Going Long (again) in 2024

May 2017

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Location:

Garson - Sudbury,ON,Canada

Member Since:

Apr 20, 2013

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I ran my first marathon in 1998: "The Friendly Marathon" in Massey, Ontario.  I was 32. I had never raced in a shorter event, and I trained really poorly - ended up running it in 4:00:30.  After that, I gave up running for the most part for 6 years.  I got into karate a bit more seriously, until I got my knee kicked out and had ACL surgery.  Then I became a 'fair weather runner' and started to run half marathons every so often.  As a priest, entering weekend races always meant having to book a holiday, so it just didn't happen much.  My holidays were primarily focussed on various canoe and kayak trips.

At some point, I started training more consistently, and started to think of myself as a runner.  I guess doing that in your 40's is better than never doing it at all.  I even started to wonder if I had it in me to qualify for Boston.  Well, I did.  First time didn't count, I suppose, since I didn't make the "cut".  But the second time was a charm, and on my sixth Marathon, run in Chicago in 2015, I beat my BQ by almost 6 minutes.  And now, running a BQ is routine for me, not that I have any desire to run Boston again.

Through it all, I've made tons of mistakes - and have had lots of injuries to show for it.  Hopefully, now that I'm in my late 50's, I'm a bit wiser and can use that to my advantage to continue running for a very long time.

My PRs:

5k (12 run):      Guelph, ON.     October 10, 2016   (50 yrs.)   20:10

10k (10 run):    Collingwood      October 5, 2013  (47 yrs.)  43:37

Half Marathon  (25 run): Cleveland   May 18, 2014  (48 yrs)  1:33:08

Marathon (12 run):  Ste-Jerome, QC  October 3, 2021   (55 yrs.)  3:22:10

Ultras (5 run):   

Run for the Toad 50k Trail   September 30, 2017 (51 yrs.)  5:31:23

Niagara Falls 100k   June 17, 2018 (52 yrs.)  12:26:30

That Dam Hill 24 hours   September 15-16, 2018  Completed 100 Miles in 23:20:44

Sulphur Springs 50 mile Trail   May 25, 2019  10:37:27

Haliburton Forest 100 mile Trail   September 7-8, 2019  26:46:27

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Pacing my sister in her 1st Half Marathon.

Short-Term Running Goals:

After a broken right foot in 2022 in the later stages of a marathon training cycle, then adjusting to a 1/2" heal lift in my right shoe to compensate for a leg length discrepancy, and then a left plank plate rupture in the late summer of 2023, I had to decide:  go fast or go long.  I opted for long, for this year at least.

May 2024:  Sulphur Springs 50 Mile Trail (revisiting it after 5 years)

July 2024:  Limberlost 54KM Trail

September 2024:  Haliburton 100 Mile Trail (also revisiting it after 5 years).

Everything this year is really focussed on the Haliburton 100 as my key event.  After that, and depending on how things go, I'll reevaluate.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run until this old body of mine won't let me run any more.  I was inspired in the Spring of 2016, watching the start of the Ottawa Marathon.  Near the back of the pack was an 'old man', running with his walker.  I loved it!  I thought ... there's me in 20 years.  Maybe.  

Personal:

I am a Roman Catholic priest of 30 years, ministering in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.  I spent 8 years ministering in the small town of Wawa (where I helped establish the annual Blackfly Run) and 9 years in Sault Ste. Marie.  I have been in the Sudbury region now for 13 years.  Currently I Pastor 2 small Parishes:  St. John the Evangelist in Garson, and St. Bernardine of Siena in Skead, covering the area just Northeast of the city, surrounding the Sudbury Airport.

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Miles:This week: 12.00 Month: 117.50 Year: 516.50
Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Lifetime Miles: 412.40
Brooks Cascadia 11 Lifetime Miles: 302.00
Salomon Speedcross 4 Lifetime Miles: 160.25
Brooks Launch 8 Lifetime Miles: 153.00
Asics Metaspeed Sky Lifetime Miles: 32.20
Brooks Ghost 13 Lifetime Miles: 358.50
Saucony Triumph 18 Lifetime Miles: 372.50
Ghost 13 Blue Sole Lifetime Miles: 363.00
Hoka Bondi Lifetime Miles: 362.00
Triumph 18 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 120.50
Hoka Bondi 8 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 54.50
Total Distance
162.00
Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 69.00Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 67.00Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 14.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 12.00
Weight: 155.66
Total Distance
4.00

Two weeks of no running post-Boston, so today was the day to get back to it.  4 easy miles; 9:06 pace.  Miserable day!  Raining steady and just 2C/36F.  Yuck.

Anyway, felt stiff and sore, especially the left hamstring and through the hips.  I checked back on my notes from my previous Marathon in Chicago in the fall of 2015, however, and I see that I had the exact same issues then.  So, like then, I'll go slow and easy all week and slowly pick up the mileage as I'm able.

I have a massage booked for this afternoon - good timing.  A new therapist - Jessica, as Jasmyne has moved on to another place further away.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 155.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
4.00

Another easy run; 9:02 pace.  Still pretty achy.  

Yesterday's massage was painful, but helpful at the same time.  She worked everything from the hips down - I don't think there was any spot that wasn't sore to some degree.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 155.00
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Total Distance
5.00

Easy miles; 8:34 pace.  First time since the marathon that I felt like I was running, instead of pushing through a trudge.  Gorgeous morning too, which may have helped.  Clear skies, no wind, and just 1C/33F.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 154.00
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Total Distance
6.00

Easy run; 8:44 pace.  Now able to run the trail sections, as they are all clear of snow/ice/water.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 154.00
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Total Distance
4.00

Easy run; 8:56 pace.

Woke up REALLY sore.  After a month away from strength work, I did my plyometric jump squats on Wednesday.  Didn't seem to be a problem, and I did them again last night.  Well, now I'm feeling it in my glutes and quads big time.  So, I ended up shortening the run for today.  

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 154.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
5.00

Easy run; 8:56 pace.

Was going to take the day off since I was still pretty sore when I went to bed.  But I woke up early feeling a lot better.  Just a mild soreness in the quads.  So, I decided to take a slow test run.  Glad I did - the quads were not an issue.  The wind sure was!  -1C/30F with a stiff wind at 25 mph, making the windchill just 18 degrees.  Isn't it supposed to be warmer than this by now???

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 154.50
Comments(2)
Total Distance
8.00

Pushed it a bit further today; 8:41 pace.  Feeling like my normal self.  Still cold!  Just -1C/32F with a strong north wind.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 8.00
Weight: 156.00
Comments(2)
Total Distance
5.00

Feeling sore today, so took it super easy.  Five miles; 9:01 pace.  Heading to Ottawa tomorrow, so will get a couple of runs along the Rideau Canal when I'm there.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 156.00
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Total Distance
6.00

In Ottawa with some parishioners for the Annual March for Life.  Early morning run along the Rideau Canal.  I LOVE this route.  SO many runners.  Anyway, went the 6 miles at an easy pace of 8:41.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 154.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Along the Rideau Canal again.  Went all the way to the Dows Lake Pavillion.  What's there not to love about this city for running?  I think there must be runners out 24 hours/day.

Easy pace; 8:39.  Started slow and picked it up to MP by the end.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 154.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
5.00

Easy run; 8:51 pace.

Well, it has been officially announced, so now I can say that I've been transferred to a different Parish, effective July 1st.  Not moving very far ... Garson.  Just 25km/15 miles from where I am now.  It's literally the parish next door to me.  Basically, moving from the Northern part of Greater Sudbury to the Eastern part.

So, as far as running, not much will change.  Still pretty much flat as a pancake there.  I'll have to discover new running routes once I move.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 152.50
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Total Distance
6.00

Easy run; 8:45 pace.

It rained last night, and this morning was that golden zone of blissful running.  5C/41F, little wind, everything smelling fresh, and the leaves just starting to break out on the trees.  Of course, my allergies are now kicking it up a notch too!

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 154.50
Comments(1)
Total Distance
10.00

10 miles at an average pace of 8:26.  Started off in the 8:50/mile range and finished mile 10 in 7:38, so my pace was all over the map, but progressively faster every mile.  I wasn't pushing it and everything felt easy.  So, I think I have my legs back.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 10.00
Weight: 155.50
Comments(1)
Total Distance
5.00

Easy recovery run; 9:00/mile pace.

Nice easy rain falling and a comfortable 10C/50F.  

My sinuses are really inflamed today because of the allergies.  More of a minor nuisance than anything.  It didn't help that I spent a chunk of yesterday doing yard work.  

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 154.50
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Total Distance
7.00

Easy run; 8:49 pace.  Really warming up now:  15C/60F.  So nice for running, despite the blackflies that are now starting to bite.  Extra incentive to keep moving!

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 155.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
6.00

Moderate run; 8:17 pace.  Felt great to move.  Just -1C/31F with a stiff north wind, but sunny.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 156.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
7.00

Started off easy and picked it up as I went.  Averaged 8:24 pace.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 155.50
Comments(1)
Total Distance
5.00

Easy run; 9:00 pace.  Light rain throughout, which actually felt kinda nice.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 155.50
Comments(2)
Total Distance
10.00

Picked up the pace a bit for the last few miles.  Averaged 8:25 for a run of 1:24:15.

Wore my new ultra vest for the first time, just to see how it felt. It's going to take some time to get used to running with it, I see.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 10.00
Weight: 158.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
7.00

Moderately fast run; 8:03 pace.  Felt like I could go on and on and on.  But I didn't.  

Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 156.50
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Total Distance
6.00

Easy miles; 8:39 pace.  Gentle rain falling, and lots of puddles to dodge.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 157.50
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Total Distance
7.00

Speedwork at the track - hadn't been there since early August last year, as I did all my winter speedwork on the treadmill.

The track is in decent shape.  The weeds haven't started growing up in it yet, and the highschool is using it for their spring events, so it's relatively smooth for a sand & stone track.

Anyway, I ran 6 repeats of 800s with a lap recovery in between.  Was aiming for something around 3:20/repeat; in between my 5k and 10k pace.  Ended up faster than that, but I guess it's okay, since I didn't fade.  Splits were:

3:20  3:18  3:15  3:13  3:13  and  3:11

Perfect running weather:  light rain, slight breeze, and just 12C/54F.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 158.50
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Total Distance
8.00

Easy recovery run; 8:47 pace.

I see the city has put the portable toilets back near the soccer fields for the summer.  That's good.  They are exactly 2 miles from home on most of my routes.  With 4 miles to go, when you just have to go, there's no way to hold it for 4 miles.  2 miles - it's doable.

And hey - the first hint of humidity today!  I mean, it's only 14C/57F and 89% humidity - but it was noticeable in a nice kind of way.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 8.00
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
12.00

Mondays are for trails.  I took it to the x-country ski trails in Capreol.  Just 10 miles from here.  I've gone skiing on them in the winter, but this was my first time on them without snow.  

A humbling experience, running on trails.  Took just shy of 2 hours to run the 12 miles - pace of 9:57 - and it wasn't because I was trying to run slow.  That felt like a serious effort.

A few observations:  

The mosquitoes were big, plentiful and hungry.  A real incentive to keep moving!  At a 10 minute/mile pace, it was enough to keep them at bay.  But on the steep inclines where you had to walk, they had no problems catching up.  I didn't even have a walking cool down at the end ... I ran right to my truck, got in and drove away.

The trail is pretty identical to the "Run for the Toad" trail I'm training to run.  That was a smart move running the 25k there last fall.  I know what to expect.  These trails match both the type of running surface and the topography of "The Toad".  All good.

I don't think running The Toad under 5 hours is realistic.  I did the 25k in 2:12:00, so figured a sub-five was easy.  Now, maybe not so much.  We'll see how the training goes.

Finally, I'm not sure if Trail Ultras are going to be my thing.  I'll give it time, but it's obviously a very different animal from running on roads.  Lots of adjustments to be made.

It was 15C/59F at 90% humidity, but that wasn't a factor at all.  It actually felt nice out there.

Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 12.00
Weight: 159.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
7.00

Moderate paced run; 8:06/mile.

Had an hour massage yesterday after my trail run.  Helped a lot.  Hamstrings crazy tight, she said, like I didn't know.

Gave a blood donation yesterday too, so expect that might slow me down a bit for the next little while.  Maybe.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 157.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
162.00
Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 69.00Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 67.00Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 14.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 12.00
Weight: 155.66
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