Edmonton Marathon 2014

Race: Edmonton Marathon
Distance: 42.2km
Date: Sunday, August 24, 2014
Pre-Race Preparation: Arrived in Edmonton on Friday to adjust to the timezone difference.  Ran once outside to get a feel of how the air temperature and elevation difference is like.  Pick out the right outfit for the race.  I wore my singlet, arm warmers, gloves to start and 5” run shorts.
Pre-Race Thoughts: I need to run under a 3hr05m to qualify for Boston 2015. I hope all the speed work training is enough.
Running Surface: Concrete
Incline / Decline: Mostly flat, one semi long uphill at 37km
Start Time: 7:30 am
Finish Time: 10:34.43 am
Weather:  Sunny, cloudy, a bit of wind
Pre-Race Routine: Carb-loading Wednesday – Saturday, Ran on Tuesday and Friday prior to race day.  I made pasta and chicken breast with bell peppers in Edmonton instead of eating out to reduce the amount of oil and salt at the restaurants.
Shoes:  Pearl izumi streak 2
Socks: Adidas
Fluids taken during the race: Every aid station I would drink a small sip of water.  Every second aid station, I would drink Gatorade.
Energy / Calories consumed Prior to the race:  Morning Oatmeal, chia seeds, hemp seeds, cranberries.  A banana half an hour before the race.
Energy / Calories consumed During the race: Burned about 2600kcal according to my garmin gps.
Sodium / Electrolytes consumed During the race: I took 4 powergel this race.  Banana/Strawberry flavor. Took one at 21km, 26km, 30km, 38km.
General Observations: The package pick up was at the shaw centre downtown which was easy to get to.  I got a tech shirt along with my bib and advertisements for other races in my swag bag.  The course was marked well and the city is beautiful to run across. The air was crisp in the morning.  Surprisingly, there were a lot of speculators.  I didn’t think there would be so many due to a smaller number of runners compared to Toronto.  It was great having a huge and loud crowd.  This is a great course to run for a boston qualifier.
Things that worked for this event: I finally qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon!! =)
Things that didn’t work well for this event: None.  The race was well organized and the post race event was wonderful.  They served a warm breakfast!!  Yes, you heard right.  A warm breakfast, it was a great treat!!
Psychological Observations: Am I going to qualify? I was keeping up with the front of the pack and felt great till 30km came around.  Can I keep this fast pace till the end of the race.  No, I couldn’t!  =/  I went out too quick in my first half which caused a huge struggle to finish the race.
Post-Race Recovery: Sushi buffet, gym to spin, roll and stretch.
Things to Improve for Next Time: I really need to work on my pacing.  I ran a 1:28:19 in the first half which really burnt me out for the second half.