Friday, June 12, 2009

1000 miles, running with airplanes and watch out for flying squirrels


On Tuesday I somehow managed to hit the 1000 mile mark for the year. Thats 1G in the bank. It’s hard to believe that I am there already. I feel tired just thinking about it. I celebrated by going for a run.

Tomorrow morning will be running the Toronto Airport 5k on the runway at Pearson. Time to dodge some airplanes. I ran this race last year and found it to be quite a unique experience. Fellow Longboater Roadrunners Adrian Horvath and Ron Linklater finished first and second overall last year but neither will be running it this time. I will definitely not be winning it this year (man just typing I and winning in the same sentence is making me chuckle) but hope to put up a decent time. Not sure how that will go as my taper consisted of thinking about not running. Does that count as resting your legs?

So I got many comments about my run in with the garter snake earlier this week. Yes snakes freak me out but honestly it happened so fast I really had little time to get funkafied (no that’s not really a word smarty pants). That said it’s not poisonous so the worst that I could have gotten is a small bite. Honestly there is more chance of getting a chunk taken out of me by the Chiwawa down the street. Worms and bugs are no bother I really just want an excuse to own a monkey unfortunately Kim is not cool with another grunting animal on the couch (besides me). No sale on the monkey bartender.

Although I live in Toronto I grew up in New Brunswick where the real woods were just a five minute walk down our street and across the highway. The animals I worry about on trail runs are the ones that can fit my head in their open mouths. Bears, mountain lions, lamas .. okay not lamas …. poisonous snakes and of course Moose. Yeah I know what all you city dwellers are thinking, MOOSE huh? A moose is the big badass of the Canadian wilderness. I know, I know you keep thinking about the wildlife moment commercials you have seen on TV talking about the majestic moose. Here is the truth. They are huge, they are mean, especially during mating season and they will stomp you to a pulp without batting an eye. On the bright side if you brought a gun they are also very very tasty.


Then there are the flying squirrels. I never used to fear the flying squirrel but that was before I came to Toronto. Once cute and friendly recently the squirrels here in Mayor David Miller’s socialist republic of Toronto have decided to Unionize and have become quite radical. It’s my understanding that they are demanding the same 18 paid sick days a year (bankable up to retirement) that all other outside city workers get. Man this could really get ugly. If they don’t get their way they are going to refuse to frolic. The horror of it all.

Remember if you see one or two flying squirrels together there is really no reason to worry so don’t panic. If you see a whole group of them be careful. Back away slowly and make lots of noise and don’t forget to hold onto your nuts.

27 comments:

  1. 1,000 miles already? Wow, you are badass. My goal is 1,000 for the year and I'm just over halfway there. Heh.

    I knew moose were big but that picture you posted really put it into perspective for me. Wow, that thing is huge.

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  2. Nice milestone, 1000 miles!! Interesting that you're also tracking in miles, being up here in the metric universe! I also find I prefer miles, as it makes me work harder, hehe.

    I forgot completely about the Pearson 5K!! Have heard great things about this one, and will have to remember next year!

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  3. I wanted to run that runway 5K but had a scheduling conflict. I love races that make you feel like you're breaking the rules - how often do you get to run on the tarmac?!

    Have fun!

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  4. Wow running at an airport, how do they do that? Sounds interesting.

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  5. 1000M is serious! Way to go. And we have moose in New England, but I've never seen a monster like you bagged. Did you bag it, or is that just a random photo? That's like sasquatch moose!

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  6. Congrats on the G already. Thats one big ... beast. I wouldn't like to come face to face with that on the trail.

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  7. Congratulations on the 1K miles.

    That run seems crazy. Are there any planes involved?

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  8. wow 1000 already! nice job! good luck and have fun this weekend. i ran an airport 5k once, it was pretty cool - though we never ran on the runways.

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  9. I am pretty sure I could run a PR if that moose was chasing me.....hey! maybe I should hire one?

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  10. Damn, 1000 miles by June. A 5K has to be nothing more than a warm-up!

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  11. Wow 1000 already! I'm approaching 500 and was feeling pretty happy that I might make 1000 for the year.... but I guess that's what its all about - pushing personal goals. Look out for that moose!

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  12. Wow!! 1000 miles by early June! That is great! I have a whole new view of Rocky and Bullwinkle now?

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  13. Wow, you are already to 1,000 miles? You are such a rockstar! Way to go! Also, after reading this post, I am suddenly feeling very fortunate that the wildest animals I have to deal with on my runs are stroller moms and hipsters! :)

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  14. Man, that is one hell of a moose! Hope the race went well, and I look forward to the report. The weather must have been perfect!

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  15. Like everyone else, I'm impressed with your mileage! Way to go! I'd love to be able to tolerate that much running. Not sure my body could take it. As for the 5k, sounds interesting. Since it's on a tarmac, I say they delay the start by 45 minutes, change the starting area 2 or 3 times, and charge you extra to pin the number to your shirt (I'll be here all week, folks. You've been great!)

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  16. Hey Chris, thanks for stopping by my blog. Its always cool to read about another guy in my age group going from plump to fit. Good for you.

    Hey, don't they make a $1000 bill up there in Canada?

    Looks like there wasn't a PR on the runway but a decent time none the less. Keep up the good work.

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  17. Not me with the Moose BTW. Only thing I am good at shooting off is my mouth

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  18. Congrats on the 1k Chris, beside the random non-flying squirrel or snake, that's about all I get here in the out-skirts of Atlanta.

    Good luck on the next 1k for the year!

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  19. Congratulations for 1000 miles by early June.

    Thanks for stopping on my blog.
    Was the paris marathon without down hill and up Hill?
    I hope you had a nice holiday in Rome. You certainly saw coliseum or vatican museum.

    Regards.
    Giorgio

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  20. Hope the 5K went well and congrats on reaching 1000 already. Okay those moose and flying squirrels are serious business. Maybe I'll just stick to city paths for now :)

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  21. Hey! Congrats on your awesome mileage!!!!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog--and don't worry! The kitty ended up being alright!

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  22. haha thanks for the note. That was my third one in 4 weeks and if you check my times they suffered greatly because of it. I'm giving myself an "Inbetween season break" of 5 weeks until the next one. I'm actually seriously itching to just sign up for a race in 2 weeks but I know whats best for me. This marathoning... its like a drug!!!

    To get my mind off it I started swimming in hopes to start doing some sprint triathalons. Yes... there is something very wrong with me!

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  23. Wonderful mileage and I hope you do a report of the airport run; I just heard of it and will do it for sure next year.

    Your flying squirrels diatribe was hilarious!

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  24. Holy cow, that moose is HUGE! If I came across that on a run, I would be dead meat.

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  25. Holy cow, that moose is HUGE! If I came across that on a run, I would be dead meat.

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  26. This is so hilarious. You gave me plenty of good laugh. Love it. By the way, are you sure it is 1,000 mile. You probably meant kilometer. You are probably the first Canadian to mention about mile. Double check this one. I think you were referring to 1,000km.

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  27. Nope its miles for sure. I am so anti metric when it comes to my running ..lol

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