10:1 (x10)

Great news -- ran on the Martin Goodman Trail (to the Humber River Bridge) this morning! The weather was sunny yet a bit cold (-5C) but no wind. I was pleased to see only a tad of snow remained -- otherwise, 99% of the path was dry. Yippee! Today was my longest run to date, 1 hour 50 minutes "out there" using the 10:1 (x10). I completed 14.45K, averaging 7.37 minutes/K, with an average heart rate of 156 BPM. I started off slowly, which was important. Only felt a bit fatigued during the final 10:1, but that's expected, I think. Next weekend I'll up it to 10:1 (x11). I'll have to bring along an energy bar or two for some more carbs than the sports drink provided.

Year to Date = 167.41K

10:1 (x4)

Got in 10:1 (x4) after work today :-) I had to take advantage of the (finally) spring-like weather of +6C. For part of the route, I went down to the Martin Goodman Trail to have a look at the conditions of the path. Most of it was runnable, with most of the snow gone. I hope by Saturday (supposed to be another 6C day!) the paths should be all set for running. Saw quite a few runners outside today. Guess everyone is excited with the "warm" weather (although there was a bit of wind). I ran 6.32K, with an average heart beat of 159 beats per minute.

The Around The Bay 30K race is this Sunday. I'm not competiting in it this year as I continue to train for the half marathon in Mississauga. I'm excited with the spring weather around the corner...

10:1 (x9)

Did my LSD this morning on a cold (-2C) but sunny Easter Sunday. I covered 13.56K; 7.18 minutes/K; averaging 164 BPM. After the first 30 minutes or so, I got into a running groove, with the final couple of 10 minute runs getting a bit tired. The gloves were taken off after the first 10 minutes (and when I got home, I said, "Where is my right glove?") -- oh no... I took the usual route as I anxiously await the snow to all melt away on the Martin Goodman Trail (and even if there was no snow, I didn't want to battle to colder and windier weather at the lake). We're supposed to be getting some flurries (!) on Tuesday so I hope that next weekend will be spring-like.

I continue to train slowly and conservatively to avoid injury. I hope to get in at least 1 run 10:1 (x3) to lead the way for a 10:1 (x10) next weekend. Today's run is 64% of a half-marathon, so the endurance is coming along.

Rest day tomorrow on Easter Monday and a day off from work :-)

Rest Day + Birthday Boy!

Today's a rest day for me -- and it's cold outside! I saw some runners and power walkers this morning while taking Bud on his morning walk. I hope to do my LSD either tomorrow or Easter Monday (probably Monday to allow for another day of rest) -- but I'll listen to what the radio says about the weather.

Today is my Bud's first birthday! I took a photograph of him with his present. It's been a wonderful 10 months with him (as I took him home when he was almost 8 weeks old).

10:1 (x3) + windy outside!

Good Friday! Debated on whether to do 10:1 (x3 ) or (x8). With the wind and cold (-2C), I opted for (x3) and will do (x9) on Easter Monday. Although spring has theoretically arrived, it still (!) is cold. The sidewalks are now dry but the piled snow and ice-covered parks still exist :-( I was hoping to get back on the Martin Goodman Trail for this weekend but the snow hasn't melted fully yet and it was too cold and windy anyways. Next week, hopefully.

Got in the 10:1 (x3), covering 4.61K, with an average heart rate of 170 (a bit high but my running was a bit faster as well). I got into a groove with the final 10 minutes of running and eventually warmed up.

Enjoying the long weekend and the much needed rest. Looking forward to celebrating my buddy, Bud's 1 year birthday tomorrow. I got him a stuff animal that says "Ltl Buddy" at the Pets store.

10:1 (x8)

Spring is here! The snow is (finally) melting, it's sunny, 6C.

Got in my first LSD in a few weeks by doing 10:1 (x8). I ran in the neighbourhood since the Martin Goodman Trail is probably still covered in snow and slowly melting. Maybe next weekend I'll give the trail a try. I covered 11.63K this morning, averaging 7:34 min/K; average heart rate 161 BPM. I did my run after "warming up" by walking the pup (his 1st birthday is next Saturday -- yeah!) and a bit of stretching. During my walk with the pup, I must have had 5 near-falls up my street. Fortunately, it was only my street and the sidewalks during my run was dry. Been feeling a bit stiff in the legs the past week -- I wonder if it's due to the amount of sleeping after getting over the stomach flu. No problem during the run. I particularly enjoyed the last half hour of the run -- although I was running up a street (which I shouldn't have done). I'll use the "Stick" to stretch out the legs later today. I do hope spring is here to stay and I can resort to a regular training schedule now. Less than 2 months until Mississuaga 1/2 marathon and I need to get the LSD up to 17 or 18K.

After my walk, I had to buy a "Slinky Dog" which makes a great display (rather than playing with it). I remember how cool having a slinky was as a child. What will they think of next?

10:1 (x3)

Great news -- I've resumed my running after a couple weeks break (due to snow, snow, stomach flue, snow). I heard on the radio that the rest of March will be snow, snow, snow...ARGH!!! After taking the pup on his afternoon walk, I noticed the sidewalks were generally dry -- if not today for a run, then when? Tomorrow morning we're supposed to get another 3 cm of (wet) snow and maybe freezing rain, but the afternoon is going to be 6C with showers. 2 months until Mississauga so I better get going. I did 10:1 (x3), for a mileage of 4.41K, average 7.29/K, forgot to wear the heartrate monitor. No more stomach flu :-) and now I can report something to the "1000K in 2008" club on the Running Room forum. I can't wait until the spring weather arrives.

After the 10:1 (x3), I made my way to the local Running Room and used the $10 coupon I received from signing up for the Mississauga half marathon. I had to buy the Yaktrax Pro ($39.99) so I can run in the snow and ice. I also bought a 2-pack of Double Layer WrightSock ($21.99). Boy, I've spent a lot of money at the Running Room during the past year -- but well worth it in order to reach my goal as a walker and runner. I was hoping to pick up a copy of the March/April magazine and the new 2008 catalogue but both are not yet available.

I received my April 2008 issue of Runner's World as well as the April 2008 issue of Men's Health. Both are easy-to-read and filled with neat ideas. Good bed time reading!

Still struggling to figure out what to get my pup, Bud, for his first birthday on March 21st.

No running...snow; feeling better; funny video

It's been quite the winter in Toronto. We're short about 15 cm to setting an all-time most snowiest winter in the city. One part of me wants it (what do we have to lose?) and will remind us of this difficult winter. Another part says "No way!" as we've also turned the clock an hour fast this weekend. Regardless, no running for me until Thursday when it's supposed to get to 6C high.

I'm feeling better and now back to normal. Missed 2 days from work. The stomach flu and I are enemies. What was frustrating is I only wanted to sleep -- there was no coughing, sneezing, or running nose. I was fatigued and chilling a bit. I'm glad it's over :-)

Someone posted the following link on the Running Room forum. It does cheer me up a bit. It's an original race where 150 raced 380 yards in high heels. Why anyone would organize such a race is beyond me but the price money is good: $15 000. There is a video that goes along with the link and the races are fast! I wonder how many of the 150 racers make it to the finish line without tripping. Originally I thought it was a half marathon race -- that would be tough! I wouldn't be surprised if there is a "run backwards" race in the brewing...

CANOE -- CNEWS - Weird News: Women dash for cash in stiletto heels

Counting down the days until it looks and feels like spring...

No running...snow; stomach flu

This has been a truly frustrating winter. Snow, snow, snow, ... and 680 News says March will have more snow, snow, snow. I haven't run since my last blog :-( I've been under the weather the last 1/2 week due to the Stomach Flu. I saw the doctor Monday afternoon who diagnosed me with that. Further information is available at http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_gastroen_crs.htm I've taken 2 days off work so far and hope to be back to work tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last day of school before March Break. I haven't even thought about the break -- just trying to get better. I finally feel stronger today after so much quality sleep. With the stomach flu, I just want to sleep. Eating is Campbell's Chicken Soup. Love the taste of Apple Juice. The symptoms include throwing up and diarreha. Come to think of it, my pup, Bud, threw up on Saturday morning. I wonder if he had stomach flu??

15 cm snow last night, with freezing rain. Another 15 cm snow on Saturday. Radio says 450 crashes today. No running for the next few days... I know I'll have to "go backwards" on my training. I miss running on the Martin Goodman Trail. Here's an all-too-familiar photo I've downloaded from the 680 News web site: