Week In Review & reached 1000 K this year

Tuesday, July 20 -- run before work -- went to a park with running path and pond. Unfortunately, didn't know my bearings when I exited the park and had to run for 1.5 K before I reached my car. Very nice and scenic -- just don't want to do this again before work! 5.54 K

Wednesday, July 21 -- Signed up for the Running Room 20 minute challenge and wanted to get the red hat (won a blue version of it on the Running Room wheel at an expo a couple of years ago). I thought the run happened at 6:30 PM (I arrived at 6:40 PM); fortunately, they still had hats. I didn't do the route they had. Instead, I ran to the store and back to my car which was parked at the Loblaws. Got in 20 minutes though :-) 2.93 K

Sunday, July 25 -- LSD -- The best part of the run was the clouds which blocked the sun. Got in 32 K by running north on Yonge Street until Steeles (6700 Yonge Street) and then south on Yonge Street back to the downtown. Hoggs Hollow was tough as it was in my 2nd half of the run. Might as well do some training on the Toronto Marathon route. It was 22C and with humidity in the high 20s I think. The sun did come out near the end of the run. I didn't want to go east because of the sun. My disappointment of beginning the run at 7:30 AM turned out okay. Glad I was able to do the 32 K as the Midsummer Night's 30 K is in 3 weeks!

The great news is I surpassed the 1000 K mark! I hoped to have reached it by July 1 but with the calf strain, that didn't allow me to reach that goal. So, I'm 3.5 weeks late. Happy (and relieved) the calf strain is now healed.

YTD = 1009.49 K

Week in Review

Two words...Hot and Humid :-|

This week, I got in a total of 34.20 K, for a YTD = 969.02 K

Wednesday = 3.96 K (30:1 X1)
Friday = 4.30 K (30:1 X1)
Sunday = 25.94 K (30:1 X6)

Wednesday and Friday runs were before work and I could only get in 30 minutes each time. Parked car in a plaza and did the run before the hot and humidity set in -- but not easy due to the already warm weather.

Sunday's run was in the Lower Don Valley as it was had shade. Began the run at 6:30 AM and was thrilled I got in 3 hours of training -- not sure I could do it. But need to up the mileage as the Toronto Marathon is 3 months away. Next month is the Midsummer Night's 30 K run so definitely need to get over 30 K in training. Hoping for cooler weather. Can't complain as it'll be winter and I'll be hoping for warm weather.

My treat was $1 large Coke-zero from McDonald's. Got a refill for a diet coke. Went to the washroom several times afterwards...

Race Report Acura 10-Miler

I picked up the bib and time chip (all together on the bib) at the Commercecourt Running Room on Saturday morning. Actually, I used this as a 30 minute run (since I couldn't get the run in on Thursday) = 5.12 K.



The time chip is attached to the bib. We were told not to fold or remove the foam. We were also told to keep our hands away from the bib when we went through the start and end mats as this could cause problems with our time.

Race start changed to 8:30 AM although I would have preferred the usual 8 AM start due to the weather. Fortunately, the humidex 43C won't appear until tomorrow. It was 18C when I woke up, feeling 26C with the humidity. I took along a hat and hoped I wouldn't get heatstroke. I did a slow run to the site, arriving at 8 AM. It actually felt cool without the humidity = 4.53 K.

This is not a scenic race as it's through Tommy Thompson Park. It is an expensive race, which makes me wonder why. The earlybird registration was over $60 and I registered with a combo package to save a few bucks. As most of the route is inside the park, not many police officers are needed.

I made the number 1 mistake: starting too ambitiously :-| I looked at my Garmin and it was below 5:00. The best thing about this race is fluid stations were every 1.7 K so that would serve as my rest breaks. A smart idea due to the heat. I also had to watch where I was stepping as there were numerous potholes, manholes, and speed bumps. In Tommy Thompson Park, we had to cross a bridge (had to becareful) as well as run on rocks and gravel. Fortunately there was no rain!

As many would attest, not an exciting course -- actually quite boring. Some nice scenes of the CN Tower and waterfront. Even near the finish line, minimal crowd support.

Eventually, I got into a good pace (after the too fast of a start). I looked at the Garmin many times. In the second half, it was very hot and I saw a man in front of me pour water on his head -- what a good idea for the last 3 fluid stations! With 2 K to go, a lady was being attended to for heat stroke :-( It could have been worse...

I should have checked out how far is 10 miles. I knew that 21.1 K is 13 miles and 5 K is about 3 miles.

I don't think I will do this race next year due to the cost and potential heat. Next month's Midsummer Night's Run will also be through Tommy Thompson Park -- but I paid $49 for that race, which is a longer distance of 30 K.

Good finisher's medal. I didn't spend the $5 on engraving -- but would definitely get a full marathon's medal engraved with finishing time.


Overall, I found the race to be well organized -- the corrals this year were in a different location than previous years -- good as I was able to get into the purple corral without any issues. The volunteers at the fluid stations and directing the course were great. Post-food the usual bagels, apple, bananas. I did pick up 2 "fun size" packs of Planters almonds. Yum!

Even though I made the mistake of starting too fast, I did have a Personal Best :-)

Place = 433 out of 1514
Gun Time = 1:26:42.5
Chip Time = 1:26:20.3
Pace (based on gun time) = 5:24
Pace (based on chip time) = 5:19
Age Category = 56 out of 136
Gender Category = 336 out of 803
First 5-miles = 43:08
Last 5-miles = 43:35

Hot, Humid, Awful...

Ran 4.23 K before work. Morning was 26C at 7:15 AM already. Wow! Hot and humid already. Supposed to be 43C factored with humidity -- must stay indoors. Aargh!!

10-miler race this Sunday. Hoping for cool and cloudy weather!

YTD = 408.94 K

Week in review...

I'm embarassed that I haven't posted my entries for the week. My Gmail account was temporarily disabled as I think there continues to be a virus in my computer sending out e-mails :-|

Tuesday, June 29th: 30 minute run before work = 4.20 K

Thursday, July 1st (Canada Day): 60 minute run = 8.51 K

Saturday, July 3rd: 3 hour run = 25.48 K

YTD = 904.71 K (close to 880 K after 6 months so on target for about 1750 K in the year; off my goal of 2010 K but that'll do).

Post G20 is great as I think the city is getting back to normal. Lots of media attention regarding the unfair treatment of the police as well as continued protests.

Area of left foot and left ankle "hurt" near the end of today's run. Oh boy...need to monitor. Also, the left calf is not 100% and I will continue to stretch.

Next week is the 10-miler. Will pick up bib on Saturday for the Sunday run. It's expensive but I love a July race. Hope the weather is not humid.