Thursday, September 23, 2010

Flashback Friday: Toronto Waterfront Marathon Edition + Race Goals



This Sunday is the 21st annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and mine and hubs' 4th consecutive year racing. Back in 2007, the half marathon was our very first race.


I went on to run my first and second marathons at the Waterfront (yep, I wore the same shirt; it has since been retired).


Something lures us back to this race years after year. Of course it will always hold a special place in our racing hearts for being our first race, but it also has that "big city race" appeal, drawing 20,000+ runners and dozens of international elites. It's a great feeling to be a part of something like this and I'd hate to miss out on the opportunity, especially since it's so close to home.

[ I do hold a little bit of resentment toward the Waterfront Race this year for strong-arming (in my opinion) the original Toronto Marathon out of its long-standing place in October (it will be moved to spring next year, on the same day as the Mississauga Marathon, unfortunately). But I won't get into marathon politics in the City of Toronto!]

This weekend, hubs will be running the full marathon with our friend P as a training run for his goal race in November (aiming for about a 3:45), while I tackle the half.

This will be my (lucky?) 13th half marathon... and hopefully my fastest! I've been hesitant to post my goals because to be honest, I'm intimidated! But here they are:

A: 1:45:00 (this has been a pipe dream goal for a long time. While I do believe it is attainable, it won't be easy. It's not supposed to be easy!

B: PR sub-1:47:41

C: not acceptable

Here goes nothing!

37 comments:

Denise said...

run hard, marlene. YOU GOT THIS!!! good luck, can't wait to hear how it goes!

No Longer Using said...

GOOD LUCK MARLENE!!!

Teamarcia said...

Go Marlene! You're gonna do great!

J said...

Good luck this weekend!! 13.1 miles can be intimidating but you have been doing long runs and really preparing so I am sure you will do great!

bobbi said...

You are so ready!! Good luck!

Marky Mark said...

Have a great day with it-looks like perfect weather! My wife is doing her first half. I have the bib and feel like I could do 10K but I haven't trained for the half so don't see how I can just pull one out of my magic bag...

Anonymous said...

You got this!!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

have a fabulous race! i'm sure you have sub 1:45 in you. just get out there and kill it!

Anonymous said...

u will do great!!! :)
ill look for u at the start line!

13th eh?? wow! thats kinda cool

i didnt know that the toronto is moving on the same day as the mississauga?? wtf?? i thought it was gonna be earlier. ugh!

Heather said...

Good luck on Sunday, you can do it!

William Spaetzel said...

Good luck this weekend! I'll be somewhere behind you on the course.

Emz said...

COmpletely Awesome!

Enjoy it!

Can't wait to hear about it. :)

Indi said...

You've so got this!! Good Luck this weekend. you'll do awesome!

chris mcpeake said...

good luck this weekend

Jen Feeny said...

You got this girl!!!!

Runners Fuel said...

You can defintly set a new PR!!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Go go go!! You have this buddy.. Use the pain as fuel to push you faster. Afterall the faster you go the faster the pain will be OVER.. GOOD LUCK!!

Katie A. said...

Just noticed both you and I will be running the same race we ran as our very first race back in 2007 - I ran the half as my first race that year, too!

You're going to do awesome! I know you are in PR SHAPE! Run STRONG, run FAST and have FUN! Good luck!

Bethany + Ryan said...

you already know what i think :-) hehe

Jamie said...

I'm sure it will be lucky number 13! Good luck!

lish said...

Go Marlene Go!!! Hopefully I will be able to see you on the course and get some pictures....You are going to Rock it...You've had an amazing training cycle!

yumke said...

Good luck! (and I saw your post on Heather's blog on your eventual goal -- you outed yourself!).

Fran I think is pacing the 1:45s.

teacherwoman said...

Good luck this weekend! HAVE FUN!

Meredith said...

Good luck and have an amazing time!!

Laura said...

Run hard and have fun..it is looking like a great day for the race!

Char said...

You've been running so well. I really believe you've got a sub-1:45 in you as long as all the planets align on the day.

Heidi said...

Option C made me laugh. Good luck Marlene!

Johann said...

Good luck and have fun! Go for it, you can do it!

Lindsay said...

lol about option c. you can do it!!! sub-1:45! cheering for you all day tomorrow :)

Amy said...

You can do it! Go Marlene! Can't wait to see your big smile in your finish line pic!

Running Librarian said...

Good Luck! You can doooo it!!!

Nicole said...

Good luck sweets!!! Kick ass sea bass!! :)

ajh said...

Good luck meeting A or B!

Anabela (Bela) Neves said...

Good luck! I may see you there!

Rhonda said...

I'm positive you hit the 1:45! You wrote it down, now you just do it! Good luck! My goal is 3:45 for White Rock marathon in December!

MCM Mama said...

Good luck!!! Yay for lucky 13th half marathon!

yumke said...

Saw your results! congrats on the A goal, by mere seconds, well done! (and your hubby did great too!)