Marathon Roller de Montreal - Share Your Stories!

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Permalink Reply by Philippe Candelier on May 17, 2009 at 2:57pm

My latest story: The wind was strong this morning. I had my MacBook Pro on the table for entering last minute registration people into the timing system. I had to walk away for a few second to pickup some stuff. A gust of wind just blow it away, from the table down to the floor. The case is somehow bent, but that computer is still working like a charm ! Thanks Apple. You saved me again today...

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Seutter on May 17, 2009 at 9:19pm

Way to go Peter and Morgane! Thats sticking it to 'em.. :)

Ultrask8

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Permalink Reply by Mr. T on May 18, 2009 at 6:31am

It was cold, but public enemy no. 1 was the wind. Man! it was strong. Worst wind I ever had to face on skates.. I wonder why the wind always blows against... Can I ever take part in a race where the wind is in favor?! Or just no wind at all?
The start was probably the most violent I have ever been involved.. I guess people were very cold and could not wait to get going to get warm.. Pushes, skates crossing, somebody even dropped a water bottle in the group creating panic (perhaps it was part of his terror strategy to scare the competition?) ... but most important too fast. Of course, elite skaters can handle it, but there were already skaters sticking their tongues out after 1-2 km. I thought so: no way all those skaters can go 30-32km/h (20 mph) and against the wind. I overtook most of them on the stretch uphill (the wind there was nasty, plain nasty). Got in a group, then the next, closed a couple of gaps... but basically I was just reaching skaters that had estinguished themselves in that absurd start. I was not going to find any good train to draft.
My goal was 1h40min. The first 3 laps I kept the pace. But beginning with the 4th lap I began to doubt as basically I was on my own. And the wind felt like it was getting stronger and stronger to the point the on the section downhill felt like I was going nowhere. It was basically a very poor story from that point on... At the 9th lap I came by in about 1h37min and seconds. It was clear that I had failed. Still finished it, but avoided to cross the finish line to have my time recorded for posterity to laugh at me. So I stopped just shy of the finish line and returned the chip.
All in all, it is a nice course and I like it. The weather was awful... worst conditions I have ever experienced. Normally, I would not skate on day like this. I would have almost preferred to have had a rainy race.. The long stretch and the section uphill immediately after it was pure pain with all that wind against. but once we were away from the water, it was ok. I like marathons on a course, so you can see lap after lap how you are doing.
There were enough people to make it look like a nice event, very few spectators, but with a day like that I cannot blame them: I would not have come to watch the race even if Hedrick and Mantia had been there!
My niece (14 years old) did the half marathon.. The poor thing.. a couple of times uphill against that wind she said she could not even advance. But she finished it and considering the weather conditions I told her that she should be proud for it felt more like 30km than a half marathon. Need to go out here in Montreal and get her some "prize" now for her effort.
I would like to thank you the organization for putting up such a nice event, even if I did not achieve the goal I set for myself when I decided to register, but it was fun. Perhaps, considering that Montreal is fairly up North compared to the rest of the continent, I might dare to suggest that the marathon could be held a little later int he season. I know that perhaps they were aiming at the fact that Monday is also a holiday in Canada.. but.. what a difference; on Friday in gorgeous weather my best time on one lap was 9m05s.. on Sunday during the first lap it was 9m37s
Anyway, it was fun. Funniest memory of all : in my 9th lap I take the section uphill and find a lady on my trajectory.. So I extend my arm to push her.. Reply from the lady :" Oh thank you so much... please feel free to push me as much as you like!"
Now it is Napa time! It will probably be cold there too in the morning, but hopefully no wind.. please..

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Permalink Reply by Philippe Candelier on May 18, 2009 at 9:26am

Results a now posted on line at
http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=418816

We will update them later with more details, like state/province origin for all skaters and age.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Garvin on May 19, 2009 at 2:27am

Hey, I've posted my race report:

http://www.littlemdesign.com/livebreatheskate/?p=148

(^_^)/
mike.

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Permalink Reply by Philippe Candelier on May 19, 2009 at 8:07am

Nice Mike.

It is fun for me to read skaters comments, and understand the race from their inside. I was so busy during the race that I could not really take time to talk to people to get some feedback. Reading your comments are great, and will keep us motivated for next year edition !

Feel free to comment on the good and bad. We want to improve years after years...

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Permalink Reply by Philippe Candelier on May 21, 2009 at 6:13pm

Enjoy tones of photos from Montreal 2009 Marathon at:
By Marc Antoine Dorais:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rollervitesse/MarathonRollerDeMontreal2...
And by my friend Mihai Githa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rollervitesse/MarathonRollerDeMontreal2#

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Permalink Reply by Philippe Candelier on May 22, 2009 at 4:31pm

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Permalink Reply by Philippe Candelier on May 22, 2009 at 4:34pm

Philippe Candelier said:

Cado Motus Springer twins and the lead pack taking it easy: tail wind!!!

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