I'm a biomechanical mess. Although the heart and mind is strong, the body won't cooperate. I haven't been able to run longer than 3km since pulling up lame last November. All the gory details are right here.

Mike Hoo, or The Hooster as he's better known, is an RMT (registered massage therapist) and ART (active release technique) certified in lower extremity. I've seen him twice this week and he's got a laundry list of complaints about my biomechanics and flexibility. I like The Hooster because he's brutally honest. I ran with him quite a bit last summer so he doesn't feel compelled to sugar coat anything. Sometimes I wish he would.

I asked Mike Hoo to put together a top ten list of things that are wrong with me. He was more than happy to do this. As you'll see, it's a miracle I was able to complete 10km races last year, play on a championship winning slo-pitch and dodgeball team while living a normal active live chasing after two young kids. I'm a mess!

so here you go as requested.....drum roll please.......

10) weak gluteus medius, aka glute med
9) ridiculously tight hamstrings, normal range is 79-90. you've got 40 maybe 45.
8) fascial restrictions in hamstrings
7) tight hip flexors. mostly iliopsoas and rectus femoris (quads)
6) tight gastrocnemius
5) natural tendency to point toes out, aka increase fick angle
4) decreased proprioception and balance
3) you still like pearl jam
2) you still think the leafs will win the cup
1) you don't stretch

It's really a top 7 list, as the last three don't really count, but still... that's 7 significant issues that makes me wonder how I ever managed to run 17km. Hell, I'm pricing electric wheelchairs. I'm a 33 year old man trapped in the body of a 67 year old.

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Right now I'm radioactive. I was injected with a radioactive substance at 8am and now I'm just waiting for the substance to collect within my skeletal system.

This test was ordered by Dr. Lum after six weeks of treatment failed to cure me. For more on what ails me, go here. Here's the purpose of the bone flow and scan.

Infection in the bone (osteomyelitis) can be detected or confirmed by a bone scan, often days or weeks before an x ray would reveal it. Bone scans are useful in diagnosing early arthritic changes, and monitoring both the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment. Unexplained pain may be evaluated with a bone scan, because it can demonstrate fractures that are difficult to detect on x ray. Abnormalities caused by altered circulation to the bone may be diagnosed with a bone scan.

I feel different with this radioactive fluid ripping through my body. Just don't make me angry... you wouldn't like me when I'm angry...

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I saw the sports doc today. I was feeling pretty down about myself last week when I hit my 3k wall, so it was good to reassess everything and come up with a modified game plan.

There is now a three prong attack.

1. X-RAY - I'm getting an x-ray of my hip, pelvis and knee. It's time to look for structural damage.

2. Nuclear Imaging - I'm getting a bone flow and scan of my right leg and pelvis. This involves me getting injected with radioactive fluid to provide functional information to complement the structural infomation.

3. Beating the Crap Outta Me - I've got these trouble spots on my right side that need to be worked on aggressively. This is extremely painful. The spots are already tender and sore, and Hooster is going to work at it until I cry uncle, and then he's going to work on it some more. They want to kick this up a notch and beat the shit out of me for an hour at a time, twice a week.

Doc still thinks I'll be running this spring. After he beat me up this afternoon, I'm afraid to do anything but agree with him.

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I had a blast running last year. Last March I took up running and I went out three times a week for seven months, even finishing a few races. I got in great shape, felt fantastic and thought I had discovered a year round activity for the long haul.

As documented on my running page, I hurt myself in late November and eventually got referred to a sports doctor who diagnosed my injury and outlined a treatment program. I was asked to shut it down for six weeks, and I did. I quit dodgeball, stopped running and let myself go for about two months. Starting with last week's slo-pitch tournament, I've started walking again and today I went for a light 4k run.

At the 3k mark the same old symptoms resurfaced. There's tender soreness on the right side of my right leg and the pain is so severe I can't run with it. About four months ago I was running 13k without a problem but now my leg is good for only about 3k before it quits on me.

I've written my therapist who will chat with my doc, but it's almost April and I'm starting to accept the fact I might not be running this summer. I'll play ball twice a week, as my leg doesn't complain about that, and I think I'll polish off my old bike and see how my leg feels about a good ol' fashioned bike ride. I used to bike like crazy, and I used to love it.

Acceptance is key, as I'm losing faith in my ability to heal from whatever it is that ails me.

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This afternoon, about two months after my right leg quit on me, I met with Dr. Grant Lum, MD, CCFP, Diploma in Sport Medicine. The dude acts as a consultant to the NHL Players' Association and he really seems to know his stuff. I told him my story, most of which you can read here, and performed his many tests.

The doc believes it's my sacroiliac joint. That's the joint between the sacrum, at the base of the spine, and the ilium of the pelvis, which are joined by ligaments, don'tcha know. It's either fractured or knocked out of whack and the result was a complete shut down of the posterior kinetic chain on my right side. Posterior kinetic chain isn't just fun to say, it's also a bunch of important muscles like the hamstring and glutes. With my posterior kinetic chain shut down, I simply don't have the strength to do what I'm used to doing, so after a 3k of running it hurts too much to continue.

He's got a six week treatment that should get me back running, but since he thinks I could have a fracture, he wants me to completely shut down for six weeks. No running, no long walks and no dodge ball. I had to convince him my one hour of skating with James each Saturday could be nothing more than a light walk-like glide to support my six year old. My treatment starts with a chiropractor as we get the alignment right again so my posterior kinetic chain works again.

I know how exciting this is for you all, so I'll post updates along the way. I can't believe my illustrious dodgeball career is over after a mere three games. I could have been somebody. I could have been a contender.

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I guess it's time for an update on my right leg. I have a pretty good sense for what news is most buzzworthy, and I'm guessing my right leg is the hot topic of the moment. If you need a refresher on how I hurt my right leg and what I've been through trying to heal it these past two months, visit my running page.

I've had a handful of physiotherapist appointments, and I really like the physiotherapist who seems to know his stuff, but he's admitted he's stumped. He doesn't know how to treat me because the diagnosis doesn't make sense. There's been no improvement in two months. I can't run 4k or go on a lengthy walk without immense pain, but I experience no discomfort when I play slo-pitch or dodgeball. This has the physiotherapist puzzled.

I'm getting awfully frustrated because I really miss running, so I got my bud Hooster to hook me up with a great sports doc downtown. Next Wednesday I'm off to Athletic Edge Sports Medicine so we can figure out what the hell is wrong and how we treat this thing.

I'll post an update after I meet with this guy. He is involved in the care of recreational, elite amateur and professional athletes, including players in the NHL, NFL and NBA. And now he's involved in the care of Toronto Mike.

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After another physiotherapy session, it's become quite clear what I did wrong. I failed to respect the stretch.

My right calf muscle is plenty strong, but it's tight and now it's hurt. I kept increasing my distance, but I didn't stretch before or after. I knew I should, but I thought I could get away with skipping this step. I was wrong.

Now I'm stretching my calves all the time, trying to ease my way back. I'll try a light run tonight, just for he heck of it. I'll never run again without stretching beforehand and afterwards.

If I can save just one runner from the same fate as me, my pain will have been worthwhile.

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As ordered by my doctor, I saw a physiotherapist today. Background on what got me to this point can be found here.

The therapist heard my story, asked some questions and performed some tests. He feels my calf muscle and hamstring is far too tight. He suspects the run that shut me down was just the tipping point. The fix is a great deal of stretching, focusing on my calves, hammy and IT Band.

The stretching, combined with regular physio treatments, isn't a quick fix. There isn't a quick fix. I've got to put in the time if I want to run longer than 2k.

I'll stretch like crazy for a week and then test it again.

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I use this site sometimes as a personal bulletin board of sorts. It's a convenient way to document things I'll want to reference later. This is one of those entries so you might want to pass on by.

In my haste to write about my near death experience yesterday, I forgot to throw down a proper running update. On November 17 I hurt my right leg. Until that day I had enjoyed 37 straight weeks of pain free running. I took a week off and tried a short run on November 27. After a couple of km the pain was too intense and I had to walk/hobble the rest of my 6k run. That's when I saw a doctor.

I was told to take anti-inflammatory drugs and rest it for two weeks. Then, if the pain was still there, she'd send me off to physiotherapy. I didn't rest it for two weeks, I rested it for a month. I tried another 6k run yesterday and after 2 km the pain was back. It's alongside my right leg and it becomes impossible to pump my leg into a single stride without severe pain. I can't run more than 2 km right now, which makes it awfully difficult to train for my half marathon in March.

I'll return to the doc to give her the update. It has me totally bummed because I thoroughly enjoyed running and I've got my sights set on a full marathon. I just hope this is something I can figure out and heal before spring.

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Having only taken up running this past March, I've never run during the winter. My plan was to do just that before I was forced to rest a strained muscle. Today, I tried to arrange a run to test things out but nobody was biting.

The vast majority of my running buddies don't run outdoors during the winter. It's not hard to understand why. It's freezing cold out and the streets are filled with snow, ice and slush. They either shift their training indoors or switch to weight training. Where does that leave me?

Sure, I can run alone, but I suck at running alone. What I need is a stop-gap solution until I join the half marathon clinic on February 7, and I need it quick. I've fallen into a comfortable routine that primarily consists of cookies and ice cream.

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I saw a doctor yesterday about my right leg. I had to get a flu shot anyway, so I decided to kill the two birds with one stone.

The doctor doesn't think I'm suffering from anything more than a muscle strain. She prescribed me anti-inflammatory drugs and told me to shut it down for a couple of weeks. Then, if I still can't run without pain, we'll try physiotherapy.

I suppose if I have to take a break from running, this is the time to do it. Forecastfox tells me it's -12° right now.

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After hurting my leg, I attempted a comeback last night. I took my sore right leg out for a 6k run after 8 days of rest. Things didn't go very well.

After a couple of kilometres my right leg felt so tender with this strange bruising sensation that it ached immensely every time I lifted my leg for a stride. Eventually the pain became too much to bear and I went into a light jog / walk hybrid. Since I couldn't make it 6k, my 10k tonight is out and my planned 18k for Sunday is out of the question.

I'm going to rest it for another week. It feels fine when I walk on it, and only nine days ago I couldn't walk 10 feet. I think it's getting better, whatever it is, and I'll test it again next Tuesday with a nice and easy 6k. If it's still hurting like hell, I'll dive into physio therapy.

Here are the distances I ran over the past seven days:

• Tuesday - 6k run

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Eight days ago, I pulled up lame during a 17k run. My IT band was giving me fits and I've now missed four scheduled runs in a row. Tomorrow, I'm planning on testing things out with an easy 6k.

I've really missed it. For 37 weeks I got out for at least three runs a week, and then, all of a sudden, nothing. You don't realize how much you enjoy something until you cut it out. I miss the feeling of accomplishment, the comradery, the health benefits and the sense I was slowing building toward an ultimate goal. I'm looking forward to trying things out tomorrow but if the pain returns I'm prepared to shut things down for a much longer period. That would suck, but this IT band is a tricky bastard.

Just don't call it a comeback...

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I made it 36 weeks without pain. On Sunday, something happened to my right leg. I've shut things down since then but it's still sore when I walk and it just doesn't feel right. From what I've read, it sounds like Iliotibial band syndrome.

This has me totally bummed. I've got a great running schedule in place but now I've got an injury to deal with. I've made the decision to shut it down for a week, but should I be shutting it down longer? I'm guessing the answer to that question is "see a damn doctor!"

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Sunday - 17k run

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I need your help. I'm lying in bed, just like Brian Wilson did, and I'm here because of something that happened at the end of my 17k run yesterday afternoon. Here are the details. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what happened to me and when this pain will go away.

We ran a good 12k before breaking very briefly for a bathroom break and water. Then, we ran another 5k. With about 2k to go, my right leg started cramping up. It was along the right side and back and every step was painful. I wanted to finish the run, so we just cut the speed and I managed my way through the discomfort.

Last night at home, it felt bruised, but I was able to limp through it. I was hoping a good night's sleep would cure what ailed me, but at 3am this morning the pain was excruciating. My right leg felt severely bruised and a walk down the hall to the bathroom almost caused me to black out. I popped Advils, had a hot bath and managed to sleep through the night.

This morning, I feel better than I did at 3am, but I'm still operating on one good leg and one crap leg. It hurts to bend, the stairs are a bitch and it's tender as all hell. Revisiting the run yesterday, I have a few theories as to what I did wrong.

1. It was cold outside, especially along the Lakeshore, but I still wore shorts. Did cold legs cause this seizing and cramping?
2. I had spent about five hours on my feet before this run, and I was already tired when we began. Did I simply do too much at this stage in the training game?
3. I mentioned the break after 12k. This was a nature break and a chance to drink some H2O. It only lasted a few minutes, but did I inadvertently cool down causing issues during the last 5k?
4. I didn't fuel properly. I violated all the rules when it comes to long runs. I didn't ensure I was properly energized before the run and I didn't eat during the run. Did my body simply run out of energy?
5. Prior to yesterday, my long runs (>10k) have all taken place at 8:30am. Yesterday's run took place at 3:30pm. Did this change play a role?

There's your 411 and a few potential causes that are rattling around in my head. Firstly, I'd like to know what I did wrong so I can prevent it from ever happening again. Secondly, I'd like to know what I can do to recover as soon as possible. And finally, I'd like to know what the hell this is because I'm not a big fan of rehabilitating pain.

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My 17k run Sunday was changed to a 10k run at the last moment. No worries, I'll hit the 17k mark Sunday after the Santa Claus Parade.

It's been a warmer week which has made running a great deal easier. Heck, tonight was damn hot. I could get used to that.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Sunday - 10k run
• Tuesday - 6k run
• Wednesday - 10k run

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It's getting colder outside, but I'm still running in shorts. Running along the Lake Shore tonight I thought it might snow, but it was still shorts weather as far as I'm concerned. At some point I'll have to run in pants, but I'm not sure where that point is.

My Sunday morning runs are approaching a distance that might require I carry water, and eventually gels. A friend is going to let me try her Batman utility belt with a water bottle so I'll give that a whirl during our 17k run on Sunday.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Sunday - 16k run
• Tuesday - 6k run
• Wednesday - 10k run

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The neat thing about adding a km to my Sunday run every week is that I'm setting a new personal best for distance run every week. My new record, which will stand until Sunday, is 15k.

For the first Wednesday in quite some time, I won't be running. Darth Vader and a baby butterfly are going door to door begging for chocolate and I don't want to miss that. The more loot they score, the more there is to raid when they fall asleep.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Sunday - 15k run
• Tuesday - 10k run

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We're still a small group, but we're growing. You can join in if you like. We're running 6k every Tuesday, 10k every Wednesday and a long distance every Sunday that will increase by a km each week. Got that? There will be a quiz.

The clinics are good, but I'm clinic-less right now and having a blast. You just need a plan and some peeps and you can diy while saving $70. Roll your own, dig?

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Sunday - 14k run
• Tuesday - 6k run
• Wednesday - 10k run

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I've been running since March and I'd like to keep going. There's a Chilly 1/2 Marathon in Burlington on March 2nd I've got my eye on and I'd like to train for that. If you think you may want to join in the training fun and run with me in the west end of Toronto, keep reading...

I'm going to start by doing this old school. This isn't going to be a Facebook group or a web site (yet), but it's going to start as a good ol' email distribution list. I will communicate when we're running, what route we're doing, and how far it is via email, and if you can join in you just have to reply and let me know. I just need to know if you're interested so I can add your address to this distribution list and BCC you on such correspondence.

If you want to be on the list, simply leave a comment below or write me and tell me. We'll do this like it's 1999 until I find some time to flesh out a nice interactive forum.

I will be running every Wednesday night, Sunday morning and one other time period, depending on other factors. I'll actually be running tonight. The Wednesday run will always be about 10k, the Sunday run will be the long run and will get progressively longer. We ran 14k last Sunday, we'll be running 15k next Sunday and we'll keep adding a km until we get to 21. The third run will be an easy 6k, which is the plan for tonight.

Who wants on the disty list? Good times are guaranteed and when you're not laughing hysterically at my jokes or enjoying my singing you might just get in shape.

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It's well documented I'm a fan of the high five, but as a fan, I feel it's my duty to protect the integrity of the high five. The high five should mean something, and when I see someone grossly overusing it, I grow concerned.

Alejandra Navarro-Allende and I run together, and I'm only referring to her by her full name because it's a pretty cool name and I told her I'd secure the #1 position in Google for her name. Alejandra Navarro-Allende overuses the high five. She wants to high five the entire group every ten minutes or so. These aren't high fives to celebrate an accomplishment or completion of the run, they're just high fives to celebrate the fact we haven't stopped running or given up.

Such gross over usage of the high five seriously devalues the high five. When we're done, it's time for yet another high five but it's underwhelming after six or so were already dispersed. I love high fives, and I'd like them to remain special. I want them to mean something.

Alejandra Navarro-Allende, please stop devaluing the high five. One high five can say hello and one can be reserved for the finish of the run, but that's it.

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I just went for an amazing run. There was actually a warm breeze along the lake shore and as we ran through High Park in the dark there was this eerie fog hovering about us. It was great.

For the first time since I started running 32 weeks ago, I'm not in a running clinic. My 10k clinic wrapped up with the ZooRun on Sunday and I'm officially a free agent. I've decided to continue doing the High Park Running Room club runs on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, but I'm open to suggestions otherwise. Should I start a little west end Toronto Mike running club?

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Saturday - 10k ZooRun
• Sunday - 5k run
• Wednesday - 8k run

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This morning, at precisely 9:30, I ran the 10km Oasis ZooRun through the Metro Toronto Zoo. You can see the course here, which started in the Zoo parking lot and snaked around the perimeter for a couple of kilometres before heading into the zoo and finishing up near the kangaroos.

Before I get into my time and thoughts about the race itself, I'll answer the main question I've been getting. Yes, you see the animals, but not nearly as many as you think. I remember the elephants, the cheetahs and the giraffes, but not a heck of a lot more. Of course, they were probably freezing, but more on that later.

I was certain I'd run this race in 50 minutes. I'm still surprised at my time but I was wearing an ankle chip, so it has to be accurate, right? It's right here on the interweb. It was a tough 10km. It was hilly, there was some questionable surfacing, there were a few unnaturally tight turns and even a spot where you had to run up six or so stairs. Then, there was the weather. At the zoo this morning, it was cold. I ran in shorts and a short sleeved shirt but few others did the same. They all sensibly bundled up. Last weekend I complained it was too hot and today I was complaining I was too cold. Go figure.

All in all it was a great day. I drove the party wagon with my 10k clinic peeps and after the race we headed to a Tim Hortons for coffee and convos. I'm not familiar with the area, but I was confident we'd find a Tim Hortons within five minutes of driving on Sheppard. I was right.

I don't have a next race scheduled, but if all goes well it might just be a half-marathon next spring. Here's the obligatory photoset from this morning's 10km ZooRun.

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Tomorrow morning I'm running my first ever 10k race. It's only my third race overall after a couple of 5k races this past summer. My packet is picked up, my 10k clinic is complete and there's nothing left but the runnin'.

This route looks pretty cool. I hear the stampede of runners scares the crap out of the animals and they go into hiding, but there's no way those giraffes are going anywhere. I'll pass them at the 6k mark and their long necks will inspire me to finish strong.

Luckily we're spared a visit to the Canadian Domain. As a frequent visitor of the Zoo, I can tell you that's one steep hill. Of course, now that I've conquered the Spring Road hill six times in a row, I'd be master of the Canadian Domain if given the chance. Maybe I'll take a detour...

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My 10k clinic goal race, the Oasis Zoo 10k Run, is this Saturday. I'm ready. So long as I don't go out too fast in the first half I'll be fine.

Tonight's run was the shortest run I've done in a long time and at 5k it felt like a warm-up. It wasn't long ago that a straight 5k would feel like a marathon. Hitting the streets three times a week you hardly notice your fitness level improving and then you realize what once were long runs are now your short runs.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Saturday - 13k run
• Sunday - 8k run
• Wednesday - 5k run

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As these running weeks go by, I learn more and more about my body. For example, last night I learnt that my body doesn't want to run immediately after wolfing down a large spaghetti and sausage dinner. At the 4k mark I had to cut my speed and wait for my stitch to subside. When I run on an empty stomach I never have such issues, but the plate of pasta was so good and hot and sitting there when I got home at 6, I just had to wolf it down before my 6:30 run. I'm so weak!

Otherwise, I'm quite pleased with the three runs I put in this past week and I'm looking forward to running 13k on Saturday morning.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Saturday - 10k run
• Sunday - 8k run
• Wednesday - 8k run

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Yesterday morning, I ran 8km and chose a route that winded through High Park and onto the Lakeshore so I could run along the Martin Goodman trail. It was a beautiful morning and as I approached the Lakeshore I noticed I wouldn't be running alone. Hundreds and hundreds of people were participating in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and I literally had to zip through the pack to get on the trail.

This part of the route, right by Sunnyside pool, was the 14km mark. A marathon is over 42km, which means this was the 1/3rd mark of the race. A distance which is about as long as I've ever run is only 1/3 of a marathon. This is a distance that is already 4km longer than the race I'm currently training for. This got me thinking...

Will I be able to run a marathon? I realize that's my goal here, but is it realistic? I know I can handle a half-marathon, as I see that as just a long run, but a full marathon is a different kettle of fish. After finishing the New York Marathon, Lance Armstrong said it was "the hardest physical thing I have ever done. Even the worst days in the tours, nothing was as hard as that and nothing left me feeling the way I feel now in terms of sheer fatigue and soreness."

That's Lance Armstrong, the guy who survived cancer and went on to win the Tour de France seven consecutive times. He's Mr. Super Fitness and he considers running a marathon the hardest physical thing he's ever done. What hope is there for a regular Joe like me? How the hell am I ever going to successfully train to run a 42km race?

I guess I'll proceed as I have been these past six months. I'll take it one day at a time...

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Now that ball is done for the winter, running is my only exercise of the week. My plan is to complete this 10k clinic and then do Running Room club runs throughout the winter. Then, in February or whenever it's scheduled, I'll join the half marathon clinic at the High Park Running Room.

Last week I shopped around for some cooler weather running gear. I priced pants and long sleeved shirts at the Running Room, Sportschek and a few shops in Square One before I found some pretty good deals on non-cotton stuff at Winners. I've never run in winter before, and I understand the trick is lots of layering. Here's hoping we get another mild winter like last year.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Saturday - 11k run
• Sunday - 6k run
• Tuesday - 6k run
• Wednesday - 5k run w/ 6 hills

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I learnt a valuable lesson last night. With my ball game scheduled for 9:30pm, I decided to run hills with the 10k clinic at 6:30pm. We run the 2k loop in High Park and then the steep Spring Road hill five times before running the 2k loop again and heading for home. I felt fine afterwards, but during the ball game my calve muscles kept tightening up. Leading off the game I hit a single up the middle and literally stumbled on my way to first because my calve muscle seized up and hurt like hell the rest of the game. Hills + baseball = bad idea.

The Terry Fox Run became a walk which meant last week was a lighter load than usual. Now I'm back on schedule, training for the Zoo 10k race on October 13.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Saturday - 10k run
• Sunday - 4.5k Terry Fox Run
• Wednesday - 5k run w/ 5 hills

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Right off the bat, I want to thank you guys. Another $35 was donated last night which means as of this minute I've raised $600 in online pledges and another $70 offline. When I set my target at $500 I didn't think I'd make it, so to exceed it by $170 is pretty sweet. Pledges ranged from $5 to $104, and to quote Terry Fox in 1980, "If you’ve given a dollar, you are part of the Marathon of Hope."

I ran my local Terry Fox Run, which was through High Park. I stretched alongside our MP Peggy Nash and MPP Cheri DiNovo and heard them both speak before Mayor David Miller said a few words and cut the ribbon. The route was only 4.5k which I would have ran, but I was joined by my mom, brother and sister-in-law, so I ended up walking the Terry Fox Run with them.

It was a lot of fun and it felt good to raise $670 for the cause. Even though the run itself is over, I'm still accepting pledges, so it's not too late for you to be a part of the 2007 Marathon of Hope. Click on over here, whip out the credit card and chip in a buck or two. Here's the obligatory photoset from my morning in High Park participating in the 2007 Terry Fox Run.

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If I was off my game last week, I've bounced back nicely. I feel stronger than ever.

We're finally getting to good distances and the hill training is pretty awesome. After you run this hill four times, once is laughably easy, and a hill-less run hardly feels like a run at all.

Here are the runs I fit in over the past seven days:

• Saturday - 10k run
• Sunday - 6k run
• Wednesday - 5k run w/ 4 hills

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Thanks to many of you good people, last night I exceeded my goal of collecting $500 in online pledges for The Terry Fox Run. As of this moment I've raised $520 online and $70 offline, but I'm not finished yet.

I run in 5 days so it's not too late to push me over the $600 mark. The following people are already in my good books.

• Kevin
• Mom
• Bruno
• Brent
• Jenny
• Jill
• Kic
• Nicole L
• Nicole L (a different Nicole L!)
• Buffalo Boy
• Chuck
• Doug
• Frank
• Shelagh
• Bogdan
• Anthony
• Dale
• Uwe

Donate now by clicking here.

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I've collected $366 online and $50 offline for my 2007 Terry Fox Run, but that still leaves me short of my $500 goal. I'm running on September 16 so there's still time for you to sponsor me.

If you've already given, and many of you have, I really appreciate it. If you haven't yet coughed up a few bucks for this awesome cause, click here and get an instant karma boost.

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I haven't been my usual perky self these past couple of days, and my walks have suffered. I'm in that grey zone between not feeling 100% and not feeling sick enough to actually miss any work or a run or whatever.

Here are the runs/walks I fit in over the past seven days:

• Thursday - 6k walk
• Saturday - 8k run
• Sunday - 6k run
• Wednesday - 2k walk
• Wednesday - 6k run

As part of tonight's 6k run we ran up and down the Spring Road hill in High Park three times. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I would have predicted.

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I officially registered for the Oasis 10k ZooRun at the Toronto Zoo. I've got 44 days to train. In a couple of weeks I'll be running The Terry Fox Run. Don't forget to contribute to my run. Kick in $5, I swear you won't notice it on the Visa bill.

Here are the runs/walks I fit in over the past seven days:

• Thursday - 6k walk
• Saturday - 8k run
• Sunday - 6k run
• Monday - 4k walk
• Tuesday - 6k walk
• Wednesday - 6k run

Tonight's 6k run was super sweaty. Cotton is the enemy.

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Eventually I'll probably stop recounting my weekly running schedule, but I find it handy to have one place where I can monitor my progress. If it bores you to tears, you shouldn't be reading this. Why are you reading this? Stop reading.... I knew you couldn't do it.

It's week 24 and I ran a straight 6k on Saturday morning, a great little 8k on Sunday morning that snaked along the Lakeshore and tonight I ran another straight 6k. I've complemented these three runs with three 6k walks as I train for a 10k race.

I'm being told I look thinner, but I don't think I've lost any weight. That's okay because it's all about optics and I'm feeling great. Baby I've been here before, I've seen this room and I've walked this floor...

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Two years ago today, I asked you to help a brother out. Here's my entry from that day.

Help a Brother Out
Published August 19, 2005 @ 08:42 in Gord Downie's Hallelujah

Gord Downie covered Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" for the film "Saint Ralph". I recently wrote about this tune and I've been searching / begging / praying for an MP3 of it ever since.

If anyone out there can help a brother out, I'd appreciate it and return the favour. My email address is posted on the contact page. I love the song, I love Downie and I've heard great things. Yet, it's nowhere to be found!

Much appreciated.

By that point I had only been hunting for Gord Downie's "Hallelujah" for a few weeks and I was falsely optimistic someone on the Hip community would throw this dog a bone. It wasn't until February of this year I scored the non-existent soundtrack. I had my "Hallelujah", and I knew it was time for my own personal hallelujah, so I started running.

I hadn't run since the 4x100m relay in primary school but I knew I had to run a marathon. I signed up for five Running Room clinics, beginning with the Learn to Run and concluding with the Marathon Clinic, and I'm currently in the 10k Clinic. Yesterday I ran 8k and this morning 6k and I'm loving it.

Wednesday's update will show I've been running for 24 weeks, but it all started two years ago.

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This week's update could have been a copy and paste job from last week's update. I ran 6k three times: Saturday, Sunday and tonight.

After 23 weeks of running, I'm pleased to report I'm feeling no pain or discomfort. A straight 6k at a good pace leaves me wanting more. I'm ready to kick some giraffe ass at the Oasis ZooRun 10k Run.

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I'm running in the Terry Fox Run on September 16. I'd like to raise $500. So far, I've raised $96.

There's a link on the left to place a secure online donation or you can just click here. Every buck counts, are you really going to notice an extra $5 charge on your Visa bill?

Kic pledged $25 to my run so I returned the favour yesterday. Who else wants to help me cure this cancer crap?

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I ran three times last week, each time the same route. It's a nice route through High Park that includes the always fun Spring Road hill. Today they were even filming a movie they called "Mom" by Grenadier Pond. There was no sign of Fergie Olver, so I'm guessing they haven't decided to make the long awaited Just Like Mom movie.

Here's the route. I ran it Saturday morning, Sunday morning and tonight.

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It's hot out there. I just ran 5k and my shirt was soaking. I don't think I've ever sweat that much. Tomorrow will be even warmer.

Week 21 started with our first 10k clinic on Saturday morning which included an Amazing Grace 6k run. Sunday was my 5k race and tonight was another 5k run around Grenadier Pond.

Twenty one weeks into my offline challenge I'm feeling fine and easily running a solid 5k three times a week. It wasn't that long ago I'd be winded after a jog around the block.

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Early this morning, I ran the second 5k race of my life. I ran my first race, the Hazel 5k, in 27:50. With ten more weeks of running under my belt, I was looking to annihilate that time before I move on to the 10k.

5:20am - My alarm was actually set for 5:25am, but my mental alarm went off five minutes earlier than that. I quietly showered, dressed, grabbed my camera and iPod and hit the road. The 401 was nice and empty, and my thoughts drifted to July 29, 2004 when I was driving Toronto streets in the early hours of the morning. This time there was no transport back to the 1930s, but it was calm and serene and I was in Whitby before I knew it.

6:20am - At the check in table, they gave me a badge to pin to my shirt and a hat. I had forgotten I wasn't getting a tee shirt. I'd wear the shirt, but when the hell will I ever wear the hat? I was directed to another booth where I picked up my tag. Unlike the Hazel 5k, this was a strap you velcroed to your ankle and I don't think it was going to feed the results to a web site. The 5k was set to start at 7:45am, so I had a solid hour to kill hanging out by the boats and water and psyching myself up.

My buddy Tim showed up. He lives in Whitby, and I mentioned I was running this race. He decided he'd run as well. I asked him if he ran at all and he told me he used to run but hadn't run in about a decade. Tim was about to learn it's not nearly as easy as it looks.

7:45am - I run faster when I'm running with someone who pushes me. I ran this race alone, and I think it hurt my time. Yesterday morning, I ran a fast 5k, which was probably a bad idea because I didn't feel particularly fresh and zippy during this race. I felt slow.

My plan was to sprint with a kilometre to go, something I've done quite successfully during training runs, but when I hit the 4k mark I just didn't have that extra gear. My target time was 24 minutes, but I started to think I might be able to go even faster. As it turns out, I was barely under 25 minutes. That's 3 minutes faster than my first 5k race time, but I know I can do better.

8:45am - I waited for others from the High Park Running Room to finish, and then we enjoyed brunch at the Whitby Yacht Club. A couple of bagels, some water melon, orange juice and coffee while overlooking the water was a great way to wind down after my second run. The chow was part of the race registration, which almost made up for the fact they didn't give me a shirt.

Here's the Flickr photoset. It's not yet noon, but I feel as if I've enjoyed a full day. My next race is The Terry Fox Run and then a 10k through the Toronto Zoo. That will be cool.

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Twenty weeks ago, I showed up at a Learn to Run clinic at my local Running Room. After ten weeks of learning to run, and now ten weeks of training for a 5k, I start a 10k clinic on Saturday. This 10k clinic is being instructed by Mike and Ale, the same dynamic duo who ran my Learn to Run clinic twenty weeks ago.

I'll miss my target three days of running this week, but that's okay because I have a race on Sunday. Tonight I ran 6k, but it was my first run since Sunday morning. It was a slick 6k around Grenadier Pond that ended with some hills up to Bloor Street. I'm ready for Whitby on Sunday morning where I should destroy my Hazel 5k time of 27:50.

My goal is to run a marathon. It's a long road to the finish line, but I'm right on schedule. Hallelujah.

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I've completed the new running mix for this Sunday. I didn't use a single song from the last running playlist and I restricted each artist to one song. Each song was selected because it had a running theme, a winning theme, or a general road racing theme.

• Against the Wind - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
• Baby Ran - 54-40
• Body Movin' - Beastie Boys
• The Distance - Cake
• Footloose - Kenny Loggins
• Fuel Injected - Swollen Members
• Further Again - Staggered Crossing
• Go - Pearl Jam
• Fuel Injected - Swollen Members
• Baby Ran - 54-40
• Hard Road - Sam Roberts
• The Long Road - Eddie Vedder and Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn
• Marathon - Rush
• Middle of the Road - The Pretenders
• Nice Guys Finish Last - Green Day
• No Time - The Guess Who
• Running - No Doubt
• Running Out Of Time - Hot Hot Heat
• Steady, As She Goes - The Raconteurs
• Tie Goes To The Runner - Public Enemy
• Where the Streets Have No Name - U2
• Winning Days - The Vines

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I've got to find some time to put together a new running playlist that will get me to Whitby on Sunday morning. Last time I went with tunes that had "run" in the title, but this time I'm just looking for tunes with a running or race theme. "Nice Guys Finish Last" by Green Day and "Against the Wind" by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band come to mind.

The van plays this old format called "audio cd" which only holds 80 minutes of music, so that's the target length. It's hard to believe our media used to only hold 80 minutes worth of tunage. How the hell did we ever survive?

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It's your favourite entry of the week, my running update. If you're just joining us, I decided earlier in the year I had to run a marathon. You can check out my Hallelujah entries for a little back drop. As a non-runner who had never run before, I started from scratch by enrolling in a Learn to Run clinic at my local Running Room. That was 19 weeks ago.

My 5k clinic is winding down and I'll be starting my 10k clinic in less than two weeks. I'll also be running a 5k race, my goal race for this clinic.

This past week, I got in a great 11k run on Sunday and a nice little run yesterday and tonight. I scored a free hat tonight, and although I'll likely never wear it again, I just couldn't say no to a free hat. Can you?

I think I can run my 5k race in under 25 minutes. In fact, if I don't, I'll be quite disappointed. I'm secretly aiming for 22 minutes, but don't tell anyone, k?

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I totally missed my week seventeen update, so I'm doubling up this week. I write these things for myself and fully realize there's no value to anyone outside of my dusty cranium.

Here are the runs I managed to squeeze in over the past two weeks.

• Sunday, July 1 - This morning run was long and awesome. It might be my favourite run of all time.
• Monday, July 2 - Finally my ball game was on a Tuesday night which allowed me to attend my 5k clinic. We ran 10:1s for 26 minutes or so, but I snuck in an extra hill.
• Tuesday, July 3 - I ran with the good ol' AM2 gang before my ball game. We did 5k and Raging Storm followed that up with a 32-6 killin'.
• Wednesday, July 4 - I ran another 26 minutes with the 5k clinic. It wasn't particularly fulfilling.
• Tuesday, July 10 - After six days off, I ran 3k with AM2 and then another 3k with just the Hooster. Hooster's run had lots of hill action, so I actually felt it.
• Wednesday, July 11 - Tonight I ran 28 minutes of 10:1s with the 5k clinic, but Tall Luke and I threw in an extra km and two extra hills.

That puts us up to date. I don't have another run scheduled until Sunday morning when I hope to duplicate the feat of two Sundays ago. The Whitby 5000 is less than three weeks away.

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I'm a few days late on this week sixteen running update, so my apologies to those of you who see this as the highlight of your week.

Week sixteen started strong, with 8k on Sunday morning, but I only did 3k on a very hot Wednesday night and a late Thursday run/walk hybrid that was probably only about 4k.

I just registered for the Whitby 5000, a 5k race at the end of July. It will be my second race and I'm aiming to run it in under 25 minutes. Meanwhile, I think it's time to pick up the pace.

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Today is my birthday, and if you're in a giving mood, there's something you can do. I'm running in the Terry Fox Run this September. Donate and boost my amount collected from the current $33 closer to my target $500.

Here's where I'm collecting pledges. It's safe and secure, just whip out the credit card and throw a few bucks at my run for my 33rd birthday.

Thanks!

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You're excused for not reading my weekly running updates. I'm actually writing these for myself so I can look back and check out the progress.

Week fifteen was pretty good. I had a good run on Sunday morning (4k), an awesome run on Tuesday (7k) and a nice little run last night (3k). They sure don't push us very hard in the 5k clinic. I really should have skipped on over to the 10k clinic, but I pre-paid for this one and decided to plod along as planned. That 7k run was outside the clinic and was my favourite run of the week by a long shot.

I'm noticing several benefits of this new hobby. I have more energy, feel zippier, and, I've been told, have lost a little weight and look rather "chiseled". I'm okay with that.

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I started this running thing fourteen weeks ago. It started with 1:2s, which means we ran for one minute and then walked for two minutes. Last night, I joined my 5k clinic for 10:1s. In fourteen weeks the difference in my fitness level has been amazing. I remember feeling it after 1:1s and now I'm not feeling it after 10:1s. It's time to lose the 1s!

I'm supposed to run three times a week, but that hasn't been happening. I keep playing ball on Monday nights which means I've been running on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. I've got to figure out a way to jam another run into my week. I'm thinking it's time I learnt to run alone.

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Eventually, something had to give. My new 5k clinic meets every Monday night, but my slo-pitch team often plays on Monday nights as well. The two collided this week, and slo-pitch won. The two are scheduled to collide again next week and the result will be the same.

I ran last night though, but only a couple of 7:1s. The plan is to run again on Sunday morning, but my slo-pitch team is entered in some tournament at Centennial Park and there very well could be another conflict.

Can't we all just get along?

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Tonight I began my twelfth week of running with week one of the 5k clinic. There were 25 others in the clinic but not one other face I recognized. It's as if my parents moved away and I'm starting at a new school and missing my old friends.

Jennifer, our instructor, wanted us to run 2k, recording our times at the 1k and 2k marks. She wanted this information so she could plan our runs, likely creating an A team, B team and C team, which naturally happened during my Learn to Run clinic. My times were 5:20 and 11:14, making me a close second in the group. In all honesty I held back during the first km because I was out in front by my lonesome, but I was legitimately caught during the second km by some dude who looked like John Elway.

I've been running three 10 and 1s for a while now. In fact, on Sunday morning Maja and I ran three 10 and 1s with ease, which made today's 2k almost laughable. I think I'm going to stick with this group and supplement these runs with longer runs throughout the week. At least that's the plan.

Whereas the Brit was not quite a girl, not yet a woman, I'm not quite a 5k-er but not yet a 10k-er.

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I'm still in between clinics with the next clinic not starting until Monday, but I ran a few 10 and 1s tonight with the old crew and now I'm concerned.

Eleven weeks in, 10 and 1s for 32 minutes feel pretty good. I'm sure I can handle more, and I usually take off during the last set just to make sure I can feel it later. My body is ready to jump to the 10k clinic, but I've prepaid for the 5k clinic and I've committed myself to finishing that first.

Here's the problem. I'm enjoying the 10 and 1s but on Monday we're going to drop back down to 5 and 1s. That's a pretty big drop at this stage of the game. I think I'm going to have to supplement my 5k clinic with something a little more challenging because 5 and 1s on Monday should be a breeze.

Stay the course, Neddy. Stay the course...

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My "Learn to Run" clinic wrapped up last Tuesday, and I ran my first race on Saturday. The tenth week of my offline challenge was a different one.

I'm between clinics as the 5k clinic doesn't kick off until the 28th. Still, I got out with the guys and gals last night to run a little over 4k and it felt good. I'll run again tomorrow so I don't miss a beat, although I think I'm going in the wrong direction.

I'm starting a 5k clinic, which is supposed to train me for a 5k run, but I've already ran a 5k race. Furthermore, the goal of the 5k clinic is to get us to run the 5k in 30 minutes, but my time was 27:50, which means I've already exceeded the goal of this clinic before it begins.

Nevertheless, it's all about establishing a fitness base and turning an out of shape bum into a physically fit specimen. If you want to run next week, let me know.

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I ran Biovail's "The Hazel" 5K yesterday, my first race of any kind since primary school. It was the first notch in my marathon belt as I seek to transform an out of shape me into an in shape dude who can finish a marathon.

It was a blast. I threw a bunch of my fellow "Learn to Run" clinic graduates into the party wagon and we drove to Port Credit for an inspirational speech by Hazel McCallion herself before Sportsnet "celebrity" Brad Fay announced the start of the race.

This Mississauga Marathon was my first race, so everything was new to me. I had to pin my tag to my shirt and put a chip on my shoe so my time could be accurately measured. This chip records the time you cross the starting line and the time you cross the finish line and feeds that info to this website. My time was 27:50.6 which was quite a bit faster than I ran on Thursday and not bad for a guy who just started to run ten weeks ago. I'm sure I can break 25 minutes later in the summer, but my next goal is a 10k.

Following the race you're awarded a medal just for finishing and the juiciest orange you'll ever have in your life awaits you. That banana was awesome too and the water tasted like nectar from the gods. Throw in a post-race BBQ and you've got yourself one helluva great day.

My buddy Mike took some fantastic photos of the experience with my camera, and here's the Flickr photoset you're dying to see. I'd also like to thank Ale for not crashing my car as she sweetly drove it from the starting line to the finish line. And finally, I'd like to thank Hazel for not running her race and kicking my ass.

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I can't remember a time when Hazel McCallion wasn't mayor of Mississauga. For you out-of-towners, Mississauga is a city on our west side where a downtown Toronto worker might reside. Our population spill over has made it the sixth largest city in Canada, but I digress. I'm thinking about 86 year old Hazel this morning because she's the namesake for the Mississauga Marathon 5k race I'm participating in later today.

Throughout primary school I was part of a very good 4x100m relay team, and participated in many a race at various track meets. I used to get awfully nervous the morning of races because we were always favoured to win. Our anchor, Larry, was one of the fastest guys his age in the entire 416, and it was my job not to drop that baton so he could do his thing. My feeling this morning, is quite different.

This is my first race longer than 100m, and I'm not in the Hazel 5k to win. It really is all about the experience and having some fun. I ran this same distance on Thursday night and felt pretty good, so I know I'll be okay. I'll probably run it in about 30 minutes.

I'd still like to kick Hazel's butt, but I wouldn't bet on that happening. She's one feisty broad.

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I've pruned the original running playlist down to 20 songs. The prerequisite was having the word "run" or "running" in the title.

I'll burn these 20 to an audio CD for the carpool on Saturday.

1. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
2. On The Run - Sam Roberts
3. Born To Run - k-os
4. Running Down a Dream - Tom Petty
5. Run To You - Bryan Adams
6. Run - Collective Soul
7. Run Runaway - Great Big Sea
8. Runnin' Back to Saskatoon - The Guess Who
9. No Distance Left To Run - Blur
10. Runaway - Linkin Park
11. Run Through The Jungle - Creedance Clearwater Revival
12. Always On The Run - Lenny Kravitz
13. Run - Snow Patrol
14. Long May You Run - Neil Young
15. Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
16. Time Running - Tegan and Sara
17. Long Time Running - The Tragically Hip
18. Runnin' With The Devil - Van Halen
19. Run and Hide - The Watchmen
20. Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden

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This is the final week of my "Learn to Run" clinic. Following our final in-store clinic last night, we ran a couple of 10 and 1s and made a bee line for the Swan and Firkin to celebrate.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this offline project, but it's really been a lot of fun. I'm getting fit, hanging with some neat peeps and at the end of the month I'll start the next clinic as I inch my way toward a marathon.

I'm playing ball tonight, running a mock 5k tomorrow and then the 5k race is Saturday in Mississauga. From zero to 5k in nine weeks... not bad.

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My 5k race is next Saturday, but I'm running a mock 5k race as soon as Thursday. It's time I start thinking about a strong running playlist.

I'll make the mix twenty songs long, and I'll pick the twenty tunes from this list of songs in my collection featuring the word "run" or "running" in the title. There are more songs than this with those terms, but I'll prune my list from these finalists.

Look for the final 20 song running megamix later in the week. The final 20 have to refer to running and have to be good.

• Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
• Run To You - Bryan Adams
• No Distance Left To Run - Blur
• Run - Collective Soul
• Run For Your Life - The Beatles
• Run Through The Jungle - Creedance Clearwater Revival
• Runaway - Del Shannon
• It Keeps You Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers
• Run Runaway - Great Big Sea
• Runnin' Back to Saskatoon - The Guess Who
• Running Out of Time - Hot Hot Heat
• Running - Information Society
• Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden
• 8 Miles and Running - Jay-Z
• Born To Run - k-os
• Running Away - Bob Marley
• Can I Run - L7
• Always On The Run - Lenny Kravitz
• Runaway - Linkin Park
• Running For Home - Matthew Good Band
• Run On - Moby
• Run Thru - My Morning Jacket
• Run To The Sun - N.E.R.D.
• 100 Miles and Runnin' - N.W.A.
• Long May You Run - Neil Young
• Running - No Doubt
• On The Run - Pink Floyd
• Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd
• Tie Goes To The Runner - Public Enemy
• Running Scared - Roy Orbison
• On The Run - Sam Roberts
• Run, Baby, Run - Sheryl Crow
• Runnin' Away - Sly & the Family Stone
• Run - Snow Patrol
• Run Away - Staind
• Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
• Time Running - Tegan and Sara
• Running Down a Dream - Tom Petty
• Run, Run, Baby, Run - Tommy James & the Shondells
• Long Time Running - The Tragically Hip
• Running From Me - Trust Company
• Running To Stand Still - U2
• Runnin' With The Devil - Van Halen
• Run and Hide - The Watchmen
• You Are A Runner and I Am My Father's Son - Wolf Parade

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Prior to tonight's 8 and 1s, we had an in-store clinic about cross training. Essentially, we learnt all runners at some point have knee issues. Hearing about the imminent knee issues got me thinking about my left knee. I don't like thinking about my left knee.

I'm less than two weeks away from the Hazel 5k and then it's the 5k clinic followed by the 10k clinic. If the knee doesn't hold up, I'll bike that marathon.

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We just ran for seven minutes followed by one minute of walking. At least I think they were seven and ones. All I know is they yell run or walk and I do what I'm told.

I've been complementing these thrice a week runs with about four 5k walks a week. The gradual running increase has been so subtle I haven't felt any pain. I'm still feeling good and the Hazel 5k is only a few weeks away.

We in this group suck at song agreement. Today there was some Corey Hart, GNR, Lennon and a little Foreigner. Next Tuesday I'm picking my song before the run and I'm sticking with it. Enough is enough.

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We just ran for five minutes followed by one minute of walking. We did this for about 3km. This week six synopsis is about gear and tunes.

Gear: You can tell the semi-pro runners by their gear. They have those running pants and the proper attire, but it looks worn. They've done this before, and why they're in the "Learn to Run" clinic is beyond me.

Then there's the noobs who just want to look the part. They are learning to run, and they've got the gear to make sure they look like runners. They're wearing those running pants and proper attire, but it looks brand new like it just came off the shelf. It looks that way, because that's the way it is.

As for me, I throw on the same pair of jogging pants I paint in and a tee shirt, pilled fleece and my new Winners-bought wind breaker. The only appropriate gear I wear are my new Brooks running shoes. I don't look as salty as the vets or as trendy as the noobs, but I'll be kicking Hazel's ass next month nonetheless.

Tunes: As I wrote last week, the secret to running is singing. I've been doing this all week and it's fantastic. The singing has respiratory benefits, but it also distracts you from the fact you're running and the time just flies by.

The hard part is agreeing on what tune you'll be singing with the group. Last week we settled on Blue Rodeo and on Sunday we went with Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone", my guilty pleasure of 2005. Today we wavered between Bryan Adams, GNR and Poison.

I've suggested we debate the song options via email before our runs. It all goes a great deal smoother when you're in sync with the song selection. I'm pushing for Pearl Jam, but I'll settle for less. When you run in a group, it's all about compromise.

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Running in this Learn to Run clinic three times a week has turned out to be rather entertaining. The nature of the class is such that you get a collection of complete beginners who really aren't sure how this running thing works.

Tonight, a member of the group who shall remain nameless became alarmed during the first rep because she could taste blood in her mouth. She was convinced something terrible was happening and decided to cut the run short.

That blood she tasted in her mouth, that was the taste of iron from the energy bar she ate before heading out. I advised her to hock a lugie next time and see if it's red before bailing. It's a rookie mistake.

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Last night we ran for four minutes and walked for one minute. We did this for about 3km. By the end I was feeling great and could have easily ran a couple of additional reps. I think I've discovered the trick to this running thing. You have to sing.

It's true, I've started singing during these runs and it not only makes the time go by faster but you actually forget you're running. Yesterday I tackled Blue Rodeo's "Try". I wasn't singing solo, I found a few other members of the group willing to join along. It made all the difference in the world.

And how did we celebrate our 3km run/walk? We blitzed over to Shakey's for wings. This is how you run Toronto Mike style.

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Today we ran for three minutes, walked for one, and repeated that couplet five times. Our group has naturally divided into three collectives. There's my group, which has decided running slow is for losers, and we form a pack way out ahead. There's another group of less fit noobs who hang back and often finish twenty minutes after us. Then there's a group that runs in the middle, not keeping pace with us keeners but blowing away Pink and the trailers.

All because I've joined the front running group doesn't mean I'm too fit for where we're at. By the last rep, I'm definitely feeling my cardio isn't quite marathon ready. It's not quite Hazel 5km race ready, either. Still, I'm not feeling sore and I'm sorry I won't be able to do it again tomorrow.

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Before I bore you with the details of my third week of running, the two of you who are interested in my offline challenge can read all related entries at http://www.torontomike.com/running/.

Last night I began my third week of this quest, which meant we're bumping up the run to two minutes of running followed by one minute of walking. Up until now I was finding these runs were pretty easy, but last night I actually started to feel the last couple of reps in my legs. It was a stern reminder that I'm out of shape and I need to get back out there tonight.

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Yesterday marked the beginning of week #2 of my little experiment. Can a guy like me run himself into shape and eventually complete a marathon? We'll see...

Week one was running for one minute and then walking for two minutes. We did this around High Park and I found it pretty easy. Yesterday, we ran for one minute and walked for one minute around High Park. So far, so good, as I'm not experiencing any discomfort and I'm actually looking forward to getting out there and doing it again tonight.

This clinic was designed for complete beginners, so it's no surprise I've managed okay these first two weeks. I actually felt better yesterday than I did last week, but that's has everything to do with footwear. My ten year old cross trainers had no support and my new Brooks have me feeling like I'm running on air. Hallelujah!

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Earlier this month, I made a precious declaration. It started with a song and ended up at The Running Room. Yesterday evening I took my first steps toward my personal offline challenge.

This clinic is literally called "Learn to Run". It's for people like me who want to learn how to run and it concludes with the Mississauga Marathon in 60 days. No, I won't be running a marathon in 60 days, I'll be running the Hazel 5k. No word on whether Hazel will be joining us, but I wouldn't bet against it.

Last night involved a little orientation, introductions by the two instructors, Mike and Ale, and a run around High Park. In actuality, it was a run/walk hybrid, but you've got to start somewhere. The Big Guy upstairs threw down double digit temps in honour of the occasion. That was sweet.

In addition to these weekly clinics we're supposed to run twice more during the week. I'll run to the ACC tonight to catch the Raps and then run again on Sunday morning.

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I've been looking for an offline challenge. I've noticed that outside of fatherhood, all my recent personal challenges have involved a computer. It's time to set a goal that doesn't involve staring at an LCD screen for hours at a time.

I was inspired by Saint Ralph. For some writing about Saint Ralph, check out this page. Ralph needed a miracle, so he set out to win the Boston Marathon. I don't need a miracle, but for a guy who hasn't run since the 4x100m relay in primary school, challenges don't get much bigger than this. I'm going to run a marathon.

I made this decision a couple of months ago, and the first thing I did was contact a reader who left a comment about having run the Boston Marathon. He put me in touch with people who could help transform a total noob with no running experience into a marathoner. I'm literally starting from square one.

Since this blog is all about me, I'll blog about this challenge. I start clinics in a couple of weeks. I'm currently out of breath if I run a couple of blocks, so this should be interesting. When I need inspiration, I always have that song.

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

I've also registered to run in The Terry Fox Run in September. It's no marathon, but it's for a great cause. You can sponsor me here.

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