Tereherne Marathon

SixinSixty©

Determination, fortitude, courage, and consistency

(Two Cross Country and four running marathons at 60)

I completed the Treherne Marathon with a time of 3:29:16, another personal best as I complete race #5 in my six in sixty journey -one more to go.

Going into this marathon I had no injuries or discomfort. The only concern I had days before the race was my short runs seem taxing and I felt fatigued. After arriving in Manitoba I spent the next three days resting and carbing up in preparation for the race. It turned out that the day before the race I finally felt rested and my fuel tank full. My 3km warm up before the race showed I was ready.

The morning of the race the temperature was 5c and wearing what I usually wear for temperatures around 15c. I felt a little chilly. It was 5km into the race that I was completely warmed up and I ditched my hat to keep from over heating.

The strategy I used going into this race was to stay in Zone 3 ( for me a heart rate of around 165) to tackle the hills for the first part of the course and stay well hydrated and fueled which meant sipping water at each station and taking a gel very 40 minutes.

For the first 30km of the race, I was able to maintain a pace of 4:45m/km with my elected heart rate of 165. It was at the 30km mark I felt some discomfort in my right knee (Now this was a surprise, It is the left knee that gives me a problem.) In any case, I reduced my pace to 5:10m/km to ensure a finish and time under 4 hrs. After 1 km to my relief my knee discomfort disappeared. It meant I did not have to cut back any further. It was tempting to up my pace as a couple of runners passed me but I maintained my pace to ensure a good time and finish

As each marker passed by I started to realize I could come in under a time of 3:30. (By the way it is challenging to do the math while you are tried). It meant I had to monitor carefully my time and pace for the next 6km. With 3km left I increased my pace up to 4:50 m/km and passed by the last aid station and I achieved a time under 3:30.

As I crossed the finish line it was great to see my sister, brother, nephews, and nieces holding a sign as I crossed the finish line –what a feeling.

The next race will be the Victoria Marathon. If all goes well, I believe I can do this marathon in 3:20. Over the next three weeks my training will be somewhat easy with an intensity run each week. My gym workouts will continue with an emphasis of preventing a recurring knee problem.

By the way I run this marathon in Treherne because it takes me back to my roots where I grew up.

Treherne Marathon