Perfect day for a 10K

Every year, on the first Sunday of May, Yonge Street shuts down for a few hours so thousands of runners can participate in the Sporting Life 10K. This is my third year running it and I ran my best time: 1:03:35. My goal had been to run it in an hour which I obviously didn't manage. In hindsight, I probably could have but I was too cautious of running out of gas too soon.

Here's a view of the crowd ahead of me:

The forecast had called for thundershowers and I was all set to bail if faced with heavy downpour in the morning but luckily the rain held until I was about 5 minutes from home, and then it only rained for a short while. It was actually the perfect morning for a 10K with nary a chill in the air. My first year was brisk to say the least.

I celebrated my best time with brunch at Earth beginning with a Kir Royale.

My trainer gave me the greenlight to use this day as a cheat day to eat anything I wanted, so I had Earth's version of Steak and Eggs - soooo good! What made it even better? We sat indoors so there was no chance of a little extra seasoning from the birds above ruining my perfect dish.

And dessert! I was allowed dessert! So I had the chocolate torte. It turned out to be a little too rich, an issue that would have been resolved if dessert had arrived before my latte ran out but service was s-l-o-w.


On our way back to the car which I'd parked on Roxborough, I noticed this amusing sight:

Someone's got a cheeky sense of humour! (I quite like her stripe-y tights!)

I'd booked myself a massage uptown and had an hour to kill so browsed the shops, leaving with this adorable frog prince tea light holder:

I rounded out my Sunday with groceries from Chinatown, lunch-making for the week, a quick dinner of salad and a nice long soak in the tub.

I really missed Sundays like this...

Finding my rhythm

I've started running outside again in preparation for the Sporting Life 10K held annually on the first Sunday of May. The weather has been fantastic this week and I've done pretty well for myself considering the longest distance I've run is maybe 3K on the treadmill after my workout, which is entirely different from running outside.

The Martin Goodman Trail is my usual haunt as it's 10 minutes from my doorstep. And you know what I've noticed during my last couple runs - both of which have been just over 4+ miles? During the first half of my run heading west, I'm prone to stitches and have to walk a bit since I seem to always be running against the wind. But on my return, with the wind at my back, I'm able to run pretty much non-stop save for the odd traffic light near the end. Weird right? Why is that? I mean, the wind doesn't always blow east right? So why is it that I'm always running against it?

I wonder if the stitches show up at the start because I'm still trying to figure out my pacing and by the time I'm ready to double-back home, I've got my rhythm down and am able to run back comfortably without any real pause. I'll have to see how this running season unfolds...

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

I picked up Haruki Murakami's memoir on running in London last Spring and decided it was time to read it as I begin to train for the Sporting Life 10K on May 2nd.

It's a quick read about his psychology as he prepared for various marathons and triathlons and I found it inspiring. I'm rather looking forward to heading out for runs along the lake now!

Weekend Update

I had a few friends over last night for dinner and served salmon with chili-mango salsa and lemon risotto - 2 recipes that are super simple and definite keepers. The sangria was also a hit, although there was a mishap out on the balcony that led to a note slid under my neighbour downstair's door with apologies and the request to call or email at their convenience for the return of my wooden spoon and pitcher lid.


We watched as dusk settled into night and enjoyed the LED light show that was the CN Tower. If you click on the photo below, you can see the moon playing hide and seek in the clouds:


As has been my usual habit, I was up before 9am today and decided to make the most of the morning and headed out for a run down by the lake. I hadn't mapped a route and just ran. My strategy in working up to the 10 Mile run in 5 weeks is to start with the walk-run intervals again...though not very strict in timing. I've just been running and stopping for walks at random-ish milestones. I play mind games with myself and think, I'll stop and walk at that next big tree up there...when I hit that gate, I'll start running again...I'll walk the length of this parking lot and start running again when I reach those stairs and take them up...silly things like that. Despite being silly, it's working. I ran just over 13K today in about 96 minutes which is the farthest distance I've run. The weather was perfect too - just cool enough with a good breeze coming off the water and I felt pretty strong out there because I probably could have gone further.

Since getting home I've caught up on So You Think You Can Dance which I'd PVR'd during the week, done a couple loads of laundry and changed the sheets on my bed for the graphic trellis design I picked up last month. I'm rather looking forward to slipping between my new linens tonight!


But before that...work beckons... :(

Lucky Me

The weather was perfect for a 10K run, which is how I spent my morning. I didn't beat last year's time as was my original goal, which was OK by me. I ran it without stopping to walk (except for the few steps at the 4K mark for Gatorade and water) and even had enough juice at the end to pick up the speed for my finish.

After showering, I headed out for brunch on the Czehoski patio and ordered steak and eggs for the first time. I ran on an empty stomach so was famished. A few bites in, I heard a big plop! A bird had shat above and it landed smack dab onto my steak. I couldn't help but laugh at my luck. The waitress kindly took it away and the chef offered to make me something else, so I opted for the french toast. When it arrived, I ate it promptly, partly because I was so hungry, but also to avoid a redux.

My next scheduled event is the Acura Toronto 10-Miler at The Distillery on July 19. My tentative goal is to work up to the Waterfront Half at the end of September...depending on how I feel after running the 10 Miler which is the equivalent of 16K, I'll register for the half...ambitious? Perhaps. But we all need something to work towards, right?

Meanwhile, the jackpot for this Wednesday's Lotto 649 draw is a modest $9MM and I'm hoping I have the winning ticket.

First run out

It's a gorgeous spring day and I went for my first run outside this year. I headed west along Lake Shore through Coronation Park all the way to the Molson Ampitheatre and then doubled back along Queens Quay. I kept an easy pace and it felt awesome. So I treated myself to a grande-non-fat-no-foam-extra-hot tazo chai from Starbucks on my way home. :)

Hope you're out enjoying the great weather!

Flight's booked!

I've booked my free flight to Europe! Well, it wasn't actually free because I had to pay the taxes which were still about $370(!!!) but I've booked my flight for April 8! I'm flying into London to meet one of my best girls, my cousin A. I'll spend a week there before we fly together for a long weekend in Amsterdam for another cousin's wedding. We then head off for a week in Spain together, splitting our time between Barcelona and Madrid. My return flight is booked from Amsterdam so I still have to book the flights in between but I can't wait!

I haven't seen A and most of my other Dutch cousins since I was over there in 2006 so it'll be fantastic to be amongst so much family again. So excited!!! :)

BUT! It means my training for the 10K will be interrupted...well...let's be honest, it hasn't really started, which means I either have to get my ass in gear this month or forget about it. What to do?

Finally...

...managed to haul my lazy butt into the gym tonight for my first run of the year and it was pretty good. I was a bit of a mess getting ready for it though because I had to charge up my ipod and find my misplaced runners. If I hadn't found them when I did, I might have bailed, but it's a new month and I received a reminder email about the Sporting Life 10K today with a free online training program to get ready for the upcoming Sunday in a few months so this was it. Besides, with my latest project more or less settled, I didn't have the excuse of work to keep me from going.

In fact, aside from a morning of meetings and a few minor to-dos coming out of them, I was a bit at a loss in terms of what to do in the afternoon. I've been so used to being on the constant go the last month that it felt really weird to actually have the time to think about what to do next...I actually had options.

Funny too, I'd forgotten how hungry I get after running...something I'll have to get used to again with a more regular running schedule.

Getting SMART

I was inspired by Joyce's blog about setting SMART goals - something that's top of mind now that year-end self-appraisals are coming due - so I decided today to enter a couple races in 2009 - the SL 10K in May and the Toronto 10 Miler in July...the end game is to run the Waterfront Half in late September, but I can't commit myself to something so far ahead in advance...I know. I wimped out. But it's a start right?

So now I have to think of a training regimen to get myself into shape. The more I think about it, the more I've come to realize that I'm going to have to commit to working out in the mornings before work because it'll be hard otherwise to carve out the time.

Beautiful Day

I woke up this morning and went for a run and am so glad I did because I feel so good! I headed down towards Harbourfront and it was the perfect weather - partly cloudy with just a touch of a breeze off the water. I ran for 50 min which is unusual since I'm usually good for maybe 15 min before the first stitch teases me but none of that today. I kept up a steady, comfortable pace and probably could have gone longer but decided to circle back after hitting the Power Plant.

I am really loving how close everything is - I ran through the Toronto Music Garden where it seems free classical concerts are held in the summer so I have that to look forward too, not to mention the close proximity to the Harbourfront Centre where the International Festival of Authors is held annually and there are various reading events through the year. So glad I'm finally downtown!

Happy Canada Day!

It's been an extra long weekend for me since my SVP gave us yesterday off. Despite his generosity in the free vacation day, I still spent the day working since I'm in back-to-back meetings tomorrow from 9 to 4:30 and have to present in 2 of them. Sigh.

But enough about work. I went out first thing this morning for a run after pulling on a pair of capris yesterday that fit perfectly fine last summer but are now a bit snug - a clear sign that I've been totally slacking off since the Sporting Life 10K in late April. But it's a new month and I'm making a new commitment to get back into a routine! I mostly ran my 6.5K route and am now back home cooling down before hitting the shower.

I've a few friends coming over later today for a BBQ so I better get a move on!

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, name me a bulb...

S & S have been wanting to set me up with F since last year, when I met him briefly at W's birthday bash. I remember thinking at the time that he was kinda cute but rather quiet. He didn't stay very long as he and S were heading off to a show - he's very much into music and has a widely-read blog about same - and because S went off and got married in India over the holidays, nothing came of it and I forgot what F looked like over time.

Anyway, S was at S&W's wedding party a few weeks ago and the interest to set us up again was revived. Something was supposed to be arranged for next week but it was sort of pushed up a week so that we ended up sort of meeting again last night over a karaoke mic in Koreatown.

Now, karaoke isn't exactly the most conducive environment in which to get to know someone, particuarly when both of the people involved are shy by varying degrees...and there was little to no alcohol involved to provide a little Dutch courage...so I'd have to say that last night was a bust. We'll see if the original intent to re-introduce us in a more chatty environment, like say, over dinner, materializes next week.

And on a random note, after a late night out singing, I stayed over at S&W's since S and I had plans for a run this morning. We were walking by her neighbour's front yard when I spied these purple flower-balls below and remarked aloud about how I liked them because they looked so wild:


I didn't know what they were called and I didn't see the neighbour because he was hiding behind the foilage of the trees in his yard, but he heard me and called out that they were called alliums. So now I know. :)

4 > 0

I set my alarm last night for 9am with the intention of going out for a morning run. The GTA is in the grips of a late spring heat wave - the forecast today is 30C but with the humidex it feels lke 42C! - and I figured if I got out early enough, it would be OK. But I woke up with second thoughts...I finally hauled my butt out the door around 9:30 and ran 4K around my neighbourhood.

It was hot but there was a breeze at times which made it alright while I was out there running - no hint of a stitch which is unheard of for me. But by the time I got home about 30 minutes later, I felt nauseous and after drinking a glass of water my brother had to pour for me because I couldn't stand, I had to lay on the floor for a good 20 minutes before the urge to yak passed. I guess that's what it feels like to be dehydrated. Despite that, I'm glad I got out since it's been 3 weeks since I was out last.

Beaches Jazz Tune Up Run

I registered for my next big run today - the Beaches Jazz Tune Up Run on July 27. It's not as ambitious as the Toronto Ten-Miler at the Distillery District a couple weeks before - AL accused me of wimping out - but it's something to get my butt back out running again since I've run, oh, all of ONE time since finishing the Sporting Life 10K last month.

My first 10K!

I woke up bright and early this morning around 6:20 after a light sleep on S' couch. We had a quick breakfast of toasted raisin and muesli bread (probably very healthy for us, but low on the taste scale) and caught a cab to make it to the start of our 10K run.

It was COLD. Really COLD. But it was fine once we started our run. I had originally set a goal time of 90 minutes since I hadn't run in awhile and didn't know what to expect of a 10K, but I'm proud to say that I finished in about 65 minutes and ran the entire course straight - no walking! - which was my ultimate goal.

I was worried that I'd be hampered by stitches but I was able to run through them and kept a fairly steady pace. Our race kit included pamphlets for other runs...and having successfully completed this 10K, I'm beginning to think that perhaps a half marathon may not be so impossible a goal...There's a 10 mile run at the Distillery District in July that would be the next logical progression training and goal-setting-wise. If I manage to complete that run in a satisfactory manner, the Waterfront Half could be next...am I crazy??

Let's see...one step at a time...

7 days and counting...

It's a week to the Sporting Life 10K and I had mapped out an 8K run with the intention of heading out this morning for some training. Things didn't quite happen as I'd planned though since I didn't get out the door 'til about 1pm and I shaved 1.5K off with a little detour after being hit by a stitch in my side.

I'm home now and have been vegging ever since...sigh.

6K to Ice Cream!

I went for another run tonight after work with AL. The grand plan was to run 6K tonight with ice cream as the motivator, so we mapped out a route with Summer's Ice Cream in Yorkville as our goal.



I surprised myself with how easy the run was since I've been running 5K fairly consistently. For some reason, I thought tacking on the extra kilometre would be harder but it really wasn't. I did get a bit of a stitch in the last 1K but I was able to run through it and made it to the end without being too too winded.

The only thing that made me feel out of sorts was walking through the heart of Yorkville all sweaty in my running clothes. AL needed to make a pit stop at Manulife Centre and we walked through the underground path towards Holt Renfrew, where he wanted to take the escalator up and out, but I refused. I just couldn't bring myself to walk into Holt Renfrew of all places in my workout gear. I.JUST.COULD.NOT. So we walked further and found and escalator up and out through a random office building a little further west.

I felt slightly uncomfortable walking about Yorkville and Cumberland streets where all the wannabe "beautiful" people were out on the patios but once I had my ice cream, I got over it...and maybe felt a little...dare I say...proud...?...for doing so well on this first long run out. Maybe I won't embarass myself running the 10K next Sunday after all!

5K on the Beltway

I went for a run after work with AL today. We started off at the entrance of Mount Pleasant Cemetary and made our way onto the Kay Gardner Beltway and back. It was my best run yet as it was my first 5K straight without any stopping - well, except for the brief reprieve to get the pebble out of my shoe - so, YAY for me!

Scent of cedar in the air...

The day started off rather cool and gray but the sun decided to break through the clouds after all and it warmed up, which was a good thing because AL and I had plans to go for a run after work and I was wondering if it was going to even happen since there was a chance of showers and I don't do rain.  It worked out though and we made our way by subway to St. Clair for what turned out to be the aptly named Mount Pleasant Cemetary.

The runners and cyclists were out in full effect today and I'm racking up the kilometers as I train for my 10K 26 days from now.  Next run is maybe Thursday if the weather holds.  I'm going to the symphony tomorrow night. :)

Springtime in Toronto

This weekend's weather has been unbelievably amazing. I walked about without a jacket in the sunshine while I browsed along the far western reaches of Queen Street and even remembered to bring my sunglasses!

And! S & I ran for the first time outside this season in preparation for our 10K run about a month from now. Here's the route we took, thanks to MapMyRun, which is an amazing mash-up of Google maps and a training log.