I've decided to run the Niagara Falls Half Marathon on October 25th.
This event is famous for being the only marathon in the world to start in one country and finish in another. Marci raved about it last year and I put it on "my list."
I'd love to run the full marathon one of these days, but for now I'm sticking with the half (which starts and ends in Canada).
The Half Marathon course is flat for the first 17.6km (11 miles) and has a 55 ft. drop over the remaining 3.36km (2.1 miles). It is considered one of the fastest half marathon courses in the country.
Sounds good to me!
Hubby and I found a decent hotel deal and will be staying in Niagara Falls the night before. I made a reservation for dinner at this nice Italian place and it should be a nice weekend away.
The Goal
C. <1:58:27
This was my time from a half marathon 5 weeks post-marathon #1 around this time last year.
B. <1:52:29
This would be a PR. Current record stands from Mississauga Half in May.
A. <1:50:00
This is my ultimate goal - one that I originally hoped to achieve in 2010. Is it doable? I don't know, but I'm going to try.
The Plan
I'm using an adaptation of the Multiple Marathoning 4-Week Schedule (includes recovery week) found in Advanced Marathoning. I'll spare you all the details, but this includes long runs of 18K/11mi and 24K/15mi (may reduce), three stride workouts, one interval workout (5x800) and one race pace workout.
I feel that I've recovered enough to dive into this, but I'm taking it on cautiously and will modify the plan if it feels like too much, too soon.
There is one challenge with respect to pacing myself for this race. Every mile will be marked along the route, but only every five kilometres. Eeek! Since my Garmin always ends up so far off during races, this doesn't give me a great way to guage my pace. I've become somewhat familiar with the conversions (thanks to all of my bloggie-buddies in the US!) but in general, I don't 'speak' miles.
The solution? I created my own custom pace band in miles here!
That seems fast!
47 comments:
Wow! That looks great. Good like with markers!
Have fun in Niagara Falls. I love it down there!
Fun!! How do they handle the logistics of crossing the border during the race?!?!?
Thanks for the shout out! You will love this race, bring warm clothes for the finish, its windy and cold (at least it was last year) and they have little shelter when you finish. I am a little sad I am passing it up this year, so I will live vicariously through your race report! Good luck meeting your goals!
That's one day after my very first half marathon!!! Woohoo! That would be awesome to run around Niagra Falls. Good luck with your goals!
I have heard that half marathon is so much fun (from ppl who live in Buffalo NY). Hope it goes well for you and i am sure you will do great speedster!!
ALRIGHT!!!! nice pick! and very exciting :) i love the pace band and your goals and you will GO FOR IT like you always do :) hooray!!!!! game face- woo woo. 2 countries huh! i love stuff like that. i loooooooved running the 3-state race i did back in march. 3 states! it just FEELS awesome to cross boundaries like that.
so it made me laugh: "It is considered one of the fastest half marathon courses in the country."---- which country??????/ ;)
Wow! That's sounds like a fabulous race!
Great looking times!
I am so envious!! That sounds like a really cool race and at Niagara Falls to boot! Hope you guys have a great time! I am thinking you will run really well there! Good luck with the training plan.
You can do it girl! Best of luck to you!!!
Sounds like an awesome race! Good idea on the pace band :) Good luck with training over the next couple of weeks!
COOL Pace band. That race sounds AMAZING! Future destination race and date for hubs and I in the future for sure :)
I made a pace band for my first marathon and laminated it with tape. That was the 1 thing I forgot. LOL.. Better than other things I guess..
Hugs to "A" Goals!
Seee now I'd be TOTALLY thrown off if they marked on the KMs - that would be knowing my pace WAY too often for me! ;) I'm glad we've helped with the mileage-barrier, haha, because I'm always confused when you talk in KMs (but so graciously provide us with the conversion!)
I'm excited for you - a "fast course" is always music to the runner's ears! :)
What a fun looking race. I will have to put that on "my list" for next year. Good luck.... You can do it.
Look at you getting all technical girl!!!
That Half looks awesome! Very jealous!!!
Don't get too wrapped up in A Plans, B Plans, C Plans, make sure you include the "HAVE FUN AND FEEL ACCOMPLISHED NO MATTER WHAT PLAN"
Just saying. :)
very cool! i know you will do awesome :)
i know the feeling on miles/km's. i tried to switch my garmin over for an interval workout last week... yeah i was too confused (on the km's of course). hope you can get some practice in so you feel comfortable on race day!
That marathon sounds great!! Gotta love fast halfs, too. So much PRing potential there!
Wow, that HM sounds like so much fun! You get to travel internationally and race at the same time!
And thanks for the pace band maker link. I will for sure be using this :)
That's because it IS fast! Good luck!!!!
I have no doubt that you can totally rock this race out my friend...forgot to say that!
That sounds like a great race! Unfortunately I live on the wrong side of the U.S.--the west side--to do it...but maybe someday! Have fun!
What a cool race. That's what I love, being able to pick and fun spot and run a race there. Sounds like you are on the right track with your A,B,C goals.
I already know you are going to do amazing!! Can see why this one is on your list.
Look forward to following you along with training.
Go with the weather and how you're feeling as late in October it could be perfect or it could be cold, windy and/or rainy. The fast course sounds liek a bonus and the route is beautiful so I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
Goal A, you can do it!
I just had a short 4k around by the falls at night last week, it was really nice. Wait till they have a nicer medal I'll do the full marathon there :-)
That sounds like a fun one! Good luck hitting your "A" goal!
MCM Mama
OMG! That was the race I was going to make my first marathon (until injury ruined everything!)!!! I def wish you the BEST OF LUCK!!!! Hey, maybe I'll see you there next year!!!!!!
You CAN do it! You rock! Good luck! :)
Oh man! I'd love to run in this marathon. I have never heard of it before but it sounds awesome. I am definitely going to try to do this one day. Good luck on your race. I look forward to following your progress.
Fast courses ROCK! Good luck!!!
that is going to be an awesome race!!!! love the custom pace band too... i think i need to check that out :) cant wait to see you ROCK that course!
The race looks awesome! I had a case against an attorney last year who ran the full . . . he said it was a great course, but the weather was super windy last year. You're going to do awesome!
Looks like a great race. You're going to do great!
Yay! Sounds like a great race for you!!!
Love the pace band.
Oooh- I've heard great things about that race too! I'm very excited for you! Thanks for sharing the create your own pace band site...I'm going to try it out.
Very cool! Do you have to carry your passport with you on the run?
AWESOME!! My old roommate ran the full marathon and loved it! I hope you have a MAJOR PR!! Good luck with training - and I cant wait to read more about it!
Sounds like a perfect race!! I'm a little bit jealous :)
Ooh, I really, really, really want to do this race one day (half or full version)! SO JEALOUS!!!
I think it is so funny about the miles vs. km thing. I don't "speak metric" very well :) For my metric marathons I had to make a "special" pace band, too!
Good luck with your training!
That is one speedy pace band!!
Good luck & have fun :D
That half marathon sounds super cool, I love the 2 countries part!
hmmm...might have to put that on my list too :)
I've heard great things about that race. Good luck!
ohhh now that sounds so cool. I know some friends who ahve run that and just loved it!! You lucky duck...oh I'm linking back to you tomorrow for the runner type thing, that was so cool
My money's on setting a new PR! With those fast times at the tracks, if you have a good day you'll be under 1:52 for sure!
It sounds awesome!! What a cool idea for the marathon. I love Niagara!! Maybe I'll put it on my wish list for next Fall.
If you're ever back there again, try to book in at Embassy Suites. I've gotten really cheap rates at the Niagara one before and they have a free cocktail hour every afternoon with snacks! (i.e. free drink and free buffet of treats!)
I've heard wonderful things about this race and would love to do it some day too once I'm done with my 50 states quest. Good luck with your recovery and training. Great weather and a beautiful race course are known to result in fast race times :-)
I love the band :)!
great goals!
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