Around the Bay 30 K Race Report

Always challenging to get out of bed on a Sunday morning, it seems :-| After taking the dog on a walk and fed him, left the house at 7:15 AM and made the trek to Hamilton. The highways were great and arrived by 8:30 AM. Forutnately, I read the "Runner's Agenda" and got off at Main Street East (as opposed to York Street) and found a parking lot for $5.00. The 20 cars quickly filled and the lot was then filled. I took a photo while driving with the welcome banner of the ATB 30K:

At the RR booth, bought 2 gels since I learned there would not be any gels given out. Took the change back to the car (had to remember where I parked!) and opted to leave the gloves in the car. Since I sneezed a bit yesterday, chose to keep the toque. Warm-up slow run of 2.55 K and then proceeded to the start line; the warm-up run was important since my legs felt a bit "stiff". The gun was heard rather quickly and then we were off!

The overcast weather held up until the last 2 K but I didn't mind the drizzle. I kept looking at my Garmin since I didn't want to go out too fast -- it's very easy to do that when there are lots of people running. For the first 8K or so, it was crowded. I love this race due to the tradition (e.g., the Pan Alley after the 13 K; the Queen song "We Will Rock You" before the Heartbreak Hill; the Grim Reaper at about the 27K). Rest breaks happened at the fluid stations, which were approximately every 3-4 K. It was great to have some homeowners set a table with bananas and jellybeans after the 20 K. Not the most scenic route but it's great running with so many people. No winds! First 20 K was flat course. The next 5 K was rolling hills and that did take a toll but I successfully ran up the hills -- always love the downhills. A good change from the flat route. Power-walked most of the Heartbreak Hill and did run a bit of it. After that, it was downhill but I didn't have much left. The Grim Reaper had company this year -- I think she's the original Reaper! Downhill until Copps Collesium -- great to see if from afar. Inside the Collesium, and yes, it was steep and could have had an accident. Love crossing the finish line on ice level. Post food was banana, juice box, Rice Crispy Square, Future Valley Granola Bar, and Pita Break Breakfast Pita.

I'm happy that I didn't start too fast (like the Chilly half marathon). Goal was to maintain being below 6:00/K. For the first few Ks, was behind the 3H pace bunny but once I was able to speed up a bit, never saw that pace bunny again. I knew 3H was my PB so I wanted to ensure I'm ready for the Mississauga Full Marathon (which I am!). I enjoyed reading the quote with each K banner. The race went by quickly.

Gun Time = 2:54:44.3
Chip Time = 2:51:51.0
Overall = 2683/5697 (47.1% people had a faster gun time)
Age Category = 300/439
Gender Category = 1881/3014
10 K = 57:09; 15 K = 1:25:06; 20 K = 1:51:58

And Bud proudly wearing the finisher's medal:

YTD = 474.98 K

ATB 30 K -- Race Pick-Up

Got out of work at 4:20 PM yesterday (a bit late) and then headed as fast as I could to Hamilton to pick up bib, time-chip, and tech shirt. Unlike previous years, the drive was only bad in Oakville. Going west on 401 and south on 427 were great. That gave me promise I would arrive before 6 PM. I ended up arriving at 6:15 PM. I initially parked in an somewhat empty lot but saw someone working inside so moved to another lot. Fortunately, there were people leaving Copps Collesium so they opened the door for me. When I got there, it was already closed but there were people still organizing the tech shirts, etc. Initially, I gave them an incorrect bib # (was told "it's missing) and then learned I mixed up 2 numbers. Fortunately the time chip was activated as the time-chip booth was closed. The man from the time-chip company said the chips are always activiated - it's a check.





I then browsed the empty booths at the expo -- picked up some race brochures. Also, there was a 20% off Running Room coupon "sitting there" so I took it; expiry date is April 4 though. Not sure if there's anything I need.

Drive back to Toronto was quick.

Looking forward to tomorrow's run. Weather forecast is good -- "increasing cloudiness tomorrow, expect rain (Sunday) night." (680 News).

Wednesday's run 8.56 K

After work Wednesday, ran 8.56 K using 25:1 (x2). Focused on speed...getting ready for ATB 30 K on Sunday. First 15 minutes a bit tough and then got into a routine.

YTD = 442.31 K

New Running Shorts

Went to the local Running Room and bought new running shorts. I wanted something to complement "The Lock" that I purchased a couple of years ago -- basically, I wanted pockets! There's a small pocket in the back of the new shorts for a key, paper money, or a plastic card (e.g., health card, credit card). It cost $54.99 and I used the $10 coupon I received when registering for the ATB 30 K (it's next week!!) with the Running Room on-line.


Thinking ahead of running shoes as the stockpile of Brooks Adrenaline GTS I purchased at clearance price a few years ago has only 1 brand new pair on the shelf. So, I'll be eyeing the current GTS 10 in the fall when it's replaced with a newer model. I'll need to try on the GTS 10 as I've learned from the Brook Trance 5 and 6 are not the same.

Tomorrow is Bud's 3rd birthday. I went and got him 2 huge cookies. I gave him 1/2 this afternoon:

32 K LSD

1 week until ATB :-) March Break is over :-( Bud's 3rd birthday is Monday next week and I have a meet after school :-(

Got in my LSD this morning along the Martin Goodman Trail. Original aim was 30 K but opted for 32 K, the longest distance in the full marathon training. Weather was overcast and +3C -- perfect for running! Initially thought I should take a toque when my head got windy but after a while, it was fine. Quite a few runners out there! Reminded myself to go slowly so I could build the mileage up. Took along an energy gel (got it from the Chilly 1/2 marathon 2 weeks ago -- still have 1 gel left). Brought along the iPod this morning to help the time go by; fortunately it's working as I recharged it last night. After 25 minutes of running and then taking a minute walk break, my back ached -- must have slept not well?? Fortunately, the back didn't affect the run as I did complete the 32 K -- in 4 hours. That'll give me confidence that I can run 30 K next Sunday.

Need to remind myself to pick up the bib after work on Friday this week. I always get stuck in traffic and make it to Hamilton shortly before 6 PM and the expo is closing; then I drive back to Toronto -- not good use of time and for the environment but what can I do?

A good week of running: 48.19 K
YTD = 433.75

Reached 400 K!!

Beautiful, sunny, warm (680 News says "summer-like") St. Patrick's Day :-) After taking Bud on a long walk, did my 50 minute run. Working on the speed during the weekday runs. Got in 8.24 K this morning. Wore a short-sleeved tech shirt minus the jacket. YTD = 401.72 K. On track for 2010 K by December 31.

Mailed away my registration for the 30 K Midsummer Night's Run in mid-August. I've signed up for all the races I'll run in 2010. Costly...

25:1 (x2)

1st day of March Break. How else to start it but with a run :-) Overcast but not raining. Ran in the community and then went to dim sum (take-out). 7.92 K this morning -- a bit faster and something I should continue to do to build on speed. YTD = 393.48 K. Can't wait to surpass 400 K. Been a great year so far!

Less than 2 weeks until Around the Bay 30 K! Hoping for < 3H. I found this photo of the bridge on Runningmania.com:


Also, 60 days until Mississauga Marathon! There's a new finish line this year. Hoping for < 4H.

Pi Day!!

Happy Pi Day!!3.14 = March 14. Also Albert Einstein's birthday. If I wasn't eating healthy due to running, I'll eat an apple pie.


This one's cool...

This week...

Guess I'm lazy to post my weekday run so here goes...

Only 1 weekday run (Wednesday). 6.76 K. First run after the Chilly half marathon so went slowly. Felt fine :-)

Original plan was to have a run yesterday after work but it was rainy so I opted out :-| (Embarassed considering I ran 3+ hours in the rain in last year's ATB 30 K) Listened to the radio this morning and since it was overcasted chose to do my LSD this morning. Got in 28.34 K :-) At times, there were showers but at times very windy. Ran on the Danforth as I didn't want to run on the Martin Goodman Trail in anticipation of puddles not to mention perhaps being windier.

YTD = 385.56 K. On track for 2010 K. What a way to start off March Break!

Race Report - Chilly 1/2 Marathon

Bib Pick-Up

Wasn't able to leave work until 5 PM. Opted to travel south on Keele Street to the QEW (instead of the packed highway 427). A good move, even though I ended going in the wrong direction when I made it to the QEW :-| The drive wasn't bad and got to the Travel Lodge Hotel close to 7 PM. Picked up the bib and time-chip, looked at the "mini" expo (even picked up a couple of 20% off Running Room coupons) and then it was back home. I really do not like the no race day bib pickup as it is a waste of time in traffic. Oh well.



Race Day

Wow! Talk about spring weather. Beautiful morning for a run -- about 8C and sunny. Couldn't have asked for better weather.

Left home at 8 AM and arrived at 8:45 AM. I found a parking spot on the street only a block from the start/finish line. Great to have free parking! With over an hour before the start of the race, I went to the Travel Lodge Hotel and found a complimentary copy of the Toronto Star so I read it (nothing interesting except conflict of interest with the TTC). I then went on a warm-up 25 minute run. Then it was back to the car to pickup the time chip and the bib. I was not pleased with how I tied the disposable time chip to my shoe -- should have done it at home as it was not secure. Fortunately, I found someone from the race who said I could tie the chip to my shoe lace. I don't like the "cheap" disposable chips since I recall hearing the horror stories from last year's ATB with the chip falling out.

With minutes remaining, made it to the start line. Unfortunately, most people were already lined up. I tried to get back but was lined up with the 1:30 anticipated finishers. Not much I could do at this time. The starter went off. A new route -- along the Lakeshore. Fluid stations every 3 K (water & eLoad; gels at 9 K and 15 K). My goal was to keep below 5:30/K. This is a training run, with ATB 30 K in a few weeks, and then the "A" Mississauga Marathon. Okay, there's also the Sporting Life 10 K -- couldn't resist signing up for that one, downhill on Yonge Street!

After stepping on the timing mats, it was packed with runners, which dispersed rather quickly. We headed west, south, reaching the first time mat at 2.3 K. Then it was running east on the Lakeshore into Oakville. After passing the 12 K, I was confused when I saw the 13 K on the other side; I quickly figured out we had to head north a bit, reached the second time mat at 12.6 K, and then south a bit before heading west on the Lakeshore all the back to the finish. While heading east, I recall getting "nervous" when I saw the slight uphill incline on the other side -- going east was mainly a slight downhill incline, which I always appreciate. Surprisingly (I can't explain this), the slight uphill incline was few as there was still slight downhill incline heading west. I still have no idea how this can be... The challenge running west was the wind.

Overall, it was not an easy half marathon since I know I started a bit too fast. My training has been slow runs (even during the weekdays). I took a brief break every 3 K to consume water or e-Load. The energy gels were appreciated at key points. The final 6 K were challenging as I had to take 30 second walk breaks every K or when there was a slight uphill incline. The final K I promised I would run. The crowds helped immensely to get me to the finish line. All this "trouble" and I have the full marathon in May :-|

My results today:

#839 out of 2518 (that puts me in the top 33.32%) :-)
Gun Time = 1:15:12
Chip Time = 1:54:44

Time Mats: 2.3 K = 12:28; 12.6 K = 1:07:53
Age Group = 110/199
Gender Place: 611/1174

I didn't know my PB for the half marathon was 2:03. So, today's run is a PB!! My prize:


While walking to the hotel for the Chilly, I had a good laugh when I saw a dog wear the Chilly tech shirt. Very cool! My dog, Bud, won't wear the tech shirt but he "agreed" to wear the finisher's medal:

And yes, the Chilly tasted great!! Enjoyed the race - well organized.

25:1 (x2)

Couldn't get out of work on time for a run, so opted to run this evening. A good idea to allow the legs another day of rest after Sunday's LSD. Snow continues to melt :-) Sidewalks dry mostly, although some instances of a puddle of water. Today = 7.21 K. YTD = 325.84 K.

Chilly half marathon bib is #282 (a palindrome!). Weather forecast looking good: 8C.