Second cold winter for Around the Bay runners

The weather forecast for Sunday’s Around the Bay 30K seems set to fall in the chilly but bearable single digits, but those set to race have just gotten over training through their second notably cold winter in a row preparing for the early-season race.

Unlike some shorter spring races, 30K takes a large chunk of training dating back well into the winter, meaning for the second year in a row the races has seen low numbers of signups.

“I have lowered my expectations for finishing times, because I just don’t have the kilometres behind me,” wrote Elise Tatone in an email. “However, even considering the tough winter, I shouldn’t be far from my previous times. I just won’t PB this one.”

And Tatone isn’t the only runner who struggled with weeks of cold warnings around the Golden Horseshoe during February. Vida Barker, who runs with the Pickering Running Room says training for Around the Bay this year was tough because of some dangers the weather can cause training outside the city.

“Biggest issues were how many layers to wear, frozen water bottles, and direction and speed of the wind. We typically run on country roads so lots of open fields, snow and ice covered roads, and cars driving too fast for the road conditions.”

Still, those who have signed up to run the historic event are ready for the challenge, and many endured an equally cold winter leading up to the 2014 race. With the weather moving towards more seasonal temperatures, those who have worked hard through the winter are seeing their commitment pay off.

“I was getting in my long runs, but not really enjoying them,” says Tatone. “But last weekend’s run changed my mind and I think this year will go equally as well as my previous two. Now I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to it. I wouldn’t have said the same thing three weeks ago.”