Ottawa Marathon Weekend

Wow what a weekend.

Firstly I have to congratulate Ken on his amazing 3:16:49 marathon time, all this less than a month after running the flying pig marathon. Ken, you are an inspiration to all of us (some more than others) and it was very reassuring to see you eating an entire pizza and drinking beer after the race.

Don't forget, Ken is doing a program aimed at the Scotiabank marathon and half marathon. Want to run more like Ken than Tony? Click here for details.

Everyone seemed to have a great time this weekend and Sally did a great job organizing the after party. I promise to add a few photos soon.

The National Capital Race weekend continues to be one of my favorite events of the year.

Club Runs June 4 and 5

Saturday June 4
where: Twyn Rivers
when: 8:00
duration: 1 hour
pace: steady
directions:



Sunday June 5
Hit The Road will be at the Alfie Shrub 8K in Bowmanville. Click Here for details.

National Capital Race Weekend

Well it's finally the Ottawa Marathon weekend and I'm really looking forward to it.

Don't forget to come to the After party. Click Here for details.

And check out everyone's results here.

Good luck everyone.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Half Marathon Training Series:

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Half Marathon Training Series:

June 21 to September 20

This is a 14 week training program for Scotiabank Waterfront Race weekend. Emphasis on Marathon and Half marathon. Beginning Tuesday, June 21 we will meet once a week for alternating talks and workouts. This will be goal oriented training with an emphasis on building the strength and endurance required to reach your goals.

What you get:

-Personalized training schedule with distances and intensities, Updated weekly
-Evaluation of your current running fitness level
-Instruction on the different types of training and how they relate to you
-"Club runs" Saturday mornings (trails) and Sunday mornings (long)
-Personal "Head Space" Performance revues Monthly
-Race and training run support to get you through those tough races and training runs.
-Social events

Cost:

$75 for the clinic

Contact:

Ken Niemimaa
hittheroadwithKen@gmail.com
(905) 831-5329

SOCIAL EVENT - Post Race Picnic

We've all worked hard, training diligently over the winter months for our individual spring goals, be they to simply keep moving all winter, or to set a personal best running a spring marathon. Spring race season is coming to an end and it's time to celebrate our accomplishments!

Let's all get together for a celebratory picnic, bring the spouse, the kids, the dogs, the more the merrier!!

Where: Heber Downs, Whitby
When: June 4
Time: short, optional fun run through the trails @ 11
eat, eat, eat @12

Bring enough food to feed your family, a side dish, and a condiment. We'll pool food and have a feast!
Bring ball gloves, soccer balls, etc.

Hope you can make it!!
Jocelyn, Tony, Ken

Ottawa After Party

Our good friend Sally has taken it upon herself to organize the post-race party in Ottawa. Here are the details:

I have booked the Blue Cactus for our second annual National Capital Weekend After Party. The reservation is for 3 pm on Sunday following the races. This gives everyone enough to shower up and get pretty. I have tentatively booked for 40 people (last year we were over 60) - so let me know asap if you're joining in and how many guests you're bringing. I need to call the manager of the restaurant back by the end of the weekend to firm up numbers.

In the interests of not publishing her e-mail or phone number to the world, if you're interested and did not receive the original invite, e-mail me at hittheroad@rogers.com and I'll let her know you're coming.

Busy Busy Busy

There is so much going on, I don't know where to start. OK I do know where to start, at the beginning.

Congratulations to all who took part in the Dundas Valley 5 Peaks race this weekend. I know I had a great time and although my toe nails are complaining I can't wait for the next one. My kids had a fantastic time doing their 100M race and haven't stopped talking about it since.

This weekend is the National Capital Race weekend in Ottawa and I believe everyone will be out there so there will be no group runs in town this weekend.

Today I'll post details of the post race party in Ottawa and our spring celebration group picnic.

We are also finalizing details of our upcoming Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon Race weekend programs so check back soon for details.

As always, feel free to let us know if you have any questions and feel free to post your comments.

5 Peaks Dundas Valley Run

Good luck to all of you who are competing in the Dundas Valley 5 Peaks race this Saturday. Don't forget to check the results after we finish.

Just a reminder that Sunday's run will be a 6K easy run from the McCafe at Port Union and Hwy 2 (See map below) at 8am, followed by our usual coffee and antics at the McCafe (they won't know what's hit them).

I plan to get some pictures from the race this weekend so check back to see us all covered in mud!

Our Photo made the Official Website!

How about that! We made the Official Flying Pig Web site.


www.flyingpigmarathon.com

Quick, call my agent!

Contact Information

If you have any questions or comments about our programs or services, feel free to Contact us.


info@hittheroadrunning.com
(647) 882 9755 - Toronto Number


Feel free to comment on any of posts too.

If you'd like to keep up-to-date with what's going on at Hit The Road...Running, sign up for our FREE e-mail newsletter.

Privacy Policy:

All information collected will be used EXCLUSIVELY by Hit The Road and will not be shared with any third party. Information collected will only be used for statistical analysis purposes, emergency contact and for the purpose of conducting business with you. If you do not wish to receive group e-mail updates from Hit The Road, please e-mail info@hittheroadrunning.com and request to be removed from our mailing list.

May 21 and 22 Club Runs

This is an odd weekend for the club runs as most of us are busy with races.

This Saturday the 21st is the first of the 5 peaks trail running series so that's where we will all be. You can still register for the race. Take a look at HERE for details.

Some of you expressed an interest in car pooling to the event which is a great idea because their web site says:

Tokens are redeemed per vehicle not person, so pack friends and family into your car and plan enjoy the park and Dundas Valley heritage.Additional tokens cost $5. and can be purchased at the main gate

My car is full of family so feel free to post comments on this entry if you are looking for a ride or can provide someone else with a ride. If not, you're on your own! Don't forget to put your name on your comment or you will appear as 'Anonymous' and I'm not sure if I'd want to share a ride with him (I hear he's trouble).

Sunday is the last week before the National Capital Race weekend in Ottawa so Sunday's run will be a leisurely 6K from the McCafe at Port Union and Hwy 2 followed by coffee inside the McCafe.



Remember if you are doing the race in Ottawa to get lots of rest, eat right and enjoy your last taper week!

Hills and Spills

This weekend turned out to be a great one for us runners. Not too hot and we managed to dodge the rain.

Saturday's train run was a blast. It was either up or down and nothing in between. I was certainly feeling it for my Sunday long run. Remember, if you fall down around Jocelyn, don't expect any sympathy, she'll just point and laugh but apparently I'm quite the graceful faller!

Sunday I managed to get in a good 24K with the Marathon clinic although they were all chomping at the bit and eager to run faster. The taper weeks are so much fun.

This weekend will see almost all of us at the 5 peaks race in Dundas on Saturday and Sunday's long run is not so long as it's the last taper week before Ottawa.

This week we plan to finalize details for our post Ottawa BBQ so keep checking back for details.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them or e-mail any one of us.

This Weekends Runs...Reminder!

Don't forget to join us this weekend for our group runs...

Saturday May 14 Trails
where: back of Dagmar
time: 8:00 am
duration: 50 minutes, steady pace
directions: from Pickering....take Brock road north to Concession 9. Concession 9 east to sideline 4. (in the town of Balsam...look for a little iron welding shop on the south side) Take sideline 4 north, you'll see the trails on both side of the road.

Sunday May 15 Road
where: bottom of Liverpool road in Pickering
time: 8:00 am
distance: 14km or 24km, slow

For those of you training for the National Capital Race weekend, you should already be in your taper and should be getting lots of rest at this point.

Good luck to all of you who are doing the Mississauga Marathon this weekend. Don't forget to let us all know how you did.

Keep checking back for details of our upcoming BBQ!

More Pics from the Pig...Courtesy of Ken.

Group shot on the way to the Pasta Party.


So that's where they get the medals from.


We don't need an excuse to party!


Are they praying for a better result next time?


Geri the Boston Qualifier...

WARNING, Don't have a birthday while on a road trip. Also Don't fall asleep on the bus!

CNN Trail running article

Here's an interesting article about Trail running from CNN

Don't forget, if you want to add comments to any of our posts, feel free.

Upcoming races

We are now less than 2 weeks away from the first of the 5 peaks races for this season. I've added a link to the 5 peaks web site in case you wanted to take a look. I think most of us are already registered. I'm really looking forward to getting muddy!

The National Capital Race weekend is also fast approaching and less than 3 weeks to go. Again there is a link on the right hand side for their web site as well. It's already taper time for those going to Ottawa. This Sunday will be 23K followed by 16K the week before the big day.

May 14 and 15 Club Runs

Saturday May 14 Trails
where: back of Dagmar
time: 8:00 am
duration: 50 minutes, steady pace
directions: from Pickering....take Brock road north to Concession 9. Concession 9 east to sideline 4. (in the town of Balsam...look for a little iron welding shop on the south side) Take sideline 4 north, you'll see the trails on both side of the road.

Sunday May 15 Road
where: bottom of Liverpool road
time: 8:00 am
distance: 14km or 24km, slow

Runs May 7 and 8

Sat Trail Run
where: greenwood conservation area
time: 8am, as always
duration: 45 minutes, easy pace
directions: Church road north past Taunton (Steeles) parking is on the right hand side

Sun run
where: Pickering Running Room
time: 8am, as always
distance: 10-12k, slow, 10 and 1's
directions: Hwy 2 and Valley Farm road, Pickering

Pictures from the flying pig...

As promised, here are some of the highlights from our Flying Pig Marathon trip to Cincinnati...


At the Race Expo.


Flying Pigs everywhere.


Ken getting the Stick!


Ken and Jocelyn holding their freebees.


One of the high points on the course.


On our way to the pasta dinner.


War wounds.


Refueling after the race.


The first of MANY drinks!

To see all the photos click here

Don Mills and Eglinton Beginners Clinic

Due to the current low enrolment of the beginners clinic at Don Mills and Eglinton there is a change of plan for this clinic.

We will still be offering the same 10 week training program starting on May 9th but there will be some modifications...

The location and time will be the same, Monday's at 4:30pm at 789 Don Mills Road but we will not be having the 30 minute classroom session before each training run and we will not be including the technical T-shirt with the clinic price. As a result the price has been dropped from $70 to $40 for the ten week program.

Here are the modified details:

When?

Mondays at 4:30pm starting May 9th, 2005.


What do I get?

Each week we will go outside and do a 30 minute workout during which you will receive coaching and advice. Don't panic, we start out doing more walking than running and slowly build up the amount of running. The program requires you to run 2 more times per week which you can arrange to do alone or with others in the group whichever is more convenient to you.

As well as the weekly sessions you will receive a training schedule, e-mail newsletter as well as fitness and lots of fun.

You will also have access to weekly organized group runs with the Hit the Road Run Club.


How much does it cost?

The cost is only $40 per person for the 10 week course including all the items above.


How do I sign up?

Drop us an e-mail at hittheroad@rogers.com or call (647) 882 9755 (Toronto Number) and we'll get an application form out to you as soon as possible.


Already a runner?

Whether this clinic is your first step towards becoming a runner, you are a seasoned marathoner or anywhere in between, we have organized group club runs available at a different location each week. Many distances and speeds available. Free to clinic members or available on a pay-per-use or club membership basis. Contact us for details. Variety is the spice of life and you'll run stronger too!

Back from the Flying Pig

Well we're back from Cincinnati and I think we all had a great time down there.

I'll post a full report soon but for the time being, here's a group shot of us all taken by the official photographer at the pasta party.