Looking Ahead to 2016

 

 

 

Running Goal #1:

Running goal is to run 1000 miles. Goal is to do my best even if I don't reach the goal.

Running Goal #2:

To run 7 full marathons and 1 ultra 50 K

Registered and confirmed:

• Sunday, May 1, 2016: Toronto Marathon
• Sunday, May 22, 2016: Whitby International Marathon
• Sunday, May 29, 2016: Ottawa Marathon
• Saturday, June 18, 2016: Niagara Ultra 50 K
• Sunday, September 25, 2016: Montreal Marathon
• Sunday, October 16, 2016: Toronto Waterfront Marathon

And two more. Interested in:

• Niagara International Marathon or Hamilton Marathon
• Philadelphia Marathon (Will try once again with the New York City Marathon lottery)

Running Goal #3:

To stay injury-free

Year 2015 in Review

This blog entry is a reflection on year 2015 running activities. A separate entry will look ahead to my goals for 2016.

Year #8 of running is now in the books!

Highlight #1:  Ran 7 full marathons and 1 ultra marathon 50 K

1. Toronto Marathon (May 2015)

 

Castle Loma

 

Most amazing finisher's medal. Signed up for this race again next year!

Bud didn't wear the medal too long - would have caused neck strain.

2. Ottawa Marathon (May 2015)

 

Parliament Buildings

 

2nd time running this marathon. Back next year! Amazing crowds.

3. Niagara Ultra 50 K (June 2015)

 

Niagara Falls

 

One of my favourite races. Turnaround is at Niagara Falls. Back again next year.

4. Quebec City Marathon (August 2015) - NEW!!!

 

Chateau Frontenac

 

This race was on my bucket list. 11 hour train ride didn't feel all that long.

5. Picton Marathon (October 2015) - NEW!!!

 

Picton - population 4000

 

Got to visit Belleville - taught 4 years there. First time back in 15 years.

6. Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 2015)

Always a favourite. Back again next year.

7. Hamilton Marathon (November 2015)

 

8. Dallas Marathon (December 2015) -- NEW!!!

 

Reunion Tower

What an amazing experience! Got to stand in the spot that JF Kennedy was fatally shot on November 22, 1963. Hope for 1 USA marathon a year. Eyeing Philadelphia Marathon next year.

Highlight #2: Met Marathon Superstars!

1. Meb Keflezighi

2. Ryan Hall

3. Deena Kastor

Highlight #3: Ran 1554 K (as of December 28, 2015)


Highlight #4: Have now completed 35 full/ultra marathons.


Highlight #5: Life-time total = 12 389 K (as of December 28, 2015)

Winter has arrived

Winter arrived this evening (as forecasted by the media). Today was cold -5C (-10C with windchill) so Bud and I walked briefly. He wants out this evening to enjoy the snow.

Yesterday = 5 K
Saturday = 6 K

YTD = 1554 K
(91.4% of 1700 K goal completed)

3 runs so far on holidays; met Theo Fleury

Officially in "down" season. Still pain in the left knee - need to continue doing the exercises suggested by physiotherapist.

* Today = 5 K
* last Sunday = 6 K
* last Saturday = 6 K

This weekend, I'll have a long run. The weather has been AMAZING!!! No snow and cool.

YTD = 1543 K
(90.8% of 1700 K goal completed)


Last Sunday, I met Theo Fleury, former Captain of the Calgary Flames hockey team. Fleury is a survivor of sexual abuse. This is the 2nd time meeting this extraordinary person as I met him when I was university. He's 5 feet 6 inches and played with his heart.

Theo Fleury!

I purchased Theo's book. Holiday reading before going to bed.

Photos of Dallas

Photos from Dallas, Texas. Purchased a Dallas City Pass. Weather in the 60sF throughout. 

Attraction 1: Reunion Tower

Reunion Tower. 470 feet, 68 second elevator ride. Connected to Hyatt Regency Hotel, where I stayed.

Complimentary photo that was photo shopped.

View of Omni Hotel and Dallas Convention Centre. Start line of Dallas Marathon.

View of Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. This bridge is part of the Dallas Marathon logo.

Night view.

Attraction 2: Sixth Floor Museum



Exact location (standing on top of "X") of John F. Kennedy assassination on November 22, 1963

View of red building - on the 6th floor 3 shots were fired. Now Sixth Floor Museum - learned a lot about John F. Kennedy and what happened on November 22, 1963.

Photo of the Sixth Floor Museum. Unfortunate couldn't take photos. Would have been cool to take a photo of the road from the location the gun shots were fired. 

John F. Kennedy Memorial. 72 white columns held up by 8 columns - rest seem to float from ground.

Inside view of John F. Kennedy Memorial.

Attraction 3: George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum



Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University.



Touching actual steel from the World Trade Centre.

Other Photos:


Photo of Dallas Marathon - elite runners have left the start line. Photo from the organizers.

Post Marathon dinner: Spagetti and meatballs - from Spagetti Factory.