On the Run
“Around the Bay,” the oldest road race on the continent, is in Hamilton, Ontario. This 30 kilometre race is aptly named since the course takes you around the Hamilton Harbour and is three years older than the famous Boston Marathon.
Although shorter than Boston, this race is no less challenging, with the hilliest portion coming in the last 10k and one particular hill that challenges the most experienced runners at 27k. It is often a final test for those heading to Boston three weeks later, but not always. Stephanie and Chris McCune from town are running it together March 30 as a stepping stone to Stephanie running her first marathon.
Chris, a lifetime runner whose marathon experience includes a 90k ultra in South Africa in 1986, started running with Stephanie when she decided it was time to get fit. Two years later, Chris can see the benefits. Stephanie has slimmed down and grown stronger and more confident. Chris told me when she first started running, she found the slight incline coming up their street at the end of a three kilometre jog exhausting.
She would complain about how unfair it was to have to run up a hill at the end. Actually she used words like “mountain” to describe the incline. Now she runs it as if it’s flat. Personally, hilly is not exactly the word I would use to describe Elm Street! Stephanie laughs at herself now, remembering how hard 3k was. “Now I run 12 or 15 and it seems like nothing,” she said with confidence. “Twenty three or 24 kilometres; that’s a challenge these days.”
She’s absolutely right. As with any exercise, the stronger your muscles get the easier it becomes and the more you enjoy it. Running is no different. It makes you stronger so you can go farther, and longer. Running also adds aerobic conditioning which will allow you to enjoy doing other things more easily.
Stephanie loves to run early on a Sunday, so she still has the day to spend with her family. Imagine running 15 or 20 kilometres and then being able to enjoy doing all the things that make your life fun and rewarding. Stephanie will tell you that is one of the greatest benefits she has gained from running.
She has run two half marathons and is hoping to finish this 30k race as preparation for a full marathon next spring. “It’s never boring,” she said. With her Ipod to listen to, Stephanie relaxes and enjoys the outdoors. Even when running together, Chris and Stephanie seldom talk until their run is finished. Then they enjoy chatting, feeling refreshed and relaxed over coffee before heading home.
Don’t be surprised to see the occasional good natured competition between husband and wife as they run along Main Street. Stephanie takes advantage of any small lead she may have on Chris to finish first while Chris, with the spirit of a true competitor, never lets her win without a fight.
For now, Chris and Stephanie see the away races like Ottawa as well earned time for them. It’s a time to have fun as a couple, doing a sport they enjoy together. Well until the race starts anyway, then Chris said he runs his own race. Stephanie laughed at his comment and replied, “He gets to the finish ahead of me so he can be ready to cheer!” He’s her biggest fan… a rather wise husband, I’d say.
See you on the roads
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