15:1 (x3)

After 2 days of rest, had to get a run before work. It was cloudy when the run started and then it rained -- why so much rain these days? The first interval was a bit tough since the legs were rusty but soon I got into a good groove. Summer school is coming to an end this week and I hope for a final run along the scenic park route this Friday. Today = 5.98 K; YTD = 957.48 K.

Forgot to mention from my Sunday posting a few days ago...I'm thinking of running the full marathon in Ottawa (May 2010) and the Toronto Marathon (October 2010). Will be a good change to run other marathon races.

15:1 (x12) LSD

Got in my longest run to date: 15:1(x12). Promised myself I would go slowly throughout to work on endurance (since the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is 2 months away!). With thunderstorms anticipated for the afternoon, I didn't mind the overcast weather (okay, I got "stuck" in the rain in my final interval). Glad the sun wasn't making an appearance all the time as it was a bit muggy (although there was some cool breeze at times). I was on the Martin Goodman Trail with lots of other runners and bikers (few walkers today). Went west of the Humber River Bridge before making it back east along the Martin Goodman Trail. The city strike really has affected the dirtiness of many wastebins as they are overflowing.

During my run I thought of racing the Ottawa Marathon and the Toronto Marathon for next year. It'll be good to change races. I have never done an Ottawa race and have heard lots of great things about it. Looking forward to upping the LSD so I am ready for next month's 30 K Midsummer Night's Run.

Today got in 24.67 K, for a YTD = 951.50 K.

Friday 15:1 (x3)

Friday was my first run since the 10 miler race last weekend. It's taken a few more rest days than I expected but it's a good idea to avoid injury. I had planned on a run Thursday (but I had to get a test photocopied for my students in the early morning and had to submit the test for photocopying to the student helper - since teachers cannot use the photocopiers). A pleasant first run since the race last weekend! 6.03 K.

Race Report: Acura Toronto 10-Miler

Bib Pick-Up

Walked to the Commercourt Running Room on Saturday for bib pick-up. I forgot to go after work on Friday. The tech shirt looks plain but that’s okay. Timing chip would be given out on race day.




Sunday morning

Slow run to the Distillery District (i.e., my warm-up run). Got in 4.11 K and felt good – although it was a tad humid. Arrived with 20 minutes before the race started. Had to ask where the timing chip station was located. Nice to see water and Gatorade available before the race and got both.

Got into the Yellow Corral. The race started promptly at 8 AM. What was particularly noticeable was the potholes in the roads. Had to becareful. The 5 K and 10 milers started together and once we hit the 2.5 K mark, the 5 Ks turned around and then there was much more room to run. I carried a water bottle (like I always do) and got rid of it when I figured out that fluid stations were every 2 K. It was a bit humid and cloudy (with the sun coming out at times).

The race was the latter part of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Full Marathon (although this year will be different). We ran from the Distillery District south on Parliament, then east to Commissioner’s Road and through Tommy Thompson Park. I’ve always run on paved roads so running on rocky trail wasn’t enjoyable. When crossing a bridge, a man behind me nearly tripped and that reminded me to be super careful. I didn’t find running through Tommy Thompson Park all that exciting, although there was a good view of Toronto. Was thrilled to leave the park and make my way back to the distillery district as that meant the race is almost over.


I did a good job with pacing. I kept looking at my Garmin and was successful in not starting too fast (this is something I tend to do) – 6:00 min/K at the beginning and then getting it to 5:30 min/K after getting into a good comfortable pacing. Although I set my Garmin with 15:1, I ignored it as I took a 15 to 20 second break at each fluid station as I drank the Gatorade (first station was water and Gatorade). For the second half of the race, I got the pacing to 5:00 min/K and even went below that. The final K was particularly challenging as I gave everything I could. Good thing it was hot and humid as I didn’t feel all that great after reaching the finish line. The 3 bagels, 3 bananas, and 2 apples certainly helped refuel.

I didn’t know how long is 10 miles … it’s 16.2 K. I thought it was 15 K and was aiming for a finish time of 1H 30M. Turns out, due to the fast 2nd half, that my chip time is 1H 29M 22S, which is 8 minutes better than last year’s chip time in the same race. I placed #859 out of 1724 . My split times were 48:58 and 42:34 (definitely a much faster 2nd half).



And a souvenir wash cloth:


Everything seems to be going as planned! Next race is next month, the 30 K Midsummer Night’s Run. It’ll be through the same route and I hope the night run will be okay – although I’ve heard the course isn’t always paved. That’ll be a good test for the full marathon in late September at the Toronto Waterfront.

YTD = 920.80 K

15:1 (x3) ... 900 K reached!

Got in my 15:1 (x3) yesterday (Friday). Opted not to do it on Thursday since I was busy still marking tests for my summer school course I'm teaching. I'm thrilled to have reached the 900 K mark for the year!

Picked up my bib and tech shirt this morning from the Commercecourt Running Room. 10 Miler race tomorrow! Will slow run to the start line tomorrow before racing the race. Will post photo of bib, tech shirt, and finisher's medal tomorrow.

15:1 (x3)

Got in 15:1 (x3) before work, for 6.07 K. Sunny and cool weather. LOVE this summer as I only recall one day that was a humid; the 680 news radio said the "typical, steamy hot summer... yet to hit 30C..." Yeah! YTD = 894.73 K. Will reach 900 K on Thursday's run :-) Need to continue to "up" the mileage as my marathon run is in 2.5 months.

LSD 15:1 (x10) + Pouring Rain!

LSD Saturday morning -- 15:1 (x10) through the Lower Don River Recreational Trail. Not many runners and bicyclists this weekend (when compared to last). Run started with cloudy weather and half way through heard thunder and then very light rain. That turned into pouring rain with 45 minutes to go. I was running faster and was running into puddles -- the shoes were soaking wet. I wore sunglasses and it was hard to see, not to mention the rain on the glasses. I was not happy to be in the trail surrounded by trees with the thunder. Fortunately, I was able to get back to the streets at Queen Street -- eventually the rain became light again. I went into the Eaton Centre to dry myself off with the handdryer. It felt good running in light rain, but pouring rain was not an experience I enjoyed :-| Today = 21.03 K; YTD = 888.66 K.

Can't believe next Sunday is the 10 Miler race at the Distillery District. The finisher's medal is now posted on-line:

15:1 (x3)

Got in 6.46 K before work this morning. A cool morning. I've found a park with a nice view and trail - just had trouble finding it. Need to keep the routine of 3 runs going. Enjoyable...looking forward to LSD on Saturday morning - just need to wake up early! YTD = 867.63 K.

15:1 (x3)

Am keeping to my routine of weekday runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yesterday was the first day of summer school and it's close by my day school, so I run in an area before school that I am familiar with. Got in 5.99 K this morning before work. YTD =861.17 K

LSD 15:1 (x9)

Slept last night with the intentions of beginning the run at 8 AM (after walking the dog). Turns out the run didn't start until about 9:30 AM (oh boy...). Wore sunglasses, a cap, and sunscreen. Wanted a change from the Martin Goodman Trail east to the Humber River Bridge so went to the Lower Don Recreational Trail. A nice view and a good breeze at times. Surprised to see so many bikers and runners on the trail. Was also a bit humid. Got in 18.35 K this morning. YTD = 855.18 K.

15:1 (x3) - Thursday

Not sure why I didn't input Thursday's run -- glad I didn't forget. Trying to think where was the run :-| Anyways, 5.88 K (according to my Garmin).