2023 Banff Half Marathon
Race Information
- Name: Banff Half Marathon
- Date: June 18, 2023
- Distance: 21.1 KM
- Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
- Type: Road Race
- Forecast: 12℃
- Website: https://www.banffhalf.com/
- Results: Click Here!
- Time: 01:46:02
- Age: 37
- Certificate: Click Here!
- Socials: Strava
Goals
| Goal | Description | Completed? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sub 01:44:00 | No |
Splits
| Kilometer | Time |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5:41 |
| 2 | 4:50 |
| 3 | 4:49 |
| 4 | 4:59 |
| 5 | 4:36 |
| 6 | 5:02 |
| 7 | 4:58 |
| 8 | 4:41 |
| 9 | 4:57 |
| 10 | 5:04 |
| 11 | 5:48 |
| 12 | 4:47 |
| 13 | 4:51 |
| 14 | 5:35 |
| 15 | 5:03 |
| 16 | 5:02 |
| 17 | 5:25 |
| 18 | 5:03 |
| 19 | 5:20 |
| 20 | 5:04 |
| 21 | 5:23 |
Training
- Plan: Running Coach Deon Flynn.
- Shoes: Brooks Ghost 14s.
- Watch: I did not own a watch at this time.
- Apparel: Nike Flex 7" shorts, old running hat, and Oakleys.
- Supplements: Nothing.
I was frustrated by my lack of progress despite all the running, so I decided to hire a coach—Deon, a former colleague who, coincidentally, was a certified running coach. He started sending me weekly workouts, and it didn’t take long for me to realize two things: I hadn’t been pushing myself nearly hard enough, and I’d been training all wrong.
Pre-race
- Accommodations: Home.
- Race Package: Banff Rec Center
- Dinner: Burgers and Beer.
- Sleep: 🤷
- Breakfast: 🤷
- Travel to the Start Line: 1.5 hour drive to Banff from my home.
- Strategy: Coach Deon said to just giver.
I ran this race with a friend. We made a bet that the slower runner would have to buy beers afterwards.
Race
- Start Time: 09:30 AM
- Shoes: Brooks Ghost 14s.
- Watch: Old school casio g-shock.
- Apparel: Nike Flex 7" shorts, Banff race t-shirt, old running hat, and Oakleys.
- Supplements: Nothing.
- Hydration: Aid stations.
- Aid Stations: I made the mistake of trying GU gels at the aid station.
- Potty Breaks: Nope.
I was feeling surprisingly good for most of the race—cruising along, thinking I had it all figured out. Then I made the classic rookie mistake: I grabbed a GU gel at one of the aid stations near the end. Big mistake! My stomach went full rebellion mode, and I was suddenly teetering on the edge of throwing up mid-stride. I ended up walking a few times just to keep things down- I did not want to yak in front of a crowd. Dignity first, finish line second.
Post-race
- Finish Time: 01:46:02
- Average Pace: 5:01/km
- Overall Placement: 64th of 465
- Category Placement: 16th of 70
- Recovery Meal: Tacos and beer.
Besides feeling ill from the gel, I was happy to beat my friend and enjoy some beers afterwards.
Strava
Made with a new (slightly modified by me) race report generator created by /u/herumph.