Around the Bay Race Photos Posted!

Around the Bay 30 K Race photos posted. Retrieved proofs from: http://www2.marathonfoto.com/Proofs?LastName=LIM&PIN=7T4F96&spMailingID=48339560&spUserID=MTM0MzY0NzM4MDc4S0&spJobID=643940002&spReportID=NjQzOTQwMDAyS0

Around the Bay 30 K Race Report

Today was my 8th time registered in Around the Bay 30 K race in Hamilton. Completed the race in 2008 as a walker and since 2009 as a runner. Always a favourite since it helps with full marathon training. Thrilled to report no issues with the muscle spam pain experienced due to the (very) deep tissue massage on the upper back. Also happy my new custom orthodics and running shoes helped get me to the finish line. By completing today's 30 K, I am back on track with full marathon training. The Toronto Marathon is just over a month away!

Expo
Made the trek to Hamilton on Saturday morning. Paid $15 for a year's subscription to the Canadian Running magazine (7 issues + 2 back issues). Also picked up a complimentary copy of the Race Guide 2015. Took photos of the finisher's medals for Toronto Marathon and Ottawa (will post in near future).

 

Race Morning
Arrived in Hamilton at 7:30 AM and parked for free at the City Hall. Sat in the stands of the First Ontario Centre (formerly Copps Collesium) and read the Race Guide 2015. Temperature -6C at the start. Dressed appropriately with toque. Fortunately, had mittens in my car trunk.

The 30 K route changed this year - without the steep uphill at 25 K. This race is always well organized - lots of volunteers and police officers. No issues!

Similar to last year, I brought along my cell phone to take photos. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to take off the password feature so I had to login everytime.

Sitting in the stands with less than an hour until start time. This is the finish line.

Start line.

We're off!

Batman!

5 K completed. Enjoy the quotes on the K boards.

10 K completed. Wow - some hills!

Another nice quote.

And another!

Nice view - approaching 15 K. About to cross bridge.

20 K.

Inspiring.

Scenic view.

Bananas!

No steep uphill this year. Will be back next year.

A bee at the Botanical Gardens.

Yeah! The man who blasts the Queens song. He is always stationed at the 25 K, the bottom of the hill. Glad he came out again. This selfie is priceless!

3 K until the finish line. Mainly downhill from now on.

Priceless photo with the Mr. and Mrs. Grim Reaper! Thank you for the runner who took this photo for me.

Finish line in sight.

Not the greatest results. But thrilled that I finished without the muscle spasms making a presence.

Used this race as a training run for the Toronto Marathon. Yeah - 30 K completed. Long run of 32 K next week?

As always, Bud got to pose with my medal.

Year #121 of this "Older than Boston" race.

YTD = 287.1 K
(16.9% of 1700 K goal completed)

first run since March 20th and update

Yesterday, had appointment with sports medicine doctor. Have been applying "Traumacare" pain relief cream and Tylenol muscle pain and body pain pills. Doctor diagnosed me with muscle spasm - resulted from my very deep tissue massage - when RMT working on my upper back, I was pressed into the "board" I was lying on - that upset my right rib. Doctor prescribed me 100 mg Celcoxib - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. He also suggested changing the cream to Voltaren extra strength. He said I should run and test it out. It could hurt but I would not be doing harm. He said I can go ahead with Sunday's race :-)

Ran this evening after work - 5 K. No issues :-) Didn't feel the pain near my right ribs.

YTD = 257.2 K
(15.1 K of 1700 K goal)

Can't wait until the spring weather arrives!

March Break, registered for Niagara International Marathon and Hamilton Marathon

March Break Week - although the weather doesn't feel like spring - today is the first day of spring!

Found this on Twitter!



Two runs this week:
* Yesterday = 3.75 K (went to a Walk-In Clinic) - after last week's deep tissue massage, confirmed my abdomen has been bruised/strained. Doctor said I wasn't having a heart attack (!). Got a pain relief cream from the shelf at Shopper's Drug Mart. It's been a week. Doctor said I can still run but wondered why. Will be careful on long-run tomorrow!
* Tuesday = 5 K

YTD = 252.1 K
(14.8% of 1700 K goal completed)

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Just registered for 2 more full marathons. If all goes well (knock on wood), I will run 8 full marathons and 1 ultra marathon this year. Looking forward to an excellent running year (just got to get the bruise/strain on my abdomen gone!).

Yesterday, woke up a bit earlier :-) Got in 25 K run. Opted not to wear new shoes and new orthodics - will use these in 5 K runs until I am confident to wear them in long runs. Snow continues to melt - unlike Maritimes which got 20 cm snow yesterday. Nice run on the Martin Goodman Trail.

Lake Ontario still frozen. 

Nice view of downtown Toronto.

And a photo of Bud waiting for me as I am downstairs!

YTD = 243.36 K
(14.3% of 1700 K goal completed)

Happy Pi Day!

Today is Pi Day!!!

Today is also the start of March Break. Tomorrow is my long run. This past Tuesday 5 K after work and today 5 K. Today also wore new running shoes and new custom orthodics. No issues.

YTD = 218.3 K
(12.84% of 1700 K goal completed)

Spring around the corner; training for full marathons

Today's 0C weather, along moving the clocks an hour ahead, means spring is just around the corner :-) Need to increase the mileage for full marathon training as well. Got an e-mail the big hill in the Around the Bay 30 K race will be unavailable this year - it's at the end of the month! Toronto Marathon less than 2 months away! Found out I was unsuccessful in the lottery for the New York Marathon - that means I'll sign up for the Niagara Falls Marathon and Hamilton Marathon - for a total of 8 full marathons this year.

Today = 23 K along the Martin Goodman Trail. Went 1 K west of the Humber River Bridge and then turned back since the payment still had snow.

Wednesday = 2.26 K after work

Between 5C and 9C this week. Thrilled the snow is melting.

YTD = 208.4 K
(12.26% of 1700 K goal completed)