Around The Bay Road Races, Hamilton
Sunday, March 28, 2004
 

Race report from Esther...
Date: Tue Mar 30, 2004
Subject: ATB race report!!! I reached the 30km milestone!
 
It's taken me a few days to recover but I've finally managed to put my ATB experience in words.

I am really happy with my results and I had a great run/race in Hamilton on Sunday and met my goal of sub 3 hours!

I guess I've been excited and anxious the whole week leading up to ATB and when Sunday morning finally came I really didn't know what to expect.  As usual before a race the butterflies in my stomach start going berserk but I'm glad it decided to settled down for the race.  I personally thought that the weather was incredible, it was a little chilly at the beginning but when you're running with 4000+ runners you don't need to bring your own wind breaker :)

I was supposed to meet my running buddy at the start of the race but we never managed to find each other, fortunately though we did find each other around the 2km mark and ran the next 20 km together at a very comfortable pace.  I took 3 gel packs during the race at 45 mins, 1h:40mins, and 2h30mins I must say that they must have worked because any fatigue that I felt coming into my legs disappeared and my stomach did not bother me again.  I also felt spoiled with all the blue Gatorade I was drinking (yum!).  I must say I took my time at the water stations and I tried to stay together with my buddy for most of the way but at the 23km mark I decided that it was okay to start pushing myself and I ran the rest of the way without my buddy (my buddy is actually quite a bit faster than me but it was just one of those days).

The beginning of the course in Hamilton was flat and not so pretty, the crossover bridge was very interesting to run on, and Burlington was really pretty.  I had time to wave to the crowds and enjoy the sights.  Keeping a smile on your face definitely helps the time and kilometers pass quicker.  I almost believed that the rolling hills in Burlington were all the hills in the race.  Hmm... I was SO wrong.  I saw the infamous little man with his ghetto blaster and then the 26km mark at the bottom of the BIG HILL.  I must have been in my zone because I just ran up the hill and "got over it" and I can't really remember how I felt.  All I know is that when I got to the top of the big hill all I really wanted to see was the finish line.  I quickened my pace to the end and when I finally saw the BLUE finishing line, I was surprised to know that I still had a bit of steam left and sprinted to the end.  Sprinting made me very queasy though and the thought of spewing made me slow down a bit.  Seeing my friend Mel, who competed in her first 5K race got me all excited again.  My legs felt like jello and I almost collapsed waiting in line for a Aluminum foil blanket(?) but managed to waddle my way around the crowds and back to the car.  We even found some energy to shop at the Expo!  I would definitely do this race again next year and I recommend it to everyone.

The details:
Official gun time: 2:51:20.1
Champion Chip time: 2:49:28.7
Women 20-24: 33/80
Women overall: 620/1726
Splits: 10k - 57:28, 15k - 1:22:07, 20k - 1:55:30

By the way, the legs don't feel like jello anymore, so I'm going to brave the rain tonight with my training group at Running Free.

Looking forward to seeing all of you soon!   I'm off to Austria to snowboard this Friday so I won't be at the Sunday runs for at least two weeks.  Any Penguins doing the Hartwell Half in Aurora April 18?  I think I'm leaning heavily on going.

Marcella - we definitely have to get some runs in Markham together soon!

All smiles,
Esther

ps. Maureen - I'm glad we got to see each other in the Bathroom.  I also saw you cross the finish line - you looked so strong!  Congratulations to you and your partner.
 

Race report from Christine...
Date: Mon Mar 29, 2004
Subject: i survived around the bay

hi penguins,

i've been lurking for a long time, but still running, or more accurately, waddling. it's hard for me to get out to the east end for runs, so i've been joining the commerce court running room runs. but i thought i should post a quick note about hamilton's around the bay yesterday. i wish i could remember most of the race, as i know penguins have a tradition of posting wonderful narratives. but i confess i'm so busy trying to keep myself going that i'm not a bird that can recall sights in any cohesive order. it was an amazing run, the longest distance i have ever covered. and curses, the marathon seems so reachable now, that i might have to do one this year, despite my protests.

so a series of random recollections:

  • the weather was perfect - overcast, breezy and about 6 degrees celsius. 
  • the tim horton's on main street has no bathroom. (can you believe....!)
  • always make concrete arrangement to get your race package, or you will definitely cry before the race trying to find your bib and chip.
  • the first 2/3 of the race were pretty flat and that's a gift.  there were sporadic cheering squads along the way. quite a few cowbells and tambourines and one bleating ghetto blaster and a woman giving out donuts (great gesture, no idea how anyone could accept one), and a guy in a grim reaper costume cheering us on to the point of no return in the last 3km.
  • there is a bridge around 16km, and running on a bumpy grate with water beneath you is really freaky
  • when the rolling hills kicked in at the last third of the race, i got a nice surprise. at my pace, the 10 and 1's worked out to a glides downhill and much appreciated walks uphill. providence? i think so!
  • the infamous hill near the end is not so bad. it can be run, it can be done.
  • puffy blue finish line arches are a vision of beauty! so is seeing your honey there to give you a hug.
  • and most important of all: when all the remaining pace bunnies have passed you, you know you're a penguin. so just keep swimming.
here are my stats:

#4270 LING, CHRISTINE    Toronto
Place: 3531
Official Gun Time: 3:21:39.4
Pace/km: 6:44
Chip Time: 3:18:34.5
Gender Place/Total: 1370/1725
Category Place/Total: 222/267  Women 30 - 34
Split @ 10km:  1:04:58
Split @ 15km 1:37:25
Split @ 20km: 2:11:11

looking forward to other reports, and hopefully catch y'all in person some time.
 

Race report from Maureen N...
Date: Mon Mar 29, 2004
Subject: RE: i survived around the bay

Way to go Christine!! This is a very tough race and you did so well! I hope you are taking a well deserved rest for a few days!

It is funny that you thought the weather was ideal because I thought just the opposite. I guess I was hoping too much for the sunshine and 12 degrees the weatherman had promised!!

I was part of a two person relay team- 15k per person. My cousin, Christine, who some of you already know, was my partner.

She had been injured so I agreed to do the hilly section. I was dreading it but it turned out just fine.

Christine is very fast- she did her section in 1:17 so that when I started up the second section I was running with runners who are much faster than I! I was continually passed but I didn't let that get to me - I accept my speed. I actually have time to look around and notice the lovely homes along the route.

The best part though was when I got to the "big" hill. I actually passed people on the way up!! HA HA. That hill is not so big! Pottery Rd is big - Scarborough Rd is big. This is medium tough.

The final 2-3 k were no problem and I actually was able to speed up with each k. And I could sprint the final yards.

My husband and daughter were there at the finish line to greet me.

I finished at 12:27 - 3 minutes sooner than I had hoped for. My 15k took 1:40 and we came in 78/128 overall and 19/48 in Open Females with a total time of 2:58.

So on only 4 hours sleep and 3 beers the night before I am very happy with my results!

See you all soon I hope!!

Maureen N

 
Home About Us Calendar T.O. FAQ Photos Links

Page last updated: Apr 6/04