about to pass the next chap in my sights. Upon doing so, I heard footsteps. First, appearing on my right was Anthony, and then on my left Johnny! We all passed the 15k marker in just under 55 minutes. We were back on my goal pace, and I knew at this point that Johnny was going to have a great one. Anthony took over the lead, with me following John.
At 18k, we were still on pace, but it was a struggle keeping up to John and Anthony was pulling away. It appeared Anthony had something tucked away for the finish! The turn onto University Avenue was devastating. John and I slipped further back, as the incline toward Queen’s Park got the better of us. John thought he had me at this point, but I managed to catch up at 19k and told him I wanted him to take it. I planned to pace him into the finish and let him cross ahead of me. After a few more grunts of encouragement, I led and he followed, but I was not looking back.
At 20k, I could hear the crowd yelling “Go Paul” to a fellow just behind me. I knew Paul Huyer was in the race, and if it were he and not John behind me, I would have to give it hard. Know your competition. But as hard as I pushed, it just felt like slow motion, and I thought soon all of my pursuers would start drifting past. Luckily none did. Around the top of Queen’s Park, FINALLY, the climb was over and I found some speed for the finish and blasted hard. I was not leaving the door open for Paul, but I had totally forgotten about John!
I crossed in 1:18:25 for a new PB, and four seconds later, none other than Johnny Jogger. John’s time was the second fastest half this year for all Ontario runners in the 50-59 age group, according to www.RoadRaceResults.com. John’s recent half’s have been in the 1:23’s so this was a fantastic improvement, and according to John his best result in over 20 years. John is 58…
As I feared, I had to wait around to claim third master’s prize. And it seamed John would take no end of ribbing, that couldn’t he have found another four seconds? To add to the worry, the awards were late getting off and I really had to scoot. My prize was a very nice Pierre Laurent watch, which I left with John for safekeeping, and maybe to rub it in just a bit. I still feel poorly for having taken this prize from him.
And next, the marathon relay. It is simply amazing what the human body can do. I just don’t understand where this effort came from. And it makes me wonder what I left out there in the half.
I JUST barely made it to the relay point, using the jog over from Exhibition Place as a warm up. My leg of the relay would be 7.2k. When I high-fived into the relay, our team was in fourth place and the third place runner was already a minute ahead. Somehow, I managed to find four more 3:45 km’s passing into second place just before the turn up University. Yep, it was that nasty climb up to Queen’s Park all over again. My pace suffered, and no matter how much it felt like a bad dream, I held on to secure our 2nd place result, completing my leg in just over 27 minutes.
Congratulations to Team Five-Won-Six-Oh, which refers to our office number at 5160 Yonge, just around the corner from the start line. Take a close look at these guys – they are not exactly fire fighters in their prime (the 1st place relay team). A total team effort!
As pleased as I was with my results, including two podium trips in one day, almost nothing can match John’s performance. Well done, Johnny Jogger! I just wish that I am still kicking it as hard when I reach 58, 12 years from now.
Previously: The Legend of Johnny Jogger – Part 1
Next: The Legend of Johnny Jogger – Part 3 and 4
Read Anthony Davey’s Report: Toronto Half
