Heading off to Peterborough Half Iron on Sunday

So it has been a couple of weeks getting ready for Subaru Triathlon Series Peterborough Half Iron this Sunday.

It is going to be a good weekend as Ivana and I are going up to my Dad's on Saturday as he is just outside of Peterborough so we won't have to get up early and make the drive up there for race day.  

Oh, after my DNF in Guelph, we stopped in at Running Free in Markham to get a few things that I needed for the MEC ½ Marathon the next day and they have Tech Time Saturdays in Markham where the companies set up in the store, show their product with displays, discuss with you and you can fill out a ballot for a free draw. On that Saturday, a Saucony rep was there with their new line of running shoes and I filled out a ballot. WELL I won a new Saucony Hoodie, fits really nice, warm and looks good as well. It is a new line that they will be bringing out in the fall as a sort of Vintage Style.  Thanks for the info on your running shoes as well as this great hoodie.

Ivana and I went for an easy bike ride last night through the Humber Trail up here. I have seen many deer while riding through there, but when Ivana wants to see "Wildlife", whether we are in the city or up north, it seems that the Wildlife does not want to show up. Example, Ivana loves loons and while we were up north camping last year, early in the morning the loons are out singing and you can see them on the lake, but when Ivana got up, they were no where to be found, lol. Well, last night, we got to see 3 deer altogether just standing right on the edge of the path eating away, we stopped they looked at us and kept on eating. We took a bunch of pics and Ivana was really happy to see them. They we not scared, just a little apprehensive.

So this weekend's race is the biggest one so far for me with regards to distance. Since my Dad lives up there, I have dedicated this race In Memory of my Nanny, Edna Borrow (Wickman) 1988. My next few races will have dedications In Memory as well and I will post their names on the In Memory page as well as on my Jersey. Remember, if you would like the name of a loved one on my Jerseys and a race dedication, please do not hesitate to email me or leave a comment so that I can get back to you. 

Heart and Stroke effects a lot of our lives, research and dedication from Health Professionals goes along way for the ones that survive and it is a long road to get back on our feet with help from family, friends and even people that don't know us. If you would like to donate, please click on the page tab Donations up at the top and then click on the Heart & Stroke logo which will take you to the Heart & Stroke secured page.

Hoping to see some Team Running Free Athletes up in Peterborough this weekend.

Damaged Heart

Special Race this weekend, Not Niagara

Hello, So, Niagara has been what I have been training hard for as it was going to be a hard race for me at the 50km distance and I haven't done a Marathon since 2011. Well Niagara won't be happening due to a registration problem, as I didn't get a confirmation back when I did my entry online. I had checked the site and didn't see my name on the competitors listing so I had to email then phone and was told no it wasn't there and that the 50km had been sold out by then.

Well, onto looking to make up the difference in the milage that I will be missing out on, so I found a Sprint Duathlon in Cambridge, as part of the Subaru Triathlon Series, for Sunday, then an Olympic Duathlon in Guelph next Saturday, then my ½ marathon for the MEC Toronto is already scheduled for the Sunday. Then I will have a week off before Peterborough's Half Iron Duathlon on the 6th of July.

Well the Niagara was going to be a special race as I was going to dedicate it to a wonderful woman, good friend, great wife and a great mother to 3 boys. I will now make the dedicated race the Sprint Duathlon in Cambridge in the Memory of Marina Pezzetta. Yes, you might recognize the last name, it is Dino's mother. Marina passed away in April 2009 from a Stroke. As I have said, I will put names up on my "In Memory" page and will add them to my jersey as the year goes on. Marina was a great wife to Antonio "Tony" Pezzetta, Mother to Dino (Kelly), Ronnie (Ellen) and Danny (Maria). a great friend to Ivana and I as well as to Ivana's family.

Well, I hope to see some of the Team Running Free members in Cambridge, as I haven't see any so far. It would be nice to talk with a few.

Damaged Heart

Becel Ride For Heart

WOW, over $6 million dollars raised on Sunday for the Becel Ride for Heart in Toronto. THIS IS WHY I AM RIDING

Sunday morning was the Ride for Heart, for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, which is a part of my Goal to Race 500 Miles in 2014 to raise funds for. Part of the Gardner Expressway and the DVP were closed down for half of the day so that 14,000 riders could get a chance to cycle the roads without any vehicles in the way. Most of the time on the DVP it is a parking lot, I was travelling faster on my bike than if I were in my car.

The morning started early at 4 am getting ready, load the bike on the rack and drive downtown to the Exhibition Grounds for the 6 am start. This was my first time riding in this event and it was a must with many thanks to Dan Penfold at Ride for Heart for getting me all set up this year.

There were riders of all ages, abilities and families getting out for some exercise and raising money for research and equipment for a disease that affects Canadians every single day. Riders had a choice of three routes, 25K, 50K or 75K everyone starting at the same place and ending at the same place. I was on the 75K route which started between 6-6:30am with the other routes staggering later. 

We headed from Jameson entrance onto the Gardner heading eastbound to the DVP, up the DVP all the way to York Mills which was the turn around point.  Had a nice break at York Mills, a little drink and snack, then on my way down hill for some nice breeze and speed. Turned around at the Bayview Extension and back up again to York Mills for the second turnaround. I know that it is a climb all the way to York Mills from about the Bayview Extension, but having to go a second time at it, I really wasn't looking forward to it again. Along the way, I stopped to see the amount of riders all coming up the DVP, there were tandem bikes, old style bikes, a (i don't know what you call it) car bike, it is in one of the pics and of course envy bikes, the thousands and thousands of dollar bikes, yes TT and Tri Bikes. I took a lot of photos and some videos along the way. 

I know that it says that there was not suppose to be ANY Peloton riding or they would pull you off the course, but as I am riding along in the centre lane, I can hear this roar, almost like a low engine, getting closer and closer. I turned my head to see about 20 bikes gaining ground really really fast and the sound that it makes as they all go past you is a rush feeling. 

Coming back into the downtown core, you really were starting to see the bigger crowds as most of the riders were leaving from 8:30 to 9:00. It was a see of red helmet covers and the background of the downtown core.

After coming back from the South Kingsway loop for the 75k'ers we came up the Jameson exit to a crawl as we had to get off our bikes and walk the rest of the way to the finish area, as all of the 25, 50 and 75K riders converged into one lane area leading up to the finish and park area. 

As I am walking in, I see my wife (which was a surprise as she was at home this morning) along with my friends Dino and Kelly at the finish line.  So at the finish line, I am and the 110.1 mile mark of the 500 miles for the year, or in Metric 178.3km. On the 14th, I will be running from Niagara on the lake to Niagara Falls and back again for the Ultra 50Km race. So when I get to Niagara Falls, I will be over the 200k mark and for those who have pledged so much per 100km, get ready for another payment to the Heart & Stroke and I thank you so much for pledging this way as well as it makes me drive harder to get to the final goal of the year.

Dino and Kelly will be riding from Niagara to Toronto this weekend for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. As I had said in a previous blog, Dino is a Cancer Survivor and will be riding again and this year his wife will be making her first ride on a brand spankin' new bike, hopefully she has a nice soft saddle. Good luck with the ride and have fun out there the most Dino and Kelly. We will see you at the finish line, Ivana, me, Maya and Holly.


Damaged Heart

Buffalo ½ Marathon!!! 100km marker hit

As I passed the 12 mile marker, I was 63 miles (100km) into the 500 miles for the year. I had to stop and take a photo so that I could send a text out to people that have pledged to donate so much per 100km, which is fantastic, as it is a little goal to hit within my bigger goal for the year.

As you can tell by the tracker on top of the page, I am at 64.1 miles this year with some big days to come throughout the summer. This weekend coming is the Heart & Stroke, Ride for Heart which will be a 75km ride, then on the 14th of June will be the Niagara Ultra 50k, which goes from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls and back.

Saturday afternoon, Steve and I headed down to Buffalo to do the bib packet pickup, nice drive down. We checked into the hotel, walked over to the convention centre with about an hour left before they closed at 4pm. We walked around looking at the booths and then headed for pick up. After pick up we got in line for our pasta dinner ticket and were set for 6:30 seating. Walked back to the Hotel relaxed a bit then made our way to the church for dinner. We walked into the church and the place was packed, hard to find a seat. Pasta was ok, meatballs were great, bread and FREE beer lol.

After dinner we walked around Downtown Buffalo looked at some of the old buildings and the architect designs and stone work were amazing to see. In Toronto on a Saturday evening downtown is packed of people walking and driving, well not downtown Buffalo, we had to walk a while before seeing any movement. We then headed back to the hotel for an early evening to get some rest.

Sunday morning came at 4:45, got up slowly got this machine oiled (put a coffee on) and moving around. Steve and I left at 6:30 for a nice mile walk to the start line and as you came up Franklin to the start line area, there were crowds of people. The corral was one mass as the race was a chip race as opposed to gun time race, so it really didn't matter where you were if you were trying to qualify for Boston.

Start Line ahead

Behind for many blocks

Weather was a little cool at the start with a breeze, but it didn't take long to warm up. Star, Spangled, Banner was sung, then shortly after the horn blasted and everyone at the start line was off. About and minute and a half Steve and I made it to the start line to begin our ½.  

Steve and I and Thousands more

Steve and I at the Start Line Back right hand side, Me in the Red RunningFree.com Jersey
 and my K-Swiss Kona Canada Shoes 

Took my heart rate pill about now and the just before the start line a GU Espresso Love, since I didn't get my regular routine of Timmies in the morning before going into the start corral. We saw one the night before, closed, but not on the way to the start line, so second best is the Expresso Love GU.  We crossed the start line and we were off. I kept up to Steve for about a half mile, then patted him on the back and said see you at the finish line, break the 2 hour mark. We were in a big crowd and still doing a 5:45/km and that was wayyyy to fast for me, but it felt real good doing it and it would be amazing to be able to keep that for a whole ½.  So Steve found the pace bunny ahead and kept going. I dropped off to the left and slowed the pace down a little bit.

We headed up Franklin to Main on our way to the 5K mark just outside Delaware Park. The road was split with nice houses and spectators all along the route. We made it to the turn around and then on our way to the 10K mark on Delaware. As I turned, took another GU and looked up and saw a climb long and straight. Okay, find a spot ahead and go to it and don't stop. That didn't happen, had to slow down and walk (HR was getting to high). The sun was out now and started to really warm up, forgot my hat, so the sweat was just rolling down my face into the eyes, that burns.

As we topped the hill at the 4 mile mark, you can see all the way down the hill right into downtown. Such a beautiful sight with all the old buildings. By about the 5 mile mark, I was really wanting a Timmies and it made it worse by every cop that I passed at the lights was holding a Timmies I almost ran over, grabbed the cup out of one of the hands but thought, don't need to get arrested. I don't know how friendly they are first thing in the morning.

I made the 10K mark back in the downtown area without any problems, feeling pretty good, made the right turn to head out along Niagara Street for just over a mile, then turned towards the water front area for another mile into LaSalle Park. I saw a sign that said Peace Bridge - Canada, I thought maybe turn here and just run home LOL. Getting into LaSalle Park, this is where my right lower leg went one way and my upper went the opposite and a twist happened.  I had to pull up for about 10 minutes or so. No medics around, I was in between aid/water stations so decided to just rest it a bit. As I was waiting there, the BFD had there Water Pumper Boat on the canal spewing water out.

So there I was, resting and a rainbow appears from beside the boat. Well, I got up and said I won't make a PB today but lets go for under 2:50 then. Made it out of LaSalle Park, through some nice townhomes, then around to the Erie Basin Marina for an out and back. 

Just before we went into the Marina, on the left was the road straight up to Franklin where the Finish Line is. That was a tease!!! Came out of the Marina, along side the Naval Museum with a few ships there past First Niagara Centre (Buffalo Sabres Home) and I thought we were going to turn left up the road to the finish line.... NOPE, they had to tease you AGAIN. Make a right towards First Niagara and then go around a block for a mile, took my final GU Roctaine and then a half mile up is where I stopped for the 12 Mile mark photo. Made it back to the start of the block and looked at the Garmin and didn't think I was going to make the 2:50 as it was 2:46 and I was in pain. I am cursing to myself trying to get myself to go faster and not stop, but as I made the right turn onto Washington Street, there is a climb, short steep climb for the Streetcars and I started to give up. Then this guy comes up behind me and says you can make it lets go and started pushing me to get up the hill. I make the top and had to slow to a walk and he said, I'll be back. He went back to get his wife up the hill, then came back to me with his wife as we were turning onto Franklin for the final stretch home. 

We are climbing a little grade to the finish line and about 400 metres away, him and his wife are telling me to go, go, go and started doing the theme from Rocky (da na naaaa, da na nawww) I laughed and said thank you so much for pushing me and ran the rest of the way to the finish line.  2:54:17, best ½ this year so far, but 12 min off a PB. I looked for them after the finish, but they were no where to be found, maybe they were doing the full marathon. It wasn't that hot, that I got delirious thinking that this all happened, but then again stranger things have happened to me.

This year was the first year that the finish line was being live broadcast over the web until the finish. Ivana didn't come down with us, so she was at home watching Steve cross the finish line in 2:10 he had a difficult time on the course as well and me cross the finish line. As I crossed there are two chutes right for the ½ and left for the full. I saw two video cameras at the finish line and I went to the one as I crossed and blew a kiss for Ivana who would be watching, the guy on the ladder with the video camera looked at me really really strange. No big deal I didn't care I crossed the finish line, had a fantastic day and passed the 100km mark.  

Well, I watched the video when I got home Sunday night and I blew the kiss in the wrong camera, that was for the Full marathon and the video for the ½ was on the far right hand side sort of getting a side profile of me doing it.  I didn't even see that camera, I was like a horse with blinders on, saw something in front and went right for it.

Thanks to all the Volunteers working the water stations, the aid stations and at the expo and post race. Oh, I loved the Pizza and Beer at 10 in the morning, wish we had that in the Ontario races. I missed you at the finish line Ivana, but thanks for watching.

Doing some yard work at home now and getting the knee to be ready for Niagara on the 14th.

Thanks again, Steve, it was a great weekend. The Damaged Hearts In Motion, RunningFree.com, Heart & Stroke Machine is mending again and will be at it on the weekend for the Ride for Heart.

Damaged Heart

Camp OOCH! Sporting Life 10K What a Day!!!!!

Well the Sporting Life 10K for Camp OOCH is over and $2.2 Million Dollars was raised to help send Kids with Cancer to Camp.

from SportingLife10K.ca website 

"Celebrating 30 years Camp Oochigeas, or “Ooch”, has been providing magical camp experiences for children affected by childhood cancer since 1983. Camp Ooch is much more than a summer camp. Ooch is the only residential camp in Ontario to offer on-site IV chemotherapy treatment and blood transfusions. Camp Ooch offers year-round programs for children affected by cancer in Muskoka, at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), two other regional cancer centres and Ooch Downtown in the heart of Toronto. As a registered charity receiving no government funding, this is all made possible by the generous support of fundraisers, donors and volunteers like you." 

Some of the 27,000 in teal blue shirts supporting Camp OOCH

It was a fantastic day on Sunday, getting up in the morning ready to attempt this 10K. Basically the same course I did 3 weeks ago for the Toronto Yonge Street 10K where I PB'd by 1:23sec.  Ivana and I drove to the start area, but where we normally would park, the street was closed due to construction (In Toronto we have to seasons... Winter and Construction). This year there are streets closed all over the city due to construction. Well we had a little bit of a walk to get up to the start line to meet some friends whom I was going to try and run with, Steve and Jennifer. I found them just before the start and took a couple of photos and then we were off down the famous street in Canada, Yonge Street.

I have to go back a bit first to the beginning of the week as this week was a truly humbling week for me. As you know, I entered into a couple of draws last weekend and I almost never win anything except those give-a-ways that cost you more money so they really aren't free lol.   The week started out by winning a Finisher's Pride Metal Frame as I had posted earlier, then as the Sporting Life 10K was sold out, 27,000 people, I had to attempt to obtain a BiB# for the race. I had obtained a bib from a woman who couldn't make the race, paid her for the bib and I received an email from the Heart & Stroke for my Fund Raising Campaign that a donation was made. I looked it up and the person that I purchased the Bib from donated that money right to the Heart & Stroke in memory of her father. That really made me feel deep and warm inside knowing the kindness that is out there in this world. So I decided that her fathers memory would be Racing the rest of my 500 Miles this year on my Jersey's along with others if anyone would like to let me know. 

So the next thing that happens is that I get an email from Kim at Running Free in Markham, asking me if I would like to join the Team Running Free for the remainder of the season. You see, in September you get to make an application for Team Running Free for the next season. This team consists of Elites, AG's and all of the rest of us athletes that are at any level of performance with personal goals to attain and a desire to give back. Well, I said YES, so on Saturday I went and talked with Kim and picked up my Team Running Free Gear. I have to say that I love the Tri shorts, I ran in them for the Sporting Life 10K and were really comfortable, can't wait to go for a ride and then see how I feel on the run right after. So the week has been fantastic for me which has been a big uplifter for me to really get out there and start raising funds for Heart & Stroke. Thank you again Finisher's Pride, Amy W for your bib and Kim at Running Free for allowing me to be a part of your Team

Jennifer, Steve and I

Well back to the Race.  Beautiful weather for Mother's Day and running down Yonge Street. We started off at 9am in our wave and I was going to try and keep up with Steve and Jennifer for as long as I could. Now I am about 7:45-8:10/km, not the fastest but I can go and go and go just like the Energizer bunny I have no problem going the distance, I sometimes don't know when I will be done but I will persevere to the finish line. My moto on my Road ID is "Progress Not Perfection". As long as I am going forward I am progressing. At the 1K mark we were 6:50/km and I was feeling good, a little pain in the knee but breathing was good.  1.5K comes and my HR is 167bpm (max for me is 145 bpm) and I realized that I forgot to take my medication before the start. So I told Steve and Jennifer that I will catch up in a while, I backed it off to a walk, took my pill some water and waited for my HR to come down.

Now as you can see, Steve is quite tall so it was easy to look ahead and down the hills and see him to keep them in my sight. Started power walking and then into the run I went keep them in sight the best I could. I was keeping a good 7:12/km then later a 7:23/km pace for most of the race knowing that I probably won't catch up to them, but no worries, I'll still finish. If I keep this pace up, I am going to PB for sure on 10K. I was feeling really good, running, walking chugging and talking with people around me that were asking about this 500 miles in 2014.  My race was so good that nothing was really bothering me, my knee was aching but I kept running then when the HR got a little high, I would walk then start power walking then back to the run I would go. 

8KM - I looked at the Garmin and saw 1:02:23, the whole time during the race I am thinking seriously about making a 1:15:00 race, that would be a big cut time in my 1:20:36 PB, but I can't make that time if I just keep walking as well, so I decided not to walk the rest of the 2K and just run it the best I could. I lost track of Steve and Jennifer somewhere around the 6K mark.  I ran the rest of the way to the finish line seeing Ivana just before it, stopped for a kiss and then kept going. 

I am about 500 yards from the finish and it was the longest distance in my mind, then some guy (the one on the right in the photo above with the beard, I think looked like him) slapped me on the back and said "Lets GO" and he started running, so I followed and he turned around at the finish line right before me and HIGH FIVED each other. Awesome Finish..... 1:16:00.01 Personal Best. There must have been a lot of factors on Sunday for me to have that great finish, Amy's fathers' name on my jersey, Team Running Free, the slap on my back, my wife and my friends there running the same race. Thanks to everything that fell into place. 

Steve and Jennifer before the Finish Line

The Guy behind me is the one that Slapped my back

Steve and I are off to Buffalo for the ½ marathon on May 25th, and we are both looking at a PB there.  Steve makes his PB, he will be waiting a little bit at the finish line for me. Here is to Steve making it under 2 hours and me under 2:42.

Here is a few plugs for friends, supporters and my company, Things couldn't get done with out them.

Team Running Free     Runningfree.com

Heart & Stroke            Road ID

Forward Motion Mediation

CFA Communications Ltd and CFA Web Videos

GU Energy Gel   Mizuno   Montrail   Aquaman   

7 Systems Supplement   CW-X   Fox River   Nathan   Quntana Roo

Damaged Heart

Mississauga 10K May 3, 2014

Wow, what weather we had on the weekend, especially Saturday afternoon/evening.

Friday was a busy day, off to Running Free in Markham, then stopped in Port Credit for the Mississauga Marathon Expo to get my bib and shirt and goodies for the Valeant Pharmaceuticals 10K run for Saturday night, some really nice give aways. I walked around the expo for awhile talking to a few people, then off I went to downtown Toronto and popped into the Expo for the Toronto Marathon, just to grab the bib and out again.

Saturday morning, woke up, Ivana and I headed out the door to go to the Expo in Toronto so that she could get her bib and shirt for the 5K that was happening on Sunday starting after I would be finishing the ½ marathon.

We walked around the expo for HOURS, really I figured we would have been there maybe 45min to an hour, but no. We stopped at every booth there was chatted looked around and there was some nice things there. Ivana bought socks, shirt and a few things. I had to get a few Gu's, got a new fuel belt and then filled out a few raffle draws looked at going to Bermuda for a Marathon in January next year. If next January is like anything that we had this year, WE ARE GETTING OUT OF TOWN!!!!!  Oh, Ivana is wanting to do a race in Montreal, as they are giving out medals with little lights on them for all of their races. They look cool. 

We stopped at this booth called Finisher's Pride where they had metal frames so that you can put your bib and medal in it for display, they looked really nice, they were having a draw as well, so yes we filled out the ballots.  They open from the back and you can wrap your bib inside along with the medal. This is what they look like.

Well, Saturday afternoon the rain started it was coming down pretty good in Toronto and by the time we left for Mississauga for the 10K, which started at 6:30pm, the rain would start, then stop, then start again.  Driving over I just kept thinking please stop at least for the race then start up again after. 

Parking was pretty good, we drove to almost the start line, parked in a plaza as Ivana was going to watch the start and then drive over towards the finish line and take the shuttle bus to the finish and wait for me there. 

Walking to the start line, trying to warm up, it is still raining and then with about 4 minutes to start, the rain stops, then sun is coming out and it is warming up AWSOME. Horn blows and we are off, not before I stop Flash and get a selfie with him LOL. 

Selfie of me and Flash just before the Start

Here is the rainbow

As I am crossing the Start line, there is a rainbow appearing and I am thinking LUCKY CHARMS maybe I can get a PB tonight. NOOOOOO the start was down a hill, then up a hill then down a hill then up a hill and once more the same, I thought Mississauga was pretty flat along the lakeshore but not until we reached the 5K mark was it a flat course. I figured with the 10K tonight and then the ½ marathon tomorrow morning, I would take it easy and save my legs. As you know, I am not out to win anything except to race the 500 miles this year and raise money for the Heart & Stroke. 

Well, I felt good during the race and was making the hills so why not go for it.  The weather was nice now, people were encouraging others on, I was trading places with a few runners and power walkers it was a great night. 

Great waterfront path just before 5K

8K came and OUCH, the knee felt mushy and then a pain was setting in. I cranked up the music louder on the phone and talked myself into finishing this race and not worry about it. I came along the final KM and you can see the finish line on the other side of the water inlet and I said push it now, I am looking to PB by about a minute, then I had nothing left in the tank to go the last ½ km.  I saw Ivana on the left just before the finish line and I tried to get to the line in time, but was 23 seconds of my PB. That was still ok for me as I still had to go tomorrow morning (in 12 hours) for a ½ marathon.

Another 6.1 Miles Down
(sorry Marathon-photos, I will be ordering)

It was really nice seeing families out there doing the relay, kids all over the place running and having fun, parents encouraging them all on.  I had a blast even knowing that I was going to be at it again in the morning for a little bit longer.

I heard that Mississauga Marathon had raised over $150,000.00 for all of their charities. Great job to everyone who was out there raising money.

Well, I will be back with the ½ Marathon Report later.

Damaged Heart