First run in 2 weeks...Garmin out of batteries

Great to see the snow melting. After warming up via taking the pup for his morning walk (a bit longer than usual), I went on my run. After turning on the Garmin, it said "Low Batteries". Aargh! I still did my run but don't know how far I went. Since I left my wrist watch at home, had to "guess" what 5 minutes seemed like. Oh well...

I'm on 2-weeks holiday now. I'm looking forward to the Resolution Run on December 30th although wished we didn't get last week's snow storm so I could have run last week. I hope to run at least twice a week. My goal was to complete the Resolution Run using 10:1 but will opt for 5:1 instead. I'm wearing the custom orthodics and don't mind them anymore. I also bought a Patellar Sleeve. Hope all goes well in my training...

Aargh...the Snow!

No running this weekend. Yesterday, snow flurries came in Toronto throughout the day. Then the real stuff came overnight and all day today. Aargh!! At least the Running Room Resolution Race wasn't today. That would have been an "ouch". The real winner in this winter storm was Bud. I just hope he doesn't expect every winter in Toronto to be as cold and snowy as this one. I want warm and dry weather!!!

And it was a challenge to get him into the house:

Sidewalks are dry... Saturday Run :-)

Listened to the radio the past few days to see if my run should be on Saturday, Sunday, or neither. Tomorrow's supposed to have 1-2 cm of snow so I opted for today -- sunny, about 0C, sidewalks dry -- couldn't ask for more for a December day! Did 5:1 (x5) again, covering a distance of 4.12K according to my Garmin...hey, 10% of a marathon ;-) Felt good and could have gone on and on...but not rushing it this time. Wore my custom orthodics for the first run and they felt good. I do hope the orthodics help. I mailed away the documentation to the insurance company for reimbursement of the $450.

After my run, I went to Shopper's Drug Mart to redeem $100 using my Optimum Card for 40 000 points. I had hoped that they would allow me to get a Gift Card so I didn't have to find $100 worth of stuff in one visit but that's what the rules are. I found "the 2 oz Miracle Custom Molding Insoles" for my work shoes as well as a paletllar sleeve for my left knee. I'll see how these go. I also got a pack of Sharkies organic energy sports chews -- never seen these before -- reminds me of the sports beans.

Looking forward to the 5K Resolution Run on December 30th. Can't believe the date is creeping up (and ever so quickly). I've been training only once a week -- working around my schedule and the weather. Also can't wait to wear the RR jacket that comes with the registration fee! I hope the weather is dry (i.e., not snow and/or ice covered) during the holidays -- I hope it's warm enough to run on the Martin Goodman Trail.

The ever popular Chilly race in early March is now full. I didn't enter since I'm being selective in which races to compete in this year. I'm focussing this year as a runner and hope to complete at least 1 half marathon, with a (full) marathon in 2009. I'm still eyeing the Mississauga race for my debut as a runner in the half marathon.

Orthodics

The day has finally arrived to pick up my custom-made orthodics. Fortunately, the $450 will be covered fully by my work insurance, with a deductible . I have been doing the stretching exercises suggested to me. Unfortunately, I still do get some of the runner's knee sensations even though I was injured back in July (and it's now December). The doctor told me that the orthodics are a preventative device rather than for treatment of my runner's knee problem. There is a 50% chance the knee pain will go away with the orthodics. If not, he recommended physiotherapy in a few weeks. The treatment would be about 3 weeks with 6 sessions. Now to wear my orthodics, which feel strange, while walking and then running. I do hope this is the "magic" that I've been waiting for :-) There is the possible, though, of pain to the feet; back; hips; etc. although this should be temporary -- the doctor told me to inform him if this is not temporary. Photos...

Run #3 - Coooold Outside!

Wow, it's cold outside: -9C but -15C with windchill. 680 News radio station is warning us of a "big winter storm in Southern Ontario" but the freezing rain is of greater concern than the snow. Since outside is dry, I did my run today. I set my Garmin for 5:1 intervals (x5) and covered a distance of 4.18K in 30 minutes. In an ideal world, I would have trained on the Martin Goodman Trail but I didn't want to fathom what the weather would feel like at the lake (I did that once and it was cold!). The only advantage of running in the winter I can think of is I don't have to wake up early in the morning (since that's often challenge) -- it's actually better for me to run in the afternoon when it gets a bit warmer. Training is progressing and I feel greatly rewarded. I'm only thinking of reaching 5K and then 10K. The half marathon distance sounds daunting to me and I'm not going to stress over it. If all goes well, I'll register for the Mississauga Marathon in the spring. Time will tell...

Only 1 month until the RR Resolution 5K Run and I'm looking forward to it :-) Can't wait to pick up the RR jacket that comes with registration -- super deal that comes with the $40 registration fee. Today was the 5K Santa Shuffle -- I didn't do it since I'm not ready to run a 5K yet. I guess Xmas should feel like winter so today it was ideal. Message to the weather gods: Please provide us with cool and sunny weather for December 30th. Thank you :-)

Run #2

Just returned from a 2.7K run (it was more of a shuffle, but I did run!) using 3:1 (repeat x5) for a total of 20 minutes this afternoon. Last week it was 2:1 and I want to slowly build the endurance. Very nice outside in Toronto -- sunny and the ice is melting (got freezing rain 3 days ago and there were over 700 accidents on the highway). I ran on big streets since the sidewalks were dry. I would have preferred to run on the Martin Goodman Trail along the waterfront but didn't want to contend with the cooler weather there and wasn't sure if the ice has melted. I read on the Running Room discussion forum that some runners fell in the Whitby race this morning due to the icy conditions. Ouch...that would make me mad. I did nearly take a tumble last spring at the Tim Horton's Chilly half marathon race when I went to pick up my registration package. Fortunately it was a near fall. Ice is just so unforgiving.

I'm slowing getting the endurance up to 5K hopefully in time for the Resolution Run at the end of December (the date is creeping up rapidly). I can't wait to get my RR jacket -- definitely something I could use! Eventually, I'll get the endurance back to 15K using the 10:1 -- I remember the beginning of the runs were a bit hard but once I got into the groove, I could go on and on... My goal of running a half marathon in Mississauga in May seems so daunting...slowly does it is my motto these days.

Yucky Weather

Woke up to freezing rain in Toronto this morning. Took the pup on his early morning walk and had to becareful and had to remind Bud not to walk too fast. He's 8 months old today! After work, I took him for a walk and he saw snow for the first time!

Should have run after work on Tuesday. I opted not to run since I had run for the first time on Sunday and wanted to be conservative. Yesterday, it rained (when I wanted to run). I didn't want to run in rain and cold. I remember the only time I ran in rain -- it was days before the Nissan 10 miler in mid-July and that's when I heard some "cracking" in my left knee. Then, I couldn't go up stairs without pain for the next week :-(

Speaking of the left knee, I got word that my custom orthodics have arrived this morning. I have an appointment with the sports medicine doctor for Wednesday, December 5th when he will fit the orthodics into my running shoes. Should I bring a camera? Good news that the $450 custom orthodics will be paid in full by my work insurance (minus a $25 deductible) :-) If only my work insurance would cover my vet bills ;-)

Looking forward to my 2nd run this Sunday. I will probably make it 2:1 (repeat X5) again. I took the public transit to work today and read a chapter of John Stanton's Running: Start to Finish. I read it in the spring and it's always great to re-read it.

Oh...put in an on-line order with Chapters for a few books. Had to get the order to $39.00 for free shipping in addition to a $5 off coupon (also got a little book on Chicken Soup for the Soul for Dog Lover's Soul). The good news is any book can be returned to a Chapters store within a month for a full refund -- thus, no risk if the book is not what is expected.

Running and Philosophy http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Running-Philosophy-Marathon-Mind-Michael-Austin/9781405167970-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527running+and+philosophy%2527

Quotable Runner http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Quotable-Runner-Mark-Will-Weber/9781891369261-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527quotable+runner%2527

Marathon : You Can Do It http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Marathon-You-Can-Do-It-Jeff-Galloway/9780936070254-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527marathon+you+can+do+it%2527