I traveled to Vancouver Island this past weekend for a little vacation. Also, there just happened to be a marathon from Tofino to Ucluelet at the same time. 
People seemed to enjoy my last half marathon report so here's the marathon run down.
26.2 Miles in 62 Songs
People seemed to enjoy my last half marathon report so here's the marathon run down.26.2 Miles in 62 Songs
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
1. The Reason - The Weakerthans
I didn't hear much of this song. The start of the race was pretty loud. People were cheering and there was a lot of energy in the air. This would dissipate over the next 20 miles or so.
Got off to a good pace. The weather was perfect. Not too cold or warm. No torrential rain. This was a bit of a concern the day before when it poured all morning. I even went and bought a rain jacket just in case. Being soaked to the skin for an entire marathon (even if it isn't very cold) is not a good idea.
2. This Is A Fire Door Never Leave Open - The Weakerthans
When you randomize your playlist sometimes you end up with repeat artists. Oh well. This song made me think about someone. A good song to start things off. We were running on a paved path alongside the main road between Tofino and Ucluelet at this point. A bit crowded, but people would soon spread out.
3. Cooking Wine - Alkaline Trio
One of those songs that makes me giggle and sing loudly. I just smiled.
4. What You're Up Against - Hey Mercedes
How appropriate. I'd say that at this point I was still up against 25 miles.
5. Clavicle - Alkaline Trio
Start passing some people who were probably too zippy to start off with. I think I've nailed down the pace that I want to keep for the next few hours. The course is gently rolling and everything is feeling easy.
6. Prayer of the Refugee - Rise Against
I bought this cd in Vancouver before we took the ferry to the island. I also bought two pairs of shoes...
That really had nothing to do with the race, but I'm not going to be able to remember what was going on for every single song. Still running. Long ways to go.
7. Jinx Removing - Riddlin' Kids
Hmm... the theme for songs so far seems to be "Things I like to sing while driving". I wish I had the Jawbreaker version of this song, but, alas, I don't. Someone promised to hook me up with all the Jawbreaker stuff I don't have, but I still don't have it...
8. I'm Not Okay (I Promise) - My Chemical Romance
I turn off the bike path and head down a dirt road to the beach! Yay! At 4.3 km I hit the beach and run on packed sand for a km or so. It's such a perfect moment. The running feels effortless, there's a breeze coming off the ocean, I can hear the waves crashing in, everything is all misty... If ever I was okay, it's right now.
9. Brick - Ben Folds Five
Funny how all the beach running songs are kind of sad. Doesn't matter to me. I'm having a great time. I see one of the photographers and give him a big smile.
10. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism - The New Pornographers
Bahaha. This song makes me laugh.
11. Jaked On Green Beers - Alkaline Trio
I've never had green beer. Anyone?
12. Sleepy Maggie - Ashley MacIsaac
This has a nice coastal feel to it. Wrong coast, but oh well.
13. Punk Rock Princess - Something Corporate
The beach section ended as this song was. Back onto a dirt road heading to the main highway.
14. Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Back on the Pacific Rim Highway. Most of the race is actually on the road so there is traffic. In the narrower spots there was some traffic control. Most people driving by honk and cheer. I started to really crave Guitar Hero at this point.
15. Poor Young Man's Heart - Kristofer Astrom
This may seem like a poor choice for an energetic endeavour like running, but I find it really soothing. It helps bring me back down from the beach excitement and gets me back on an even pace. Plus I really love this song. Random story... driving to the coast and listening to my ipod on the car stereo. Michael asks "Do you have any happy music? Or do you only listen to super depressing stuff?" I reply "I have happy stuff! Let's see what the next song is..." I can't remember exactly what song it was, but something on par with this comes up. Just because the words are sad doesn't mean the song can't make you happy! Right?
16. Pints of Guinness Make You Strong - Against Me!
Mmm... I should have a Guinness when I'm done...
17. Your Love - The Gamits
This was on the soundtrack for a play I was in a few years ago. It's so boppy and happy! Makes me want to dance. A note on the scenery: Pretty! Lots of trees and green stuff. Also a bunch of slugs out on the pavement because of all the rain. Just little black ones mostly. The really big yellow banana slugs seem to be staying in the forest. I was hoping to see some. I try not to step on the little ones I see.
18. Our Weekend Starts On Wednesday - Hey Mercedes
My race strategy pretty much goes like this. I run for 15 minutes then walk for 1 minute and have some water and sharkies (tasty gummy electrolyte replacement). So, I've been passing a few people and then getting passed when I do the walking thing. I played the passing game with one guy a few times and then...
19. Coma White - Marilyn Manson
He talks to me a bit. OMG! He has a super hot New Zealand accent. He asks me about the walking and I tell him that it works well for me... blah, blah. Then I leave him behind. Oh well, I imagine he will catch back up when I walk again and then maybe he will talk at me again. But he never caught back up. I wonder how he did...
20. Bricks - Rise Against
Mmm... accent.
21. Run With Us - The Raccoons Theme Song
Who watched this cartoon as a kid?
22. Boxcar - Jawbreaker
This song makes me all happy and thinky. Still lots of trees. The volunteers at the water stations are really great. They're all smiley and really helpful. I try to always thank them.
23. Counting Bodies Like Sheep - A Perfect Circle
This song has been on my race playlist for years now. I imagine it will stick around for awhile.
24. Dead! - My Chemical Romance
And now I want to play Guitar Hero again. At my parents because my dad bought GH for his Xbox and it has this song.
25. Chesterfield King - Jawbreaker
How I <3 this song... I think I got a bit lost in thought at this point. Just completely random stuff. It's funny how your mind can just jump from topic to topic. Sometimes (especially during races) I try to figure out how I got to whatever random thing I'm think about.
26. A Praise Chorus - Jimmy Eat World
I was kind of hoping for this song later on in the race. It really gets me going. The risks you take with randomizing!
27. Such Great Heights - Postal Service
Yep... still lots of pretty tree. Sometimes I can see the water through them.
28. Take On Me - Reel Big Fish
I like to figure out what percentage of the race that I've done so far. Or what fraction. Gives me something to think about. Plus I'm a giant geek. Almost halfway. Almost at the big hill that I saw on the elevation profile. There are road signs every so often that say how far to Tofino and Ucluelet. I can't wait until the number for Ucluelet is the smaller one.
29. Crane Wife 1 & 2 - The Decemberists
At the big hill. Walking up. Almost as fast and uses way less energy. Halfway! Celebration!
Only 13 miles to go.
30. Video Killed The Radio Star - Ben Folds Five
I bought this cd in Vancouver too. "Is this whole cd depressing?"
"No... here, Video Killed the Radio Star!" "That's kind of depressing..."
31. Just Like Heaven - The Cure
This made the cut because it makes me think of happy things. And then I saw a road sign where it was officially closer to the finish line than the start.
32. The Future Freaks Me Out - Motion City Soundtrack
Driving back from the finsih we saw a mommy bear and a cub at about this point. I guess the guy who won saw a mother bear with two cubs run out in front of him. Wacky!
33. Sunday - Bloc Party
Michael is at one of the water stations. He takes a few pictures and my dog tries to come with me. Off and running again.
34. Top Of The World - The Juliana Theory
Getting a bit bored of the highway.
35. Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart - Stone Temple Pilots
I'm hungry. And I really want to play Guitar Hero.
36. Epic - Faith No More
This song reminded me of the tasty beer sampler I recently had. This song played at the restaurant and made me laugh. It did the same during the race.
37. Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders
Not helping the Guitar Hero craving.
38. Rough Hands - Alexisonfire
Still feeling really good. I'm glad that it's overcast and cool. Looks like the sun is trying to make an appearance.
39. Degausser - Brand New
I won't lie. I had an air guitar moment when I was listening to this song. I don't think there was anyone around to see it...
40. Wing-Stock - Ashley MacIsaac
Yay fiddles. I'm all peppy now.
41. Boat Dreams From The Hill - Jawbreaker
A lot of Jawbreaker made it onto my playlist this time. I've just been in that sort of mood. Still peppy!
42. Haven't Been This Happy - Hey Mercedes
Hmm... what should I have for lunch? Or some other random thoughts.
43. Excerpts From Various Notes Strewn Around The Bedroom Of April Connolly, Feb 24, 1997 - Cursive
I like this song. It sounds all angry but I really like this one bit "I want to feel your hips pressed up against mine. We'll push into each other - love's alive. It might be fleeting, but it's ours and it's tonight..."
44. Don't Say You Won't - Alkaline Trio
Smiling now.
45. Overture/Going Through The Motions - Buffy Musical
I have a confession. I love the Buffy musical. I can sing along to the whole thing.
46. Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
I swear the sun came out during this song. Blue sky indeed.
47. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Fun! Don't know what else to say really...
48. Cut Your Ribbon - Sparta
I see Michael again. He takes a few pictures and asks how everything's going. Then I'm off.
49. Where Is My Mind - The Pixies
Finally done with the highway and the course turns towards Ucluelet. Back on a bike path. From here to the end there are sooo many hills. It's just constantly up and down.
50. Trogdor - Strongbad
Heh heh.
51. Helena - My Chemical Romance
I give myself permission to walk the uphills. There are a lot of them.
52. Baby, I'm An Anarchist - Against Me!
Ooh! Something semi-interesting happened during this song. I was running past an old wooden shelter thing and it had a superman symbol painted on the outside. On the inside there was a big spray painted anarchy symbol! How appropriate.
53. Sugar, We're Going Down - Fallout Boy
I don't get passed by any marathoners for the rest of the race, but I do get passed by some zippy relay runners. That's okay though. They only run for 5 or so miles so they can go faster. I'm always kind of happy when the person passing me turns out to not be doing the full race.
54. Want - Jawbreaker
I got to hear this song on a long downhill. A relay runner ran beside me an chatted for a bit about how the hills were hard. He asked if I was on a relay team. Nope, solo. Well, good for you. And then he was off.
55. Infected - Bad Religion
Stupid hills. Walking up and running down.
56. Jesus Christ - Brand New
This song made me think about my fringe tour coming up! Everyone who can should come and see it. I will put up dates and stuff as soon as I have all the info.
57. Reinventing Axl Rose - Against Me!
Stupid hills.
58. Boiled Frogs - Alexisonfire
Stupid $%#&*&%! hills.
59. Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now - Moneen
Some people watching the race said that I had just finished the last hill. Yay! I went around the next corner and guess what? Another hill! Dammit! Almost done though.
60. Knights of Cydonia - Muse
At least the scenery is different now. Houses instead of endless trees. Almost done.
61. Tour Song - Jawbreaker
A little bit of flat and then it's all downhill to the finish.
62. At The Bottom Of Everything - Bright Eyes
Didn't hear too much of this song. The last bit of the race was indeed downhill and I flew to the finish line. Time: 4:01:58
Not bad for a really hilly course. A few minutes off of my best time. Maybe some day I'll run a fast course and see if I can set a new personal best.
1. The Reason - The Weakerthans
I didn't hear much of this song. The start of the race was pretty loud. People were cheering and there was a lot of energy in the air. This would dissipate over the next 20 miles or so.
Got off to a good pace. The weather was perfect. Not too cold or warm. No torrential rain. This was a bit of a concern the day before when it poured all morning. I even went and bought a rain jacket just in case. Being soaked to the skin for an entire marathon (even if it isn't very cold) is not a good idea.2. This Is A Fire Door Never Leave Open - The Weakerthans
When you randomize your playlist sometimes you end up with repeat artists. Oh well. This song made me think about someone. A good song to start things off. We were running on a paved path alongside the main road between Tofino and Ucluelet at this point. A bit crowded, but people would soon spread out.
3. Cooking Wine - Alkaline Trio
One of those songs that makes me giggle and sing loudly. I just smiled.
4. What You're Up Against - Hey Mercedes
How appropriate. I'd say that at this point I was still up against 25 miles.
5. Clavicle - Alkaline Trio
Start passing some people who were probably too zippy to start off with. I think I've nailed down the pace that I want to keep for the next few hours. The course is gently rolling and everything is feeling easy.
6. Prayer of the Refugee - Rise Against
I bought this cd in Vancouver before we took the ferry to the island. I also bought two pairs of shoes...
That really had nothing to do with the race, but I'm not going to be able to remember what was going on for every single song. Still running. Long ways to go.
7. Jinx Removing - Riddlin' Kids
Hmm... the theme for songs so far seems to be "Things I like to sing while driving". I wish I had the Jawbreaker version of this song, but, alas, I don't. Someone promised to hook me up with all the Jawbreaker stuff I don't have, but I still don't have it...
8. I'm Not Okay (I Promise) - My Chemical Romance
I turn off the bike path and head down a dirt road to the beach! Yay! At 4.3 km I hit the beach and run on packed sand for a km or so. It's such a perfect moment. The running feels effortless, there's a breeze coming off the ocean, I can hear the waves crashing in, everything is all misty... If ever I was okay, it's right now.
9. Brick - Ben Folds Five
Funny how all the beach running songs are kind of sad. Doesn't matter to me. I'm having a great time. I see one of the photographers and give him a big smile.
10. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism - The New Pornographers
Bahaha. This song makes me laugh.
11. Jaked On Green Beers - Alkaline Trio
I've never had green beer. Anyone?
12. Sleepy Maggie - Ashley MacIsaac
This has a nice coastal feel to it. Wrong coast, but oh well.
13. Punk Rock Princess - Something Corporate
The beach section ended as this song was. Back onto a dirt road heading to the main highway.
14. Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Back on the Pacific Rim Highway. Most of the race is actually on the road so there is traffic. In the narrower spots there was some traffic control. Most people driving by honk and cheer. I started to really crave Guitar Hero at this point.
15. Poor Young Man's Heart - Kristofer Astrom
This may seem like a poor choice for an energetic endeavour like running, but I find it really soothing. It helps bring me back down from the beach excitement and gets me back on an even pace. Plus I really love this song. Random story... driving to the coast and listening to my ipod on the car stereo. Michael asks "Do you have any happy music? Or do you only listen to super depressing stuff?" I reply "I have happy stuff! Let's see what the next song is..." I can't remember exactly what song it was, but something on par with this comes up. Just because the words are sad doesn't mean the song can't make you happy! Right?
16. Pints of Guinness Make You Strong - Against Me!
Mmm... I should have a Guinness when I'm done...
17. Your Love - The Gamits
This was on the soundtrack for a play I was in a few years ago. It's so boppy and happy! Makes me want to dance. A note on the scenery: Pretty! Lots of trees and green stuff. Also a bunch of slugs out on the pavement because of all the rain. Just little black ones mostly. The really big yellow banana slugs seem to be staying in the forest. I was hoping to see some. I try not to step on the little ones I see.
18. Our Weekend Starts On Wednesday - Hey Mercedes
My race strategy pretty much goes like this. I run for 15 minutes then walk for 1 minute and have some water and sharkies (tasty gummy electrolyte replacement). So, I've been passing a few people and then getting passed when I do the walking thing. I played the passing game with one guy a few times and then...
19. Coma White - Marilyn Manson
He talks to me a bit. OMG! He has a super hot New Zealand accent. He asks me about the walking and I tell him that it works well for me... blah, blah. Then I leave him behind. Oh well, I imagine he will catch back up when I walk again and then maybe he will talk at me again. But he never caught back up. I wonder how he did...
20. Bricks - Rise Against
Mmm... accent.
21. Run With Us - The Raccoons Theme Song
Who watched this cartoon as a kid?
22. Boxcar - Jawbreaker
This song makes me all happy and thinky. Still lots of trees. The volunteers at the water stations are really great. They're all smiley and really helpful. I try to always thank them.
23. Counting Bodies Like Sheep - A Perfect Circle
This song has been on my race playlist for years now. I imagine it will stick around for awhile.
24. Dead! - My Chemical Romance
And now I want to play Guitar Hero again. At my parents because my dad bought GH for his Xbox and it has this song.
25. Chesterfield King - Jawbreaker
How I <3 this song... I think I got a bit lost in thought at this point. Just completely random stuff. It's funny how your mind can just jump from topic to topic. Sometimes (especially during races) I try to figure out how I got to whatever random thing I'm think about.
26. A Praise Chorus - Jimmy Eat World
I was kind of hoping for this song later on in the race. It really gets me going. The risks you take with randomizing!
27. Such Great Heights - Postal Service
Yep... still lots of pretty tree. Sometimes I can see the water through them.
28. Take On Me - Reel Big Fish
I like to figure out what percentage of the race that I've done so far. Or what fraction. Gives me something to think about. Plus I'm a giant geek. Almost halfway. Almost at the big hill that I saw on the elevation profile. There are road signs every so often that say how far to Tofino and Ucluelet. I can't wait until the number for Ucluelet is the smaller one.
29. Crane Wife 1 & 2 - The Decemberists
At the big hill. Walking up. Almost as fast and uses way less energy. Halfway! Celebration!
Only 13 miles to go.
30. Video Killed The Radio Star - Ben Folds Five
I bought this cd in Vancouver too. "Is this whole cd depressing?"
"No... here, Video Killed the Radio Star!" "That's kind of depressing..."
31. Just Like Heaven - The Cure
This made the cut because it makes me think of happy things. And then I saw a road sign where it was officially closer to the finish line than the start.
32. The Future Freaks Me Out - Motion City Soundtrack
Driving back from the finsih we saw a mommy bear and a cub at about this point. I guess the guy who won saw a mother bear with two cubs run out in front of him. Wacky!
33. Sunday - Bloc Party
Michael is at one of the water stations. He takes a few pictures and my dog tries to come with me. Off and running again.
34. Top Of The World - The Juliana Theory
Getting a bit bored of the highway.
35. Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart - Stone Temple Pilots
I'm hungry. And I really want to play Guitar Hero.
36. Epic - Faith No More
This song reminded me of the tasty beer sampler I recently had. This song played at the restaurant and made me laugh. It did the same during the race.
37. Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders
Not helping the Guitar Hero craving.
38. Rough Hands - Alexisonfire
Still feeling really good. I'm glad that it's overcast and cool. Looks like the sun is trying to make an appearance.
39. Degausser - Brand New
I won't lie. I had an air guitar moment when I was listening to this song. I don't think there was anyone around to see it...
40. Wing-Stock - Ashley MacIsaac
Yay fiddles. I'm all peppy now.
41. Boat Dreams From The Hill - Jawbreaker
A lot of Jawbreaker made it onto my playlist this time. I've just been in that sort of mood. Still peppy!
42. Haven't Been This Happy - Hey Mercedes
Hmm... what should I have for lunch? Or some other random thoughts.
43. Excerpts From Various Notes Strewn Around The Bedroom Of April Connolly, Feb 24, 1997 - Cursive
I like this song. It sounds all angry but I really like this one bit "I want to feel your hips pressed up against mine. We'll push into each other - love's alive. It might be fleeting, but it's ours and it's tonight..."
44. Don't Say You Won't - Alkaline Trio
Smiling now.
45. Overture/Going Through The Motions - Buffy Musical
I have a confession. I love the Buffy musical. I can sing along to the whole thing.
46. Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
I swear the sun came out during this song. Blue sky indeed.
47. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Fun! Don't know what else to say really...
48. Cut Your Ribbon - Sparta
I see Michael again. He takes a few pictures and asks how everything's going. Then I'm off.
49. Where Is My Mind - The Pixies
Finally done with the highway and the course turns towards Ucluelet. Back on a bike path. From here to the end there are sooo many hills. It's just constantly up and down.
50. Trogdor - Strongbad
Heh heh.
51. Helena - My Chemical Romance
I give myself permission to walk the uphills. There are a lot of them.
52. Baby, I'm An Anarchist - Against Me!
Ooh! Something semi-interesting happened during this song. I was running past an old wooden shelter thing and it had a superman symbol painted on the outside. On the inside there was a big spray painted anarchy symbol! How appropriate.
53. Sugar, We're Going Down - Fallout Boy
I don't get passed by any marathoners for the rest of the race, but I do get passed by some zippy relay runners. That's okay though. They only run for 5 or so miles so they can go faster. I'm always kind of happy when the person passing me turns out to not be doing the full race.
54. Want - Jawbreaker
I got to hear this song on a long downhill. A relay runner ran beside me an chatted for a bit about how the hills were hard. He asked if I was on a relay team. Nope, solo. Well, good for you. And then he was off.
55. Infected - Bad Religion
Stupid hills. Walking up and running down.
56. Jesus Christ - Brand New
This song made me think about my fringe tour coming up! Everyone who can should come and see it. I will put up dates and stuff as soon as I have all the info.
57. Reinventing Axl Rose - Against Me!
Stupid hills.
58. Boiled Frogs - Alexisonfire
Stupid $%#&*&%! hills.
59. Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now - Moneen
Some people watching the race said that I had just finished the last hill. Yay! I went around the next corner and guess what? Another hill! Dammit! Almost done though.
60. Knights of Cydonia - Muse
At least the scenery is different now. Houses instead of endless trees. Almost done.
61. Tour Song - Jawbreaker
A little bit of flat and then it's all downhill to the finish.
62. At The Bottom Of Everything - Bright Eyes
Didn't hear too much of this song. The last bit of the race was indeed downhill and I flew to the finish line. Time: 4:01:58
Not bad for a really hilly course. A few minutes off of my best time. Maybe some day I'll run a fast course and see if I can set a new personal best.
And that was my 10th marathon. Well, eight of them were marathons and two were ultramarathons. Next up is the Calgary Marathon July 8th.
I was going to write some more stuff, but that took forever. So later maybe? Here's a picture for now.
On the ferry!
VIEW 25 of 25 COMMENTS
dickiev:
Love the report song by song. Great time too. I'm running my first marathon on July 29th in San Francisco. Just did 22 miles this morning. Longest run ever. I'll be putting my playlist together soon and may poach and idea or two from you.
freakpirate:
You'll have to take good care of me. Never know what I might get up to.