My Cheering Section

This is a , "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that..." type of day.

Some of my friends sent me quick notes. I have posted them here. Thanks for your thoughts


Hi John,
I'm happy for you that you have reached the $ objective.
My thoughts will be with you Wednesday night.
Take care,
Richard Rousseau


Not sure exactly what day you are leaving but I know it is soon!! Best of luck on the run…..!!!!

PS…..you should have your movie camera strapped to your head…..that way you can relive the run later!! (I’m sure you will want to relive it!!!)

Good luck!

Richard Rak


Good luck in your “MeatLoaf” marathon journey. My best wishes are with you and I want to hear all the details when you get back.

Elizabeth Evans

I read your blog and while you were running on Sun. I was trying to get up and down 5 stairs at Marylou's.

Please keep me updated on your marathon journey and the best of luck in Athens.

Nancy Markley


I truly admire what you're doing, especially since half the time I don't have the energy to get out of bed in the morning :)

I'll be following your blog. Best of luck at the Marathon and keep in touch.

Ruth Long


I will be cheering for you, I admire what you are doing. I don't think I could do it. Well I will follow your progress when will you back from your trip

Rui Martins

Lots of people have also wished me luck in person and on the phone. You know who you are!!!

and then Lori decided to get into the act. Here is a string of e-mails between Lori and Ingrid Schumacher at CHUM FM in Toronto.


-----Original Message-----
From: ingrid.schumacher@chumfm.com [mailto:ingrid.schumacher@chumfm.com]
Sent: October 30, 2007 12:47 PM
To: lojo1@sympatico.ca
Subject: RE: Lunch request
Wonderful ... and I'm sure nothing's going to break his stride!
-----Original Message-----
From: Lori Johnston [mailto:lojo1@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:45 PM
To: Ingrid Schumacher
Subject: RE: Lunch request
Thanks Ingrid


He was thrilled.

Lori
-----Original Message-----
From: ingrid.schumacher@chumfm.com [mailto:ingrid.schumacher@chumfm.com]
Sent: October 30, 2007 10:50 AM
To: lojo1@sympatico.ca
Subject: RE: Lunch request
I'll mention him today Lori, thanks!
-----Original Message-----
From: Lori Johnston [mailto:lojo1@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:46 AM
To: Ingrid Schumacher
Subject: RE: Lunch request
Tomorrow is not to late as his flight is at 6pm.
Any song will do

How about Born to Run (springsteen) or running with the devil (van
halen)

All the best and keep playing that great music

Lori
-----Original Message-----
From: ingrid.schumacher@chumfm.com [mailto:ingrid.schumacher@chumfm.com]
Sent: October 30, 2007 10:23 AM
To: lojo1@sympatico.ca
Subject: RE: Lunch request
That's wonderful! You must be so proud.
I may not be able to get Meatloaf incorporated today on short notice, but I can certainly mention John if that's alright with you?

All the best!
Ingrid

-----Original Message-----
From: lojo1@sympatico.ca [mailto:lojo1@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:03 AM
To: Ingrid Schumacher
Subject: Lunch request
Hi Ingrid
My husband John is leaving tomorrow to run a marathon(yes the original one from marathon to athens)in Greece for the arthritis society. He has been training to "meatloaf" so any song by meatlaof would be great, or if you can think of a song about running that would be great also.
Dedicate the song to John and all people that suffer from arthritis.
Thanks

Lori Johnston


She is such a thoughtful person!

This Just In...

The trainer for the joints in Motion Team sent out a bunch of inspirational quotes. Some of them weren't so inspirational but I thought that this one was certainly worthy of posterity.

I wish I had said it.

We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters.

If you want to experience something, run a marathon.

Emil Zatopek

Emil Zátopek (September 19, 1922 - November 22, 2000) was a Czech athlete probably best known for his amazing feat of winning three gold medals in athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5 km and 10 km runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest runners of the 20th century and was also known for his brutal training methods.

Havin' a Party!!!

No Stats

I am done with the running until next Sunday.

Last night there was an impromptu going away celebration at my brothers house (Thank you David and Carol for your hospitality and thoughtfulness). Brent Henderson, my nephew, is off to Sydney for the World Skydiving Championships and I am off to Athens for the Greek Classic Marathon. All the family gathered to say goodbye.

There was my Mom, my Aunt Edith (who has arthritis too), David and Carol, Jack and Carol, Cathy and Cam, Laura, Brent, Craig, Kyle, Adam, Scott, Grant, Evan, Natalie, Christin. It was really nice and everyone made a big fuss. I LIKE BIG FUSSES!

Today I went and had a massage. I didn't realize how nice that was going to be. Eleanor (the masseuse) recommended an Epsom salts bath later today. An excellent suggestion. I was rubbed so much I feel like a chunk of Kobe beef.

I have packed and am ready to leave. There are a number of websites that you might need dear reader so I will list a few things here.

Athens Classic Marathon Site http://www.athensclassicmarathon.gr/html/ent/012/ent.1012.1.asp

Race Results (Should be there on Sunday)

http://www.athensclassicmarathon.gr/results/default.asp?Lang=English

Athens Weather

http://www.accuweather.com/world-forecast.asp?partner=netweat&zipcode=EURGRGR007ATHENS

Now , I will be blogging while away but if you need to reach me try

john.johnston@globalhrms.com or john4travel@gmail.com

Later Dudes!

I Don't Have to Shave my Legs! Praise Allah!

Weight 209, Dist 15.6k, Time 1:49, Pace 6:59, Avg HR 153

Getting ready this AM I used the ProWrap that I bought from the Physio to make my home made Patella Strap. This supports the kneecap and tendons ( I think) and it might help with the knees, although in the end, if it doesn't hurt me then who cares. If it does, I can just rip it off. The problem with using the ProWrap to make it is, that you wrap this thin foam around your leg and then roll it up. That makes the band that goes around your knee under the kneecap. The hair on your legs (usually a male problem) gets caught in this stuff and is pulled out like someone doing a wax job on you. OUCH!!!!

In my case, if I am careful, I can pull the hairs out of the foam before they are yanked out by the roots like an unwary turnip in a farmers field. But enough about that. Suffice it to say that I don't need to shave my legs (this would be good as I am going to Greece - Right?). Greek men don't need any more encouragement.

It was cold this morning, ON MY LAST RUN BEFORE I GO TO GREECE, I could see my breath and that was kind of cool (no pun intended).

I was listening to music (Light Up by Styx - best song) but I also had some Basic Greek as well. So I ran and learned, kind of like "Greek on the Go". I should patent that before someone else does!

I have enough slime to get me through (9 packs left) so I am OK. I will go out today and buy Nipple Bandaids so that I am good to go. I am starting to think about packing. It will be hard not to overpack. I am only taking carry on luggage so I need to keep it light.

Yesterday I went to pick up the travel documents and Joints In Motion Team Shirts for Dan and I. It took almost 2.5 hours for me to get to downtown. Between the traffic tie ups, the movie shoots and the road construction it was almost as bad as I hear Athens traffic is. But I have our stuff and we are READY!.

Lori is going to drive us to Mark's and Bernita (Marks wife) has arranged a taxi chit for us so that we can get to the airport in style.

This is gonna be fun!

Knee Rubber - It Might Work

Weight 208, Distance: 10.0K, Time 1:11, Pace 7:08, Avg HR 149

It was cool so my Heart Rate was low.

I did my 10K listening to Pimsleurs Basic Modern Greek. I ripped it to the Samsung and set it to play while I ran. I got up to lesson four (each is about 30 minutes). I am learning the basics Hello, How are You, Thank You, Excuse Me, Where is the Beer?, Where is the Bathroom?, Hospital... you know the usual travelers requirements. The kids playing football must have through I was nuts as I ran by them muttering "Ven Kalevenatou Hellenica" in my fractured Greek responding to the lesson. Funny, I found Arabic easier than this!

I went by the Physio Clinic and got some of the under tape wrapping material. If you wrap 4-5 times around your leg and then roll it - it makes a cheap IT or patellar strap to ease the strain on your knees. I figured I would try it on the next couple of runs to see if it helps with my knees. If not, it rips off very easily. No harm, no foul!

It seemed to work but who knows if it was the strap, the cushy track surface or the short distance? In any event, I will go for one more physio treatment and I think I will book a massage too for this weekend.

Because I am between projects, I have been working out every day at the Y (bike, core etc) and will run on Thursday 10K and Sunday 10-15K and then that will be it until THE BIG DAY.

I looked at the site for the official photos. I will have to figure out if I should buy them (they are a little pricey) but I only plan on doing this once (I think). They Physio Clinic indicated that if I give them a photo they will Plak it and put it on their wall of fame! Maybe it can be on the new Johnston Wing that I paid for! Just kidding!

JJ

I'm Getting Lazy (Two Blogs for the Price of One)

Thursday - Weight 208, Distance 10.0, Time: 1:16, Pace 7:37, Avg HR: 150

Sunday- Weight 208, Distance 20.3, Time: 2:27, Pace 7:17, Avg HR: 168

Click Here to donate to Dan Good. He needs your support because he is still a student and your donations will help him to get the money back that he needs for school.

I should have written an entry earlier than this but I have been lazy and just got around to writing up stuff today.

I went to the Y to run on Thursday, because it was threatening rain, but got bored after 10 minutes and headed to the great outdoors for a run. Sort of a slow run but I did get to see more Oakville houses of the rich and famous (I suppose). Gads - these people are rich!

Friday I treated the Physio clinic like a drop in centre and just showed up. I swear I thought that the receptionist said to just come in if I felt I needed it. So I did. Donna worked me over anyway on the various bits and pieces that hurt. (More than all of the other places that hurt). Maybe the Arthritis Society does these runs to get future business (No - that's not true, they are good people)

Sunday- I did a 1/2 marathon up 3rd line to the pipeline trail , across to Dorval and back down and across Bridge St to the house. Just under 21K (I guess I should have run around the block, one more time to make it official, but I AM LAZY) with a time of 2.:27. Adjusting for .7K, I should run the marathon in 5:00 hours. BUT - no predictions! I will do it in whatever I do it.

I will definitely not get a DNF (Did Not Finish)!

I am now officially in what is called the tapering period. I get to run less so that my body can recover and store energy for the race ahead. I still need to stretch, do my core work and cross train (bike, ellipical etc) but my knees and ankles are going to get a bit of a break! Yippee!

I have arranged for a guide to give us a walking tour of Athens (much cheaper than the one used by the Arthritis Society and not in a group of 30 people!!!!). I also booked a car for Nov 3rd from EuropCar (my usual European rental company) so that we can tour around a bit. I hear Greek drivers are nuts, but I have driven in Florence, Paris and MONTREAL so I expect I will do fine. If not, "What the hell - it's only a rental" (The most common quote heard from consultants)

I continue to be intimately involved with frozen water applied to my lower extremities and pop ibuprofen like Skittles.

The Pain Never Ends (It Just Moves to a Different Location)

Weight 210, Dist 9.27K, Time 1:06, Pace 7:07, Avg 148 bpm

This was Tuesday's run. I am out again tonight on the track up at the school.

On Sunday my knee was sore and I stopped at 22K. Later on Sunday I noticed that my foot hurt. The knee was iced and settled down but 4 days later the top of my foot still hurts. It feels like someone stomped on my foot and bruised it.

I have iced and heated and it's still there. It seems to be tendinitis. Thank the Lord it is not a stress fracture. According to the internet I would be in more pain if it was a stress fracture. It feels more like my shoelaces were too tight and then my foot swelled and it resulted in pain in the top of the foot. It feels like a bruise. You know one of those that bruises the bone. Painful suckers!

Since I started running: I have had pain in my right knee, pain in my left knee, pain in my shins, pain in my Soleus, pain in the upper thigh/hip flexors, pain in the kneecap, pain in the plantar fascia, black toenails, pain in the lower back. It's like a free floating pain festival! It's like a teenager - It never leaves home - it just flops around to different parts of the house!

I went out last night and did my stretching, core and knee machine work at the Y and then had a steam. Tonight I will run. In the AM, I think I will go over to the physio and see what they can do. Yep, more infrared and electrostimulation.

This Sunday I begin to taper (Ya gotta love Wikipedia!). Tapering is the practice of reducing, or tapering off, exercise in the days just before an important competition. For many athletes, a significant period of tapering is essential for optimal performance. The practice is most common in endurance-based sports, such as the marathon.

Catch ya later

JJ

Girding my Loins

Weight: 209, Distance 21.6, Time: 2:36:00, Pace 7:16, Avg HR 160. Temp: Cool

Yes Girding is a word (Pay attention SCRABBLE players). I looked it up. Here is the link so you can see http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gird.

I refer here to the "Prepare oneself for action" version. I was thinking about this this morning as I started to get ready to run. Last night was my high school reunion (more on that later) and I got a late start today. Not that I was out late, I was home by about 11:30. I had a good time but I had met everyone from my year and I was getting antsy to go - plus Jeff was my ride and he was ready to go.

So here is another myth of running to explode. I had said earlier that running was cheap and then proved it wrong. Today I take on the myth that you put on the running shoes and just run.

I start with:

Putting "Body Glide" on my chest, thighs and feet. If you want to know why see the "Bleeding Nipples" Post

Then on goes the chest Heart Monitor strap across my chest 1 inch below my manly breasts

Then the special tight underwear that goes on under the special "wicking" running shorts

Then the special "wicking" running shorts overtop of the nylon undies (hopefully I don't build up static while running - I could be disastrous if I go into the gas station).

Then the special "Running Room" non blister socks that give me blisters

Then the "CoolMax" running shirt - again see "Bleeding Nipples" post

Following this I put on my "CoolMax" special Canada baseball hat

Then the Garmin gets strapped to my wrist like Spiderman's web shooting device

Think we are ready? Not by a longshot...

Then Samsung gets strapped to the upper right bicep

My Batman utility belt gets filled with three packets of Poweraide slime, Lori's little cell phone and the waterbottles filled with water and loaded into the belt

I then fill my Nalgene drop bottle with water and carry it in my right hand to the door.

I pull on my running shoes (with the custom inserts) and lace them

Now - I am READY!

It is no wonder that the Knights of Old had equerries who would get them ready for battle by strapping on their armour. Anybody want to be my equerry?

The reunion was great. Given that the school was only open for 12 years there were over 550 people there and the event was sold out. I saw a lot of people that I have not seen since 1974. They don't look any different (of course neither do I - let's all pretend together!). I saw many of my teachers including my old track coach who must have been stunned that I would run a marathon (he only remembered me as a pole vaulter).

I was also immortalized (although no one knew it was me) for my winter day exploit many years ago. I was bored and loitering in front of a third floor window. A pristine field of snow lay before me on the football field.

Donning my winter clothes and boots, I recruited a couple of guys and we shuffled across the football field, three abreast, spelling out from sideline to sideline and goalpost to goalpost a large four letter expletive deleted. I thought that people would look out of the third floor window, like I had earlier that day, and would be amazed (and laugh).

I forgot that my high school lay under the main flight path for Pearson airport (YYZ) and just south of highway 401. I guess that a traffic helicopter first noticed it and mentioned it (not the word - George Carlin can explain why) but the circumstance. Then the phones began to ring in the main office as every early morning arriving passenger on the left side of a plane was treated to my morning wake up call. Air Canada was NOT amused.

The principal, John MacNeill, now deceased, was out there in about 20 minutes with two of the custodial staff in their cars obliterating my message to the world!. I never fessed up. I was terrified that I would be kicked out of school. I didn't breath easy for a month.

I had forgot about it until two of the speeches mentioned it. I guess I am a rebel at heart!

I ran today across Oakville from Bronte to Mississauga. I was wrong - the mafia guys live in East Oakville, not Burlington. HUUUGE honkin' houses. These guys live like the old Robber Barons.

I even saw my brother-in-law, actually he saw me and waited until I got close to his parked van and then blew the horn. Scared the crap out of me. He was laughing himself silly as I ran off into the distance.

I had to cut the run short. My knee was beginning to hurt. This time on the outside of the left knee. CHRIST - I can never get a break. Lori drove over and picked me up at the downtown library. The back to the ice and ibuprofen. We will see what tomorrow brings!

JJ

What I Want to See

Weight 208, Distance 9.7, Time 1:05, Pace 6:46, Avg HR 154

Didn't work too hard today. I ran on the track in a cold wind plus I was a little sore.

I have finished the physio and had my running shoe inserts changed a bit so I should be good to go. I forgot the Samsung so I couldn't listen to music. Running is really boring when the only sound you hear are your own gasps for air. I guess different strokes for different folks.

This weekend is my High School Reunion (Keiller McKay Collegiate Institute - KMCI for short). We are a weird bunch. This is the second reunion. We had one on the 14th anniversary of the school opening and now it is the 33rd. We don't even have then on decades or anniversaries ending in 5.

At least I won't be the fattest guy in the room! Some small consolation.

Here is what I am hoping to see outside my window from the hotel.

Photo Credit by KCLAM who appears to be an awesome photographer. You should click on the link and check out his stuff on Flickr. I would like to be half this good when I grow up.

FundRaising? - I am DONE!!!!!!!!!

No Stats,

Thanks to a large number of donors (all of whom I will immortalize on this site when I get a few spare minutes) I have met my fundraising goal of $5,500.

I kicked in about 1/2 of this amount (but then again - it was my choice to do this).

Holy Cow; fundraising IS hard. You have to go to your friends, family , colleagues, acquaintances and ask for support. Now, I never did some of the things that the other Joints in Motion folks did, like: Bake Sales, Garage Sales, Dances, Standing in Front of Liquor/ Beers Stores, 50/50 Draws and so on. But I did go Door to Door on my street, sent out e-mails, set up a web site and reminded everyone I knew that I was raising money for the Arthritis Society.

People have been so generous, I cannot believe it. My friends, my family, my families friends, my IHRIM buddies, my Ernst & Young colleagues, Folks from Maximus, my old High School buddies, colleagues from Bell ExpressVu in all - lots of people.


THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

OK now, keep paying attention, I am going to keep blogging. I will do it right up until I have completed the Greek Marathon. Then we will make a decision and see what is next.

If you would still like to donate, consider donating to my younger, less mature (and not as good looking) Race Partner Dan Good at www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/dangood

and , of course, you can still donate to me if you would like! I am sure the Arthritis Society would not want to restrict me from raising more funds than needed. It all goes to a good cause!

JJ

Rode Hard - Put Away Wet!

Distance 30.1K, Time 3:40:02, Avg Pace 7:19, Avg HR 150

HEY EVERYBODY. I am at 99% of my fundraising with only $80 to go. If you would like to donate, you might want to donate to Dan Good now. Dan is Jeff's son and my trainer for the marathon (even though he can't stand to run with me!). He is in university and has put up $1000 of his own money so far. It would be great if he can get that back so he can afford to eat! (or drink - after all, he IS in University).

Notice how I got cropped out of the picture!!!!!

His web link is www.arthritis.ca/joints/ontario/dangood

I got up on Sunday morning to the sounds of rain, not a gently misting kind of rain. This was teeming rain. The type of rain that floods canyons and washes out small villages. It was a monsoon rain!

Despite the rain, I waited until it abated a bit and out I went for a long run. I settled on 30K and ran out to the far side of Burlington. On the way I dodged cars wanting to share the road and missed being sprayed by a few that went straight through the puddles and threw up a wall of water for the unsuspecting jogger. There was tons of roadkill! It must be the municipal sport of Burlington. There were more squirrels with tire tracks across their backs than there were stop signs.

Fall is a beautiful time of year. I could smell the leaves. That particular fall smell of the leaves on the ground. Even in the rain it was nice. The rain was warm but between the sweat and the water I was soaked. I stashed some water and still went through almost 3 litres over the course of the run.

As I approached the house I see Dan Good coming down the road, leaning out his car window and cheering me on. At this point I am pretty tired. We chatted for a while. He was on his way to get a haircut and was going to do his run when it wasn't raining. Funny, isn't it, that they get smarter when they go for a Masters degree.

When I got back in I was sodden, soaked, drowned, saturated, soggy, sopping, waterlogged, drenched, doused, submerged, moist, sliced, wet... You get the idea but here a picture just to drive it home.

My clothes are dripping and my feet were white and wrinkly just like when you stay in the pool for 4-5 hours. The awkward looking position is a stretch for my Gleuteus Maximus.

The whole family at this point is looking at me because I look like I have been rode hard and put away wet. (Horse analogy). I spend the rest of the day (the next two hours) soaking in a tub full of Epsom Salts. The I get to go for Turkey dinner. As you can guess I slept well that night.

Even Grant (my youngest son) took pity on me and wanted to help stretch me out so here is a picture of Grant helping with the stretching . Notice that he is hiding his cigarette behind his back.

Today, I golfed. Not too strenuous but I needed some down time. I, of course, came in last.

I stopped for Andrew - Not my Fault...

Weight 210, Distance 8.1, time 54 min, Pace 6:40, Avg HR 171

Hmmmm Heart rate was higher, I guess I need to train more.

Andrew, my oldest son, who is in the running for "Pirate of the Year" on PiratesRus.com (just kidding) needed to go to get his new contact lens. I had ridden my bike to the track and so he picked me up and arrived at 8K so I stopped. Good move John, blame it on your kid!

Everything was working fine and I could have kept running but we had to go.

We went to see Paul Glazier at Glazier Optical. Paul suggested that I try contacts for the marathon. He says they are bifocal now and he gave me a tryout pair. I'll give them a try on Sunday for the long run.

This AM I went to the Y and did the bike class, squats, some core and stretches. I was sweating buckets. I guess tomorrow I better take extra water and stash it en route.

Not too Hip!

Weight 210, Dist 10.27, Time 67 min, Pace 6:31, Avg HR 166bpm

Well the old hip flexors are sore but the physio is helping and I went back to running on Tuesday.

I should point out that I am only $125 from my goal thanks to the folks who all responded to my e-mails. I appreciate each and every dollar. I am sure that the Arthritis Society does as well. I love e-mail, except for the people who seem to think that I need a new watch or Viagara, Cialis, Levitra...

I missed out on running last night as I spent 6 hours on the phone to India or Indonesia with Linksys Technical Support and the improbably named rep called "Magic"??? Where do they come up with these names? It sounds more like a stripper from Shawinigan. I guess I have to run today instead. Not too far 10-12 K.

I finally received the Meat Loaf Dead Ringer CD. I now am complete, I think, and the Meat Loaf Marathon will be underway.

My buddy Mark has confirmed that he will be there to hand out the beer at the finish of the race and I am sure he will not embarrass me during the trip (NOT).

This Sunday, I will give thanks that I CAN run and then will eat turkey with the family on Canadian Thanksgiving (which by the way , we don't care as much about as our US cousins). Turkeys are also not in favor of it!

JJ

Took the Weekend Off

No Stats

This weekend was beautiful. After experiencing problems with my hip flexor on the right side. I am back in physio and they told me to take it easy for a bit. They also told me I need to do more core exercise because my core gets tired and then the hip flexors attempt a coup d'etat and want to take over. So now I am stretching, doing core, and cross training

The weekend was spent canoeing up on the Wolf Pickerel route north of Parry Sound. Beautiful...d I got some great pictures. It was also nice not to run for once.

Yesterday I did the spin circuit class in the AM. (I am finished my project and have some spare time now). Then today I am going to do a 10 K up on the rubber track at the school and ease back into it.

Mark Madott, one of my friends, had to take 6 days vacation before November 15th because of his job so last night we confirmed that Dan & I now have our own private cheering section! Mark will be joining us in Greece and can ensure that the body is shipped home properly.

JJ