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

Stage 2 - 15km Time Trial

Stage 2 of the Endurrun took place at Riverside Park in Cambridge, Ontario on 14/08/06 at 8am. We all started to arrive around 7am keen to be ready. I still didn't know everyone that well, and the fact that I needed to use the facilities, made for time to go for a walk with Steve and Bob to the washrooom and chat about yesterday, today, and a little about ourselves. Steve tells us of his ultra-marathon trail runs of 50km, 100km, and 50 milers. I'm starting to think that maybe I should have been training a little more for this event!. Steve's a very friendly guy. Bob is a little quiet though talks freely about yesterday's half marathon race. We talk about today's race on our way back to the starting line.
Elise hasn't made it to a race yet since she is totally exhausted and not feeling well. Poor Else!
Back at the starting line I chat with Kat. She was the first runner of the event that I actually had an opportunity to chat with [we finished and went for a cool down walk at the half-marathon].
We meet Jay too, he ran some of the stages last year. He is pretty gregarious and gets us all talking and relaxed.
The 15km course starts with a 1km loop around Riverside park, by the starting line, then onto the road. Shortly onto the road the course goes north and climbs a steep hill with a 30m vertical rise. At the top of the hill the road crosses the 401hwy and follows concession roads [now urban roads I guess] towards the Toyota plant. At 6km the course heads back south along aptly named Speedsville Rd. Over the 401 again then we turned east onto a nice footpath for about 2km, then doubled back. Back at Speedsville Rd. the course parallels the 401 and enters Riverside Park to the finish line.
This time trial race was a new experience for me. We started in reverse order of finishing the half the day before, but at 1 minute intervals. Lloyd called the runners to the starting line and briefed us on the course, the starting order, and last minute details. He clearly had directed many races as he was thorough but brief. A couple of guest runners and the relay runners started before me. Once they were off you could see them doing the 1km loop around the park. I had a nervous gut and wished a toilet was near by. Kat started off and soon was at the far end of the park. Gosh, I'll never catch her! she was going fast. So, my minute came and I started after Kat. While doing the loop, i wondered how uncool, now unrunner-like it would be to nip into the facilities again. I saw the next runner starting off and decided not. I was feeling good. The warm up jog and stretch must have worked. And I am decidedly not a morning runner either. The 30m climb was steep but it didn't seem to slow me too much. Over the 401 and I see Katrina and another runner up ahead. When rounding the corner onto Cherry Blossom Rd, a runner came past me quickly and was ahead quickly. I stopped for a few paces to drink gatoraide at the first water station. Just after 4km I passed Jody, then at 6km passed Kat. I had my fair share of being passed as Brad and Bob flew by. Down Speedsville Rd. the elevation drops 35m quickly and I tried to take advantage of it. I was working hard, I guess implicitly deciding that I didn't need to save too much for tomorrow's 30km trail run. My split times were around 4:11 to 4:17. Once I got onto the trail it was flatter with a few turns. From then on my km times were 4:28 to 4:30 for the next 6km. Afterwards I was quite supprised at how consistent my splits were. As I left the trail, I was feeling eager to catch a female runner who was ahead of me which kept my pace faster [4:06]. Near the finish line with no one too close I relaxed a bit and finished the run in 1:06:00 flat. My pulse was around 167-170 which is fairly high for me a long run, but still okay for 15km.

Here I am coming into the finish. I always look tired in my photos. At the finish line the runners cross the line relatively quickly since the slowest runners started several minutes ahead of faster runners. Makes for an exciting time - everyone gets a loud cheer.
The Price Chiropractic Clinic was all ready for us and their therapy was really making a difference. Mark practiced Active Release Therapy [ART] on my quads, quickly finding the knots and breaking them down.
Julie Schmidt and her crowd of volunteers had prepared an excellent meal of breads, cold cuts, fruit, and the highly favoured "salty things". Julie et al. really were doing an excellent job. She ask us if we had any suggestions/requests for food. But how could we want anything more than this. Well done Julie and team!
After spending time taking, Lloyd read out the results admist many cheers [everyone is a winner]. It turns out that Brad won this stage and would wear the yellow jersey for the 30km trail run on Tuesday. Congrats Brad!!!
Over the day I got to know the other runners, the volunteers, Bob's coach Ray, and Jeff's wife Joanne. This was so nice, friendly, and sincere for me. These people really are friendly, enthusiastic, and warm. I hated to leave as I wanted to get to know them more. But I had to get home for a shower and head to work. I could hardly wait till Tuesdays race where I'd be able to push myself on a 30km trail run, but more importantly to be amongst friends again. Too bad Elise couldn't be there to be able to enjoy herself with these friends of mine.
Tuesday's run didn't seem to daunting for me - I was feeling fit and not suffering from the two Endurruns plus the proceeding 5 Peaks day. My ankle was feeling okay and I was ready for one of the event's big days.

Stage 1 Pics

Andrew Pearson was one of the volunteers who help out in many ways. He always had a camera at hand. At the end of the event, he produced CDs of pictures and short video clips - an excellent job. Here are a couple of pictures from the starting line of the first stage of the Endurrun half marathon on 13/08/2006. Thanks Andrew!
And we are off. This was pretty exciting. I am behind Brad, who is in the centre of the picture wearing black.

Hey, I am not looking all that tired! I didn't run a strategic race, not knowing what my split times should have been. Next time I'll do that differently. In the distance you notice Katrina who made up 50 seconds on my on this last lap. She did well, she is a strong runner and always proved it with a strong finish over the week's runs.

Stage 1 Endurrun - now ancient history!

My idea of a daily update for friends and family has gone by the wayside obviously. But I'd still like to let you know about the stages since this event has truly been a positive one for me. Each day has been a First for me, so let me tell you about them.
Stage 1 was a half marathon that started and ended at RIM park. A good location as it is on the outskirts of Waterloo and near very beautiful agricultral landscapes. I arrived early for the 8am race. I had never run a half before so I didn't know what I'd do, not would I know what pace to set. There was a large number of people who were coming for the 5 and 8km runs but we started a little earlier than them, so it was a small starting line of just 10 or 12 runners. I didn't feel tired from the 5 Peaks run and my ankle was feeling okay for a flat road run. I didn't know any of the runners so when we started off I thought I'd just stick with two guys who started off quickly. Another runner took off at a cosmic pace and the last I saw of him was dust after about 200m! As it turns out, i was just behind Brad and Bob. Brad is from Victoria BC, Bob from Rhode Island, USA. At the 1km marker i looked at my split and saw 3:55. I didn't even know I could run a km in 3:55, let along 20 more! I laughed at myself inside and figured that "I'll just let those guys go on ahead without me". So I quickly slowed down to a very fast pace for me and saw B&B take off too. Through Conestogo was pretty, and I suppose the Mennonites were on their way to church in their horse and buggies. After turning south in the village I went past the 5km marker at 20:43 min:sec and decided that this pace was way too fast for me. I did slow a bit, but still tried to go somewhat hard - who cares if I have 6 more big runs ahead of me this week! I was joined and passed by two other guys, one turned out to be Jeff who was running well and knew exactly what time he wanted to finish in - 1:29. Gosh, if i could stick with them, I'd be thrilled. Well, our rapidly growing separation at 7km suggested to me I wouldn't be doing 1:30. The course went by the Conestoga river and a golf course which was very pretty. The paved trail was nice. I passed 10km at 42:31, this is a 20 year PB for me! [I did a 38 somthing when i was a young'un]. A few little hills when we gained the road again. The second loop was started after passing RIM park. Lloyd and several volunteers along the way were very supportive and cheered us on. At this point they only knew my name and bib number [42] but their enthusiasm was warm. The second loop was slightly shorter than the first. Quite quickly the kms were disappearing and at 19km I was at 1:23:05 [4:45 km] and kept up the pace to finish at 1:32:29. Now I have a PB for a half marathon!
Back inside the RIM park arena building, I was treated to an excellent selection of food that Julie [Lloyd's friendly wife], an excellent massage by Mark. I had only had my first massage and ART treatments during the past 3 weeks while I was getting my quads and patella tendon fixed up. The treatment was excellent and I was amazed at how Mark found the problems in my muscles and worked them out. Afterwards I sat down and ate/visited with Katrina how finished just behind me and a couple of guys who ran the 5km [in 17 minutes]. I had a nice relaxing time and was very impressed with the organization of the race, the quality and care of the volunteers, and the therapy afterwards. I was convinced that the therapy would help very much for the next days' events. If only I had done this care after the Massey Marathon the month before, I wouldn't have had such super tight quads and sore legs afterwards [and no sore knee tendon!!!]. Now i know better. So, next stage is a 15km road/trail run that is a time trial.

Endurrun 2006 website - first posting

RunChris!: 11.2004
I am quite behind in posting my adventure with the amazing Endurrun. First, here is the website [www.endurrun.com]. Lloyd Schmidt is the director and, with his super nice family, this race has got to be an all-time favourite event of mine. I have run 5 of the 7 stages so far and I am loving it! [and more importantly: I am completing it better than I thought].

Drat, sore knee - catch up

Well, I know a blog should be updating you on the most current info. And I like to use this to let you know how races and runs go, but here I am sending you old news! But I still want to record my knee problem and the great help I got.
After the Massey Marathon on the 16 July and some sore quads, I went for a 10k trail run a week later once we were back from Temagami. That night I had a very sore tendon below my knee cap. The stairs were painful as was walking. I wanted to register for the Endurrun in Waterloo and area. But my knee could kill that. So Tuesday I made an appointment at the Health and Performance Centre at the University of Guelph. This is an excellent centre specializing in sports medicine. {It has physio, chiropractors, nutrition, pedologist, massage therapist, ... They are a accredited centre for olympic and carded athletes, and for ordinary guys like me!}. I got in right away and the doctor recommended care for my left quads. They were still very tight from the marathon the week before. The chiropractor, Marco, practiced ART [Active Release Therapy] and I also got a massage from Kelly. It took several days before my knee started to feel better. I tried a 7km run on Friday, and it felt okay but was sore afterwards. I tried a weekend run and since it was not too sore I ended up doing 21km. I felt it a little, but not too much. So that night I registered for the Endurrun. It was a little pricy, but then considering the number of runs it was actually quite fair. I registered before the price increased but the next day my knee was still tender. Icing at work helped a bit, but not enough. Still more therapy at the H&PC. I was getting anxious over the following week since the Endurrun was only another 2 weeks away. I still wasn't running. Marco [of the ART] told me to run and try it out, but the first few nights I couldn't because we were invited for dinner at our friends and the next night was soccer coaching and I was too tired to run once the kids were home and in bed. So.... now a week before the Endurrun and another 5 Peaks trail run, I finally made it out for a 10k run. My knee was actually not to bad! So, having not run for 3 weeks now, other than just those 3, it was time to start my taper?!? Oh well.
Is that a run-on paragraph?
Elise had started to get sick with a bad cough and very tired. She had wanted to do a 5km race close to her 40th birthday. This weekend's 5 Peaks at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park was to be it. With her cold she couldn't. I went myself and meet up with Patrick and Suezanne there. Elise felt terrible. She was disappointed but she'll run the next 5 Peaks in September!
So, running a 11km trail run the day before I start the Endurrun? Pretty crazy, but I love the 5 Peak events and the locations are always beautiful places to run. Patrick was wanted to run the half marathon with me at the Endurrun, but his tummy had been sore for a while and he decided not to run it. He felt pretty good at the 5 Peaks run. Next year I definately think he'll run the Endurrun. He was very jealous and I really would loved to be doing the event with him. We run most of the same events and we have a lot of fun doing them together. Hopefully this blog will keep him posted and feeling a little bit a part of it.
Oh, a slight problem happened at about 9km of the 5 Peaks! Over a fairly technical section, all of a sudden I twisted my left ankle!! Drat! I had just passed a few guys but this hurt! I limped along for a 100m only to have to decend a cliff full of switch-backs. That was quite painful and those guys passed me again. That past, the course was pretty much downhill, soft, and smooth so I started running again as my ankle was okay as long as it did not twist left or right. I had been having a good race so now I opened up for the last 1km to regain my place. So, go-go-go, and crossed the finish line - got ice right away. I had 160km more to do this week!
Oh, and a postscript about the 5 Peaks draw prizes. I finally won something! After 3 years and 11 events, both Patrick and I won a prize [a nice 5 peaks tee shirt that I'd give to Elise].
Now... off to the Endurrun!

My brother the runner?

EDIT!! [old version : With a beer and look like that, looks like he has to get on his mountain bike again. He should start a northern Ontario mountain bike event! ].

New Version!! Matt has taken up running even though he is as busy as ever.
Check out this new photo of him! I am sure he is not giving up the beer though. Carbs and hydration!

Massey Marathon was fun

On our way up to Temagami for our camping vacation, we stayed at Tobermory then Webwood so that I could run the Friendly Massey Marathon www.friendlymasseymarathon.com. I think it used to be called the Voyager Marathon. Patrick and family also went and he ran the half. The race weekend also has a fun run on the saturday. The race was celebrating its 30th anniversary.
We checked in at the registration at the arena. I had forgotten my water belt but fortunately there was a vendor selling running supplies and I bought one there. Loco running shoes had a display there too. The event hosted a big spaghetti dinner for everyone, a great $5 deal.
The Warren Legaults and us stayed at a great B&B [they were moving, we were last customers] and it was nice to use their pool since it was really hot and humid outside. We spent the evening together, wishing very much that beer was an important food for carbo loading but alas we hydrated with water.
We thought that the race start was 6:30am but had to be at the starting line at 6am. So, up at 4:30, felt very sleepy, and had a light breakfast, drink, etc. Headed to the arena to be there at 5:40am. But it was really a 6am start, so we had our shoes tied just in time for the start.
The run started out fine. It was quite humid and overcast, but at least it was not the 30C or higher that the weather reports were predicting earlier. The field was small, with about 50 running the full maybe 125 running the half. There was the usual spread between the front and end runners. I was somewhere in the front half and my pace felt quite comfortable. There was a water station every 2.5km and well stocked and staffed. The volunteers were excellent and fast at the stations. I really liked the wet sponges which i started using at around 15km. Never used them in the past, but they really cool you down. One station's water was quite cold and it was indeed more than refreshing. I had forgotten my water bottle belt so I had bought one at the little expo at the registration on saturday. I had gatoraide in it, but i never used it.
The course is a loop [did i say that above?] with two parts where you have to go out to a point and double back. I noticed that I wasn't seeing all that many people on the "double back" stretches so I was thinking I was in the faster half of the crowd.
At the end of the first loop Patrick had finished just ahead of me and he had jogged back to see me end my first lap. Very handy for me as I gave him a very sweaty shirt and tucked my bib number in my waist band. So, run, run, run. I took a couple of gels along the way and they definately gave me extra energy. The weather was getting very dark and I saw lightning. The wind picked up and was full in the face for a 8km stretch south of the river heading west. But we were in the bush and the wind didn't really play a factor except when we were really close to the river with few trees around. I had to lean into it only once I guess. The ladies and the children had woken up and met me on the course. A lot of cheering and smiles. I took off my water bottle because with such excellent water stations I didn't need the extra weight, plus it rubs my skin the wrong way.
So, at about 38km I was starting to feel rather tired, but hey, I had only 4km left. And, I hadn't even walked yet! I guess my 30-39km training runs were starting to pay off. So, at 41km the bridge was near, and so was the finish line. The gel's energy was still with me so I worked on a strong finish and saw may family as I approached the finish line. Crossed it. Emma was right there with a glass of water and did a little walk with me. Elise was happy since I was smiling when I saw her and crossed the finish line. [she gets quite anxious when i look drained and white at the end of a run]. So, I finished with a 3:28. Not too bad since I was hoping to be sub 3:45 - I really had no idea what shape I was in since I had not run any long races since last fall.
The Massey marathon is indeed friendly. Back at the arena the staff and volunteers held a huge pancake breakfast. They were giving out awards to the half marathoners. Patrick won a 3rd place prize in his division. Well done!!. Well, my sincere thanks to the workers at this event. I would strongly recommend it. It is a hike from southern Ontario, but it is beautiful up there. Plan a camping trip before or after!. I'd run it again.

Elise's camera caught a picture of a hairy primate finishing the course. My beautiful son Jacob was going to the line with me!






You can see some of my fans too [Emma and baby Isabelle].





After resting up, we went back to the bed and breakfast for a cleanup and pack up. Then headed for Temagami. Temagami camping at Finlayson Point Provincial Park. My quads were very sore for 2 days, even the third. I managed an 8km run up to the fire tower, but the steep hill was a bit of a challenge.

2006 Off and running [slowly]

2006 started off quickly with several early January runs, but I developed shin splints that slowed me down for 3+ months. What a drag, as I was hoping to start off with the Mississauga and National Capital Marathons. In the process of physio, I learned about some good shin and leg exercises and the proper type of shoes I need. So, after orthodics and physio at the excellent Human Performance Centre at the University of Guelph, I got back on the roads and trails in April. Started off slowly, but now am doing well. I have been to the first two 5 Peaks.com events with running partner and family friends Patrick, Suezanne, and Elise. At Rattlesnake Point, my Emma, Jacob, and little Isabelle, and Elise Warren ran in the kids race: Emma won, Jacob paced himself well, and Issy's smile was a crowd pleaser!

So, now I am getting ready for the Friendly Massey Marathon on the 16 July, as a "training" marathon. Pat-Pat will do the half. Should be fun!
Chris.