Category Archives: Running Tids & Bits

All that other random run stuff.

We were back on the freeway

Posted on March 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

I left you hanging. If I ever checked my email I’d probably find hundreds of messages asking me if I finally did it. Or just five emails about my newest twitter followers. One or the other. This time I focussed on the west side. The stakes were raised when I saw signs indicating that several of the quiet windy roads are being reclaimed as burial plots. The roads may be disappearing faster than I can run them. Continue reading →

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As they speed through the finish the flags go down

Posted on March 28, 2012 | 6 Comments

I’ve mentioned (too) many times that I started running late in life and I’ve never benefitted from formal training or coaching in my highschool/university years. I’m entirely self-taught. Continue reading →

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Some balls are held for charity

Posted on March 27, 2012 | 12 Comments

I am not a ten year old boy, but I really want to run the 26.4 mile London Sack Race. I want to run the 26.4 mile London Sack Race because … Continue reading →

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So I better hold on

Posted on March 19, 2012 | 17 Comments

Does anyone else remember the Canada Fitness Award badges? An annual testament to my lack of athleticism. The standards were tough, with the best of the best receiving the Award of Excellence*. It may have come with a letter from the Prime Minister. I wouldn’t know. Continue reading →

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karma police, arrest this man

Posted on March 18, 2012 | 13 Comments

You know you are a runner when …

a police officer stops you during your run to ask if you’ve seen a suspect involved in an attempted grabbing and Continue reading →

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When I get rubber in all four gears

Posted on March 17, 2012 | 3 Comments

I’m trying to work on my running form. Specifically, I’m trying to break my habit of shuffling. According to Coach I run “like a Porsche”, low to the ground.  Continue reading →

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It all depends upon your appetite

Posted on March 15, 2012 | 13 Comments

Last week I sat at my desk at work wishing I could unbutton my pants. Today I wore my running shorts for the first time in several months and discovered they no longer fit. Over the past couple of months I’ve become quite good at ignoring signs that my body mass has increased, but the sausaging of my clothing can no longer be ignored. Faced with this reality I did what reasonable people do in these situations and ate an entire 250 gram box of animal cookies. Continue reading →

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You’re gonna bring yourself down

Posted on March 12, 2012 | 7 Comments

I kicked off my spring running season last weekend with a 5K run to a pub. Chili and beer at the finish line. Not a bad enticement for my first* 5K race.

*I suppose that’s not entirely true; I have paid to run the distance three times before, one with friends in a Santa costume, one the day before the Boston Marathon as a leg-loosener and one of those obstacle course mud runs. But I’ve never raced the distance.  Also true, I was a little intimidated to race the distance. I do not fancy myself to be a fast twitch short distance runner.

So I did what I always do. Continue reading →

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Posted in My Amazing Races, Running Tids & Bits

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I knew every lane way in Ontario

Posted on March 4, 2012 | 15 Comments

A few months ago I set a goal. One of those idealized “tough but achievable ones”. I made a few goal reaching attempts during my Charleston Marathon training, but as most of my runs were under cover of darkness while I evaded security I wasn’t successful. But today, I thought, today is the day. I had a 30K run planned. In daylight. Plenty of mileage to do what needed to be done. Continue reading →

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And four help you through the night

Posted on February 28, 2012 | 2 Comments

I don’t think much about what I eat. I make a weekly meal plan so I don’t default to grilled cheese every night. I naturally tend towards reasonably healthy and balanced meals. I shop the perimeter of the store, venturing into the aisles for a few prepackaged staples I’m too lazy to make, like pasta sauce. I occasionally eat family sized bags of chocolate covered almonds. By myself. In the time it takes to watch Parks and Rec. Continue reading →

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Posted in Celebrity Sneakers, Running Tids & Bits

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Are you what you are or what?

Posted on February 23, 2012 | 3 Comments

I have yet to see my career comically portrayed in a what they think I do meme (my former career must be more inspiring because it popped up early), but my running hobby is represented.

Continue reading →

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Love and maple syrup goes together like the sticky winds of winter

Posted on February 21, 2012 | 8 Comments

Pancake Shrove Tuesday! You know what that means? Post-run pancakes. Topped with chocolate chips and, this will make me sound like a Canadian cliché, lots of maple syrup.

Canada produces more than 80% of the world’s maple syrup. The vast majority comes from the province of Quebec, the world’s largest producer with about 75% of global production.

Continue reading →

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Where webs of snow are drifting

Posted on February 20, 2012 | 14 Comments

Depending on where in the world you reside, the groundhog predicted an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Either way, a cool free hat will keep your noggin warm – but not too warm – through three chilly seasons a year. Continue reading →

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Took the pictures off the wall

Posted on February 19, 2012 | 4 Comments

My blank walls have been staring at me for far too long, so yesterday Husband and I headed to the local arts shop to frame a cool print we bought in celebration of the Charleston Marathon. While at the store we bought a second piece, one I’ve been eyeing up for a while and I made some inquiries into another series of prints I’m interested in buying. Noticing a bit of a pattern, the proprietor asked if we liked graphic text art. My answer was a definite yes. I quite like words.

He showed us some of his own creations then pointed me to a fantastic website called Tagxedo where I could create my own graphic text art based on the theme of my choosing. My chosen theme is running. The Tagxedo learning curve is about 3 minutes and in 15 minutes I created these running-themed “masterpieces” mostly using default settings.  Imagine what I could do with an hour*. Continue reading →

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Monday, wear the sweater to school

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 6 Comments

Last Thursday was National Sweater Day. [Sorry if you missed it. Reminder: do not count on this blog to alert you to events beforehand, but I'll never fail to alert you once the event is over and everyone has gone home.]

On Feb 9th, put on your favourite sweater and turn the heat down a few degrees to help WWF take action against climate change, and work toward a sustainable future.

I participated during the day, mostly because I am cold-blooded and need to wear a sweater everyday, but could not find a suitable sweater for evening running. I’m not convinced there is such a thing*. Continue reading →

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Posted in Running Tids & Bits, The Gear Junkie

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