It was hot out there 25C with humidity felt like 34C according to the radio. Plan was to begin the run early in the morning but implementation meant 8:30 AM - just couldn't get out of bed as I wanted my sleep. Wore a cap as well as sunglasses. There was a "cool" wind so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Lots of runners on the Martin Goodman Trail. There was also the 100 K bike from Niagara Falls and ending at the CNE as well as a 5 K Walk with Walmart. Also, there was the 5 K Toronto Challenge but it was a different route so I didn't see them.
Overall, a good 25 K run today. Next weekend should be 30 K and then it's the 50 K run on Saturday, June 23rd Niagara Ultra.
YTD = 608.9 K
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
5K yesterday
Was able to get in a 5 K run before work yesterday. Had meeting at 9 AM so fit in the run. Great way to clear the head!
YTD = 583.9 K
YTD = 583.9 K
Sunday, June 3, 2012
LSD 21.1 K
Woke up disappointed yesterday (morning) when the radio forecasted rain for this morning and afternoon. Since it was almost 10 AM (!), I opted to take the chance and perhaps run in the rain - haven't done that in a long time. Fortunately, it was overcast this morning. When I was all set to go at 9 AM, I was shocked to notice my Garmin was low in battery - I forgot to turn it off after the weekday run :-( I charged it for 30 minutes and then left the house at 9:30 AM. The Garmin continued to say "Low Battery" so be it. Since there was still possibility of rain, I opted to stay on streets just in case it got really bad and I needed shelter. I chose to stay away from Queen Street East due to the shooting at the Eaton Centre yesterday at 6:23 PM (8 shot of which 1 dead). Ran on Bloor/Danforth - a winter route. Was very happy to see Mr. Greek had a special of 5 chicken solavki sticks for $10.00 - great deal considering the solavki stick, potatoes, rice, and salad is about $8. Got in half marathon distance and it was enjoyable.
Next weekend is Woofstock at the St. Lawrence Market so Bud will definitely attend. He loves meeting other dogs.
YTD = 578.9 K
Next weekend is Woofstock at the St. Lawrence Market so Bud will definitely attend. He loves meeting other dogs.
YTD = 578.9 K
Massive study takes a long look at mortality and the marathon
Massive study takes a long look at mortality and the marathonJune 3, 2012
By Michael Doyle
from: http://runningmagazine.ca/2012/06/sections/news/massive-study-takes-a-long-look-at-mortality-and-the-marathon/
At last Sunday’s Ottawa Race Weekend spectators and organizers were witness to what has become the greatest fear at a road race: a runner collapsing near the finish line.
Chi-son Do, a 25-year-old Montrealer competing in the half-marathon, lost consciousness and immediately collapsed with only 20 meters to go before the finish line. Luckily, there were two doctors that emerged from the crowd that immediately attended do Do, after what the Ottawa Citizen describes as a face-first fall and subsequent motionlessness, where the two doctors struggled to find a pulse and ultimately began performing CPR in an attempt to revive the runner.
The above scene has seemingly become a weekly occurrence during peak marathon periods in the spring and fall. And, of course, this has led both mainstream media outlets and the public at large to wonder whether or not long-distance running is indeed good for you.
This very question, and curiosity about the overall state of long distance running in America, led researchers in the department of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to survey a massive amount of data regarding marathons and the deaths that have occurred during and immediately following marathons over a ten year period.
What the researchers found after looking at data between 2000-2009 was that, although the number of marathon participants grew quite a bit over the course of the decade (from just shy of 300,000 in 2000 to nearly 475,000 in 2009), the comparative rate of deaths during a marathon did not rise. Also, the average finishing time of marathon runners did not significantly change (from 4:34:47 in 2000 to 4:35:28 in 2009), which would suggest that culturally there has been a stasis in terms of how long distance running is approached in the United States. The running population has not significantly improved, nor have they taken a step backwards.
Because the nature of deaths aren’t often reported publicly by hospitals, the researchers of the study found a novel and surprisingly thorough means of gathering data specific to marathons: the media. Unsurprisingly, more or less every single death or serious medical situation that occurs at a running event, or within a 24 hour window after a race is reported by some form of media outlet. Often, the tragic yet singular situation then spreads like wildfire across social media circles, with perverse curiosity and reactionary scorn by non-runners. The running community then finds itself revisiting the seemingly age-old question: is long distance running good for you? Lately, it seems that this question has been modified even further: is long distance running in fact bad for you?
The results of this massive survey in the United States revealed that a grand total of 28 people died either at or within a 24-hour window of running a marathon between 2000-2009. Of those 28 people, the median age was 41.5 years old. Exactly 50% (14) were under 45 years old. Of those over 45, 13 of the 14 died of heart disease related issues. Those under the median age died of a variety of issues, including cardiac arrest.
Also of note, and in what seems to be the takeaway from the study, the mortality rate of marathon participants did not significantly change over the 10 year period and remains insignificantly low.
The Johns Hopkins study seems to reveal what the vast majority of runners everywhere have long believed (or, rather, hoped): that training for and running a marathon is no more dangerous today than it was when the event was significantly less popular a decade ago. Moreover, one could read from this study that the only thing that has gotten out of hand over the last 10 years has been the sensationalistic media attention that a death during a marathon attracts and the desire for a grand narrative that is just simply not there. The numbers don’t lie, as the saying goes.
In the end, Mr. Do was revived and after an extended stay at an Ottawa hospital and a battery of heart related tests that revealed no stress on the heart or pre-existing heart condition, he was released. The Ottawa Citizen reports that Do is at home resting and feeling good, yet disappointed that he was not able to finish the race. The probable cause of Mr. Do’s terrifying collapse that made national news during Ottawa race weekend proved to be vasovagal syncope — a severe and sudden fainting spell. Chi-son Do will thankfully live to race another day.
By Michael Doyle
from: http://runningmagazine.ca/2012/06/sections/news/massive-study-takes-a-long-look-at-mortality-and-the-marathon/
At last Sunday’s Ottawa Race Weekend spectators and organizers were witness to what has become the greatest fear at a road race: a runner collapsing near the finish line.
Chi-son Do, a 25-year-old Montrealer competing in the half-marathon, lost consciousness and immediately collapsed with only 20 meters to go before the finish line. Luckily, there were two doctors that emerged from the crowd that immediately attended do Do, after what the Ottawa Citizen describes as a face-first fall and subsequent motionlessness, where the two doctors struggled to find a pulse and ultimately began performing CPR in an attempt to revive the runner.
The above scene has seemingly become a weekly occurrence during peak marathon periods in the spring and fall. And, of course, this has led both mainstream media outlets and the public at large to wonder whether or not long-distance running is indeed good for you.
This very question, and curiosity about the overall state of long distance running in America, led researchers in the department of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to survey a massive amount of data regarding marathons and the deaths that have occurred during and immediately following marathons over a ten year period.
What the researchers found after looking at data between 2000-2009 was that, although the number of marathon participants grew quite a bit over the course of the decade (from just shy of 300,000 in 2000 to nearly 475,000 in 2009), the comparative rate of deaths during a marathon did not rise. Also, the average finishing time of marathon runners did not significantly change (from 4:34:47 in 2000 to 4:35:28 in 2009), which would suggest that culturally there has been a stasis in terms of how long distance running is approached in the United States. The running population has not significantly improved, nor have they taken a step backwards.
Because the nature of deaths aren’t often reported publicly by hospitals, the researchers of the study found a novel and surprisingly thorough means of gathering data specific to marathons: the media. Unsurprisingly, more or less every single death or serious medical situation that occurs at a running event, or within a 24 hour window after a race is reported by some form of media outlet. Often, the tragic yet singular situation then spreads like wildfire across social media circles, with perverse curiosity and reactionary scorn by non-runners. The running community then finds itself revisiting the seemingly age-old question: is long distance running good for you? Lately, it seems that this question has been modified even further: is long distance running in fact bad for you?
The results of this massive survey in the United States revealed that a grand total of 28 people died either at or within a 24-hour window of running a marathon between 2000-2009. Of those 28 people, the median age was 41.5 years old. Exactly 50% (14) were under 45 years old. Of those over 45, 13 of the 14 died of heart disease related issues. Those under the median age died of a variety of issues, including cardiac arrest.
Also of note, and in what seems to be the takeaway from the study, the mortality rate of marathon participants did not significantly change over the 10 year period and remains insignificantly low.
The Johns Hopkins study seems to reveal what the vast majority of runners everywhere have long believed (or, rather, hoped): that training for and running a marathon is no more dangerous today than it was when the event was significantly less popular a decade ago. Moreover, one could read from this study that the only thing that has gotten out of hand over the last 10 years has been the sensationalistic media attention that a death during a marathon attracts and the desire for a grand narrative that is just simply not there. The numbers don’t lie, as the saying goes.
In the end, Mr. Do was revived and after an extended stay at an Ottawa hospital and a battery of heart related tests that revealed no stress on the heart or pre-existing heart condition, he was released. The Ottawa Citizen reports that Do is at home resting and feeling good, yet disappointed that he was not able to finish the race. The probable cause of Mr. Do’s terrifying collapse that made national news during Ottawa race weekend proved to be vasovagal syncope — a severe and sudden fainting spell. Chi-son Do will thankfully live to race another day.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
4K; Ultra-Marathon 50K Registered!
First run after last Sunday's marathon. Got in 4 K after work this evening. A few aches but great to back to running!
Good news - signed up for the 50 K Ultra Marathon. It will take place on Saturday, June 23, 2012 located at Niagara on the Lake, ON. Race starts at 7 AM. Last year there were 163 racers in the 50 K. There is also a 100 K race (run double the 50 K route) as well as marathon and half-marathon. I am #538 registered for this series. I read the reviews for this race and the race is organized http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=3028120623
Good news - signed up for the 50 K Ultra Marathon. It will take place on Saturday, June 23, 2012 located at Niagara on the Lake, ON. Race starts at 7 AM. Last year there were 163 racers in the 50 K. There is also a 100 K race (run double the 50 K route) as well as marathon and half-marathon. I am #538 registered for this series. I read the reviews for this race and the race is organized http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=3028120623
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Marathon #9: Whitby International Marathon
Made the trek to Whitby for marathon #9. Arrived at 6:20 AM and picked up bib. Good thing for race-day pick up to avoid 100 km of driving round trip just to pick up a bib. Parking was at the sports arena and free.
The marathon, half-marathon, and 10 K all started together. The route was scenic in rural areas along Lake Ontario. For the 2nd half, the majority of the route was on park trail. The sun was kept out due to the clouds which made running more bearable, considering the starting temperature was approximately 16C. I wore a hat and sunglasses.
E-load was served at most of the fluid stations - a few only had water. I brought 4 gels (although e-load gels were given). The route was well marked as the 2nd half was lonely due to the few number of marathon runners (although I got honked when I missed a turn!). The majority of the route is flat although there were a few steep uphill (I power walked these). Good thing it did not rain the night before or during the race - as there were instances of trail paths. Volunteers were stationed at appropriate places and the K markers helped to ensure I was on the correct route. A small race but I found it organized.
Since I ran the Toronto Marathon 3 weeks ago, I opted with the goal to finish. Thus, I started slower than usual as I was averaging 6:30/K. One concern is Garmin measured route at 41.82 K (which is short - since the official route is calculated using the tangent, the Garmin should have recorded over 42.2 K). Here are the stats:
- Chip Time = 4:34:42
- Gun Time = 4:35:30
- Age Category = 15 out of 20
- Gender Category = 44 out of 56
- Overall = 64 out of 86
- Pace = 6:32 min/K
Monday, May 21, 2012
Marathon Medals Display
Ordered on-line a marathon medals display. Cost $70 for 3 rungs and $20 for shipping to Canada. Wonder if there will also be duty fee? Will be great to display my 11 finisher's medals to date (3 as a walker and 8 as a runner). The one I ordered is at the bottom right.
Also, signed up for the Whitby International Marathon for next Sunday (May 27th). Race begins at 7 AM. Just hope the weather will not be too hot and humid. Checked on-line Weather Network and low is 16C and high is 24C. Will not be easy but the legs are in marathon mode so might as well tackle marathon #9 as a runner.
Also, signed up for the Whitby International Marathon for next Sunday (May 27th). Race begins at 7 AM. Just hope the weather will not be too hot and humid. Checked on-line Weather Network and low is 16C and high is 24C. Will not be easy but the legs are in marathon mode so might as well tackle marathon #9 as a runner.
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