Tuesday, May 31, 2011
5.01 K
Tonight is the last evening of night school. I got in a 30 minute run = 5.01 K. Glad to get in some speed :-) Today was humid -- 35C, I believe (although forecasted 41C). Fortunately, school was air-conditioned. I know it's awful right now as Bud is panting in the background :-| YTD = 656.2 K.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
30:1 (x5) LSD
LSD was supposed to be yesterday but I woke up late. This morning, ditto. Woke up late. Actually, heard rain in the early morning :-( Fortunately, but the time the run began (10:30 AM), it was cloudy and the rain stayed away throughout the run. Didn't really feel like running but "forced" myself to, thanks to the 2011 K Challenge I've set for this year. Opted to run west on Bloor Street, south on Dufferin, through the CNE, and then west on the Martin Goodman Trail to the Humber River Bridge, and then back home. Happily, I adjusted the 30:1 (x4) to 30:1 (x5) and spent the final 30 minutes running at 6:00/K. Overall, got in 21.44 K :-) Weather was good (Ottawa Marathon this morning!) as the sun made its appearance in the final stages -- and no rain today.
Took Bud to the Kensington Market "Pedestrian Sunday" (last Sunday of the month). He got to see some of his friends. In a few weeks, it's Woofstock at the St. Lawrence Market and he'll enjoy seeing hundreds of dogs.
Took Bud to the Kensington Market "Pedestrian Sunday" (last Sunday of the month). He got to see some of his friends. In a few weeks, it's Woofstock at the St. Lawrence Market and he'll enjoy seeing hundreds of dogs.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
30:1 After Work
Got in 4.21 K in the Mount Pleasant area after work today. As always, nice area! Need to "force" myself to 2 weekday runs.
Still eager for the 8x10 photo I ordered for the Toronto Marathon to arrive.
YTD = 629.8 K
Still eager for the 8x10 photo I ordered for the Toronto Marathon to arrive.
YTD = 629.8 K
Monday, May 23, 2011
Victoria Day 30:1 (x2)
Got in 4.02 K this morning in my home community. Started with overcast and then an abrupt heavy rain and then sun again. Fire works last night and Bud was scratching the door and scared -- had to sleep on the floor beside me yesterday. Who's guarding who??
YTD = 625.55 K
YTD = 625.55 K
Saturday, May 21, 2011
30:1 (x5) LSD
Wow -- summer has arrived. Hot and humid this morning. Started run just after 8 AM and was sweating throughout -- had to keep wipping my glasses :-| What a difference from last Sunday's marathon. Makes last week's weather look amazing. Ran on Ashbridges Bay -- part of the route of the Midsummer Night's 30 K Run in mid-August. Today = 20.69 K
This week = 23.25 K
YTD = 621.5 K
This week = 23.25 K
YTD = 621.5 K
Friday, May 20, 2011
Toronto Marathon Photos, My Marathon Wall, and Thinking Ahead...
The Toronto Marathon photos are now posted on-line. I had 21 photos taken of me and selected one of them at the Castle Loma to purchase. Always expensive (around $30 for an 8x10 photo -- but a must for me!
I hung up the finisher's medal, bib, Bud with medal photo, and empty frames for the purchased photo and finisher's certificate. Have now completed 6 marathons as a runner:
Next "A" race is the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16. Three weeks later is the Hamilton Marathon - it's a different route than when I walked it several years ago. Giving serious consideration to run 2 fall marathons.
I hung up the finisher's medal, bib, Bud with medal photo, and empty frames for the purchased photo and finisher's certificate. Have now completed 6 marathons as a runner:
Next "A" race is the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16. Three weeks later is the Hamilton Marathon - it's a different route than when I walked it several years ago. Giving serious consideration to run 2 fall marathons.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Race Report - Toronto Marathon
Race Report
Had some difficulty getting to sleep last night - but awoke in time to eat my Vector cereal and take Bud on an early morning walk. Wore last year's marathon tech shirt, running shorts, with sweater and pants to keep warm until the race. Due to the rain (fortunately it was light rain throughout the race!), wore a cap and took a couple of kleenex. Opted to leave the gloves at home since it was 10C.
Left the house and walked to Yonge and College for the shuttle bus. I think it was a good idea that the volunteers were only allowing half marathoners to board the shuttle since their race started at 8 AM. Fifteen minutes passed by and then the marathoners could board. I would have preferred the driver to go north on Yonge so we could see the route but he chose to go on the DVP instead. To let the time go by, I took along a couple of newspapers to read while waiting in the City Hall.
With 9 AM approaching, I did a brief stretch of the legs and a light jog just to get warmed up. There was a starting corral system and seeded myself between the 4:00 and 4:30 area.
Always amazing to run south on Yonge Street! I stopped at each of the water stations and walked briefly. The first station was located after Hoggs Hollow -- I did run on this hill twice during training -- during the March Break, the double mileage of training caused my left foot injury :-( Running up Hoggs Hollow was fine, with no issues. I enjoy running downhill but wonder what effect it has on the legs. At major intersections, there were 2 police officers stationed to stop traffic. South on Eglinton, we turned west on Chaplin Crescent, passing Upper Canada College and Bishop Strachan School. Once we reach Spadina Road, we went south, passing my deceased godmother's apartment, and then passing Castle Loma. Steep downhill! Making our way on Davenport, we reach the Rosedale Valley Road (a favourite!) and it was downhill -- I miss the amazing fall colours! Reaching Bayview Avenue, we turn west on King Street, making our way past St. Lawrence Market. Right after Yonge Street, we reach the 21.1 K mark, but there is no time clock so I have no idea how fast I ran the first half. Am getting tired and enjoy the downhill.
Now the full and half marathon diverge and we head south on York Street, making our way to Queen's Quay for flat surface running. The Martin Goodman Trail I have done endless time in training so I know the route well. West to the Humber River Bridge and then back. I love the numerous water stations and there are plenty in the 2nd half. At times, the wind is strong and that makes the running challenging. There is a hill and I power walk most of it. The 2nd half was not easy at all but I did my best to keep going. Once we arrive at York Street, it's 3 K north to the finish line -- uphill incline (!). It didn't last forever but there were brief walk breaks. The final K was particularly difficult and I did run the last 400 m or so with the turn to the finish line. Saw the time clock and it said 4:22 (oh, boy). My slowest marathon of the 6 I have run to date.
Place = 842 out of 1296
Gun Time = 4:22:28.7
Chip Time = 4:21:28.2
Pace = 6:14
Age Category = 88 out of 121
Gender Place = 593 out of 829
First 21.1 K = 2:01:35
Last 21.1 K = 2:20:55 (yeah, it was a struggle!)
First 30 K = 2:58:36 (an improvement over the ATB 30 K)
Last 12.2 K = 1:23:53
Overall, I am thrilled I finished my 6th marathon as a runner. Didn't get the opportunity for speed work since I was conservative after the left foot injury. The weather behaved as having light rain is not bad -- sure is better than it being sunny and humid. I overhead one man say this weather is better than the winter training -- so true. During the race, I picked up 3 TTC tokens from the ground -- somehow I only took home 2 tokens -- lost 1 myself. With the light rain, the number of spectators were not great. Also, with the Mississauga Marathon on the same day as the Toronto Marathon, the number of racers were down for both races. First year I have done the Mississauga race -- if they are 2 weeks apart next year, I could run the Mississauga half marathon -- excellent downhill route. I do like both races since they cater to the "everyday" runner -- rather than the elites.
The finisher medal:
Bud posing with the finisher's medal -- he allowed me to take 7 photos of him wearing it -- trick is to take it when he's tired (e.g., after a nap):
Had some difficulty getting to sleep last night - but awoke in time to eat my Vector cereal and take Bud on an early morning walk. Wore last year's marathon tech shirt, running shorts, with sweater and pants to keep warm until the race. Due to the rain (fortunately it was light rain throughout the race!), wore a cap and took a couple of kleenex. Opted to leave the gloves at home since it was 10C.
Left the house and walked to Yonge and College for the shuttle bus. I think it was a good idea that the volunteers were only allowing half marathoners to board the shuttle since their race started at 8 AM. Fifteen minutes passed by and then the marathoners could board. I would have preferred the driver to go north on Yonge so we could see the route but he chose to go on the DVP instead. To let the time go by, I took along a couple of newspapers to read while waiting in the City Hall.
With 9 AM approaching, I did a brief stretch of the legs and a light jog just to get warmed up. There was a starting corral system and seeded myself between the 4:00 and 4:30 area.
Always amazing to run south on Yonge Street! I stopped at each of the water stations and walked briefly. The first station was located after Hoggs Hollow -- I did run on this hill twice during training -- during the March Break, the double mileage of training caused my left foot injury :-( Running up Hoggs Hollow was fine, with no issues. I enjoy running downhill but wonder what effect it has on the legs. At major intersections, there were 2 police officers stationed to stop traffic. South on Eglinton, we turned west on Chaplin Crescent, passing Upper Canada College and Bishop Strachan School. Once we reach Spadina Road, we went south, passing my deceased godmother's apartment, and then passing Castle Loma. Steep downhill! Making our way on Davenport, we reach the Rosedale Valley Road (a favourite!) and it was downhill -- I miss the amazing fall colours! Reaching Bayview Avenue, we turn west on King Street, making our way past St. Lawrence Market. Right after Yonge Street, we reach the 21.1 K mark, but there is no time clock so I have no idea how fast I ran the first half. Am getting tired and enjoy the downhill.
Now the full and half marathon diverge and we head south on York Street, making our way to Queen's Quay for flat surface running. The Martin Goodman Trail I have done endless time in training so I know the route well. West to the Humber River Bridge and then back. I love the numerous water stations and there are plenty in the 2nd half. At times, the wind is strong and that makes the running challenging. There is a hill and I power walk most of it. The 2nd half was not easy at all but I did my best to keep going. Once we arrive at York Street, it's 3 K north to the finish line -- uphill incline (!). It didn't last forever but there were brief walk breaks. The final K was particularly difficult and I did run the last 400 m or so with the turn to the finish line. Saw the time clock and it said 4:22 (oh, boy). My slowest marathon of the 6 I have run to date.
Place = 842 out of 1296
Gun Time = 4:22:28.7
Chip Time = 4:21:28.2
Pace = 6:14
Age Category = 88 out of 121
Gender Place = 593 out of 829
First 21.1 K = 2:01:35
Last 21.1 K = 2:20:55 (yeah, it was a struggle!)
First 30 K = 2:58:36 (an improvement over the ATB 30 K)
Last 12.2 K = 1:23:53
Overall, I am thrilled I finished my 6th marathon as a runner. Didn't get the opportunity for speed work since I was conservative after the left foot injury. The weather behaved as having light rain is not bad -- sure is better than it being sunny and humid. I overhead one man say this weather is better than the winter training -- so true. During the race, I picked up 3 TTC tokens from the ground -- somehow I only took home 2 tokens -- lost 1 myself. With the light rain, the number of spectators were not great. Also, with the Mississauga Marathon on the same day as the Toronto Marathon, the number of racers were down for both races. First year I have done the Mississauga race -- if they are 2 weeks apart next year, I could run the Mississauga half marathon -- excellent downhill route. I do like both races since they cater to the "everyday" runner -- rather than the elites.
The finisher medal:
Bud posing with the finisher's medal -- he allowed me to take 7 photos of him wearing it -- trick is to take it when he's tired (e.g., after a nap):
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Expo
Arrived at the Expo after work -- took 1.5 hours from Richmond Hill. Opted to drive south on Yonge Street from work. Expo was at the CNE right beside the Direct Energy Building. I found the expo smaller than last year. Line up for bib pickup for the half marathon was long -- initially I lined up with everyone else; fortunately, I asked someone and they pointed me in the right direction for the much shorter line-up for the marathon. One of the volunteers got "yelled" at since she hoarded tech shirts of varying sizes and gender -- to speed up bib pickup.
I went through the expo 3 times as I always enjoy the shopping. Bought nothing, though. Only thing I enjoyed was the iRun 42.2 K buttons -- took 3 of them.
Love the tech shirt as it's similar to last year. Different tech shirts for males and females.
Time chip is behind the bib:
And here's the wonderful race route, which is mainly downhill (except for Hoggs Hollow and the northern trek on University Ave at the end -- remember last year when I was walking and then running slowly -- struggling to the end. Not easy. Love the race -- but will miss Mississauga Marathon which is on the same day this year.
Last Run until Marathon
Final run before the Toronto Marathon. 4.35 K after work -- Wednesday -- was quite humid but sunny. YTD = 556.1 K. Wanted more mileage but the leg injury kept me conservative so I can make it to the start line without injury. Will aim for similar time as last year's marathons -- about 4 H 10 M. One day, I'll reach 4 H or just under...
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Week in Review
Two runs this week, the final week before the Toronto Marathon.
Thursday after work -- 4.24 K. Sunny and spring-like weather. Always great to get a run after work as it clears the mind. No issues with the left foot.
Today -- 21.76 K. Last LSD before next week's full marathon. Lots of runners on the Martin Goodman Trail. Started out in the sun and then it got cloudy -- no complaints as it's easier to run with clouds. 16C. For the last 30 minutes, I ran at an average pace of 5:59 -- which will be my only speed run. Still playing it conservative as the left foot continues to be a non-issue.
This week = 26.00 K
YTD = 551.73 K
Thursday after work -- 4.24 K. Sunny and spring-like weather. Always great to get a run after work as it clears the mind. No issues with the left foot.
Today -- 21.76 K. Last LSD before next week's full marathon. Lots of runners on the Martin Goodman Trail. Started out in the sun and then it got cloudy -- no complaints as it's easier to run with clouds. 16C. For the last 30 minutes, I ran at an average pace of 5:59 -- which will be my only speed run. Still playing it conservative as the left foot continues to be a non-issue.
This week = 26.00 K
YTD = 551.73 K
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Tapering...24 K LSD
2 weeks of tapering before the Toronto Marathon on Sunday, May 15th. Today is the first day of May. Got in 24 K this morning. Enjoy the run down the Rosedale Valley -- wanted to see what it looked like in the spring -- definitely enjoy the fall colours. Then ran in the Lower Don Valley Trail. Soaked the feet in cold water when I got home just in case...Past week no issues with the left foot.
Today was the Sporting Life 10 K. Opted not to run the race due to the high registration cost. Want to eventually only sign up for longer-distance races. During the latter part of today's run, saw 2 people wearing the new tech shirts for the Sporting Life -- nice blue shirt!
Two weeks from now I will be posting a photo of the finisher's medal from the full marathon (and with Bud wearing it!). Very excited...
YTD = 525.7 K
Today was the Sporting Life 10 K. Opted not to run the race due to the high registration cost. Want to eventually only sign up for longer-distance races. During the latter part of today's run, saw 2 people wearing the new tech shirts for the Sporting Life -- nice blue shirt!
Two weeks from now I will be posting a photo of the finisher's medal from the full marathon (and with Bud wearing it!). Very excited...
YTD = 525.7 K
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