My Sunday Long Run (In Pictures)

After enjoying watching the last stage of the Tour de France , having my daughter Denise visiting on this weekend, I asked myself, to run or not to run? It didn't take long to find out, I laced up my running shoes, grabbed my hydration belt with water, and took my camera out of the house and saw this. Rain and thunderstorm!




With my camera getting wet from the rain I tried to take a picture of lightning in the sky but was not quick enough, noticed I was doing 5:30ish per k from my Garmin, so had to slow down,couldn't risk reinjuring the left calf injury. I stayed closer to the houses mostly running the pathways instead of the road. I didn't want to end up a roasted/barbecued runner in case there was lightning nearby. :)


Saw this father and son walking in the rain on the road, camera shot was blurry because it was really raining hard and the sound of thunder and lightning in the sky was becoming a cause for concern.


I decided to run in the nearby woods to avoid getting hit by lightning while in the open. I started reciting, "the woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go..." It's so funny how this old poem is retained in my sub-concious after being buried there since high school.


It was so peaceful, quiet, with just the sound of raindrops falling on the leaves and ground, and occasionally the faint sound of thunder from far away. Brought back fond memories of my Tata Leon, (my Nana Eleng's farmer/fisherman husband)when I was a young boy vacationing in his rural farmland, holding his buri hat, smiling with his blackened teeth showing, looking up the dark sky , taking a deep breath at the smell of rain watering his dry rice fields.


As the rain fell harder poodles of water started forming on the pathway.

And more water!, I noticed both my shoes, including the inside were soaking wet, and it was so uncomfortable, with my socks all wet too, and hearing "squish, squish" every step I took. This time, I decided to change course, go home to change shoes and socks.

After a short return to my place to use the washroom, refill my water, change shoes and socks (didn't bother with the wet clothes) and consuming a banana, off I went out again and noticed that the rain had stopped although the sky was still gray.

Passed by a pond where people could watch geese, ducks and birds that frequent or live in the place.

It seems like wild flowers bloom in bright colors right after a rainfall.

I have to confess now, this where I go surreptitiously when I crave for hamburgers when the wife cooked only "healthy foods", vegetables , fruits, nuts. The trick is, to put gas in your car at the nearby gas station, and eat as fast as you can so you'll not be missed. :) Have to stop this, if serious about losing weight.

Markham is one of the older communities in Ontario, so in some areas, the architecture and design of buildings and homes go back to the 18th century.

First time I ran this street, in the interior, it was all quiet except for a few homeowners I saw tinkering with their plants in their front lawns..

Ain't this house so beautiful, it's front lawn and garden so simple and well manicured, that if it goes on sale now, I'd risk losing face and borrow money from my father in law so I can buy this house (ha ha, just joking)

Passed by the Main Street GO train station that goes to and from downtown Toronto. It had been more than 2 hours from the time I started running and the legs seemed to be holding good. Maybe, it's the photo taking that's keeping me unaware of the time and distance. I was starting to feel fatigued though at this point.

The sun and blue sky after the rain, only made it hotter and humid, I had to decrease my speed. Also, noticed I was breathing harder because of the humid air. The legs were feeling tired but otherwise no pain (no injured pain I mean).

Passed by a dentist's office in his home, with the rent of professional offices so high, this is practical specially in this recessionary times.

Ran out of water at this time. also felt hungry, as had my breakfast at 8 am and had only a banana during this run. This time all I could think of was food and water, and Jay and his boiled saba and Rico's hopia cubes crossed my mind for whatever reason. Must be missing Pinoy food . :)

So, more than 2 hours into my run, had to stop over at Tim Hortons for chocolate marble donut and an orange drink.

Going!

Going!

Gone!

And it was a good decision to have a bite and a drink as it went warmer and warmer as the minutes went by. I was now running back home but even much slower because of fatigue. It was my intention to just run 15k today. But at this point I was pretty sure I would cover much more than that.

Saw this couple on a late Sunday date in their front yard gardening.

Yes, so right, I was just having the most peaceful long Sunday run at this moment, and my body (including the injured calf) seemed to be in harmony with the mind, spirit, surroundings and the whole universe. Hallelujah!

Amazing how an hour or more can change the color and sights in this same woods.

The poodles of water on the ground seemed to have all but disappeared.

Yellow and white wild flowers appeared to be rejoicing and praising God for giving them much needed rain in this hot summer day, like the runner who was passing by, feeling so blessed for his continuous recovery from his injury and getting more distance in this run than what he was hoping for.

Sorry, my friend I'm just too tired to play one on one at this time.

I figured out, I was so close to home anyway, might as well shoot some hoops with this friendly fellow. I tried a few three point shots, none went in. I tried medium range shots, maybe 1 out of 10 went in. I tried a few lay up shots and most missed, that's when I called it quits. Too late for a basketball comeback. I'll stick to running.

The picture says it all. I was so tired I just had to sit on the concrete floor on my front porch for a few minutes. Too tired even to stretch (I did it afterwards). I completed 19.3 ks total in 3:02. Thanks Dr. Labelle, and thanks to all the prayers and good advise from my friends, the Midsummer's Night 30k Run on August 22 is looking more and more like my next long race, God willing.