Week in Review:

(1) Wednesday = 3 K. Ran after an evening workshop. Parked at the plaza in Aurora and then ran in the plaza. Unfortunately, I could not find my Garmin - turned out to be on the seat. Was puzzled where it went. So the 3 K is approximate and is timed for 20 minutes.

(2) Thursday = 3 K. This is the day of the grade 10 literacy test across the province. Many boards of education postponed the test due to the freezing rain alert. Turned out not to be bad at all. On the trek home, heard Thursday night into Friday morning would be worse - so I got in my run after work.

(3) Today = 32 K LSD. The longest run before a marathon is never easy but important. Happy to have gotten in 2 runs at 32 K each along with the 30 K Around the Bay race. The Mississauga Marathon is 3 weeks away and it is time to taper.

YTD = 435 K

2 runs in week, including 32 K LSD

Two runs this week:

* Wednesday = 3 K

* Today = 32 K LSD along the Martin Goodman Trail. Sunny but a bit cold with temperature around 2C. Started run at 11:15 AM and took 4 hours 15 minutes. Tomorrow's weather is forecasted with showers so better run today! Ran at a consistent slow pace but not easy with the last 10 K. Overall, pleased with the run. Only 1 month until the Mississauga Marathon. Then it's the Whitby Marathon followed by the Niagara Ultra 50 K. Everything is on track :-) The new shoes are working fine as well.

YTD = 397.1 K

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.