Run for your life.

Kid no more

2009-05-02T07:40:00.001-02:30

By Jason HusseyMay 1 8PM - I’ve always considered myself to be fat. My Mom used to be nice and say I was just ‘husky’ but for as long as I can remember, I’ve been just plain fat. Actually one of my earliest memories is of my witch of an Aunt saying to her two sons, “stop eating those chips, do you two want to be fat like your cousin?” as I stood next to them in the yard. That scarred me for

Time to shine

2009-03-02T19:10:00.001-03:30

I can’t believe it. We’re just a couple of days away from heading down the road to one of our most ambitious running goals ever. Actually, I could remove the word “running” from that last sentence. In a matter of hours, I and 19 of my closest running buddies will be training for a 26.2 mile jaunt through the colourful streets of Toronto, Ontario. Yup, for all of us, it will be our first ever

Thanks for the memories

2008-12-27T12:35:00.001-03:30

It was just about a year ago that I was lamenting over what a terrible running year 2007 was for me, that was until I received a gift that seemed to put the whole year in perspective. I ended 2007 by writing,I can now look forward to 2008 and all that it holds for me and I look at 2007 a little differently than before. Go out and make 2008 your masterpiece.Well, check and mate on that one.

Cool Sundays

2008-12-14T12:40:00.001-03:30

There's something cool about being in a running club made up of your co-workers and a few of their relatives.It's cool for two reasons. One being that employees of our workplace have made a commitment to fitness and healthier living, but even more noteworthy is the fact that when we get together on Sunday mornings, we run, encourage, cheer-on, applaud, high-five and hug each other, before

The monster within

2008-11-30T06:48:00.001-03:30

John Bingham wrote, “For many of us, running releases a primal element of ourselves that we didn’t know existed. It seems like once we let that monster out, it wants to take over.” I couldn’t agree more, and that got me thinking, just what exactly does it mean to be a runner?When answering this question, some would immediately analyze pace, distance, miles, years, even "seriousness." Not me.To

Born to run

2008-11-13T19:55:00.001-03:30

This week, about a dozen cheerful souls took their first few strides (in the rain I might add) along the road to long and rewarding running careers. As is often the case when I talk to new runners, I get asked for some advice or “pearls of wisdom” that might make the experience that much more enjoyable. I went way back, almost two years to the day, in my blog archives, and dug this one up.I

Travel Day

2008-10-24T23:06:00.001-02:30

I don't think there is anything I enjoy more than participating in an organized road race, whether in my hometown or somewhere not-so-close to home. One thing I am not so fond of (read hate) is the physical act of traveling. I'm not so fond of airports, crowds, four dollar coffees, eight dollar sandwiches and airplanes, well actually, I think airplanes are cool and I love the actual flying part

Raise the bar

2008-10-23T18:00:00.002-02:30

Whomever it was that said a red sky in the morning is bad news, probably wasn't a runner and certainly never saw the sky I saw last Saturday morning. At times it was like I was running inside of a photograph that was being worked on in some photo editing software and different levels of sepia tones were being experimented with to find what looked best. It was simply spectacular, a great way to

Warm souls

2008-10-09T19:19:00.001-02:30

I've written in the past about how anywhere, anytime, a run can grab hold of you and warm your soul. After standing at the finish line of a recent 10-K road race, I should expand that to read “anywhere, anytime, a runner can grab hold of you and warm your soul.”It was just a few days ago that an annual Turkey Tea 10-K took place and a number of our Club members were participating. A challenging

The difference between you and me

2008-10-02T20:44:00.001-02:30

Hello? Are you there? I understand you've been calling me. I've been thinking about you lately too.We've never met, but I've heard a lot about you, some good, some not-so-good. I guess we're similar in that way, but that's where it ends.You're cold-hearted, some say unforgiving. You're ruthless. Brutal even.I am merciful.You're sadistic and cruel, callous in your approach. You're a bully.I

Stuck in a moment

2008-09-25T18:37:00.001-02:30

What a great week it has been. My wife and I figured-out we have reached a combined weight-loss-to-date totaling 202 pounds. We celebrated by running an easy 10-miles and then by me chasing Gloria around a big box store in search of the perfect shoes. Before heading home, we stopped at a local baseball field where we sat and watched 10-year-olds play a few innings on a beautiful Saturday

Coming into one's own

2008-09-11T19:11:00.001-02:30

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately--early morning runs by one's self are a great breeding ground for thoughts and ideas. I've brought some of these thirty-minute reflections to a friend over the past week or so and they've turned into some wonderful, deeper-than-usual conversations. My friend claims to be a better listener than a contributor, but believe me, she can give it just as

Running hurts my shoulders

2008-08-28T20:21:00.001-02:30

(first published August 31, 2005)The plan was a 4 mile run. The outcome was a little less than that.I was on the road at 0600 this morning and as soon as I began running, the skies opened and the rain started pelting down. That wasn't so bad; I like running in a warm rain, but the workout the day before at the gym, began to take it's punishing toll early in the run. I had worked my shoulders on

Time machine

2008-08-16T06:06:00.001-02:30

I took a few steps back in time this week, during an early morning workout. I had always been an early morning runner, but since joining a running club, most of my runs had been moved to the lunch hour. I had grown comfortable running amongst the mid-day traffic, zigzagging through intersections, sharing the road with drivers, some of whom really didn’t want to share the road with me.As I got

Hop-along

2008-07-31T17:05:00.001-02:30

A few days ago, our Running Club got together for our once-a-year "Gala" to hand out a few awards to those runners who left extra special impressions on us over the past twelve months of training and racing. I had the privilege, as President of the club, of choosing the recipient of the "President's Award", no easy decision by any means. When it came time to announce the winner on awards night,

The sights and sounds of the season

2008-07-17T17:43:00.001-02:30

Hard to believe, but here I am, just a few days away from my favourite running event of the year. Adding to the excitement is the imminent arrival of family members coming from different parts of the country to participate in the race and spread some "Christmas cheer", complete with a turkey dinner and all the trimmings. We've figured-out that the latter weeks of July are more like a family

Brown's Store

2008-07-08T18:38:00.001-02:30

[first published September 2006]There's something about running on Sunday mornings. Lately, I've been a little sluggish when first waking up, so when I thought I heard rain bouncing off my bedroom window I was relieved to have an excuse not to go for a run; when I looked out however, it was like the streets were calling to me. It was one of those mornings when the sun was just coming up over the

Saved by technology

2008-06-19T16:51:00.001-02:30

(first published May 2006)The other day a friend asked how my training was going and I beamed a little as I let him know that my sessions had been very strong and that I've been working on my pace to try to get a little faster. I'm a pretty steady just below 12 minute per mile kind of guy and it's something I want to improve on this year. Things were going great, or so I thought, until I was out

From dreamers to doers

2008-06-05T17:05:00.001-02:30

I've often said, when referring to our Running Club, we're the most out-of-shape bunch of fit people you'd ever want to hang out with. Such a statement no longer has any semblance of truth. This group is a finely-tuned fitness machine.Until now, our racing goals have always been the same from the fastest to the not-so-fastest runners in our Club:Finish. Every race we've entered to this point

Facing my demons

2008-05-25T12:18:00.001-02:30

Today was a little different. It was my first run since the Blue Nose Half Marathon and my first run without my running club in months. I must say, I missed my running buddies; I prefer to run solo, but I enjoy the camaraderie of starting and finishing with the group and sharing a few stories over a post-run coffee.I took advantage of my alone time to face one of my demons. I have my very own

Nan, The Beav, and The Little Engine That Could

2008-05-22T18:16:00.001-02:30

Someday I’ll fly. Someday I’ll soar.I love it when a plan comes together. Our Running Club’s recent trip to the Blue Nose Half Marathon in Halifax could be summed-up in a single word:Perfection.It was an emotional weekend, check that, it was an emotional week beginning with the ups and downs of wondering if we were even going to make it to Halifax. Pea soup-thick fog had grounded most flights

My friend the half marathoner

2008-05-08T17:59:00.001-02:30

As I sit here, a little over a week away from the start of the Blue Nose Half Marathon in Halifax, I am reflecting back over the past seventeen weeks of training and thinking how my Running Club buddies have wowed me, yet again. The focus and determination exhibited by each one of our Running Club members has been a great source of inspiration to me and to others who have watched their progress

Good luck with that

2008-04-24T20:38:00.001-02:30

By Ray LawlorRunning. What’s it all about? Well from my perspective this is how I see it.First, the initial idea of going out and running gives me a feeling of “yes” with fists clenched. “Let’s do it!” But the reality is you actually have to run, and by run I mean up hills as well, this is St. John’s, it is unavoidable.Hmm, now the fun just left the idea. I sit and think about this and realize

Boston bound

2008-04-22T19:34:00.002-02:30

I've always had it in my head that Boston is a town I'd like to visit. On top of being home to Super Bowl and World Series champions, the city is also home to some of the best restaurants in North America; sports and food - need I say more? But it isn't the Red Sox or Sal's Pizza that has me in a Boston state of mind, it has more to do with the six consecutive hours I spent earlier this week

Chronology of the perfect run

2008-04-10T17:37:00.001-02:30

Experts will tell you, and I agree wholeheartedly, that all runners, from back-of-the-packers to the elite, should maintain a running log. It's important to keep track of how you felt, how far you ran, what the weather was like and what you ate so you can look for patterns in your performance and determine what factors led to your best runs.I've reached what I believe is the "runner's high" on

Where x equals y

2008-03-27T17:09:00.001-02:30

As I creep closer to the ripe old age of forty, there are a few things, where running is concerned, that I can shout from the rooftops with great certainty.First, like fine furniture of the same era, I creek and crack with just the slightest of movements compared to just a few years ago; a condition that seems to worsen in colder temperatures for both the furniture and me.Second, and along the

The Golden Years

2008-03-13T17:30:00.001-02:30

by Ray LawlorMy running ambitions began about six years ago when I turned the big five-o, the start of the Golden Years as they are known. I have always loved life and made a pact with myself to cherish and chase after every moment that I can nourish out of life. How best could I do this? Simple. Take care of myself and get in better shape. Running would be a great start. So off I went,

The Inspiration Muscle

2008-02-29T11:31:00.001-03:30

by Heather HopkinsOn the T2F website, there is a section called the Inspiration Muscle. Since our website started, I have often thought about what the inspiration muscle is. Is it just a clever play on words or is it real? Over the last year, I have come to the conclusion that it is very real and can take many different forms. It may be reaching a personal accomplishment that encourages you to

Case study

2008-02-15T20:55:00.001-03:30

You know, I've read lots of articles and heard many an announcer going on about how organizations have realized major cost savings by adopting a more active corporate lifestyle. Just Google the topic and you're presented with thousands of case studies outlining countless programs developed by employers encouraging regular, physical activity; programs that have led to healthy employees and even

Six more weeks?

2008-02-14T17:26:00.001-03:30

I've never been much of a Winter-time runner, in fact, I always used to take the months from December to March, off completely from running. Lately though, I've been enjoying some cold-weather runs so much so, I'm kind of glad Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.And while the thought of a longer, colder Winter has at least one of my fellow Running Club members rolling her eyes, I'll state my case

The best laid plans

2008-01-31T17:14:00.001-03:30

What a great time of year.There's a buzz among Club members - nothing like setting a goal and laying out a plan to get the running juices flowing again. Just a few nights ago, I was practically gitty while packing my bag with my running gear in anticipation of the start of another training session; that and the fact that I hadn't run in a month and was eager to see how things were going with my

Cut down, not out

2008-01-15T15:39:00.000-03:30

It’s that time of year again. Health clubs are alive with the sounds of grunts and groans from New Year’s Resolutioners, determined to stick with it and lose weight this time. Notice the emphasis on “this time”. It has been well documented that eighty-five percent of diets fail. Actually, diets don’t fail, people do, but why? Believe me, I have experience with weight

My "thing"

2007-12-29T07:45:00.001-03:30

It was only a few days ago, Christmas Eve to be exact, that I was lamenting over what a lousy year 2007 has been for me in terms of running. Injuries kept me on the sidelines for more days than I care to remember making 2007 my lowest mileage year ever, by far. If that didn't provide enough fuel to fill my self pity tank, during the last group run of the year, I go out and pull a calf muscle

I can't. Can I?

2007-12-16T11:03:00.000-03:30

One of the things I love about running is watching other runners, newer ones especially, figure out what they're capable of; this played itself out yet again with two runners in our Club over the past few weeks.Now don't get me wrong, running is tough, but the battle with one's own psyche, is at times, an unwinnable fight; most newer runners are not suitably armed to wage the war. Newer runners

Auld Lang Syne

2007-12-05T18:22:00.000-03:30

What a difference a year makes.This week I've been putting the finishing touches on a half-marathon training program for our Running Club that begins with some 2 mile runs next month, and winds its way from there to the 13 mile road race. A year ago I was putting together a program for this same group that started out with some 20 minute walks. That's progress.December tends to be the month

Peer pressure

2007-11-24T10:53:00.001-03:30

I was reading over some old blog entries from when I started running a few years ago and had quite a chuckle over this one so I thought I'd bring it forward once again. Based on some of the severe weather our Running Club has gladly faced since January, I've either become more dedicated, or I am in fact, a dummy.___________________________ I'm no dummy.This morning I woke up, looked out and

The biggest losers

2007-11-16T18:48:00.000-03:30

You can count carbs, points, and grams of fat, and you can even count sheep if you want to, but when it comes to losing weight, whether one hundred pounds or just five, the science hasn't changed. To lose weight, you need to be calorie-deficient, that is, you need to burn more calories than you consume, period.But to win the calorie war, you have to make, and keep, two commitments. First, you

Enjoying the view from atop

2007-11-03T19:30:00.001-02:30

It's true that all runners, whether seasoned veterans or newbies, elite athletes or back-of-the-packers, go through peaks and valleys during their running careers. This week has demonstrated to me that most members of our running club are surfing high atop a momentous wave.Our club has become a close-knit group. We take pride in each other's good days and we share in each other's pain. I've

Nuts anyone?

2007-10-26T22:13:00.001-02:30

For brief moments in my life, I think I’m a little nuts; one such moment occurred a little less than a year ago.It was New Year’s Eve 2006. The sun had gone down on what had been a beautiful day and while most others in the City were readying for a memorable night on the town, my wife Gloria was lacing up her running shoes and I was covering my nipples with band-aids.We had signed up for our

Learning to run again

2007-10-18T15:02:00.000-02:30

I'm recalling a recent trip to my Chiropractor's office, not so much because of the cracks and screams that usually keep me remembering my visits, but more because of what was said to me by the receptionist, Diane.As I made my way up the stairs of the office, bent over a cane, and looking more like a walking letter "C" than a human being, Diane commented that I didn't look so good. I took

Picture this

2007-10-06T14:18:00.001-02:30

Today, was a good day. Aside from washing the car and mowing the lawn, relatively pain-free, I put twenty minutes in on the treadmill doing a 4/1 walk/run session without any problems. There weren’t any noticeable changes to my usually poor running form, and both the walking and running segments were at my normal pace - a return to training is imminent. But before that happens, I will enjoy

You're it

2007-09-18T19:45:00.000-02:30

I watched eight grown-ups play a game of “tag” today, something I’m sure none of them had done for at least twenty years. But it didn’t take long for those school yard smiles to come rushing back to their faces once the chase began.It got me thinking. At what point in our lives do we let this kind of fun leave us? Besides being thirty minutes of pure enjoyment, judging by the huffing and

The January blahs...

2007-08-01T15:01:00.001-02:30

The presents have been opened, the turkey long finished, family members have all gone home. The post-Christmas January blahs have begun to set in.No, you're not reading an old entry and no, I don't think I'm losing my mind, but the end of the Tely 10 Road Race, is for me, akin to the end of Christmas and all the celebration that surrounds it.I have been keeping my mind busy with the memories of

Ego, get out of the way...

2007-06-25T20:06:00.000-02:30

Over the past few weeks, among other things, I've been reading "Jeff Galloway's Book on Running". For those of you not familiar with Jeff, he's been running for four decades, is a former long distance Olympian, and writes a regular column for Runner's World when he's not writing his own bestselling books. I have to think that what Jeff has to say holds a bit of weight.Jeff is a great believer in

And Susan makes four...

2007-06-01T19:36:00.000-02:30

Originally published November, 2006I received an email from my oldest sister today announcing that she too has taken up running. She wrote that her reason for doing so is because she was getting tired of being left out of family gatherings that more and more have been revolving around running events.I think it's terrific that my oldest sister has made this decision and it confirms my belief that

Joseph...

2007-05-21T08:42:00.000-02:30

With the most recent road race completed and leaving me with two toenails hanging on for dear life, a blister on the bottom of my foot, and two nipples that make the shirt up against them feel like a cheese grater, one would have to question why it is we do this to ourselves. Luckily, the answer became quite clear during the event.The Bluenose 10-K was an out and back course that brought

My favourite time of year...

2007-05-08T19:43:00.000-02:30

Only in Canada's far east does the start of training for a 10-mile summertime race, and the removal of outdoor Christmas lights, fall on the same weekend. Regardless of the misery that is our weather this time of year, the start of Tely 10 training, is for me, almost as magical as Christmas is for most other people. There's the hustle and bustle of runners, new and old, returning to the streets;

Believers...

2007-04-27T18:20:00.000-02:30

Hello Gang:Well, here we are. All of the necessary footstrikes are behind us, and now you enjoy a couple of days rest before graduation day. You're all prepared, you'll all do well. Just think, our 4-month program is done - and some of you crossed your eyes in disbelief when you first saw our schedule (can't wait until you see the Tely 10 schedule!).I can see major changes in many of you,

Running as therapy...

2007-04-21T09:44:00.000-02:30

I've been running for a few years now and while I've had my fair share of injuries, both running and non-running ones, I've also experienced some wonderful "highs" over the past several months. Ironically, my greatest moment in running came last weekend, while injured.I can clearly recall the first time I was able to run for a mile without stopping. After that, running for 30 minutes was a

Designated cheerleader...

2007-04-08T20:28:00.000-02:30

It's funny how things work out sometimes. Just the other day I was thinking how I didn't have much time to write in my blog, what with work commitments, my training for the half marathon in May, and our new Running Club. After last week, writing time will no longer be in short supply.Last Tuesday, I ran some sprints with our Running Club and ended up tweaking a hamstring in the process. When I

I work with runners...

2007-03-24T19:03:00.000-02:30

I've been watching a really neat thing take place over the past two and half months; 15 of my co-workers have turned from non-believers into runners, equally dedicated to running as many of the elite who participate in the sport.Our Running Club began the first week of January with 16 eager faces, most of whom were new to running. We started that week with 20 minute walks and have progressed to

A spring in my step...

2007-02-10T17:11:00.000-03:30

Today was a special day. It was the day to compile my training schedule for the half marathon taking place in Halifax in May.It's a pretty intense schedule, a lot of running and an almost equal amount of weight training - all put together with the goal of finishing the half while being in the best shape of my life; we have to have goals.Reading over the schedule, one thing is clear - Spring is

Smile, run, smile...

2007-01-20T10:09:00.000-03:30

I've been inspired recently.Oddly enough, the source of my inspiration was not from a Lance Armstrong-like performance in the New York City Marathon; in fact, it wasn't drawn from an athletic feat at all. I've been inspired by the 14 other members of our newly established Running Club, most of whom are brand new to running.What inspires me about these people is their drive and enthusiasm to

A dozen reasons why I run...

2007-01-04T07:53:00.000-03:30

A neat thing happened a few days ago. A co-worker approached me and asked if we could run together in the new year, turns out he's quite interested in losing a few pounds, improving his fitness level, and becoming a runner. I responded to him by suggesting that we put out an invitation to all of our co-workers to join a new lunchtime Running Club, targeted at beginners - he agreed.That afternoon,