Going Long (again) in 2024

Week starting Sep 27, 2015

Previous WeekRecent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesMichael's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageMonth ViewYear View
Graph View
Next Week
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

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

Click for Options

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.

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 28.00 Month: 189.50 Year: 588.50
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: 386.00
Triumph 18 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 120.50
Hoka Bondi 8 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 102.50
Total Distance
55.00
Hoka - Rapa Tarmac Miles: 23.00Brooks Glycerin 12 Miles: 11.00Mizuno Wave Sayonara Miles: 13.00Brooks Ghost 6 Green Miles: 8.00
Weight: 154.92
Total Distance
8.00

8 easy miles; 8:56/mile pace.

10C/50F with a bit of fog, but no wind.  A gorgeous moon set around 5:30.

Hoka - Rapa Tarmac Miles: 8.00
Weight: 155.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
11.00

6 x 1 mile with 400 recoveries.  Ran all six 1 mile splits at 7:26.  One more tempo run on Wednesday - everything else is easy.

Watched the gorgeous moon rise as I rode my bike back from my sisters camp last night - was riding due East, so had a perfect view the whole time.  Too bad the clouds rolled in before the total eclipse - I got to see just a quarter bite taken out of the moon before then.

Brooks Glycerin 12 Miles: 11.00
Weight: 155.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
13.00

10 miles at Tempo Pace:  7:41/mile.  This was my last 'SOS' workout - taper begins now and runs will all be easy paced for the next 10 days.  My best training cycle ever - no injuries of any sort.  Bring on Chicago!

Unfortunately, received my rejection letter from Boston today - missed the cut off by 36 seconds.  I sure didn't anticipate that a year ago, but I was ready for it the last 2 weeks when so many people applied for Boston.  I know I ran a good race in Hamilton last Fall, and so have nothing to be ashamed of.  And I plan on leaving no doubt in Chicago as to beating whatever cut off is set for 2017 in Boston.

The good news is:  I don't have to change the name of my Blog for another year!

Mizuno Wave Sayonara Miles: 13.00
Weight: 154.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
7.00

7 easy miles in the morning frost.  Brrrr.  8:45/mile average pace.

Hoka - Rapa Tarmac Miles: 7.00
Weight: 154.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
8.00

Another frosty morning - just 2C/36F.  But clear and a gorgeous sun rise.

8 easy miles; 8:51/mile pace.

Hoka - Rapa Tarmac Miles: 8.00
Weight: 155.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
8.00

8 easy miles; 8:56 pace.  

Just 6 mile runs now until race day a week from tomorrow.  Long range forecast looks like excellent running temperatures in Chicago - just need to kill that wind.

Brooks Ghost 6 Green Miles: 8.00
Weight: 155.50
Add Comment
Total Distance
55.00
Hoka - Rapa Tarmac Miles: 23.00Brooks Glycerin 12 Miles: 11.00Mizuno Wave Sayonara Miles: 13.00Brooks Ghost 6 Green Miles: 8.00
Weight: 154.92
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):
Recent Comments: