Around The Bay Race - I DID IT!!!!!!

It feels weird to say it - but I have just completed the Around the Bay 30km Road Race. I am still in somewhat shock (and certainly in physical pain). I started running about 13 months ago and this exact time last year I finished my very first 5km. I now can say I just finished the main event (and will proudly wear the long sleeve shirt). This is going to be a long post...and I am okay with that.

First and foremost I want to say a huge thank you for all the emails, texts, notes of congratulations from everyone - it is really, really appreciated.

Okay - the emotional part will come later but I thought I would share what it was like to run this race. My family dropped me off at Copps Coliseum around 8:15. I walked over to the arena to get ready, and of course had to take another morning pee. Sorry for the description but this is very important occurance that will come back in this blog around kilometre 20. Anyways - I got to the start line with the thousands of other people, the gun goes off and about 3 minutes later I finally cross the start line. It was at this exact moment I thought - what the heck was I thinking??

So the race moves through North Hamilton and it was awesome to see so many people out supporting us - tons of older ladies out in their housecoats cheering as loud as they can. Not a real scenic route but the support was great.  I was pacing at 5:30 per km which is a bit faster than I wanted but I did feel comfortable. It was around the 6km mark I first saw my wife, daughters and my mom and dad cheering me on. It is hard to describe the emotional boost you get when you see them. Actually, the emotional boost you get from all spectators is incredible and I would encourage everyone to go watch a race (and it will motivate you).

We headed to the Beach strip around the 10km mark and the supporters were out in full force. It was at this point I could feel some tightness in my leg - certainly a signs of thing to come. At the mid-way point (15km) I was still pacing at 5:30 per km and was at 1 hour, 26 minutes - but this is when I realized I wasn't feeling great. We then crossed the Burlington lift bridge which suck as the grates hurt your feet like hell. We finally made our way up to North Shore in Burlington where the real race begins. And much to my surprise there was my full suppport team cheering me on again!! And then the hills...

I was really struggling at this point. My legs really hurt and overall I didn't feel great. It was for sure the very first team since I started running I was thinking about quitting a race - this was not good. I plodded away through the first few hills and was around the 20 kilometre mark when I realized something. I had to pee. Seriously. I noticed some port-a-potties and made the decision I was going for it. It was my first time ever having to do this on a course so it kind of felt weird. I ran up, saw one that had the vacant sign, open the door and voila - a older lady sitting there going (well to be graphic she was wiping). Gross. Disgusting. I went to the next one, emptied my blatter, and suddenly felt better. I hit the hills but I knew I had to go to a 10 and 1 mix of running and walking as my legs were totally off. I got through the two hills by Lasalle Park, hit Plains road and headed down Spring Garden road for the grand finale. Of course - all 5 members of the world's greatest cheerleading squad were waiting for me again (total surprise).

I headed down Spring Garden Road and finally heard it - the magical sound of Queen's We Will Rock You. Stan Wakeman is an Around the Bay legend. He plays this song loud and over and over again and gives high fives to all the runners and has been doing this for years. I got the high five and headed for "THE HILL". I probably ran about half of it. And it sucked. Huge. No fun whatsoever. But I made it to the top - and now 3km to go - downhill and I will be done the ATB.

But something happened. My legs cramped. Bad. Really bad. Couldn't move them. I walked for about two minutes and the cramping went away so I starting running again. Then the cramps came back in full force. I will be honest and say it has been a long time since I have experience pain like this. I realized I was going to finish however it might take me a bit longer than expected. So it was more of a 2 minute run, 1 minute walk as the cramps would come back and my legs would freeze. I had people asking me if I was okay or if I needed a medic (I guess I didn't look that good). The Grim Reapers were out at the cemetary and told me I was going to die. I agreed with them. Then I saw 29km mark and I knew I was going to finish - 1km to go.

As the finish approached I saw the great traveling cheering section just outside the arena. This time I stopped and talked, kissed, hugged, and high fived all of them. I was soaking this all in. I ran the next little bit and hit the steep ramp leading into the arena which I had to walk as the legs would not let me run that without falling. And I was emotional - even weird wet stuff was coming out of my eyes. I made the turn and ran the last final steps to the finish. I have now completed the Around the Bay 30km race - although my thunder was stolen by the couple who decided to get married at the exact moment I finished (3 hours and 13 minutes).

The competitive side of me is disappointed in my time. However, after I sit back and realize that in 13 months I have now done two 5km races, a 10km race, two half marathons, lost almost 50 pounds, and have completed my ultimate goal of the 30 km Around the Bay I need to enjoy this and realize it's been a heck of a year. Running is not about the time - it is about the accomplishment of finishing a goal.

Of course this is the time to thank everyone again - my awesome wife, kids, mom and dad, mother in law, Dave, Gary, everyone who has sent notes of congratulations and words of encouragment over this last year. Nobody will achieve a goal without the support of others.

If anyone out there wants to run - do it. Don't say you can't because you can. I will tell you honestly I didn't think I could do it. But I did it - I finished the friggin AROUND THE BAY!!! (and yes, the bacon cheeseburger, fries, gravy, wings, and beer was that good).

What's next? I need to slow down and recover (until the Good Friday Road Races).

Oh one more thing. I can't wait until March 24, 2013 - next year's Around the Bay.