Derringer in the Morning!

All the Stats are not available today as I didn't wear my Garmin - Sorry!

Last night I ran at the Y because it was getting dark and I didn't feel like running in the dark. Besides it gave me a good reason to have a steam afterward.

I ran (I think) about 6K on a itty bitty track (11 laps to 1 K) so I was getting dizzy when I was done. At least I could watch all my old aerobics buddies down below in the gym sweating it out. It took about 45 min and then I did a little bit of core (not much really).

I sent out a training update letter to most of everyone in my Outlook contact list. I am happy to say that some of the folks came through and donated (Laura, Susan, Clif, John M and Elizabeth - Thank You!). I am hoping that a few more will finish off my sponsorship commitment.

Last night I sat down and thought "Maybe I should write to John Derringer - the morning radio host for Q107 - Classic Rock in Toronto" Every morning he reads e-mails that have come to him from people involved with charities or who just want to rant. So I sat down and told him about the "Meat Loaf Marathon" . here's the text.

Hi John,

As a long time listener (not love you long time), I thought I would drop you this quick note.
I just turned 52 and am about to run my first marathon on behalf of the Arthritis Society's "Joints in Motion" program. Now, before you think that means that we are all running naked, the Joints in Motion Program has raised over 18 million for Arthritis Research.

Essentially people sign up to run marathons all over the world and raise funds for Arthritis which affects today 1 in 7 Canadians and as we all get a little older will affect one in 5!

I signed up to run the Greek Marathon. I figured I may as well do the original (Go big or go home). Hopefully it does not end the way the first one did!

I discovered that if I put together Bat out of Hell I, II and III with Welcome to the Neighborhood I could actually complete the Meat Loaf Marathon. In fact I think they should do all of these runs to music - You could have the Foreigner 5 K or the Trooper 10K or of course, my favorite, the Kiss Kilometer.

Anyway you can see the blog that I have maintained over the past 5 months at

http://johnsmarathon.blogspot.com and if the listeners would like to support this worthy cause they can go to www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/johnjohnston

Alternatively please go to the Joints in Motion website (I'm sure you are never going to get that image out of your mind now) and sponsor someone for one of their runs.
Regards


John Johnston

At 7AM this morning I was up and listening and John read it over the air! My minute of fame is up! I did not get any hits (or money) from it but it still was a thrill. These days I take my thrills where I can get them.

Tonight I am off to physio and the Orthotics guy (Steve) because I am now experiencing some minor pain on my hip socket/groin and I don't need this right now!.

Don't you get tired of the constant whining about my health? Weeelllll, let me tell you about my prostate...

JJ

331/3 - No not an Album - That's the Distance

Distance: 33 1/3, Time: 4:12, Pace 7:36, Avg HR 158, Weight - 209 (Yea! - Mostly Water)

Yes ... a NEW RECORD (Long Playing - Oops - bad pun alert) 33 and 1/3 K

My Black toe is still black. So is the one beside it. Look here if you have a strong stomach.

Before I forget. I am still in search of Donations. Time is rapidly running out. So if you have been lurking in the bushes thinking to yourself "Self, I'll make that donation but later on." It's later on NOW. Anything you can donate is appreciated. You can contribute here www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/johnjohnston

Another little known fact is that when I was 4, I came home from playing and I had a swollen knee and a high temperature. My folks brought me to the doctor who transferred me to Sick Childrens Hospital in Toronto. They thought I had Rheumatoid Arthritis (Note: this is now called Juvenile Arthritis) and I spent the entire summer break in the hospital. (Turns out it was water on the knee with a fever and after they took the water out with a big scary needle - I was fine). The one saving grace is that with a collection of 300 comic books - I learned to read.

This disease affects 1 in 1000 children in Canada. As in my case, the Arthritis Society says "JA can be difficult to detect and may sometimes go unrecognized by even the most experienced physician. "

It goes on to say " The onset of JA may coincidentally follow a routine infection or injury, but such common events do not cause chronic arthritis. It is currently believed that the body's immune system may be responsible for the inflammation. In JA there is also inflammation of one or more joints, but we do not know what causes this inflammation. In children with arthritis, the immune system seems to be overactive. It may respond inappropriately to infection or mistakenly identify something in the body for an infection, causing continuous inflammation. This inflammation results in warm, stiff, swollen and often painful joints."

I thought I would be clever this week. Last week I ran 30K but it was all on flat ground along the Lakeshore. This week I thought "Hmmm, if I run up and down away from the lake I can get in some hill training too. What a bad idea! It was really tough but, then again, the Greek Marathon is mostly uphill so I need to do it.

This is the elevation profile as I ran (in Green - my heart rate is in Red). The total elevation was 723 metres up and 710 down. I guess I am hovering 13 metres up in the air right now.

I looked like hell when I got back. I was bushed and I had walked the last 1/2K home because I hit my goal and I wasn't going to push it any further. My buddy Mark dropped by just after I got home and he took one look at me and told me "You look like %*&%#@! " I had to agree with him. Here take a look.

I also needed to spend about 20 minutes stretching. Here is a look at one of my favorites the "Strap Assisted Hamstring Stretch". In all I probably do 10 stretches. If I didn't I would again be in a world of hurt.

I ran the Meat Loaf marathon again on the Samsung. But I started to think to myself "What about Jimmy Buffet - I have plenty of Jimmy Buffet CD's and I am a Parrothead. (The general theme of being a Parrothead is one of relaxation and being on a permanent mental vacation, even while working. ( Oh - I guess not me). And yes, Parrothead can be found in Wikipedia.

I experienced a major Water Shortage on the run. I had a litre on the belt, a litre in one hand and 600 mls in the other and I was still parched and out of water while 4K from the end. I even scrounged some water from a nice lady doing her gardening. Many years ago when John Travolta was an unknown actor (the whole actor thing is questionable) he was in Mr. Kotters class. All the kids in the class were collectively called the "Sweathogs". I know how they feel.

The balance of the day was spent resting, and reading. Lori was out so I had the place to myself. Finally at night Lori said "Why don't you take a bath with Epsom Salts?" Excellent idea. I felt Sooooo much better this morning. That stuff really works!

Remember - Donate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

JJ

Getting Lost on the Trails.

Distance: 12.3, Time: 1:26, Pace 6:59, Avg HR 161 Weight - You don't wanna know

I ran on the track for 10 minutes and then decided to run the trails last night. Good idea except about 10 minutes in I started to experience intestinal discomfort. Yes - Peristaltic pressure, Colonic catastrophe, I hadda go - now. After eyeing the bushes along the path, I came upon one of the local Catholic schools. THANK GOD it was open. Could have been messy.

But enough about my elimination issues. I also managed to get myself lost again. Funny, I am wearing a GPS and I still can't find my way.

JJ

A Queen Quarter Marathon

Distance: 11K, Time: 1:16, Weight: 215, Pace: 6:55, Avg HR 166

Ran 11K on the track at the high school on Tuesday (Keeping this blog up is work!) . Looked like a geek in my fuel belt but then again - I look like a geek anyway.

My knees were fine and other parts were sore but got better as I ran. Wound up missing dinner as I rode my bike up and back which chews up 40 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes before/after and then ran for 1:16. This is becoming time consuming.

I loaded up Queen this time on the Samsung because I did not want to overdo the Meat Loaf experience. Excellent choice! If you look at the lyrics to "I Want it All", I thought; "That sounds like me!"

"I'm a man with a one track mind
So much to do in one life time (people do you hear me)
Not a man for compromise
and wheres and whys and living Lies"

At least that is how I would like to think of myself. (Except for the one track mind part - that's a bit much.

Holy Shit Batman! - 30K in a Utility Belt!

Distance 30K, Time 3:39, Weight 213, Pace 7:19 (Better), Avg HR 159



Yes, after saying that they look silly, I went out and bought myself a utility belt. Now, it is a work of art if I must say so. It has 4 water bottles (8oz) a pocket for the cell phone and a pocket for the Powerade slime packs.


I bought the Helium Fuel Belt. I wish it had helium so I could just float over the marathon like some big fat Macy's Day parade balloon. Instead I just look like the Michelin Man from Ghostbusters lumbering to an ignominious finish somewhere ahead of the guy with two knee braces.

The guy at the Running Company here in Oakville also threw in a shoelace ID tag. This is a velcro strap that goes on your running show laces and thus if you are found on the side of the road, like some raccoon roadkill, they can return you to your rightful owner. The cell phone allows me to call home if I twist my ankle or need an emergency supply of water.


I filled the belt but still took another litre and a half of water and I needed it even though it was not hot. I stashed a litre bottle in a tree about 10K from home and used it to refill the water bottles. I used a disposable 500ml bottle and disposed of it in a convenient garbage can as I ran past the park.


This time, for a 30K run, I ran to Burlington (the next town) and back. I ran along the Lakeshore Road. This is where most of the Mafia in Canada live, based on the size of the estates. WHAT IN THE HELL DO THESE PEOPLE DO FOR A LIVING??? Huge honking houses. Some of them even have gates. I did not see any guys in track suits or shiny sharkskin suits loitering outside so maybe the mafia comment is unkind.


Lakeshore Road is the prime track for the two running stores in town. It felt like I was at a track meet. There were tons of people running, some were friendly - who would acknowledge you with little waves or a bright good morning and a smile. Others were hard core who ignored you - Poseurs, I hope they trip!


30 K - Wow. I am probably going to bump the next LSD to 33K but that will be it. In fact, I may even drop back a bit for a week or so to 26K. I am walking like an old man this AM (NO COMMENTS or NO SOUP FOR YOU!). I even had a whirlpool tub last night with Epsom Salts. I have iced and taken my ibuprophen. It will be nice when I feel invigorated after a run instead of ridden hard and put away wet (Old horse analogy)


The whole run as done to Meat Loaf. I was halfway through the fourth album and not done so I needed to buy the extra CD's. Now I just need to receive them. I sweat so much there were salt stains on the Samsung' armband.


Tonight I will ride the bike a bit to remind my thighs that they are made of flesh and not concrete.


Feel free to donate. I still have $1,500 to go.


JJ

Happy Birthday to Me! 52 and Still Running!

Weight 213 Distance 10K, Time 1:06, Pace 6:40, Avg HR 165

Yep - today is my birthday. I am too young to be called a geezer as I cannot qualify for the seniors discount like my older brother and sister. I am too old to look at 20 year olds (but I still do). I am however young enough to keep running.

Making big donations to my fundraising would not be out of line if you wanted. I still have to raise another $1,500. So feel free!

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

Although a myriad of things are sore (Ankles, knees, hip, plantar fascia) I can still go the distance. This weekend 30K!

I found yet another Meatloaf CD at a small used record shop in North York so I will be well equipped for the Meat Loaf marathon.

I ran into a former colleague, Lori Bennett, from CGI who was training at the Abbey Park high school. Lori is a long time distance runner and with her girlfriends was preparing for the all women marathon in San Francisco (brutal hills) coming up in a month. These are serious runners who were doing tons of squats, lunges and core exercise. They all ran faster than i do so it was a bit disheartening.

Lori pointed out that she originally was only going to do one marathon but never stopped. I think I will stop - too many other things on my list.

JJ

Bought my Meat - Now Thinking Tatoo

Distance: 10.8K, Time 1:18, Pace 7.13, AVG HR 151, Weight 214

Rubber track - no problemo! Managed to get the run in before the rain.

I bought some more Meat Loaf today through Amazon. Should have it in a week or so. In the meantime I had the Samsung on random play. Some great tunes

Long Way Home by Dixie Chicks (I was feeling Country)

Rhythm is Going to Get You by Miami Sound Machine (Makes my feet move everytime)

La Grange by ZZ Top (Southern Fried Music)

Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

and many more but these were cool.

I was thinking about getting a tattoo to celebrate my finishing the Greek Marathon. I thought something symbolic like the Greek letter Alpha on one cheek and Omega on the other.

From Start to Finish

Then I thought "This could be a problem"

If I'm naked then it's Alpha, Omicron, Omega

and that makes no sense at all.

Little known factoid - The Greeks used to run their races naked!

I Finished a 26'er!

Weight 212, Distance 26.11K, Time 3:17, Pace 7:30

I went out in the rain this AM. I wasn't alone there must have been at least 10 others out there. At least I could not tell the sweat from the rain. It was pretty warm as long as you were running.

The rain was dripping off of my new hat. I bought a Canada hat so all of the Greeks will know where I come from. The Arthritis Society provides a Joints in Motion shirt (so you can see all of the other JIM runners).

I ran a long way and managed to get lost up in Glen Abbey looking for the Cross Town trail. It is basically a Natural Gas pipeline easement. I somehow got turned around and ran 3 K parallel to the pipeline. I finally got onto the trail and would up running all over the place. In the end I managed to make my 26. The problem is next week it will be 30K - Oh Joy!

My knees held up well and my feet were a little sore, but I made out pretty well. I stretched, had my Gatorade, more water (3 litres in all), showered and got dressed.

Then I took a nap!

JJ

Will the Greeks Roll Out the Rubber Carpet?

Distance 11Km, Time 1:16, Pace 7.07, Weight 211 (Down 9 lbs), Avg HR 169

Rode my bike last night to the local high school. They have a great track that is covered in "RubberRock" a 1 inch thick surface. It is awesome on the knees, I ran 11 km without much in the way of discomfort and felt great afterwards.

My time was even better, so I was getting the training effect. I could have ran more (and probably would have) if Lori and Grant had not arrived to pick me up (with my bike).

NOW the big problem is to get the Greeks to pave the road from Marathon to Athens with RubberRock so I can get on with running the Marathon. Right! Don't think that they are going to do it.

Although I will have to continue running on the road, I think I will make sure that I get in plenty of track time to save my knees for the big event.

JJ

I Have a Black Toe!

Distance - 7.15K, Time 54 Min, Pace 7:38, Avg HR 150

I was sore last night. Even my hip/groin was bothering me - a new one! I kind of cut the run short as I was also getting twinges from my pers anserine AGAIN.

Best song was Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics.

My toenail is turning black - supposedly this is a sign of a marathon runner - IT SUCKS!

I Ran Half a Marathon...But I Need More Meat!

Loaf that is.

Sunday

Distance 21K , Time 2:37 (This is the time for the 21K) Here are the Stats for the run
Distance 22K , Time 2:44, Avg Pace 7:28, Avg HR 162

That would have been a 5:14 Marathon. Now this 1/2 was not official just my run on Sunday. I ran through most of the trails in Oakville to save my knees. You forget sometimes what a beautiful place that you live in (during the summers) remember - this is Canada.

You get to see the backs of some really big homes (What do these people do for a living - work for the mob?) and lots of wildlife. I have terrified many jackrabbits and vice versa as they take off into the bushes. At least the pounding feet scare off the rattlesnakes.

This run went went really well but I have a problem. While I run I listen to my Samsung and I thought I would try the Meat Loaf Marathon. I got through the first three Meatloaf albums and will not have enough to do the race.

Now, according to Wikipedia, there are a number of CD's that I don't have (Actually they are albums - round big things made out of vinyl which play music kiddies). They are Dead Ringer, Midnight At The Lost And Found, Bad Attitude, Blind Before I Stop, Meat Loaf - Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Couldn't Have Said It Better and Live Around the World.

Guess I better haunt the used CD stores. I need More MEAT! I do have Storeyteller so I will load that up but Houston We Have A Problem!


Little Known Meat Loaf Factoids (Wikipedia)

In 1990, Meat Loaf joined Slim Fast and lost 84 pounds. Not only did he become $1 million richer, he even considered changing his name to Olive Loaf.[16] . WHAT A RIOT!

Meat Loaf is said to have cheated death on numerous occasions, having crashed in a car which rolled over,[17] been hit on the head with a shot put,[18] and being struck by Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.[19] More recently, in October 2006, his private jet was almost forced to crash land at London's Stansted Airport after his plane's forward landing gear failed. I HOPE THAT I CAN DO AS WELL!

On Sunday was the Oakville Half Marathon. Having done one the day before, I did not feel the need to do another. The on site registration was $100. Man that's a lot of money - I hope most of it goes to the Hospital.

I ran into Elizabeth Brown at the finish. She and her "Posse" (or is it now "Entourage") had finished the 10K part of the race. I was introduced as "Here's the guy with the blog"???? She didn't even get my name out. Even Charley Manson gets his name out! ( "Hey girls, This is Charley Manson, the Serial Killer." We chatted for a while but then I left to go do my Core Fitness class.

Now - I was watching some of the first people come in. They were running harder than I do in the beginning of my run. Mais, c'est n'ai pas un problem. Je courir pour moi. Now I can say I have a multi-lingual blog. Let's see, the first guy finished in 1:07 - somebody's getting too much Ritalin for breakfast!

With my 2:37 time I would have finished 700th out of 790. I would have also had the pleasure of watching Bob Bonham finish ahead of me AGAIN. Bob is training for the Cleveland Marathon in the same timeframe as mine. Bob finished in 2:27.

JJ