Headed for the Hills

On Wednesday, Dan and I went to the Arthritis Society for our big team meeting. Not too many people there but we met a few people going to Greece. We had a disgusting conversation about people losing control of bodily functions on the marathon - personally I plan not to have any accidents along the way. (Also as a guy - bushes are easly to find).

I think Dan enjoyed his hamburger before the meeting much more than the meeting itself. He now plans on beating the time of the Arthritis Society trainer because he suggested that Dan was a hefty guy (210) and would never qualify for Boston. NEVER PISS DAN OFF!!!!

THURSDAY NIGHT

Distance 10.3Km, Time 1:16, Pace 7.23, Avg HR 162

I ran last night but decided to start bringing the hills back into the training regimen. I biked 10 K to the Y and then ran over to downtown Oakville. There is a road that runs down a hill behind the library and comes back up about 1/2 a Km over on the other side of a bridge.

So I ran in circles up the hill, across to the other side and back down the hill. I just kept going around and then reversed it at about 6K and ran the other way. The back to the Y and biked home. All in all I burned 1078 calories. (Don't get excited though - see below). The hills are killer but then the Athens course is mostly hills.

I tried some of the Carboblast Chocolate Cherry slime (gel) this time. It was awful. Not going to be buying that anymore.

Best song was Crazy Train by Ozzie Osborne. Why is it you can only understand him when he sings. When he talks he sounds like the fried brain rocker that he is.

I did some fluid replacement with my buddies from BMO Richard and Ian. Three beers and then back home. 141 calories per beer, that's 423 calories for a net burned of 655. That is good enough to take off the equivalent of a toenail in weight.

I guess I will need to drink more to keep the weight up!

JJ

My First Corporate Sponsor! and I'm in FACEBOOK

Fiorella Callocchia President of HR Impact (A first rate HR consulting house) here in Oakville sponsored me today! I have known Fiorella for ages and we just re-connected again through mutual colleagues working on different projects.

THANK YOU!!!!

Remember that Corporate Donations are a complete expense against revenue. (I think)

You can contribute here www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/johnjohnston

My son Andrew has also created a Facebook group. I think it is called "My Mid-Life Crisis Father is Going to Run a Marathon" He has invited me to join. Two thoughts come to mind..., Groucho Marx once said "I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member". My second thought is that, he was completely shocked to find out not only did I have a Facebook account but I even had FRIENDS.

See - I am not that old (and I am pretty Cool, uh Hip, uh Righteous, uh Phat?)

AMF

JJ

Running Is Cheap - RIGHT?

Weight 218 (Still), Distance 10.6K, Time 1:16, Pace 7:11, Avg HR 162

Just a light 10K tonight.Afterwards I had my friends ice and ibuprofen over to visit.

Best Samsung Song was Dangerous by Doug and the Slugs. If you aren't over 30 and a west coaster you may not know them. Terrible name - good music (I think). Try it, you'll like it. Here's the Amazon Link http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000002R8R/sr=8-2/qid=1188347228/ref=olp_product_details/701-1200442-7305168?ie=UTF8&qid=1188347228&sr=8-2&seller=

Unfortunately Dangerous is not one of the songs. They are even in Wikipedia

My thought tonight is how everyone says running is cheap. Just buy a pair of shoes. I thought I should add it up and see. Here's my accountant imitation.

Running Shoes $130
Garmin Forerunner $400
Samsung MP3 Player $150
OTMH 5K Run $50
HBC 10K Run $50
Running Shorts $100 ($50 bucks each! and they don't work worth a darn)
Running Socks $30 (Same as the shorts)
Body Glide $17 ( See Bleeding Nipples...)
Physiotherapy $450
Massage $150
PFD $25 (Pool Running)
Gels $20
Gatorade $25 (I bought a couple of cases)
Running Room Book $25

That's over $1,500 even without fundraising (So far 2,200 more for me). NOW, people will say that you don't need all of that. Well, I thought I did and... it all seems to make a difference.

JJ

Good Slime & Re-Engineering the Marathon

Well on Sunday I was back at it.

Weight 218 Kg (Damn!), Distance 17.66 Km, 2:12 Hrs, Pace 7.29, AVG HR 165

I ran on the track at Abbey Park High School for 8 K and then I got bored and left and ran through the trails in the Glen Abbey neighborhood and then came back and finished the last 5 K.
At about the 1 hour mark I cracked open my Double Latte Powergel (Slime). With 50mg of caffeine I guess I won't fall asleep while running. The stuff tasted like Chocolate/Coffee pudding squeezed through a tube (kind of like the astronauts!) and was really sweet, but supposedly it contains the various nutrients needed to sustain life while running. IT REALLY WORKED.

I laughed because the guy I bought it from cautioned me to eat it on my front lawn first, in case my stomach disagreed with it. I also bought the Clif brand Shot Bloks (kind of a Ju-Jube on steroids) but they didn't do much for me. I guess I just like getting slimed!

I spent the run thinking deep thoughts (as I usually do...) . Have you ever been in a golf tournament? You know how they keep it interesting by having all kinds of special prizes, like "Closest to the Hole" or "Longest Drive - Men". They should do this with Marathons!

I was listening to the ever present Samsung (By the way - best song - Where the Rubber Hits The Road by Meatloaf), when it struck me they should have musical marathons. They could string up speakers all along the route and then play music. We could have the Kiss Kilometer, the Foreigner Five K, the Tina Turner Ten K, and of course the Meatloaf Marathon.

I checked, I loaded the Meatloaf Trilogy (Bat Out of Hell, Back Into Hell and Bat Out of Hell III - The Monster's Loose) plus Welcome to the Neighborhood if you add them up it is 5:16 Hours. You COULD run a Meatloaf Marathon. or maybe Jethro Tull or The Eagles or The Beatles. I should patent this!

I will keep up the running this week. I'll run Tuesday, go to the the Arthritis Meeting on Wed, drink beer with Richard and Ian on Thursday (to keep up my strength) and then run again on Friday and then the long run on Sunday. (23K this week)

I think I will do the run on the trails so that I have some cushioning but yet get a change of scenery.

TTFN

Whoa Nelly! Oakville is Sure Pricey

I ran last night at the Y on the indoor track. Just me and my tunes on the Samsung. Best tune - Janis Joplin's Down on Me.

I ran about 40 Minutes 4 repeats of 10 running and 1 walking. I figured it was about 5 Km. Then I did core exercises, squats, knee weights and stretches. (Of course, me and my knees went out for some ice and ibuprofen afterward).

I checked out the Oakville 1/2 Marathon. $80 - Are they nuts!!!!
I don't mind paying to go in a race but I hope to be able to afford to buy a beer afterward.


I am going for another massage on Saturday. The main focus will be calves and shins (compartments) to get them to loosen up. The IT bands seem to be fine now.

I am going to buy a couple of PowerGels http://www.powerbar.com/products/Powergel/flavors.aspx?id=FA8C390D-20A4-482F-BC72-AEF978F7F262 to try out.

These are basically sweet goo ( think of being slimed in the movie Ghostbusters) that is designed to help you when you "hit the wall" . It replaces electrolytes and carbs and all kinds of things that I try not to think about as my weight goes up each time I do.

Sunday we go up again. I think 19-20 Km provided my body holds up. I'll do it on the Glen Abbey High School track as it is rubberized and I need the cushioning.

Wednesday the Arthritis Society is holding a meeting downtown so I get to meet the other losers that have nothing better to do than run. Just kidding - it should be fun.

I hope that most of them drink!

JJ

Pick Me As a Favorite

This button allows you to select me as a favorite on Technorati - a blog search site.

So go ahead - I dare you! Pretty cool eh?

JJ

Getting Excited About Greece

Friday 10.0 Km, Time 1:17:00, 218 lbs , AvgHR 169, Pace 7:00 Km

Sunday 15Km, Time 1:50:00, 218 lbs , AvgHR 155 , Pace 7:20 Km

Well everything "twinges" but doesn't really hurt. I am upping the time each run and each run is actually pretty good I finish and with ice & ibuprohen I survive (if not thrive). Packaged up some checks and some documentation today to get myself on the good side of the Arthritis Society.

(Interesting side note - The group that went to Manchu Picchu wound up experiencing an earthquake in Peru. Some of the people are still there but all are apparently fine - just think, two adventures to bring home)

I am thinking about running the Oakville 1/2 marathon on Sept 4th. Might be a good warm up and I have to run anyway. Here's the link http://www.oakvillehalfmarathon.com/

There are only 76 Days until the start of the Marathon (OK ---> 76 Days, 10Hours and 4 Minutes according to the website). Anyway here is a little preview of the Greek Marathon

From the top right to the bottom left, that is the route. Even on a satellite picture that's a long freakin' way. But then I think about getting up close and personal with Greek History .

Here's the Acropolis - Nice eh?

Apparently you can see it from our Hotel, the Royal Olympic Hotel. I like the sound of "Royal". When I was in England they wouldn't let me into the Palace so maybe this is finally my chance to be Regal.

Here is where the hotel is located (Right in the Heart of Historic Athens)

AWESOME!

Now THAT Sucks!

RHR 64 Bpm (Nice), Avg HR 161Bpm, Distance 7.15 Time 51:41 Avg Pace 7.13

I love having all this data (Thank You Garmin!) - It is an ISTJ's idea of heaven. And for those of you who don't know , yes, I AM an ISTJ on the Meyers Briggs. Actually I really like this definition, describes me to a T.

I ran on Monday but after about 3-4 kms now my ANKLES hurt. It's like pain continues to exist it just moves around like squishing Jello in your mouth when you were a kid. It just splooshes from one spot to the next.

I cut my run short (no point in pushing it) and ran home. ICE, Ibuprofen, Rest - all of the usual things.

I stretch as much as I can before and after but it is hard to stretch an ankle. I think I need to stretch the shin and the calf a bit more. On Friday I will go up to the school and run on the track. It is nice and cushy and is flat. (Running on the road is softer than the sidewalk but the road is crowned to allow water to run off in the rain. At the edge of the road one foot is higher than the other and it puts more stress on it. That's why I now run in one direction one day and the opposite direction the next day)

I can also leave water at the track and then I don't have to carry it. A plus!

Best Song - Let it Ride by Bachman Turner Overdrive (Brought to me by Samsung's MP3)

Movin' on Up Part Deux

Weight 214, Time 66 Minutes, Distance 9.0, Avg Pace 7.15, Avg HR 165

www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/johnjohnston

I upped it again on Sunday as this is supposed to be the Long Slow Distance Run (LSD - Not the kind that gets dropped). In this case I was slower but the distance did not go up a lot but in the end it was still a good run.

I kind of liked Daughtry's song "It's Not Over" because it was kind of inspirational (at least the title).

I ran along the lake. Whew - WHAT A STINK. The water quality must be bad or the sewage lines were dumping into the lake because it made you gag. It's hard to be positive about running when the great outdoors smells like the great outhouse.

Everything feels good although stiff muscles are still the norm. I especially was thinking about my favorite muscle. The ROMAN EMPEROR of all muscles. "All hail Gluteus Maximus!" If you think about it, it really does sound like someone with a seat in the Roman Senate. Unfortunately it's just your butt.

Dan and I need some fundraising ideas. We have to get moving.. Feel free to contribute your ideas.

Movin' on Up

Weight 215, Distance 8.2km, Time 55 Min, Avg HR 175, Avg Pace 6.41

I have started to add some time so Friday was one more 11 minute run/walk cycle. Unfortunately I finished about .75 of a Km from home so I walked the rest of the way.

I am up to 55 minutes now and will continue to add in time (and distance) but I WILL take it slowly.

On Saturday I decided to treat myself and went for a massage. Corey (a guy) the masseuse worked over the IT bands and the shins and I must admit that except for a little bruising up near the hip, I felt great.

Good music "Is this Live" by Whitesnake was a classic.

Less Humidity

Weight 218, Avg HR 169, Dist=6.47 km, Time=44 Min

I ran on Wednesday again. My knees are holding up pretty well and my time was better.

Funny how EVERYTHING is giving me aches and pains (Knees, calves, ankles, shoulders...) Oh well, just another excuse for a massage.

Running with the Samsung is cool. Best Song "Last Dance with Maryjane" - Tom Petty

Fundraising is slow. I am at $2,000 and should be at $4,000. I gotta get moving with this! Anything anyone can do to help would be appreciated (Sponsoring me in a strip-a-thon?). You can also take the safe route and sponsor me at www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/johnjohnston

(Back) On The Road Again

Weight 218 RHR ? - This is a long post (What the heck - it was a long weekend!)

Thursday - This was a cross training night (definitely not a cross dressing night). I went to the cycle class at the Y. I actually wore my Garmin for the class. It kept asking me "Are you indoors?" YES!

This is a picture of how my Heart Rate went. It actually gets pretty much up there.

Friday - I could run again. I did an easy 5K down to the Lakeshore and back. First I rode it on my bike to warm up. Then I stretched for 15 minutes. Wore the MP3 Player (My Samsung which I like better than the ipods). Best song "Hot Patootie (Bless my Soul) by Meatloaf from the immortal "Rocky Horror Show".

Then I RAN!!!!

Slow and easy. Here's the Heart Rate picture. See how much running sends my heart pounding!

Saturday - I golfed. My heart rate did not go above 90. Then again, I am not a good golfer.

Sunday - I biked to the Y. Ran for 6.5 km (an extra 10 minutes) and then went into a core class. I have been doing core (read stomach) exercises for a bit now and have also added some knee weights and squats into the routine. The core class was tough but when I got up it looked like someone had kicked over a couple of waterbottles as there was a puddle on the floor the size of me and my clothes were soaked. I think the woman beside me was afraid of getting soaked if I shook like a Labrador. I rarely shake like a Labrador BUT you never can be to careful.

Heres the pic.

Monday - I ran for an hour in the pool at my brothers house. Carol had got me a float belt for running. I have lost the Spiderman water wings (thank God) and now wear a professional rig. It is interesting that I have now worn both a weight belt and a float belt - Cool eh?

All weekend I have been using the Ice Packs and Ibuprofen. Can't be too careful.

I took Tuesday off so on Wednesday - I run again!

I Got Superfeet!

Weight 218 lbs RHR ?

Went for physio on Tues AM. Things appear to be coming along fine. I am working out to strengthen my knees and my core muscles (my stomach hurts like hell - I guess I was out of shape).

I have also been cross training like crazy on the elliptical and spinning classes. On Sunday I did a spin class and then a core class. Wasn't much use for the rest of the day. At least on the elliptical I can watch Re-Genesis - I never got to watch it the first time around. Now I can D/L to my Archos and watch it while I ellipse.

I picked up my new Superfeet. Tried them out and they seem to fit fine. I jogged once around the track at the Y (very small) just to try them and I hope it will take the strain off my knees.

Tomorrow I have physio again and I hope that I get to run a bit so I can get back into it. They keep reminding me though "If you keep irritating it , the recovery will be even longer."

Sobering words. - I think I'll have a drink!

JJ