Before
Before the race I had zero expectation, none whatsoever :- I did no training for this race,
- my left knee is still not 100%,
- my last two nights of sleep were too short to my likeage.
But still, I showed present at the start line and would run with the flow and the feelings.
During
The first 4-5 km was crowded and I passed a LOT of runners. Being in a corral perhaps a bit too slow, there were definitely runners overestimating themselves in this corral.I felt great up to about 12K. That's where I decided I might go and try for a PR. Then came km 16 and this long (it felt horribly long!) hill (nah, but I suppose I dropped to around 6 min per km). I realised it was too far reached to aim for a low 1:40.
I adjusted my pace to feel just a bit uncomfortable. I crossed some Quebecers on the way; the guy letting his woman go because he can't sustain the pain. It was theatrical!
With 1K to go, I emptied the tank; giving all I got until the finish line.
After
I beat my PR with 12 seconds (1:44:41)! That's cool given the no preparation I had and the sleep deprivation.
