Do you believe in divine intervention? I didn’t, but after today’s race I’m thinking there might be something to it. But forgive me, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Today was the 120th anniversary of Around the Bay 30k Road Race.  Despite  having said I would never do a race twice, I some how got it in my head that not only could I run the race again, but I could take off nearly 26 minutes from my time competing two years ago. My goal this year was to complete the 30k in two hours.  Based on the training I did, I saw no reason why I couldn’t hold a 4:00 minute/K pace over 30k.  Unfortunately I seem to have a difficult time turning training results into race results.

Conditions were perfect this morning for the event.  Cool, but blue skies and sunshine in the forecast.  Throughout the pre-race chatter you could not help but overhear all the last minute doubt for race attire.  I was confident in my choice, and along with my cousin Lili (who was also running), ignored the debate and instead spent the last few minutes before the start doing some laps inside the FirstOntario Centre.

We parted outside the arena, she, with a goal of finishing between 3h and 3:15, me looking for my gold medal.

I was confident and had been for weeks leading up to the race. I was going to hunt down that 2:00h bunny and stick to him like glue.  A last minute decision crept into my head and instead of seeking my prize, I chose instead to rub shoulders with the 2:10 bunny.  My logic, 2:10 is still way faster than my previous time and if I felt good I could always break away later in the race. You know what they say, “The best laid schemes of mice and men…”

At the gun we bolted, about a half dozen of us sticking with our pace bunny as he went over his game plan. I was half listening, intent to just stay with him whatever he decides to.  I was amazed at how quickly the kilometer markers were coming up and then disappearing behind us.  We very quickly dispensed with the first 3k and I for one was feeling great. Then , up ahead loomed the first incline.  An overpass that our bunny was actually not sure if we were to go over or around.  After confirmation that it was up and over, he explained his pace strategy and  then we were on it.  I kept the same pace as the others, but slowly began to slip behind.  Not far mind you, just a few paces off the bunny, but it was enough. Immediately my mind went into the negative zone. “If I had hoped to keep pace with the 2h bunny and at 4k I’m already falling behind the 2:10 bunny, then what the hell am I doing this race for.?” It was the beginning of the almost end.

I was suddenly moving backwards in a race full of people moving forward.  When the 2:15 bunny passed me, I managed to stick with him through 10k, recording a 10k time of  45:25.  That was the last decent result.

As the race went on I became more and more defeated.  Each time I went into run mode. my mind stepped in and asked, “Why bother?” I couldn’t gain momentum, and had actually lost interest in the race.  This had never happened before.  My legs were holding up, my lungs felt fine, I just couldn’t see the point in continuing. This is where I believe some divine intervention stepped in.

Around the 21k mark I was ready to fold it in.  I was actually cutting across the course to the ambulance attendant to see if there was anyway to get back to the arena without actually having to continue on the course. As I wove my way through the runners, an arm went across my shoulder and a familiar and friendly voice piped up in my ear, “Hey Mike.  How you holding up?” It was my friend Steve Quattrin.  I have no idea where he came from or how he recognized me, but I do know had he not shown up at that moment, I would have most certainly been on my way back to the start via motorized assistance. As it was, we had a nice chat and he offered to finish the race off with me. I think I stayed with him for a kilometer or so before I began to fade off again.  I let him go on and despite still feeling deflated and defeated, decided that whatever happens, I need to finish the race.

The last 5k or so were hell.  There was a lot of walking mixed in with the running, it seems my mind had a very strong hold of my body.  But I persevered, and while not achieving the goal I set out to do, I did finish the race, and most importantly, I finished with a smile! My time, 2:53:45.

There was no way I would have finished had Steve not appeared out  of nowhere when he did.  Based on part of the chat we had, I know you read my posts Steve, so a huge thank you for helping my body hold off my mind just enough to get me through the finish line! You’re AWESOME!

Afterword:

Lili also seemed to have struggled with the course.  However, as this was her first time conquering a 30k distance, her finish is a testament to her hard training and determination. She  also finished with a smile, which, much like mine, quickly faded after the the finish line photos were taken.  The two of us making our way back to the car were definitely not an endorsement for running! I felt a little generous and decided to share my lunch with those around me,  while Lili had great difficult overcoming the monumental height of the curb along the sidewalk.

Another race checked off and I think the last.  I love running, and in training I do very well.  Unfortunately I no longer seem to have the mind set for racing, at least not long distances. So, for now, I’m sticking to my daily routines and just enjoying the freedom that running for pleasure provides!