Week in Review (including 32 K long run)

Back to work this past week. Three runs:

* August 26 = 1.5 K; unfortunately, I mixed up my running shoes - the right shoe had the orthodics but the left shoe did not. Opted to shorten the run to prevent injury. A bit humid.

* August 27 = 5 K

* Today = 32 K; Thrilled to have gotten in the 32 K distance today. The forecasted humidity was not really a factor. It did rain (heard thunderstorms!) after the first hour. The sun made its appearance after 12 K. Wore my toque which helped keep the sun out of my eyes. Also wore sunglasses.

On Martin Goodman Trail heading west to Humber River Bridge. Started to rain - and rain quite hard after an hour.

Air Show near Ontario Place.

May begin to taper in preparation for the Montreal Marathon or repeat 32 K distance next weekend. Will depend on weather.

Montreal Marathon tech shirt revealed.

Montreal Marathon finisher's medal revealed. Not sure what is the building.

Week in Review - massage, 30 K long run

Week in Review

Wednesday = 5 K (took 3 days off to rest from last Saturday's Midsummer Night's 30 K run).

Thursday = 6.5 K; also went for a 60 minute massage - much was focused on the legs - right leg tight. Massage works as I have not been injured in years. Loosens the tightness (which is the way to legs cope)

Saturday = 30 K along Martin Goodman Trail. Aim was at least 25 K but since the sky was overcast, that helped considerably - even if it was a bit humid. Happy with the distance. Will aim for 32 K next weekend. That should be enough before tapering in preparation for the Montreal Marathon in the last week of September.

YTD = 1043.8 K

Passed by the CNE reaching 5 K, which is open from August 15 to September 1.

Toronto Harbourfront - close to 25 K

After the run, Bud took me to the Buskerfest on Yonge Street. Huge crowds!

Race Photos

Wow - the legs are tight. Scheduled massage this Thursday to loosen them up. Will run tomorrow after taking Sunday, Monday, and today off for recovery. Been an excellent summer - cooler than usual. Perhaps that's the reward from a snowy and cold winter.

Race photos for the Midsummer Night's Run are now posted on the web site. Here are mine. Don't think I will purchase (even with 25% off).

Reflecting on Past Marathons

As I reached 1000 K this past Saturday, I thought about the past marathons I've run and walked:

Done

• Toronto Waterfront Marathon [6] - 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
•  huge number of spectators and entertainment 
• excellent expo with guest speakers
• hope to run this one every year as close to home and well organized 

•  Mississauga Marathon [5] - 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014
• first marathon completed - as a walker (even though the K signs were being or already taken down)
• scenic downhill route
• always well-organized race
• unfortunately the same day as the Toronto Marathon so must choose 

• Niagara Ultra 50 K [3] - 2012, 2013, 2014 
• scenic route along Niagara River, turnaround at Niagara Falls
• runners are friendly
• this race also has a 100 K - too bad there isn't a 50 miler as I would do it
• happens in late June so can be hot and humid - must bring my own water bottle as food stations are every 5 K
• race day pick-up :-)
• my favourite race!!!

• Toronto Marathon [3] - 2010, 2011, 2012
• signed up for 2015 (after 2 year absence with running Mississauga Marathon)
• starts at Mel Lastman Square and south on Yonge! 
• scenic route of Toronto - but don't like the Hoggs Hollow hill nor a few rolling hills in the 2nd half
• huge finisher's medal - why can't all races take note? 
• unfortunate same day as Mississauga Marathon as must choose
• am loyal to this race - first finisher's medal from this race (half-marathon) - walked the 21.1 K in a winter coat (when this race was in mid-October) 

 

• Hamilton [3] - 2007, 2012, 2013
• last marathon of the year
• will not be running this in 2014 as chosen Niagara Falls (new)
• weather quite good for early November
• race day pickup :-)
• although downhill on highway for 5 K, not that easy to run steep downhill that long

• Whitby [2] - 2012, 2013
• small marathon
• $30 registration fee before August 31
• was disappointed with 2013 - same finisher's medal and tech shirt from previous year; route was changed due to construction - mainly through pathed park 

• Ottawa [1] - 2014
• Wow!!! Amazing. Although running first half wasn't exciting, once we went into Hull, Quebec and then returned to downtown Ottawa - scenic
• huge number of spectators in 2nd half
• well organized
• thrilled to have run in its 40 year - tech shirt will be worn in future races; complimentary Ottawa Marathon 40th anniversary book
• leaning towards 2015 - leave Toronto early morning Saturday, return home late Sunday (so don't miss work)

Registered 

• Montreal - September 2014
• have been to Montreal with school debate trip as well as for conferences
• Will be great to run a marathon outside of Ontario
• looking forward to this Rock n Roll marathon

• Niagara Falls - October 2014
•  also looking forward to this marathon - starts in Buffalo, NY ends at the Niagara Falls
• will enjoy a conservative pace as will have run the Toronto Waterfront marathon the week before 

Race Report: Midsummer Night's Run 30 K

Race Report: Midsummer Night's Run 30 K - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - 5:30 PM start

Photo 1: Getting reading for the start 30K. Been raining for several hours. Wow - it stopped when the race started!

Photo 2: Proceeding west on Commissioners Street

Photo 3: Heading south on Cherry Street.

Photo 4: Reaching the bridge. Needed to becareful with the wet ground.

Photo 5: Entering Cherry Beach (Martin Goodman Trail).

Photo 6: Unfortunately, the photos from 3 K to 5 K were not clear. Still on Martin Goodman Trail.

Photo 7: View of Lake Ontario from the bridge.

Photo 8: Have entered Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie Street Split). At 7 K.

Photo 9: Cool sign - watch for snakes!

Photo 10: Slight upward incline. Birds in "V" formation.

Photo 11: Needed to becareful here as well - don't want to trip!

Photo 12: Post bridge. Walked up this steep hill.

Photo 13: Now at the 11 K mark.

Photo 14: The lighthouse in the background! This is the furtherest south on the route.

Photo 15: 12 K done. Past the lighthouse. Surface was rocky. Glad rain stopped.

Photo 16: Seems like a lot of uphill incline? 13 K done.

Photo 17: View of Toronto skyline.

Photo 18: The water stations. Thank you to the volunteers.

Photo 19: Leaving Tommy Thompson Park. 30 K continued towards Asbridge's Bay Park.

Photo 20: No pace bunnies in this race. Pace fairies.

Photo 21: Nice view along the boardwalk.

Photo 22: Another scenic view.

Photo 23: The boardwalk.

Photo 24: Volunteer directing me to enter onto the boardwalk.

Photo 25: Left Ashbridge's Bay Park. Heading west on the Lakeshore.

Photo 26: Heading north to the finish line. Approaching the bridge. Now dark - photos not clear.

Photo 27: Heading east on Commissioner's Street towards finish line.

Photo 28: Food station.

Photo 29: Always enjoy this race's finisher's medal! It's a spinning medal.

Photo 30: And the other side.

Photo 31: Celebration dinner at Harvey's. Had Angus burger - didn't taste much different from the hamburger.

Photo 32: Proud brother and greatest supporter.

Gun Time = 3:24:20.6
Chip Time = 3:23:37.2
Overall place = 539 out of 627
Pace: 6:48
Age category = 84 out of 90
Gender category = 298 out of 328
21 K = 2:16:11

YTD = 1002.3 K (reached the 1000 K!)