10:1 (x24)

Beautiful day in Toronto -- sunny and temperature at freezing. Ran on the Martin Goodman Trail -- the pathway was dry. Wore 2 layers + jacket, which seemed just right. Had to take the toque and mittens off but put them back on after about 5 minutes. Quite a few runners and walkers on the trail this morning. No issues with the right foot (yeah!!) and the left knee was fine (wearing the new knee support recommended by the physiotherapist last week). My longest run! 31.02 K, "out there" for 4 hours 24 minutes. YTD = 220.41 K.

Saw my "dream" car ($35 700), with exterior colour "space grey metallic" [I went to the BMW web site and created the features I wanted):





Currently reading all my issues of Runner's World and putting sticky notes on interesting articles for the future.

Friday's 10:1 (x5)

Got in a Friday after work run yesterday; almost got out too late. Enjoyable 6.27 K. YTD = 189.39 K. Looking forward to tomorrow's (Sunday) LSD, which I hope to do 30 K.

Physio Assessment -- Thursday

Had my physio assessment this past Thursday. Arrived on time :-) I informed the physiotherapist that there were no pains in my fight foot this past week on my LSD. He did notice that the right foot was a bit more tense than the left foot and massaged it for me -- hearing a few "cracks". He also checked out my left foot and didn't think it was too tight (due to the runner's knee in the past). I have another appointment with him next Thursday as a follow-up. I'm still thinking it's the YakTrack Pro -- of which I won't wear again. He did suggest an alternative to the knee brace I wore on my left leg and I bought it at the Shopper's Drug Mart. The assessment cost $90.00 and my health insurance should pay that. Parking, on the other hand, was insane -- $12.00.

LSD 10:1 (x22)

The LSD was the only run this past week. Didn't want to run until Friday because of the appointment with the sports medicine doctor. Couldn't leave work on time Friday for a run. This morning was spring-like weather (2C). The sun came out as well! Ran east on Queen Street until past Woodbine, then ran on Lakeshore. After 4 hours, 2 minutes, got in 28.43 K (longest run to date!). Had to becareful as some portions were icy. Lots of runners on the Lakeshore. No issues with the right foot (which makes me wonder what's going on -- aargh! Only disappointment was dropping my Gatorade and then 1/2 spilled out :-( Had to make my way to a Shopper's Drug Mart to buy another Gatorade. Saw a 99c running calendar at the Shopper's Drug Mart but couldn't buy it -- I might go back after work tomorrow to buy it. No issues with the gel and the Sharkies tasted great. Next weekend, I want to get the LSD up to 30 K. 3 months away before the Mississauga Marathon... YTD = 183.12 K.

Visit to Sports Medicine Doctor

On Thursday this past week, I visited a Sports Medicine doctor. I was hoping to go back to Athlete's Care but appointments after work had a long wait. I checked the Internet for other doctors and found a few -- one needed a referral from a family doctor. Fortunately, I got an appointment from the Toronto Centre for Sports Medicine and Preventative Health Ltd. on Yonge and Eglinton.



Unfortunately, I arrived late for my 4:30 pm appointment and had to wait 45 minutes for an opening (can't complain). The doctor said my feet were a bit stiff but couldn't see much difference between the left and right feet. I asked if the Yak Trak Pro could be the issue and he said it could. He saw me run on the treadmill (first time ever on it and felt dizzy when I got off) and noticed that the left leg doesn't run properly -- the custom orthodics have helped with correcting the movement. He couldn't find anything wrong and suggested I make a physio appointment. I have it on Thursday after work and will see what he says. Perhaps he can also have a look at the left leg to help strengthen the runner's knee condition I got a couple of years ago. The sports medicine doctor was surprised that I didn't get physio for the left knee when I got the orthodics.

I parked on the street with 1 free hour of parking. I "squeezed" in to make the area where the parking is free. When I got back to my car, there was a $40 parking ticket waiting for me. About 1/5 of the car was not in the free parking region -- I will fight this ticket as it's not right.

Running Greeting Cards

Cool greeting cards! From www.FarGoneGreetings.com/running

LSD 10:1 (x20)

Wow! What a difference 2 days make. Thursday's run was tough with the wind. This morning was melting snow with a billboard saying +4C. The residential streets were slushy but Bloor Street East and the Danforth were generally dry. Due to the 2 weekday runs, I found the pacing a bit faster than usual. Remembered to bring along the Sharkies, gel, and protein bar. Unfortunately, I overdressed but that wasn't a major issue. LSD = 27.56 K. YTD = 154.69 K.

The right foot began to ache midway through the LSD -- I'm not sure why it's doing this (!).

One month until the Chilly half marathon.

Learned yesterday on the RR forum that the HBC 10K race will not happen this year :-(