LSD 28 K on Easter Sunday

28 K LSD this morning on Easter Sunday. Thanks to the ATB 30 K race last Sunday, the pacing was faster than usual. Unfortunately, the final 3 K were particularly challenging. I opted to walk when there were uphill inclines for the final 3 K. Original plan of 32 K turned into 28 K -- probably a good idea since cannot overdue it. Will aim for 32 K next weekend. Just over a month until the Mississauga Marathon. Spring is definitely here now - currently 11C outside - started at 5C this morning - wore my jacket and no toque.

YTD = 362.1 K

Two weekday runs post ATB 30 K from last Sunday:

* Wednesday = 3 K after work - was at a meeting so got out a bit earlier than usual. Slow run as there are some aches from Sunday.

* Today = 5 K on Good Friday. No work today so got in 5 K after waking up at 10:30 AM (!) and walking and feeding Bud. Very nice weather today - sunny and 9C outside. Very nice!!

Looking forward to LSD on Sunday. Striving for 32 K.

YTD = 334.1 K

Race Report - Around the Bay 30 K

Race Report

Left the house at 7:15 AM (after walking and feeding Bud). Made the trek to Hamilton and arrived slightly after 8 AM. I was careful not to head to Niagara (like yesterday). After exiting on Main Street, I parked for free at the Hamilton City Hall parking lot. Fortunate to arrive early to get one of these prized spots - rather than pay $10 to $20 by people trying to make a buck.

Had a slow 1 K warm-up then went into Copps Collesium, which was crowded. I always enjoy this race which is a practice race to prepare for the (full) marathon in early May. The weather was excellent for the race - sunny and cool. When I got out of the car, I regretted not bringing gloves but at the start line, the temperature went up so there was no need for gloves. I did wear a toque.

My only complaint with this race is the number of water stations - they are quite far apart. In the past, I brought a water bottle but didn't do so this time. I like using the water stations for a quick walking break. Everything else went as planned - the race organizers advertise this race as hilly for the final 10 K so no surprises. The race sold over several months ago!

The number of racers was increased for this year and it was quite packed during the race. No early start for walkers, which used to have a separate walking category. Had to watch out for the potholes. A train passed by which stopped the runners ahead - when I arrived, the train had left (thankfully).

The route is not easy. I power walked any hills - as they were quite steep. I have not hill-trained so no need damaging the legs or getting an injury at this stage of the training.

30k Course Description (from web site http://www.aroundthebayroadrace.com/details.htm)


The first 20k of the Around the Bay Road Race is an exciting, scenic, and fast route. The last 10k includes rolling hills through scenic North Shore Blvd.

The race begins on York Blvd., 1 block west of Copps Coliseum.

The race proceeds east on York Blvd. which turns into Wilson Street to Sherman Avenue. At Sherman Ave runners turn north and then east at Cannon Street. Runners stay on Cannon Street which turns into Britannia Ave to Parkdale Ave. Runners then turn north at Parkdale Ave and east bound at Melvin Ave to Woodward Ave, and then north on Woodward Ave to the Beach Strip.
After crossing the Canal lift bridge the race turns onto Eastport Drive to Northshore Blvd. The race will turn west bound onto the rolling hills of Northshore Blvd., and then west onto Plains Rd. to Spring Garden Rd. Just past Woodland Cemetery awaits the Valley Inn Hill leading up to York Blvd. and the finish into Copps Coliseum at York Blvd. and Bay Sts.

The finishing time is slower than last year (which makes me wonder how my [full] marathon performance will be!


Gun Time = 3:18:04.6
Chip Time - 3:13:05.9
Pace = 6:27 min/K
Age Category = 457 out of 548
Gender Category = 2791 out of 3426
Overall = 4734 out of 6848
10 K = 1:07:43; 15 K = 1:38:13.4; 20 K = 2:09:15.4

Around the Bay 30 K bib pick up

Made the trek to Hamilton to pick up bib and tech shirt this morning.

 A photo of the finish line in Copps Collesium:

 A cow bell at one of the exhibit booths at the expo:

A free toque from the Running Room spinning wheel. I didn't actually win - I let the lady know I wanted the toque (but it was orange - so I selected the toque).

2 weekday runs

Two weekday runs this week in prep for tomorrow's Around the Bay 30 K race:

* Wednesday = 2.5 K; ran between 2 meetings
* Thursday = 3 K after work

YTD = 295.1 K

Bud's birthday was yesterday (March 22). He is now 6 years old! The photo is Bud enjoying his new toy. No more bones (which he loves) after the removal of his 2 upper canine teeth.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Bought the following Lucky Shamrock plant for my office this past week. Very cool! Interesting that the leaves curl up in the evening and open up during the day. Will bring the plant to work tomorrow to complement the lucky bean, spider, money, and poinsettia plants. 



28 K LSD

After Bud and I went for our morning walk, I was shocked to see the sidewalks partially covered with a thin layer of snow (!). Briefly debated about running tomorrow but opted for today. Got in 28 K on the Martin Goodman Trail. The snow did stop half way through the run. Not that many people out there today - due to the snow. This is the last LSD before the 30 K Around the Bay race next Sunday. All set!

YTD = 289.6 K

5K

Ran 5 K on day #3 of the March Break. The white stuff came down quickly but melted when it reached the ground. Was hoping for warm weather during the break - but at least the grounds are not covered with deep snow. YTD = 261.1 K

Massage tomorrow afternoon. LSD this Saturday - aiming for either 27 K or 28 K.

Tomorrow is Pi Day! Remember bringing in apple pies to my grade 9 class to celebrate this important day. Back in the fall, I accompanied my school's debate team to McGill University. While they were debating, I had to visit the Cafe Pi on Laurent Avenue. The owner took a photo of me in front of his store and I purchased a few souvenirs for my office! Happy Pi Day!!!

Getting Ready for Around the Bay 30 K

Can't believe Around the Bay 30 K race is just around the corner! The race is all sold out and I received an e-mail recently that my bib number is 6092. It has not been an easy winter but at least I am not injured! Wednesday is my massage appointment and I will have the legs loosened :-) Had my annual physical today and mailed away my doctor's note for massage so work insurance can cover it. Need to becareful of the junk I eat as I've been gaining about 4 points each year - no wonder my times have gotten slower!

This will be my 6th consecutive year! Always a great race in preparation for the spring marathon. Love the route - the man playing the Queen's song before the big hill, the Grim Reeper after the big hill. The city loves hosting the race. Need to remind myself to becareful as I enter into Copps Collesium.

First day of March Break. Overcast with rain showers at times. Fortunately, during my 5 K run this morning, no rain. Any trace of snow continues to melt with 9C weather.

YTD = 256.6 K

This Week

Two runs this week:

(1) Thursday after work = 5 K. Thrilled the snow has melted on the Martin Goodman Trail! Always better to run on the trail as there is no stop light and surface is better on the joints.

(2) Today = 25 K. After last week's 22 K, need to increase to 25 K in preparation for Around the Bay race in only 2 weeks. Not sure how the race date has arrived so quickly though. Today is the first day of March Break so intend for 2 weekday runs of 5 K each along with LSD of 27 K next week.

Clock moves forward 1 hour tonight means Spring is around the corner!

Massage appointment next week Wednesday - will have the legs loosened. This is the first winter I am not injured and it's probably since the legs have been loosened after marathon season. 

YTD = 251.6 K

Ran 5 K yesterday (Saturday morning) before heading to York University to speak with teacher candidates. Last week Tuesday and Wednesday was horrible with slush, slush, slush. Took bud up the street and then back home - even he could not stand the slush. Great to see the sidewalks are now dry.

Today 22 K on sidewalks. Chose a different route west on Bloor then north to Dupont and then east on Bloor. Wanted 25 K but opted not to go that far for 2 reasons: (1) exhausted; (2) didn't want to get injured. Need to run 25 K next weekend (during March Break!) as Around the Bay 30 K is this month :-|

YTD = 221.6 K