Here is an interesting story about Edmonton's Tim Berrett. A four-time Olympian, Tim will represent Canada at the Beijing Olympics this summer in race walking. The story will give you a small glimpse of the bureaucratic nonsense that many of our top athletes have to deal with. Good thing he has support from Mizuno.
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/sports/story.html?id=28843432-04e0-44f7-951a-d82da5362ee6
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Achilles St. Patty's 5 km
Race Date: Sunday March 16, 2008.
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Description: 5 km run in downtown core
Website: www.achillestrackclub.ca/stpat.html
Thanks to a buddy of mine, Ben “King” Kong, I was asked early in the week to join his relay team since some of his team members dropped out.
I ran a tough 23 km on the Friday before the event and woke up on Saturday morning with strained right gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Walking was extremely painful so I scrapped all my workout plans for the day. Instead, I iced constantly, ultrasounded the area (I have a portable device), and used the TP Massage Ball and Footballer on myself. The only activity I got was playing my XBOX 360.
I checked out my movement at 8 pm and things were much better. I was not limping as much, and running felt better than walking. I continued my super blast-healing regimen until 4:30 am and hit the sack.
I woke up in better condition but still not ideal race state. A smarter person wouldn’t race but a smart guy I never claimed to be. I didn’t think that any further damage would occur by running (other than more soreness), plus I made a commitment to do the race for Ben and his team and not showing up was not an option. If I had to limp the 5 km I would.
It was a bit chilly (-3) but nice and sunny. I wore my CWX Insulator Tight, Mizuno Dry Science long sleeve top, Mizuno Atlantis Jacket, Team Running Free Vest, and my Mizuno Elixirs. I parked along the waterfront since parking around the dome was $25.
This is a fun smaller race and the field did not look big, so I started at the very back of the field. I must stop doing this because it still took me over 2 minutes to get to the start line once the horn sounded to start the race. So if you want to run fast at this race or any other for that matter, go to the front! I just didn’t want to get in anyone’s way given my impaired condition. So much for being considerate because obviously many didn’t listen to pre-race instructions for the faster people to be at the front and to stay left.
I spent the first 7 minutes weaving in and out of people, doing combination of walking and running. I did the first 2.5 km in 13:23. Things finally thinned out reasonably and I ran the second half in 10:16, finishing in 23:39 (25:45 gun time). I was pleased because I never thought I’d be able to run close to this speed. My only regret was not in starting at the front and giving it all I had. I did not know that gun time counted for the team standings. Our team finished 19th out of 44.
What was cool about this race was the large number of visually impaired people that took part in the race with their guides. Dog lovers will appreciate that they are allowed to walk the race with their furry friends.
Pre and post race activities were based out of the Steamwhistle Brewery. Very convenient location but a very busy place especially post-race. With my finishing time I walked right in to get my free beer, chili, and box of Lucky Charms. But when I left an hour later, the line-up to get into the place was nuts. So if you finish under 30 minutes you should be fine, but after that, good luck with the long line-ups. Better for you to hit the local pub with your pals. Overall, a charming race to do, but make sure go to the front, run fast, quickly get your beer and chili, and get out of there before the crowds gather.
After a few more days of some serious icing, massage and ultrasound, I was close to being at 100% and back to my normal routine.
I did a 19 km run yesterday, and added 1 hour of biking on top of it.
I feel good today so all is well I suppose.
Around the Bay is next weekend. I only have to run 3:15 so it should be a nice, easy run. Hopefully the weather is great.
RH
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Description: 5 km run in downtown core
Website: www.achillestrackclub.ca/stpat.html
Thanks to a buddy of mine, Ben “King” Kong, I was asked early in the week to join his relay team since some of his team members dropped out.
I ran a tough 23 km on the Friday before the event and woke up on Saturday morning with strained right gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Walking was extremely painful so I scrapped all my workout plans for the day. Instead, I iced constantly, ultrasounded the area (I have a portable device), and used the TP Massage Ball and Footballer on myself. The only activity I got was playing my XBOX 360.
I checked out my movement at 8 pm and things were much better. I was not limping as much, and running felt better than walking. I continued my super blast-healing regimen until 4:30 am and hit the sack.
I woke up in better condition but still not ideal race state. A smarter person wouldn’t race but a smart guy I never claimed to be. I didn’t think that any further damage would occur by running (other than more soreness), plus I made a commitment to do the race for Ben and his team and not showing up was not an option. If I had to limp the 5 km I would.
It was a bit chilly (-3) but nice and sunny. I wore my CWX Insulator Tight, Mizuno Dry Science long sleeve top, Mizuno Atlantis Jacket, Team Running Free Vest, and my Mizuno Elixirs. I parked along the waterfront since parking around the dome was $25.
This is a fun smaller race and the field did not look big, so I started at the very back of the field. I must stop doing this because it still took me over 2 minutes to get to the start line once the horn sounded to start the race. So if you want to run fast at this race or any other for that matter, go to the front! I just didn’t want to get in anyone’s way given my impaired condition. So much for being considerate because obviously many didn’t listen to pre-race instructions for the faster people to be at the front and to stay left.
I spent the first 7 minutes weaving in and out of people, doing combination of walking and running. I did the first 2.5 km in 13:23. Things finally thinned out reasonably and I ran the second half in 10:16, finishing in 23:39 (25:45 gun time). I was pleased because I never thought I’d be able to run close to this speed. My only regret was not in starting at the front and giving it all I had. I did not know that gun time counted for the team standings. Our team finished 19th out of 44.
What was cool about this race was the large number of visually impaired people that took part in the race with their guides. Dog lovers will appreciate that they are allowed to walk the race with their furry friends.
Pre and post race activities were based out of the Steamwhistle Brewery. Very convenient location but a very busy place especially post-race. With my finishing time I walked right in to get my free beer, chili, and box of Lucky Charms. But when I left an hour later, the line-up to get into the place was nuts. So if you finish under 30 minutes you should be fine, but after that, good luck with the long line-ups. Better for you to hit the local pub with your pals. Overall, a charming race to do, but make sure go to the front, run fast, quickly get your beer and chili, and get out of there before the crowds gather.
After a few more days of some serious icing, massage and ultrasound, I was close to being at 100% and back to my normal routine.
I did a 19 km run yesterday, and added 1 hour of biking on top of it.
I feel good today so all is well I suppose.
Around the Bay is next weekend. I only have to run 3:15 so it should be a nice, easy run. Hopefully the weather is great.
RH
Friday, March 14, 2008
Tri for Dakota
Some friends of mine are doing a wonderful thing.
They will complete a half ironman race together and in the process raise funds for Sunnybrook Hospital in loving memory of their daughter Dakota Skye. Fifty percent of donations will go to the Perinatal Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with the other fifty percent going towards the Perinatal Research Fund.
Visit www.trifordakota.com for full details. Please consider donating to their cause.
There is an upcoming event to launch this fundraising effort. If you can make it out, please do.
Join us for the Tri for Dakota Launch and Silent Auction!
Location: The Orbit Room, 580 A College Street, Toronto
Date: Sunday, April 6, 2008
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
There will be a $10.00 cover charge for which you will receive a raffle ticket for one of our exciting raffle prizes.
Hors d'oeuvres will be served, compliments of the Orbit Room. Cash bar will be open.
We are truly excited that Chris Brown (not the rapper – rather the ex band member of Toronto based Indie group the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir) has very generously offered to play a short intimate and interactive set at our Launch. (http://www.chrisbrownmusic.com/)
Did you or someone you know miss registration for the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 MUSKOKA race?? Mitch and Janet Fraser at Trisport Promotions/Trisport North, have kindly donated a spot for the 2008 race to our Silent Auction. Don’t miss out on your last chance to take part. Please check out our updates page for a list of confirmed auction items.
If you would like to donate and item to our raffle or silent auction, please contact us at trifordakota@hotmail.com
They will complete a half ironman race together and in the process raise funds for Sunnybrook Hospital in loving memory of their daughter Dakota Skye. Fifty percent of donations will go to the Perinatal Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with the other fifty percent going towards the Perinatal Research Fund.
Visit www.trifordakota.com for full details. Please consider donating to their cause.
There is an upcoming event to launch this fundraising effort. If you can make it out, please do.
Join us for the Tri for Dakota Launch and Silent Auction!
Location: The Orbit Room, 580 A College Street, Toronto
Date: Sunday, April 6, 2008
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
There will be a $10.00 cover charge for which you will receive a raffle ticket for one of our exciting raffle prizes.
Hors d'oeuvres will be served, compliments of the Orbit Room. Cash bar will be open.
We are truly excited that Chris Brown (not the rapper – rather the ex band member of Toronto based Indie group the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir) has very generously offered to play a short intimate and interactive set at our Launch. (http://www.chrisbrownmusic.com/)
Did you or someone you know miss registration for the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 MUSKOKA race?? Mitch and Janet Fraser at Trisport Promotions/Trisport North, have kindly donated a spot for the 2008 race to our Silent Auction. Don’t miss out on your last chance to take part. Please check out our updates page for a list of confirmed auction items.
If you would like to donate and item to our raffle or silent auction, please contact us at trifordakota@hotmail.com
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Today's Chilly Half
What can I say about today's run at the Chilly Half in Burlington?
After taking a nap, I'll just spew out random stuff that pops into my head.
1. Great race to do. Well organized, post-race food was excellent and quickly accessed. I must thank Mizuno Canada for getting me entered in the race. I'd love to come back again to do the race, hopefully it fits into next year's schedule.
2. My performance was adequate (1:47:55). I wasn't expecting much because I did not taper for the race, and my legs were dead from logging lots of hours the past few weeks. Today's run was my 59th run in 59 days (actually 58 bike and runs in 58 days). I could have run faster in the last 10 km (my legs sorta woke up at that point) but a PB was not in the works so I chose to lessen my recovery time and soreness for the week and coast it in to the finish.
3. If you want to run a PB at this race, make sure you position yourself near the front of the start line. The course is narrow (one lane) you need to get out in front and clear of the crowd. I spent the first 10-15 minutes going and avg. of 10.5 km/hr (way too slow). I typically start at the back of the back at races and work my way through. This does not work at this race.
4. The course is NOT flat. There is lots of very gradual/slight uphill stuff. According to my watch it is 60% flat or downhill, and 40% uphill. Then you have winds off the lake to deal with.
5. The weather was excellent. You had to battle the wind at certain sections of the course but nothing ridiculous. All you needed was a long sleeve and a vest. I wore a Mizuno Breath Thermo 1/4 Zip, running jacket, brushed tight, gloves and hat, along with my Running Free Vest. I could have done without the Mizuno running jacket.
6. Here is something gross that I want to mention because no one should do this. When I returned to my car I discovered that some sick individual took a dump in between my car and someone else's. I wasn't close to my car door or anything but still quite sick. Considering that the parking lot and the "dumping area" directly faced a big apartment building, someone could have easily spotted this dastardly act. Next time find a porta potty, public washroom (lots of both available) or at least a bush or forest buddy.
7. Up next is the Around the Bay 30 km. I'll be doing 3:15 pacer duties.
By the way, after race kit pick-up on Saturday, I went across the street and caught the new Will Ferrell flick (Semi-Pro). I actually enjoyed it a lot. Truly dumb but funny as heck. I liked it a lot more than Blades of Glory and Talladega Nights. But I'm not sure that says much though.
Till next time
RH
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