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Quick Thought: I will be fast, I will be strong. I will beat my marathon PB at least twice in 2010 ...read more

Some days the running is just plain good

This morning was to be the return of Wednesday doubles. 10 km easy in am and 10km Tempo in the pm.

I went to the washroom and crawled back into bed. Nice!

The darkness and coziness of my single king size bed was to much on this day and the time flew by to a point it was 'too late' - but - not to worry, I am still doing the 10 km tempo this evening with the group so I guess I could skip the am run....hmmmm.

But I really wanted to run, and get myself to work on foot, so at what would be the last possible moment I jumped up, dressed and managed to get myself out the door. To a mess of slushy new fallen snow. Yuck.

I walked for a few minutes a bit bummed that the long streak of snow-less winter had finally ended. I turned the walk into a very slow saunter, to a dare I say it, jog, and finally started running. Running is never very fluid on new fallen, partially walked on, road slush splattered sidewalks. I mustered up the energy to fight through it and before I knew it, I was in the groove.

As I headed onto Dundas, I came across, as suspected, snow covered bike lanes. So I ran against traffic on the road which due to the lateness of the morning (after 7:30am by this time) was interrupted with frequent oncoming cars so I had to keep reverting back to the slushy bike lane. I was wet footed by the halfway point but not bothered by that at all. The run just felt so easy and smooth despite the conditions and I was actually upset when the greatness of my downtown building appeared.

Some days we really need to just run, not train, just run. Running to a destination is also something I find enjoyable on an easy run.

Tonight though, it's time to work hard again. Boston is not going to run itself you know.

Why do you run. Why should you. Your Choice.

We have all heard this question. We have all asked ourselves. Why do we run? Why do you run? Why do I run? The reasons change from day to day, season to season and they keep growing.

With the help of some thoughts I found on a Running Forum out there in the scary www, here are just some reasons. You may have more, and by all means, feel free to share them

There are no tricks. Run because you have to. Run because you love it. Run because you want to be fast. Run because you want to be skinny. Run to find some quiet time. Run to sweat. Run to eat. Run hear your heart pound in your ears. Run because you're a runner. Run because you gotta keep the streak. Run because you don't know why the hell you're running. Run because you fought with your partner. Run because your job is shitty. Run because you got no money. Run for the sunrise. Run for a race. Run because it's impossible. Run because it's easy. Run instead of doing the laundry. Run instead of watching TV. Run because no one else understands. Run because the cool kids do it. Run because you're tired of talking. run for numbers. Run for feel. Run to prove something. Run because it hurts so good. Or don't run. If you really do have something better to do.

Reply All

On what day did god invent 'Reply All' and could he not have rested on that day too?

That's all for today. Just needed to get that off my chest.

I fought the law and the law won

I hate to say it. The laws that are in place are there for a reason and did not work in my favour yesterday.

 

Last August, on her birthday nonetheless, I was pulled over for speeding, while on my way to meet her at the cottage. Lo and behold, I had a nasty ticket and fine on my hand, one which I really felt not justified having been travelling with the flow of traffic.

So, we decided to fight it. Even tough I really felt ripped off, I knew there was not much of a chance to get out of this once. We hoped the officer may choose not to show up. Well, small town (ish) Barrie OPP obviously have no issues getting to court. I took their offer to a lesser charge and counted my blessings. Time to pay the fee, and a nice sunny day spent with the mrs. Worse things could happen.

 

At least the court time was late enough in the day, we were able to get in a decent run!

Oh to run again on cold winter days of Toronto

I am back. It was a very VERY busy December. Holidays. Family. Work. Downtime - which included 2 seasons of Dexter.....yawn. No, not yawn because Dexter is boring, yawn because we kept staying up so late to watch just one more! What a great show!

Back to running though. After the layoff with a broken toe, I am finally able to run again without pain and without it aching later in the day. Bliss.

I need to catch up on some fitness. I still maintain the same goals such as a PR in Boston and another in May at Mississauga. Add to that several other marathons and hopefully a record year of 8 or more marathons.

Last year was a good one, and I should be happy that the year went by with almost no sidelining injuries. I still have that nagging hamstring and piriformis issue, which I wonder how long will last seeing as it seemed to get worse during my down time. I am due for some physio on it for sure.

It was a good year for personal goals though. I look back and think of how well it went and would be glad to be able to maintain my rate of improvement before my body starts saying it is time to slow down. It won;t be easy, but then again, I do not want it to be. I embrace the challenge.

Today, my run into work (10.5k) took a lot longer than usual. I am a ways off to being race ready. But I am almost glad. I have that sense of need to improve that I had in the early days of my running career. Ultimately, I'd rather be in top shape and a look at improving my times dramatically but injury aside I have not been disciplined enough. Perhaps I let the toe break get me down but now I have fitness to gain and weight to lose in order to be where I want to be.

I can do it. I will do get to where I want to be. I just need to get season 3 and 4 of Dexter out of the way first!

A true off season

Yesterday, I missed my second Sunday Run in a row ending 2 weeks without a run. As nice as it is to sleep in on a Sunday, it's no fun sitting around wishing I was out in the fresh air, earning some brunch points!

No exercise is strange when you've been on a good run with no injuries or health issues like I have. I covered well over 2000 miles in 2009 and there was only one week I ran less than 3 days. Most weeks were 5 days, some 6 and a some 7.

December was supposed to be a high easy mileage base building month and January was to begin my toughest training schedule so far. Now, I am thinking of a start back program as opposed to launching into a marathon training program. I want to run a strong Spring Marathon and was hoping Boston would be the one but that is only 16 weeks away and I am not yet ready to test this slowly healing toe. Maybe I will make Boston a tune up race and go hard at Mississauga again.We'll see how well I bounce back

The toe injury is 2 weeks old today, and almost as sore as day one. Everyone I talk to who has experienced broken toes is saying 6+ weeks of healing and still, after those 6 weeks they had pains and soreness.

Cross training will be key here. I need to get disciplined and get out on the bike or to the pool. The holiday season, a cold, and busy days at work are not helping the cause.

Some may like these excuses and enjoy the downtime. I am just glad they all happened at once.

If you are one of the few people reading this, get out there and run a loop for me. I will join you as soon as I can!

Fiji part 2 - Hip hop and a broken toe

Have you read Fiji part one yet? if not,  click here

It looks like this will be a good time to let my hamstring heal.

Why?

Well, let's just say, I am not 16 anymore. Breakdancing at parties however, is something that has stayed with me through the years. One move that I never really perfected when I was a youth, still impresses those who cannot break-dance at all, so every once in a while I pull it out of my bag of tricks and entertain the (primarily) intoxicated onlookers.

Don't try this at home kids. Also, do not attempt such a tricky maneuver with sandals. It started when the entire bar got the 'train' started. We all joined in and well, one thing led to another. The trained made it's way back to the dance floor with me atthe front. We ended off by formain a circle, which of course is my cue to hit the hardwood. I actually pulled of my A move and got a few cheers. As I stood back up, it occurred to me that my left big toe was sore. I figure I twisted it or something but over the following few minutes it proved to be worse than I thought. This prompted me to call it a night as it was getting late anyway. For the record, I was pretty much sober, it was just all in fun. Some might argue this point, but those present were too drunk to know I wasn't. Anyone else questioning me can get stuffed, I know my truth.

So I woke up in the middle of the night with throbbing pain. I managed to get back to sleep, but woke up early and decided I should ice it. When I called down to room service for a bucket of ice they thought we were still drinking and sort of questioned why I needed it.

After a short time 'ricing' my toe, I got up and headed for breakfast, knowing that this indeed was more than a bruise. By the end of the day, it was swollen, and part blue, purple, brown, grey and a new colour I have never seen before. I knew then it must be broken. I have not seen a doctor about it but I know that would be futile as there is never much they do about a broken toe. 3 days later and I still cannot walk on it. I assume, after Googling about this, that I will be laid up for a few weeks. Last night I stubbed it, with shoes on and it was some serious pain for a few minutes. Not fun but on the positive side, like I said, my hamstring needs the rest anyway and I probably would never let that heal properly if not for this.

Fiji part 1 - fun in the sun and on the run

My absence from the online world has been nice. While away, I managed to attend a work conference in Fiji that despite the full day of travel in each direction was worth it for the 4 days we spent there. Although we did have plenty of indoor sessions, they were interesting, motivating and better than most conferences I have been on. We had plenty of free time, including the whole first and last days and the evenings of both middle days.

My primary focus was to have fun and not get too caught up in the party atmosphere that tends to get out of hand at Flight Centre Conferences. I was successful here and managed all mornings hangover free. I choose to make the best out of the early evenings, consume heaps of water and not stay up too late. This definitely made it easier to sit through the work sessions we had planned.

I was also able to get up early enough to fit in a few runs with a couple of fellow Flight Centre runners (before I broke my toe...that story later). The island we were on, the main island of Fiji, which was named Viti Levu is fairly large and our area was great for running although it was tough due to the fact we were situated in a very hilly area. Each run required some hill navigation before hitting the flat areas. The people of Fiji are said to be the friendliest in the world and I;d say that is no lie as every one we ran by greeted us with their version of Mahala, Ola, Bonjour, Irie mon etc...Bula. They are actually quite exuberant with their bula greeting which can mean almost anything, like hi, hello, hello again, bless you, thank you, so we heard it as much as we needed to ... ever.

The heat took away some of the motivation to go long so I only managed 3 runs, the longest being 10.5 kms and I was well spent at the end of that run especially since I took the hilliest route possible that morning. All in all, a good trip, decent weather, enough downtime to make it feel like a break from work. I am still a bit jet-lagged but very glad to be home with my adoring family again.

Read Fiji Part 2

Tiger Woods News clips, playing golf, neccessary?

I find it interesting that when recent news clips of Tiger Woods and his car accident / affair rumours, they show 2, 3 or more clips of him playing golf.

Is this because some people might be watching on thinking, hmmm, Tiger Woods, I know that name, who is he though...cut to clip of Tiger sinking a putt...Oh ya, that guy!.

Sheesh.

I distinctly said, Spinal Tap, and Puppet Show

Or, it could be, I distinctly said, Hedley and then Dora the Explorer

You may remember from Spinal Tap, the scene where they are just getting backon tour again and playing small venues. At a Theme Park venue, they are disturbed to find out that they've been billed 2nd, below 'Puppet Show'

 

Well, in a similar vein, but more, well, real life, I saw this banner ad for a new opening of Best Buy, with Hedley billed 3rd, behind Dora the Explorer and Spider man! Kinda funny I thought.

 

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