It was a dark and stormy morning. Our little running group for this particular Saturday had been whittled down to three runners. As each of the three remaining runners awoke to the sounds of rain whipping against the windows, each thought the same thing: "Crap! Are you serious? It's cold, wet, and dark. Must I get up and battle the elements?"
To further complicate the matter, one of the remaining three runners (me), added the thought, "I think I am going to throw up." It was not the thought of running in the cold, wet weather that prompted such a thought. It was my stomach, which was making its own objections to the run well known to me at that particular moment. Under the circumstances, I was forced to call Carol and let her know that there was a serious risk of me throwing up all over everyone's shoes. We concurred that it was best for me to stay home. (I have a track record of throwing up on people's shoes; just ask my grade one teacher, Mrs. Verkerke.)
So, truth be told, I cannot report about what actually happened on this Saturday morning run. I was tucked back into bed. But I can report that two truly committed Go Girl Runners--Carol and Joanne--headed out into the storm to run. Carol and Joanne, we salute you for your commitment to running! Today, you demonstrated the power of the group to get us running even in bad weather and a heartiness that I am sure stems from courage and dedication and not from insanity. You guys are truly awesome!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
See the benefits of running
New analysis from the National Runners' Health Study (NRHS) suggests that running can lower the risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The NRHS is spearheaded by Paul Williams of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California. The study not only found that running reduces your risk of developing the aforementioned ocular problems, but that the farther you run each week and the faster your 10K time, the lower your risk becomes. The study itself involves a large number of participants (55,000), lending further weight to the correlations observed between running and better eye health. For more information about the impact of running on eye health, see: "Run for your eyes" at http://runningmagazine.ca/2009/10/sections/training/the-science-of-running-6/.
So I guess this means that we runners do not actually have to eat carrots! Then again, the whole carrot-good eyesight correlation is unfounded. The truth is that eating carrots to improve one's vision was a red herring created by the British during WWII in order to cover the real reason British pilots had suddenly become better at shooting down German bomber planes en route to attacking England. The British had developed new technology (Airborne Interception Radar or AIR) that allowed the Brits to detect some German bombers before they even crossed the English Channel, but the Brits did not want the Germans to discover information about this new technology. So the British air ministry spread the story that eating carrots had improved their pilots' ability to see German bombers attacking at night. This little piece of propaganda was highly effective and the link between carrots and good eye sight was born.
So, as it turns out, runners never had to eat carrots in the first place. We just need to keep on running, preferably with AIR technology for those particularly dark nights.
So I guess this means that we runners do not actually have to eat carrots! Then again, the whole carrot-good eyesight correlation is unfounded. The truth is that eating carrots to improve one's vision was a red herring created by the British during WWII in order to cover the real reason British pilots had suddenly become better at shooting down German bomber planes en route to attacking England. The British had developed new technology (Airborne Interception Radar or AIR) that allowed the Brits to detect some German bombers before they even crossed the English Channel, but the Brits did not want the Germans to discover information about this new technology. So the British air ministry spread the story that eating carrots had improved their pilots' ability to see German bombers attacking at night. This little piece of propaganda was highly effective and the link between carrots and good eye sight was born.
So, as it turns out, runners never had to eat carrots in the first place. We just need to keep on running, preferably with AIR technology for those particularly dark nights.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Good Luck in NYC, Jean!
Go Girls Toronto would like to wish Dr. Jean Marmoreo the very best as she heads to NYC to run the marathon this weekend. As most of us know, Jean is the "Jean" in Jeansmarines. Many of us became runners--and marathoners!--because of Jean. Indeed, Go Girls Toronto is part of the legacy of Jean and Bob.
Jean, we will all be cheering for you this weekend! We know you will make us proud. You've already won your age group at Boston. So go and open up your can of whoop-ass on the Big Apple!
Semper Fi, Jean!
Jean, we will all be cheering for you this weekend! We know you will make us proud. You've already won your age group at Boston. So go and open up your can of whoop-ass on the Big Apple!
Semper Fi, Jean!
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Quote for Tuesday's Hill...
I thought that a quote from the Bard might make our hill run a bit more palatable:
"These high wild hills and rough uneven ways
Draw out our miles and make them wearisome;
But yet your fair discourse hath been as sugar,
Making the hard way sweet and delectable."
In other words, conversation makes the hills easier.
This quote beats out Frank Shorter's observation: "Hills are speedwork in disguise." Speedwork?! In disguise?! Yes, Poplar Plains (ironic name, no?) hill is really Poplar Plains Track. So strap on your track shoes, fill your water bottles, and huff and puff your way to the top.
If you are good, I will tell you why I call the Poplar Plains Mountain, I mean, the Poplar Plains hill the "Ugly Step-Sister #2".
"These high wild hills and rough uneven ways
Draw out our miles and make them wearisome;
But yet your fair discourse hath been as sugar,
Making the hard way sweet and delectable."
In other words, conversation makes the hills easier.
This quote beats out Frank Shorter's observation: "Hills are speedwork in disguise." Speedwork?! In disguise?! Yes, Poplar Plains (ironic name, no?) hill is really Poplar Plains Track. So strap on your track shoes, fill your water bottles, and huff and puff your way to the top.
If you are good, I will tell you why I call the Poplar Plains Mountain, I mean, the Poplar Plains hill the "Ugly Step-Sister #2".
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Tomorrow is Tuesday and Tuesday means...a run with a hill! I know you are excited about it.
Here is our planned route:
Meet at the Running Room at 6:30. Run south to Roxborough, then run across to Avenue Rd. Run south on Avenue to Davenport, turn west onto Davenport. Run to Poplar Plains and run up that hill! Cross St. Clair and continue up Forest Hill Road to the corner of Lonsdale. Pause and then turn around and come home.
Now that it's getting dark, we'll be doing more out-and-backs. That
way, we're more in touch.
Thanks Nana, for setting our route for this week. It looks like a nice little challenge for us. (It's always good to think "little" when hills are on the agenda.)
Here is our planned route:
Meet at the Running Room at 6:30. Run south to Roxborough, then run across to Avenue Rd. Run south on Avenue to Davenport, turn west onto Davenport. Run to Poplar Plains and run up that hill! Cross St. Clair and continue up Forest Hill Road to the corner of Lonsdale. Pause and then turn around and come home.
Now that it's getting dark, we'll be doing more out-and-backs. That
way, we're more in touch.
Thanks Nana, for setting our route for this week. It looks like a nice little challenge for us. (It's always good to think "little" when hills are on the agenda.)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Top 10 Signs You Are a Runner
10. Your closets are full of dead and half-dead running shoes, which you refuse to throw out because of the "memories". Plus, they must be good for something, right?
9. You wear a big-ass running watch on your wrist. Even with formal wear.
8. "Vacations" almost always involve running some marathon or competing in a multi-sport event (tri or a du).
7. You can readily convert miles to kms and vice versa, but cannot add, subtract, multiply, or divide to save your life.
6. You have taken carb loading and peeing in the great outdoors to an art form.
5. You reel in horror at being called "a jogger".
4. You fight the chaf with Body Glide.
3. You dressed up as Paula Radcliffe for Hallowe'en.
2. You know that BQ'ing is good, DQ is not good, DNFs suck, and BMs while on the road really, really suck.
1.You know that the mantra, "pain is weakness leaving the body" only works for the first ten miles or so. After the first ten miles, you remember that the pain only gets so bad and then it doesn't get worse. Just longer. After twenty miles, you wonder when you will hit that point when the pain doesn't get any worse.
After twenty two miles, you begin to pray, "Now, Lord, please take me now." After twenty three miles, you are prepared to mug other runners for their Tylenol. At twenty-four miles, you begin to fantasize about ice baths. At twenty-five miles, you know the end is nigh. At twenty six miles, you reach that point where the pain does not get any worse.
And at 26.2 miles? Well, at 26.2 miles, you would do it all over again...
9. You wear a big-ass running watch on your wrist. Even with formal wear.
8. "Vacations" almost always involve running some marathon or competing in a multi-sport event (tri or a du).
7. You can readily convert miles to kms and vice versa, but cannot add, subtract, multiply, or divide to save your life.
6. You have taken carb loading and peeing in the great outdoors to an art form.
5. You reel in horror at being called "a jogger".
4. You fight the chaf with Body Glide.
3. You dressed up as Paula Radcliffe for Hallowe'en.
2. You know that BQ'ing is good, DQ is not good, DNFs suck, and BMs while on the road really, really suck.
1.You know that the mantra, "pain is weakness leaving the body" only works for the first ten miles or so. After the first ten miles, you remember that the pain only gets so bad and then it doesn't get worse. Just longer. After twenty miles, you wonder when you will hit that point when the pain doesn't get any worse.
After twenty two miles, you begin to pray, "Now, Lord, please take me now." After twenty three miles, you are prepared to mug other runners for their Tylenol. At twenty-four miles, you begin to fantasize about ice baths. At twenty-five miles, you know the end is nigh. At twenty six miles, you reach that point where the pain does not get any worse.
And at 26.2 miles? Well, at 26.2 miles, you would do it all over again...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Go Girls make first public appearance
The Toronto Go Girls made their first public appearance at a race event today, Saturday, October 24, 2009. Most of the team was present for the Nike "Human Race" 10 km event in Toronto, Ontario. (One member of the team was missing in action, allegedly visiting family in Winnipeg. She could not be reached for comment.)
After a very soggy Friday, the weather for the Saturday evening event was close to ideal. Temperatures hovered around 10-11C. Although the sky was overcast, conditions remained dry. Shortly before the race, the wind died down, and these terrific conditions held throughout the event.
The race began on Yonge Street, a few blocks north of Bloor Street West, at the Rosedale Running Room. The route took runners north to St. Clair Ave. and into the Moore Park/Bennington Heights area. Runners then turned north on Bayview for a short jaunt that came oh-so-close to Miedema's home in Leaside...close but not close enough. The route continued through the Davisville area (along Davisville the street) until winding into Forest Hill. Runners eventually found their way to Avenue Road, where they ran south down to Roxbourgh Street. Roxbourgh lead the runners east back to Yonge Street, where it was only a short dash back to the Running Room and the Finish Line.
The Go Girls Team seemed impressed with their efforts. One team member commented, "we rock", while another expressed the emotion of crossing the finishing line by saying "let's eat". Running Room staff and other runners seemed impressed by the athletic prowess of the Go Girls team. One staff member told team members, "Hey, the food is outside. Take it outside!" (She looked like she might be thinking, "Hey you guys are good! Get outside!")
The evening ended with an excellent dinner at the Monk's Table on Yonge Street. Team members quaffed beer and wine (and water) and ate a lovely meal together. The most difficult part of the evening was leaving the warmth of the good company of teammates (and the warmth of the pub) to go home.
After a very soggy Friday, the weather for the Saturday evening event was close to ideal. Temperatures hovered around 10-11C. Although the sky was overcast, conditions remained dry. Shortly before the race, the wind died down, and these terrific conditions held throughout the event.
The race began on Yonge Street, a few blocks north of Bloor Street West, at the Rosedale Running Room. The route took runners north to St. Clair Ave. and into the Moore Park/Bennington Heights area. Runners then turned north on Bayview for a short jaunt that came oh-so-close to Miedema's home in Leaside...close but not close enough. The route continued through the Davisville area (along Davisville the street) until winding into Forest Hill. Runners eventually found their way to Avenue Road, where they ran south down to Roxbourgh Street. Roxbourgh lead the runners east back to Yonge Street, where it was only a short dash back to the Running Room and the Finish Line.
The Go Girls Team seemed impressed with their efforts. One team member commented, "we rock", while another expressed the emotion of crossing the finishing line by saying "let's eat". Running Room staff and other runners seemed impressed by the athletic prowess of the Go Girls team. One staff member told team members, "Hey, the food is outside. Take it outside!" (She looked like she might be thinking, "Hey you guys are good! Get outside!")
The evening ended with an excellent dinner at the Monk's Table on Yonge Street. Team members quaffed beer and wine (and water) and ate a lovely meal together. The most difficult part of the evening was leaving the warmth of the good company of teammates (and the warmth of the pub) to go home.
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