Road Hogs

Drivers react in so many ways to runners. There are the wild reactionary types who lean on their horns and gesticulate like they're having fits, eyes rolling and mouths flapping, seemingly obsessed with owning the road that is wide enough for at least two of the vehicles they're driving, but certainly not for the runner who is taking up less space than the occasional bag of Mcdonald's garbage on the curbside. These types amuse me to an extent, but I get alarmed when they have passengers in the vehicle whose lives are obviously at risk.
Before you start assuming that I'm one of those runners who push the envelope, running on narrow, busy streets and causing excessive angst for the drivers out there who, I know, are also runners in many instances, I will assure you that I am very safety conscious. I take back streets, quite deserted, very wide, and 90% of my routes include bike lanes in which I run. I wear bright running gear as well.
The clueless drivers really scare me. You just know that they don't see you and could easily run you down if you don't hop back up on the curb.
The best, though, was one time during a blizzard when I was stopped waiting for a light. There were drifts of snow on the road, visibility was about two feet, and the wind was close to 50km/h. The driver of the van beside me rolled down his window and asked me how the traction was. We chatted until the light changed; he was a runner too and was jealous that he wasn't out there running as well. Those are the drivers you want to see more of.

Number One Run

Today I ran 20 km at a pace of 5.15 mins per km. That's my second-fastest recorded pace to date, the only faster being 5.12 on a 10 km run. I also did 5.15 two days ago on a 10 km run.
I've been running for about five years now. One promise I made to myself was that I would drop weight slowly. When I started running I weighed close to 180 lbs; today I weigh exactly 160. I've been at 160 for less than 6 months, which I think has everything to do with my recent burst of speed. I eat much less, but I concentrate on fruit, vegetables, whole grains... and very little meat or fish, and always low fat. Of course I indulge in 'bad' food on occasion, and have a few beers or rums now and again. Running lets you get away with a lot.
Active people know the simple truths of weight, diet, and exercise. We have to continue to be examples to everyone else in our lives. They see what we eat, how we regularly run, and most importantly, they see how much better off we are as a result. I see the effect I have on colleagues at work, on members of my family, my kids... As we know, everything else falls into place: a healthy environment by definition is devoid of junk and is constructively organized and responsible. So kudos to all of us, and let's keep making little improvements in our world every day.

Niagara Daredevil

The 2009 Niagara International Marathon was an important milestone in my marathoning journey. It was my 11th marathon, but it was also my fourth marathon of the year. I had never done more than 2 marathons in a year prior to 2009. The two spring marathons (Waterloo and Mississauga) were exceptionally slow due to injury and poor stretching regimens. The marathon I ran about a month prior to Niagara, the Scotiabank Toronto, was a PR for me, and I expected simply to cruise through Niagara, get some bling and have a bit of fun.
However, as the race started andI found myself sustaining a pretty swift (for me) pace, I realized that I felt pretty good and that this could be a good one. So I took a risk; I kept up a pace that was beyond my normal comfort level. And sure enough, my body went along with that. I PR'd at 4:12, 4 minutes faster than my previous best. And I felt great.
I feel like I've hit a new level, especially after nailing the Around the Bay 30k in 3:05. Look out, Ed Whitlock, I just might be able to catch up to you (if you're still running at 100 and I'm still running at 70)...

Fast and Spurious

I've become more interested in bettering my running speed recently. Now that my hypochondriac doctor has proven, much to his chagrin, that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my heart, I am determined to push it as hard as I can. This is proving to be extremely interesting; my times are indeed getting consistently faster on my daily 10km runs. Where I used to do that distance in around 57 minutes every day, I now consistently go under 53 minutes and actually hit 52:04 last week.
Which proves that there are infinite angles to keep running interesting. Anyone who uses the excuse that running is boring has problems to address. They need to develop their introspective skills for one thing. they also need to become more observant since running pretty much anywhere provides a buffet for the visual senses. And they simply need to think more creatively and go right back to the basics. We run because we can and because we were made to do so.

Around the Bay

So the race last Sunday went even better than I anticipated. My pace was faster than ever; that little bit of weight I lost seems to have helped immensely. Just paying close attention to the calories in/calories out thing as well as the quality and variety of food is a huge factor.
The weather was almost perfect; overcast, cool enough for a light jacket and tights. When I got to the hills after 19kms, I concentrated on keeping up the speed. The great thing about a well-populated race like this (approx 10,000 runners) is that there is always someone to focus on passing. The downhills hurt a bit, but the uphills were actually welcome for the change in muscle work even though they tax the lungs a bit. The Grim Reaper was great to see, funny guy, and he was within 3 or 4 km of the finish.
I almost sprinted for the last couple of kms. It was crazy fun; drizzle had started within 15 minutes of my finishing. My finish was one of the best ever for me; I look like I'm just giving it, which I was!
Then I fainted in the food line; a nice girl crouched beside me and talked me through until I felt better (took about 15 minutes), lent me her cell phone to call my wife. And I was absolutely fine after that. Don't know her name, but thank you for your help!!

Day Off

I always feel guilty, or restless, or impatient on days off. Something is missing. It's difficult to get into that zone where you convince yourself that it's for the best. That sore hamstring, tight calf, general wear and tear, are all very grateful for the rest.
I think it's important to maintain that balance of being able to take time off with a minimum level of guilt, but to nurse just a bit of that guilt because otherwise the days off could become more frequent. And if that happens, the whole thing could start to unravel. Too much rest is not an option. So 10km tomorrow morning it is, then off to the gym Friday morning. Saturday is a no-run day since it's the day of the expo for Around the Bay. Sunday morning will be the day of the race, and that's what the party is all about.

Memories of Spring Marathons

The weeks leading up to my first spring marathon in 2006 (Ottawa Marathon) were weeks of anxiety and uncertainty. Sure, I had completed the Toronto Marathon in October 2005, but training through the winter was a bit tougher. I wasn't going out in all weather. I would take days off when it was particularly cold or windy or icy. The pains and tightness that have since become minor issues to patiently work through were matters of concern that would preoccupy my thoughts throughout the day.
The Ottawa Marathon was the last weekend of May, and the entire month was one big rainfest. And cold. On top of that, my daughter, who ran the Toronto Marathon with me, was not having a good time of it with her aching knees. Ultimately, she switched to the Half at the Expo, so it was gonna be just me.
The morning of the race dawned humid and hot. Damn hot. By the end of the race it reached 30 Celsius. But guess what? I ran the race in 4:16, a PR that I didn't pass until the Niagara Marathon in Oct 2009, nine marathons and 3 and a half years later.
I no longer feel anxious before a marathon. Excited and prepared, yes. I have a healthy respect for the distance. But I now just go out there and do that victory lap for all the training that preceded the run, make or renew a few friendships along the route, and bring home the bling.
Come on, spring 2010 marathon season. I'm ready for you.