Running in Year 2023 (Goal 2023 km)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

2 runs this week --- Thursday and Sunday

Been a busy week at work (with working on timetabling for next year, etc.). That's a major reason I opted for 2 runs (rather than 3 runs this week). Also needed the extra rest after last week's loooong LSD -- I must remind myself that is the real reason ;-)

Thursday -- got in 6.56 K using 10:1 (x5). I FORGOT (!) that I had a vet appointment for my dog so I rescheduled yesterday morning. It was even in my calendar :-|

Today -- got in 26.27 K using 10:1 (x20). Was a bit worried about the LSD this morning due to yesterday evening's rain, wind, lightning. Opted not to run on the Martin Goodman Trail heading west to the Humber River Bridge due to the possibility of it raining again this morning and I need better shelter than standing under a tree. So, I ran on Queen Street east all the way to the Woodbine Beach and Kew Beach. Fortunately, the showers stopped -- it was only showers fortunately.

The Sporting Life 10 K is next Sunday. Got an e-mail update that a one-use time chip will be used (like the ATB 30 K). I will need to tie it securely to my shoe (have to figure this out though) the day before the race. This is a good idea to deal with the congession at the finish line as sooooo many people wait for the chip to be removed by the volunteer -- even though there say 15 volunteers lined up to remove the chip, only the first 5 volunteers see business. Must remind myself (I am forgetful) to go to Sporting Life to pick up the bib and time chip after work and then head off to the vet for a 6:00 pm appointment. Hope I don't arrive late! Or, I could pick up on Thursday after work.

Just went to the Sporting Life race web site and retrieved photos of the finisher's medal and tech shirt:


Sunday, April 19, 2009

LSD 10:1 (x30)

3 weeks until the Mississauga Marathon! I think I'm all set :-) Now to taper until graduation day!!

Got in 5 hours 30 minutes "out there" this morning -- 37.82 K (longest LSD). I had hoped to follow Jeff Galloway's plan to LSD 42.2 K but I've run out of time -- being short 4.5 K is not bad and I'm looking at this optimistically as I'm aiming for 4 hours 30 minutes on marathon day -- so the extra hour "out there" this morning will help mentally, I hope. Sunny, cool and beautiful lake Ontario view along the Martin Goodman Trail. While running east of the Humber River Bridge, the wind made a tremendous presence. In a nutshell, I did what I've always envisioned one day of doing on the Martin Goodman Trail:

- run west on Coronation Park
- run past Ontario Place
- run past Marilyn Bell Park
- run through Sunnyside Beach
- uphill to Humber River Bridge
- run until the "loop" at Humber Bay Park West
- run east ....... through all the above and then Harbourfront Park
- run until Parliament on the Queen's Quay then south on Cherry Street (through 2 bridges)
- run past Cherry Beach through the wooded paths until the construction begins (there's a bridge that's being worked on)
- then back home

Forgot (!) to bring gel :-( Stopped off at the Shopper's Drug Mart at Spadina and Queen's Quay and bought Gatorade. Their gel had expired by a month so I didn't buy it. I don't know what "hitting the wall" feels like and will keep eating carbs on race day.

This week = 51.11 K
YTD = 599.45 K

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Wednesday & Thursday's 10:1 (x5)

Got in 10:1 (x5) on Wednesday after work and Thursday before work. Just been busy (or forgotten??) to post on blog. Got in a wonderful groove this morning and then had to back off a bit in order to get back in the groove. Love running :-) 6.64 K and 6.65 K respectively (had to back off just a bit at the finish since I didn't want to finish with 6.66 K).

YTD = 561.63 K

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Saturday's LSD 10:1 (x28)

What a beautiful morning -- sunny and cool 6C weather. Sure beats the hot and humidity that will be arriving next month? Began the run at 8:00 am and was "out there" for 5 hours 8 minutes. I wanted to run slowly and just get used to being "out there" for a loooong time - the most to date! I wish I had my cell or a camera as the sights along the Martin Goodman Trail were breathless. The water and sun made the view truly worth a photo. Lots of runners and walkers on the trail this morning. I ran west to the Humber River Bridge and then back (going east). I opted to run north of Parliament and not go south on Cherry Street since I wanted to buy some Gatorade as I was running out. Next Sunday, I hope to do 10:1 (x30) which will be the longest run before the Mississauga Marathon (which contines to approach so quickly). Today = 34.78 for a YTD = 548.34 K.

Thursday's 10:1 (x5)

Forgot to input a blog entry for my Thursday run (2 days ago). Got in 6.53 K after work. Enjoyable, no issues. YTD = 513.56 K

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Got in 6.63 K after work today. Winter arrived back on Monday and yesterday - today was fine. The Sporting Life 10 K is in several weeks, as is the Mississauga Marathon -- really has cropped up so unexpectedly. I want to up my mileage this weekend closer to the full marathon distance as it really gives me confidence during the race knowing I've run the distance. Tomorrow morning should be another 10:1 (x5) -- just need to make sure I wake up on time!

YTD = 507.03 K

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Post ATB 30 K LSD = 10:1 (x17)

Been taking it easy this week having run the ATB 30 K as best as I could. Only 2 runs this week but I'm being conservative to avoid injury, with the Mississauga Marathon next month (wow -- time has cropped up so quickly).

I ran through downtown Toronto, making my way to the Lakeshore running path -- near the Midsummer Night's Run location on Lakeshore Blvd East and Leslie Street. I recall having to turn around a few months ago because of the ice. With the beautiful weather (sunny and cool), I opted to continue running east (since I had an LSD to run). Wow! Went through the Woodbine Beach and Eastern Ravine & Beasches Discovery Walk. I then made my way west and went through Ashbridge's Bay Park -- breath-taking scenery! Tonnes of runners and walkers -- makes me wonder why I never ran this before. I knew the Martin Goodman Trail continued here. This is nothing compared to running to and from the Humber River Bridge! I tried to stay on the paved trails (rather than run on the wooden trail. I took photos with my cell phone - now to figure how to download them to my computer...

So, I got in 23.70 K this morning just over 3 hours. I ran a bit faster after the 14 K mark since I knew I wasn't going to be doing an LSD lasting close to 5 hours. Still have light-headedness (probably my cold from post-ATB race still not completely gone yet). YTD = 500.40 K :-)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

10:1 (x5)

First run (after 3 days rest) since the ATB 30 K. Did a slow 10:1 (x5) for a total of 6.23 K. Legs felt a bit stiff. Will rest tomorrow and Saturday for an LSD on Sunday :-) Hope to up it closer to 42.2 K. I want to follow Galloway's advice of doing the marathon distance in LSD in order to feel confident that I can do it on race day. YTD = 476.70 K.

PS: Photos from ATB 30 K race were sent to my e-mail. I cannot save them. But here's the link: http://www.asiorders.com/go.asp?51626892