2:41:41

better than my realistic goal time, not quite my optimistic goal time, but i finished still standing. still running in fact. i didn't take any unplanned walk breaks (and in fact skipped one going up the hill at hog's hollow) and i finished before the first full marathon finisher. small achievements but they meant something to me.

yesterday i couldn't wait for it to be over. 21.1 kms is a lot of distance to cover and when you run slow like me it takes a long time at just over two and a half hours. i have to eat 3 times during the run just to get through it! the hardest part of the hilly (but net downhill) course was rounding the corner at the bottom of the bayview extension onto the lakeshore. it's a lonely place down there with not many spectators, and apparently no more cups at the water station either, when you're pulling up the rear.

paul, the instructor of my 10K clinic, spotted me at about the 5 km mark around yonge and lawrence. it was uplifting to have someone call out to you by name (and not because they read it on your bib); it gave me a boost for at least a few kms. andre, our friend, and alex, robin's cousin, were there to meet us (okay, by the time i got there, robin was there to meet me as well - having finished a full hour ahead of me) at the finish line and take some pics.

the four of us went out for a very satisfying brunch afterwards at eggstacy. it was delicious. hollandaise sauce tastes even better when you've earned it.