Around the Bay 30k,March 28th 2010
Hamilton,On
This race really needs no introduction and to be honest I am not that keen to write about it as it is a source of extreme bitterness for me.Yes,a race that claims its heritage is “Older than Boston” that calls out to most of the elits distance runners in Ontario and beyond,that truly is a fantastic course with the best finish in any race that I have taken part in,makes me grit my teeth when I think of this past years running.
I had been having a strong winters training season and the Vancouver Olympics had me stoked for a PB and my ultimate goal and fitting also in this Olympic year…the Gold medal! Awarded to male runners who break the 2 hour mark,I had been a close silver medalist the past 2 years by less than a minute each time!This year armed with 3 runnin pals who had all claimed gold previously,I would not be denied!! Or so I thought.
The Monday night prior to the race I had turned suddenly in my pick-up hockey game and felt something tighten in my back.Ice ,heat and a trip to my chiro on Thursday seemed to have remedied the problem and as we warmed up on the downtown streets of Hamilton,I was feeling good.Focused,confident that this was my chance to go for the Gold!
Through the first,flat,10k of the the race our pace was on schedule but it felt laboured.As we headed across the lift bridge at 15k I was definetely starting to fade a little and as the rolling hills in Burlington hit I was losing 2 of my crew,while the other also faded due to injury.My back strted to stiffen badly as we neared the 21k clock and I knew now this was not my day.A passing runner asked me something at the 23k mark and all I could do was groan! Halfway up the famous hill at 26k I was in agony and could run no more.At the top of the hill I stepped of the course and did all I could to stretch it out in order to continue.I have never DNF’ed and besides it would be quicker to run back to Copps than walk.The encouragement of passing runners helped a little,but the sight of an old adversary,who was also stuggling was the tonic I needed to get running again.Slowly but surely the fire returned as the pain faded,adrenaline is the ultimate drug!
So I passed the old foe and finished strong,though 3+ minutes over my goal! I was so stiff post-race it took me 15 minutes to change my socks.Needless to say the drive home was less than comfortable,but since that day I have been thinking about Sunday march 27th 2011.
Aaargh!
Cheers
