Torn Meniscus, take 2

Over the winter months I continued to try running, but was only able to manage 1 to 3 km 3-4 times a week before my knee started to bother me again. Same knee that was operated on. Same problem - not sharp, just a very obvious dull pain in the joint. It would swell if I tried to run longer. I was getting some physio to strengthen it. In February I decided to go back to the sports doctor at the Health and Performance Centre at the University of Guelph, the same doctor who initially examined my knee in summer 2011 and requested an MRI which showed I had a tear in my meniscus. So, prior to returning to my doctor I went out for a run on two consecutive days so that i had an idea if my knee was improving. It was nicely swollen up like a softball the next morning when I went in to see the doctor. Even though it was quite evident my knee was swollen, without looking at my knee, he looks straight at me and says "we have to get your head thinking about something else than running". When I ask him if my recovery is within the range of normal and if I could expect to be running again in the future, he said that some people never recover from this surgery and he could not look into a crystal ball.
My simple request of a doctor is to listen to the complaint, examine a problem, pursue tests if required, and make judgments based on his clinical experience.
He did do a very brief examination and agreed that it was still painful and was swollen. When I asked again what I should do, he said don't run if it hurts, hope it gets better and that maybe physio should be continued, and that he couldn't predict if it will get better.
So, with that, I said "I guess we are done, and strode out of his office". It was likely not the best patient doctor-experience for the intern student who was sitting in on the visit.
I changed physiotherapy clinics from the HPC to Speed River Physio. I was finding the treatment was fine at HPC, but my therapist was just continuing treatment without questioning if it was working. At Speed River, i found their approach much different. First, my new therapist was herself an accomplished middle distance runner who had competed at the national level [way above my level] and she knew the frustration a runner feels when they are injured. Second, she was very open to pursuing a different treatment if physio was not going to work. We agreed to try physio for a while to see if her approach made any difference. Also, she looked at my running mechanics to see if there was something I could do to improve my form and reduce stress on the injured knee.
After about 5 treatments, we decided I should return to my family doctor and have the knee re-examined.
My family doctor was excellent, and said that I had every right to pursue examinations to see what was still the problem. We agreed that we should go back to my surgeon if we discover any problems with the knee after an MRI. I was concerned that my surgeon would recommend something that I was not comfortable with [like Synvisc injections] so I was so pleased to hear that my family doctor said if I wanted a second opinion she would send me to the Fowler Kennedy Clinic in London - apparently they are the best place for sports knee treatment.
I was very pleased that within a week I had my MRI at the Guelph Hospital and my doctor very promptly called me to read the results to me - tear in the meniscus, may have been a recent tear. My doctor scheduled an appointment with the surgeon and now I wait until 10 August to see what the next steps are. I am assuming I'll have arthroscopic again.
Then, finally, I'll be good as new again.
This has been an educational experience for me, thankfully it was over a non-serious medical problem. Teaches me that a very good doctor who wants to make you better is so important. Also, some doctors' opinions are not the ones you should act upon. Thirdly, I've generally found that our health care system has been excellent - reasonable wait-times for appointments, very good care in the hospital, and there are many doctors out there who are very conscientious. Thank goodness my knee is far from my heart!

What have I lost over this past year+?

I've run [more or less intensely] since high school. I've always been in decent shape. But over the past 10 years I was running a lot and was pleased with my abilities. It is fun to see how far and how hard you can go. The body is amazing. I've seen that it takes years to get to your highest fitness levels. I had been considering my first 100 miler for a few years but knew that first that my body wasn't ready for it, and second my mind was not ready for it. After completing many marathons and ultras, I was able to endure the longer distances. Last year and the year before I was feeling I could gut out a 100 miler so I was running well leading up to the 2011 running season. I used the Seaton Trail 52k [results] as a warm up/test for maybe another 50 miler, then a 100 miler later on in the season. The April 2011 Seaton race was the worst running conditions I've ever raced in. Thankfully I was able to finish - I didn't even know I had hurt my knee. And I felt good that at least the only race of 2011 for me was a good finish. 

Over the past year+ I've tried my short runs to test out me knee and I found a 2 km run so tiring! I was huffing and puffing and slow. I normally didn't feel even warmed up and able to run at a good clip for at least 5 km when I was running before! It is amazing how the body adapts to a better fitness level and to a poor fitness level. I can hardly wait for my knee to be better so I can see how I can return to running. 

But I am sure it will take 1 to 2 years again to get to a mediocre state where I can run a 5 km, 10 km, or longer race, and it will take me several years again before I'll be able to contemplate my 100 miler. 

Looking back, I had wasted a lot of time with doctors and physio who were not asking the critical questions to get my knee fixed quickly. You have to look after yourself sometimes. 

My Year of Torn Meniscus, #1

On 16 April I tore my left knee meniscus [cartilage] while running Seaton Trail 52 km. At least I think I did. It was a brutally rough trail course and the weather conditions were cold, pouring rain, and very windy. About 2-4C. The course was river valley bottom and ravine hills. Swampy ceder groves and slick clay hill inclines. Out and back twice so we crossed the 8m wide river four times. I had slept over at my friend Leslie's place and got to Whitby school in time for the 7am start. I started off at the back of the pack and slowly over the next 6 hours 16 min made my way near the front. But not always by passing people, it was more a race of attrition. I can honestly say it was the worst race weather conditions I have ever been in. If I would have stopped I would have got hypothermia in minutes. But I was in fairly good shape so I was able to maintain a solid pace that generated a lot of body warmth [that quickly dissipated!]. But I felt good the whole way, other than becoming totally exhausted over the last hour.
I tripped and stumbled several times, but I recall one spot on a steep downhill trail section that was full of cobble stones. It was straight and going diagonally down. The trail acted like a water channel catching all the runoff rain along the slope. Half way down the 300m hill the path was about 1m wide and was essentially a gushing stream about 10cm deep, water rushing down the trail over the cobble stones. I twisted my ankle and started to fall but caught myself on a small tree. I twisted my right ankle and thought I was done. But I walked it out for a minute and continued on my way down the hill's river. I was about 8 km from the finish.
I think that is where i hurt my left knee. I didn't feel a thing. Running was fine. Just tired!
At the last 600 m you exit the forest and cross a field, up a hill to the school's track. You then run 300m around the track to the finish line. There was nobody ahead of me and the person behind me was a couple 100m. There was no way I was going to walk this one in. I crossed the line - they had erected a pop-up shelter so the timer with her clipboard wouldn't get too wet. A kind lady walked me into the school where i plodded to the change room to get warm dry clothes. I had come to the race by my self. I started to shiver uncontrollably and just wanted to lie down. I knew a few people at the race but they were all still on the course. Eventually I plodded into the change room and went into the shower, shoes and clothes and all. I was covered in mud. The energy drink wasn't kicking in yet and i was still dizzy, I just leaned against the wall letting the shower warm me up. Taking off my shoes was hard. I couldn't bend over with out falling over. They were tied on tight so they wouldn't have come off in the mud. Eventually they were off, and i scooped out the mud. Having a buddy at the finish line after a race like this is a god-send.
I finally got out of the shower and put on dry clothes, then walked to the cafeteria where the 29km runners who were finished were lounging. I went straight for the energy drinks as I couldn't stomach any food yet. It took me about another 20 min before I stopped shivering, then I got a banana and bagel.
The race organization was informal to say the least and there was not much going on. Slowly runners came in one by one as their race finished. It was going to be a long time before they started announcing results.
My knee was fine. I looked around and still really know anyone. So, well, after an hour of sitting and nibbling food, drinking hot chocolate. I decided I was done. I got up, slowly and painfully plodded to the car, and drove home in the rain.
I relaxed at home for the end of the day and finally felt hungry to eat. I still had no problems with my knee. All my muscles were sore and every bit of me felt beat up, but I was walking fine.
The next day at home I went out for a very slow run. I got 50m down the road, turned around, and came back in. My knee hurt too much to run. I thought it was a tendon thing or something. It wouldn't be until August when I had my MRI that i found out I had really hurt it.

Around the Bay 2011

I ran the Around the Bay 2011 today - a last minute entry grace of my friend David Brooks. He was able to transfer "Holly" of Guelph's registration to me. I ran ATB in 2009, my first time. I was very pleased to run it this year as a spring "warm-up" race for other ones to come.
I've been running fairly well this spring, just not often enough. The weather has been fine, but work seeps into my lunch hour running chance. And often it is just plain more fun to see Jacob's hockey games or picking up the girls from dance. I've got some 2x25 km weekends in over March, which was a bit of a jump from 3 days a week doing 10km.
ATB is a great race. It is well organized and the Copps Coliseum has all the resources for a good sign-in and finishing spot.
In 2009 my friend Scott and I headed to the starting line near the last minute and ended up being in the second row as we jumped the barriers. This year I was following the crowd but was delayed by the very slow line-up first at the washrooms. So following the crowd I was virtually at the back. I think there are over 4,000 runners so it is a very very deep chute. As we filed into the back of the chute the horn went off but we were about 200m back still. It took several minutes to even start moving forwards! Much like Boston and New York almost. I crossed the start line at about 5min and was packed in with many back-of-the-packers. Bless their soles it is great that they are out on such a beautiful for a very substantial 30 km race. I just wish I was a little further ahead.
The weather was beautiful, it likely warmed up a bit from the -13 I woke up to in Guelph, maybe -10. The sky was blue blue, and very little wind. For the first 1 km it was slow going. I knew several of my Guelph running friends were here today, but they'd be much further ahead in the chute. Much of the first kms were spent weaving between runners, and not weaving so much when several are running abreast. Two guys were doing the same and we moved onto the sidewalk. This really made it easier and we found our pace. Around 4 km it was still packed, but the road widened and bit and it got easier. We went through 5km in 23:28 [4:41 km pace]. Eventually we headed towards the industrial area where it widened up and the crowd had spread out fairly well.
Starting at the back of the pack meant that you are still moving through the crowd ahead continuously. The danger of this for me is that i get a little too focused on passing people to get in the clear and not focusing on pace. For 30 km that is important. By 10 km [46:07, now at 4:31 pace] we were going into the wind as we we headed north quite close to the lake. Some where in shorts and even two women tank tops. Burr, but looks good.
I like the stretch that runs west along the lake towards Burlington, not so pretty, and we can't see the lake we are so close to, but reminds me of what must have been a pretty lakeside community that was so pretty in the '50s [i wonder if the steel plants had made it polluted yet then]. This flat stretch is the prelude to the hills that were coming. I went through 15 km in 1:09:06, not so fast compared to my shorter race times for this distance split, but good enough for a 2:18 30km time. This split had me slowing a bit to a 4:35 pace. Maybe I was preparing for the hills to come? Normally it takes me 8-12 km to settle into a pace and I was feeling good here - I knew that I could hold this pace comfortably for another 15 km.
Around 17 km I saw a runner with a video camera and immediately recognized my friend David Brooks. He is totally into running and everything about excites him. Photos and videos of his friends is very cool. He had went out first with another Guelph running friend Geoff Linton doing the first 10 km in 41 min. David then stopped once in a while along the way to watch for other Guelph runners to film them. He and I ran for 2 km or so. He is a very strong and smooth runner he dropped off where we start to head south to do some more video.
At 18 km we start moving towards the toe of the escarpment hills. There were some gentle low rises foreshadowing about 3 or 4 serious hills. This is a very nice residential area and many spectators were cheering on the runners. Nice show locals, even for the biker house with loud rock and a bearded guy with a gut and black t-shirt was getting a kick out of it - great time for a beer on his deck.
I was continuously passing people, I really must have been in the back of the pack! Sure some where slowing, but I wasn't being passed by anyone. The water stations were really good, esp with the volunteers hollered out whether they had water or Gatoraide, otherwise you are left browsing the tables looking where the Gatoraide is. I felt really comfortable still and the weather was great. I was wearing two long sleeve shirts, a short sleeve shirt, and a wind breaker, touque, and tight thin running pants. I was carrying my mitts after the first 10 km. The runners were still quite dense - I always had about 10 within several meters of me, but it was easy to move forward through the crowd.
Then the first hill hits and you grind up to top and then is the 20 km timing mat. I crossed it in 1:31:31. I had been feeling great over the past 5 km and had picked it up to 4:29 pace. Not a blistering one for me, but for an early season run I'll take it. If I kept it up for a marathon distance I'd be done in 3:09 - that would be great!
One of my motivators in a race is chasing the ponytails. Don't read anything weird into this, but the swish-swishing is so obvious and in most races there are not many ponytails if any ahead of me at the finish line, so it pushes me forward as I know I have more work to do before the end of the race. It also breaks the race into small segment goals. The ponytails where becoming rather scarce now so I had moved part way from the back of the pack forwards [but there were many much faster runners then I well ahead of me finishing already!]
The hills became one long slogs up. There are two in particular that are long and somewhat steep. At the top of one it took me 100 m to recuperate and get back on pace, but I pushed through them all. I went through 25 km in 1:54:12, but there were still hills coming, the last one in particular is nasty, but I kept to a 4:32 pace still. Finally the last hill. The road here is nice, passing over a wooden bridge and at the Bay level. Half way up the hill is the only .5 km marker - 26.5. A little motivation I guess. But a shocker too when you realize it is only 3.5 km to the finish. 3.5 is just a weenie run - how hard could that be? Suck it up, crest the hill then burn the last 3 km to the finish.
Even with the nasty hill I did 25-29 km in 4:26 pace, with 1 km to go you can see Copps Coluseum and running only 1 km is easy so I pressed to the finish [and 4 more ponytails]. As soon as you get to Copps you turn a fast corner and fast down ramp into the arena. [take off the sunglasses as it is dark in there!]. And there it is - 25 m to the finish line at centre rink, right under the jumbotron. Last km in 4:17. I crossed the line 2:16:13.7. Felt great, and wondered if one year I'll enter the race in good enough shape for a sub 2:10. But I'll take 2:16 gratefully.
It was a great day for a run, the race was really well organized. At the finish I saw my friend Art climbing out of the stands, I asked him if he had showered already but he smiled and said just changed his shirt. He has been in great running shape for the past year +. He came through in 2:05, a great time with a 4:11 pace.
I was quite keen to know if my family was going to a sugar bush where I was to meet them, so I got my food bag, got my duffle bag from the bag check, and checked my blackberry. No sugar bush so time to head home. I was getting out of my wet shirts with lots of stinging from chaffed nipples. Blood had streaked down my white t-shirt to my waist - I forgot the Bodyglide silly me. Dry shirts on, dry cap, packed my wet clothes and was off to the car and home.
Glad I ran it today. Glad David B was able to transfer a registration to me. Glad it was so beautiful out. Glad this is the start of my running season in ernest.

Spectacular event

Finished in 3:18. Very amazing run, route, and city. I am really sore now and want to sit down, but still a good ways to walk to the Y to get my stuff. Then to the airport to go home to my family.
via BlackBerry

It is freezing

Droipoping off bag, summy but very clod

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Before the start

The sun just came up. I was waking every hour sine I was worried that I would sleep past 4am. Got a hurried ready and headed to the subway. Got on the bus with Jim from El Passo. Got off the bus Stanton Island in the dark, and it was pretty chilly. We tip-toed over bodies into the middle of a big tent. Nice and warm and dry. We sit next to Mike from Sacramento. Nice chatting, and now the sun is coming up nice and bright.
As it turns out we are in the pre-race religious servicce tent. A cheery preacher just told us a service that will warm us up will in 45min, includinf stretching and warm-ups!! Gosh, might be worth while staying for this.
Still another 2:40 untill start time.
Should be a nice start with me on the top deck of the bridge, along with 17,000 other people, and another 17,000 on the lower deck of the bridge.
Hilarious - loud rocking religious music in our tent.

via BlackBerry

Off to New York City for last marathon of the season

Got up at 3am (!!!) (So did Emma to make sure I didn't sleep in, then went to bed again - sweety!!) and got ready, and out the door. Sure is nice to drive into the city before rush hour.
Got to the airport and going through customs thought I spotted teacher/friend Julie L. Sure enough, there she was, flying to california. Enjoyed coffee together then boarded for NYC.
Sky was dark at lift-off, but beautiful orange sky towards NY - a good omen? Over NY state there is snow on the grownd. I am really looking forward to this adventure. Too bad my family isn't here.
Landing shortly.

via BlackBerry

Toronto International Marathon

I ran the Toronto Marathon and had a great day. The best part is that I ran 35km with Art Kilgour of guelph - a super nice guy. My legs are a little tired, but i finished the last 5km strong and felt good at the finish. I am very excited about NY. I can hardly wait. The only drag is missing Hallowe'en.

But here is my short TO marathon story for everyone... We went up to New Liskeard area for Thanksgiving, then on the way down, Elise dropped me off at bus in North Bay where i went to Ottawa, Elise and kids to Guelph. I had a 4 day pilot course on biogas systems we were evaluating. I got back late Fri night. I was so busy i was not really thinking about preparing for marathon weekend. i was going to stay with my friend Leslie at Young and Shepard near the race start. On Sat at 4:20pm i came in from closing the pool for the winter, working on side entrance of house. Ready to head to Leslie's then it dawned on me [I'm a little slow] that i didn't get my race kit. My sister couldn't pick it up for me at the last minute. i was all cheesed off that i couldn't get my kit and could not run. So i figured maybe nice that i am finally home with the family after being away so many days. I posted on facebook Sat night my unhappy state. Sunday morning i am up early and my friend Peter of mynextrace.com had sent me a message saying "go to the start, ask for Marc or Steve", i packed my bag, jumped in the car, and dashed to Toronto yesterday morning at 8am. I got to Leslie's at 7:50 and she drove me to the start. I got to the race timers and with my race email confirmation and the message from Peter, they gave me a bib and chip 2minutes before race start. Put them on, looked at the pack to mush myself into and I saw my friend Art. 5 second count down, and the race was on!!
He and I are about equally paced, so we ran very consistent they whole way through TO and out along the Lakeshore west. It was great running with him as we chatted, and kept a very consistent pace. The race conditions were excellent, perfect temperature and no wind, nice sun. I saw my sister and her daughter Erica at Young and Lawrence area, which was fun. At km 26 he wanted to walk and rest a few seconds at a water station. Neither of us were watching our watches, but our km splits were very very consistent. good when running with a friend! The course through the city was really nice. Going out westward along the Lakeshore trail was nice. We kept wondering when we would see the leading pack heading East back to the finish, but the race leaders were really relatively slow. We were not that far behind them.
I saw a Japanese friend of mine who passed us [i later caught up with him and passed him]. i also saw an endurrun guy Steve and his wife working at a water station. Saw Holgar too - another endurrunner.
Art needed to run his own race at his own pace. While i said i'd stick with him, i knew that if i kept with him he may be feeling obliged to not run the best pace for him. Regretfully, i moved on and he took some wise rest stops through water stations. It was great to have such a running comrade.
At 38km a very nice spectator was handing out oranges and pretzels [in a little cup]. I know that pretzels are a favourite running munchy, so i tried them for the first time. The water stations along the course were not as frequent as I would have liked, esp on the second half. With 5 little pretzels in my mouth, and being dehydrated, there was no way i was able to get them down, they were a thick ball of dry carbs. I was chewing for about 1km !! Eventually i had to get rid of them, but didn't want to spit them out with a crowd around, could be looking like i was spewing a gall bladder! I discretely spit the dry mass into my hand and tossed away. But now my mouth was SOOOO dry! And no water station in sight. Ran on several minutes longer, and an enthusiastic cheering girl on Bay Street had a half full water bottle on the ground next to her. I motioned that i wanted it and she gladly gave it too me. Looked clean to me. That was great as I only had less than 2km left - 7min or so, but really needed it.
Up the long climb of University and you could see the Queens park building. Unfortunately you can see it quite aways away. No matter, just kept running along to the finish. I saw my friend Duff [endurrun guy] at 41km. So up around Queens Park and the the finish line. No glorious finish, just a comfortable finish across the line. Felt perfectly fine at the finish. I waited for Art to come through [6min after] and we walked over to the water. I got a quick stretching in the massage tent which was helpful [as i could feel my legs getting a little tight]. Then, basically grabbed some bagels, banana, granola bars, and headed off to the subway on Young St. Got up to Leslie's place, wee visit there, got my car, and headed tp home sweet home.

Today i feel fine, legs a bit tight, but actually quite good.
that's it! Hope Art is feeling good today, both his legs and his spirits. A solid run!

... and a 4o'clock massage. Then, getting ready for NYC marathon in 2 weeks. Then take a break for the season.

My time : 3:14:12.6. Boston was 3:15:21 in April, ENDURrun in Aug 3:11:42, Scotiabank Waterfront in Sept 3:14:25.4, Run for the Toad 50km trail 4:41:52.

chris

2008 Run for the Toad 50km trail race

This was a tough run. It was the second year I ran the 50k here, but given that i had run the Waterfront marathon only 6 days earlier, i certainly felt my legs being fatigued into the second loop of 4. I finished 4:41, 12 minutes slower than last year. But I finished. I'll try to write more about this later. chris

ScotiaBank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

I had a great race there, but it was a while ago, and I am forgetting some of the details, i will check my old emails to see if i can fill in more info here later.

chris

ENDURrun 2008

Hi, I have had a busy summer and fall season of running. I don't have much to report on the ENDURrun, but placed 3rd and i was very happy with that. I was sub 12hrs, and I felt that was pretty amazing. That is a 4:27 pace overall. Go to the website and check out the results, the YouTube videos, and other info. Pretty neat stuff there. I might relay more info, but for now, that is it.

Getting ready for ENDURrun International

Now that i have a good base of about 100km / week [including 65km weekends] i am finally now hitting the track for speed and tempo workouts. Also, during the week I make one of my 10km runs a nasty hill run over at Centenial Highschool. There is a short but steep hill that after 15 reps makes one remember why no one likes doing hills.

less than 1 month from ENDURrun. Getting nervous! Or is that excitement?
chris

Boston 2008 Race Stats

Well, I finally put my Boston times in my spreadsheet to figure out splits, pace, heart rate.

Time	Heart Rate	Time Elapsed	Km	Mile	Pace (min/km)	Pace (min/mile)
04:35.4		04:35.4	1	0.6	04:35.4	07:23.2
07:22.9	163	02:47.6	1.6	1	04:35.2	07:22.9
14:29.4	160	07:06.4	3.2	2	04:30.1	07:14.7
21:45.6	170	07:16.2	4.8	3	04:30.4	07:15.2
0:22:29			5	3.1	04:29.8	07:14.2
28:55.5	174	07:09.9	6.4	4	04:29.6	07:13.9
31:37.1	173	02:41.6	7	4.3	04:31.0	07:16.2
36:05.1	166	04:28.0	8	5.0	04:30.6	07:15.5
36:17.3	169	00:12.2	8.0	5	04:30.6	07:15.5
40:38.2	169	04:20.9	9	5.6	04:30.9	07:16.0
43:31.5	167	02:53.3	9.7	6	04:30.5	07:15.2
0:45:08			10	6.2	04:30.8	07:15.8
1:05:23	164	21:51.5	14.5	9	04:30.8	07:15.9
1:07:42			15	9.3	04:30.8	07:15.8
1:12:40	169	07:17.0	16.1	10	04:30.9	07:16.0
1:19:57	172	07:17.0	17.7	11	04:31.0	07:16.1
1:27:13	170	07:16.0	19.3	12	04:31.0	07:16.1
1:30:23	167	03:10.0	20	12.4	04:31.2	07:16.4
1:34:39	172	04:16.0	20.9	13	04:31.4	07:16.8
1:35:25			21.1	13.1	04:31.3	07:16.7
1:41:56	172	07:17.0	22.5	14	04:31.5	07:16.9
1:49:19	172	07:23.0	24.1	15	04:31.7	07:17.3
1:53:15			25	15.5	04:31.8	07:17.4
1:56:32	172	07:13.0	25.7	16	04:31.5	07:17.0
2:04:04	172	07:32.0	27.4	17	04:32.1	07:17.9
2:11:52	169	07:48.0	29.0	18	04:33.1	07:19.6
2:16:52			30	18.6	04:33.7	07:20.5
2:19:33	169	07:41.0	30.6	19	04:33.8	07:20.7
2:27:33	170	08:00.0	32.2	20	04:35.0	07:22.6
2:35:41	169	08:08.0	33.8	21	04:36.4	07:24.8
2:41:11			35	21.7	04:36.3	07:24.7
2:43:04	170	07:23.0	35.4	22	04:36.3	07:24.7
2:50:53	173	07:49.0	37.0	23	04:37.0	07:25.8
2:58:34	165	07:41.0	38.6	24	04:37.4	07:26.4
3:05:02			40	24.9	04:37.6	07:26.7
3:06:11	174	07:37.0	40.2	25	04:37.7	07:26.8
3:15:21	179	09:10.0	42.2	26.2	04:37.7	07:27.4
3:30:10	112	14:49.0	post race, moving through shute

After 15 minutes, I remembered to stop my watch, but interesting that my ticker slowed down to a more pedestrian 112 beats per minute.

Matt the runner

Matt has taken up running! He is looking quite buff now and likely would take me in a race - I'm the old geezer, he is the young buck still. Way to go Matt, keep it up! The running is even giving you a special halo [with bunny ears]. You are taking on the runner's "glow"!

Mercedes Benz Classic Mile

We are here watching the Classic Mile in Cambridge. Very exciting! As we entered the spectators area we were standing right next to Ed Whitlock!! He said he hasn't run since last August because of knee problems. Gained 15 lbs! But you'd never know it as he was looking pretty slim, even with those 15 lbs. Very cool to meet him. I told him he beats me in every marathon we run together!

And as we sit down a man sitting behind me asked if the "Older than Boston" was the Around the Bay race. Yes, I said. "Well", he said, "have you ever seen St Ralph"? Of course, I say. He says, the boy is my son." I asked if he still runs. He said NO, he is not a runner at all, he is an actor.

Chris Duke

The Perfect Storm - and how to really experience it

Sandy Hale approaches the Perfect Storm and is encouraged to do stupid things by videographer Nick Grayson. The others in the van certainly are not discouraging being a lightening rod! Kids - don't do this at home.

Downpour #3 - Ridiculous Eyewitness News Report

Sports and weather reporter Nick Grayson of Eyewitness News on course at the Shore to Shore relay, video featuring the running of Stephen Kilburn of Van 1. Van 2 guys are either crazy or need a little more sleep.

Downpour #2

Art and Nic created a previous video of Luke running hard in the Saturday morning downpour. And then it starts to hail! Here is the next video.

team sole mates video

The women's team from Guelph, Fergus and elsewhere makes their final run at the finish line of the Shore to Shore Relay. One of the "Sole Mates" (the female team with some Guelph Runners, including Sue Wahlroth of The Running Works) crossing the finish line.
Note : The Running Works was a very generous sponsor for our team Chariots for Hire and we gratefully acknowledge their support. Now we are all going off to buy our next pair of shoes there! [we do that anyways!]

shore to shore blasts off

Nic and Art start off with video of the 3rd wave start. On your mark, get set ... (this is the "third wave" at 10 am friday -- 10 runners only -- the other 55 teams left in earlier waves). Stephen K is our starting man.

Live weather running report by Nic

Excellent video of Luke H blistering along during a heavy rainstorm during the 4th last leg of the Shore To Shore Relay. Way to go Nic and Art!

Pictures from the S2S by Art

Art has his pictures on line now!!

S2S 2008 Pictures here

You can look at the pics here. I forget if I posted this link or not. But here it is again. cd

Stage Results summary

Stage 1: Van 1. Lots of hills along the Lake Erie north shore. Many valleys of creeks running into the lake. Very pretty. Near the end the route turns north and follows Talbot Line, ends in a park. Van 2 took over after for stage 7. We were 5th at end of stage 1. The lead team went out very fast - great runners.

The 2008 Westover Shore To Shore Relay
Friday-Saturday May 30-31st, 2008
Stage1 Results - 78.4KM

----- --------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ----
Official  Pace                                            Category
Place Time       km    #   Teamname                             Plce/Tot Category         Wave
----- --------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ----
1 4:40:07.0  3:35   24 Salty Dawgs                            1/16   Open 40+         3
2 4:48:37.3  3:41   23 Flying Force Kin                       1/9    Open 39 & -      3
3 5:11:53.8  3:59   17 Team Mudsharks                         2/9    Open 39 & -      3
4 5:28:00.7  4:12   56 Aquafina Rocky Road Runners            1/18   Mixed 40+        3
5 5:34:56.1  4:17    7 Chariots For Hire                      2/16   Open 40+         3

Stage 2 : Moved up to 4th place! Van 2 runs hard and fast - continues on this stage and hands off the final couple of legs to van 1. Mainly heading north on this very flat section. Afternoon and evening of Friday. Luke joins us for the 12th leg and whips out a blistering pace. Andrew and Warren continue a hard run against the mud puppies and Warren finishes 0.9 seconds behind on the grounds of the lovely Westover Centre. Time for dinner and celebration. Also, our volunteer responsibilities were now over too when Scott and I man two exchange zones. We remember what happened to our dear friend and Chariots For Hire Phil who suffered last year from heat stroke and dropped at exchange 11. [was very rough, but he recovered well]. Note the average pace was sub 4min/km!

Stage 2 Results - 54km
Official  Pace                                            Category
Place Time       km    #   Teamname                             Plce/Tot Category
----- --------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- -----------------
1 3:14:50.8  3:37   23 Flying Force Kin                       1/9    Open 39 & -      3
2 3:21:19.6  3:44   24 Salty Dawgs                            1/16   Open 40+         3
3 3:34:31.4  3:59   17 Team Mudsharks                         2/9    Open 39 & -      3
4 3:34:32.3  3:59    7 Chariots For Hire                      2/16   Open 40+         3

Stage 3 : Rain, pouring Rain! Lightning and Thunder!! see my post below. The night run! We run well, but so did the other teams. We run well, but our time drops to 4:32/km. That is fine - all the other teams were too. But it was a real soaker!

Stage 3 Results - 61.1KM
Official  Pace                                            Category
Place Time       km    #   Teamname                             Plce/Tot Category         Wave
----- --------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ----
1 3:52:47.5  3:49   24 Salty Dawgs                            1/16   Open 40+         3
2 3:58:03.2  3:54   23 Flying Force Kin                       1/9    Open 39 & -      3
3 4:25:22.2  4:21   17 Team Mudsharks                         2/9    Open 39 & -      3
4 4:35:00.8  4:31   56 Aquafina Rocky Road Runners            1/18   Mixed 40+        3
5 4:36:36.8  4:32    7 Chariots For Hire                      2/16   Open 40+         3 

Stage 4 : Our pace picks up again [Luke starts off this stage, coincidence?]. We enjoy the 3:30am morning start and the rain has stopped. Running north along the St. Claire River and the outskirts of Sarnia to finish in Mike Weir park. No golfing, but a great pancake breakfast. The coffee is not in the same "great" category. Just ask Scott. But we moved into 4th place again.

Stage 4 Results - 63.4KM
    Official  Pace                                            Category
Place Time       km    #   Teamname                             Plce/Tot Category         Wave
----- --------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ----
  1 3:55:58.4  3:44   23 Flying Force Kin                       1/9    Open 39 & -      3
  2 4:03:15.6  3:51   24 Salty Dawgs                            1/16   Open 40+         3
  3 4:33:25.1  4:19    7 Chariots For Hire                      2/16   Open 40+         3
  4 4:37:01.5  4:23   17 Team Mudsharks                         2/9    Open 39 & -      3 

Stage 5 : Here are the top 8 teams. Even though we are at the end, and the last 3 legs of this final stage are run by Stephen, Andrew, and Warren who are doing their extra runs, we pick up the collective pace by 1 second and place 3rd overall. We are so happy to have finished together as a team. What is very telling is we frequently hear "1km for company, 2 for water". Having been there myself, it is great to see your team mates just ahead waiting and cheering for you, then just ahead again another km for water. It takes a team of friends to finish as a team.

Stage 5 Results - 76.7KM
    Official  Pace                                            Category
Place Time       km    #   Teamname                             Plce/Tot Category         Wave
----- --------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ----
  1 4:54:12.1  3:51   24 Salty Dawgs                            1/16   Open 40+         3
  2 5:02:50.6  3:57   23 Flying Force Kin                       1/9    Open 39 & -      3
  3 5:29:28.8  4:18    7 Chariots For Hire                      2/16   Open 40+         3
  4 5:58:38.5  4:41   56 Aquafina Rocky Road Runners            1/18   Mixed 40+        3
  5 6:03:02.2  4:44   40 Oakville Blues                         3/16   Open 40+         3
  6 6:05:44.8  4:47   17 Team Mudsharks                         2/9    Open 39 & -      3
  7 6:07:22.9  4:48    6 what were we thinking                  2/18   Mixed 40+        3
  8 6:12:53.4  4:52   55 Pepsi Rocky Road Runners               4/16   Open 40+         3 

See us next year!
I'll post more here in a day or so for the final day's stories...

the results are in!

The results were posted on Sports Stats.ca. Drum roll please!!!!.... .... ....
3rd over all, and 2nd place for old geezers!

The 2008 Westover Shore To Shore Relay        
Friday-Saturday May 30-31st, 2008
London, Canada 6:00am
Final Results - 333.6KM

----- ---------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
   Official   Pace                                            Category
Place Time        km    #   Teamname                             Plce/Tot Category         Stage1  Stage2  Stage3  Stage4  Stage5
----- ---------- ----- ---- ------------------------------------ -------- ---------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
 1 20:51:41.6  3:46   24 Salty Dawgs                            1/16   Open 40+         4:40:07 3:21:20 3:52:48 4:03:16 4:54:13
 2 21:00:20.2  3:47   23 Flying Force Kin                       1/9    Open 39 & -      4:48:38 3:14:51 3:58:04 3:55:59 5:02:51
  3 23:48:59.1  4:18    7 Chariots For Hire                      2/16   Open 40+         5:34:57 3:34:33 4:36:37 4:33:26 5:29:29 
 4 23:54:33.6  4:19   17 Team Mudsharks                         2/9    Open 39 & -      5:11:54 3:34:32 4:25:23 4:37:02 6:05:45 

...

   37 31:51:30.7  5:44   16 My Sole Mates                          2/5    All Women 40+    7:02:09 4:56:11 5:59:05 6:20:27 7:33:41
...
   55 35:30:58.3  6:24   45 More than just a pretty face gotta r   5/5    All Women 40+    8:05:25 5:32:01 5:58:30 7:03:00 8:52:03
56 36:26:56.1  6:34   47 Power 5                                7/9    Mixed 39 & -     8:57:13 4:54:57 6:44:23 8:14:05 7:36:20 

About 60 teams entered. With such a hard race some would inevitably not finish, but most did. The fastest team was also fast last year. We were placing 4th most of the time, but the 6-man team the Team Mudsharks [mud puppies?] started to collapse as the lack of sleep and so much running must have been too much. Maybe their running strategy was not the best too. But good running for them!
The My Sole Mates, a all gurls team from Guelph and area was headed by Team Captain Ginny - a defector from Guelph to Pennsylvania. While spying on our team's activities and good planning, they could not come anywhere near us. But good for them for their great effort. Not as great as ours, but all the same, not bad for a bunch of gurls! [don't worry, Ginny deserves all the trash talk she gets!] ;-)
I'll post the other stage results, but you can all see them online.

Message from Vic!

Vic sent us this message! Hoi Vic!! Great to hear from you!

Hi Chris,
Your blog has been great. I have followed you guys every step of the way and having run it last year with the excellent reporting I almost felt like I was there. I tried to reply through the blog link but it was password proetected so I'm hoping you can pick this up. You guys are running great. Excellent times and you have moved up a position from last year in the 40+. Hope you have a strong team finish and enjoy the post race festivies. Hope you guys get to the podium it looks very promising. For those stating enjoy the cottage.

Best Regards, Vic

Beer on the deck

Well, we sure are thinking of our comrades on the road. We had showers back at the house Scott and the others rented in Grand Bend. Went to get beer and food, and now enjoying both! It is 11:25 and the weather is very pleasant on the back deck.
While we were at the beer store Nic called to say he had a great run and had put over 3 min on the Mud Sharks. And Art was running really well at that point too. So we are thinking of the - and raise a glass of beer to them.
But we will be heading out on the course as we have to deliver 3 runners for the last 3 legs. Stephen, Warren, and Andrew need to run their last legs which will make number 4 for them!
Having fun!!!

Chris Duke

End of stage 4 stats

After 256 km, we are 4th overall and 2nd in the 40+ category.
Cumulative time 18:19:30 with an average pace of 4:17/km.
We just finished the 4th stage and there are 2 more. The Mud Sharks are 30min on us, they are a young team, but fast. However they only have 6 members so they have to run 6 legs each, and they would be getting very little or no sleep. Now we have some fast runners heading out too.
But now I'm done, as are several others on the team.
The breakfast of pancakes and sausage was excellent but the coffee was gross. Now we are heading to the finish to shower and get bevvies for the team.
Then we'll head to the finishline to meet our team and run in together.
The sun came up during my run - morning broke with sun shining through low clouds that were breaking up quickly. But is us starting to warm up and the humidity was very high after the rainstorm last night.
Over breakfast we all got together (except for the few guys who were asleep in the tent) and told stories about running in the rain and how little sleep we got. A great bunch of guys.

Chris Duke

My morning run (last leg)

stephen had a great run, as did andrew. Warren also ran well but for his 11k leg said his legs felt like jello. Scott is out running now, at 8k. Working hard. No doubt will be cussing when he hands off to me though.
I've been warming up every 2k when we give water to Scott, but my diaphram muscles are cramping each time. I'll have to start off slower and ramp up the pace so I get my gut into shape.
I'm up in about 2km!

Chris Duke

Start of stage 4

Thand goodness that we got some shut eye. We got to the St Clair river park after midnight while van 1 was still out on the course. They were running throght the wee hours of the morning. In the pouring rain.
We got 'comfortable' in our van chairs and actually slept for about 3 hours.
We woke up at 3:10. The storm has passed. Nicer than last year when we got 5min sleep.
We had stopped in the park and it had a washroom. It was so nice to wash my face and brush my teeth. Almost makes up 1/3 of a night of sleeping.
Luke started off the wave 4 and we are driving to the next leg for Stephen to get ready.
The fog is coming off the St. Claire river. The american side looks just as dark and sleepy as the Canadian side.
Luke is 3k from his finish and we see many runners from wave 2... OUR NEXT ROAD KILL!

Chris Duke

Just finished my night leg in rain

It is pouring rain and lots of thunder and lightning! Big big rain and a strong wind out of the southwest. We are now heading west to the St Clair river south of Sarnia, just north of Chatham.

The lightning is pretty close and lights up the whole sky and the landscape. The thunder fills the land and the van rumbles.
During my 10k run had stomach cramps just like this morning, except it was from my dinner that was still with me. It was a little bit of a hard run. I think I should incorporate a little speed training into my plan so my body is used to the fast but long runs of 5 to 10 k.
Christoph, a work colleague too, has taken over for the next leg. Lots of fun now as we huddle in the van and peer out the back window trying to see our runner. He just ran up to us and had to stop in front of the van to tie his blasted shoelaces.
Lightning just lit the sky and siloetted another team's runner as he passes our parked van.
After Christoph's leg our van is done for several hours.
Then time for a good rest.

Chris Duke

Rest and dinner at Westover Centre

I was finally picked up by van 2 as my van 1 was out on the course. Luke H apparently ran a very fast 6+ km and then they came to get me. We came to the Westover who is organizing this event. They have a 19 day treatment that uses the '12 step' process. The centre is a beautiful huge Victorian mansion. The kitchen staff made a great pasta dinner. I didn't want to eat too much as I run around 10:20pm (1hr from now - I ate 1.5 hrs ago when I first got here).

Waves 1 started out about 45 min ago and wave 2 left about 10 min ago.

Must not forget to pay Art back his $5 he lent me for dinner. I need an bank machine.

The rain is holding off so far but the clouds are looking darker and lower. It is starting to get pretty dark, street lights are on.

Stats: we are 4th overall and 2nd in the age 40+ category.

Cumulative time for 132.4 km is 9:09:28 with average pace of 4:10/km. We are 1:08 behind the (very fast) lead team.
So
Chris Duke

Food

Oh good, the hamburger came at 5:15. Not much carbs though.

Chris Duke

Now I volunteer

So, since 4pm I've volunteering at the corner of Ridge Line and Mull Rd, just south of the village of Mull. This is the start of leg 10. The 1st wave teams were just leaving when I got here. I guess in a while wave 2 teams will come through in a bit.

No rain yet but a policeman at the intersection said Doppler radar shows a blob in Michigan. Maybe rain and thunder in a while.

I wonder where my food is?? Hope van 2 comes soon!!

Miss my family!

Chris Duke

Wrong distance and Blackberry adventure

Warren was running his 7.9 k run and we stopped at 6k to give water. He took off but WHAT WAS THAT 0.5k down the road?? An exchange point and he was waiting for us! Error in race maps, it was only 6.9k!! Scott slams on the breaks and jumps out because he was next runner! He tags Warren and off goes Scott. Warren said he was waiting just down the road very supprised himself he only ran 1 minute after we gave him water. Lesson learnt : don't trust instructions.

So while Warren was running I sent a text msg to Art in van 2. No coverage area. So I put the blackberry (BB) on the van roof to see if it would get a signal. In our rusk to follow Warren we forgot about the BB - opps!!!! I realize this about 3 k down the road.

We leave Warren on the road ahead of Scott and go back to where we last stopped for Warren. Could not find BB after a hard search. But we had to follow Scott so we leave and catch up with Scott, give water, then go ahead to drop me off at the next exchange point for me to run.

I run my 10 k in about 40 min (with gut cramps) fretting about the BB. Nice run though and very pretty area (just south of Ridgetown. I tag Christoph who is with van 2. Then our van starts to look for my BB. Andrew's friend works for Bell Mobility and his friend seaches for my BB using Search and Find feature (a must have). But Bell couldn't find it but he did say the BB was last registered on a cell tower at West Lorne. We head back to the 6.0 k spot for Warren. We searched the grass very very thoroughly. No BB. Scott and Andrew take the van and drive ahead 5 km to see if it was on the gravel on Talbot Line. Stephen, Warren and I look so hard for about 2km of grass.

We give up and I'll just buy a new BB.

Scott and Andrew return as I get in the van they throw me the missing BB!!! -t was on the edge of the road and the battery had fallen out - this is why Seek and Find didn't work. I was so happy!! And now we can contine on the relay.

Van 2 is out with their runners. We are currently heading to end of legs 7 and 10 where we have to volunteer. Scott and I volunteer at an exchange zone and the other guys will get us food.

Stay tuned!

Chris Duke

Stephen in 5th place

We started sharp at 10am and Stephen Kilburn running well. Weather is fresh, overcast and no breeze.

We took our group picture at the Port Stanley beach.

Next up is Andrew Tersigni!

Chris Duke

Chariots for Hire off and driving

First entry for the Chariots for Hire! We arrived at captain Scott Cameron's for the 5:45am designated time, but at 6::00 - a little late. Thanks to Elise for driving Warren and me. All the team was there. Packed the vans and the roof carriers, packed the two huge thermos with water for the Gatoraide, then distributed the team shirts. Many thanks to Sue W and her store The Running Works for sponsoring us.

Elise took our team picture and now we are off down the 401 hwy to Port Stanley for the 10am start.

Chris Duke

Shore to Shore Relay - Fund raising

Our Chariots for Hire team is fund raising for the Shore to Shore relay. Please consider donating towards the Westover Treatment Centre in Thamesville, Ontario - one of the few rehab centres in Ontario for alcohol and drug additions. The 334km course will be very beautiful, but I am fearful we may be a bunch of wet guys in a minivan for 22 hours or so! Last year we finished 4th in 21:39 hr:min.
Stay tuned! chris

32483-184-019f.jpg (JPEG Image, 384x255 pixels)

32483-184-019f.jpg (JPEG Image, 384x255 pixels)
Start of the Around The Bay 2008 road race. Nice, cool, slightly windy day, finished in 2:22 for 30km course, with pretty sporadic training.

Boston Marathon 2008

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Boston Marathon again, 2nd year in a row. I went with my Dad and some other friends and we stayed at the youth hostel in Boston. The hostel idea was great. We met many nice runners there, and the location was excellent. We had a great social time, Dad and I also took in the sights of Boston on one of the National Parks guided walks. Very interesting. A little more spartan than the private company walks, but free!

We saw some familiar faces in Boston, including my friend Ginny from Guelph. Saw some other Guelphites too. I saw some familiar ENDURrun runners too!. It was so great to see Bob, Brad, and Jackie again. I saw Jackie during the race, but mainly just her pony tail as she blew past me around 15 km point.

It was really nice running conditions, but it was a little hard to anticipate what it would be since the day dawned overcast, but with no significant breeze. Brad and I were under the tent at the high school in Hopkington wondering what to wear. I dressed lightly and that was fortunate since 5 min before the race started the sun broke through the clouds and was beautiful for the rest of the day. This brought out so many spectators, many more than last year [though last year they were great too]. I heard an estimate of 1M spectators. I only cared about my Dad at the finish line and all the Wellesley girls with the "kiss me" signs [had to oblige, but there was a really beautiful one I passed too quickly to go back - i still regret it...].

So my training the past 1.5 months has been really sporadic with travel, family, etc. And i wasn't even really doing much mileage by early March either. But I did have a base so I went to Boston to just run a steady pace and to have fun, hopefully finish in 3:30 or shortly thereafter.

My friend in Guelph suggested to me one time to forget a goal time and pace, just run at a pace that works for you that day, and I've done that ever since and not looked at the watch until i settle in to a stiff pace that i think i could do for 40 km. So, the immediate downhills helped me get going, but I didn't get carried away. I just ran and around 5 km I looked at my watch and noticed i was doing 7:15/mile. That scared me because last year we did 8:00/mile for a goal time of 3:30, so i was running 45 sec too fast/mile. Well, i trusted my initial gut feeling for a pace and just ran it.

The crowds were amazing and I had fun. I made sure I got my Gatoraide, and i took a swig of my gel once in a while. Jackie ran with me for 15 seconds but quickly disappeared ahead of me. She looked really strong. I enjoyed the run and the great spectators [hats off to them]. I enjoyed that 400m by Wellesley, but I already said that. Through Newton the hills were noticeable, but they passed if you kept running.

I was feeling quite comfortable and strong [given that I have just run for a rather long time]. As I got closer to Boston I started to feel more tired, but not at the point where you feel less coordinated or loosing running form. The crowds really propelled me along, propelled everyone around me on, some of the runners would raise up their arms to get the crowd going - fun.

Finally I saw the Citigo sign and I was rather glad since the end was near. I figured the winners were either finishing their Champagne, getting a massage, or they were totally recovered and out for a recover run already! I wondered if it was 1.5 miles left to run when you see the Citigo sign, or 1.5 miles to go when you pass that sign. Must be 1.5 once you pass it as there was still a ways to go. I saw all the tall buildings that near Boyleston Str. Getting close, and now I noticed sensations in the tendons of the lower quads and ankles. The crowds were amazing - more than I could imagine. There is this last stretch that goes parallel to the Charles River, and you have to go down a dip and under a bridge then up again - this is the hill I disliked, even though it was likely no more than 4m over 50m! But then people were turning right! Then end was near and my time was about 3:13. I was rather surprised and pleased. The finish down Boyleston Str really is a blast. But is actually pretty bloody long too! It takes about 45seconds, maybe a minute, but it really is great to approach the finish line with supportive crowd's cheers echoing through the canyon of buildings. And then I crossed the line in 3:17:56, and it wasn't until afterwards I discovered the chip time was 3:15:21. Dad got some pictures of the finish. I was a little wobbly, but after some water and Gatoraide, i started feeling pretty good - all things considering. That is, considering the Wellesley girls.

Prince Edward County Marathon 2007

Hi!, what a pleasure to see April and Melanie in Prince Edward Co. I highly recommend this race. Mel ran with me at the 10km for a couple of km. I was very happy to see her thanks Mel. And nice to see April too. Nice massage set up, eh!
I loved running this course. Such a pretty place. Here is my short story... We stayed at my friend's cottage and visited with him too, on his farm, just 10km north of Wellington on Lake Consecon. Kids loved it and the Pumpkin fest was fun. Elise had a cough for a few days that sounded like her pneumonia [which stopped her from visiting at the ENDURrun 06]. Her short anticipated wait at emerg in Picton turned out to be 6hours. So we ate late at my friend's farm and had a nice sleep at the cottage. Got to race at 7:30, got chip, left it in the van, went to the port-a-potties a couple of times then went back to get my chip 5min before race only to discover Elise moved the van - couldn't find it. Much stress. Got info from truck baggage guy that chips were still at the location 200m from start line. Nope, moved to start line in van. Fortunately my friend Dave Brooks [a-la roadraceresults.com] was the chip timer guy who i had unexpectedly bumped into just when i arrived at race. Run to Dave 1 min before start. told him i had no chip, he instantly checks a chart and gives me a chip. i step into the start line. i couldn't find my watch before this weekend, and a watch lent to me by a guelph friend had dead batteries that morning. my goo was still in my clothing bag 25m after the start line. i didn't know where elise and kids were. so, 30seconds later race started and i off i was, only to stop after 25m to grab my goo bottle from bag. elise was there now. So... now i am running down town with the other runners. it was nice weather and cool. the town had a few locals cheering and peering, but about 35 people had pulled out quickly and were ahead of me. So, with no watch, and just wondering what to do, i settled into a good pace that was a little faster, but thought i could run without stopping for 41 more km. at 3km a guy told me 12:40, so quick for me, but i decided to be my own personal experiment and kept the pace. I saw elise and the kids around 5km. as i mentioned, i had the supprise of seeing mel. At 12km in bloomfield mel left and family again. It was very cool since in Wellington, Bloomfield, and other towns the town bell was ringing. nice touch. i went through 21.1 at 1:30:10 and realized that i had a good time, but i deserved to get tired up ahead. Through Sandbanks Provincial Park, but not on the dunes. Now towards Picton. At 30km i was starting to get tired but i decided that i would just push and then slow when i had to. By 38km i slowed quite a bit, but i just pushed to maintain my slow pace. Through Picton there were a few locals cheering which was nice, a very pretty town. The last km stretch to the Crystal Palace was nice. One guy obviously tired like me had crept up to me and eventually passed me. I guess it would be like watching to old turtles at a break-neck sprint to the finish. I crossed at 3:11 and my legs were pretty tired. My toes were no doubt going to be nasty too. A volunteer offered two salt tabs. Thanks. I got some water and gatoraide, then ready for massage. A very nice [pretty] volunteer took me to the massage "shed" along with big daughter Emma, Elise, Jacob, and Issy. I finished 19 place, so when i "walked" into the shed, i was amazed to see 25 massage tables just waiting for me. I got a very good 25 minutes!! image that after any other marathon. I felt much better, but i knew that my legs were going to be sore for a while. Elise was still feeling pretty sick. We went into the Crystal Palace since Barley Days Brewery was a sponsor. What a nice supprise to learn that Mel and April's brother in law works there. Such a noble job. Good beer too. Nearly like an IPA. some music, some drink, some food. And I was ready to go. We had to pack up at the cottage, say a final goodbye to Andy and Bridgette, and thank them for the use of the cottage. I am definately going to be returning next year, but i just wish that i was able to run the Toronto marathon too, which was on the same day.
Having just run the Run for the Toad 50km trail run two weeks before, a 1/2 trail race 3 weeks ago- [placed 3rd - 5 Peaks event], then this, my legs have been in need of repair. so, i shall be taking some running time off now, maybe a month or so. then starting back in easy maintenance end of Nov.

Guelph Bear

Guelph Bear
Here is my newest website celebrating the Guelph begging bear, in front of the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, University of Guelph. Send me your photos from your camera or cell phone and i'll post them!
duke chris @ gmail dot com

chris d

2006 Niagara Falls Marathon

Sunday 22 October 2006 was a pretty wet, cool, and breezy day. I had come down the day before to pick up my registration package for the Fallsview Casino International Marathon. [The names hides the fact that it is the Niagara Falls marathon of course] and stayed overnight at relatives in St. Catharines. I thought it would be pretty neat to start a race that finishes in a different country. And besides squeezing in my 4th marathon of the year, I have been wanting to run all the marathons in Ontario.

I enjoyed the expo at the Fallsview Casino. We had to show sufficient identification that would allow us to enter the States as the race started at Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo New York state. We had to queue up for the long line of school buses that would take us across the boarder. As we were driving along the highway to the Peace Bridge, i started thinking that this is a pretty long bus ride! When we got to the border the paper inspections were uneventful, but the police motorcycle escort was unexpected. What - would someone bolt from the bus at a stop light? Or did they just want us to arrive safely at the museum and not get lost? In any event, it sure contrasted with the very relaxed atmosphere on the Canadian side.

Once we got to the museum the police dispersed and we jumped out to a fairly chilly grey morning. The museum was warm and very convienent. Thankfully we were not facing the same weather the weekend before where so much snow collapsed trees! The race starting area was very well organized. We stretched in the museum - many people quietly on the floor getting prepared in their own way. I enjoyed the photo exhibit but wish I would have known of the very large galleries downstairs with many famous paintings, etc. Towards the 10am start time I got my usual gitters and went to the starting line. I was hoping for a fast race today, not any of the cramps that I had a month earlier during the Waterfront Marathon in Toronto! But I was soon to discover that my relaxed training since mid-august was not going to permit a fast run. After the start we did a brief loop down a bouluvard and through mainly residential areas. They homes were very pretty. I met up with a Guelph Victors shirt, she was hoping for a 3:10-3:05. I was going way to fast for me, but decided to stay a bit with her a bit then drop back. At best I was hoping for a 3:20 today.

So, run, run, run. At about 6km we came to the Peace Bridge and had our private route over it. The wind was directly from the south [right] which meant we would have it at our back as we headed north to the finish line at the falls. I must admit, I had a feeling of coming home as we crossed the marker and flags half way across the bridge. Fort Erie is no special place to arrive at, but I was on home turf again. I was feeling quite good, and I had picked my running clothes well. Not to hot, not too cold. My legs were not cold - i was glad i didn't wear my tights. The precipitation was actually quite light, more of a mist. I knew that Elise would either meet me somewhere half way or at the finish line. I was a little miffed that the course was marked every 10km but was marked every mile. I don't know my mile splits, and placing km marking signs should not be too hard for the event to do. But I did get my 10 and 20km splits. I was happy with my 10km time, but knew I was not out for a PB that day. At 20km I was starting to get tired. I had really decreased my training, only about 3 times a week, after the ENDURrun in August. It was coming home to me now. But then, maybe if I was running hard during Sept and Oct I would have been too tired after the 160km race in August.

The marathon route would take us along the beautiful road that hugs the Niagara River, not the highway we took to get to the starting line. It was still far though! At about 18km I saw Elise, Emma, and Isabelle. Was it ever nice to see them. Lots of cheers from them. But after a quick hello and hug, I was past them all too quickly. The water stations were great, excellent volunteers from schools and even a motorcycle group. Some of the cheering from the high school kids was so loud! Fun for them though. I was really enjoying the route along the river and my time was slowing. I was getting tired. I figured, who cares, I'm enjoying this. I am discovering what happens when you cut back on your training. I am thinking about my 2 month rest I would take after this race and what I'll do differently for next year. Definately the ENDURrun [http://www.endurrun.com] and other races, and definately no injuries this year so i can get in a good spring of solid training. And Boston with Patrick of course.
So, like always, I am tired as the finish approaches, but as I slog my way along, all of a sudden I notice the last couple of kilometres are disappearing quickly despite my very slow speed. And I am thinking of Elise and Emma and Isabelle [Jacob was at his hockey game with his grandparents]. And then the finish. Emma jumps onto the course and runs along beside me. She is keeping up easily. You can see her finishing with me. I LOVE THAT! She is so great and so helpful. "Daddy, do you want to sit down? Let me get you some water!, ..." Elise and Isabelle are there very soon with warm clothes for me.

So if I had run like I did at the end of the ENDURrun, I would have been in the top 100. Instead I finished in 231 position with a time of 3:42:48.8. My first half was 1:37:10 and the second half 2:05:49. Well, I know what happend, and it is interesting to see the results of less training on my endurance. That's just fine by me. I've been off running now for a month and have caught up on lots of time with the family.

After Christmas, on go the New Balance 1060 running shoes again! And soon I have to start getting my running calendar ready for the next season! I'll be leading a Running Room marathon clinic in Guelph for the Ottawa Marathon. Something new! See ya. cld 

Scott Labron Stride for Life

In the Guelph area 15 October 2006? Join the Guelph community as we celebrate the life of Scott Labron with his family and friends. There is a 2 and 5 km run for the family. a BBQ to follow. The running event takes place at the University of Guelph Arboretum. See this website for more details. See you there! http://www.strideforlife.ca/sfl/public/home
chris

Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2006

Hi everyone, a little Toronto Waterfront marathon recap. Also, to many of you, thank you so much for your pledges to raise $ for breast cancer research. Your combined $=$315.

A brief recap, the waterfront marathon raised $750k for all its charities. So great! I was hoping for a 3:15 to 3:17. This would have taken about 5 minutes off my PB. I went to the run with my friend Patrick and his neighbour Elka. I was staying at my sister Andrea's place. I lost track of time and was a little late, only to fall down the last step of the stairs as i went down in the dark. I understand why their hardwood floors are called hard. Into Patrick's CRV downtown, and got a good parking spot. I took a wee power snack ~45min before the starting time, not my usual routine. It was a large start as the half and full marathon both started at 7am. I got a poor starting location too far back, so i spend the first 3km weaving in and out of traffic despite being right on pace for at 3:15hr. So, first km in 4:34 minutes. A 3:15hr time requires a 4:37/km pace. Second and third km were 4:20s as the congestion got a little thinner. Km 4,5,6 were still at 4:22 pace, but it was around here as we were heading into the windy 10km stretch east along the lakeshore that stomach cramps were appearing. Maybe the banana and 1/2 powerbar shortly before the run wasn't such a good idea! So, you can still run with cramps fairly well, it is just quite uncomfortable, but this time they were getting quite "noticable" and by 10km I was only able to take shallow breaths. The African race leaders were heading back
towards downtown breezing along. Amazing to see. Around 12km we started to double back and now with the wind. I was taking water at the stations in small amounts - too much would cause cramps, but too little would not dilute the extra carbohydrates in my tummy causing grief. But water was a good thing on a humid morning. The rain was holding off and there was even a little sunshine peeking through. At 55minutes I took a little gel to keep me going over the next hour, but this of course was not going to be helping my tummy a bit.

Around 20km we are going through the southern edge to downtown again past the Harbourfront area. If Elise had had luck finding parking she would have been there with Emma and Isabelle. Alas I pass through the area and concluded parking was still a challenge. Touching my tummy I had the interesting experience of seeing what a very cramped gut looks like - quite concave and very tight. I don't have beauty rippling abs [explains the only reason why you havn't seem me on the cover of one of those silly Men's Health mag]. You always learn something about yourself on a run and today was tummy's time. After 20km I guess my breathing was taking a toll as I was starting to get a little tired. I went through the halfway point at 1:35hr At 22km I was still on a 3:14hr pace - perfect for a 3:16 finish if all was going well. I was running along with one of the two jugglers, this guy was from Chicogo [sp?] and he was the second one. The first juggler was already ahead and ended up getting a world record at 2:28hrs. Interesting comments from the spectators.

But I felt like slowing down so I did. I went through 21.1km half way point at 1:35.28, still a good time. My heartbeat monitor must have been out of batteries as it was not working but i figured my pulse was about 172-5. High for me, but I was pushing it. Just after this point, I was very pleasant supprised to see Julie Schmidt on a bike patroling this section of the race when she called out encouragement. Julie and Lloyd Schimdt organized the ENDURrun [.com] event in August. She biked along side a bit and we chatted - she is always so positive.

Looking at my split times [you can download them after tonight from my blog: runchrisrun.blogspot.com] my pace was good with the typical slight progression to longer split times/km till about 25km. We were now heading south on the Leslie Spit and I saw people who i had passed earlier passing me. My splits were going at 5:07 +/-7sec now. I was feeling low on water now and still only taking little sips of water at each station [~2.5km]. I had to take some gel at 25km for the next hour. For the next 5km I hung in at 5:10 average pace, but I was getting tired. "I wonder if I should drop out". "If this was a training run and a friend drove by and offered a ride, I'd have to be careful open the door all the way as I dash into the passenger seat!". "It would be silly to drop out here. I only ever dropped out of one race [ironically, a 1500m at "The Baron's" track meet in early 1980's due to stomach cramps!]". "I can't drop out here because so many people have pledged $, I can't disappoint". "Drop out? No! Then I'd have to WALK back anyways!". So, at 30km, i dropped the pace, and decided to let this go. No point getting hurt. And besides, I was tired. So, my split times climbed to the mid 6min and I just plodded along, taking an extra few rest steps through the water stations. Finished off the rest of my gel, took some water each time. A guy, passing me asked about the ENDURrun shirt I was wearing and I encouraged him to look at the new lovely website.

The CN Tower was still looking FAR away, 8km to go. Gosh, it looked far away. But i knew from experience that you can sneak up on it from behind, under the cover of small buildings and other runners. And after a few km of 6 1/2 min, it gets a little closer.

Pretty soon, the tall downtown buildings were getting close, and still the CN tower didn't know I was coming along slowly. The stretch past Redpath Sugar is pretty industrial and ugly, but it is just east of downtown. Running past it, it seemed that the volunteers at the water stations were cheering, hollering, and yelling a lot louder, saying "you can do it", "it is only a 5km race now!", and "you are almost there". You know, they are right. Hey, all good things come to an end. So do stomach cramps. Still light on the water, Redpath sugar was behind me, and there was only 3km to go. I picked it up and did 2 km at 5:10, 5:56, and 5:10 [where did that one come from?]. At 41km Lloyd Schmidt was there, again another cheering friend. He last saw me finish a 3:21, but now it was 3:25 and I still had 1.2km left. Turning north, under a bridge, and at the last corner, there another live band playing a great reggae tune. Only 500m left and now just a little extra kick to finish off. Elise is holding Issy about 100m before the finish line and they are both happy to see me finally. Emma is waving like crazy and is already turning and heading to the finish line shute. I cross at 3:32:16. The last little kick over few km was all out of me and I was a little vertically challenged. The volunteers are quick to help you along and having someone to keep you straight is a good thing. I was a little dizzy and thirsty - go figure - so she decided a quick drink and lie-down would be in order. In the tent the doctor did the routine pulse and blood pressure, and asked me my name.
A few details to fill out her stats form. Within 1 minute I had some water, feet up, pulse only 130, and was feeling good. I got up after a couple of minutes as Elise and girls would be looking for me. I thanked the nice people and was on my merry way - for food and drink of course! Oh ya, and ought to pick up my medal. It was nice to see Elise, Emma, and Izzy, Emma caring for me excessively kindly. Elise had found out where the massage location was. We got some bagels, drinks, banana, and headed to get my gym bag and to the massage. All was well and I appologized to Elise for coming through later than expected and giving her 15minutes of stress as she watched for me to emerge around the last corner. My name did not appear on the signup list for massage and there was a half hour wait. Only 11 tables. Crazy. I was heading to Quebec with OMAFRA colleagues that afternoon for 3 days and a massage would have made the hours in the van much easier. But we had to get home so no point wasting time at that "schmozel".

Well, as I said, always something to discover with a run. It was very cool to be seeing the front runners. I saw and cheered on 75yr old Ed Whiltlock of Milton on the Leslie Spit enroute to his world record 3:08:35. He was coming back in while I was heading out the 5km stretch. Yes, I was whumped by a 75yr old. I was also behind 2 women from Guelph, but if I had held my pace I would have been the 2nd person from guelph across the line. Next time. A week later, good resting, all is well. Did 2 runs of ~8.2km this weekend in 35min. Nice to run again, but I can still feel my ankles and the reminders of the 25.5km Chicopee Ski Hill race that was part of the ENDURrun. November and December's rest will be good for these poor ligaments and tendons. And, best yet!!!! The Niagara Falls marathon is on the 22nd Oct!. Stay tuned for the next report if they let me across the border. Four marathons in 4 months and I'll be ready to put my feet up for a while.

Thanks again for all the pledges. Chris