Garmin Forerunner 220 without HRM

I just placed an on-line order for the Garmin Forerunner 220 without HRM. Cost is $279.99 minus 10% (coupon for signing up for Running Room newsletter). Had $125 gift cards from my previous work location. So total cost to me is $159.75.

Was told at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon expo by a Running Room employee to charge the watch once it comes out of the box - i.e., not to turn it on yet. Will follow that instruction as my current Garmin Forerunner 305 only lasted almost 3 years. My original Garmin lasted 4 years.

This my is Xmas gift to self. The battery in my current Garmin is deteriorating as the weeks go by. Only got 17 K yesterday before the battery died.

http://ca.shop.runningroom.com/forerunner-220.html

27 Full/Ultra Marathons Wall Display

Full/ultra marathons wall display:

Toronto Waterfront Marathon = 7; Mississauga Marathon = 5; Hamilton Marathon = 4; Toronto Marathon = 3; Niagara Ultra Marathon = 3; Whitby International Marathon = 2; Ottawa Marathon = 1; Montreal Marathon = 1; Niagara Falls International Marathon = 1

For 2015, eyeing the following full/ultra marathons:

* Toronto Marathon - registered - May 3, 2015

* Ottawa Marathon - registered - May 24, 2015

* Niagara Ultra Marathon - awaiting to register - June ??, 2015

* Quebec City Marathon - awaiting to register - August 30, 2015 

* Picton Marathon - awaiting to register - October 4, 2015

* Toronto Waterfront Marathon - registered - October 18, 2015

* Hamilton Marathon - awaiting to register - November ??, 2015

Long Run 22 K

Long Run this morning. Cold, light rain, windy :-( Not many runners on the Martin Goodman Trail. After running 3 full marathons in 3 weeks, now is "down time" for the rest of the year. 20 K today. 

My Garmin Forerunner 305 needs to be replaced. Got in 15 K and then no more battery. At the Montreal Marathon in late September, got in 23 K before no more battery. Eyeing the new Garmin 220 - costs $279. Have a 10% coupon for signing up for Running Room list - awaiting to see if there will be a 20% coupon with the upcoming Running Room magazine. Too bad I missed out on the 20% coupon in the September/October issue - never received a hard copy of the magazine in the mail. The Garmin will be my Xmas present to self! Most important feature for me is Intervals for distance and time. 

Have used up my $750 from work insurance for massages - now paying out of my own pocket - but need to do so to avoid injury. Legs, calfs, quads tight and need to be loosened. 

Photos taken on the Martin Goodman Trail today:

YTD = 1450.8 K

Hamilton Marathon Photo Race Report

Arrived at Confederation Park at 6:20 AM and boarded a school bus to the start line. Like last year, weather is cold yet sunny. 

A great feature of this race is bib pick up can occur on race morning. 

Had to choose between small and XL. Took the small. That's too bad there were no more mediums. 

Scenic route for the first 17 K before sharing the same route as the half marathon. 6 K south on the Red Hill Valley Parkway. Final 11 K along the water. 

Start line. Approaching 8 AM. 1000 people in the full marathon.

We're off! I wore 2 tech shirts and a jacket. Learned from last year. Should have brought along a cheap toque. 

1 K. Leaves have fallen. 

2 K. To the left is spectacular view of Hamilton. 

Here's the spectacular view. 

3 K. 

4 K. No midweek run this week. Lots of walk breaks and easy does it. 

Another view of Hamilton!

5 K. Nice autumn view.

6 K. Scenic view. Minimal spectators. 

Rolling hills :-(

8 K turn. Last 6 K was running into the wind. 

9 K. Upward incline. Walked most of the uphills. 

Yeah! 10 K completed. 

Enjoyed running 11 K to 16 K. Mainly flat. 

12 K. Nice rural view. Farmland!

13 K. Can't imagine the winter on these roads. 

1/3 complete now. Enjoy the run on Green Mountain Road East. 

Approaching 15 K. 

Another nice scenic view. 

Approaching 17 K. Full and half marathon route merge now. 

18 K. On Mud Street. 

Half way now! About to enter Red Hill Valley Parkway. Downhill!

Entering the parkway. 

Quite steep downhill - and at an angle. Not the easiest on the legs!

Nice view of the parkway. 

26 K completed. Still going downhill. 

27 K. Exiting the parkway. Gels given out at 27 K.

Entering the trail. Glad every year I've done this race it is sunny. Would be challenging if it rained hard. 

Scenic view. 

This is tough. Must walk the steep hill. 

The bridge is in sight. 

Another walk uphill. 29 K.

Yeah - the bridge with the parkway below. 

Entering the final 11 K along the waterfront. 

Yeah! 30 K completed. 12 K to go. 

I like this point-to-point as you can see the runners on the other side. 

31 K done. 

More runners running towards the finish line. 

Time to make a left turn to head back to the road. 

Marathon continues, while half marathon makes a right turn. 

33 K. Legs are tight. Even though slight downhill, not easy!

Now counting each K.

I recognize this man from the Niagara Falls International Marathon. I believe this race is marathon #62 for him. 

Yeah - the turn to head to the finish line. 

36 K. Nice fall colours. 

Like the view of the tree to the left. 

Yes! Dogs!!!

Another nice view. 

Music being played here. A dragon inflatable. 

Nice view of the tree in the centre. 

The route is on the Hamilton Beach Trail. Must be busy in the summer. 

Wow - 41 K. 

Every step is closer to the finish line. Nice fall colours. 

Turn right and that's the finish line. 

Finish line in sight!

The reward!!! 

Celebrating with Bud. 

Gun Time = 5:34:08
Chip Time = 5:32:58
Overall = 872 out of 893
Age Category = 79 out of 79
Gender = 505 out of 517

Overall, a very well-organized race. Everything went as planned except the tech shirt. Fluid stations stocked with water and electrolytes, oranges twice on route, gels at 27 K, police at busy intersections,

YTD = 1428.75 K