Year in Review!

As today is New Year's Eve, it is opportune to reflect on the year 2007, which contained high and low points. The high point if definitely competing in 17 road races, each providing fond memories. With each race, I found myself bettering previous times. At the Port Perry half marathon in September, Mary Hawthorn introduced herself and mentioned that she has followed my times and noticed that I have gotten faster. Sue Henderson, my on-line marathon clinic instructor, says that I have gotten stronger. Such remarks mean a lot.

As a walker, I completed:

• 3 marathons (Mississauga; Toronto Waterfront; Hamilton)
• a 30K (ATB)
• 4 half marathons (Chilly; Hartwell; Port Perry; Toronto)
• 3 10K (Sporting Life; Toronto Island; Don River)
• 1 8K (Alfie Schrubb)
• 1 5K (Harry's Spring-Off)

As a runner, I completed:

• 1 10K (HBC Canada Day)
• 1 8K (Night Crawler)
• 2 5K (Toronto Challenge; Resolution)

Another highlight was meeting some "super stars" in the running world (i.e., John "The Penguin" Bingham; Kathrine Switzer; John Stanton; and Karl Gruber). At the Toronto Challenge in June, I had my picture taken with #93, Doug Gilmour, who I watched play for the Toronto Maple Leafs when I was in university. Road racing is so inclusive since at the front of the starting line are the elite athletes (some as far away as Kenya), those attempting to Boston Qualify (BQ), while others such as myself who are in there for fitness. I forgot where I read that a marathon is the only sport that allows for such inclusivity.

Completing my first marathon in Mississauga can be considered both a high and low point. It wasn't easy to complete it. But I enjoyed the months of LSDs on the Martin Goodman Trail (out for up to 6 hours). As my maximum endurance was 34K, I did question if I could successfully complete a marathon; that doubt continued to exist with an "inner voice" during the actual marathon. My supporters during the almost 6.5 hours "out there" were the volunteers, police, and medics. I appreciate the volunteers who clapped; who cheered; who pointed where I should head (especially when the pilons were removed); and of course the volunteer at about the 35K who had some bananas and oranges remaining (some of the fluid stations were already closed). It was discouraging to be told by the police to head to the sidewalk and see the K markers being taken down. According to my Garmin, I was within the time limit of 6.5 hours. The Mississauga community seemed to embrace the marathon as everyone was supportive. Even the teenager out on his porch said, "Wow, only a few more kilometres to go." Everyone in the community seemed to know about the marathon. Unfortunately, it was a lonely journey after the half and full marathoners diverged at about the 14K; I was mostly on the road by myself. I did pass by 2 racers and saw the marathoners about 7K ahead of me race in the opposite direction. Other than that, it was lonely. As I continued to persevere (or is the word "struggled"?) to the finish line, I was waiting for the photographer to take a picture for my scrapbook. Unfortunately, there was none. In fact, there wasn't anyone left to clap, nobody to receive my finisher's medal, and no food except water. After asking around for someone to remove my time chip and receive my medal, I "blindly" figured out a way back to the mall where my car was parked. To make matters worse, I was accused of not returning my time chip. This went on for the next 6 months (!). This is how I felt making my way to the finish line:

I had a much more positive marathon experience at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which is arguably my favourite race of the year. I love the flat route (Martin Goodman Trail) and the weather was great. Racewalker, Sarah, brought my concerns of being a lonely walker to rest when she mentioned that there will be quite a few people left near the end with me. She was right -- unlike Mississauga, there were plenty of walkers and runners in the 30K to the finish line. I was so pleased that there was no "inner voice" providing self-doubt. This would have been what I consider a "perfect" race except the finisher's medal was very disappointing.

Another high and low point was becoming a runner. My inagural race as a runner provided confidence that I could run (okay, slowly as a "shuffler" but it's still running as John Bingham would say!). My favourite race as a runner was the 10K HBC on Canada Day. The route was also the Martin Goodman Trail and I was estatic to have completed the 10K. The low point was having to DNS at the Nissan 10 Miler as my last run was in rain and I developed Runner's Knee. The 10 miler was a first year race with a wonderful looking medal. I was so disappointed but knew I couldn't even walk to pick up my bib - there will be other races. Keeping my spirits up, I continued to train as a walker (after a family physician prescribed medication for the inflammation). After the Hamilton marathon, I returned to running. I promised myself to take it slow. I found the Athlete's Care at the Toronto marathon expo and made an appointment to see a sports medicine doctor. Originally diagnosed with ITB by a family doctor, the sports medicine doctor said it was Runner's Knee and provided me with a couple of exercises as well as recommendation for custom orthodics. Yesterday, I completed the 5K Resolution race as a runner and I'm eyeing the Mississauga half marathon as my debut as a runner in the 21.1K. There is hope as the sports medicine doctor suggested phsiotherapy if the orthodics don't take away from the runner' knee pain; 50% chance but so far so good!

Overall, it's been a fantastic year of ups and downs -- or hills and valleys. I have met some wonderful racers, enjoyed the supportive colleagues on the RR forum, and reached my goal of a marathon (ended up with 3). I look forward to 2008. May it be as great (or better) than 2007. Currently, I ponder which races to enter for 2008. Is it the route? the finisher's medal? the tech shirt? the food? Because of having to deal with runner's knee, I think the key component for me will be route -- I'm looking to mainly flat routes.

Race Report -- 5K Resolution Run ^_^

Ran the 5K Resolution Run in Toronto this morning. Great day for a run as the weather behaved with no snow (yeah!); was cloudy; and about 0C. I heard on the radio yesterday that we're getting flurries tonight (2 cm), tomorrow (up to 10 cm :-O ), and more flurries on New Year's Day. It worked out well for the date change by the City of Toronto ;-) [as an aside -- how am I going to do my next run???]

The 5K walk and run began at 9:30 am in the Distillery Historic District (Parliament and Front Streets.). I arrived with about 5 minutes left as I had to walk slightly over 3K to the start line, which I used as my warm-up (in addition to taking the pup for his morning walk). The event was sold out a few weeks ago, which also happened in most sites -- guess it was due to the excellent deal with the jacket. Always a pleasure to receive something different from a tech shirt (but I'll take the tech shirt if offered!). I set my Garmin for 10:1 (x4) since I felt warmed up and ready to go. I retied my shoe laces and went near the end of the start line.

The route was the same as last year. We left the Distillery District, heading north on Trinity Street, east on Front St. E, south on Cherry Street, headed back up north when we reached the Gardiner Expy W, Cherry turned into Sumach St., then east on King St. E., north on Bayview Ave., U-turn heading south on Bayview, west on King St., south on Trinity St (past the Enoch Turner School house); and to the finish line.

My Garmin said I completed 4.87K in 34:57, averaging 7:11 min/K. It was fantastic to be running in road races again. The custom orthodics have helped and they are no longer uncomfortable to wear. The race was well organized -- the start; the volunteers; the police patrolling the roads. My only disappointments were the post race food and no water stations along the route (good thing I continue to bring my own water) -- there was only bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies at the finish line. I was so looking forward to a banana :~) as I didn't want to eat the junk food.

The route and jacket were worth the $40 registration fee. There was discussion on the RR forum if this race was worth the $40 considering it is a steep fee for a 5K. I checked out some other races and they charge between $20 to $40. I will wear the jacket during the spring to work -- will continue to wear my $79.99 jacket during training. During the run this morning, I did think of what races to enter for 2008, although I have signed up for none yet. There is a discount at with the Canada Running Series www.canadarunningseries.com for registering for several races but I continue debating whether the $15 or $20 savings is really worth it considering the possibility of injury and having to back out. I still remember the 10 miler Nissan race last year (injured) and the Ottawa Marathon (couldn't go since Bud was brought home).

My last race of 2007 is done! I will post a reflection of the past year of walking and running in my blog very soon and look ahead to 2008.

Proud Owner of Resolution Race Jacket!

I picked up my large size Resolution Race jacket this afternoon. I'm all set to run on Sunday. Let's hope for dry roads. My bib is #228 (all even digits!).

Aargh -- the Weather!!

Woke up at 9:30 am today, took the pup on his walk, and then wanted to run after the pup came home and was fed his breakfast. With the "wet snow" coming down quite heavily, memories of the Nissan 10 Miler race came to mind...it was only days before that race back in July that I ran in the rain for the first (and only) time. I got injured and haven't run until a month ago. Guess it was the way my foot landed in rain that caused the runner's knee. I so desperately wanted that inaugral medal for that race but couldn't even walk it -- not to mention walking to pick up my registration package would have been a challenge. So...with only days until the Resolution 5K run and with the "wet snow" coming down, I wasn't going to have another injury -- am I just being superstitious?? Call me what you must but I wasn't going to risk it. So, I walked 8.68K instead (according to my Garmin). I'll save the run for this Sunday. Need to remember to visit the RR to pick up my bib and jacket before Sunday. I can now run 5K (using 5:1) and had the weather been nicer, I would have liked it to be more. Oh well...

I've updated a list of races I'm eyeing for the new year in my Blog. One in particular, Midsummer's Night, caught my liking. It takes place on Saturday, August 16th and has a 15K walk; 15K run; and 30K run. If all goes well, I want to register in the 15K run, which starts at 6:30 pm. It's an evening race along part of the Toronto Scotiabank Waterfront route. http://www.amidsummernightsrun.ca/images/maps/15kmap.pdf It's going to be dark since racers must wear a clip-on blinker (as mandated by the city). The price is $49 before May 31st so I'll make my mind up after Mississauga. The 30K route looks great but I'm not going to push it -- maybe a goal for 2009. http://www.amidsummernightsrun.ca/images/maps/30kmap.pdf If I do that, I'll get a Moretal pin! Sounds like a great event -- I remember a few people on the Running Room forum sharing their experiences of this race last year and it was positive. If I sign up for this race, that'll mean no HSBC 10K at the Toronto Island. That was an enjoyable race last summer as I was the only person who walked it (and came 2nd last).

Christmas Gift to Self

My Christmas gift to self today was a 5K run this morning. The sidewalks were dry (had to becareful with a bit of ice in some parts) but the weather was great -- about 0C so not too cold. After recharging my Garmin after my last run (need to check to make sure the batteries aren't low in the future), I set the interval training for 5:1 (x6). I completed my run of 4.92K in 36 minutes. I'm going to continue building up the mileage slowly to 21.1K for my half marathon debut as a runner in Mississauga. Seems so daunting and a long ways away but the May date will slowly creep up before I know.

Looking forward to the Resolution Race on Sunday, December 30th. It'll be a great way to bring in the New Year. I hope to have 1 more run this Thursday or Friday before the Resolution 5K run.

I'm thinking of what races to compete in 2008. I have not registered for any races yet. My "A" race in the spring is the Mississauga half marathon (Sunday, May 11th) and my "A" race in the fall is the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront half marathon (Sunday, September 28th). In between, I hope to include some shorter distances from the following list (won't do them all as I'll be selective this year):

• Archilles St. Patrick's Day 5K Sunday, March 16th [didn't do this last year]
• Harry's Spring-Off 8K Saturday, April 5th [but don't like the hills]
• Sporting Life 10K Sunday, May 4th [but a week away from my "A" race]
• Alfie Schrubb 8K Sunday, June 1st
• Toronto Challenge 5K Sunday, June 8th [Doug Gilmour was here last year!]
• Bread and Honey 15K Sunday, June 8th [never done this one]
• HBC 10K, Canada Day [one of my favourite races!]
• Nissan 10 Miler Sunday, July 13th [gotta do this one this year!]
• Toronto Island 10K, Saturday, August 16th [nice flat course going through Hanlan's, Centre, and Wards islands]

If all goes well, I might add on the Angus Glen half marathon in early November. Again, I'm going to be selective in which races to compete in (but again, we'll see if that is implemented or if I go about signing up for everything!). I'm also eyeing the Canada Running Series discount if you sign up for 2-4 races before January 29th. www.canadarunningseries.com

First run in 2 weeks...Garmin out of batteries

Great to see the snow melting. After warming up via taking the pup for his morning walk (a bit longer than usual), I went on my run. After turning on the Garmin, it said "Low Batteries". Aargh! I still did my run but don't know how far I went. Since I left my wrist watch at home, had to "guess" what 5 minutes seemed like. Oh well...

I'm on 2-weeks holiday now. I'm looking forward to the Resolution Run on December 30th although wished we didn't get last week's snow storm so I could have run last week. I hope to run at least twice a week. My goal was to complete the Resolution Run using 10:1 but will opt for 5:1 instead. I'm wearing the custom orthodics and don't mind them anymore. I also bought a Patellar Sleeve. Hope all goes well in my training...

Aargh...the Snow!

No running this weekend. Yesterday, snow flurries came in Toronto throughout the day. Then the real stuff came overnight and all day today. Aargh!! At least the Running Room Resolution Race wasn't today. That would have been an "ouch". The real winner in this winter storm was Bud. I just hope he doesn't expect every winter in Toronto to be as cold and snowy as this one. I want warm and dry weather!!!

And it was a challenge to get him into the house:

Sidewalks are dry... Saturday Run :-)

Listened to the radio the past few days to see if my run should be on Saturday, Sunday, or neither. Tomorrow's supposed to have 1-2 cm of snow so I opted for today -- sunny, about 0C, sidewalks dry -- couldn't ask for more for a December day! Did 5:1 (x5) again, covering a distance of 4.12K according to my Garmin...hey, 10% of a marathon ;-) Felt good and could have gone on and on...but not rushing it this time. Wore my custom orthodics for the first run and they felt good. I do hope the orthodics help. I mailed away the documentation to the insurance company for reimbursement of the $450.

After my run, I went to Shopper's Drug Mart to redeem $100 using my Optimum Card for 40 000 points. I had hoped that they would allow me to get a Gift Card so I didn't have to find $100 worth of stuff in one visit but that's what the rules are. I found "the 2 oz Miracle Custom Molding Insoles" for my work shoes as well as a paletllar sleeve for my left knee. I'll see how these go. I also got a pack of Sharkies organic energy sports chews -- never seen these before -- reminds me of the sports beans.

Looking forward to the 5K Resolution Run on December 30th. Can't believe the date is creeping up (and ever so quickly). I've been training only once a week -- working around my schedule and the weather. Also can't wait to wear the RR jacket that comes with the registration fee! I hope the weather is dry (i.e., not snow and/or ice covered) during the holidays -- I hope it's warm enough to run on the Martin Goodman Trail.

The ever popular Chilly race in early March is now full. I didn't enter since I'm being selective in which races to compete in this year. I'm focussing this year as a runner and hope to complete at least 1 half marathon, with a (full) marathon in 2009. I'm still eyeing the Mississauga race for my debut as a runner in the half marathon.

Orthodics

The day has finally arrived to pick up my custom-made orthodics. Fortunately, the $450 will be covered fully by my work insurance, with a deductible . I have been doing the stretching exercises suggested to me. Unfortunately, I still do get some of the runner's knee sensations even though I was injured back in July (and it's now December). The doctor told me that the orthodics are a preventative device rather than for treatment of my runner's knee problem. There is a 50% chance the knee pain will go away with the orthodics. If not, he recommended physiotherapy in a few weeks. The treatment would be about 3 weeks with 6 sessions. Now to wear my orthodics, which feel strange, while walking and then running. I do hope this is the "magic" that I've been waiting for :-) There is the possible, though, of pain to the feet; back; hips; etc. although this should be temporary -- the doctor told me to inform him if this is not temporary. Photos...

Run #3 - Coooold Outside!

Wow, it's cold outside: -9C but -15C with windchill. 680 News radio station is warning us of a "big winter storm in Southern Ontario" but the freezing rain is of greater concern than the snow. Since outside is dry, I did my run today. I set my Garmin for 5:1 intervals (x5) and covered a distance of 4.18K in 30 minutes. In an ideal world, I would have trained on the Martin Goodman Trail but I didn't want to fathom what the weather would feel like at the lake (I did that once and it was cold!). The only advantage of running in the winter I can think of is I don't have to wake up early in the morning (since that's often challenge) -- it's actually better for me to run in the afternoon when it gets a bit warmer. Training is progressing and I feel greatly rewarded. I'm only thinking of reaching 5K and then 10K. The half marathon distance sounds daunting to me and I'm not going to stress over it. If all goes well, I'll register for the Mississauga Marathon in the spring. Time will tell...

Only 1 month until the RR Resolution 5K Run and I'm looking forward to it :-) Can't wait to pick up the RR jacket that comes with registration -- super deal that comes with the $40 registration fee. Today was the 5K Santa Shuffle -- I didn't do it since I'm not ready to run a 5K yet. I guess Xmas should feel like winter so today it was ideal. Message to the weather gods: Please provide us with cool and sunny weather for December 30th. Thank you :-)