Around the Bay 30k report

[Decker]

Well that was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Not even close to kidding. Woke up this morning to a flash snowstorm. As I was driving three other runners, I was a little stressed to get everyone there and back safely. The race was around 1.5hr away by car and we could not read any of the highway signs with all the snow. We were diverted for an accident on the highway but got there safely in the end. After sorting my race kit and bag check out, it was race time. The race literally goes around a bay and there are some very exposed windy, cold areas. The winds were quite strong and it was cold to the point that I could not feel my hands even with gloves on. There was a lot of talk about one large hill at the 26km mark, which I was mentally ready for, but there were 5-6 rolling hills that led up to it, which I was not prepared for that as much 🥴.I had to walk to grab my gels a couple of times and catch my breath. My heart was really racing at a couple of points so I slowed down. I was hoping to get a sub 3hr time and just got in at 2:58. Lots of PBs in the group. Community race support was amazing and I got a ton of high fives from old and young supporters. There is a Grim reaper character at the big hill across from the cemetery who just teases people to either book it or join the folks in the graveyard. High fived him too. Our run leader had a great race too and launched his 875 km run to Boston from the restaurant after the race. That’s him in the top right pic with his cycling crew mate carrying all the supplies.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

I was wondering how you did after reading about the snowy race conditions on runningmagazine.ca. Congrats on the sub 3hr time! Wow! That is so great. It would've been so much nicer running around the bay if it was mid teens, but you just never know what race day will bring. Now for a little RnR before gearing up for your trail race?

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask. Yeah the snow kinda threw me. Its been so nice and sunny lately. You never know with ATB. Going to recoup for a week and get out on some trails. I am kind of stoked for them! Both my trail friends want to come out for those too. 👍🏼

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Sweet! You'll love it!

[Irish-John Marathon]

Hard Core Decker!!! Well done!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks John 🙏

[Oldfloss Administrator]

What an exciting race Decker.. I am so glad you did it and in such great time, but mostly that you stayed safe.

I am so, so proud of you; I can remember when you began this, which seems an age ago now, and love having played a small part in you running adventures

Huge well done.. and keep these posts coming... you know how I enjoy the photographs !!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Floss.Yes sometimes it seems like just yesterday that I began running. In fact its been a process of a couple of years now. I remember your help in the early days when I hit the wall at 7k

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

Not just a 30km race, but one with meteorological hazards thrown in too! Extra well done for overcoming all.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Langley-Loper]

Thanks very much LL. Yeah the timing of this race here means there can always be a new weather surprise to deal with.

[O505k Half Marathon]

Well done, such tough conditions.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to O505k]

Thank you 🙏

[misswobble Marathon]

That sounds like a very tough race indeed. Getting there must have been stressful too.

Just think what you’ll be like on a good day 😁👍💪😃🔥🌪🏃‍♂️

Well done 👍🏅. Awesome job 👊✊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks MW. Yeah it was a bit stressful, though these friends made it much easier and enjoyable than going through it alone. I think this would have been a tough one to handle alone.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Decker]

Cometh the hour ...... 💪😃👊✊

[Bluebirdrunner]

Super Bling Decker, and boy, did you earn that one! 😊 🙆💪

Such a tough run...but you were tougher! I love reading your reports, I saw this run on Strava, and this had brought it alive! SO well done! 😊xxx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Bluebirdrunner. I have a whole new respect for this course now and for some of my running mates that cruised through it 😊 Lesson: Next year train many more hills

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done Decker . Brilliant as always.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks Whatsapp. I don’t know about brilliant, but more that I just survived this one.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Good job getting through the stressful drive and the chilly 30k! I saw the weather forecast and was thinking about you. The medal is really nice with the 125 for the 125th year. Great pics too! You must feel a sense of accomplishment. 🏅😊🏃🏻

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you Lavender. The weather is always a factor this time of year isn’t it? Yes this was a special race, with the 125th anniversary. The medal and the shirt are both really nicely finished. I might post a pic of the shirt too. Its one I will wear often

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's just amazing. The distance, the pace, the hills and the weather. You are made of strong stuff for sure! What an achievement 🙂 Congratulations on a job very well done!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. If I do this one again I will need to push my training a bit harder I think. Those constant hills at the end were killer.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Well done man! This sounds like a military drill, not like a comfy day out with gullible hippies, butterflies and bees.

How did your thighs cope? Did you manage to run without stopping/crawling/begging?

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

Thanks mate, yeah this was not a kum-ba-ya race for sure 😁 it was downright ugly in parts. But it comes down to preparation and experience too. Next time I know fully what is in store. My legs were really stiff yesterday but really it was my overall aerobic ability to breathe that was so hard at the end. I had a small sprint in the very last km which was really hard into the stadium, and thankfully an indoor finish.

[marco83 Marathon]

Congrats Decker ! well done with those conditions! Awesome job!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to marco83]

Thanks Marco!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Wow what an epic adventure Decker! You did an excellent job congratulations! 😊x

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to aliboo70]

Yes it was an adventure of a day Ali, thank you. Glad it is over now

[Macmac Marathon]

Well done getting the team to the start safely and a brilliant result too! Congratulations! Hope your legs are starting to feel a bit better now. 👏🏻👏🏻😎

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Macmac]

Thanks Macmac. 😊The joints are moving a bit easier today. No more Tin Man 🤖

[Hidden]

Wow Decker that was a fantastic run! A sub 3hr 30km is an awesome achievement, you should be riding the euphoria for a while yet!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Helen. I was on track for a 2:45, but then all the hills and pain came and the pacers started passing me :). This race had pacers at every 5min, so there were quite a few 😁. Sub 3 was chip time only. Gun time was just seconds over 3. But I am still pleased all things considered.

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

And there's me skipping about in the spring sunshine with the bees and daffodils 😂

That's running on a totally different level! Amazing stuff 💪

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks Sqkr. I would have loved some spring sunshine that day! 😂 It was harder for me, but others in my group made it look easy. They are some tough ones!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Missed this Decker, until seeing your medal pic further up! Wow! That certainly sounds like a tough one - you are 'proper hard core'!👍😀 The drive would probably have finished me off...and then you went and did a cracking timefor 30k too! Huge congratulations to you - hope you have recovered well? As for your run leader...875km?!!! Well, that's bonkers and awe- inspiring in equal amounts!!😀

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Hi Sandra thank you. Yes whatever I do is quickly put into perspective when I think of what Jim is doing next :). I am at a loss to know how it is even humanly possible. Tells you something about human potential for sure.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Don't downplay your own achievements Decker! Your posts on here are so inspiring and you are always such a support to the rest of us too! (Take a bow😉!)

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Aw that is very kind of you Sandra 😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Wowsers! Fantastic work!!! Well done 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi

[lardofale Half Marathon]

That's an awesome achievement, well done Sir! Respect fella!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to lardofale]

Thank you lardofale