Thought of the Day:  I Feel GREAT… But My Watch Says I Shouldn’t!

“What do I trust – my heart rate monitor, or my own body?” Today’s Easy Run felt light, fluid, and strong. My breathing was controlled. My mind was calm.But my watch? It claimed I was running hotter than I felt. This isn’t the first time my perceived effort (RPE) and heart rate haven’t seen eye […]

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Running Journey
Comic-style illustration of a meditating Black runner in a yellow tank top, floating cross-legged above a running track, eyes closed with a glowing third eye.

My Mantras and My Marathon

I didn’t set out to become a mantra guy. But somewhere between sweaty early runs and the quiet rhythm of my breath, something clicked. “Relax, Light Feet.” On race day at the Georgina Spring Fling Half Marathon, it became, “Come on, Come on, Come on.” Lately, it’s “I’m a marathoner – breathing easy.” These words

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Marathon Journey, Mindset & Motivation, Training Tips
A stylized digital illustration of a fit male runner mid-stride on a quiet suburban crosswalk, wearing a dark running outfit and cap, sipping pink hydration from a bottle under a clear blue sky. Trees and street signs frame the scene, evoking an early morning long run.

🗓️ Weekly Recap – June 30 to July 6, 2025

Build Phase 1, Week 1 – My Road to TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon 🏁 Week Overview Cutback complete — Build begins.This week closed out the final phase of Base 2 and laid the groundwork for entering Build Phase 1. With summer heat on the rise, I focused on heart rate control, fueling precision, and strategic

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Weekly Recap

Heat Adaptation for Runners: When Fuel Fights Back

Every runner has a story of the run that almost ended them. Mine? It involved heat, a long route, and a handful of innocent-looking pitted dates. I was trying to fuel naturally—something light, portable, and carb-rich. Dates had served me well before. But on this scorching summer run, they morphed into gut grenades. Within minutes,

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heat adaptation, nutrition for running in the heat

Thought of the Day: Why Are My Race Predictors So Far Off?

🧠 Conundrum of the Day, Actually This morning’s puzzle: Garmin thinks I can run a sub-2-hour half. Strava says 2:20+. That’s a pretty wide gap. Who’s got the better crystal ball? One’s using physiology and VO2 max. The other is watching my pacing. Both are helpful, but neither feels quite right. Naturally, I fed the

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Running Journey

Why are My Garmin and Strava Race Predictors so far off? I asked AI.

The Conundrum That Sparked a Deep Dive You lace up, track your training, put in the klicks or miles, and check your devices hoping for some feedback. And then you see it: your Garmin race predictor says you could run a sub-2 hour half marathon, while Strava suggests you’ll be closer to 2:20. So who’s

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Why are My Garmin and Strava Race Predictors so far off? I asked AI. Read Post »

Running Journey

Thought of the Day – July 2, 2025

Cutback weeks always boost my ego. Finally, a week where the plan feels manageable instead of maniacal. Today’s run calls for 2 × 7 minutes at tempo/threshold pace (low Z4), and honestly, I’m here for it. After last week’s effort with more reps, longer duration, and oppressive heat, this one feels like a confidence booster.

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Endurance Running, Fueling & Hydration, Marathon Training, Tempo Runs

Anatomy of a Long Run: Breaking Down the Distance, Step by Step

Every long run has a rhythm, a turning point, and if you’re lucky, a moment of flow. On June 29, I ran 11.1 km over 1 hour and 20 minutes, and what unfolded was a masterclass in effort regulation, fueling strategy, and physiological feedback. Let’s break down the anatomy of a long run, using real-time

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Marathon Build, Running Journey, TOWaterfront40K

Thought of the Day – June 25, 2025

Woke up early. Still got cooked. Some days, effort feels like fire.But that’s just the body adapting.The hard runs write the stronger chapters. Could have used this on my runs.Running under the Heat Dome.Running through sprinklers: not just for kids anymore.

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Running Journey

Helter Swelter: Strides, Struggle & Salt

Some runs build fitness. Some runs build character. Today did both, with a salt-crusted side of humility. This was supposed to be a standard Z2 aerobic run—low to mid Zone 2 for 70 minutes. The plan was simple: keep the HR in check, sip Nuun, munch some dates mid-run, and cruise along to the familiar

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Endurance Running, Fueling & Hydration, Recovery & Resilience, Running & Endurance
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