Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Year in Review – 6 races
• Acura 10-miler (1:31:14)
• ½ Marathon – Chilly (1:54:44)
• 30 K – ATB (3:13:00), Midsummer Night’s Run (2:54:55)
• Full Marathon – Toronto (4:21:28), Toronto Waterfront (4:10:54)

Met Fauja Singh again – 100 years old running full marathon!

Mileage
• Goal 2011 K
• Actual: 1457.6 K (reached 72.5% of goal)
• Injuries in the spring and fall

New Stuff for new year
• Orthotics – but don’t know where it went – ordered another pair $250 (out of my own pocket)
• Garmin 305 - $169.99 + 13% tax = ½ price what I paid for the Garmin 4 years ago
• iPod shuffle 2GB – ordered and will arrive in early new year

Looking Ahead
“A” Races
(1) Toronto Marathon
- ATB 30 K
(2) Toronto Waterfront Marathon
- Midsummer Night’s Run (registration begins in mid-January)

Goals:
• 2012 K for the year 2012
• to stay injury-free
• To run a full marathon under 4 hours

Final Run of year = 15 K

Woke up late (10 AM) and began run at 11:30 AM. Took Bud on morning walk and there was some ice on the sidewalk. Fortunately, the temperature was above 0C so the ice and snow continued to melt. No issues during the run -- ran east on Queen Street East and back. Stopped by Subways and ate the $6 special "Subway Club Sub" -- had turkey, ham, roast beef -- very good! The sun came out during the run and it was great running weather.

Running total for year 2011 = 1457.6 K

5K run this morning

As I write this blog, it is snowing and the sidewalks have a thin layer of the white stuff. Fortunately, it was dry this morning for my 5 K run. Although it felt cold taking Bud on his morning walk, it was great during the run. Just about to leave for my deep-tissue massage -- need the pressure to loosen my upper back.

YTD = 1442.2 K

Signed up for Free 20-Minute Run February 29, 2012

Signed up for the 20-minute free run on February 29th - to get the free toque! Who knows, the weather might be spring-like!

Made an appointment for custom orthodics. Checked my records and it was 1 year ago I purchased the $450 orthodics, paid for by my work insurance. This time around, I will need to pay out of my own pocket - $250 if it's the same mold - must have it for running.

Cold and windy outside today. Looking forward to tomorrow morning's run. Afternoon have massage to loosen the upper back and neck.

5 K this morning

Enjoyed a wonderful 5 K run this morning. Afterwards, went to the new Loblaws at the old Maple Leaf Gardens. Very big - lots of produce - although the prices for the ready-made foods was pricy. Bought oat meal.

YTD = 1437.0 K

Christmas Day

Treated myself to 2 gifts for Christmas:
(1) new Garmin 305 watch (old Garmin needed to be retired since when turned on it turned off automatically - although I tried it today and no issues??)
(2) iPod shuffle 2GB (old iPod shuffle no longer worked a couple of years ago - lasted slightly more than 1 year?? Purchased it on-line at the Apple.ca store and will arrive in early new year with my name engraved on it)

On 2-week holiday - back to work on January 9th. This means regular running as I train to get ready for the May 6th Toronto Marathon. Just registered online for the October 14th Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Thus, I have now registered for my 2 "A" races for 2012.

As this post looks forward to the new year, I will reflect on the past year of running closer to the end of the year. It has been a good year :-)

Back to regular running

Back to regular running - as I train for the May 6th, 2012 Toronto Marathon :-) Starting all over...

This past Tuesday = 4 K approximately [Garmin wasn't working - turn it on and it turns off - went to Running Room and bought a new Garmin 305 -- $169.99 + 13% tax -- wow! more than the price what I paid for 4.5 years ago!]

Today = 10.30 K -- cold so dressed appropriately with toque and mittens. Great to back running.

Looking forward during the 2-week break with regular training. Wishing no injuries :-) Mileage this year is down this year so looking forward to racking up the mileage in 2012.

2 Runs this week

Tuesday = 5.15 K after work. Left foot a bit sore - what's going on???

Today = 8 K. Slowly increasing the mileage. No issues :-) Running really is a great way to manage stress.

YTD = 1417.6 K

Got an e-mail that the Sporting Life 10 K in May 2012 will be organized by the Toronto Marathon folks. There is a $50 Sporting Life gift card. Don't think I'll sign up since a week before is the Toronto Marathon. Wasn't all the discussion with closing Yonge Street??