Robbie-T @ Around the Bay 2010

[Robbie-T]

I had goal to prove to myself last year was real and not a year long dream. My goal was to just beat my gun time from last year, 1:59:58 and stay Golden through 2010.

The power went off in our house just before I left for the race, so I went scurrying around for flashlights before I left, we just moved in so that was a bit of a challenge. Then the Carbon Monoxide detector starting chirping because it was low on battery when the main power to it was cut, again we just moved in I haven't checked that stuff yet. So I was a bit distracted with home and almost turned around and not go to the race. The power came back on after 3 hours, not so fun for Mommy with three boys in the dark in the morning.

Finally got to the race, This year had a unique twist for me, based on my last years ATB sub 2:00 I was granted "Front of the Pack" status, which meant I got a sticker on my bib and didn't have to walk all the way around the block from Copps to get to the starting line. I slipped through the secret passage, very sweet, but immediately felt way out of place, with all the skinny runners around me warming up and looking serious. I did my warm ups along the side of the road, giving way for the big/little dogs, then walked right up to the front, no sneaking through people to get close to the front. Unknowingly I lined up right beside my buddy Andrew, perfect, so I went out with him and decided to hang on to him as long as I could, his goal was 1:57:30.

We are off to a comfy start at 3:54 pace and guys are flying by us, the 2:00 pace bunny blows by us at about 4k, slow down bunny.

We keep it up at about the same pace, feels like a steady state training running on a Friday afternoon with Andrew, and we go through 10k 39:29 right about on plan.

Shortly after 10k we both hit our pace and from 10-20k we are flying by people including the 2 hour pace bunny. 15k at 59:17 and 20k at 1:18:37 still on track. Andrew had slipped away from me a bit between 15k and 20k but I reeled him back in before the 20k mark.

Somewhere in here I break my Half Marathon PB, and we continue on, not so much talking anymore the hills have started and the work is getting harder.

Andrew starts pulling away for good and I let him go, I keep double checking my pace, I wasn't slowing he was speeding up. I'm fine with that.

Those long inclines through the sub-divisions are tough, tougher then the Big Hill in my opinion. Did you smell someone BBQing? Evil person!

Time has gone by very fast up until now, the last 6k or so I start looking at my watch more. I climb the Hill, I see Superman, he has a sign "You are my Hero!" I said, "I am My Hero!" With a few grunts I get up on the road and start my push for the finish, that is a long tough stretch. It may be downhill but it is always into the wind and your legs are now trashed, so you can't pick up time at all, it is hard enough still holding pace at this point.

I use a few guys in front of me as motivation and catch a few. I passed one last guy outside of Copps and head to the finish, he then decides he wants to out sprint me inside and I let him, go ahead son I thought, I did my work on the course so I didn't need to sprint to the finish today, today I got to enjoy the finish and jogged it in across the line 1:58:19. It was a good day to Run Happy. Golden for another year! 3:44 final km, fastest split of the day.

10k 39:29 120th position (14th in AG)
15k 59:17 90th position (12th in AG)
20k 1:18:37 80th position (11th in AG)
30k 1:58:19 66th position 3:57 avg pace (9th in AG)
15 second negative split

66th overall
60th male
9/464 in my new 40-44 age group

2 Gold/ 2 Silver/ 1 Bronze

[Robinandamelia]

Wow congratulations, that's fantastic!

[Jo-Jo]

Liked how you moved up in position as the race progressed. Excellent!

I told you Mike's coach was just ahead of you on the course at the finish (hmmm...perhaps he was one of your "motivators") so I checked his time. Randy's chip time: 1:58:02. He also finished 9th in his AG! I think he turns 40 in April. Not sure if this was "his day" as he ran l:54:46 last year.

I'm babysitting his kids on April 9th and I'll be sure to tell him that you're catching up to him. I've been telling him about your racing career over the past few years.

It was great seeing you. Very proud of you for sharing your candy...now that took mental strength

ETA:...I'd say you are the real deal...nope...2009 was no fluke

[CinC]

jogged it in across the line 1:58:19

you're funny!

Congratulations! You rock!

[दिवंगत]

Great race Rob, congrats on the new race PB and placement. It was good chatting with you, you calmed my nerves before the race quite considerably. Thanks for the chocolate as well.

[Robbie-T]

It was great seeing you. Very proud of you for sharing your candy...now that took mental strength

oh yeah Many Thanks for my candy rewards at the finish, chocolate eggs just as good as Gold!

[eljeffe]

I may be in the market for a 2 time Gold Medal sub 1h58 pace bunny next year? Know anyone? Nice race Rob!

[West Grey Runner]

You inspire me to run faster, your speed is infectious! Congratulation on your second and very decisive ATB Gold.

[Darth Tater]

Way to go Robbie.

[trixiee]

I'm glad you are your hero, and you're my hero as well!

Very good job, my friend!

Ha! I knew you when you were slow!

[Doonst]

Outstanding as always Robbie. For years I've been wondering how long you could keep on getting faster, I'm still wondering. For years I've been struggling to find the words to respond to your race reports, I've taken to stealing: "Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be?"

[Marg]

Ha! I knew you when you were slow!

Seems incomprehensible now doesn't it?

WTG bro.
I wish I could see you race this year... !

[AlfiefromPickering]

Once again a remarkable and outstanding performance........

[FishHog]

I find that pace absolutely amazing. I think I could hold that for 1km max before I would crumple.
Great job, and congrats.

FishHog

[b_squared]

Well done Robbie, well done!

[purdy65]

Nicely done Robbie!

So proud to have a gold medalist in our midst!

That pace boggles my mind too!

Congrats!

Lisa

[Sandra]

HOLY FAST! Congratulations on yet another PB and on such a tough course!

[UltraQueenga]

That report was a fast read.

Amazing time, Robbie! I can't imagine running 30k at that speed. Yikes!
Congrats for another PB and for staying golden another year! You're running with the big dogs now.
So what's on the menu next year? 1:56?

[blank]

Great run Rob, and a great report too!
It's crazy the way you keep knocking down these times. Very inspirational!

[QuickChick]

You never cease to amaze me, Rob! So 1:55 next year?;)
btw I can't believe there is a 2 hour pace bunny at that race! That's crazy!

[DougG]

Congratulations, you continue to amaze me.

[ROW]

Great run. You've came a long ways. Your pretty my running hero haha, you and Josh Cox.

[Tori]

Way to go!!!!

[ratherBrunning]

Awesome... Congratulations, Robbie!!

[5km]

Congratulations. Well done!