20:1 (x6)

Battling a cold...not to mention sleeping late last night as I was reading my complimentary copy of The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, given out at the math conference I attended a couple of days ago. I wore a toque and brought along my mittens as it was a bit chilly out there today. I chose not to run on the waterfront as a result of the possible winds. Instead, I ran east on Gerrard Street and then on Queen Street for some nice sight-seeing. Got in 16.88 K. YTD = 1581.68. To go = 27.3 K. Will I reach the 1000 miles next week? Not sure as I have a massage appointment on Tuesday after work. Dilemma...

Thursday's 20:1 (x2)

So busy didn't have time to record Thursday's blog. Got in a nice 20:1 (x2) immediately after work (and before a math conference in the evening, which I had to arrive late). Opted to park at the Lawrence Botanical Garden on Lawrence and Leslie to "beat" the awful rush-hour traffic from Finch to Lawrence. Got in 6.05 K. YTD = 1564.80 K.

At the conference, the keynote speaker shared with us a truly amazing book called The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. Here's a video clip of the housekeeper's son who became a mathematics teacher showing his passion of mathematics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwwu1eEDzWc&feature=related

20:1 (x2)

Got in 5.87 K after work today. Not an eventful run -- overcast, stopped raining. I wore my toque since I've gotten a "small" cold. What's exciting is I'm only 50.2 K until I reach the 2009 K. YTD = 1558.75 K. Hope to get in 1700 K for the year.

Just checked out my 2008 totals. I got in 1314.22 K last year -- perhaps I should look at 2010 K for next year :-)

20:1 (x8)

Today's LSD lasted 2H 48M along the Martin Goodman Trail -- west past the Humber River Bridge and then back home. Nice fall day for the run -- left the toque and mittens at home since the weather was 10C, with sun and other times cloud. There were quite a few runners, bicyclists, and walkers on the trail today. For the first time in a long while, I took along the iPod -- I've been getting "bored" running the previous few weeks on the LSD. I did see a Chow Chow, which is of course bigger than mine [mine's a small boy]. Today = 22.74 K. YTD = 1552.9 K. To go = 56.1 K

Got an e-mail from the race director of the Chilly half marathon that the Lakeshore will be closed so it will be an out and back route. I think this is a good idea since it can be dangerous with the cars.

Still trying to figure out which races to commit to in addition to the Chilly 1/2 and the ATB 30 K. I am not happy to pay $50 for a 10 K run.

Thursday - Run replaced with H1N1 shot

Thursday's run was replaced with the H1N1 flu shot. This past week Wednesday was the first day in the GTA that the shot was being given to anyone. I went Wednesday at 7 PM and there was a sign that said they are full (as the shots end at 8 PM). I went immediately after work on Thursday and was in and out in about an hour [heard on 680 News that the wait is currently 30 minutes]. No worries as I brought along a geography textbook to read and make notes [I am teaching grade 9 applied geography to my Alternative Education class]

I found the organization to be great. Once I entered the building, I was asked if I currently have a flu or are alergic to eggs. Then I was given a ticket (#531) and asked to proceed to a room with a lot of seats to wait for my number to be called as well as complete the consent form. The wait was about 40 minutes. Then we lined up briefly to enter the room where the shots would be given. The security guard took the ticket number and gave some antibacterial hand lotion. Then I went to register, showing my health card and driver's license. Then it was another brief line-up for the actual shot. There were at least 10 booths to get the shot. The shot went on my left arm and didn't hurt at all. I was asked to sit for 15 minutes before leaving (to ensure no reaction). There were also 2 paramedics giving the shots -- guess they were present just in case there is a reaction and hospital attention needed to be given. Upon leaving, I received a letter documenting the shot had been given.

Thus, no run Thursday...there's an excuse ;-)

20:1 (x2)

Got in my Tuesday after work run on a rather chilly day. The first interval was at LSD pace and then I sped up for the second interval. Glad I'm able to "force" myself to run after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today = 5.81 K. YTD = 1530.14 K.

2 Hours = 17.79 K LSD

Had to cut the run a bit short today since I woke up late and had to visit my little nephew (who's getting over a cold). Overcast and warmer than usual for a fall day. Ran west to the Humber River Bridge and then back. Lots of folks in shorts -- me, wore my Toronto Marathon track pants (and toque). For the 2nd half of the run, sped up and it felt great!

Today = 17.79 K
YTD = 1524.33 K
To Go for 1000 miles = 84.7 K

One thing I thought about during the LSD was which races to register. For the spring marathon, I will probably stick with Mississauga. I want to do Ottawa but I would have no time to site-see in Ottawa so it's 5 hour train to Ottawa on Saturday morning, go to the expo, rest in the evening, run in the morning, train back home in the evening. Hmmm...and the costs $140 train + accommodation. Regardless, I'm committed to the Chilly half marathon and the Around the Bay 30 K, which will prep me for the spring marathon. For the fall full marathon, I'm eyeing the Toronto Marathon (with the August Midsummer Night's 30 K Run, and the Scotiabank Waterfront 1/2 marathon) as the races to prepare.

Registration costs have gone way up for the Canada Running Series. In fact, if I go with Mississauga and the Toronto Marathon as my full marathons for 2010, none of the races with the Canada Running Series are must-runs. I will most likely not run the Sporting Life 10 K since, with on-line registration fee, it will be a $50 race -- probably better for me to take it easy the week before Mississauga. The 10-miler will be over $70 with on-line registration (as will the Scotiabank Waterfront 1/2 marathon) -- full marathon is close to $90 with on-line registration fee.

Thursday 20:1 (x2)

Been busy so posting a couple of days late...Thursday's run after work was another enjoyable experience to let the brain wind down from a stressful day (does that sound right?). It seems that Tuesday's run isn't fast (since still recovering from the Sunday LSD?) but Thursday's run has speed built in the second interval. Got in 6.37 K, for a YTD = 1506.54 K. Weather remains fall-like :-)

1500 K :-)

I just realized right now I reached the 1500 K mark!! Today's 6.09 K after work was enjoyable and a great way to relieve the pressures from work. I really thought I would hit the 1500 K mark on Thursday's run. Yeah!

LSD 20:1 (x8)

Indian Summer! Beautiful weather today, 17C. Enjoyed the fall colours running the Martin Goodman Trail west past the Humber River Bridge and then back east. Lots of runners and walkers on the trail, many in shorts. Me...more conservative as I brought along my toque, mittens, jacket, and track pants. Got in 22.81 K this morning. Refuelled with a roasted turkey large sub ($5) from Quiznos and chocolate milk. YTD = 1494.08 K, with 114.82 K to go until reaching 1000 miles for this year :-)

The Canada Running Series accepts race registrations tomorrow. I'm giving thought to which to enter. I've already committed to the half marathon Chilly and ATB 30 K, in prep for a spring marathon. For the Toronto Marathon in late October, I will commit to the Midsummer Night's 30 K run and the Toronto Waterfront half marathon. Not sure what else...wonder if the Canada Day HBC 10 K will happen this year.

Thursday 20:1 (x2)

Forgot to include Thursday's run in my blog...

Got in 20:1 (x2) slow run. Believe it or not, snow "pellets" were falling! Winter is certainly coming. Love the fall colours during the run. Got in 5.51 K. Afterwards, I presented at a math conference and arrived 5 minutes late (!). Ouch... But had to do my run :-) YTD = 1471.27 K

20:1 (x2)

Got in 20:1 (x2) after teaching the final class of the After School Numeracy Programme. It was dark (with the hour turned back last weekend). A nice run. I did wear my toque and mittens (mittens bought at Walmart last week). Love the fall season and weather. Today was a nice, slow run -- no speed work as I'm still recovering from Sunday's LSD. YTD = 1465.76 K.

LSD 20:1 (x8)

1 extra hour of sleep thanks to turning the clock back. All set to head out for the LSD at 8:30 AM but when I turned on my Garmin, I was shocked to see "Low Battery" message. So, I recharged the battery for an hour and then headed out at 9:30 AM. Beautiful morning for a run -- sunny/overcast and 10C. I wore my Toronto Marathon toque, RR jacket, tech shirt, and Toronto Marathon track pants. I debated on which route to go and opted for heading to the Martin Goodman Trail east of Parliament, south on Cherry, through the path south of Urwin, through Asbridge's Bay Park, and then Woodbine Park. Lots of runners and walkers on the course today. I thought of those in the Angus Glen half marathon and those in the Hamilton Marathon -- they got excellent weather conditions :-)

With 40 minutes to go, it was a bit tough to reach the end of the LSD, probably since I went faster than usual for an LSD. Average was 7:07 on the Garmin.

I went to Shopper's Drug Mart after the run to buy some chocolate milk. Had to buy the 1 L, which was on special for 99c. My goodness, 680 calories -- and it was easy to drink it all. I went to the mall and felt in "heaven" eating a chicken solvaki dinner from Jimmy the Greek -- a bit greasy but sooooo good. Also went to Booster Juice and bought a Very Berry. I think I'm getting addicted to this stuff :-| (not good since it's expensive $6.05 after taxes).

Today = 23.59 K; YTD = 1460.40 K