Last run for 2017

Yesterday was my last run for the year 2017 -- 7.8 K in the cold. Opted for rest day today as it is even colder!It's been an excellent year with a total of 1968 K.

Will celebrate 2018 with a run tomorrow on New Year's Day :-)

Running in snow and cold weather

This has been a cold and snowy winter. Fortunately, there is no wind so I can run. I am use the runs to "run" errands.

December 19 = 3 K
last Saturday = 5 K
last Sunday = 10 K
Wednesday = 5 K
Yesterday = 4.5 K
Today = 3 K

YTD = 1959.9 K

Amazing house!

Bud enjoying "bully stick" for Christmas

Bud watching me shovel snow on Christmas day. Hurt my back -- better now. 

Bud shocked I shovelled snow on his face. 

Running Year in Review

2017 has been a great running year:

• Ran nine full marathons and one 50 K ultra marathon 
• Surpassed 50 full/ultra marathons -- total is 54
• Almost reached 2000 K and didn't reach it since I was off two weeks from running due to a horrible cold (lost voice) and the more than usual snow lately.
• Life time running total = 17 000 K

Marathon #45: Waterloo Marathon
April 30, 2017
Chip Time = 5:56:33

- first time running this race
- prior to race, greeted by six therapy dogs!
- small race and scenic country view, rolling hills
- windy and cold
- took a wrong turn with 0.3 K left; otherwise, super organized race
- signed up for next year!

Marathon #46: Toronto Marathon
May 7, 2017
Chip Time = 5:37:36.8

- always enjoy this race as receive huge medal
- 6th time running the full marathon
- unfortunate this race is always on the same day as Mississauga Marathon
- took TTC bus north on Yonge
- wore toque and gloves
- passed by: Upper Canada College, Castle Loma, St. Lawrence Market, Fort York, CNE, Ontario Place

Marathon #47: Dunnville Mudcat Marathon
May 13, 2017
Chip Time = 5:43:41.03

- new race - registered on last day, May 9
- glad I ran this marathon - never heard of Dunnville
- route consisted of variety of surfaces: rocks, dirt, pavement; rolling hills
- temperature reached 17C - gave jacket to race car passing by
-signed up for this race next year!

Knew I made it to Dunnville with the "Muddy" mascot

Marathon #48: Whitby International Marathon
May 21, 2017
Chip Time = 5:21:21

- early bird registration $35
- very small race with 35 participants for full marathon
- 21.1 K run twice -- don't mind that as you know what to expect
- unfortunately, same finisher's medal each year

Marathon #49: Ottawa Marathon
May 28, 2017
Chip Time = 5:40:39.7

- scenic route along Rideau Canal, Ottawa River passing Prime Minister's home, National Arts Museum, Royal Canadian Mint, Parliament Buildings
- 5 K in Gatenau, Quebec
- always a favourite race with so many participants and spectators

Spent the night in jail! Cheapest accommodation during Canada 150.

Marathon #50: Niagara Ultra 50 K

June 17, 2017

Chip Time = 8:05:02

- start 20C (26C with humidity); middle to end 36C with humidity

- drank 5 L of water during race

- 5th consecutive year running this race

25 K turnaround at Niagara Falls

Marathon #51: Marathon by the Sea (St. John, NB)
August 13, 2017
Chip Time = 6:09:07

- opted for early start with 7 other participants
- finished last of 55 participants
- Reversing Falls: low and high tides, Bay of Fundy

Marathon #52: Niagara Falls Marathon
October 15, 2017
Chip Time = 6:22:57

- first 5 K in Buffalo then over Peace Bridge to Canada
- windy
- served as an Ambassador promoting this race

Start line in Buffalo -- Albright Knox Art Gallery

Marathon #53: Toronto Waterfront Marathon
October 22, 2017
Chip Time = 5:32:32.5

- favourite race -- so well organized from start to finish
- 9th consecutive year running this race
- passed by: Queen's Park, Royal Ontario Museum, Honest Ed's, Fort York, CNE, Ontario Place, St. Lawrence Market, City Hall

Minion!

Marathon #54: Hamilton Marathon
November  5, 2017
Chip Time = 5:54:46

-start of race was pouring rain
- race day pickup without $25 fee!
- enjoy final 10 K on the waterfront

Finish line - free photo

11.5 K long run

Winter has arrived. This week has been cold with snow. Long run today of 11.5 K. Looking forward to the two week holidays for running -- hoping for dry sidewalks and non-cold weather.

YTD = 1929.4 K

Back to running...

Monday, November 27 = 4 K
Tuesday, November 28 = 5 K
Yesterday = 6 K
Today = 11 K

YTD = 1917.9 K

No running last weekend as sick -- not sure what I had as I lost my voice. Back to running yesterday and today.  Won't reach new goal of running 2000 K this year -- that can be the goal for next year.

Made out of logs...

Week in Review

Three runs this week:

Today = 21 K
last Wednesday = 5.5 K
last Tuesday = 4 K

YTD = 1891.9 K

Used today's run to run some errands.

Distillery District - note to self to visit after work on a weekday when it's free.

Cherry Beach

Week in Review

Week in Review:

* Today = 21 K
* Yesterday = 7.5 K
* last Thursday = 5 K
* last Tuesday = 5.5 K

YTD = 1861.4 K

Can't believe that I am "eyeing" 2000 K for this year! Slowing down as marathon season is over. However, looking forward to 2018 as I signed up for the Niagara Ultra 50 K yesterday and will sign up for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon once it opens this upcoming Tuesday.

Today's long run was along the Santa Claus Parade route:

Start of the parade - various police cars - and Blinky!

Final float - Santa Claus!

Photo with Super Mario -- giving out Super Mario hats!

South on Queen's Park.

South on University Avenue.

About to head east on Wellington to St. Lawrence Market for end of route.

Week in Review

Three runs this week (as marathon season has ended):

* Today = 7.3 K
* Yesterday = 20 K
* last Wednesday = 5.75 K

YTD = 1822.4 K

Harbord CI - passed by old high school on Remembrance Day

Trinity-Bellwoods Park

Met Mario Lemieux today!

Hamilton Marathon race photos -- free!!!

Hamilton Marathon Photo Race Report

Full/ultra marathon #54 and final race for the 2017 year.


YTD = 1789.3 K

Start line - started to pour rain. Temperature was 11C - I wore a toque as the final portion of the race at the waterfront could be windy.

Uphill.

Thank you to to the volunteers who "braved" the weather.

5 K. Rain and dark sky.

Uphill...

10 K.. downhill then uphill

Entering Red Hill Parkway

Scenic... although downhill, it is at slanted.

7 K on the highway about over.

Muddy trail

The 29 K sign fell... upcoming is a very steep climb (can see in the photo)

The bridge seen on the QEW highway... about to enter the waterfront.

A band providing entertainment

Waterfront... back-to-back

33 K... same route as the Around the Bay 30 K race.

Heading west to the finish line.

A final uphill climb...

The finish line!

Proud Bud wearing the finisher's medal!

Bib -- 2 squared = 4;  3 squared = 9. Interesting!

Finisher's medal

10th anniversary tech shirt -- got a large :-)

Gun time = 5:55:30
Chip time = 5:54:46
Overall = 782 out of 799
Gender = 503 out of 510