10:1 (x12)

One month until the Mississauga half marathon! I'm looking forward to my first half marathon as a runner. It was one year ago I completed my first marathon (as a walker). Today, the morning started off as overcast, followed by light shower half way through my run. I must admit I was a bit worried (just a bit) since I remember last July when it rain (but it was hard) and I got injured (with runner's knee). That was my longest run, days before the Nissan 10 Miler race. Today's run is my longest to date [10:1 (x12)], so there are some similarities. I am thrilled and relieved to report that my legs feel great. Thanks goes to the orthodics which continue to keep me injury-free.

Today's weather was a marked contrast of last weekend's amazing sunny and warm weather. The radio said +3C and I forgot to bring along my toque. No problem as it felt like 8C outside. For the first 1 H 15 minutes, I went very slowly before I got into a faster pace:

First 10:1 -- 7:37 min/K Second 10:1 -- 8:30 min/K
Third 10:1 -- 8:03 min/K Fourth 10:1 -- 8:13 min/K
Fifth 10:1 -- 8:26 min/K Sixth 10:1 -- 8:25 min/K
Seventh 10:1 -- 8:08 min/K Eighth 10:1 -- 7:01 min/K
Ninth 10:1 -- 6:58 min/K Tenth 10:1 -- 6:41 min/K
Eleventh 10:1 -- 6:38 min/K Twelfth 10:1 -- 6:28 min/K

My Garmin stats for this run says: 17.20K covered; averaging 7:40 min/K; with heartrate of 155 BPM (around 160 to 171 BPM for the final 50 minutes). I just downloaded the data from my Garmin to the computer. Unfortunately, I don't know how to save the data in order to import to the blog.

Only a few runners at the beginning of my run. For the second half, saw quite a few runners. Very nice running community as several waved at me and even one lady said, "Looking good!"

Rest day tomorrow. Have meetings on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school so it looks like my runs next week will be on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. I hope to get in 3 days next week (rather than the 2 runs I did this past week).

10:1 (x3)

Warm and sunny today! +16C outside. Tomorrow's supposed to rain so I opted for a very slow 10:1 (x3) in the neighbourhood after work (and after Bud got his walk). Lots of people sitting in patios, people in shorts, and folks running. If only everyday was like today...

I added 4.23K to my 1000K challenge, with an average heart beat of 153 BPM. I averaged 7:48 minutes/K, with the final 10:1 a bit faster than anticipated (6:36 min/K). My right leg was a bit tight before the run so I went very slowly. Need to remember to stretch! I'm doing a bit of weight lifting to build up the muscles.

I'm busy Thursday after work so I hope to get in 10:1 (x3) again on Friday, with my LSD on Sunday. I hope the weather cooperates.

The May issue of Runners' World arrived! I'll add it to my bed time reading. I'm currently re-reading John Stanton's Running: Start to Finish. Got a mailing advertising the Toronto Challenge 5K race. The highlight was meeting Doug Gilmour last year. Not sure if I will do that race again as there is no finisher's medal. But it's a great route and I enjoyed the BBQ last year as well.

10:1 (x11)

Beautiful spring day in Toronto -- sunny, cool, 5C to 8C. The snow is gone and the winter is history for another year (knock on wood...). Started my LSD on the Martin Goodman Trail this morning at 9 am. Saw lots of runners and walkers on the trail -- some in shorts as well as lots of folks walking their dogs (or their dogs walking them). After the first 10 minutes, I removed my toque and began to feel a bit warm and sweating (!) -- but kept the jacket on. As always, I started off very slowly in order to get the legs warmed up (and I'm running conservatively to avoid injury as the Mississauga half marathon is next month). I'm so pleased that I'm able to keep my heart rate under 160 BPM and the breathing is good. After about 7K, I began to run a bit faster as I got in a running groove. My numbers for today are 16.24K, with 7.28 minutes/K, and a heart rate of 154 BPM. I'm so pleased to have got over 16K. Next weekend, I'll do 10:1 (x12). Tomorrow will be a rest day, with hopefully Tuesday and Friday next week with short runs of 10:1 (x3).

Yesterday was the Harry's SpringOff at the High Park. I opted not to compete in that race because of the steep hills. I didn't want runner's knee coming back. But I miss the many goodies -- tech shirt; finisher's medal; finisher's cap; as well as freebies in the goody bag.

Sunday, May 4th is the 10K Sporting Life! So far, 4694 people have registered. On the web site, http://sportinglife.ca/sl10k-main.html, there is a video that shows what you'll see racing on the 10K course. Very nice! I will wear last year's tech shirt from the race. Great race also with a finisher's medal. This will be my LSD before the Mississauga half marathon. I will run conservatively and not worry about getting a PB. It's also my first race of 2008.

10:1 (x3)

After work, I did 10:1 (x3) in preparation for the LSD on Sunday. I'm hoping for 10:1 (x11), with +12C and sunny weather. I covered 4.28K this evening, running very slowly just to keep the training going. I'm trying to be conservative to avoid injury. My average heart rate was 150 BPM, averaging 7:42 minutes/K -- yes, slow! Afterwards, I dropped into the local Running Room and picked up a copy of the current magazine as well as the catologue for shoes and clothing.

Tomorrow is the Harry's SpringOff in High Park. I'm not competiting in it due to the steep hills, opting for courses that are much flatter. One month today until the 10K Sporting Life down Yonge Street. That's a fun race and I'll use that 10K as my LSD which is a week before the Mississauga half marathon.

10:1 (x4)

Yesterday's weather report called for warm temperatures (+14C) so I had to ensure getting out of work in time to take the pup on his afternoon walk (dually, a warm-up) followed by a slow run. Everything went as planned except the weather report was incorrect -- it was only 7C and windy (and boy, was it windy!). Covered 10:1 (x4) this afternoon slowly, with a distance of 5.64K. My average heartbeat was 156 BPM. I wasn't after any records, just to keep the momentum with the running. I hope to be "out there" again this Friday, followed by my LSD on Sunday on the Martin Goodman Trail.

10:1 (x10)

Great news -- ran on the Martin Goodman Trail (to the Humber River Bridge) this morning! The weather was sunny yet a bit cold (-5C) but no wind. I was pleased to see only a tad of snow remained -- otherwise, 99% of the path was dry. Yippee! Today was my longest run to date, 1 hour 50 minutes "out there" using the 10:1 (x10). I completed 14.45K, averaging 7.37 minutes/K, with an average heart rate of 156 BPM. I started off slowly, which was important. Only felt a bit fatigued during the final 10:1, but that's expected, I think. Next weekend I'll up it to 10:1 (x11). I'll have to bring along an energy bar or two for some more carbs than the sports drink provided.

Year to Date = 167.41K

10:1 (x4)

Got in 10:1 (x4) after work today :-) I had to take advantage of the (finally) spring-like weather of +6C. For part of the route, I went down to the Martin Goodman Trail to have a look at the conditions of the path. Most of it was runnable, with most of the snow gone. I hope by Saturday (supposed to be another 6C day!) the paths should be all set for running. Saw quite a few runners outside today. Guess everyone is excited with the "warm" weather (although there was a bit of wind). I ran 6.32K, with an average heart beat of 159 beats per minute.

The Around The Bay 30K race is this Sunday. I'm not competiting in it this year as I continue to train for the half marathon in Mississauga. I'm excited with the spring weather around the corner...