Intro of the race and background
I live in Hamilton Ontario Canada and it is currently Monday April 13 2026. I shouldn’t be blogging. I should be at work but I am not. I am not at work because I am recovering from Around the Bay’s 30km run. Everything in my body is sore and I’m currently just laying in bed as I type this out. I did not expect this race to destroy me this bad. Before I go any further, this is the race’s history in a nutshell (taken from their website).
Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race is the oldest on the continent, first run in 1894, three years before the Boston Marathon. Rich in tradition, it has been won by the best from around the world, including Boston Marathon winners and Olympic gold medalists. Become part of the continuing tradition by running this challenging course around Hamilton’s natural harbour!
I am fortunate enough to have completed the 5km run, volunteered in the event, and now successfully completed the 30km route twice.
How it went on my first time
The first time I did this race, I did minimal training. I ran a couple of times and called it a day. I remember how much this race put me in my place but also showed me how strong I was. I remember walking the last 5km with horrible calf pains from running so many rolling hills. I remember the brutal wind. I remember the cold weather. I remember finishing, sitting down, and not being able to get up from the sheer pain of everything. The body screamed in pain from the inexperience of running. I finished it in 3 hours and 2 minutes. That’s around the bay in a nutshell. A hard race. I heard that it was considered as difficult as a marathon. I can somewhat agree.
How prepared I was leading up to the race
This year, i finished Ironman San Salvador 70.3 and after that, I kept training since I have my first 100 mile ultramarathon in May. I have just been running the trails. I have been doing 20km runs in Ancaster with 500 metres of climbing. The week before around the bay, I completely stopped running to let my body rest and prepare for my first running race. I really wanted to test my speed but I also thought about the other upcoming races and my 100 mile ultra. My runs consisted of relaxed runs and just being able to handle the elevation. Zone 2 running.
The day before the race, I went for a relaxed 40km bike ride, ate pizza, and got a good night’s rest. I went into the race weighing in at 170lb. I really wanted to push my limits but instead I thought strategy. Just run and aim under 3 hours. It’s the first running race of the season and I don’t want to be injured just for going too hard. This was a training run and my future races were the true challenge. I needed to stay focused.
Race Day (before the start)
I woke up at 7:00 am and then began to prepare. If you’ve read my races, i go through my routinized pre race ritual. I wake up extra early. I drink a lot of caffeine and make sure I hit the washroom to “clean” my system. This was done. I was not feeling stressed. I didn’t puke. I felt good. I think it’s because this did not feel like a race, just training. I did something different for this race though. I added an additional 5km.
I decided to run from my house to the race event. I also wore half tights, only 2 base layers , and a vest. I usually wear a lot more clothes for this event. I honestly wear too much on my runs. I do not look like your typical runner. This time I was going to fight the weather. I hate the cold and I was going to take it on with less clothing and make my body keep me warm. I ran to the event and then just stretched.
The Race Begins
The race started at 9:30 am. It was cloudy, cold, and no signs of rain. I saw the 2 hour and 45 minute pacer (person you follow to finish with that time). My goal was just to keep up with him. I tried to be patient and stick with him but there were times that I went ahead since I felt good. The pacer would then eventually catch up. I was putting out too much energy when I didn’t need to. Patience and strategy is key. I also had to tell myself to go easy.
For the first 15km, I was doing great. There were two big climbs but I went slow. I had some cramps but I breathed in through the nose and out through the mouth for about 1-2 minutes and it went away. Coincidentally, the same happened last time. At 20km, the pacer went faster and I had to step it up. I caught up but many fell behind. I wondered if we were going too fast or if I was not saving enough energy for the end while the others who fell back were.
This is when it started going bad. The last 10km it became very hilly and my calves became rock hard. Every step was pain. I was just waiting for my calves to give out. I could no longer keep up with the pacer and the people who fell behind caught up and passed me. I eventually lost sight of the pacer and all the people I was running with. I didn’t panic but I assessed. On the next pit stop, I doubled my electrolye drink and took an energy bar. It helped. I kept going but my calves were still a huge problem. I was having mental and physical battles.
On the last 5km, I just wanted to finish. As I approached the finishing line I saw 2 hours and 46 minutes on the timer. I was shocked to still be under 3 hours. I then started running faster towards the finish line. I was going to do it. I finished the race in 2 hours and 44 minutes.
My goal was also to run home after the race. This did not happen and thankfully my father came to see me and pick me up. He saved me. I would not have made it home. I limped my way back to the car and could not believe what I did. These races. They change you. Go sign up to one.
As always, feel free to comment. I like comments 🙂
APRIL 14th 2026 – I can finally walk again but the calves are extremely poor. I have my second running race in 3 days. 50km trail run. It’s time to test my limits.