I love Summer running

The hotter the better actually.  And if I could, I'd run at high noon!  Call me crazy but I love running in the heat of the summer.

This past week in Toronto we were 'blessed' with ridiculously hot temperatures and humidity.  Air temperatures topped 30 C but with our high humidity it was the equivalent of 40 C.  Loved it!

Maybe it's the upbringing.  I grew up in Jamaica before moving to the Toronto area waaaaay back in 1972.  I can remember beach weekends in Discovery Bay and Port Antonio where it was too hot to walk on the sand.  And the drive to get there from home with no air conditioning in the car...now that was unbearable!

As kids in Jamaica we went to school from 8 am to 2:30 pm.  I know that end time sounds early but in late June before school let out for summer vacation I had difficulty staying awake after 1 pm it was so hot.  Well, that's my excuse for doing poorly on those subjects that we had after lunch.  And it explains why I do like Siestas (Siestas sound so much better than 'Nap Time for Grownups').

Summer Running Gear
Drying on the Balcony

Running in the heat of the summer does have a couple of drawbacks for me though.  The first is that I sweat.  A lot.  I can loose litres of water on a long run on a hot day.  Easy solution though...I drink a lot of water before and after especially hot runs.

Sweating a lot leads to the second challenge:  where do I hang my running gear to dry?  Compounding this challenge is the fact that we live in an apartment.  Neither Sally or Tia are particularly fond of smelly T Shirts and Tights drying on the balcony each day.  

I'm a summer person at heart.  I thrive on the heat.  I love running in the summer!

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 planned races in 2013 include:

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

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

We had a little rain in Toronto last week! Messed up my Running!

That is a total understatement!  125 millimetres of rain fell in Toronto in under 2 hours.  Historically this is the most rain that has fallen in Toronto since...well since forever actually!  Even the torrential downpours of Hurricane Hazel didn't dump that much.  There was extensive flooding, power outages and general disruption  during the storm and for days after.

It negatively affected my running and my commuting but I only got my shoes wet.  This guy was not so lucky.  I took this photo shortly after the first deluge.  3+ feel of water accumulated in the underpass 50 metres south of the entrance to our apartment building.  Some vehicles made it through...not so lucky the SUV on the left.  Stalled at the depth of the water for 20 minutes.  When he was finally pushed out and opened his doors, water poured out.  Ouch, that's gotta hurt.  Going to be a challenge explaining that to his insurance company.




But nothing tops this guy.  There he was driving his $200K Ferrari at the height of the storm on his way to catch a plane. His car stalled and he didn't want to miss his flight!  What?  It was raining...planes were grounded!  Bright guy that he was he abandons his Ferrari as the water topped the wheel wells and told a reporter that he 'had a flight to catch'!  More money than brains...why does Ferrari sell cars to guys like this?  I can see the Craigslist vehicle ad now:  'Ferrari for sale.  Slight water damage.  Going cheap!"  Oh, and did you note that he left the windows open!






One good thing about all this rain and accompanying humidity:  great training for Negril and Reggae Marathon this December.  Actually with Humidex readings in the mid 30's Celsius, it will be cooler in Negril!

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:

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

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

More Muffin Tops

From the reaction on Twitter last week, it seems I hit a raw nerve with the Muffin Top story.  The Muffin Top photo to be exact...my Muffin Top photo:

From Larry Savitch (@opus00)
so glad to have seen That first thing in the morning..  

Navin Sadrigani (@navin48):
The 1st muffin was good to watch,the 2nd would have been good to read abt, at most

My cousin, Karin Wilson had this to say (@Yardedge):
Muffin tops only good 4 eating Nothing another reggae marathon won't take care off!

Navin waded back in (@navin48):
ha ha, funny to see everyone respond. You at least are now certain that you need to let go of both muffins :-) Cheers.

After I deleted the offending photo, Navin had this to say (@navin48):
And the world is normal again :-D

And Larry Savitch had the last word...or so he thought (@opus00):
I was diggin the pic, just not 1st thing in the morning, was a brave move to post

Larry, here is another photo of...the Muffin Top :)

Delicious...

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

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

Muffin Top...Love Handles...oh my!

This Muffin Top causes the
'other' Muffin Top

Well it happened.  Gravity seems to have won.  I knew it was inevitable but hoped it would wait until my 6th decade.  Nope, 55 it was to be. Muffin Top!

I've tried 'sucking in my stomach' to minimize/eliminate it.  Works for about 15 seconds.  

I've bought larger size pants with 'high rise' but that just means my waist has moved up to my lower rib cage...not an attractive look for a middle-age guy...and it would only get worse.

I've gone to bulky sweaters.  That works well in the winter but not so cool in the summer.  Especially now that the hot, humid weather and temperatures have arrived with a vengeance in Toronto.

Am I finally past the stage of running tights?  Running shorts:  that option is even less attractive!  Unless I run at 3 am in the morning under cover of the dark, the Fashion Police will haul me in for sure.

Maybe I finally have to embrace weight training.  Yuck!

Dare I say ask the question, "Is my Muffin Top here to stay?"  Say it ain't so!!  I'm not ready to give up just yet.  I have 5 months until bathing suit weather in Negril at Reggae Marathon.  "Gravity...and age...you haven't won just yet!

So here's the plan: eliminate the salty snacks and junk food (including diet pop), smaller portion sizes, reduce alcohol, keep running.  

Muffin Top of the real Muffin courtesy of Wikipedia:  Edible Muffin.  Mmmmm....

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

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.