Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon – 2013 Report

By Peter in Running 4 Comments
Red corral start for the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon

I’ve never been so ready to run a race in my life than I was for the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon. When I last ran the Scotia Half back in 2011, I had such a terrible experience (i.e. bag-gate) that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run it again. They must have listened to the complaints because this was one of the most organized races I’ve ever been a part of, and the changes to the course made it even more enjoyable. I’ve ran three races this year and set three new PBs, and with this race I was looking to make it four in a row. Here is my Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon 2013 report. Continue reading

30-20-10 Workout Can Make You Fitter, Faster

By Peter in Running 0 Comment
30-20-10 Workout

Want a fun and easy way to work some speed into your running? Try the 30-20-10 workout. It’s a great, very simple routine that helps you build up your speed if you’ve been away from running fast for a while. I started running the 30-20-10 last summer after reading an article on runnersworld.com. I sometimes refer to it as the “gear-shift” workout as it cycles though all of your training paces. I prefer to run this entirely by time instead of distance so I leave my Garmin at home and use my Timex stop watch for the intervals. Continue reading

Carb Loading Plan For A Marathon

By Peter in Running 0 Comment
Carb loading plan for a marathon

This past May was the first time I’ve ever done proper carb loading before a race. I’ve always tried to eat more carbs in the days leading up to a race but I never had an actual plan to follow. This year, I figured if I was going to take 50 minutes off of last year’s marathon time I had to do it right. This year I would come up with a carb loading plan. Continue reading

2013 Toronto Marathon – Race Goals

By Peter in Running 6 Comments

Next Sunday, May 5th, I’m going to be running the Goodlife Fitness 2013 Toronto Marathon. This will be my second full marathon and my third and final race of the spring. I am incredibly happy with the way my marathon training has been going this time around. I’ve done a lot of things differently this year, but I believe following Marathon Training Plan A from Jack Daniels’ Running Formula-2nd Edition has had the most impact. By following this program closely I’ve set two new PRs in the last two months: half marathon (1:41 at Chilly) and 30k (2:32 ATB). With no false modesty, this race should make it a perfect 3/3. I’ve come up with three goals for the race, all of which I believe are very attainable. Continue reading

Run With or Without Music?

By Peter in Running 0 Comment
To Run With or Without Music, That Is the Question

“Running is music, if you’re patient enough to hear it.”
Ask Miles, Runner’s World, Jan. 2013

That quote is one of the best I’ve ever heard and perfectly sums up my thoughts on music and running. To run with or without music is constantly debated and there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. You’re either for it or against it. Some races now even try to ban headphones on the race course citing safety reasons. I used to run with music, but now I don’t at all. Why the change of heart? Let me tell you. Continue reading