QUOTE OF THE DAY

Guest: "You are the person who has to decide. Whether you'll do it or toss it aside; you are the person who makes up your mind. Whether you'll lead or will linger behind. Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar. Or just be contented to stay where you are."

The picture above is of where I would love to be this morning - this is one of the hot springs at the spa in Japan that we go to when we are in Japan. After 13k in that heat last night I would have loved to be sitting in that spring afterwards.

I went to the Brampton Running Room for their club walk last night and after we were finished with the clinic members , I did an extra 8k with the clinic leaders. It was a great evening and I really enjoyed the company of new people who are so passionate about the sport. Hopefully the will be able to assist in pressuring the new Brampton Half Marathon into having a walking division. As of yesterday, it became official that the new Oakville half on Labour day will now have walking divisions in both their 10k and half marathon divisions - that is great news - and even better considering that it was pressure from the walking community that got it done. A lesson learned - we want more walker friendly races - we need to fight the good fight - they won't do it unless we make sure our voices are heard - and loudly!!!!!!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Roger Bannister: "The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win. "

Vince Lombardi: "Real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. That's the essence of it."

It was a great evening to get out and do some kms last night - did 10k in 1:10:00 which is the best pace I have been able to sustain since the injury at Mississauga. That result leaves me much more positive feeling about my rehab.

Today is the Go Transit walking to live well clinic at noon. Andrea Bourgeois of Nutriquest is our guest speaker today and having heard her before, I am sure the clinic participants will really enjoy her presentation and her energy. After a short walk with the clinic, I will do 7 or 8 km when I get home.

Tomorrow night I plan to head up to Brampton to take part in the group walk with the Running room there. One week and my second Half/Full Marathon Clinic begins at the Oakville store - Have some new friends joining and the return of a number of old friends -- should be a great time.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Robert Green Ingersoll: "The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart"

Milton Berle: "I'd rather be a "could-be', if I cannot be an "are'; because a "could-be" is a "maybe" who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a "has-been" than a "might-have-been', by far; for a "might-have-been" has never "been", but a "has" was once an "are'.

Here we are Monday, Monday -------after a pretty good weekend of training --- I felt badly though as I had the Ottawa Half on my calender but discretion was the better part of valor -- no way was I ready after Mississauga...It is slowly coming back though -- did 12km on Saturday and 11 yesterday so that was three consecutive days at 10+km which was the first time I had done 3 days in a row since the Marathon.....

I am starting to get more excited about the upcoming racing season -- one always has to have at least one positive going on in one's life and for me that is my training and my racing.

The positives that come out of this sport are too numerous to mention but thank God for each and every one of them!!!!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Robert Frost

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I... I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference"

Ronald. E. Osborn:

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."

I have taken the liberty to attach some photos taken at my GO Transit "Walking to Live Well" clinic - with some of the guest speakers I have had to this point - they have been absolutely terrific and the participants in the clinic have really enjoyed the information the have received. As one person noted when seeing the one picture - "they are all eating healthy too."

I had a great training session yesterday - about 10k at a good pace and relatively pain free - I woke up with some back pain this morning so I "listened to my body" and took the morning off with the exception of a number of new core strengthening exercises I have implemented into my program.

Will do 10k tomorrow morning and then a session with Glenn and Lin on Saturday afternoon and then with my clinic Sunday Morning. I am now toying with doing the 15k Bread and Honey Race in Streetsville on June 3, at least I believe that is the date. They do not have a walking division but I just want to test my back and feet in a race situation - it is a thought anyway - we shall see -- "it is the road less travelled"

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Henry Ward Beecher: "It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top."

Now isn't that the perfect one for those who don't like hill training!!!!!!! Well. it was great to get back at it this weekend - I was able to do 6.5k with Glenn on Saturday, 6.5k with some clinic members in Oakville on Sunday, and 1ok yesterday at a pace faster than I expected. Very little discomfort - some slight lower back tightening but I think if I take it easy building my mileage up I will be okay. I was certainly good to be back at it.............

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend........Back to work certainly puts a cramp in one's training schedule!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Lee Iacocca:"Boys, there ain't no free lunches in this country. And don't go spending your whole life commiserating that you got the raw deals. You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it bad enough I can have it. It's called perseverance"

Well, I guess it is obvious where I am going with this post today - time to try and get back at it --time to persevere --- I am not yet feeling 100% but I am going to try and do a relaxed 6-8k's tomorrow with my training buddy Glenn. I really miss the training and mentally I am craving it -- so slow and easy recovery pace is what it will be this weekend. I am really missing the clinics already as well - only one week since the end of it and I am in withdrawal - Thankfully a new one will start on June 7th and there is a pretty good registration for it at this point in time - even got a couple of runners converted - Now isn't that cool!!

Have a great holiday weekend everyone --- stay safe!!!!!!!

PS - why this Picture -- It really was Frosty Friday when I woke up - had to scrape the windshield - reminded me of early morning training in January!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Humility leads to strength and not to weakness. It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.?"

John (Jay) McCloy

Anonymous: "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic."

I have received a number of emails in the last 24 hours regarding the article in the latest Running Room magazine -"70 LBS LATER" This was written just after I completed my first ever marathon in Las Vegas and prior to embarking on instructing my first marathon walking clinic which this past weekend sadly came to an end - BUT another is on its' way.

In the intro to my blog I have written - if I could motivate one person to walk in my shoes(Literally and figuratively) it would be an awesome reward.

I feel so fortunate to have been blessed with so many people who have supported me and gone out of their way to help me. Just a few thanks are in order - to all my virtual friends and running room forum friends - thank you for all support and kind wishes.

Glenn and Lin - my training partners, and their daughters Allison, Jenna and Sarah who were and are a second family to me -----I never would have got this far without them.

Paul and Gary at the Oakville Running Room and all my clinic members, Sarah(CDN racewalker) and Julie Boyer ------------ I owe you all a debt of gratitude!!!!

Now, I have had 4 rest days since Mississauga - another one tomorrow before I give it a try on Saturday and Sunday -- I am getting antsy not doing any training -- although sometimes less is more -- I may look at more cross training now!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Myla Kabat-Zinn: "Each difficult moment has the potential to open my eyes and open my heart."

Og Mandino: "Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."

Under normal circumstances I would be too embarrassed or too discouraged to show this picture of me that my best friend Ian took of me coming to the finish line of the Mississauga Marathon. As you can see I am in more than a little discomfort -- just favouring my back a bit!!!!!

But as my second quote(THANKS JULIE) says -- it is a lesson learned that I can take with me to improve my performance the next time. More core training, more cross training(you can say I told you so now Julie) and some visits for deep tissue massage, realignment etc etc. --- sounds like a marathoners grocery list!!!

I can at least walk a bit better today - not great, not ready to train but baby steps, baby steps -- this is one I can't push to come back too soon. I am however hoping I can do a few Kms on the weekend - not hard, not fast and not long --" just do it"

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Corita Kent: "Flowers grow out of darker moments"

Unknown Author: "Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength."

Well the Mississauga Marathon is over for another year - the good news - my clinic members did an awesome job - 3, including myself in the full marathon - all under 5:35:00. Another 7 in the Half - several PB's including a 2:28:00 - an awesome performance from all. They all believed - in themselves, in their training, and in the adage "the harder you train, the easier the race!!"............I am extremely proud of each and every one of them and I thank them all for allowing me to be an ever so tiny part of it...........CONGRATULATIONS "A" TEAM.

On a personal note - I am hoping "flowers grow out of darker moments" - I finished in 5:26:25(chip time) which is slower than Vegas but I guess it is still respectable.........I was on track for my goal all the way to 30km - 2 minutes ahead of my goal at 21.1k (2:28.11)......and then disaster struck --- serious spasms in my back -- to the point I was leaning left so bad I looked like the hunchback of Notre Dame--- this seriously affected my stride to the point, I found out later, that horrible blistering on my feet started -- leaving my right foot a bloody mess by race's end......I seriously considered packing it in however I stuck it out with medics along the way asking if I was alright --- I lied and said yes I was ---- I made it to the finish line none to soon.

The first thing I said at the finish to my friends who were there was that "I will never to this again" But believe me, the second one is the hardest -- Toronto Marathon - October here we come -- got lots of time to get over this one -- considering the problems in the last 12.2km, I know I can improve next time out.

Lesson Learned ----- Don't use orthotics unless you really need to -- I think the couple of weeks I used them last month had a negative impact yesterday. At least get them from someone who cares about you and your body and not the $$$.

Cheers everyone.....have a great day

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."

"Spectacular achievements are always preceded by unspectacular preparation."

Carl Lewis:

"Channel your energy. Focus."

Thomas Paine: "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

When you are searching quotes looking for one's that fit a specific goal like a marathon or half marathon, you often find several and that is what happened today.

Tomorrow is race day - Marathon #2 for me in 5 months - this will be a huge challenge for me because my body still remembers the first one which could be a distinct liability when reaching for a specific goal - BUT realistic or not I am going for it - not going to say it here but my closest friends, training partners and clinic members are aware of it..........GOT TO HAVE A FOCUS!!

Good luck on race day everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Virginia - if you are out there - I would be more than happy to help with the clinic in some way - you can contact me a allanmedd@hotmail.com

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Seneca: "It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness."

Willis Whitney: "Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can."

DO YOU THINK SOME OF US WILL HIT THE WALL AT 32KM - I WILL GUARANTEE IT - WE WILL USE AS MUCH ENERGY IN THE LAST 10K AS IN THE FIRST 32K - THAT TOO IS REALITY

Three days to race day - a great 11.5km last night at goal pace +10secs. Now I am finally starting to feel more positive regarding the outcome on Sunday. The weather forecast is favourable and I hope it stays under 20c and maybe even a little overcast - even a light drizzle would suit me just fine - my favorite race weather.

End of clinic pot luck supper tonight - it will be sad to see this one end as it has been great fun and a wonderful learning experience but a new one starts on June 7th - already have the guest speakers ready for most of the clinic so less to worry about.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Respect the distance or the distance won't respect you! It will eat you up, spit you out and make you beg for mercy"
Michael Shilling referring to the 26.2 mile distance of the marathon

We have been told time and again we were born to success, but a truly run marathon convinces us of that truth"
George Sheehan in Personal Best

Yesterday was a great clinic day. Paul from the Oakville Running Room came to my Walking To Live Well clinic at work and gave the group a great shoe talk - I have never met anyone who has more knowledge about shoes and how to fit them etc. The group really enjoyed it, got some 20% off coupon, and then out for a warm lunch time walk. The numbers are still high with over 20 coming each Tuesday a very positive experience.

Got in 10k yesterday at a relaxed pace - will do another 10 today at race pace pus 10secs, then two rest days and a short warm up 3 km on Saturday -- Then it is race day - can't wait!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Some people drink to impair their judgement, I run marathons to impair mine. Both are addictions but the difference is one is negative and one is positive. Get addicted to running or at least something positive! "
runnersthoughts

Another absolutely gorgeous day - a perfect day for a long or not so long walk - just get away from the couch, the TV, the computer(I should talk) and get outdoors and enjoy.

Only 4 more days to work out the kinks for Mississauga - I am feeling the usual aches and pains that I have become accustomed to prior to a race. I just hope my body has forgotten what it is in for on race day. As everyone says - you expend as much energy - physically and emotionally - in the last 10km as you do in the first 32km.

Today will be the third session of my walking clinic at Go Transit and it is always a pleasure to do this one. It is a fun and enthusiastic group. YMCA Corporate Challenge here we come!!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Michelangelo: "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it."

Robert Schuller: "I will! I am! I can! I will actualize my dream. I will press ahead. I will settle down and see it through. I will solve the problems.
I will pay the price. I will never walk away from my dream until I see my dream walk away: Alert! Alive! Achieved!"

Well all, only 6 more sleeps until the Mississauga Marathon. Remember goals are simply bridges to our dreams. Reach for the stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taper week this week - probably take the day off today with the exception of some cross training - but once again it is such a beautiful day I may have to do some walking just to walk.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Do not listen to those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious." Og Mandino

"My thoughts before a big race are usually pretty simple. I tell myself: Get out of the blocks, run your race, stay relaxed. If you run your race, you'll win....Channel your energy. Focus." Carl Lewis

What a great day to walk -- an early morning start in Oakville - an incredible day - a quick 10.5km was a perfect way to start the day! Doug, from my clinic came with me, and once again his company was greatly appreciated - and fun.

A new project in the making - a tour to do the SUWAKO Half Marathon is Japan on October 28th of this year. -- 10days - airfare, hotel, transportation, and race entry - looking at under $2000.00 for the trip plus your mad money - and exciting business venture.

Anyone interested please let me know at allanmedd@hotmail.com

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

Sarah was absolutely right, High Park was beautiful - I did what I call some soft training there yesterday. The Sakura blossoms are almost perfect - By tomorrow they should be perfect - a little bit of Japan in our own back yard - take advantage if you can.

A short LSW tomorrow with the clinic and some friends from work are coming out to see what it is all about. Hopefully we can motivate them into joining the clinic in June. A fast 6k this afternoon - trying not to overdue it before next weekend.

Enjoy the weather everyone.

Bryan K - where have you disappeared to??????????????????????

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Fall seven times -- stand up eight"

Japanese Proverb

H. Ross Perot: "Something in human nature causes us to start slacking off at our moment of greatest accomplishment. As you become successful, you will need a great deal of self-discipline not to lose your sense of balance, humility and commitment."

Good morning everyone. Another fine day is coming upon us and a great weekend for training. The tapering begins now for the Mississauga Marathon and the excitement is beginning to build. A great last in store clinic last night - handed out certificates which everyone seemed to be surprised by and pleased by as well. Next week is a pot luck finish and then it's race time. I had everyone put their goals for the race on a whiteboard in the store and make a public commitment to their goals and we can now help support and push each other along the path to our goal......Goals are much more powerful when you make them public.

Preparation for the next clinic is underway and guest speakers are locked in for the first 8 sessions, so I am feeling pretty comfortable with that.

Have a great weekend everyone and Keep on Walking

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have nature and that is much better." Juha Väätäinen, Finland

Well., it certainly has been an interesting week - this beginning the work day at 0400am has required some getting used to but this week I have been able to find a way to work out in the afternoon. I did some treadmill work Monday, 2 workouts yesterday, and a speed workout over 10k today - stayed at my desired race pace and was quite happy with it. Now that I have abandoned the orthotics the pain and inflamation in the knees has disappeared and I am thankful of that. My clinic at work was great yesterday - what a great group and they enjoyed my friend Julie's presentation and then she joined us for our walk...a little too easy for an Ironwoman but I was thrilled she was there as were my clinic members. Thanks Julie.