An update...been a while!

Wow - it's been a while since my last post. It's been "down season" with running as I've needed to decrease the running after marathon seasons (spring and fall). The weather has not cooperated with the recent ice storm. Also, been busy with work and writing my essay for a course I'm taking. Xmas holidays is now half over. Will have a reflective post soon on the entire year - overall, been great!

Since last post, here are my runs [Total = 73.5 K]

• November 21 = 3 K
• November 24 = 5 K
• November 25 = 3 K
• December 1 = 10 K
• December 3 = 3 K
• December 7 = 14.5 K
• December 10 = 3.5 K
• December 14 = 6.5 K
• December 23 = 5 K
• December 27 = 5 K
• December 29 = 15 K (yesterday's LSD)

YTD = 1519.2 K (close to my goal of 1000 miles not not close enough)

A few photos of my time at the University of Western Ontario with my school's debate team - weather coming back was horrible - snow storm:

Photo 1: University College Tower

 Photo 2: Weldon Library

 Photo 3: Leaving Western!

Also, photos of the million dollar gold coin taking at the Royal Ontario Museum (worth $5 million now):

Photo 4: $1 Million Gold Coin - Royal Ontario Museum

 Photo 5: $1 Million Gold Coin - Royal Ontario Museum

2 Runs this week after a temporary break

Two runs this week after a temporary break from running the Hamilton Marathon.

* Thursday 5 K

* Today = 15 K. Like previous years, ran on Bloor Street East before the Santa Claus Parade. Took photos of the floats as they sat in queue for the parade. My favourites were the Tim Hortons float and the Christies float:

YTD = 1445.7 K

Marathon Display Wall

Here's a photo of my marathon display wall. Missing are the first 3 marathons, which were walked. I need to get them displayed as well.

Race Report - Marathon #20 - Hamilton Road 2 Hope Marathon

The Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope is marathon #20. As it has only been 2 weeks since running the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, my goal was to finish the race. Recovery from a marathon is 1 day per mile so there should be 26 days between marathons.

Enjoyed an extra hour of sleep with the clock going back 1 hour. Awoke at 4:45 AM, walked and fed Bud and out the door by 5:30 AM. Clear driving directions on the race web site as the key was to exit at #88 for Confederation Park. Confederation Park is the location of the finish line so we had to take a school bus to the start line.

Arrived at the start line at 7:10 AM. Picked up bib and tech shirt. Then got a 1 K slow run to warm up.

The race started promptly at 8 AM. There were a total of 985 full marathoners. The weather was cold - about 3C - and sunny. I wore a tech shirt and shorts. Everyone else was wearing long sleeve tech shirt. Oh boy.

For the first 16 K, the route was rural. Spectacular view from 2 K to 8 K - we had a top view and could see the city below. Some uphill inclines and I walked them as I didn't want to damage the legs. Windy and not fun when the wind was blowing on me.

From 22 K to 27 K, the route was downhill on the Red River Parkway. Even though the route was downhill, this was not easy due to the steep turns. Not exciting scenery but the leaves were still changing colour.

From 27 K to 29 K, the route was on gravel. Good thing it did not rain as the route would have gotten muddy. A steep uphill - again I walked it. Nice view. Ran over a bridge that connected us to the other side of the highway.

The rest of the route was along the waterfront. The time between K markers were longer. I think the Red River Parkway took a toll on my legs. Lots of walk breaks in the final 15 K. Not worried about the finishing time as my goal was to finish the marathon without injury.

Fluid stations were every 3 K. There was water and Honey Maxx. The Honey Maxx did not taste great but at least it was a different colour than water. E-load was not provided this year. Many of the stations were operated by school volunteers. Gels were given at 30 K and I took 2 rasperberry. Delicious gels! Took them at 30 K and 33 K. There was an unopened gel at 36 K so I took it as well :-|

I finished!!!

Chip Time = 5:10:23
Gun Time = 5:11:28
Overall finish = 935 out of 985
Age Category = 98 out of 100
Gender = 579 out of 600
Pace = 7:23

Received a recovery jacket at the finish line!

And the prized finisher's medal:

Post food was great - I ate 5 fresh wheat dinner rolls as well as 2 bowls of hot soup. Yum!

Was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes when I reached the Lakeshore in Toronto (!). This delayed getting home to see Bud. He's one proud dog!

That brings the marathon season to an end :-( Will spend the next 2 months recovering. Not sure if will reach my goal of running 1000 miles in the year. YTD = 1425.7 K.

Two runs this week: 3 K on Wednesday and 15 K on Saturday morning. I accompanied the school debate team to McGill University in Montreal. I got my run while the students were in their debate tournament. The entire day was light rain. I passed by a Dollarama but it was not open yet - thus, no toque (did buy one in the afternoon). Some photos:

 Montreal has many hills:

Nice park on Sherbrooke:

It rained on Saturday. The route to the Olympic Stadium was fortunately flat.

 Across the street from Olympic Stadium. This entrance is towards an attraction - inspect exhibit.

 This is an amazing structure - The Olympic Stadium. Sad to know not much goes on in the stadium anymore. Montreal Expos used to play baseball here. A decade ago, I took the trolley to the observation deck. Cost is now $22.50. Didn't do it this time around.

The Biodome:

South view of Montreal - the bridge!

YTD = 1380.2 K

Race Report: Toronto Waterfront Marathon - my 19th full marathon!

Left the house at 8:15 AM and slowly ran for 1.25 K to the race site. As the forecast throughout the week leading up to today was either cloudy, it was a pleasant surprise that it was sunny throughout the day.

The starting corrals this year were great - with the different colours for predicted finishing times far and apart. The starting line was located on University Avenue north of Queen Street, with the green starting corral south of Richmond Street. The race started at 8:45 AM with each corral in 5 minute intervals. The race started for me at 8:58 AM.

Due to construction, the race route had to be adjusted from previous years. The first 2 K were uphill incline to Bloor Street. This is never easy. Passed by Queen's Park as well as the Royal Ontario Museum. Then it was west on Bloor Street and then south on Bathurst Street until the 6 K mark. This was nice as heading south was downhill incline. Passed by Honest Ed's and Fort York. Then it was west on the Lakeshore until the turn near High Park at the 12 K mark. Great to pass by the Canadian National Exhibition, Ontario Place. Lots of spectators along the route here. Then it was east with the full and half marathoners parting ways close to the 20 K mark on Bay Street. A bit of running under the Gardner Expressway. Then it was back to the usual route on the Queens Quay East, reaching the half way point at Sherbourne Street. At the 22 K mark, it was south on Cherry Street followed by east on Commissioners Street until Carlaw Avenue. This was a quiet area as it is industrial. Then it was east on the Lakeshore, north on Woodbine to Queen Street, then east to Beech Avenue and then we headed west on Eastern Avenue. Great to pass by the Beaches.  Lots of spectators on Queen Street East as usual. The 35 K to 39 K route was used to "make up the distance" for the full marathon due to the construction. Passed by the Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, and then north on Bay Street to the finish line.  

The race is well organized: starting corral; the fluid stations (gatorade first and then water) with stations on both sides and well spaced; lots of volunteers at the fluid stations and along the route; and police to ensure our safety. Lots of spectators along the route - especially at the start, Bloor Street, near the CNE, High Park, the Beaches, Queen Street, St. Lawrence Market, and the finish line. The walk from the finish line to the exit at Nathan Phillips Square is excellent - this helps with the cool down. 

Running uphill incline is never easy: first 2 K north of University Avenue, the hill on Lakeshore west of Dufferin; the bridge on the Gardner Expressway, the hills on Queen Street East, running north on Bayview, and then the trek to the finish line on Bay Street. Lots of power walking! 

Consumed 5 gels to help me get to the finish line. Took a walk break at each of the fluid stations. 

At about the 33 K mark, Ray Lim, asked me if I am "Louis Lim". He recognized my name when he checked results. He told me he has run 119 full marathons! He runs 1 marathon a month and started running in his 50s. Incredible! I know of Ray from his featured profile in a past Running Room magazine. 

The following is based on chip time:

• Overall Place = 2730 out of 3646
• Chip Time = 4:40:20
• Age Category = 333 out of 391
• Gender = 1870 out of 2321
• 10 K = 1:01:59
• 21.1 K = 2:07:46
• 30 K = 3:07:06
• 35 K = 3:44:02
• 40 K = 4:22:45

The final 12 K was not easy (and never seems to be!). This is where the mental toughness takes effect - with lots of short walk breaks! Legs did tighten up but cooperated to get me to the finish line - thank you, legs!!!

And my proud buddy wearing the finisher's medal:

Once I got home, I took Bud to the race. This was past the 6 hour mark and racers were still reaching the finish line. Great to walk after the run to "loosen" up the legs - just don't appreciate it when Bud pulls me abruptly as he chases something :-|

Happy to have successfully completed marathon #19. Marathon #20 is in 2 weeks, the Hamilton Marathon. It has been a wonderful year of running!

YTD = 1362.2 K

night before the Toronto Waterfront Marathon!

Tomorrow morning is the Toronto Waterfront Marathon! The wonderful runs during the summer culminates tomorrow morning and in 2 weeks at the Hamilton Marathon.

Great looking tech shirt this year!

At the expo, I registered for the Mississauga Marathon (May 4th). Price is $70 + HST = $79.10.

This evening, I registered for the Ottawa Marathon (May 25th). Price is $105 + $7.71 processing fee + HST = $127.31 (wow - this race is expensive). But, this will be the 40th anniversary of the race and with full marathon registration includes a complimentary book on this marathon. Booked "escape" fee for the VIA train ($88.14) and 1 night stay at the Ottawa University residence ($44.07). Total = $259.52.  Will be my first time running this race!

1 week until Toronto Waterfront Marathon! Last LSD before marathon

1 more week until the Toronto Waterfront Marathon! My LSD this morning/afternoon was 20 K. All set for next Sunday. Unfortunately, it rained yesterday so did the LSD on Thanksgiving. Had 2 weekday runs of 3 K each. Yeah - reached the 1300 K mark :-)

YTD = 1315.3 K

3 runs this week ... 2 weeks until the marathon

Three runs this week as the countdown is on for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Wednesday = 3 K after work

Friday = 3 K after work

Today = 21.1 K - awoke late; weather this weekend has been rain and overcast. Fortunately, got my run and stayed dry. Ran on Queen Street East and then made it into the Kew Beach. Quite a few people flying kites on the beach. Quite windy and the waves made lots of noise on the lake.

YTD = 1289.3 K

25 K LSD

Three runs this week:

* Wednesday = 3 K after work.

* Friday = 3 K after work.

* Today = 25 K LSD on the Martin Goodman Trail. Not that simple today due to the humidity. Aargh!
Took a few photos on the route today - leaves are changing colour!

Finisher's Medal Revealed!

Been waiting for this! The Toronto Waterfront Marathon finisher's medal has been revealed! The Royal Ontario Museum is a good choice. Now awaiting to hear who will be the speakers at the expo.

28 K LSD

Three runs this week:

* Tuesday = 3 K after work

* Thursday = 2.5 K after work

* Today = 28 K on the Martin Goodman Trail. The last 3 K was difficult - not sure why. Temperature was fall-like on the first day of fall - about 10C to 15C. Yesterday it rained all day so stayed home.

Had a massage Thursday evening - RMT said hamstrings were tight.

YTD = 1231.2 K

32 K LSD today!

Great running weather today. Cool and sunny - no humidity! Slow run for 32 K LSD - took 4 hours 30 minutes. Ran west on the Martin Goodman past the Humber Bay bridge and back. Explored the amazing view of Lake Ontario west of the bridge - never did this before. Run started at 10 AM - a bit late. Legs are tired right now (as they should be!). Happy to have completed the longest LSD needed before the marathon next month.

Also got in 1 run this week - 3 K. Hope to have 2 weekday runs next week.

YTD = 1197.7 K

Runs this week:

* Labour Day Monday = 5 K in neighbourhood

* Thursday = 5 K after work

* Saturday = 1 K (for relieve a headache after too much reading!)

* Sunday = 28 K LSD on the Martin Goodman Trail. Excellent weather - 20C and sunny. Began run at 6:30 AM. Then went to the Toronto Zoo with my brother. It was Teacher's Day today - free admission for teachers.

YTD = 1162.7 K

First 2 photos of the female panda; third photo is the male panda.

3 runs this week:

* Tuesday = 5 K after work.

* Thursday = 3 K after work.

* Yesterday = 25 K on the Martin Goodman Trail. It's been a few weeks since running this route. Hot and humid - thank goodness for the clouds. Passed by the CNE. Refilled the water bottle at the water fountain along the route. Drank 1.5 L of water, 700 mL of Gatorade, and 500 mL of the vitamin water (bought at the Shopper's Drug Mart at 23 K) = 2.7 L over the 3.5 hours.


YTD = 1123.7 K

27 LSD on Toronto Islands

Went back to the Toronto Islands for my LSD run yesterday - and brought the camera this time! Arrived on the 8:45 AM ferry and started the run at 9 AM. No humidity but the sun was blaring. Brought hat, sunglasses, and wore sunscreen. YTD = 1090.7 K (including 5 K runs each on Wednesday and Friday). Here are the photos!

1. View on the ferry heading towards the Island:

2. Hanlon's Point:

3. Boardwalk towards Ward Island:

4. Over the bridge on Ward's Island:

5. Taken on Ward's Island of the city!

6. Another photo across the bridge on Ward's Island:

7. And another:

8. Route towards Centre Island:

9. And another:

10. Photo taken towards Ward Island (photos are not in order!)

Log Ride in Centreville. Remember riding it. 6 tickets = about $6 ride.

Waterfall in Centre Island

And leaving the Centre Island: