I waited about a week to do my first workout after running the TC10K in Victoria (55:07 PB) on April 29th. I’d done a 9.5K run on Monday, after taking a prudent and well-deserved recovery week, and was feeling great. All the same, as I plunged back into training for my next race, another 10K about a month later, I was wary of doing too much too soon. My feet and knees have been, on and off for the past year or so, shall we say “touchy” and I was expecting to enjoy the usual twinges to re-emerge with the increased activity. As soon as I put the shoes on, I was reminded that they really are so very different from a traditional trainer. I did the whole workout without even thinking of my feet, really, except to notice what a natural feeling they provided, particularly when doing weight-bearing exercises requiring a great deal of core stability. While I felt like I had to “use” my feet, I did not feel like my feet had to challenge the construction of the shoe in order to do so. Almost makes me want to build more weight training days into my plan…
Anyone who knows the Bruce Trail knows there are some highly technical parts, heavy brush, rocks and other obstacles, and it can be easy to get off-track thanks to re-routes and detours. The website states that the estimated minimum time to hike the over-800km trail from end to end is approximately 30 days.
But it can be run faster than that.
You may recall the story of iRun cover Charlotte Vasarhelyi, who in June 2010, broke the speed record for running the Bruce Trail from end-to-end by running from Tobermory to Niagara in 13 days, 10 hours, 51 minutes.
On Saturday, June 2, Vasarhelyi set out once again to break her own record. Back in 2010 she told us, “Preparing for something like this is 90 per cent mental because you know you’re going to have to overrule your mind and keep going.” No doubt she had some overruling to do in the rainy conditions over the weekend!
Your iRun statement: iRun because… Running gives me the biggest sense of achievement I have ever felt in my entire life.
Product: Merrell Lithe Glove
Product category : Running Shoes
Canadian MSRP: $140.00
Product Website: http://bit.ly/Muj05O
Description: The Merrell Lithe Glove is the fall/winter version the Pace Glove, a minimalist shoe (zero heel drop) specifically designed for women. It’s a well constructed shoe with the Vibram grippy sole that will last a long time and the shoes I was testing were in a gorgeous shade of purple, very stylish! I wasn’t sure how they would feel on my feet as they looked small but it wasn’t an issue for me. They are different than their cousin the Pace Glove in that they feel more solid but still bend very easily. They weigh nothing.
Pros: Top of the shoe has a thicker water repellent material so it will be a good thing in colder weather. Light and stylish, they look good with anything, running clothes or jeans, definitely an all purpose shoe if your feet can handle the narrow shoe. I found them comfortable to walk and run with, very light so you don’t get tired, unless you have bad form and push with your calves. The thicker sole prevents the owie that one gets when stepping on rocks or roots. Overall the shoes are very comfortable once you got over the adaptation period.
Cons: I had a blister on my left Achilles first time I ran with them. Thin socks helped. The narrow fit of the shoe didn’t bother my narrow feet. There is an upward angled sole at the arch that I felt at the beginning but went away quickly. Bottom of the shoe has a good grip so form is important on a boardwalk for example. And there is little ground feel. These shoes won’t be as comfortable in the middle of summer as temps here are high due to the humidity. Sweating and shoes wearing is never a good combination.
Ideal for: Trail or road runners with narrow feet and who already wear minimalist would enjoy the shoes. A less experienced minimalist runner would also enjoy them although there is a greater risk of doing too much too soon due to the minimal ground feel and the possibility of reverting to heel striking. They’re also good for hiking. I went on long walks with them and my feet/knees felt great.
Overall: Because of spring marathon training with regular shoes, I didn’t run with them as much as I wanted. Overall mileage, mixture of road and trail surface, is approximately 30-35k(ish) over 6-7 times and longest run was 11k (although feet were tired at the end of the 11k, there was no residual effect on my 17k long run the next day). My feet/calves/knees felt fine during and after the run. I didn’t get to run in the rain so can’t comment on that aspect. I wore the shoes at the gym and did a few long (2+ hour) walks. Blister issue aside, I really like the shoes and plan on continuing to run in them. But I feel they might perform better on a trail surface so planning a 25k fall race in them. Overall, I loved them and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to my running friends.
About the reviewer: I’m a latecomer in the world of running, started at the tender age of 49 yrs by taking a Learn to Run clinic in May 2008 with my friends and neighbours. Did my first 5k race in July that year and got hooked. I have now run 3 marathons, most recently the Paris Marathon, countless half marathons and everything in between. Last year I dabbed in minimalist running with VFF, Merrell Pace Glove and Vivo Barefoot but have eventually returned to a more traditional shoe although a step above true minimalist. I now wear Saucony Mirage, Cortana and Fastswitch.
Hello runners:
It’s been a while, but a lot has been happening, so hopefully with this post I am back on the writing motivation.
Let’s return to London for the Elite runners Press conference. Sometimes it is better just to observe the athletes.
Truth be told, I was overwhelmed by the talent assembled, so I simply took pictures of the athletes themselves , but none with me.
I think Geoffrey Mutai ( who was visiting his teammates in London , after flying over from Boston) is looking at me and thinking, “I know this guy” .. it is because I was wearing the iRun t-shirt and had presented him with an iRUn hat last year in NYC.
Geoffrey Mutai, Emmanuel Mutai (came 7th in London) Patrick Makau (DNF),Vincent Kipruto Abel Kirui, Martin Lel (2nd after as sprint at the finish line with Tsegaye Kebede from Ethiopia), Wilson Kipsang- the winner, Vincent Kipruto
Mary Kaitenay, Florence Kiplagat, Edna Kiplagat, Priscah Jeptoo, Lucy Kabuu
My main focus for London was to represent the Canada Running Series Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I had some very pleasant and fun assistance from Jade and Danielle.
Fariju Singh the 101 year old Marathoner visited our booth. He ran 8:25 last year in Toronto setting a new age group world record and this year at 101 ran 7:49 –amazing.
My next post will be from the photobooth at the finish line.WOW
Another funny sign. Notice it is being held by a runner who had already finished the race
On one hand, Ottawa Race Weekend feels like it was ages ago, but on the other, I can’t believe it is Thursday already. Yikes! Anyway, it’s back to reality and past-time I posted my report!
On Friday and Saturday I had the pleasure of hanging out at the iRun booth at the expo (we happened to be across and down a little from the Heart and Stroke Foundation booth, which was a little depressing as they had those models that show you how much sugar, salt, and fat are in your favourite foods). I met a lot of interesting and inspiring runners, a few new friends, and bumped into some people I had met at previous expos – thanks for saying hi!
I reprised my role as the 2:45 half marathon pace bunny, so I also hit the Friendship Run on Saturday morning. This is always fun as it is very small – maybe 50 or so people – and the food is good!
Sunday morning started out cloudy and cool which was just fine with me. I was a little late arriving in the starting corral, as I hadn’t realized that the second wave was lining up at the same time as the first wave, but I still had lots of time to chat with runners and answer questions before the race. I didn’t think I would like the wave start but I have to say it was kind of nice. The second wave felt small and intimate, we could hear the announcements at the back, and it was much easier to hit my goal pace within the first kilometre – last year it was a struggle to find some space and get into a groove.
I wore two watches, one for my time, the other to signal walk breaks; I didn’t want to be fussing around with buttons and risk messing up the settings while bopping people with my sign. This worked out well for the most part. I decided to start the less-important of the two before reaching the start line so that I could start the most important one right when I hit the timing mat, as we pace bunnies are evaluated on our ability to come as close to our goal-chip time as possible without going over. It wasn’t until I reached the first kilometre marker that I realized, to my horror, that I started the watch I was using for timing my splits ahead of the start line, not the 10-and-1 watch as intended. Oops!
Another funny sign. Notice it is being held by a runner who had already finished the race
As usual, the crowd support was fantastic. People had noise-makers, pots-and-pans, whistles, and horns. My favourite signs this year had to be “Smile if you’re not wearing underwear,” and “Enjoy the one beer it will take to get totally drunk after this” (it’s true! That’s part of why I stay away from alcohol right after races…mostly). I particularly loved the Hintonburg cheering station where iRun Editor Kathleen Wilker and the Shuffler gave me hugs despite my not smelling so good by then.
I had been working on collecting cheesy stories and jokes for the quiet parts of the course, but I went through them too quickly, so when it really got quiet, I had to call on the runners around me for help. You know when you’re running and you’re hot, and the strangest things give you the giggles? Well for me that day, it was Q: Why does Snoop Dog have an umbrella? A: Fo’ drizzle!
This year the half marathon course came back over the bridge into Ontario with less than 5K to go, and the group around me was very quiet by then. As I ran along the Canal I became painfully aware that very few of the people who were around me were actually with me – that is, the core group I started with had either taken off or dropped back, and very few people I was running near were adjusting their pace to intentionally stay with me. I shouted out the countdown at each kilometre-marker and talked a bit with spectators and volunteers. When we crossed the Pretoria Bridge to head for the finish, I did my best to get the crowd cheering, and tried to scoop up people who were slowing down, dropping back, or walking.
While I spent the whole race not knowing how many seconds I was off, I can’t say that it affected me much – I stopped my watch at 2:45:01, which turned out to be 2:44:49.1 chip time – so I was 10.9 seconds under my goal. While this won’t be close enough to win me the bag of carrots, it was certainly a vast improvement over my 40-seconds last year – a PBPB, if you will; Pace Bunny Personal Best!
When you’re a pace bunny, you don’t get a lot of feedback during the race – people are working hard, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. But after the race, I had several people come up to me to say they were glad I was there in the last few kilometres. In fact, I got the highest praise I can imagine receiving – one woman said to me, “That was the most fun I have ever had following a bunny in a race.”
And that is why I do it. My work here is done.
Trying to get some noise out a tired crowd right near the finish
So I am still loving the running shoes, enjoy that they don’t look like your typical running shoe. They have actually inspired me to step outside of my normal running shoe box and consider buying some bright tangerine running shoes for my upcoming marathon, who says you can’t look good while sweating! Maybe I will never go back to a white running shoe????
Because they are a flatter shoe they make me walk a little more upright and my feet haven’t been aching as much as they normally do after my long runs.
My three girls keep telling me how much they like the look of them as well so they must be cute right?
Hello. My name is Ian and I am a gastroenterologist or “bum” doctor. I’m the kind of doctor you see when you are over 50 or if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, to get a colonoscopy. During this procedure, I look for abnormalities in the colon called polyps- which are growths that could lead to colorectal cancer, if not removed.
Unfortunately, I diagnose colorectal cancer in somebody new every month. But even more unfortunate – 95% of these cases could have been prevented had the guidelines for screening and prevention been followed.
Two of my grandparents had colorectal cancer. My grandmother was one of five children, and four of them had colorectal cancer. My parents, uncles and sister all had colonoscopies which identified polyps, which were consequently removed.
I founded the Bum Rum, a not-for-profit organization, to increase awareness in screening and prevention of colorectal cancer. As a physician and a father, my hope is that I don’t have to let yet another person know that he has colorectal and that my daughter will not be afraid that she will get the same disease as her great-grandparents. Ontario does not have to have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. In 95% of people who identify the early signs of colorectal cancer, they are totally cured.
This year the Bum Run is holding its first event – a 5 km walk/run on August 26th starting at Queen’s Park Circle. All proceeds go to Colon Cancer Canada. We want this event to be highly visible – right in the heart of Toronto – so that we can increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening and prevention.
We encourage runners to join this event. It is a flat, looped and timed course, with km markers and prizes for overall and age-category winners. This is an opportunity to show your support for colorectal cancer prevention and push your body to its limits on this PB course.
Families are also welcome. Children under age 12 can participate free of charge. All participants that cross the finish line- whether running or walking- will get a finisher’s medal.
Increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening and prevention. Help decrease rates of colorectal cancer deaths.
Go to www.bumrun.com to register and for more information.
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If you, or someone you know, is Running for a Reason, please send your story to webeditor@irun.ca and we might feature it right here on this blog!
I find this time of year problematic when it comes to fresh ingredients. It’s warm and you’re craving fresh veggies and fruit but in many Canadian locations, there’s not much available until next month (screw you, Vancouver!).
Mr. Shuffler solved that problem last weekend by making shrimp fajitas with cilantro. Summery, fresh, easy to make, healthy – what more could you ask for? Original recipe can be found here.
Add shrimp, salt, cumin, chile powder, oregano, garlic, lime juice to a large bowl or heavy duty zip-top plastic bag.
Toss until spices are distributed and shrimp is well coated.
Let marinate for 10 minutes.
Heat oil in a large skillet (cast-iron is best).
Add the green onions and peppers; cook and stir occasionally 2 minutes or until slightly softened.
Add the shrimp and marinade; cook and stir constantly about 3 minutes or until the shrimp are pink.
Spoon shrimp and vegetables into warmed tortillas; garnish with sour cream, cilantro and onion if desired.
Fold up and eat.
Serves 4-6
We had this with a lovely bottle of Torrontes, which is a white grape primarily associated with South America. Think of it as some kind of funky Riesling-Gewurztraminer hybrid: It’s got lots of lush, tropical fruit but a solid acidic backbone so it doesn’t just feel like a mouthful of fruit salad. It is an excellent wine for warm, summer days. Or warm summer afternoons, we won’t judge.
Last fall, Steve and I went on a run to discover a new trail somewhere off the highway. We took the dog and hopped over roots and puddles. We don’t usually run together, except on trails. The relaxed feeling that is present in the woods lets us slow down, not worry about pace or distance and just enjoy each other.
At one point, we stumbled on a big, beautiful lake. We should come back for a swim next time! we said to each other. We continued on our run, eventually turning around and heading back out of the trail. We stopped again at the lake to throw some sticks for the dog.
Let’s do it, let’s just swim today! I said to Steve. But we don’t have suits, but what if someone comes, but, but, but… we both thought. And then we stripped down to our skivvies and hopped in.
Two weeks later, Steve was bumped up on the waiting list to have shoulder surgery and was in a sling for six weeks. We haven’t been back to that trail since.
* * * * * * * *
One of the things that I get really obsessive about when I start training for a specific race is my running schedule. I have pace per run goals and average pace goals and kilometres per week goals and spreadsheets outlining my running schedule and my weight training schedule and by the time the race rolls around I’m so sick of all my spreadsheets and anal-retentiveness that I look at the people who are at a race to enjoy the experience and wonder if I’ve maybe missed out on a key aspect of the whole experience.
While I do believe that in order to achieve personal bests (and honestly, every race I run, I run for a PB) you need to focus on pace and speed and km/week and maybe it’s even a good idea to write your training program out (or at least follow one that’s been written by someone else). On the other hand, it’s never the run when you’re obsessively checking your average pace that you get that…. feeling. That feeling of being free, of being strong, of being beautiful.
We don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s why life can be a huge bitch and an amazing chain of beautiful events at the same time.
Maybe obsessing about every run is a waste of energy. Maybe marathons should be all about the experience. That’s not to say I won’t be shooting for a PB in Montreal this fall, but maybe I’ll try to relax a little along the way.
It’s almost here – the weekend when I make my annual trek to the nation’s capital – you guessed it, Ottawa Race Weekend. For iRun, it’s practically Christmas! I’ll be hanging out at the iRun booth at the expo for a while on Friday and Saturday – please stop by to grab a pin and a copy of the current issue, and don’t forget to bring that pile of change off your dresser to throw in the buckets for Mark Sutcliffe’s $50K Run for a Reason in support of the Ottawa Hospital! I’ll also be donning my pace bunny ears once again for the travelling street party half marathon.
Without further ado, but with plenty of apologies to Andy Williams, I give you my newly-written running carol in honour of Ottawa Race Weekend!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
With the kids a-cowbelling and everyone telling you “be of good cheer!”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s the hap-happiest season of all!
With those taperful-greetings and pre-expo meetings when friends come to call!
It’s the hap-happiest season of all!
There’ll be parties for hosting, with pasta and boasting and someone with nail-less toes.
There’ll be scary race stories, and tales of the glories of marathons long, long ago.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
There’ll be lots of skin showing and legs might be glowing when race time draws near.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
There’ll be no time for coasting, and it could be roasting, and blisters are part of the show.
There’ll be pain inventories and plenty of mores that get chucked right out the window!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
There’ll be water cup throwing and cheers to “keep going” when finish lines near!
It’s the most wonderful time!
While I spent the whole race not knowing how many seconds I was off, I can’t say that it affected me much – I stopped my watch at 2:45:01, which turned out to be 2:44:49.1 chip time – so I was 10.9 seconds under my goal. While this won’t be close enough to win me the bag of carrots, it was certainly a vast improvement over my 40-seconds last year – a PBPB, if you will; Pace Bunny Personal Best!
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