2012 New Year's Resolutions: all about the running!

It's all about the running in 2012.

For the first time in all the years I've been running I feel like a 'runner'.  I know how that sounds given how much running I've done.  And like all good things, it took an injury in 2009 combined with a tough Reggae Marathon that December to force the change.

Looking forward to 2012 I mentioned to Sally on the weekend that I'm actually neutral toward the new year.  Most years I've written down resolutions and things I want to do and that's been great.  For this year though I didn't feel the need to start the year with a tight list.  I can hear my Dad's words ringing in my ear, "Planning?...I just go with the flow".  You know I'll never be able to truly embrace that fully but maybe, just maybe being more flexible will be a good thing.  So for 2012, it's all about the running and some of the things I want to explore:

• I want to keep running for as long as I can.  That means marathons and certainly ultra marathons are not on the plan.  I know Sally will appreciate that.  Instead I plan more 1/2 marathons and 10K races in 2012.  Easier to train for, just as challenging and they don't leave me drained.  For 2012 I am thinking of the Goodlife Fitness 1/2 Marathon in the spring, the Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon in the fall and the 10K at the Reggae Marathon December 1 in Jamaica.
• I like running to raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  With all our family members who have succumbed to strokes and heart disease, I'll keep fund raising as long as I can put one foot in front of the other.  So far in 3 years of fund raising, I've topped $10,000.  I plan to continue in 2012.  Details of the Run for Heart Campaign will be out later in 2012.
• Running has brought our family together and that's been a nice surprise.  Court and I ran the 1/2 Marathon at Reggae Marathon in 2009, Andrew, Court and I (along with Amy) ran the Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon last fall and Andrew, Court, Sulleh ran in the Reggae Marathon last December.  I hope to keep running with them in 2012 and beyond.
• Now that Sally and I in our new apartment in Toronto, I've got to find a place to hang my wet running gear. It's a BIG apartment but her patience will only go so far.  I'm open to suggestions.

So that's it for 2012.  I figure that should be enough to keep me busy.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Merry Christmas from ThatRunninGuy

I have a lot to be thankful for in 2011.  While it was a year of ups and downs, on the whole it was a year of working successfully through transitions.  The trip to Negril, Jamaica in early December to run in my 3rd Reggae Marathon event capped it off nicely:

• I've got a great wife and I'm very, very thankful for that.  She supports not only me but our four sons in virtually everything we do.  I wouldn't be here without her.
• And speaking of the sons:  Andrew, Court, Holden and Michael who as they grow into fine young adults continue to delight and surprise.  I had the chance to run with them in two events in 2011 (the Scotiabank Toronto 1/2 Marathon and the Reggae Marathon) and even though they ran ahead of me, I was totally thrilled.
• We celebrated the life of Sally's Mom who passed away at age 91 in November.  She was both motivation and inspiration for me.  She will not be forgotten.
• Sally and I made the successful transition from Wasaga Beach back to Toronto in mid-December.  After nearly 6 years of 2 city living, we decided to simplify.  The transition to life in the Kingsway went very smoothly...even Tia has handled it well.
• Work was also something to celebrate in 2011.  Being able to use my years of experience in marketing and advertising in social media is something I am truly thankful for.

As I look ahead to 2012 I can only imagine what's in store.  And since I am an incurable optimist, I am looking forward to great things.

Merry Christmas!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

V for fund raising victory in Reggae Marathon 2011

The V indicates ultimate victory in the 2012 Run for Heart campaign for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  Yes I ran the races (and got shot at by the kids at the Paint Attack Paintball event earlier this year) but it was well worth it!  The original goal was $2,000 in 2011 and with your generous donations we hit $2,100!  Thank you all so very much for your donations and support.

The really cool part about this though is that over the past 3 years, you have contributed $10,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  Now that is a real triumph!!

There have been a number of events:

• Paint Attack:  my sons and their friends get together late summer at Wasaga Beach Paintball to...shoot me!  Really we take advantage of their huge and varied outdoor paintball facility to play a number of games.  
• Quilt for Heart:  Sally the quilter made a special quilt last year that we auctioned off
• Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and 10K runs:  Reggae Marathon 3 times, Toronto 1/2 marathons multiple times working through a year long foot injury injury in 2011 with the help of barefoot training and the best pair of running shoes I have run in, the Puma Faas 500's in the picture above.  The Puma's have been retired now but are soon to be replaced with a new pair.
• Ride for Heart:  In the rain last year I powered through the Becel Ride for Heart a 50 K ride along the Gardner Expressway and up the Don Valley Parkway.  The ride up was tough but let me assure you the blast back was exhilarating and worth the ride.

Another big deal was that I got to run with two of my sons.  It actually started in 2010 at the Reggae Marathon when Court and I ran the 1/2 Marathon together.  Yes, he helped his 'old man along'.  Then this past fall Court, Andrew, Amy and I ran in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon.  And finally, Andrew, Court and Mike and I ran in both the Reggae Marathon 1/2 Marathon and 10K.  Who knew they were such avid runners.  Thanks guys.

With Christmas 2011 around the corner it's time to celebrate.  Enjoy the season.  Here's to 2012.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

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Photograph courtesy of Karen Fuchs Photography

Reggae Boyz in Jamaica for Reggae Marathon 2011

Thankfully it was dark when I ran the 10K at the Reggae Marathon last week in Negril, Jamaica.  I know that sounds crazy but let me explain.

I sweat a lot when running.  The temperature has nothing to do with it actually, I sweat in the cold winter temperatures in Canada just as much as in the summer.  While it's a great way to loose weight quickly, it poses a special challenge in a race like Reggae Marathon where even at the 5:15 am start it is a comfortable mid-20's Celsius.

So there I was at about Mile 2 running along smoothly when I realized that the technical running shirt wasn't doing it's job. Court and Andrew in the photo above had the right idea.  So not wanting to repeat the overheating issue from last year's Reggae Marathon, I went totally against the grain and took my shirt off!

For the next 3 1/2 miles I ran shirtless figuring that it was dark and that no one would notice.  It worked.  Thankfully there were no pictures...wait, I did hear one lady shout out, "nice pecs" or was that my imagination?

I remain humbled by the three Reggae Boyz above.  Without me asking or prodding, they made the trek to Jamaica to participate in the Reggae Marathon. I will never be able to fully express how special you made it for my by coming down.  Thank you so very much!

Reggae Marathon = Negril, Jamaica Beach Vacation + Run + Coconut Water + Cold Red Stripe Beer!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy