How's the training for the Reggae Marathon going?

It has been cold and rainy in Wasaga Beach for the past week. And the forecast calls for more rain as the temperatures continue to plummet. Not ideal for training for the marathon in Negril where the recent temperatures at the 5:15 am start have been 27 degrees C. http://reggaemarathon.com/blog/

Hydration, hydration, hydration! Lots of water.

I have been doing a lot over the past few weeks to get ready:

• Mike McCluskey and the Wasaga Beach Road Runners gang are the best training partners. Mike shares his marathon running experience and training advice. I concentrate on speed-work during my weekday runs and leave the Long Slow Distance runs (LSD's) for the weekends. I have reduced the strain and pain in my legs. Join a running group is my advice to anyone who wants to train better. http://sites.google.com/site/wasagabeachroadrunners/
• Going for bi-weekly adjustments and massage at my chiropractor. Keeps me well adjusted and reduces the muscle tightness.
• Lots of water. On my long runs I use a backpack water system. I go through about a liter of water an hour during my long runs.
• Shedding weight. Sally prepares excellent meals each day. Gluten and dairy-free, tasty and delicious and well balanced. Thank you very much (I know I'm a little heavy with the hot sauce though).
• Salty snacks and alcohol gone for now. I can feel the difference and improvement each day.
• Running in the Toronto Half Marathon on October 18. This will be a real-world test. I don't care too much about time, but I will experiment to see how my body reacts. And John Stanton from the Running Room is the finish line announcer. Cool!
• Running in new Adidas cushion shoes from the Running Room Outlet store in Toronto. Breaking them and if they feel good after the Toronto Half, I'll buy another pair for the Reggae Marathon. http://www.runningroom.com/hm/
• Including a rest day each week. Love the effects of the jacuzzi that day.

The biggest training boost comes in a couple of weeks when Sally and I will be in Jamaica for a week long vacation. Going to a 50th wedding anniversary for very close family friends. Yes we are leaving Tia behind with Michael :(.

Ahhh the heat...I'll get in some 'hot' runs. Sally and I will get in a long overdue vacation . We are really looking forward to it.

And finally, donations are coming in at a good clip now for the Canadian Diabetes Association. A big "Thank you" to those who have donated generously so far. We still have some way to go so please generate to the CDA as generously as you can. Here is the link to the down loadable donation form: http://mykalsreport.blogspot.com/2009/09/1000-in-donations-to-canadian-diabetes.html. Please forward this blog link on to everyone you know.

I have also received interest from some local businesses in sponsoring me. Wow! In the upcoming weeks I hope to promote these socially-minded individuals and companies. If you are interested in coming aboard as a sponsor, please leave a comment below or contact me directly at chris.morales@sympatico.ca.

Until next time...

$1000 in donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association!

I passed the $1,000 figure in donations since the official start of the fund raising campaign September 1. With 2 months to go until the run in Negril, Jamaica on December 5, 2005, I know I will achieve my goal of raising $10,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.ca/.

For those of you who have already donated, thank you very much. Your generous support provides inspiration and motivation.

Here is how you can donate:

To donate with your credit card:

• Print the form above
• Complete the form with your name, address (including postal code)
• 'Check' the box with your donation amount
• 'Check' the box with the type of credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express accepted)
• Complete the credit card information (including signature)
• Mail the completed form to: Canadian Diabetes Association, 4 - 556 Bryne Drive, Barrie Ontario, L4N 9P6

To donate with your cheque:

• Print the form above
• Complete the form with your name, address (including postal code)
• 'Check' the box with your donation amount
• Make your cheque payable to: Canadian Diabetes Association - Reggae Marathon
• Mail the completed form to: Canadian Diabetes Association, 4 - 556 Bryne Drive, Barrie Ontario, L4N 9P6

Diabetes can be controlled! Awareness is key. Combined with the information provided by the CDA and their leading-edge research, you can play a part in helping to reduce the ravages of this disease. It works for me! It's why I started running.

Until next time...

What I learned from my road trip to Montreal

Road Trip!

My son, Court and I went to Montreal last weekend to see my youngest son, Holden compete against the University of Montreal.

Holden is in his 4th year of playing football with the Acadia Axemen in Nova Scotia.

After graduating from high school, he got the football bug seriously when he played with the Mississauga Warriors. At the time when I asked him what he wanted to do after that he did not hesitate in his response: "I want to play football at university, Dad". He wanted that more than 'breathing'. He has been single-minded since and plays hard. Goal setting and achievement at its finest!

Since I can't get to his games in Nova Scotia, the chance to see him in Montreal was irresistible. I follow him on-line here http://www.acadiau.ca/sports/football/index.html

While the Axemen lost, Holden had the biggest grin on his face when we caught up with after the game.

Check out the picture. Now you know why I am a runner.

Holden is built like a truck and can run through a brick wall. And I have learned what 'quickness' is: Zero to full speed in 2 steps. The Defensive Ends have no chance when he is on the field. And he was just having fun.

Some other random learning from the weekend:

• Schwartz's Deli on Saint Lauren Boulevard in Montreal http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/ serves the BEST smoked meat. You do not need to eat for the rest of the day.
• Montrealers are happy people. We soaked up the ambiance. I will vote against separation!
• Beer in moderation, warm fall day, football game all go hand-in-hand
• Sleeping in the passenger seat of a Saab while being driven 'at speed' is great. Good driving Court.
• "Monster" energy drinks work. Do they ever! http://www.monsterenergy.com/. "Monster" energy drinks work ... oh, did I say that already?
• Don't eat cold sausage at 1 am in the morning. Never. Ever. I felt it the next morning in my long training run with the Wasaga Beach Road Runners http://sites.google.com/site/wasagabeachroadrunners/

Life is funny. As a parent we hope we teach our children to be responsible, respectable and good. And then you have an experience like I did this past weekend where I learned from the kids: play hard, have fun, smile a lot. Go figure.

Until next time...

Article in the Wasaga Sun Sept 23 on the Reggae Marathon

This article appeared today, September 23, the one year anniversary of Dad's passing.

I am pleased that I can use my energy to raise money in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Since the official launch of my campaign September 1, over $1,000 has been raised toward my goal of $10,000 before the event in Negril, Jamaica on December 5, 2009. All the money raised goes directly to education and research in Canada.

You can donate directly by going to this link and following the directions: http://mykalsreport.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-donate-to-reggae-marathon-run.html

Until next time...