Thursday, May 31, 2007

 

0-2



Yikes. My beloved Senators lost their second heart-breaker in a row last night and are now down 0-2 to the Anaheim Ducks. Oh well, series shifts now to Ottawa so time to get back into contention.

Go Sens Go !!!

 

JDRF Run/Walk

This weekend is the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk To Cure Diabetes. Since several of us on the organizing committee are runners, we've added a 5k fun run to the schedule as well. All are welcome. We don't expect a big crowd of runners but if things go smoothly we hope to make it a bigger event next year.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

 

Another Funny YouTube Clip


 

Boston Marathon Slide Show

I visited a blog recently that had a slide show and thought it would be cool to add one to my own blog. So, here is my first attempt, using pictures from my Boston Marathon experience. I believe if you click on any of the pictures it brings them up one-by-one so you can see them more clearly. Give it a try.


Monday, May 28, 2007

 

Running Room Magazine

Hey, I'm a published author !! Perhaps "author" isn't the right word. I have a letter to the editor printed in this month's edition of the Running Room magazine

It appears on page 18 of the hardcopy version but scroll down to around page 20/56 in the pdf version.

 

National Capital Marathon

The National Capital Marathon (NCM) was held yesterday in Ottawa. Before I got the invite to run Boston it had been my plan to train for the NCM Half and I was going to try for a sub-2:00 time. While it would have been great to run in my hometown, that opportunity will be there next year but Boston was not to be missed.

Congratulations to several folks I know who took part in the NCM:

Full Marathon - MICHAEL BALDWIN Fredericton 3:14:57.9 Men 30 - 34 47/265 266/1969
Half Marathon - MICHAEL COLLINS Ottawa 2:04:02.0 Men 35 - 39 430/583 2335/3336
Half Marathon - MYRA RODRIGUES Toronto 2:59:14.0 Women 60 - 64 38/70 3784/4328

Friday, May 25, 2007

 

Running & Potluck


On Tuesday evening my wife's 5k running class held their final meeting. Everyone arrived at our house and then headed out together to do a 5k route that I had mapped out through the neighbourhood. Then it was on to the main event - a potluck supper. What a great meal it was! Thai chicken curry with brown rice, caesar salad, meatballs in BBQ sauce to name a few of the main dishes and then an awesome dessert -what might best be described as a flan with chocolate chip cookie base, whipped cream, sliced fruit and a chocolate drizzle. Yowser, it was all SOOOOOO good and SOOOOO decandent. Well earned though.

The other great thing about the evening was the conversation. I found out that the participants included a former professional opera singer, a police officer who is part of a VIP protection unit, a school teacher, a nurse, a stay-at-home mom, etc. A wonderfully diverse and interesting group.

I am thinking that I might volunteer to lead the Running Room's fall 10k clinic and if I do, I hope that all of these ladies will join with me beacuse I'm sure we'd have lots of fun.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

 

The May Run



Given that this blog is mostly about running, you may be surprised that the title of this entry "The May Run" refers to something completely different. It refers to the tradition that my brothers and I have of heading to PEI to open up our family cottage for the season. This year the participants were my brother Bill, son Chris and yours truly, together with a guest - my son's friend Anthony.

The big project for this year's May Run was the building of a bunk-house. With Bill as general foreman (and chief labourer) the project moved along swiftly. Here are a couple of pics to show the progress over only 3 1/2 days. Thanks Bill for your amazing leadership!!

 

Sadie Ann McDougall

A new member of the family was welcomed early this morning. Sadie is 7 lbs, 12 oz and both mom and babe are well. Congratulations to my brother Steve, wife Tara and Sadie's big brother Gavin. Picture will be posted as soon as one becomes available.

Friday, May 18, 2007

 

Another Boston Pic


I thought I should post this pic, taken by my buddy Mike Collins when he came to watch me run the Boston Marathon. It was taken very close to the halfway mark. As you can tell, at that point I was feeling great - especially having just run through the Wellsley College scream (and kiss) tunnel.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

 

The 53 Runner’s Commandments

I found this list on the Marathon By the Sea website and since it made me chuckle I thought some of you, my faithful readers, might enjoy it as well.

The 53 Runner’s Commandments
by Joe Kelly

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of shape, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

 

Winning The Lottery

Yesterday to my great surprise I found out that my application to the 2007 NYC Marathon entry lottery had been accepted. I had not expected to "win" entry quite so soon - I had been hoping to get selected in 2009 so that I could run it in 2010 when I will turn 50. Since I have run 2 full marathons in the last 7 months I have decided that I will defer my 2007 NYC entry for one year (which they allow) and I will aim to run it in 2008. So, in the immortal words of Frank Sinatra, "Start spreadin' the news ..."

 

Guest Lecturer

Last night I was the "special guest lecturer" for Jill's Running Room 5k class. My topic was Race Preparation - right from getting registered through to post-race recovery and setting a new goal. After the talk we went out for a 30 minute run along the Saint John river trail. All-in-all it was a great evening.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

 

Jill's First 10k Race



Had a great time at the Fredericton Race Weekend 10k today. Jill did great in her first ever 10k race. Finished in just under 1:02. That is better than the time I had in my first 10k - yikes - competition !!

Weather was perfect and there was a real festival atmosphere downtown where the event was held. In honour of Mother's Day I had made up a sign using an old bed sheet and spray paint. It said, "Run Like A Mother". I hung the side from the pedway that crossed over top of the route that we ran. Hope people saw it and understood the significance!

Friday, May 11, 2007

 

Race Weekend

This weekend is the annual Fredericton Marathon race weekend. This year there seems to be a lot more publicity than usual which is great. I will be running the 10k event with Jill - her first ever 10k race - and then right after we are helping with the kids "Go For 42" event. School children have been running 1k a day for the past 40 days and on Sunday will finish the last 2.2km of their marathon. It should be loads of fun to see them - all shapes, sizes and ages - involved in something that is so positive for promoting healthy living.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

 

European Grand Tour

My son and I are now booked for flights to and from Europe this summer. We are leaving Halifax to fly to Frankfurt on June 27th and will return from London (Gatwick) on July 27th. In the month that we are there I am hoping that we will get to: Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and the U.K. Travel within Europe will of course be mostly by rail. Should be an incredible adventure.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

 

Elvis Runs Boston

In my race report I mentioned that along the route I passed two guys running dressed as Elvis. Here is their YouTube video:


 

For Kristy





As promised sis - here is a picture of the ING jacket that was given me. I had the back embroidered at a local shop so that there could be no doubt about the origin of the garment. It joins my Boston Marathon jacket as a piece of clothing that I am extremely proud to wear!!

 

Busy Weekend

Just back from a nice 10k run. Next weekend is Fredericton Marathon weekend and I am planning to run the 10k event with Jill. Figured I better get out and test that I will be ready for it. All went well - finished in a nice easy 1:05.

Yesterday I got a call from the visually-impaired "power walker" that I met in the Athlete's Village at the New York City Marathon. Myra is carrying out her plan to complete a 1/2 marathon in every province/territory to acknowledge her 65th birthday and to raise money for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). I am HONOURED that she has asked me to be her partner/guide for two of the events - Marathon By The Sea in Saint John (NB) on September 23rd and the PEI Marathon on October 14th.

Friday, May 04, 2007

 

Have I Been Running?

Yes.

Although I haven't been "blogging" about them, that doesn't mean that I haven't been running. Since Boston I have been able to get out at least 4 times each week. Most of these runs have been short ones - 30 to 40 minutes - but this weekend I plan to do 9 or 10k which should be around 60 minutes.

Of course, I will be using my funky new "Garmin Forerunner" that my family in Ottawa gave me in recognition of my participation in the Boston marathon.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

 

Another YouTube Video

Now that I've found out how to embed video clips into my blog, expect to see them on a regular basis. Here's one that shows the New York City marathon, which I finished in November 2006:


Tuesday, May 01, 2007

 

Reasons To Run

As I mentioned in my race report, I was really taken with the ad campaign by adidas called "Reasons To Run. Here is a video that I found on YouTube that I hope you will enjoy.


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