Sunday, 31 December 2017
Resolution Run Recap
The extreme cold warning remained in effect as runners prepared for the annual Resolution Run. With the temperature around -26c (not counting wind chill), the 10 km event was cancelled (along with a bunch of the outdoor celebrations on parliament hill), so a 3 km distance was added to the 5 km and the kids 1 km run.
After watching my family get underway on the 1 km, I got ready to run the 5 km with lots of familiar faces from my local Running Room.
I started too fast and struggled with the cold air, which made breathing difficult. The extra layers made it tough to go fast, but I settled into a comfortable pace after the first km.
The route got particularly cold at Dows Lake where the wind picked up. I was in the leading group at the turnaround and looking forward to getting back out of the cold!
There was a bit of congestion in the last mile as we mixed back in with the 3 km participants, requiring a bit of dodging and weaving, then it was a clear 500m sprint finish - around 7th place, in 20 mins 23 secs.
After watching my family get underway on the 1 km, I got ready to run the 5 km with lots of familiar faces from my local Running Room.
I started too fast and struggled with the cold air, which made breathing difficult. The extra layers made it tough to go fast, but I settled into a comfortable pace after the first km.
The route got particularly cold at Dows Lake where the wind picked up. I was in the leading group at the turnaround and looking forward to getting back out of the cold!
There was a bit of congestion in the last mile as we mixed back in with the 3 km participants, requiring a bit of dodging and weaving, then it was a clear 500m sprint finish - around 7th place, in 20 mins 23 secs.
Friday, 29 December 2017
2500 in 2017!
With two days left in 2017 I’ve now run more than 2,500 km this year (over 1,555 miles).
When I started this blog last winter I was day dreaming about the warm places that were 2017 km away. Tonight’s temperature certainly isn’t Caribbean, with wind chill taking it down to -28c (-18f).
Less than 48 hours to help me help Start 2 Finish: https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1466&AID=1695&PID=602510&Preview=Y
The Return on Investment:
- The Start2Finish Fitness Literacy Model is a comprehensive, strategic approach that produces long-term social change.
- Start2Finish has a $17 social return on investment for every $1 donated.
- Start2Finish has empowered 70,000 Canadian children living in poverty.
Saturday, 23 December 2017
Happy Holidays
What better way to start the holiday week than a snowy outing with some Running Room friends. Around 30 people gathered for a scenic run followed by some hot chocolate and festive treats.
Just before heading out I was asked if I could guide Jason Dunkerley... it's not every day you get the chance to run with a Canadian Paralympic medalist!
I had not guided a blind runner before but was happy to have a go. Jason and I had a quick chat (to make sure he wasn't expecting a pro!) and we were ready to go.
Initially I was a bit anxious about letting him down or not keeping up (his marathon PB being about 45 mins faster than mine). Jason's relaxed, friendly attitude put me at ease though, and the group was doing easy '10 & 1s' at chatting pace so speed was not an issue - although I remained nervous about footing as we ran through a mix of snow, slush, and roads with various cracks and potholes.
We chatted away for the whole 8km - he is very humble for such an accomplished athlete - and we arrived without any slips or trips. Running with Jason made me a lot more aware of my surroundings, above and beyond the surface underfoot. It certainly me made think about what I take for granted when I run.
Just before heading out I was asked if I could guide Jason Dunkerley... it's not every day you get the chance to run with a Canadian Paralympic medalist!
I had not guided a blind runner before but was happy to have a go. Jason and I had a quick chat (to make sure he wasn't expecting a pro!) and we were ready to go.
Initially I was a bit anxious about letting him down or not keeping up (his marathon PB being about 45 mins faster than mine). Jason's relaxed, friendly attitude put me at ease though, and the group was doing easy '10 & 1s' at chatting pace so speed was not an issue - although I remained nervous about footing as we ran through a mix of snow, slush, and roads with various cracks and potholes.
We chatted away for the whole 8km - he is very humble for such an accomplished athlete - and we arrived without any slips or trips. Running with Jason made me a lot more aware of my surroundings, above and beyond the surface underfoot. It certainly me made think about what I take for granted when I run.
Tuesday, 19 December 2017
Don't Sponsor Me...
... but do support Start2Finish!
I would love your support to hit my target
(less than $300 to go).
But your money can go further in December,
by donating via the Match Campaign:
https://www.start2finishonline.org/?_ga=2.36761383.666507077.1513735072-624209623.1510409193
If you'd really rather donate on my page then that's fine!
The link is here
https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1466&AID=1695&PID=602510
(less than $300 to go).
But your money can go further in December,
by donating via the Match Campaign:
https://www.start2finishonline.org/?_ga=2.36761383.666507077.1513735072-624209623.1510409193
You give and Start2Finish will match your gift!
Give the gift of nutrition, mentorship, or education to a child through Start2Finish.If you'd really rather donate on my page then that's fine!
The link is here
https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1466&AID=1695&PID=602510
Saturday, 9 December 2017
OCRC McMarathon Relay Recap - 5 runs in 1
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| credit: @RunCarlosRun |
55+ km to visit 15 McDonald's across Ottawa.
Each runner starts the stage by eating the designated item, and then runs to the next location.
Each runner starts the stage by eating the designated item, and then runs to the next location.
No designated eaters. No designated runners.
Each team uses a pre-loaded gift card 'baton'...
Time for a bit of end-of-year fun, this was a different kind of physical challenge and a memorable race! There was a lot going on so I'll try to provide a short summary of my runs within the context of the event.
Greg regularly runs with the OCRC who organized this unusual tour of Ottawa, and most teams were 4 or 5 people - but it was a good excuse to reunite the 'Moose' team (having not run together since Hamilton), so we decided to have a go as a trio. This recap is just from my perspective.
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| Start |
The stages (locations and menu) were released the week before so we split the event up based on logistics and food choices, either looking for favourites or trying to avoid items - I had no interest in trying to sprint a mile after a fish burger! We decided to pretty much alternate stages, with the two team members not running using a car to get to the next venue.
The teams assembled at the first location at 10:30 am, with some icy wind-chill and snow in the air.
I had managed to oversleep, so breakfast was a large coffee. I couldn't bring myself to eat at the first restaurant knowing I had five courses to look forward to...
Stage 1/5 (3/15) Cheeseburger + 5.6 km
 |
| Cheeseburger |
Greg took on the first run, and handed the baton to Tony, before I got my first turn. I was really hungry by the time I started, and we had a slight lead with the other teams close behind, so the pressure was on. With adrenaline pumping I wolfed the food down and ran out the door - probably too fast and the cheeseburger threatened to reappear in the first km.
I was relying on my phone for directions which caused navigation issues, leading me down a path to the Transitway. This 500m 'shortcut' helped us to stay just in front of the second team as I handed over to Greg for stage 4 (Tony Stage 5).
Stage 2/5 (6/15) Small fries + 3.3 km
We were two teams jostling for first position as we approached the halfway point. The small fries were relatively easy to take care of but predictably super salty which left me feeling dehydrated for a while. The stage was a short one and I ran my fastest km of the day to finish and pass the baton to... myself, as I was running stages 6 & 7 back to back.
Stage 3/5 (7/15) Junior Chicken + 3.2 km
Eating and then running hard was proving to be quite tough, but having no real break before repeating it was something else. The other leading team had divided their stages into groups (so each runner doing 3 or 4 stages in succession) which I think I would have really struggled with.
I ate as quickly as I could but as soon as I started running again I could tell it was going to be near impossible to get the morning's pace back. The stage had a couple of small hills and some tricky road crossings and I was glad to get it finished and hand over to Tony for Stage 8 (Greg Stage 9).
Stage 4/5 (10/15) McChicken + 7.2 km
McChicken
By my 4th stage I had no appetite and it was a chore to eat. It was also one of the longest stages and muscles were starting to feel tight. For nearly the whole distance I felt queasy and uncomfortable. I was grateful for my team providing an impromptu water station on the route, but the road seemed never ending and I was relieved to put it behind me and get Greg started on Stage 11, back towards downtown.
Tony ran stages 12 & 13 back to back, which worked out really well as the rendezvous would have been hard to juggle with shoppers and tourist traffic clogging the routes.
Stage 5/5 (15/15) Big Mac + 1 km
After Greg's quick sprint across town for the penultimate leg, I was ready and waiting to get the event finished. Tony joined me for a Big Mac sandwich but I was out the door before he'd finished eating, and went as fast as I could to the finish line at McDundonald Park. The crossing lights were on my side and it felt like I was flying along for the final km, but in reality my legs were tired and I was still very full so not as fast as I would have liked.
After just over 5 1/2 hours we finished a respectable second place, less than 15 minutes behind the winners, and about 30 mins ahead of the third team.
I don't know if I'll look at the golden arches in the same way again, and it will be a while before my next visit - I'm not ready to sign up for the 2018 relay just yet.
The day was a lot of fun, and the event was well thought out and put together.
My personal tally ended up being 20.3 km and based on Strava approximate calories burned vs. menu details (about 1800 calories) I was almost calorie neutral!
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| Finish |
Thursday, 30 November 2017
Nearly There! (11 Month Sit-Rep)
After completing the Hamilton marathon at the start of the month, the running has been fairly light over the last few weeks - coinciding with the arrival of some wintery weather. I have now passed 2400 km and am looking to reach 2500 before the end of the year.
For fundraising I have less than $300 to go to reach my $2,017 target - so it's time for a last big push through the holiday season!
You can support me here (registration closes Dec 31, 2017 11:59 PM):
HYPERLINK: https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1466&AID=1695&PID=602510
Start2Finish National Running Team
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