On the road again and off it.

Took the beginners out last night and apart from one getting cramp, they all did really well. It's amazing to see how far they have come in such a short time.

We are now no longer the only team registered for the race so I guess the prize is not just ours for the taking.

Today I went back out to do 6K and decided to go off road and follow the horse trail to see where it came out. After doing about 1K into the trail I came to a dead end and tried to backtrack but came out in a completely different parking lot! It was a fun run though and a few quick hills to boot.

Weekend off

Seeing as I was sick at the end of last week and into the weekend, I decided it would be a better idea to take my Sunday long run off so there has been no running for me since last Wednesday.

Tonight it's week 8 of the Beginners class and now we are ramping up for the Powerbar Rock 'n' Roll 5K.

I did go to the Run Toronto Run show on Saturday but it was a waste of time. The venue was terrible as it was only half full and you had to pay $9 just to park then they expect you to pay another $8 just to get into something which is like a race expo, without the race. If they have another one next year, I won't be going unless the parking is free.

Weekend plans

Still not feeling 100% so I'm taking another day off running. Next scheduled run is Sunday when I plan to do 24K.

This weekend is the Run Toronto Run show so I plan to go down and take a look.

Here are some pictures from yesterday's walk down by the pond I always run by.

The carpet of pine needles feels like walking on a pillow.

The pond that you cannot see from the trail!

Unexpected day off

Decided not to run today as I'm not feeling 100%. Went for a walk down to the pond instead and took some pictures with my new camera. Maybe if I get a chance I'll post some later.

The race is on

Well I finally got everything organized to get the beginners registered as a team for the Rock 'n' Roll 5K. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Last night a few people were away but we managed to get out and run. We actually covered 3K so we are right on target for the 5K run on July 16th.

This lunchtime I went out for 8K, ran in Taylor Creek Park. The Garmin does not get a great signal down there but it was a good run dispite the humidity from last night's rain. Overcast around 24C.

Still not decided on Chicago or not yet. The more I think about it, the more expensive it seems to get.

The Long road ahead

Yesterday I wnet out for 20K in bright sunshine and temps in the low 20's. A cool wind helped out so it was a very comfortable run.

Ran out with some of the guys from my previous marathon clinic but they were only planning 15K so I had to come home by myself. It was father's day and there was a pancake breakfast going on in Rotary Park. It was tempting to grab one on my way through.

I'm really considering Chicago Marathon now. It looks like I have someone to share the cost of the room with.

This evening is the beginners clinic and the forecast is for rain this evening so I hope it holds out.

Crazy Woodpecker

It's hot today, mid-twenties and very sunny. I ran 6K on the trails and was divebombed by a crazy woodpecker. Quite a colourful bird but nothing like Woody!

On Sunday, I'm planning on running 20K, my toenails are still not back to their normal colour since the Marathon but they don't look like they will come off.

We need to register the team for the Rock 'n' Roll 5K by Tuesday. They have a cut off at 2000 runners and are currently at 850 so it can't wait too much longer.

Wow, I never knew that was there.

Ran just under 10K yesterday in 24C beautiful sunshine. Usually when I run up to Edwards Gardens, I go uo the hill towards Lawrence, but yesterday I ran a loop through the gardens and was surprised by how nice it was. Well worth a visit.

Today I'm taking a rest day as I have a team lunch to go to.

Great progress by the beginners!

The beginners have come a long way. We ran down into the valley last night dispite a threatening storm cloud. They are already up to 5 minutes and they seem to be having no more dificulty than when they were doing 1 minute.

Today I went out to do 8K but ended up doing 8.3. It was hot and humid at around 30C but it was a nice run anyway.

I'm thinking of doing the Whitby 5000m race in two weeks. I should know plenty of people there so it should be a good race. I guess I should sign up.

Back in the swing of things

Sunday was a great day for running, overcast and 16C. Did a nice 12K with a group from my last marathon clinic down to the waterfront.

Still thinking about running the Chicago Marathon. I'm trying to find someone to commit to sharing a hotel room so I can justify the cost.

Tonight is the beginners who will be up to 5 minutes! I plan to take them down into the valley and run the trail. The hill back won't be much fun though. I'll see how it goes tonight. It's actually quite hot, around 26C and sunny right now.

Star for a day

Last night on TV there was an hour long show on the Ottawa Marathon. I saw myself running past the camera with my clear plastic bag on, chatting away to Ken. That clear plastic bag is not only practical, it gets me noticed! When I took it off at about 2K and tried to throw it in a garbage can, I hit some guy in the chest with it.

Today would be a great day for a run, it's sunny and around 20C, a little windy. I have a lunch to go to so I won't be out pounding the pavement.

Looks like it's going to be a nice weekend.

Cool Runnings

The heat finally broke today and it's only about 15C and overcast. Great running weather!

Ran 10.15K, still trying to get my legs back after the marathon but this run was like night and day compared to Tuesday's run.

Ran through Sunnybrook park and enjoyed the quiet apart from the train going over the bridge. Tomorrow I have another lunch planned so I probably won't run 'til Sunday.

Too hot to trot

Decided not to run today as it's just too hot. Besides, I got a lunch invitation. The humidex is over 42C so instead of working out, I pigged out!

Heat

Just ran over 8K in the heat and humidity. It's 28.7C and Humidex around 40C. Air quality is bad dispite a moderate wind from the south 21-37Km/h.

I say over 8K because the garmin dropped the signal a couple of times. Ran in the Don Vally but walked up the hill at the end just due to the heat. Still 45 minutes is not too bad, including the walk.

Back to the grind

Wow, the beginners are doing a fantastic job. Last night we ran 4 minutes and although it wasn't easy for all of them they all did a great job. Just a few weeks ago they were stuggling with 1 minute. It's great to see them improving so much.

We have enough people for a team entry into the rock 'n' roll 5K so I need to look into that.

Today will be my first real run for myself since the marathon in Ottawa. It's very hot today, close to 30 and humid so I will be taking it easy and getting the cobwebs out.

What should my next race be?

Well this was the first weekend since October 2003 that I have not run at all but at least I had time to cut the grass. Now it's time to decide on my next race. I've come through Ottawa without injury so hopefully I can continue to build on the fitness I already have.

There are a couple of 5K races coming up, the Whitby 5000m on June 27th which I might do and the Rock and Roll 5K at the docks on July 16th which I will be doing with the Beginners clinic from DM & Eglinton. It would be good if we could enter as a team into the race, so far 8 have confirmed but we need 10 for the team entry.

A group I know are talking about Chicago but it seems like a lot of money for a not too scenic run and I doubt I'd get close to qualifying for Boston any time soon. So I'm not sure.

I need to work out a training program so I might just aim at Chicago as Toronto and Niagara are both within a couple of weeks of it. Just 17 weeks to Chicago so not a huge amount of time but I do want to try doing some more long runs and see how it goes.

Tonight is week 5 of the beginners clinic and they are doing a fantastic job. I'm also thinking of setting up another beginners clinic to aim for Scotiabank 5K. We'll see.

The weather is finally heating up and I need to get out there again....

Building for the future

Well, today I had a very promising meeting with a possible strategic partner who seems very interested in our services. My guess is that it will take a while for it to come to fruition but it could result in a whole bunch of clinics. She was very enthusiastic.

I should realy update the dates on the web-site as at least one of them has past by now.

Tonight is the post marathon party at Boston Pizza. Yeah, and tomorrow I have a vacation day.

Party Time

Well Ottawa was a ton of fun. A little warm for a marathon. Ran the first half at a 3:35 finish pace and realized it was getting too hot for any PB's today so I decided to slow it down and enjoy the rest of the race. Finished in 3:50:33 which is not too shabby and had a lot of fun soaking in the scenery. Working the crowds which helped the wife spot me.

The Garmin said I had done 42.43Km so I had done a pretty good job with the tangents.

Helped to pace Chris to another Boston qualifier, at least for the first half.

Here's how the people in the marathon clinic did in Ottawa:
Chris 3:35
Ken 3:35
Me 3:50
Alfred 3:58
Lesley 4:05
Brian 4:10
Shannon 4:29
Wendy 4:32
Richard 4:37
Annette 4:53
Cathy 4:53
Kerri 4:53
Angela 4:59
Christine 5:08
Brenda 6:05

This Thursday will be the post race party at Boston Pizza. Can't wait to hear all the stories.

It always amazes me how you take one day off work any you have 3 days of work to catch up on!

My position in the total field was 1229/3534 or 35%
Men 990/2129 or 46%
Age Group 171/331 or 52%