Introducing ... the new toy

Running shoes. Check.
iPod. Check.
Cellphone. Check.
Emergency transit fare. Check.
$5, in case I get really hungry along the way. Check.
Lip balm, because my lips hurt real bad, ok? (Well, they don't. But I just wanted to have a Napoleon Dynamite moment). Check.
Water. Check.

And now, introducing the latest addition to the arsenal of stuff I lug around on these training runs...The Garmin Forerunner 201.

It's handed down from Yumke -- I still have to pay him -- who got his snazzy upgraded Forerunner 305 just after Frankie did. Me, I'm not interested in dropping so much coin -- there's the matter of closing on a house very soon -- and for the days when I want to just see where my legs will take me, this little toy should be great. Or for when I'm running along country roads in Kentucky -- like I plan to this weekend.

I took it out for a spin earlier this evening for my scheduled 3-miler. Had a little trouble grabbing a signal right away (welcome to downtown Toronto), as was expected, but caught one and off I went. "Weak GPS signal" flashed a few times, but generally it was neat to see my time on each lap (preprogrammed to beep every kilometre). Except for a marching band that was rehearsing in the park, the run was pretty much non-descript. Like I was just going through the paces, so to speak, doing the run 10/walk 1 program (you know, somehow it's much easier with a watch. Go figure). I don't yet have the software to download the details of the data, but I can say that my average pace was 7:32/km. Best pace: 6:15/km. Total time: 39:09.

Insurance, rain, art

What happens when you sit through an hour of an insurance discussion with 30 of your neighbors who bothered to show up to the special meeting of owners? You get fidgety and really bored. I had to leave after an hour -- we couldn't vote on any of the new bylaws anyway since we failed to make quorum. All I could think about was that this was cutting into daylight, which means cutting into running time.
Returned to my suite quite drained from hearing about premiums, deductibles, and something about red wine on carpet. I was no mood to run.
I thought about skipping the run entirely, using today as a rest day, and running on Friday instead. But then, considering I'll be mostly carbound on Friday -- headed to the States for my sister's second wedding (to the same guy, just a separate party for his American family) -- I figure I'm even less likely to run after a 10-hour car trip.
And considering my mood, I'm already convinced I'm well on my way to recording two poor-quality runs in a row. I stepped outside -- it's starting to rain.

Now, I could've turned around and gone back inside. That would've been the easy thing to do. But all that fidgeting through the insurance meeting really stirred me to move, get the blood flowing once more, and I challenged myself to race against the rain. It wasn't coming down hard, but it was threatening to.. I thought I might have seen lightning in the distance.

Well, it's only 3 miles, I can beat it.

I did.

Got home, and CMan said, "Did you do the whole route? You're back fast". Time check: about 30 minutes. And I had stopped for some five minutes to look at art (recognized the work of Michael Godard -- and it's on sale -- which we are thinking about putting up at our new wet bar in the new basement).

Penguin, I am

What's a Penguin? In the running lexicon, the word "Penguin" has come to mean a person who runs more for the joy of running than for recognition and public rewards. Some of us are perpetual Penguins. We are consumed by the pleasure of movement. --John "The Penguin" Bingham, Pied Piper of the second running boom

Bingham appears in weekly emails that I receive for my Half-Marathon race in September. I hadn't actually paid too much attention to him beyond the weekly inspirational words. But I went to seek him out on the interweb after Bob commented on my previous post where I said I thought I looked like a penguin.

Well, I really did pull that visual out of thin air. Or rather, the stale air in the condo gym... It's official. I hate the dreadmill. Herewith is a pledge to go outside, unless the weather sucks.

Amongst characteristics that make a "penguin" (and yes, these all apply to me):
* you recognize all the regular runners on your favorite route from behind
* you get passed on the uphill by a runner pushing a double baby jog stroller
* you have to memorize the route because you know that you will lose the back of the pack
((see the rest of list at JohnBingham.com))

I guess to take this theme further than I have to... groan now... we're only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of training. We'll watch the weeks melt by and only get stronger from here. Only 115 days left. A salute to the rest of you penguins out there.

Deadmill

Fell a bit short today on the mileage. Left the run til too late -- showed my place to a potential tenant, ate late, got a little caught up in The Bone Collector -- so had to use the treadmill. But my heart wasn't into it. Looking into the mirror, I felt my form was way off (not that I have good form to begin with, but I looked particularly awkward today. If a penguin ran, that's what I thought I looked like. How's that for a visual) I thought I was getting into a rhythm, but it didn't hold.

Called it quits after two miles, one mile shy of the program. But I'm not going to beat myself up over it -- I am going to lose on some days, but there will be other days when I win.

Forgot to tally up on the weekend.
Weekly total (Sunday end): 31.22K/19.4 miles
Training-to-date: 133.3K (up 30 percent from prior week)

Tag, I'm It!

So Bob, who was tagged by Tara, who was tagged by Runner Girl, tagged me.
Guess I'm It.

A) Four Jobs I've Had in My Life:
1. Lifeguard
2. Quality control at meat plant that processed such fine products as the roast beef at Subway, the bacon at McDs, and the ballpark sausages at the ballpark formerly known as SkyDome and now renamed Rogers Centre.
3. Music peddlar
4. Reporter

B) Four Movies I watch over and over:
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
2. Old School
3. When Harry Met Sally
4. Empire Strikes Back

C) Four Places I have lived:
1. My parent's basement
2. The Porn Palace
3. The Cottage
4. 21 Olive Ave.

D) 4 TV Shows I love to watch:
1. CSI ... 24 ... can't choose.
2. Rescue Me
3. Sopranos
4. The Simpsons

E) 4 Places I have been on vacation:
1. Siem Reap, Cambodia
2. England
3. Venice, Italy
4. Dallas, Texas

F) 4 Websites I visit daily:
1. Globe & Mail
2. A Running Destination (you know, for all the links to other likeminded Chicago-bound runners)
3. NBA.com
4. Bank of Canada (hey, it's job related)

G) 4 of my favorite foods:
1. Toast
2. Wonton noodles
3. Steak frites, medium rare
4. Vanilla cupcakes

H) 4 places I'd rather be right now:
1. At home, in bed
2. On a beach in Hawaii
3. At the movies
4. On a massage table

I) 4 Favorite Bands/Singers:
1. Pearl Jam
2. Sloan
3. Sam Roberts
4. The Strokes/The Killers (it's a tie)


J) 4 Bloggers I am Tagging:
1. Emily
2. FleetFootedFrankie
3. Yumke
4. Travis

TAG! YOU ARE ALL IT!! No touchbacks.

Group therapy

Just to give it a whirl, I tried the group thing today, the Running Room's free Sunday clinic, one that Frankie subscribes to. The runners grouped themselves as distances were called out. Marathoners over in that corner, 5K over there, 10K there, and walkers. Higdon's schedule called for 6 miles today (10K). Should I have gone with that group? Frankie said, no no, come to the marathoners group because that's what we are. Oh, okay. This is before the maps were handed out. And it showed a 15.68K (9.7 miles) trot through downtown, nice trails, a cemetery in midtown, more nice wooded trails, and back downtown. Last Saturday's Long Run of 12.03K was the furthest I had ever run.


Did I really sign up for this?
Yes.
I was able to keep up with the group -- about 15 runners -- for the first 3.5K. Then I lost them at a stoplight. I was pretty certain I'd lose them at some point, and I glad to have brought my iPod buddy for this reason. But luckily for me, there were two others, T & C, behind me. And we formed our own group. I'm not entirely sure if they could've run faster, but they stuck with me, and I'm grateful. And I'd like to think that they wanted to run with me, and not just because I held the map. But we were a good trio. They had watches (I do not know why I don't have one. It's kind of ridiculous, isn't it), and C kept us apprised of when our next one-minute walking break (We were using the run 10 minutes, walk one minute method). All I could think in the latter part of the run was "Here I am, running for my next minute", which, as C and I discussed, wasn't a bad way to think about it. Concentrate on finishing 10 minutes and it's not so daunting. Until you look from midtown and see landmarks of where you started and need to return to...

This wasn't a great run. I felt tired at many points, and the uphills were, well, an uphill battle. I fell behind my mini-group at times too, unsure if I'd ever be able to close the gap again. But I did.

At 3K from the finish, I started to contemplate stopping and leaving the group. And only because the route passed my condo. Which is funny because Frankie thought I'd stop at my condo too. He's glad I proved him wrong though. By this point as I neared my condo, it was just me and C, and if I was by myself, I very well might have quit.

Reached finish. Exchanged high-5s with C. Total time: 2hours, 6minutes. Collapsed outside store to s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Met another woman who was headed to Chicago. Then Frankie and I went for a little breakfast. I had toast. Lots of it. Toast is the perfect food.

But this has been a good start to Sunday. I think I'll stick to the Sunday group, at the very least (they also meet on Wednesdays to do tempo runs and hill training). I need the company to get through the Long Runs. This is not a solitary goal.

Postponed

I'm moving the 6-mile Long Run to Sunday, for two reasons. (And this sets up possibility of joining the Running Room group tomorrow for a trial, ahem, run).

1. I was up late last night with my family, mainly keeping my mother company as we waited for The Call. My Hong Kong grandfather gave us quite the scare. He was taken to hospital, and the attending doctor, in true appalling bedside manner, told the entire family to gather ASAP. Which to any normal person would sound like the end was coming. Turns out, it seems HK Grandpa was just severely dehydrated, and an overnight session with an IV put some spring back in him. He should be ok.

2. I'm also due to play in a friend-organized golf tournament later this afternoon. There'll be a lot of walking, obviously, so I'm thinking that will be counted towards cross-training (which is scheduled for Sunday).

Okay, maybe three reasons... Germany's playing Sweden in World Cup action in about 7 minutes. Go Deutscheland Go!

Mulling another program

With Frankie's help, I printed out a Running Room training program today and am mulling whether to use that instead. It's kind of close to the Higdon plan, but has only one rest day, and the Long Run is scheduled for Sunday, which Frankie says is good because of the group run. Maybe I have to see what this hoopla with a group is all about before I go switching plans five days into it. Of course, I can always blend the two to suit my schedule.

Yumke's Garmin 305 has arrived. I'm going to send him an offer for his old one so that I can be decked out with a toy too, though running with that, an iPod, a cellphone, water... this is getting a bit much.

Well, I'm certainly enjoying this Friday off. Rest day! Of course I found time for another beer and baked brie. Yumke has proof. He's going to out me with a photo later. I know it. Hope my doctor isn't reading this.

Health check

Here's another reason why I signed up for a marathon. I see a running regimen as a kind of easy, low maintenance activity as long as you go out and do it. All you need to do is put on shoes and go. Going to the gym can be a big production sometimes. So, I started to use running -- though not consistently -- but more as the supplementary activity to going to the gym and going to G's classes 3 times a week. It was the kind of thing that I thought I could implement into my life because my doctor told me to.

I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the type that is manageable by good diet, exercise, some meds. My blood/sugar level two years ago indicated I was at risk of this condition, and while it still isn't out of control, my doctor says it's higher than she would like to see it -- especially since I'm not even 30 yet and it's a condition that affects people a decade or more older than me -- and upgraded me to having it.

It's not the end of the world, but I'm aware I haven't come to terms with it. I know I cheat a bit too much diet-wise. And as if to put an exclamation on this point, my doctor -- an endocrinologist I saw today for the first time -- told me I was fat. Okay, she said overweight, as measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI), which I don't personally believe in, but I still have to listen to the doc I guess.

In addition to a battery of other tests, she is sending me to a dietician. But before I get that appointment, she's put me on a 1,500 calorie diet, and minus snacks. And nix the OJ because juice is very high in sugar. All this is good if it means shedding a few more pounds to achieve that silly BMI (I'm not that far off, actually), but also completely confusing because how am I supposed to fuel my body adequately if carbs is the thing that matters most to blood glucose control?

Something to ponder. Which I will ... on the treadmill tonight when I do my scheduled 3-miles. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow: Rest.

Race against sunlight

It was one of those days when you had the best of intentions to get the run early -- whether it be before work, at lunch, or the small window of time between the end of your shift and the end of everyone elses -- because there are other fun commitments (ie: bar) that could take up a good chunk of the evening. That's called planning.

Well, I didn't run before work (in fact, had trouble getting out of bed); not during lunch (had an impromptu committee meeting that went longer than it should have); and not in the small window (something always holds you back 10 minutes).
But there was still enough time to do a core strength class, just not a proper 3-miler before appointed meeting time with friends.

Limited myself to one pint of Smithwicks. And a plate of sweet potato fries. Yay for carbs!

Yes, we've seen me do this before, and probably far too often. Go to bar, then go run. Why do I do this? Truth is, it's hard for me to give up social events. I'm already half-dreading the summer -- not only because heat and running don't really mix -- but because that is prime merrymaking time with friends. I don't think I'm any less focused about running, because so far -- three days into official training time -- I've stuck to the scheduled mileage and done so without complaints. This story might change in Week 4 when the Long Run is 9 miles/14.5K -- the longest distance I'll have ever run in one go. Or so is the plan.

I got home and prepared to race the rapidly disappearing sunlight. The treadmill would've been too depressing. I started slow, thank you beer and fries, but convinced myself that I picked up the pace quite well for the latter two-thirds. Completed my 3 miles in about 32 minutes, including walking breaks and stop lights, which, based on memory and no actual hard data (I don't usually record time), ended up a good run for me.

Maybe beer and fries are the right fuel.

Confession .. and a welcome

Sometimes all we need is a little nudge. To get out the door for a long run, to push the pace, or to rest.

In some cases, it's to join a club... specifically this space called the blogosphere. Yumke and I have been gently prodding Frankie -- the third member of this trio of Chicago-bound Toronto-based wordsmiths -- to start a blog. Yumke is the old pro amongst us, a blogger since December. Me, just over two months. Frankie is a faithful reader, and frequently leaves comments, but he just needed an extra push to get his own progress out there.

So I created a blog for him, knowing he was unlikely to ever do it himself, and called it FleetFootedFrankie; then presented it to him as a sort of welcome-to-training "gift". Yumke was a co-conspirator, in that he thought it was a great idea and it'd be funny. And it was. Frankie laughed. Yes, I wrote the first post. But it's all him from here on out...really!

I hope Frankie embraces this forum because I know he has things to say, and lots of questions to ask (pretty much none of which I can answer so I appeal to the rest of the running world to help him); and at the very least, he's got an upcoming review of his snazzy new Garmin. Of course, he's also discovered the "Delete blog" button, which I said he was welcome to push at any time. (Though let's hope not.) Visit soon, visit often. Support our Frankie!

The first steps

In the first running session of the plan, I was scheduled to go 3 miles today. Legs were feeling tight, probably due to not resting and going to G's class last night.
Made myself yet another route. I wanted to start the training by the water, again trying to conjure up the same kind of run as I had 10 days ago in Vancouver. Dragged CMan out to the Beach, saying that fresh air would be good for him. The idea of going to the Beach was a good in theory but perhaps I miscalculated how many people would be there. We spent a good half hour looking for parking. Eventually we ditched the public lot and parked on the street we used to live on last summer -- and at the opposite end of the Beach which is less travelled. A breezy night, but runners were outnumbered by the beach volleyballers... at least between 7:45pm and 9pm.

He rollerbladed, and I trotted along beside him. And he took pictures with his new camera.

Still Garmin-less, I overachieved and did approximately 3.7 miles (or 6K). See route.

Day One: Already off track

I just couldn't resist. No rest for the fidgety. I had to go... do something. I didn't go so far as run, but I went to my favorite Monday night class at the gym led by G. Really, it was 20 minutes of fancy footwork cardio, followed by 20 minutes of weights, and 10 minutes of abs.
Rest coming on Friday. Promise.

"Let's begin...by contemplating the training that will begin tomorrow"

"Today begins the countdown to the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Eighteen weeks to go before you will be standing on the starting line in Grant Park. In this training schedule for novice marathoners, Monday is always a day of rest. Count on it!"
-- Hal Higdon, Novice training program, Week One, Monday

And this is how the training program starts. With rest, which is pretty cool with me. This is how work schedules should operate too. Make Monday a rest day there too -- I'm a huge supporter of a 4-day work sked, though sadly, not an actual practitioner. The as-yet-to-join-the-blogosphere Frankie asked whether my training actually does begin today since there is no actual running involved. Of course it counts, I said, arguing that REST is the best word we'll hear for the next 18 weeks. Massage is second-best (but only because it's expensive).
((Edit: To be fair, Frankie wasn't saying that it didn't count, but that you know, how does a training program begin with a Rest Day. I can see his point))

Further, from Hal, "...Let's begin this Monday, the first day of your marathon journey, by contemplating the training that will begin tomorrow. Chicago, here I come!"

Indeed.

It begins tomorrow... sort of

To make the most of the last day before I take on Hal Higdon's NOVICE training program, I did nothing that required much effort. That meant skipping the yoga class I had intended to go to (couldn't stand the thought of downward dog for 90 minutes), so that morphed into watching some World Cup and eating waffles.

But I find myself thinking about the long road ahead -- that's 710K (441 miles) in training, a progression that is supposed to prepare me for show time -- and I can't help but freak out just a little bit.

It becomes real tomorrow. It becomes a real commitment tomorrow, a project unlike anything I've ever tackled. I start the program probably not at the weight that I'd like to be, but I start knowing that I've come a long way since handing over US$100 to the Chicago Marathon people back in January when I decided this was the race for me.

I do not run quickly, but I run with determination, with focus.

I will go through at least two more pairs of shoes, experiment with gels, eat even smarter, and hydrate hydrate hydrate.

I will probably lose my way, get discouraged more than a few times in the next 125 days, and definitely cry, but hopefully I will never find injury, and if I do, I hope I heal speedily. I do know that I have a support group out there that will help me through it all. I thank you in advance. We're in this together.

See you at the finish line.


(Of course, that said... the best thing about starting officially tomorrow -- Monday is a rest day! Thanks Hal).

One-way trip

Goal 1: Long run.
Goal 2: To surprise my parents for lunch.

Groaned as I checked the temp this morning at 8:15. It was 24C (75F) and rising, due to hit 36C (but it'll feel like 39C)... Already felt behind schedule for the last Long Run before the "official" start of training (two days to go!).

Did a morning read-in of Yumke , who posted a truly inspirational piece yesterday titled "Winners and losers". Go check it out, if you need a pick-me-up, a little support, a reminder that you are not alone in the quest. I couldn't have said it myself. It sure helped me tie up my shoes a bit faster this morning.

Cursed my new sandals that are breaking in, and breaking into my skin on the sides of both feet. Slapped some bandaids on and grabbed a couple of extra to pack with cellphone, bottle of water, lip balm, and C$20 for food, water, and a subway token home. Strapped iPod to arm. Off I went.

Wall of heat as soon as I stepped outside. This wasn't going to be pretty. Undaunted, I started with a walk and headed towards the Don River. Today I was going to follow the river, northbound on the trail, one of my favorite biking routes.

I seemed to remember a lot more trees, partly why I chose this route today -- to stay cool and out of the sun. Not so. Not as many trees as I thought. At least not overhanging the trail. No matter. Kept going. Around Kilometer 7, Eminem told me "You can do anything you set your mind to, man" ... from that 8 Mile soundtrack, and I found a little bit more strength to keep going.

At Kilometer 8.5, called my parents. Told them I was on my way to Serena Gundy Park, which is often where our family would start our all-day bike rides. Naturally, they thought I was on my bike. I said, no, I am on foot. They think I'm a little crazy.

A kilometer later, I had a mini-shower at this fountain, the first one I found on this trail. I made a mess, splashing water on my face, over my head, arms. My eyes stung a little because of the sweat. I felt so much better.

But I had trouble with the next couple of kilometers. My energy was depleting quickly -- I made a mental note to start figuring out which gels are going to work for me -- and the sun was beating down. I passed a group of runners who were clearly training for something and for a cause because I recognized their t-shirts from pamphlets I'd seen at other races. Shot them an encouraging smile.

Nearing the end of this run, I passed a party that was in the midst of being set up in the big park. A grand BBQ. I looked at the truck with the goods and recognized the signage as a company I may soon call to cater my wedding (June 2007).

Arrived at end point, 12.03K (according to Gmaps satellite mapping, not the Garmin that Yumke will probably offload onto me soon) Found another fountain. Made another mess, then flopped on the ground to stretch. That group of runners that I had passed some 20 minutes earlier, had looped back, and were taking water too. I was in the middle of some intense yoga stretches. When I got out of the pigeon pose, I asked them what they were training for. They belong to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, and if I heard them correctly, they were signed up for the Toronto marathon, or going to the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco (which is the same day as Chicago's ... is it too early to start thinking about 2007? I haven't been to SF in nearly three dog years) and someone mentioned Dublin, Ireland. Told them I'm headed to Chicago. We wished each other well and they continued on their merry ways.

My parents finally rescue me at the park and take me for lunch; a meal of congee, smoky noodles (or more commonly known as beef ho fun), and rice noodle-wrapped fried dough.

Then they dropped me off at the subway.


Weekly tally: 29.83K (up 39 percent from prior week)
Training-to-date: 102.08K (yay, I broke the century mark!)

Almost denied, crisis averted

I put in a vacation request two months ago -- seven months in advance of race day. My manager dawdled on it until yesterday (until I finally gently reminded her), and we discussed it today. I was thinking about going into her office, guns ablazing (not literally, of course), because the way she had responded via email didn't sit right with me. Anyways, we've made a compromise, and it could well still change, but at least I definitely have the Friday and Monday off around race weekend. Phew. Originally I wanted to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday -- and I still might though it's likely it'll be Thursday night now. Bosslady says she may be able to release me for the days that I want, but can't tell me now and it depends on other conflicts that may emerge, which may not be known til early September or so... sigh.

Let this not detract from ultimate goal of completing 26.2 miles on Oct. 22.

Rat Race

"A Rat Race is a term used for an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to escape whilst running around a maze or in a wheel. In an analogy of the modern city; many rats in a single maze running around making a lots of noise bumping into each other, but ultimately achieving nothing either collectively or individually."

Says Wikipedia.

On the way to Betty's, I was held up by the Rat Race; not the futile effort (though it feels like that Monday thru Friday from 8-4 coincidentally), but the annual 5K charity dash through the financial district. Participants are encouraged to dress in crazy costumes, paint their faces, wear rat ears in the name of raising money for the United Way. It's too bad I wasn't paying attention that this was happening because I think it'd be fun. Maybe next year we'll form a rat pack.

355 calories = 3.2 Heineken

Ya, that's right. Big gathering for former Bossman tonight at Betty's (a favorite bar which was formerly called The Betty Ford Clinic, but was abbreviated with a lawsuit looming .. for obvious reasons), so burned 355 calories in the 5K run on the treadmill -- to avoid mugginess and cars. Each Heineken is 110 calories, so I can refuel body with 3.2 bottles. This is the new math.

Recruitment drive continues...

My cousin is the latest victim I've dragged into this running cabal to run long distances. She just signed up for the Scotiabank Toronto half-marathon in late September. As far as I know, she's never raced before, but no matter -- she's got time to prepare and now we have each other to help cross the finish line. She said she finds it so difficult to motivate herself to go for a run after work, but then she says she logs onto this blog and it gives her a boost. How sweet, who knew I could be an inspiration, when I am always looking for someone to be mine.

Replicating the left coast experience

I tried to repeat the highly enjoyable running experience in Vancouver from the weekend by running by the water after work. All I got was a mouthful of aphids, I think, though the air was somewhat nicer than the smoggy streetscape as rush hour was winding down.
The West Coast Experience cannot be duplicated. This is an obvious observation, but I needed to try. First problem: the choice of body of water -- I didn't go to the lake, but the Don River. (I should have taken my phone with me tonight, but alas, did not, so can't show what it looks like). The Don River, if you don't know Toronto, is now a kind of a cesspool, though efforts are being made to clean it up. It's far from its former glory, teeming with fish and wildlife, and as a main artery for the transportation of goods, back in the day when factories making beer, bricks and other things lined the river. But enough of the history lesson.
I headed towards the river, where there's a great trail. I've never run there, just been by bike or inline skates. I headed south, and after a kilometer was stopped by construction. Instead of taking the stairs to the street and leaving the trail, because really 1K just seemed unworth the effort to go to the trail, I just doubled back ... and headed home. Slowish pace, but felt about normal. So most of the route ended up being streets anyway, but it was nice to mix in some nature. Total surprise when I got home and mapped my route: 7.8K (4.8miles, for my Imperial-minded friends)!

Overindulgent

Well, hasn't this been a fine pattern for the last week. I'm not saying that I've been on a bender for seven of the last 10 days, but that's more alcohol that I'm used to having. Overindulging, am I, but it's been a particularly social 10 days, I guess.

Or maybe this is me trying to self-destruct before actual training begins so I won't have to do it.. Just kidding. I'm all in, as they say in poker.

Former boss, the fool that hired me at the start of my career, is in town. Can't not drink if he invites me. And he does. So, tipped two glasses of wine.

This made planned run much more difficult. But dragged myself downstairs, yet again, for a treadmill run, since going outside just reeked of extra effort that I didn't want to commit to. 5K (or 3.15 miles) in just over 40 minutes. Increased speed slightly at each mile for an average pace of 12:45/mile. Felt slower than usual today. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the stomach void of food, and pumped with sauvignon blanc. Nothing at all.

Who wouldn't want to train here?

About 8 hours after we landed, 4 hours after a fantastic lunch of beer, seafood chowder and sandwiches, Frankie (blue), Cam (black), and I (unpictured) hit the Seawall trail, starting at Granville Island (by Pennyfarthing Cres). They would run together for a good portion, while I followed on my own pace.





...Having worked up an appetite after a long run, we took the ferry from Granville Island across the bay and went in search of dinner. We had some underwhelming fish. Salmon for me, halibut for both the boys.






















These guys paddle fast. I think I saw these guys at Kilometer 2 on one side of the water, and I "caught up" with them on the other side, trying to figure out which bridge was most accessible from the trail to get back to the Granville Island side during Saturday's Long Run.






Ooops! A detour. Call it a bit of cross-training, ran up the stairs with "The Final Countdown" looping through my head, and found myself on top of Cambie Bridge, not far from where the BC Lions play football.

Above, detail of totem pole at Kilometer 7, I think.






Coyote Alert?!

Vangroovy Wrap-up

Six days til the official start of The Program!

After getting back late last night, I thought how running in BC was so great because the air was so fresh, the views were so breathtaking, and there are a lot of runners out there. I think I'd be a lot more motivated if I did all my marathon training there, like Frankie said.

Mind you, I noticed that there was less community when I passed runners though. Here in Toronto, I've noticed it's somewhat friendlier, as in runners passing each other will give a little nod, a wave, a hello, some kind of acknowledgement. Well, maybe they're superfocused on the coast. A lot of people train out there, people say.

I just mapped out my route, as best I could from memory of an unfamiliar city, that I did on Saturday morning while the boys slept. Up at 7AM and with no TV or really anything to do, thought I might as well go out and kill time before the synchronized waking up time of 9AM. Total mileage (kilometerage?, right Yumke?) -- 8.8K, best I could guestimate. This is where those Garmin things really come in handy... perhaps I'll invest in one.. Frankie's been thinking about it too.

The Friday run along the Seawall was about 3K, like I said, using Cam's Garmin, though I couldn't keep up with him the whole time. Also cut the run short because of a developing blister on the fourth toe, right foot. Ouchie.

One regret from the trip -- did not actually make it to Stanley Park to run amongst the big trees. Looped back from Kamloops in the Giant SUV, via Whistler, and missed a turn and had to take the ugly bridge back to Vancouver, not the pretty Lions Gate Bridge.

Pics will be added later tonight, once I figure out a few things. Check back soon.

Weekly tally: 21.4K (though somewhat approximate, but up 18 percent from prior week!)
Training-to-date: 72.25K

Live from the Kamloops!

Okay, just checking in because I haven't been able to log on anywhere until now. Short synopsis: Arrived Vancouver direct on Friday by flying standby with Frankie. It was Amazing Race-like, as Cam decided to fly another airline and we said we'd all meet at the baggage pickup place and we'd run there because we were all landing within minutes of each other. Cam won, by a few minutes, but not really, because he wasn't really where we were supposed to be but picking up his third coffee of the day.
Picked up a rental car. The Malibu we supposedly rented online morphed into a Ford Explorer. Whoooooooo!
Got a run in. Running around the Vancouver Seawall was fantastic. About 3K on Friday.

Saturday morning, did another run, though not sure how far but I was out there for about 1.5 hours, so I'd say it was probably about 10K.

Kamloops: Wency and Neil's wedding was beautiful. Pix to follow.

A lot more to say but this hotel lobby is a 10-min maximum and there's a line forming.

More to come.

Breakfast calls. (And no running today. At least not in Kamloops.. it's pouring!) Probably heading back to Vancouver, via Whistler.....

Good intentions

I set my alarm clock for 5:45 AM to do 5K before work. For a change in pace. Well, I don't take to change well. I slammed the snooze button four or five times and by then, it was too late to start and be back in time to get ready for work.
Well, my intentions were there -- I even mapped out a route the night before -- and only because I know I won't have the time to do it after work, or hair appointment, or dinner plans, and packing for a long weekend trip to Vancouver-Kamloops where I shall be attending the wedding of a dear former workmate witb two present workmates. Idiot road trip, good times ahead. Can't wait.

I'm most looking forward to running through the famous Stanley Park in Vancouver. Well, that's the second most exciting event this weekend. Obviously the wedding comes first, people.

Emerging trend

Met up with another friend today, L, whom I recently reconnected with because we belong to the same gym. This friendship also goes back more than 20 years; we grew up together, not through school, but at extracurricular activities such as Girl Guides, swimming lessons, and house league/semi-competitive softball.
Our patio table was given away, sort of accidentally by the slightly clueless hostess named Boo, but we ended up inviting these two other girls, who like us were waiting for a patio table inside at the bar, to share ours. It was a scream.
That picture (L) may look like a mini pint of Guinness but it's actually just a toy, bequeathed to the newly formed friendship among four crazy women to make up for the lost table.
I'm glad I squeezed in a quick 3K run before yoga, and before I met up with L. This is probably not the best, much less recommended, training program.
Run.
Beer.
Run.
Beer.
More discipline needed. Let's start next week.

Devil is in the drink

Two offers to go drinking today on this sixth day of the sixth month of 2006. 6-6-6... oooooooooh, faced with another decision of whether to carbo-load on beer, or go run, or do both.

I declined (actually it's more like snuck away) on the invitation that could conceivably further my career, and opted instead to hang out with my sister and one of my oldest friends in the world. We go back more than 20 years. Before meeting up with them, I did my somewhat regular Tuesday body sculpt class after work. Then I considered running, though that would've made me late for the gathering at the Red Room, which by the way, I don't think the room was actually red. I decided I'd take it easy at the bar, and go for a run a bit after 8.

Of course, when you're sharing a pitcher of sangria, laughing your way down memory lane, and waiting for a plate of quesadillas that would never arrive, you tend to lose track of time.

I didn't make it home for 8. More like 9, and the sunlight was gone. I was rapidly losing interest in doing this run, possibly because crankiness was rising as I was getting hungrier, having had one vegetarian cold roll, and some pita and hummus, while at the Red Room. But at least I went easy on the pitcher, meaning I was still capable of running in a straight line. CMan, ever the sweetie, says that I should run inside, instead of going outside just so nothing will happen to me.

So down to the condo gym I went. Treadmill 3.6miles; then went to the indoor/outdoor track for another mile. Converted to kilometers? 6.6K.
Coincidence?

And now about to watch Omen III.

Realigned

Between the three weeks of pre-training now completed, the 50K ride, and a chained-to-the-desk work environment, I've been feeling a little tense so I treated myself to a massage today for the always-appreciated rest day.
All is right again.

X-training for Heart

Sunday is a cross-training day. So, it's fitting that my first real cross-training day comes with the first outdoor bike ride of the year, and it's a healthy 50K for charity. Not that I actually made an effort to gather pledges this year -- but I promise to sponsor myself, at least $100 in honor of family members who need this important research done for heart and stroke.

Earlier this week, I was concerned about whether to actually do the weekly Long Run the day before the charity event. Well, I did. But now I'm concerned whether I can actually run tomorrow. If I follow Higdon's training manual, then it doesn't matter -- it's a scheduled rest day.

If I follow Coach Jenny, then it's a 35-minute outing, with today having been the rest day. Guess that answers that. I'm on Higdon this week.



So two major arteries -- the Don Valley Parkway and a part of the Gardiner -- were shut down for a good chunk of the day today to cars. Bikes only. And some rollerbladers. Thousands of people were out there having a ball. I'm sure everyone was happy this ride didn't happen yesterday when it was cats and dogs.

My dad and I started our ride late. We were supposed to start at 8AM with the rest of the Corporate Teams. But, I was unprepared. Really unprepared; which I sometimes feel is my metaphor in life. There was no air in my tires before Dad picked me up this morning, having had to rearrange my storage locker last night to dig the creaky bike out of deep hibernation. And so, we tried to put enough air in to get me to the start line, where I was sure I'd get better mechanical support. Turns out there's something wrong with the chain and some wheely thing, as well as the intake valve on the front tire -- guy says there's sludge in there, and that I'd need a new tube, and for $5 he'd change it there, but that if I chose not to, I'd be okay for the day but I'd need to expend a little bit more energy.

Why did I choose to expend energy? Well, it wasn't so horrible. We finally got to the start line at 9AM and then it took Dad and I 3 hours, 10 minutes to complete the course. We've done better in previous years -- I don't know why we were so slow today. The last of our team to finish, but no matter -- the important thing was to hang out with Dad.



We just enjoyed the scenery, marvelling how great it is to just take over the highways, especially the DVP, the highway that connects me to my family every week when I visit.


And this is what Toronto looks like when two major highways are off limits for a few hours (below). It was a perfect day to ride, with 16C temp, partial sun, or go for a run -- which Frank did, and who we (some team members were extra-thirsty ... hello pub) met along the way. He came by later too, with credit cards and extra cash, for those of us who neglected to bring a wallet today.




Good times. Can't wait til next year.

Splish splash

If it weren't for plans to run with Yumke today, I'm sure I would've punked out. I told him I might not go if it rained. But it wasn't raining when I checked in with him this morning. But there was still an 80-percent chance, the forecast said. Fine, we'll run faster, I said to Yumke. Only joking since I just don't run fast. That's fact. And I don't need to. Not yet. Perhaps never.

Yumke showed up at my place at the appointed time, having done some 4K already, and it still wasn't raining. Well, not buckets, just a few drops, and nothing that would deter me from going outside, now that he was here. Well, lace 'em up, here we go.

I traveled light today. No iPod, no cellphone (please see Yumke's blog for pix today).
Just a water bottle. (And a bus ticket tucked in my windbreaker in case it really started to pour. Is that being defeatist before starting? I'm a realist. I will quit if it rains.... but only in training though! If it rains on race day, well, I hope a higher power will help me through that.)

It wasn't a slow, plodding pace as I had intended... or rather, usually employ. Having a running buddy helped me continue for longer stretches than I'd normally go. When I go by myself, I find that I'll take more breaks. I don't know if I'm taking breaks out of tiredness or boredom or what. But having Yumke beside me kept me motivated, to push a little more.

And it's so nice to talk to someone, once in awhile.

Best thing about a city route: Stop lights. You have to stop. No choice. The law says you must. So grateful everytime we hit a red. Disappointed when they stayed green.

Through the adversity of rain, Yumke and I ran just over 9K together.. I did the next 1.5K by myself. It was less fun and with more rain. I'd do this route again -- a mix of city and waterfront -- and preferably in the sunshine. Though maybe not for much longer.. CMan and I are moving in six or seven weeks.

But guess what? I hit my goal to up the mileage by 10 percent!
Weekly tally: 18.15K, up 10 percent from prior week
Training-to-date: 50.85K

Went to strengthen my core, all soaking wet, though not sure how much of it was sweat and how much was rain. The guy beside me today had little balance. I was afraid he'd fall off his ball and into me. He never did, but it did mess with my concentration. Still, I shouldn't be hard on him -- I was once like that too.

Needless to say, I was famished by the end of class. It'd been four hours since my bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. Called Yumke to meet up for lunch, as was the plan, and R came too. We headed for St. Lawrence Market, a place that means one thing for me when it comes to lunch: veal and eggplant sandwich (hopefully with mushrooms if they haven't run out). Then Yumke and R showed me the pasta stand. Okay, had to have that too. Freshmade linguine with spicy red/meat sauce. Split the sandwich with Yumke. Of course that was too much food. But we agreed: "best meal ever."

Walked home. Slowly. And mostly through the underground path system to avoid the rain, which was now beating down harder. That was a 4K detour. It's time for a nap.

Arithmetic

To reach my 10-percent increase this week, I need to run 10.35K more. I thought about splitting that into two, maybe doing 3 today, then make the Long Run an 8K.. But I didn't much feel like going out there after work with buckets of laundry, dirty dishes and trash to be attended to. I think I'll just do the whole thing tomorrow. If it doesn't rain, I'm partnering up with Yumke... he's been warned that I'm planning a plodding pace, which may not jive with the 21K he wants to do.

Unmapped

Glad to get back outside. It did not look promising during the day, overcast with the weatherman calling for rain. I needed this time outside. I had been through an eye-glazing meeting earlier in the day, and sorely needed some oxygen to the brain if there's any hope of staying conscious through pivotal Game 5 (Suns vs Mavs) tonight; though some other people out there may claim that the Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes Eastern Conference NHL Game 7 is waaaaaaaay more important. To each his own.
Anyways, I didn't map myself a route before heading out. Just wanted to go where my legs took me. I didn't know how far I'd go either. But headed to the west side of the downtown area, close to where I once rented a beautiful two-level apartment, which was alternately named The Porn Palace by certain friends, though not for any x-rated shenanigans. Oh the fond memories.
The unplanned route also took me through the heart of the University of Toronto campus, and I thought about what I would study if I were to go back or if I were to do it all over again, would I choose a journalism career. I didn't come to any conclusion, though I briefly wondered how different my life would be if I'd become an engineer, taken an MBA, or hung out at the library... as I passed each building.
When all was said and done, I'd run 5.8K; and since the weather is cooperating, now off to grill a steak. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, steak.