Going Long (again) in 2024

Toronto 5K

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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
160.78
Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 45.50Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 81.00Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Miles: 3.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 31.00
Weight: 157.97
Total Distance
9.50

Ran 15 hilly cemetery laps - just over a half mile/lap.  Average pace of 7:51.  Actually passed another runner doing a few laps in the opposite direction.  Kind of surprised me, as I've not seen anyone else running here.  But she was real, not a ghost :)

The mornings are starting to get chilly:  just 4C/39F this morning.

Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 9.50
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
10.50

Easy recovery run to cap off my peak mileage week.  It's all downhill from here to my first Ultra at the end of the month!

8:13/mile pace in ideal conditions:  9C/48F, sunny skies, no wind.

The left knee is still a little wonky, so will ice it and enjoy my off day tomorrow.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 10.50
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
13.10

Today, my program called for a race of either 10 miles or a Half Marathon at a moderate effort.  I chose the half, and was aiming for about an 8 minute/mile pace.  There are no races around here, so I had to just pretend.

I ran the Lake Ramsey loop.  That is the same route used by the Master's Race every year ... actually, just a few weeks from now.  I ran that by accident when I was a teenager - with zero training.  A friend called me up to run the 10k.  We were going to bandit it (shame!).  We got into the wrong race.  My friend dropped out.  I was too stubborn to stop.  Not a good feeling at the end.  Still, my 1st unofficial Half.

Anyway, it went better today.  It started off misting, then pouring, then back to misting.  I was soaked through by mile 4.  However, it was only 15C/60F, so good that way.

This route is part trail, part road way.  Some of the roads are wicked with short, steep hills.  Anyway, I ended up running 13.1 miles in 1:41:39, which is a pace of 7:46.  I ran the first half in 8:00, so I sure picked it up for the second half, running it in 7:30.  Of course, the 1st half is mostly trail, and the back half is mostly roads.

 

Elevation gain of 578 feet.

 

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 13.00
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
8.00

Moderately fast run; 7:23 pace up the highway to Garson and back.

Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 8.00
Weight: 158.50
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Total Distance
7.00

7 easy miles on the train route.  8:21/mile.  No trains today.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 159.00
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Race: Toronto 5K (3.107 Miles) 00:20:38, Place overall: 11, Place in age division: 1
Total Distance
3.11

Okay, first off, my left hip is screaming at me.  It started during my Thursday run, and was pretty bad by the end.  So, I took Friday off to see if that might help.  After today's race, it's REALLY screaming at me, so I may take next week off ... we'll see.

I was actually defending my title today.  I ran this race last year, just because it was on a Saturday morning in Toronto, and so I didn't have to take a weekend off to race.  Same as last year - I drove the 4 hours to Toronto on Friday and took in a Blue Jays game.  Last year, they got clobbered by Boston 13-3.  This year, they lost to Detroit, but it was 5-4, so more respectable.  Last year, I won the Master's division.  That gave me a $300 gift card to The Running Room, and free entry to this year's race.  I didn't have high hopes of defending my title, because of my hip and because I really haven't done a lot of speed work.

Anyway, looking up my blog, I see that last year I had 4 beer the night before.  This year, just 1.  And last year, it was very humid.  This year, cool and dry. Just 9C/48F, so great for running.

Had a hard time getting to the start line, as various highways were closed for construction, and then sections of the subway.  So, it took a few detours and a shuttle bus to get there.  

I met Alex at the start line.  He's also 51, and told me that I passed him in the final 300 meters last year to take the victory.  I didn't remember that, but he sure did!

So, the first third is steep downhill.  The second third is basically flat.  The final third is steep uphill.  I remembered that!

I ran the first mile in 6:11(6:13 last year), the second mile in 6:41 (6:52 last year) and the third mile in 6:56 (7:04), with the final kick done at a pace of 5:34 (5:54).  All according to my GPS.  So, I ended up running 17 seconds faster this year (officially), and first again in the Master's Division.  That's another $300 award, plus the free entry again to next year's event.

As to Alex, he passed me pretty early on.  I didn't care much, as I was just going to run my own race.  But I caught sight of him at the half way mark, and began to close the gap.  I passed him at the bottom of the final hill and made a big push up, which was enough to beat him by 36 seconds.  It's cool, because I've never really had anyone to compete with in a friendly way.  We chatted for a long time after the race, and he left with "see you next year!"

11/332 overall

1/20 age division and 1st in Master's Division.

 

 

 

Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Miles: 3.00
Weight: 158.00
Comments(3)
Total Distance
6.00

Well, I took that week off from running to let my left hip heal.  I'm not sure it helped a lot.  But I did run today at an easy pace of 8:39/mile.  I'm in taper mode now anyway, so I hope to still run a good Ultra at the end of the month.

Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 6.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
10.50

Easy run along the Bell Park/Science North route.  8:13/mile pace.

Figured out my hip problem - it's the same bursitis that appears every so often.  Stupid me ... I should have been icing it all of last week, and doing some stretches.  Living in a hotel is really throwing off my normal routines.

No matter.  It didn't bother me too much today, and if it gets really bad, I'll get another cortisone injection in the hip.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 10.50
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
12.00

Easy run on the Laurentian Conservation/Moon Light Trail.  8:27 pace.  Left hip is not so bad today.  Going to a new massage therapist later this morning.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 12.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
8.00

Fast Tempo paced run on the Train Route.  In a heavy fog.  7:24 pace.  Yesterday's massage helped.  Firing on all cylinders today.

Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 8.00
Weight: 158.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
7.00

Easy recovery run; 8:22 pace on the Train Route.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 0.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Did the hilly loop at the Cemetery.  10 half mile laps, plus the mile each way there and back.  Average pace of 8:12/mile.

It rained hard just before I left, but was fine for the run.  Just amazingly warm and humid for this time of the year.  19C/66F and 90% humidity.

For the first few miles, there were steady lightening flashes.  On the first lap, in the lowest and darkest place of the cemetery, a lightening flash illuminated a woman walking towards me.  The illusion was shattered when we passed and she was smoking.  Yuck.  And I mean tobacco - not brimestone!

Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 7.00
Weight: 157.00
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Total Distance
10.50

Easy run along the Lake Ramsey/Bell Park route.  8:20/mile pace.

Incredible the temperatures we are getting these last few days/weeks.  Record breaking.  Today, it's going up to 30C/86F.  I got out early enough, so it was just 18C/65F, but the humidity is a whopping 100%.

Glad I'm not running the Ultra this weekend.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 10.50
Weight: 157.00
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Total Distance
7.00

7 easy miles; 8:19 pace.  Still in record breaking temperature territory.  Hit 31C/88F yesterday, and today the prediction is for 29C/84F.  Fortunately, looking ahead, it should cool down for The Toad next weekend.  I sure hope so!

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 7.00
Weight: 157.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
7.00

Easy run; 8:20 pace.  I was on retreat this week in the Madawaska Valley ... I ran the lower river route out and back in the early morning fog.  Nice.

Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 7.00
Weight: 157.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
3.50

Just a shake out run; 8:25 pace.  Light rain and cooler.

Race in just over 24 hours.  Predicted temperatures are 4C/39F at the start, and up to 15C/59F at the finish - perfect for racing!  Sunshine too, although the rain today might make the trail a bit slick in places.

My left knee and hip are non-issues - the taper seems to have taken care of that.  Just an odd new thing that started this week:  part of my right foot is numb.  Feels like it is asleep.  No pain, just an odd sensation of having no sensation.  I don't think it will be an issue in the race, and I'm hoping it is just a temporary thing.

Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 3.50
Weight: 158.00
Comments(2)
Race: Run for the Toad Trail Race Ultra (31.069 Miles) 05:31:23, Place overall: 49, Place in age division: 5
Total Distance
31.07

Well, I did it.  I ran my first Ultra Marathon.  

I just got home a little while ago.  It's the Monday night after the Saturday morning event.

I re-read my blog from 1 year ago when I ran the 25K event here.  Two loops.  This year I doubled the distance and ran the 4 loops.  I won't go into the description of the trail, as it was the same route as last year, except that the hills all get bigger the third and fourth times around!

Cutting to the chase, my results:

Total time of 5:31:23.6

Average pace of 6:38/km ... 10:41/mile

Came in 49 of 111 overall

5 of 15 in my division

34 of 72 males

Total elevation gain of 1,560 feet.

Comments:

The weather was picture perfect.  Virtually no wind and no clouds.  Mostly dry trails, and temperatures beginning at around 7C/44F and increasing to 15C/59F.  

I was hoping to average a pace of 10:00/mile, so I fell short of that.  My splits (mats every half lap) showed a steadily declining speed, beginning at 8:47/mile in my first split and finishing with an average of 10:41/mile.  I could see my average pace number climbing until it hit my goal average pace of 10:00 at exactly mile 21.5.  Close, but no cigar!  After that, I fought to keep it under 11:00, which I did.

After I completed the second lap, I knew I was in for some 'ouch time'.  I didn't quite hit the balance with my nutrition, and so battled some GI issues the last 2 laps, and was severely gassed out by the time I started the 4th lap.  Had to make a few emergency stops along the way too.

My right knee was screaming at me for most of the final lap, and I was limping by the end.  I don't recall anything that might have hurt it, so I'm guessing it was just the terrain and the way it got pounded.  It's okay today, so no significant damage, fortunately.

So, it was an exhilarating experience for me, and I'm glad I did it.  I haven't decided yet if I will push to run a longer distance.  I'll think about it for a few weeks before I decide.  Honestly, I enjoy the marathon a lot more, but I have to give it time to sit.  Maybe I'll think differently about it later.

 

 

Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 31.00
Weight: 157.00
Comments(3)
Total Distance
160.78
Saucony ISO Triumph Miles: 45.50Brooks Ghost 7 Miles: 81.00Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Miles: 3.00Brooks Cascadia 11 Miles: 31.00
Weight: 157.97
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