LSD 25:1 (x6)

What a different a week makes in weather. I don't mind the cold and am grateful there is no snow -- great for running. Left the house later than usual and was tempted to run on the Martin Goodman Trail but chose not to. Instead, I ran north on Mount Pleasant Road, went into the cermetary, north to Lawrence, and then south back downtown on Yonge Street. Some good hill training! Windchill -15C. But "warmer" than yesterday. Today = 22.15 K. The week = 37.30 K. YTD = 168.57 K.

25:1 (x2)

Got in my run this morning before work -- it is exam time so I can arrive a tad later than usual. Cold and windy! Aargh! I initially wore a tech shirt and then changed into the appropriate inner layer. 7.43 K today. YTD = 146.42 K.

Dog saved from frozen water in the Baltic Sea. The man is a hero :-) Got the link from the Toronto Star.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2010/jan/28/baltic-sea-dog-rescue

City Council Recommends 1 Marathon in Toronto in 2011

A rivalry between Toronto's two fall marathons is set to ramp up, following recommendations from city staff that there be just one race a year.

The Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon, which sails down Yonge Street, and the newer Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which hugs the harbour front, have been unable to agree on moving one of the events to the spring, said Gary Welsh, general manager of transportation services.


The races are just three weeks apart right now and last year that created headaches for people trying to get around the city. So, Mr. Welsh's staff are recommending that there be only one run, with an eye to creating a bigger race with higher profile that is in step with the legendary runs through Boston and Chicago.


"One marathon for the City of Toronto can enhance a City's athletic running profile on a local, national, and in some cases, international level," staff wrote in a report that will be debated at next month's public works and infrastructure committee.

Staff recommend opening up a request for proposals that would ultimately reward the race to one bid. If approved, you will see only one race in 2011. "Marathons do have a significant impact on the city so we're trying to minimize that impact," Mr. Welsh said.
Both the Toronto Marathon and the Waterfront Marathon intend to submit bids.


"Let the games begin," said Alan Brookes, race director for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. "They've come up with something that I think will be best for the city and best for the sport. As a runner, who wouldn't want to have a marathon like Boston or Chicago in our city," he said.


It remains to be seen if Toronto can match the pace of other major international races. New York's race draws more than 40,000 marathoners and Boston, considered the most prestigious race, has a maximum of 25,000 participants.


The Toronto races bring out 2,600 to 3,600 marathoners (there are a total of 20,000 runners in other, shorter, distances in the Waterfront race, and 14,000 for the Toronto Marathon).


But both have earned their slate of faithful followers; they raise millions of dollars for charity, have local politicians participate and routinely draw spectators curbside to cheer on roadrunners.


Jay Glassman, race director for the Goodlife Toronto Marathon, called the bidding process an "interesting solution" but "in a way, it's a cop out because the city created this problem". He said he went to the city when Waterfront started and told them that Toronto did not need two races in the same season. Since then, he said the competition has tried to "squeeze" his race out.


Mr. Brooks admits the relationship between the two camps has been "acrimonious" at times. "It's been a very spirited competition and I don't think that's been in the best interest of the city," said Mr. Brooks, noting that both races are fighting for the same pool of runners.

The Canada Running Series, which puts on the Waterfront event, also organizes four other races in the spring, and Mr. Brooks said that's why it could not move the Waterfont date. Mr. Glassman said his race would have moved to spring, if the city had demanded it.


Right now, each race has a $20 to $25-million economic impact on Toronto. The economic impact of the New York marathon is about $200-million while Boston creates almost $100-million.

National Post
nalcoba@nationalpost.com

25:1 (x2)

Day off work as we're in examinations; also my nephew's 5th birthday! Woke up to a thin, thin layer of snow (!); this coming after the rain we've gotten in Toronto the last few days. 7.72 K this morning; didn't think I went that fast but it's great. Had difficulty getting a GPS signal and then lost it twice during the run. When I returned home, I recharged the Garmin (just in case it used a lot of battery power and would not last on the upcoming LSD). YTD = 138.99 K

LSD 25:1 (x6)

Who would have thunk today is a January winter day? "Warm" and cloudy at +4C :-) Ran on the Martin Goodman Trail with many other runners. Went west on the Humber River Bridge and back east. Continuing to hope for a snowless winter!
Today = 21.66 K
This Week = 35.79 K
YTD = 131.27 K

And another...TTC subway collector asleep (!)

Not again!!!

25:1 (x2)

Couldn't get out of work on time yesterday so opted for the run today. Got in 7.26 K. Nice weather! No issues with the left leg. Plan is to do LSD on Sunday since forcasted to rain on Sunday afternoon (now the radio is saying it's Sunday morning). Prefer not to run in rain. Will continue to listen to the weather forecast.

Disturbing to hear so many pedestrians hit and killed by cars. 11 dead in 10 days! Another one this morning near the Pizza Pizza on Danforth & Broadview -- where I run when the weather is cold.

Ouch! Subway collector caught sleeping on the job (weeks after extreme fare hike):

Yesterday's 25:1 (x2)

My usual Tuesday after work run of 25:1 (x2) in the school neighbourhood. It was snowing so had it not been for running 2010 K this year, I would have opted not to run. Got in 6.87 K as I was running slowly due to my left leg -- could have used another day of rest. Reached the century mark in kilometres :-) YTD = 102.35 K.

25:1 (x6)

Woke up at 9:30 AM (took night cold/flu capsules so there must have been some sleeping medication in it). Fortunately, I'm only battling a runny nose and sneezing. "Warm" this morning at +3C and the sidewalks were not icy or covered in snow. I ran on the Martin Goodman Trail and it was great! Quite a few runners out there on this overcast morning. Some parts of Lake Ontario were frozen, others not. Still don't know where I put the iPod (did I lose it??).

Today = 21.94 K.
This Week = 36.47 K
YTD = 95.48 K

Thursday's 25:1(x2)

Thursday's Run:
25:1 (x2) = 7.39 K
Once again, ran after work in the school community. Not as cold but still had to wear toque and mittens. Had ot look out for slush and puddles as the snow's been melting.
YTD = 73.54 K

Looking forward to tomorrow's LSD. Woke up late this morning so opted for tomorrow. Forecast +4C so might try the Martin Goodman Trail tomorrow! Have a running nose, though (and sneezing) :-(

25:1 (x2)

It continues to amaze me how cold it is outside yet how comfortable it is running in the winter :-) Got in 7.14 K after work (had to run in the school community and then return to school for a grade 8 open house). Had to run on a major street and watch where I was going (for snow). Enjoyed a subway sub afterwards!

YTD = 66.15 K

Great motivation with the 2010 Challenge on the Running Room Forum. Lots of people running!

LSD 25:1 (x6)

Woke up at 10:30 AM (ouch!) and after taking Bud on a morning walk and feeding him brunch, got in my LSD. The weather was much "warmer" than yesterday. With windchill about -10C. I opted a similar route to last week since the Martin Goodman Trail would be more windy and colder near Lake Ontario. Ran on Bloor/Danforth until I reached 3300 Danforth Street East (east of Pharmacy) and then back home. The majority of the time I was running on dry sidewalk or salted sidewalks. Brought along water and Gatorade (they didn't freeze) and drank all the Gatorade. Treated myself to a Subway sandwich on the way home -- wow, it was cold! So grateful how "warm" it feels when running.

Today = 22.37K
This week = 36.59 K
YTD = 59.01 K

Here's a photo of the little man on December 25th, 2009:

25:2 (x2)

Got in 7.02 K running after work in the neighbourhood. Wasn't that cold this evening, even though it was -10C with windchill. Sidewalks on major street shovelled but I was still careful where/how I ran. Slight ache on the left ankle but hopefully nothing.

Read in yesterday's newspaper a study done on running barefoot vs. running with running shoes. Running barefoot is better on the knees. Hmm....

YTD = 36.64 K

25:1 (x2)

Opted for a run near work this evening -- got out a bit later than expected. Thin layer of snow on the ground and cold (but not as cold as on the weekend). Yes, face still didn't like the wind blasting on it. I've been putting Vaseline on the bottom of my feet since they have dried and cracked from the weekend LSD :-( Got in 7.20 K and the last few minutes felt particularly good as I got to speed up.

YTD = 29.62 K

LSD 25:1 (x6) & Cold!!!

Wow!!! It's cold out there. -15C with windchill over -20C. It also snowed last night. Walked Bud this morning and the snow was thin and I didn't any ice. Original plan was to run 2 intervals of 25:1 and repeat tomorrow (although the weather is forecasted to be similar to today). Wore my "warm" winter attire and hoped for the best.

The first 10 minutes were cold -- but that's what the current issue of Canadian Running says about winter running. I don't mind the cold so much, just the wind blowing into my uncovered face. As I didn't plan the run, I opted to go my "proven" route of running east on Bloor/Danforth and then back. Instead of 50 minutes of running, it turned into 2H 30M :-) The sidewalks were either dry or salted -- never once did I see or experience ice (thank goodness). So, the first run of the year was cold but a success! 22.42 K. Only saw a handful of runners this morning. If it wasn't for this 2010 K goal, I would have stayed home. Glad I didn't! The run was enjoyable (except, again, for the wind blowing on my face). I experienced the cold when I arrived home to take Bud around the block -- now that was cold!!

Looking forward to warmer days...

YTD = 22.42 K

Looking Ahead to the Happy New Year!

For the Happy New Year 2010:

* I have joined the 2010 Challenge on the Running Room Personal Achievements folder, http://www.runningroom.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=39644 Goal is 2010 km in 2010

* To continue routine of 3 runs per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and LSD on weekend)

* To stay injury-free by listening to the body; to not hesitate to see sports-medicine doctor if concerns arise

* To use 25:1 intervals to train for the spring marathon and 30:1 intervals to train for the autumn marathon

* To include speed training in weekday runs

* “A” races: Mississauga Marathon (spring); Toronto Marathon (fall)

* To run marathons in under 4:00

* To prepare for Mississauga Marathon, registered to run Chilly half marathon and ATB 30 K; to prepare for Toronto Marathon, registered to run Toronto 10-miler; Toronto Waterfront half marathon (yet to register for Midsummer Night’s 30 K)

* Most important goal is not road racing but for health and fitness (also a great stress-reliever to keep me sane!)