Another Running Injury? What the...?

The Ice Pack is NOT a Fashion Accessory

This is NOT in the plan!  Getting injured again!!  

Last week during my weekly speed workout at the local High School track I felt a 'twinge'!  

What the...?

Dam!  That hurt.

I stopped instantly...I must have learned something after all...and walked home.  No trying to be a hero and 'toughing it out' that morning.  I immediately went to the ice pack and haven't run for the past few days.  I shouldn't have gone out for a speed workout that morning.  I was tired, didn't have a great night's sleep and had work on my mind.  In hindsight there was probably nothing I could have done to prevent the strained knee but I have to blame something.

So I'm back to recovery mode and not enjoying it one bit.  I'll be smart this time though:  no running until fully recovered.

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.

Sunday morning and my thoughts are on running

Stylin recently in
Usain Bolt Pumas

It's Sunday morning June 2, 2013.  I was up early this morning...what's new.  This morning was special for a couple of reasons.  First, I didn't go for a run.  I decided to do my version of strength and ab training instead (pushups and situps).  Second, it's my 6th Wedding Anniversary to my lovely wife, Sally. I know 6 years doesn't have a super special gift item (Whew!) but this one just seems so very special. So here I am sitting on the deck, rain gently falling, listing to Jazz streaming from my Tablet and tapping out this blog post and thinking about life...and running of course:

• Sally sat in the hot, humid, muddy field at Long Bay Beach Park in December 2009 when I took on and conquered my first full marathon at Reggae Marathon.  I had given her a target time of just over 4 hours.  Wow, did I ever blow that!  I crossed the finish line in 5 hours and 25 minutes.  For over an hour while I was battling the heat and my own mental demons, I also thought about her sitting their worrying!  The tears I shed at the finish were for lots of reasons that day not the least being for her support!
• Sally puts up with stinky running gear!  There I said it! I sweat.  A lot.  It's common for me to loose 5 lbs of body weight on a normal run. We live in an apartment.  It's a good size but... where do we put the stinky running gear.  Again, a saint.
• Sally put up with 3 years of my foot injuries.  Mostly caused by me of course not respecting my age and trying too many new things too fast.  The break from running last September when I broke the bones in my right foot was a much needed break (Whew...I think I ran that word into the ground).  It gave me time to re-calibrate.  

So I'm back running comfortably.  I do track workouts once a week to improve my speed.  I run varied loops around home most early mornings. And I mix it up with some strength training.  Wow!  Can this really be me?  Who is this new RunninGuy?

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.

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!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

++++++++++

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.