Going Long (again) in 2024

Miner's Mayhem

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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
176.50
Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 50.50Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 21.00Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 53.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 41.00Skechers GoRun4 Miles: 4.00Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 161.07
Total Distance
6.00

Easy recovery run; 8:50 pace.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Back to the track for some speedwork.  1200 x 4 with 400 recoveries.  Aimed for a 6:40 pace, or 5:00/set.  Did well:  5:02  5:00  5:00  and  5:01.

Wasn't easy though - had to fight for it.  Heavy legs.  I'm guessing the effects of reduced red blood cells from Monday's blood donation.  To be expected.

Oh, started reading Bryon Powell's "Relentless Foward Progress".  Good stuff re: Ultras.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 159.50
Comments(1)
Total Distance
9.00

Moderately easy run; 8:35 pace.  Legs a bit heavy after yesterday's track work, but I didn't feel like I was pushing the pace today.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 9.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
4.00

16 weeks to the Toad!  So starts my 'official' Ultra training program.  Sundays are an optional running day, but it feels odd taking 2 days off/week, so went for a slow, easy one.

9:06 pace in a light rain.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 161.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
11.00

Back to the ski trails in Capreol.  Scheduled for 10, but decided to tack on the eleventh.  Well, kinda forced to it actually, as I was still in the woods after 10.  Wandered off on an interesting side trail and discovered some new areas for running.  

Running time of 1:52:30 with an average pace of 10:13.  I don't think the flies were as bad this week, and so I didn't have to run quite as fast!

Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 11.00
Weight: 160.50
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Total Distance
7.00

Moderately paced run; 8:09/mile.  Although gusty, the temperature was perfect at 11C/52F.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 159.50
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Total Distance
6.00

Easy run; 8:50 pace.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 160.00
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Total Distance
7.00

A new route today - don't know why I didn't try this one before.  Drove 3 miles north of my house and parked.  That puts me on the north rim of the crater .., not so flat up there as down here in the valley.

There is a dirt road there that meanders through the wilderness.  Nelson Lake Road.  A good variety of hills.  It goes on forever, so I just ran an out and back, and threw in 4 strides for good measure.

My only concern (other than coming upon a bear) was the dry, dirt road.  I figured if a truck came along, I'd be choking on dust.  Well, just 100 feet from the end of the run, a quad raced by and it did kick up a lot of dust.  Ah well.

There was just enough of a breeze to keep the biting insects at bay.

 

Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 160.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
10.00

Easy run; 8:45 pace.

Was talking to a parishioner last night about the route I ran yesterday.  That's where he goes hunting in the fall.  Told me yeah, there's lots of bears, but it's the wolves that are more aggressive.  Thanks.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 10.00
Weight: 160.00
Comments(2)
Total Distance
12.00

Took yesterday off - legs feeling a bit tired.  

Back to the trails today; 12 miles run in 2:02:30.  Embarrasingly slow, but with the sharp inclines and declines on this trail, it was a heart pumping pace the whole way.

Took a new side trail at one point, just to see.  It ran along the Vermillion River until it ended at an old bridge, long since removed.  It was at a narrows in the river where it also drops a fair bit, so a scenic place to pause for a few minutes - especially nice since it was open and there was a bit of a breeze - so the biting insects were kept to a minimum (unlike most of the morning in the woods, where they did a pretty good job of keeping me moving).

Now my legs are feeling a bit tired again.

Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 12.00
Weight: 161.00
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Total Distance
8.00

Tempo paced run; 7:40/mile.

Amazing how that pace feels easier on the roads than a 10:00/mile pace feels on the trails!

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 8.00
Weight: 162.00
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Total Distance
6.00

Easy run; 8:40 pace.  Just beat the storm that is coming in fast.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 6.00
Weight: 160.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Back to the track today.  I mile repeats (x3) at 10k pace with half mile recoveries.

Pretty much nailed the splits:  6:44  6:45  and  6:46.

It's not hot - just 15C/59F - but at 98% humidity, I was pretty wet from the start.

Tomorrow, I'm in the "Miner's Mayhem" - a local mud run/obstacle course at the Sudbury ski hill.  17 obstacles, and lots of ups and downs on the hill.  I'm not going to attack it hard - mostly just going to enjoy the day with a few people that I know.  And try not to get hurt.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 159.50
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Race: Miner's Mayhem (4 Miles) 00:37:08, Place overall: 15, Place in age division: 13
Total Distance
8.00

I ran this crazy race 3 years ago, and decided to do it again this year, just for fun.  Obviously not taking it too seriously, as I ran 1 mile intervals at the track just yesterday.

So, I actually cut off 5 1/2 minutes from my time 3 years ago, which really surprised me.  I didn't think I ran it that hard.  I guess my ultra training on trails is paying off?

There were 85 men in the race, and 232 runners, so I placed in the top 15% of the men, and the top 6.5% overall.

Sudbury is a mining city, and so the race theme works well.  Started in a storage cubicle (mining cage), where they soaked you with water guns and water balloons.  There were 17 obstacles (or Mayhems) to mark the year 2017.  Over walls, under walls,  through water, balance beams, up the ski hill, down the ski hill, repeat.  And again.  About half way through, I was bleeding from somewhere on my hand.  When I finished, the knees were in pretty bad shape too.

Then, I changed into dry clothes and did it again!  This time with a team.  Parishioners who decided to run it after hearing me talk about it.  So, I was able to double up my mileage.  Slower the second time around, but still managed to twist my ankle on one obstacle and grind a few more layers of skin off my knees.

Anyway, a lot of fun.  I don't think I'll be running hard for a few days while I heal up.

Skechers GoRun4 Miles: 4.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 4.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
12.00

So, I've had time to do a body inventory following Saturday's run.  Both elbows scraped up, and both knees.  Abrasions on various parts of my legs.  A welt of some sort across my left shoulder.  Left ankle is swollen and sore.  Right knee is throbbing - feels like it's bruised from the inside.  Triceps are pretty sore, as are most of the shoulder muscles.  Calf muscles are screaming.  Hamstrings are really tight and sore.   Abs feel like they've been pounded.  Yes, the race was a lot of fun!

Anyway, took yesterday off and wasn't sure if I'd be able to run my 12 miles today.  For sure wasn't going to do it on the trails.  Decided to run the bush "wolf" road instead.  Elevation change is 210 feet, instead of the trails which is 3 times as much.  Figured I'd go slow and see how everything reacted.

Well, all the sore parts didn't affect my stride in any way, which I believe is the test of whether you should run through pain or not.  So, I went the distance.  1:44:00 running time for a pace of 8:40.  

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 12.00
Weight: 161.50
Comments(2)
Total Distance
7.50

Tempo run; 7:50 pace.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 7.50
Weight: 164.00
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Total Distance
6.50

Easy shake out run; 8:43 pace.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 6.50
Weight: 163.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Hilly run.  Really hilly.  Decided to try new route - went right on Frenchman Lake Road, instead of left on Nelson Lake Road.  Some pretty steep climbs up to Joe Lake (past Frenchman).  470 feet of climb.

Pace going in was 9:14.  Coming out, it was 8:25.  Good pounding on the legs for today.

It was only 17C/62F, but at 99% humidity, it was a wet run.

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 163.00
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Total Distance
14.00

Back to the Capreol Ski Trails for this 14 miler.  Took 2:25:30 to run at a pace of 10:22/mile.  Elevation gain of 850 feet.  Temperature was a perfect 11C/52F with humidity hovering around 85%.  There was a light rain for most of the first half, and then the sun broke through off and on.

I'm just glad I was able to run.  Moved a lot of heavy things on Saturday with helpers.  When carrying my half of a 90 gallon fish tank to the trailer, I felt my back do something weird.  It prevented me from carrying much of anything for the rest of the day - and no, I did NOT plan it that way!  One of my helpers is a health care practitioner, and she did a treatment on me that afternoon - my lower back is twisted and pulled.  It felt better after that, but she strongly urged me to not run that day.  I had planned my 10 miler later on.

So, I reluctantly listened to her, and even took Sunday off (was optional anyway).  So, just happy to be out there today.  The back is still achy, and I really had to pay attention to it (especially on the steep downhills), and when I finished, getting into and out of my truck was interesting, to say the least.  But I did it!

I did fall - nice little face plant, just after mile 8.  Tripped on a tree root.  Both hands took the brunt of it, and were numb for the next couple of miles.  Other than that, however, there was not much other damage --- a bit of blood on my left leg, and a lot of mud/dirt pretty much everywhere.  Sure glad it was on a flat section!

Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 14.00
Weight: 162.50
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Total Distance
8.00

1 hour tempo run.  7:36 pace.  Back is still pretty achy.  Doesn't seem to affect my running, but sure is stiff when I'm done.  I'm getting another treatment for it later today.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 8.00
Weight: 162.50
Comments(5)
Total Distance
6.50

Rained all night.  Still raining pretty steady.  So, wet run.  Easy pace of 8:48.  

Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 6.50
Weight: 163.50
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Total Distance
7.00

Big move today, so it really threw my routine off.  I didn't have time to run this morning.  I did, however, just finish an early evening run at the track.  And it's literally across the street from me at my new place.  Way cool to have a track this close. 

So, I ended up running 4 x 1200 repeats with 400 recoveries.  Aimed for something around 5:00/repeat.  Came in pretty good at:  5:02  5:00  4:56  and  4:52.

Time to eat!

Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 163.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
176.50
Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 50.50Saucony Kinvara 6 Miles: 21.00Saucony ISO Triumph 2 Miles: 53.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 41.00Skechers GoRun4 Miles: 4.00Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 161.07
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