Well today was very hard to get going… I really wasn’t in the mood to run today which is not usual but today isn’t a usual day. I slept in my new apartment and found this very depressing. This morning was so rough, I didn’t want to get up. I guess there will be a flood of emotions over the next little while. It’s funny I don’t usually write about them there. I don’t usually share them with people. I guess after years of being like that I’ve maybe also learned to just bottle things up and not let it out also. Anyhow I decided to go for the run on the advice of a friend. I don’t know why this friend is still a friend after all the crap. Anyhow the run. I started down Dundurn towards the mountain and that last little stretch just before you get to the stairs sure is uphill. I ran all the way up to scenic drive and hung a left towards the Chedoke Daycare where Sydney used to go. This didn’t help me clear my head much as it seems like just yesterday Robin and I were so worried to take her to yet another daycare. Anyhow this isn’t helping. Back to the run, I ran up to the daycare right next to Chedoke Hospital and back which is exactly 8 miles. Ran that in 1:03:50 for an average pace of 7:58 minute miles which I just don’t get as my legs were so sore and heavy I didn’t think think I’d break a 9 minute mile. Guess the speedwork is paying off.

Well after a night of drinking with my friend Paul we headed out for my 5 mile run which turned into a little more than 6 miles but along an awesome trail called the Elora Cataract Trail to the Shand Dam. What an awesome run. There are lots of people on the trail and saw some animals including LAMA! My left leg is still bothering me a little so the slower pace was great for it. Weather was nice, not to hot not to cold, just right! We ran 6.23 miles in 56:06 for an average pace of 9 minute miles. Was great relaxing run and absolute blast. These are the days why I’m reminded why I love running so much.

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Ok they don’t have Sleeman’s Rousse in Ontario. What redheads not superior in this province. Anyhow more pics to follow, we are having Sleeman Dark and BBQ’ing no worries Yams too

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Well my left shin (always the left shin) is a bit tired. Have to slow the pace down on Saturday and let it recover well before the long run. After my three mile run I gave it a good icing and downed my protein shake right away. Just have to go scour for some Advil to keep the swelling to a minimum. Also had my Roast Beef sandwitch right after the run with two cookies for the sugar. Anyhow I headed out a bit early as it wasn’t a long run and I wanted to beat the rain which I did. Ok it drizzled down on me a bit but it’s pooring down now. Anyhow I ran the Chedoke Trail again running uphill for 1.75 miles and down for the other 1.25. I’ll have to run some flat trails for the next few days and relax. I know I can run the pace I need no so it’s just a matter of buildup at this point. Stats are 3 miles in 21:57 for an average pace of 7:19 minute miles. This has been a great month for building my mileage back up, I’m currently sitting at 82 miles (132km).

Well Tim Hortons is having a free race for Camp Day. Just got a message from my friend Paul Preston about free Tim Hortons race in Guelph and a few other locations. Anyhow I decided to sign up for the Guelph Race to run with him. I should be doing an 8 mile run anyhow so why not have some fun with it. So next Wednesday I’ll be in Guelph for the run. Wonder what the turnout will be as there is a huge running community in that area. It’s unfortunate they don’t have one in Hamilton. Maybe I’ll have to contact a store and see if we can do one for next year?

Decided to head to gym right after work at the one on York Street, it’s a hole but it’s empty! There were I think 3 of us working with the weights and machines. Anyhow tonight was a chest (incline barbell and flat bench dumbell), shoulders (iso press and rear delt machine), arms (tricept pressdown machine, incline bench dumbell curls, preacher curls) and abs (the lower abs on the bench and leg raises). I’ll do more abs at home tonight before bed. This workout exhausted me as I’m doing a bit lighter weight with between 5 and 8 sets depending on the exercise. Oh I forgot I also tried some new machine (well new to me) for the upper back, some pull down machine with weight, it was exhausting and I really worked up a sweat.

Was a great training day, Boston seems more like a reality today after that run up the escarpment!

Well decided to run up the escarpment again today and keep the pace going. The leg is a bit sore but I’m doing all the right things this time. After the run Ice and Protein shake and my roast beef sandwitch all washed down with two advil. Some deep massage of the shin and it’s good the next day. I really need to build this up or Boston is just not going to happen. Today went a bit quicker than I needed to as I’m having trouble figuring out this new pace. I have to figure out how to program my GPS to beep if I go to fast or two slow. Anyhow I did a 5 mile run and half of it was up the escarpment. Ran the 5 miles in 35:47 for an average pace of 7:09 minute miles (4:27 minute kilometers).

Well I can’t believe the running time I just logged on the Chedoke Trail which has an immense incline. I did 3 miles in 19:45 for an average pace of 6:35 minute miles. This was an awesome run and my lungs hate me as I write this. There is some discomfort on the left shin but I think this just is never going to go away. So I’ve thrown some cups in the freezer for ice for my future runs, took some advil to keep swelling down, good protein shake to promote recover and lets see what the next 18 weeks brings me.

Well this year is going to be the year! Today I start my 18 week progression training for the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon which I have to finish in 3:15 or less to qualify for Boston. I’m going to be doing Hal Higdon’s Intermediate level I training program. I’ve really got to be deciplined. Need to work on diet, stretching, speed work. This is going to be the most intense 18 weeks to date. I have said I will run Boston by the time I’m 40 and well this is it. That is only a year and a half away and to do that I need to qualify NOW. The next Boston marathon is Monday, April 19, 2010 at which point I will be 39 years old. To run that one I need to qualify this year. Either here or another one before the cut off date but if I don’t qualify I would end up running at 40 years old. I would like to run it before I turn forty.

Well today was long run day. We had a birthday party for the girls today and I ate crap all day, plus the Nachos last night and beers down on Hess. Oh did I pay for it during the run. Decided to run down Stonechurch to Meadowlands in Ancaster and then to the Chedoke trail and down to the golf course. Ran back up the escarpment and back to just path Garth. The total of the run was 18km and I felt great even considering the uphill at the end.  Anyhow I did the run in 1:33:33 for an average pace of 5:11 min KM (8:21 minute miles). I felt really good at the end and happy I didn’t push it to hard. It’s time to start training for Toronto. My Boston Qualifier…