Road to TCS TO Waterfront 42K – 2025 My eagerly awaited July 23 Time Trial has arrived, and it did not disappoint. I actually slept rather well, considering I tossed and turned a bit, always waking up to thoughts of my route and performance goals. I had high hopes of hitting 5:35/km or faster, and […]
Time Trial – July 23, 2025 Daily Run Log Read Post »
Time Trials
🏁 The Forgotten Heart The calf muscle is often called the “second heart.” Sounds poetic, but it’s backed by hard physiology: when your calves contract, they pump blood back up toward your heart, improving circulation, preventing blood pooling, and even helping with recovery. But here’s the part we often miss: We intentionally train our primary
The Calf Muscle: Your Second Heart (And Why You Should Train It Like One) Read Post »
Longevity, Recovery, Strength & Stability
Road to TCS TO Waterfront 42K – 2025 Today was Build Phase 1 / Week 3 / Run 1-a 30-minute Zone 2 easy run. I’ll admit it: my head was already thinking about tomorrow’s time trial. But I reminded myself that every run deserves presence, not just the ones with the word “test” in them.
Zone 2 Easy Run – Building Consistency One Step at a Time Read Post »
Daily Run Log, Training Phase: Build, Zone 2 Training
I’m a tech-head.I train with Alpha & Beta binaural beats.I fine-tune cadence using DrumBuddy loops.I wear a chest strap and drill down into metrics like rTSS, Pa:HR, and IF. But sometimes I run, feel amazing-and my watch says I shouldn’t. The Metrics Paradox Trusting your body vs smart devices is one of the most important
Smart Devices, Dumb Trust? Relearning to Feel in a Data-Driven World Read Post »
Data & Recovery, Mindset & Motivation
Resilience in the Heat This week tested everything: pacing discipline, hydration smarts, mantras, and heat adaptation. From a rocket-fueled progression run to a long Zone 2 slog under heat warning skies, it was a clinic in listening to the body – and a quiet triumph in staying upright, focused, and unshaken when conditions tried to
Weekly Recap: Heat Warnings, Heart Rates, and Hard Truths (July 7–13, 2025) Read Post »
Weekly Recap“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
Thought of the Day: I Feel GREAT… But My Watch Says I Shouldn’t! Read Post »
Running Journey
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
My Mantras and My Marathon Read Post »
Marathon Journey, Mindset & Motivation, Training Tips
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
🗓️ Weekly Recap – June 30 to July 6, 2025 Read Post »
Weekly RecapEvery 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,
Heat Adaptation for Runners: When Fuel Fights Back Read Post »
heat adaptation, nutrition for running in the heat🧠 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
Thought of the Day: Why Are My Race Predictors So Far Off? Read Post »
Running Journey