You know there are moments in life where you look around and have to ask yourself, what the hell am I doing. You realize you are in autopilot mode, coasting! There could be progress, failures many things but blinders are on. Self discovery is a great process, you tear down a little bit of yourself to make way for the new, always rebuilding. You make a few mistakes, tweak the process and try again. I love running, if there is something great to come into my life (yes aside from my children) it has been running. I’ve been sick for a few days and that alone makes you think, especially when there is nobody to look after you but when you can’t run it’s even harder to be ill. Today was my first day back to a somewhat normal state of health (it was just a cold I know) and I headed out for a run. Autumn is in full swing, summer has said goodbye and the leaves are falling, to be turned back into earth to re-fertilize the trees. I embarked on my run and think about life’s peaks and valleys. Through those there is a constant for me, running! Nobody can take the act of running away,  it is something that you always posses. No matter where you are in life, you can run. I watched the Toronto Marathon on Sunday and I just love the looks of the people. Amongst them there are thousands of reasons to run and all with one goal, to finish! When ever I head out for a run I’m excited. I think about it all morning, can’t wait to get out there.  During my run, my mind clears and the focus becomes on the running. I work things out in my personal life but it always comes back to the running. I hear myself breathe, what’s your pace, if you are going to make Boston pick it up a bit. My voice is so patient, so calm! It’s a voice I need to carry into other parts of my life more often. It’s funny, when I run I never look forward to the finish, the positive result yes, but never the finish.
Today was a great run really enjoyed it as I’m sure you can tell. Did a perfect little 5 mile run in 40:48 with 3 minutes of walking and ran a 6 min mile at mile 4. Great day!

Well a new Canadian Marathon Record was set yesterday, Kenneth Mungara of Kenya ran the marathon in 2:08:31.9 which broke his old record.  Amane Gobena of Ethiopia also set a new course record with a time of 2:28:31. Was awesome to watch as I’m not often a spectator, I usually participate in races but have since found just attending and watching is also great fun.
Here are some pics I took….

123►

Well I’ve been feeling like crap all day and thought that maybe if I get short run in it will speed recovery. It wore me out beyond worn out. I did a 6 mile run up the escarpment and it got to dark so had to go around to get back so I ran to the Dundurn Stairs and walked them back down. I managed an 8 minute mile pace for the run and considering sick and up the mountain I’m still impressed. But I need to remember that it didn’t work next time I think that… So the entire run took 48 minutes.

Well Hamilton’s Waterfront Trail was what I chose for my run today. Figured I’d try something somewhat flat. Wanted to see what I could do the first few miles in so headed towards Princess Point. I did first three miles in 21 minutes for an average pace of 7 minute miles which is great at the moment. The last two miles of my 5 mile run were a walk minute run mile (two minutes of walking total) and it still got my run done in 37:44 for an average pace of 7:33 minute miles. I’m going to run the next few runs at a 7:30 pace with no breaks and see what kind of distance I can get. I should be able to run a half at 7:30 without any problem, breaks etc. and that’s without lay off/taper.

Well the smile cookies are back so today I suppored local charity by eating a smile cookie. I really hate when places like Office Depot ask me if I want to donate a dollar for something and there is nothing in return. They all ask for a dollar and make you fell guity and somehow I feel like I’m doing my part what are you doing other than taking a dollar from me. Well Tim Hortons gets my dollar for charity and they participate by providing me with a cookie. Anyhow anough about the cookie and the dollar.
Took my run up the Chedoke Trail to the 403 again today and what a great run, did 8 mile run in 1:00:44 for an average pace of 7:35 minute miles. There was a few minutes of walking in there even so was just clipping along. Anyhow great run and my leg felt much better. Plus I had a pair of Mazuno’s that I’ve never work so started in those today which will work well till I can get a new pair of shoes. I’m thinking I’m going to try the Nike’s next!

Well spent the day with my girls and I climed a tree today. I used to love climbing the weeping willows when I was a kid growing up on Mill Street in Welland. Used to swing off the branches all day. Today the girls and I went to my dads and I showed the girls the fun one can have with a weeping willow and they spent hours there playing on the tree. Also went out in the boat (yes my dad has a 5 acre pond there). Some day this place will be mine hehehee

12345►

Well I was going to write a whole write up about the concert, the song list etc. and you know I went to hear a song and they played it and I just felt like a kid again. Sunday Bloody Sunday and it was the most amazing experience that there is no way to put in into words. The stage was amazing, the lights, the screen. That concert is worth any price. I am sitting here and feel that I have lived, one more experience to say that life is just awesome. With or Without you was great and took me back to a moment where I wanted to take a special someone to the concert when I was 15 years old. Well enjoy the photos.

1234...8910►

Well did the Yonge street run to the 401 and my leg hurt the entire time. I think the shoes are done. These shoes have about 650km on them and there is just nothing left in them. Everything hurt today and it’s one of those runs that test your committment to the sport. I ran 4 miles in 34:38 and it was a very long half hour. These are the days I question what am I doing this for. Anyhow average pace 8:39 minute miles. It was hot, the air smelled and was just smog ridden. Also miss my trail on days like today!

Well in Toronto today and went for my Yonge Street run and did it quick enough to hit the gym a the office for a quick workout also. Ran the typical route I take, Yonge and Drewry to Yonge N 401. Did the out and back (4.25 miles) in just over 36 minutes for an average pace of 8:35 minute miles and there was 3 minutes of walking in there so really pleased. Was a nice and easy maintenance run. See what I can do tomorrow and over the weekend. Tomorrow is the U2 concert. WOOHOO.
For the workout did chest (incline dumbell press), arms (dumbell curl and cable pressdowns) and abs (toe catches and hang leg raises). Great speedy workout. Feel good for the day now.

Well for lunch hit the Chedoke Trail, I’m sure you all know it by now as I run it often enough. After two half marathon distances last week and rollerblading the Montreal Marathon taking pictures of a friend the legs were a bit tired today. They 50lbs lunges yesterday at the gym didn’t help matters. Anyhow headed to my fav path, the Chedoke Trail up the Escarpment to the 403 and back. Did the 8 miles in 1:04:55 for an average pace of 8:06 minute miles which is great considering I walked 4 minutes in there. Very pleased with the time.