Going Long (again) in 2024

December 2024

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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  (26 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 (8 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

May 25, 2024  9:21:26

Limberlost 35 Mile Trail   July 6, 2024   8:12:57

Haliburton Forest 100 mile Trail   September 7-8, 2019  26:46:27

September 7-8, 2024 DNF after 65 miles/16 hours

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Pacing my sister in her 1st Half Marathon.

Short-Term Running Goals:

I really want to take on the Haliburton 100 again, after it kicked my butt in 2024, but I'm going to wait until 2026 to take it on again, when I'm 60 years old.

For 2025, I want to try running a Backyard Ultra, just to see how far I can run.

So, a couple of fun runs:  30K Around the Bay in March, and Pick Your Poison 50K in April, followed by Coach D's Backyard in May.  That one only runs for 24 hours, so I'm using it to see how I handle the format, in view of running my goal race for 2025:  The Bush Bitches Backyard, here in my hometown of Sudbury, in October.  Let the training begin!

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 31 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 14 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.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 83.00 Year: 2207.30
Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Lifetime Miles: 412.40
Brooks Cascadia 11 Lifetime Miles: 394.00
Salomon Speedcross 4 Lifetime Miles: 356.75
Brooks Launch 8 Lifetime Miles: 153.00
Asics Metaspeed Sky Lifetime Miles: 32.20
Triumph 18 Lifetime Miles: 279.00
Black Hoka Bondi Lifetime Miles: 218.00
Saucony Triumph 19 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 12.00
Total Distance
83.00
Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 66.00Triumph 18 Miles: 5.00Saucony Triumph 19 Treadmill Miles: 12.00
Weight: 163.12
Total Distance
7.00

Day One of my 24 week training plan, leading up to Coach D's Backyard Ultra in May.  It's an interesting Backyard, in that it only goes for 24 hours, while following the Backyard format.  So, everyone who finishes the 100 miles 'wins'.

I figure it will be a good training exercise for the Bush Bitches Backyard here in Sudbury in October.  In that one, I really do want to push myself to see how far I can go.

I'm signed up for the 30K Around The Bay in Hamilton in March.  It's the oldest race in North America (older than Boston) and I've always wanted to run it.  It will give me an excuse to do a bit more speedwork this winter.

And last night, I signed up for the 50K Pick Your Poison trail run in April.  It sells out quickly.  Registration opened last night at 8pm, and all the events are already sold out this morning.

So, that's my racing plans for next year.  All are basically focussed on the October Backyard, which is my main goal.

9:03 pace today in a light snowfall.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 7.00
Weight: 165.00
Comments(1)
Total Distance
5.00

Light snow, and getting cooler at -9C/15F; 8:47 pace.

Triumph 18 Miles: 5.00
Weight: 164.50
Comments(2)
Total Distance
7.00

This morning we are being hit with some significant snow.  That, coupled with the fact that I'm doing my speedwork on Wednesdays, led me to choose the treadmill today.  It's hard to get a good speed workout done in these types of conditions.  And it would be very unsafe running the roads today, as the drivers have yet to adjust to winter conditions.

4 x 800 @ 7:03 pace with 800 recoveries.

Saucony Triumph 19 Treadmill Miles: 7.00
Weight: 155.00
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Total Distance
6.00

A cold morning at -13C/8F.  Good thing the wind was light.  Tomorrow's long run is predicted to be even colder.  I may have to wear a face covering.  9:25 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 6.00
Weight: 154.00
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Total Distance
12.00

Another cold morning at -12C/11F; fortunately, not as cold as initially predicted.  A light snow falling.  The roads are all snow packed and rutted.  9:14 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 12.00
Weight: 165.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Nasty out there. Frigid cold, snow and driving wind. Near zero visibility at times. Lots of snow on the roads, and trying to run in the tire ruts not terribly helpful. My right calf has been sore from my strength training, and running in these conditions was not helpful. 9:48 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 7.00
Weight: 164.00
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Total Distance
6.00

Quite mild today. Just above the freezing mark. Very sore right calf. Had to really slow down and almost walked at one point. Will have to work on that today. 9:39 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 6.00
Weight: 165.00
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Total Distance
5.00

Was scheduled to run 7 miles with speedwork, so hit the treadmill for it.  However, that right calf is really screaming at me, and I ended up going just 5 miles with a run/walk routine.  Frustrating.  But I have tomorrow scheduled off, and I'm hoping the rest day will make a difference. 

Saucony Triumph 19 Treadmill Miles: 5.00
Weight: 165.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
5.00

Frigid morning at just -17C/2F.  I shortened the run by 1 mile because of that very tight right calf.  No matter what I do, I can't seem to get it to release.  9:54 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 5.00
Weight: 164.00
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Total Distance
7.00

Very cold morning at -18C/0F.  Slight wind, clear skies, nearly full moon, which was stunning as it was setting. 

Supposed to run 14 miles, but that right calf is still extremely tight, so decided to take it one mile at a time.  Ended up having to walk small portions, but am happy I managed the 7 miles I did.  11:00/mile pace.

I think the calf is slightly better and, if I'm not mistaken, the tightness has dropped lower into the soleus.  Not sure if that's good, bad or indifferent.

My working theory as to cause is my switch to the treadmill and the corresponding switch to indoor running shoes.  My Hokas are zero heel to toe drop, whereas the Sauconys are what - 9mm give or take?  I think that may have been part of the problem.  I'll stick to just the Hokas for the time being and then experiment with switching later, once the tightness is gone.

Took me a long time to warm up after the run; the chill went deep into me.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 7.00
Weight: 164.00
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Total Distance
8.00

Easy run on a mild morning. Slight rain falling. Mixed in some walking as my calf is still sore/tight. 10:19 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 8.00
Weight: 165.00
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Total Distance
6.00

Still mild, but icy patches on the road. Nearly slipped at one point. Still have the right calf tightness and had to walk briefly twice to manage. 9:45 pace.

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 6.00
Weight: 165.00
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Total Distance
2.00

I was hoping for better, as the calf felt fine to begin.  But I could only pull off 2 miles at a 10:19 pace before it became clear things were not going well.  I'm going to take the next couple days off, and might even take all of next week off.  I need this to heal!

Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 2.00
Weight: 165.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
83.00
Black Hoka Bondi Miles: 66.00Triumph 18 Miles: 5.00Saucony Triumph 19 Treadmill Miles: 12.00
Weight: 163.12
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