Okay, my original plan was to run the Around the Bay and then do a full marathon in May. Didn't happen. Why? Well after the crazy polar freaking vortex and the winter we had I was really, really tired. I decided instead of using the Bay as a training run I would race it - and it felt great. But the week after I was super tired. I also found out I had to work (really) the day of this race. The excuses were piling up. I made the call to run the half marathon instead of the full marathon and I have no regrets - it was the right call for sure.
I have not run a Toronto race so I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it ran down Yonge Street, over to the DVP (River St), then heads west back to Ontario Place. That is seriously all I knew. I was pretty excited about running one of the big races in Toronto to see what it was truly like.
Race Day!
We got to Ontario Place early to take the shuttle up to Mel Lastman Square and the start. This was easy with lots of shuttles and there was a nice warm building to hang out in before the start. Why would you need a warm building in May you ask? Because our weather has sucked. It was freezing that morning. Freezing in freaking May. I wore gloves the entire race for crying out loud. Anyways....
I get to the start line, try to stay warm, the gun goes off and we are off. It was somewhat of a weird start - it was very crowded and I watched 2 people get tripped and fall. We were on a few side streets and then make the turn onto Yonge St. It was pretty cool running down Yonge. However, it is not really flat (I have heard that this race was totally flat). There are some pretty good climbs - way more than I expected. But I hit the 10km mark under 50 minutes so I was on pace and feeling good so I figured the hills had no impact on me.
****MY TORONTO RANT****Okay, I keep on hearing how Toronto is a "world class" city. Well you know what? World class cities like New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Tokyo - and even Hamilton with the Around the Bay - come out and support days like the marathon. There are thousands upon thousands of people lining the street, cheering people on in these cities. In Toronto?? Nobody out cheering at all. It was pathetic. The number of people trying to turn, giving the finger to the runners, complaining to the cops because a road was close was really unbelievable and disappointing. Toronto has a long, long way to go to be considered "world class". Well, unless you consider the ability to smoke crack world class.....
Anyways, we head down to River Street along the side of the DVP - a great section to run. I was still on pace and felt great and then I felt it. Wind. Lots of it. We turned right (west) and I actually watched 3 runners hats fly off. Then it hit me. 35km/h winds directly into our face. It kind of sucked. Running west on King, Wellington, and Front with those building made it feel more like a wind tunnel. 19km in I came to the realization today was not going to be PB and I was okay with that. Hats off to the full marathoners who had to continue all the way down Lakeshore into that wind. Well, well done - that was tough.
Finally we turn onto Lakeshore by Ontario Place and there were people out cheering!!!! I am sure these people were not from Toronto but it was great to see. I picked up the pace and came in at 1 hour, 47 minutes. Not my best time, but considering everything I was thrilled.
When I say considering everything I need to talk about emotions and what really happened in the last 2km. I am not sure what triggered it but about 19km I started thinking (a ton) about a year ago last year. A year ago last year I lost one of my best friends. He was there, stride by stride, with me as I ran my first half-marathon and wouldn't let me stop when I wanted to. We had plans to run the Bay race and run a full marathon together. During the week leading up to this race, Graham's dad (who I spent many a fun times with) passed away which got the emotions going even more. I will admit I got very emotional and at one point I had to walk. Once I started to run again I decided to take my time, think about all the good times, and realize just how freaking lucky I am to be able to run. I took my time and soaked in every step. Thanks again Webber......that one was for you.Overall I would recommend this race - as long as your expectations are not lots of cheering fans (or water as the station at Bathurst and Front was out of water). It is a great route for a half marathon.
Next up??? I am hitting the trails. I am doing a 100 mile relay race (only doing around 20km of it). It should be awesome. Other than I get to run the glory leg...running around the hermitage in Ancaster and starting at the great time of 10:30pm or so. I have my headlight (thanks Gary for the suggestion) and I am hoping those people we went to go see in high school at the hermitage don't come out.....
Cheers!!!
