Naked runner in the the woods...and other recent experiences

Well, he wasn't completely naked.  But the runner I almost ran into this past weekend while running through the woods near home was only wearing a pair of shorts.  No shoes, no shirt!  And it was only a few degrees above freezing.

Now nothing clears the mind like a run through the woods. I am fortunate to be able to do that regularly since we have the Humber River steps from our apartment here in central Etobicoke. I get barefoot running even though its not for me.  But I have never seen a nearly naked guy running along the paved trails through the trees.

I wish I had my phone!

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I ran by the Mayor of Toronto's house recently.  It's on one of my regular routes and is about 8 km.   I love this particular route for the "Killer Hill" at the 6 km mark.  I know I'm in top shape when I can make it to the top and still have enough in the tank to continue a reasonable pace for the final 2 km home.

You may be aware that our Mayor has had a tumultuous first couple of years in office.  Most recently he made the news again when a story surfaced about him being the star in an alleged video.  Just Google Mayor Toronto if you want all the dirt.

No, what made this run interesting was running by the News Media vans that were parked on the streets around the Mayor's home.  Surreal.

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And while on the subject of the Mayor, I have the sure-fire, fool-proof way he can solve all his problems:  get out for a run!  He'll loose a few pounds, reduce his blood pressure and manage his stress more effectively.  And it will be a hell of a good story!

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And finally...

Two grubby looking guys sitting on a log at 6:30 am in the morning passing a brown paper bag back and forth.  I had to run past them.  I figured that even though I was nearing the end of my run and was tired I could find the energy to out-run ... two drunk guys sitting on a log at 6:30 am in the morning passing a brown paper bag back and forth!

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

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I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My other planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
2. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

Random Running Ruminations

"Ruminations".  There...I got to use a 'Three Dollar Word'.  Sally will be so proud.  Now I just have to use it correctly. Borrowing a page from her book, here is the dictionary definition:

ru·mi·na·tion  (rm-nshn) n.

1. The act of pondering; meditation.
2. The act or process of chewing cud.

Hmmm...Sally has noted that sometimes while watching TV I absentmindedly 'Chew my cud'.  I am definitely on to something here.  And the best part:  while running I both chew my cud and ponder.  Here are some of my recent ruminations:

• From Dan Cumming, Seasoned Runner, Running Guru, Marathoner, Ultra Runner, this gem about setting a new running goal:  "In your next 10K, run your age".  He suggested this after seeing my chip time from the recent Sporting Life 10K in Toronto.  So for me this means running a 55 minute 10K.  To do it I'll need to shave 4 minutes or so off my time.  Summer training here we come!
• "I gotta loose some weight, I gotta loose some weight...".
• "When the H did I put on this weight?".  Darn salty snacks...and beer!
• Time to buy new shoes.  Do I go minimalist again or find a happy medium.  I like the mid-foot running style...comfortable and I feel like I can run all day.  Suggestions?
• Breathe! From the stomach...I think they call it 'Diaphramatic Breathing'...there, that's my other $3 word for today!
• Left, Right...repeat.  This isn't so hard.

And just like that I'm back home.  Nice run.  Now what were those great ideas that ran through my mind again?

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My other planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
2. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

A day of running firsts on May 12

27,000 Runners at the Start of the Sporting Life 10K
Photo courtesy of Bonnie Fowler

First of all the Sporting Life 10K this past Sunday morning was the first race Sally has driven me to in well over a year.  That is not trivial:  it was a 5:30 am wake up call for her on a cold Sunday morning.  And on Mother's Day to boot.  Yes, she really loves me.  Tia on the other hand just wanted to go for a car ride!  

Getting to the start was an easy cross-town drive via a couple of side streets that got me very close to the baggage check truck just north of the Sporting Life store on Yonge Street.  Kudos for the race organizers for handling the bag check very well:  at the end of the race, all the checked bags were neatly lined up and organized according to race bib number.  I was able to get out of my wet running gear very quickly.  But I am ahead of myself...

27,000 runners is one extremely large group!

Thankfully the race organizers had it figured out very well.  We were placed in colour-coded start corals based on our expected finish times.  Then each group was sent off at 10 minute intervals.  Even with this set up, I was always running in a crowd.  But that was the thrill of it.

At 10 kilometres this first race in over a year wasn't a particularly challenging distance for me physically. Plus it was almost all downhill.  Mentally though it was a different matter.  Would I crack a previously injured foot bone?  Would my plantar issue rear it's nasty little head?  Would my calf muscles seize up?  With those thoughts buzzing through my head, my head kept me slow and steady for almost the entire race.  That was a first!  I did pick up the pace at the 8 K mark though and managed a sprint-to-the finish for the final 500 metres.  

The post-race experience was a breeze:  through the finish chute quickly, medal over head, Gatorade, banana and bagel in quick order.  These race organizers had it down pat with enough volunteers to ensure there were no glitches.  The acid test though was the bag claim area.  There was absolutely no delay in picking out my bag and getting out of my wet gear quickly.  That was absolutely necessary since by then it was totally overcast and windy.  It was cold!  

One final note:  I ran with one of my son's and his friends.  OK, let's try that again:  I was in the same race event as Court.  He was in the first starting wave just behind the Elites and burned up the course in just under 41 minutes.  That was truly fast.  Maybe if he actually trained...  It is a nice feeling to know that 'the kid' was out there though.  For fun here are the results:

	Age Group	Age Group Placing	Overall Placing	Pace / KM	Chip Time
Chris	Male 55 - 59	178/360	9932	6:08	59:23
Court	Male 25 - 29	388/1850	454	4:13	40:54

So with the 25 year age difference I ran 50% slower and still placed in the top half in my age group.  I could have sworn there were more 'middle age' men running.  Not bad for the "Old Man' though.

Oh, and Sally, for my next race in October I'll take a cab.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My other planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
2. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

Running through my mind

Sunrise over Toronto

What's so special about running?  Ridiculously simple and doesn't require any really special equipment.  A decent pair of running shoes, comfortable and weather-appropriate gear and the great outdoors.  Dead simple.  I've tried swimming and cycling...for a couple of years I competed in Triathlons.  Sprint distances only but I gained respect for elite athletes.  I liked both swimming and cycling although the wet suit and Tri-Bike were serious investments.  But I loved the run...is it any surprise that Triathlons finish with a run?

So after a lot of thought and consideration...OK, I really thought about these on my latest run...here are some random thoughts:

• "If running is easy why is this run so hard"
• "Breathe, breathe, breathe..."
• "Dam...that driver doesn't see me...I'll go behind the car".  Better to be alive than injured
• "Love the birds chirping".  Ahhh...it must be spring
• "Keep moving".  I hate stop lights!
• "Fresh air".  I live and run in a heavily populated urban area but am blessed with the running routes lined with mature trees.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Sporting Life 10K, May 12
2. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
3. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.