Around the Bay 30 K Race Report!

Bib Pick-Up
Left work on Friday immediately and made the trek to Hamilton. The drive took 2.5 hours :-| With an accident on Highway 401 and Kipling, 3 lanes were blocked, I took city streets which was actually quite good. Traffic was slow on the QEW in Mississauga and Oakville.

Great that the race expo now closes at 7 PM. In the past, I would always get there at about 6 PM and had to rush to pick up bib, tech shirt, and time chip, without the opportunity to view the booths. Interesting, there wasn't much at the expo so I didn't buy anything. Walked twice to see each booth. Near the bib pick-up was a booth from McMaster University, conducting a respiratory illness survey. I completed the quick survey and was given a swab and tube of liquid -- to be mailed back if a cold develops -- I've read about the increase in developing a cold after long distance running. Hopefully I don't develop a cold so I can keep the $1.25 stamp. The doctor provided a complimentary hand sanitizer for my participation.

The drive back home was uneventful and rather quick :-)



Sunday Race Day!

It has been a busy week at work. I guess this is a blessing in disguise as I did not have any weekday run. The plan was Wednesday but there was about 5 cm of snow (!).

Left the house close to 8 AM -- wanted to leave earlier but had to comb Bud's coat as he's shedding due to the spring arriving. The drive to Hamilton was great as it's Sunday morning. Arrived in Hamilton at about 8:50 AM and spent about 10 minutes finding a parking spot. Good thing this year I read the brochure and got off on Main Street East as I found municipal parking for $4.00 :-)

As I didn't want to make the mistake once again of running in the wrong race, I checked runners' bib to ensure it said "30 K" on it. Although it was about -5C at the start (didn't feel like it), it was sunny -- couldn't ask for more!

I must admit the scenery for the first half wasn't interesting as it was old residential areas. It was organized with police positioned at major intersections. I had to watch for pylons as well as nasty potholes. Water stations were organized every 4 K or so.

- Tin Pan Alley -- the senior citizens are always there

- Life Bridge at 15 K -- the metal not good on the feet

- Stan "We Will Rock You" -- always nice to give him a high-five -- another regular who makes this race special

- Spring Garden Valley Hill -- 450 m, 18% grade -- walked it as there was no way I was going to risk damaging my left foot -- not to mention I was tired so I couldn't run it even if I wanted to

- Mr. and Mrs. Grim Reaper -- always a pleasure to high five!

- Very careful running into Copps Coliseum this year -- no way I wanted a repeat from last year

The first half was quite flat. From 15 K to 25 K, there were rolling hills -- love the downhill, sometimes walked the uphills. After the terrible hill at 25 K, it was downhill decline, but I had to take 15 second walk breaks as needed. With 2 K remaining, I did my best to run it through. Gave a "push" with 50 m left inside the Coliseum.

This year's time is 22 minutes slower than last year. Not an issue as I am thrilled I completed the 30 K considering the injury sustained during the March Break. Toronto Marathon is around the corner :-)

Start Time = 9:32:11
10 K = 1:00:41
15 K = 1:32:10
20 K = 2:04:26
Gun Time = 3:15:11.1
Chip Time = 3:13:00.2
Gender Place = 2283/2963
Category Place = 329/412
Overall = 3901/5878


YTD = 367.1 K