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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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