Rambling about Running
Visit www.beachesrunner.com
It's been a busy time, busy busy busy. But I have managed to get 2 of 4 new sites up with the other 2 almost ready, waiting in the wings.
The newest one is my new blog. BEACHES RUNNER. Why? Because I wanted a new name, and a new look and feel. It also runs on Wordpress, which for Blogging, is so much easier than trying to keep this site up to date. I plan on being more active (in writing) again so check it out, and by all means, leave a comment, suggestion, tip, whatever! The new site will focus more on running and fitness in general and less on my illustrious racing career :)
The other one is a site for our band MIXED TAPE. Check it out to stay in tune [ tune :) ] with what is happened, upcoming shows and of course, give your feedback and make a request for songs to play at future shows. There is also some articles on retro music (and current) and cool YouTube selections.
The other 2 will be interesting too and I will give you more info on them later and I'll let you know when they are up and running.
This site will remain live until the end of the year to browse and refer to. I hope to see you over at
This is of course in relation to running and fitness. I have other personal goals as well but for now, here are my fitness goals.
I will probably only do 3 marathons next year focusing on speed rather than multiplicity. I do not currently have any milestone marathon goals. I am at marathon #20 now, so there's nothing exciting about any upcoming numbers. When I feel I can no longer run any faster, I will switch back to frequency because I do love running in the marathon events, especially out of town events.
So, go hard or go home!
Boston Marathon 3:10
Scotiabank Waterfront (Autumn) Marathon 3:00
HM -sub-1:30
10K - sub 40
5K - Sub-19
For those of you who see me IRL, please remind me of these regularly.
I have failed miserably to write any blogs, race reports or anything lately. The combination of being busy and lack of motivation postpartum Boston Marathon Qualification have take their toll on my writing.
Now, these posts will have to wait another day, I would rather promote my quest to raise monies for Prostate Awareness, which although is being heavily encouraged by my workplace superiors, I still feel it is such a good cause so I have gladly joined the team at Flight Centre to do well in our quest. Several of my co-workers have lost family members or have family members currently battling this cancer - this is enough motivation for me.
So, This Movember, the month formerly known as November I've decided to donate my face to raising awareness about prostate cancer. My donation and commitment is the growth of a moustache for the entire month of Movember, which I know will generate conversation, controversy and laughter.
I'm doing this because 4,400 men die of prostate cancer in Canada each year and one in six men will be diagnosed during his lifetime.
This is a cause that I feel passionately about and I'm asking you to support my efforts by making a donation to Prostate Cancer Canada.
To help, you can either:
- Click this link http://ca.movember.com/mospace/135367/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account
- Write a cheque payable to 'Prostate Cancer Canada', referencing my name or Registration Number 135367 and mailing it to: Prostate Cancer Canada, Suite 306 145 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1E3, Canada.
All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please visit: http://ca.movemberfoundation.com/research-and-programs.
Thank you in advance for helping me to support men's health!So, I get the update email today for the Goodlife marathon and what di I see? A proposition to wear the shirt during the race! What? yes, here is is as it reads in the email:
Win a Karbon Training Jacket - value $100!
Be spotted in your Karbon GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon tech shirt
as you cross the finish line, and you could win a great Karbon Training
jacket!
Oh my, this will lead to more and more people breaking the cardinal rule of event shirts!
( 2 Thumbs up )
"Cool, bright autumn days rank up there with balmy spring days as some of the most pleasant times to run throughout the whole year. The crispness in the air and the almost cinematic quality of light make being outdoors both relaxing and invigorating, and you find yourself looking for excuses to get outside instead of looking for excuses not to. Of course, that's when the sun is shining. But even on chilly overcast days, it's still nice to throw on an extra layer and head out for a run along the canal or the river, not worrying about heat stroke or whether you're lugging enough water around to stay properly hydrated. Yes indeed, autumn is a great time for running."
This quote comes from the most recent email adcvert promoting the 2011 Ottawa Marathon.
Photo of Duff taken from the Run for the Toad 25k Trail Race. A premier Autumn event!
The only PR I am after of course is the Marathon. Goodlife Toronto Marathon being the goal race and with just a little over 4 weeks to go, it is looking good. Ultimately, good for a 3:20:59 or better in order to re-qualify for Boston 2011 but if all goes well and I finish strong, I will get under my PR of 3:19:10....well under.
This is a bold statement yes, but that's the way to go - I plan to leave nothing out there and this is how I have been successful previously.
Other upcoming events include:
Scotiabank Half Marathon (Sept 26) - I plan to run about 8-10k before the race as a warm up and run the event at just under marathon goal race pace. This will make for a strong training run / practice race.
Run for the Toad 25k Trail Race (Oct 2) - My plans for this race are to take it very easy and enjoy the sites on Paris Ontario's lovely 12.5k double loop trail. Apparently this is one of the nicest, well run races in Ontario as noted by anyone I have spoke to that has run it in previous years. Another reasson for taking it easy here is that it is only 2 weeks out from the marathon and although the distance is close to what I normally would run, the terrain is not and I do not need to incur an injury from a fall or a turned ankle. So I will go VERY easy in the technical parts and do some pick ups when the ground is even. Should be interesting to say the least.
As for the recent past, I did not get around to writing a report for the Oakville Half Marathon and 10k which I ran with Cam, nor have I even pondered writing a Midsummer Nights Run Race Report. Maybe I will get around to those one of these days :)
Click here to get to Run Shorts' blog contest
It was relaxing in a sense. Mentally it was but I did manage to fit in a 10k run on Thursday, a 6k run with Cam plus 5 more of hill repeats. A 24km bike ride around the lake followed by a 5.5k easy run and a long run of 25km also around the lake which is one of my favourite runs especially when the weather is nice. It was hot but bearable, especially as we started out at 7am. Anita got in 19km as per her schedule. We drove around the lake the night before and dropped off Gatorade at various spots which made it a lot nicer to run without running out of fluids.
The 4 days flew by and the traffic on the ride home was a bit of a bummer. But I can't wait to get back. These cottage weekends are the source some of my greatest memories.
My Blackberry was the source of the following photographs. Thankfully it takes decent photos as it seems to be the only camera we ever have on hand. Click the photos to view larger images.
 It seems like I have taken this photo several times. Well I have, but each time I make a stop at this point on the run around the lake, I feel compelled to capture the moment. It is just that nice of a view! This is a good spot to rest if you want to and there are porta potties if need be although the woods work just fine. |
 This is another shot from the same spot, 10km into the run at a picnic area overlooking the lake. In this shot, I'm sort of looking back to where I started. It seems further that it is but the starting point 10km earlier is at about the top middle of the horizon. I didn't take any more photos on the run this time. I did a couple of years ago . View that slide show here |
 This is a shot later that day, from our beach. The sun had set and left a peaceful blue shadow across the lake. I have taken photos from this spot many times and the colours and lighting always seem to come out different.I could sit in this chair on the beach for hours soaking up the breeze. Margaritas make sitting here even better! |
 Saturday we golfed. It was hot and humid and my first round of the year. It took me two shots plus 4 putts to make a 6 on the opening par 3 hole. Yuck. Pars on the final 2 holes helped me break 100. 98 at one time would have really upset me but this time, it's not bad considering the frequency I have played the last few years. Like marathons, golf is tough for me but as I finish a round, I start looking forward my next one! |
 It is always nice to spend some time with my brother and nephew. Andy loves and hates golf too. He looks quite upset when he's out there. But he too keeps going back for more. I beat him again. Of course I beat my dad but he may tell the story different. My nephew kicked all our butts. |
 We had a campfire Saturday night and watched the fireworks across the lake at the town dock. The small town spent $10,000 on these. Impressive. Almost as good as Ashbridges Bay's really. |
 We found an abandoned baby bird (two actually). My sister in law nursed them over the weekend. She has them at home now and plans to feed them 'til they fly. The kids got a kick out of this. I wonder if they will make it back home in the city. I guess I'll report back about that. |
 These fries were good. My dad insisted on buying them for us on our way back from my tool shopping spree. I broke down and as usual regretted it. They were tasty though. Mom made french fries for dinner too. My parents are overweight, because they don't think these things make you unhealthy. By the way, they give the fries to you half full so you can put condiments on, then you hand them back and they top them up. Kind of cool. |
Next time we make it up to north country., there will be a no fries rule in effect. I say that now... |
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