Dawn on the lake, Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 6:45 a.m.

An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.  Henry David Thoreau

I had intended to run to my usual 6 mile turnaround, by the Empire Sandy  to take photo there for part 2, however I started a new job today and feeling pressed for time, cut back to 5 miles.  I was too early for the sunrise but a beautiful time of day, nonetheless.

I have been taking photos of the route I most often run.  However there are far too many for one post.  So, to start I’ll say that one of the things I love about my runs is that for about 9 months of the year, I get to see the lake 5-6 times a week.  I left the house around 6:25 a.m. and ran 5 miles at a very easy pace.  The halfway mark / turnaround point my 5 mile run to the lake, is pictured here, just west of the island airport ferry terminal.  As always, I stop a moment to think of all the good things in my life, the appreciation of which is heightened by the sunrise on the lake.

Sunday, September 5, 2010, 6:45 a.m. I give thanks!

The run today was longest I have done in 2 1/2 years.  It was very tough mentally to get out the door as my usual long run pals, the “running philosophers”  are running tomorrow and our annual family gathering takes place tomorrow.  Our default day is Saturday.   I’ve tentatively named the group, “Smart Men and One Fast Woman”.  I will refrain from revealing too much about them, until they have had a chance to consult their lawyers about confidentiality and copyright issues. But I will say that they are wonderful company and I appreciate their companionship.

Route description: Start and end point is the West-End YMCA at Dovercourt and College.  Run west to High Park, enter at High Park Boulevard, up Centre Road to a path that circles the park.  Run counter-clockwise on the mainly shaded, wood chip trails and exit the Park at Colbourne Lodge drive.  Short jog south to the Martin Goodman trail and east to the end of Marilyn Bell Park, turn around and head west along the lake, over the Palace Pier bridge, through the butterfly garden.   Enter the spit-like, Humber Bay Park East on the path that goes by the monument that honours the victims of the Air India disaster.  Circle the park and then double back and run the same route to Colbourne Lodge Drive.  Enter High Park and run through the southeast quandant, exiting at High Park Boulevard and returning on the same route for the home stretch.

URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4014984

A glorious day!   More later . . .

30 years strong

https://www.terryfox.org/Run/

One of the ways to increase mileage is to run twice a day.  So, the fun part of the running day is my very, very easy 3 miler, a warm-up for the track work this evening.  My goal today, is to run a total of 9-10 miles.  Since I am off work this week, I can run later than usual and I time my run to the hours of the Crumpler bag store on Queen Street West.  With the upcoming trip, (4 stops in 9 days) I am need to be a lean and mean traveling machine.  My current bag, a Samsonite, has been a disappointment.  I viewed this purchase as a bit of an investment and the returns, well the wheels have expired after 3 years.  Warranties for luggage, rarely cover wheels as that is considered “wear and tear”.

So I did some research and read that these Crumpler bags are well-regarded but that they are not cheap and are never marked down.  Anyhow, it is easier to get out the door with a destination in mind so I thought I’d run by the store to have a look. En route, I drop off a long-overdue graduation gift to the daughter of a cousin, a book of William Blake prints, purchased at the Tate a year and a half ago.  The graduate, studied art and film and is about to enter a masters program in film criticism at U of T, a new program I hear.

IKEA stool $5 at the Royal, assembly included

Then south to Queen street where I spot an IKEA stool at a second-hand store called The Royal.  I tell the salesperson that I’ll come by on the return leg of my run to pick it up.  I have a similar IKEA stool already and it works well as a step stool, which is a useful item when you are 5 feet 1 1/2 inches.

In the past, while shopping-on-the-run  on Queen street I have had been subject to dismissive treatment  by oh-too-cool sales clerks.  In order to appear more shopper-like I wear as a “salute” to Queen street, a black running skirt and black running top with a zip front.  I’m heartened to see that many of the bags have been marked down and that the very expensive suitcase I am interested in is 40% off AND you get a $100 voucher for your next purchase.

As my son needs a bag suitable for a RIM intern, and the zipper on my backpack recently broke, one of us can use the $100 voucher, I take the plunge and buy the bag and the clerk is agrees to hold until my son or husband can pick it up today or tomorrow.

40% off & $100 voucher

I figure that the internet research and shopping-while-running has saved me at least 3-4 four hours and translates into the time it takes to run 20-30 miles.  I reverse my direction on Queen Street and stop at the Royal where I am greeted with enthusiasm.  Since they are not able to give me change for my large bill, I’m told to take the orange stool and drop the money by some other time.  I tell them that I usually run early in the morning and the guy says, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll get it to us sometime.”  I thank him and tell him that I’ll post a photo of the store on my blog.  This blog is becoming quite a conversation piece.

So I run up Dovercourt carrying a stool.  My husband would never do such a thing.  I recall the time we rented a carpet steam cleaner and I pulled the wheeled machine along with my scarf.  He found that embarrassing.  Is this related to the sock-pocket, a gender thing? (see previous blog, Fluids on the run, a tip)  I get honked at and see that it is a running buddy, I haven’t seen for awhile though we have been trying to reconnect for a run.  So we make a date for next Friday and he offers a drive, which I decline.  I take his photo and ask his permission to post it on the blog.  Making it the the third person I’ve mentioned my blog to on this very short run.

Caught running with a stool by a running buddy

I finish this 3 mile adventure at Starbuck’s with my trademark “fatty latty” and the purchase of 12 VIA instant coffee packets, which will be the first thing that gets packed into my new Crumpler suitcase.

Auf Wiedersehen!

An hour run down to the lake, ending at the local cheese store to buy pain au chocolat and raisin croissants.  Then we hit the road to help our son settle in to his new home in K-W.  So, I spend the day waiting for the internet installer, reassemble a futon couch and a bed and dine on cold pizza, leftover from the post-move pizza party.  With little time to think about blogging, I’ll end the day with a quote, one which I’ll have to keep in mind when I hit the track tomorrow evening.

When you run, your heart sings the freedom that surrounds you, and rejoices in the changing seasons of your fleeing life . . . When you race, you live your life to the fullest, and bring death to your inhibitions and fears.  It is in racing that you witness the rebirth of your spirit and soul.

Kamal Jabbour

p.s.  As an antidote to the cold pizza, I dined Alaskan on king crab in the evening.