Tuesday 22 October 2013




The ScotiaBank Marathon, as do all marathons, renews ones faith in humanity.  It puts all reality shows to shame.  This was a great race on a perfect day.  It was especially meaningful to me because Daniella and her future husband, Peter (and our future son in law), were running the half. Even more special, was the fact that Jo ran Daniella in for the last 10k or so.  Nothing like running with the family - just ask Carol-Sue.  It is a good way to weed out the slackers who are trying to weasel in to a good family.  Peter passed the test.

I took this photo at Bathurst and King as the eventual winner, Deressa Chimasa came flying though with a few of his buddies.  What struck me was the similarity in form and speed with our own crew.  Damn if Simon doesn't remind me of Deressa - and isn't Judy the spitting image of the guy behind him.  Bob is for sure the guy with the green shoes and the guy at the back of the picture - just flying with the red shoes and blue top - that's Pam.  Steve, who had a great race, is right in the middle with the white shoes

I do not want to mention who the slacker with the dog on the far side of the road reminds me of - but you all know what I mean.

There is no doubt that running marathons and even watching marathons makes the day just a little bit nicer.

These finishers, obviously are having too good a time which suggest to me (just saying) that they didn't leave it all on the track.


Coach

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Exercise is Indeed the Best Medicine

Great article on how exercise is great for helping those who have suffered heart attacks or strokes.  Makes me wonder why the government would give everyone a free gym membership.
Coach

Exercise may be as effective as medication in preventing early death in people who've had heart attacks or strokes, a new study suggests.
"Doctors should give their patients advice about the lifesaving benefits of exercise, and when possible they should refer patients to rehabilitation programs with exercise programs," says the study's lead author, Huseyin Naci, a fellow at Harvard Medical School and a graduate student at the London School of Economics.
This adds to a large volume of research on the benefits of regular physical activity. Exercise has been shown to lower the risk of early death, help control weight and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, some types of cancer and a host of other conditions. It lowers the risk of cognitive decline and hip fractures.
But only about 21% of adults in the USA meet the government's recommendations for aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise, recent data show.
Naci and a colleague at Stanford University School of Medicine analyzed the results of 305 studies involving 339,274 people. They looked at early death in patients who had had strokes, heart attacks or heart failure or were at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Only about 14,700 people participated in exercise trials. Exercise interventions varied among studies, but patients who had a stroke usually did a combination of aerobic and strength-training exercises.
Among the findings reported in BMJ, a British medical journal:
• Among stroke patients, exercise was more effective than drugs. However, stroke patients who are capable of exercising may have been healthier to begin with than those who couldn't exercise, Naci says.
• For people who had heart failure, diuretic drugs were more effective than exercise and all other types of drug treatment.
• For patients who had had heart attacks, exercise appeared to be as effective as drugs in preventing early deaths, Naci says.
• For people with prediabetes, neither exercise nor drugs reduced their risk of early death, but this may be due to the small number of people with this condition in the studies, he says. "We know from previous research that exercise is beneficial for this population.
"One limitation of this analysis is there were far fewer people who were exercising in these studies than taking medications. Exercise as treatment is something that has been under-researched," he adds.
He says more trials comparing the effectiveness of exercise and drugs are needed to help doctors and patients make the best treatment decisions. "Exercise should be considered as a viable alternative to, or in combination with medications."
New York cardiologist Richard Stein, a spokesman for the American Heart Association, says, "We are left with the same message we had before: Exercise therapy works. Drug therapy works. The combination of the two is the most reasonable approach."
Timothy Church, a physician and director of preventive medicine research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, says the latest findings make "sense to me when you consider that exercise strengthens all parts of the human machine — the heart, the liver, the brain, the blood vessels, the muscles."
"Health care providers struggle with the concept that exercise alone provides significant clinical benefit. This study is encouraging because we need more work and discussion on this, partly as it relates to healthy aging.
"The most powerful thing you can do for your health is become active," he says.
The government's physical activity guidelines recommend getting at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging.
The guidelines also recommend that adults do muscle-strengthening activities, such as push-ups, sit-ups or exercises using resistance bands or weights. These activities should involve all major muscle groups and be done on two or more days a week, the guidelines say.

Wednesday 17 July 2013

The Carreau's climb Mont Ventoux!

107 km, including a21k climb, with an average grade of 10.5. And that's just one say....makes our 27k this weekend a piece of cake.

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Keating channel tonight

Thought wed try a new spot tonight...same time....run done to water until we can't take anymore...
http://www.keatingchannelpub.com/

Monday 29 April 2013

Run May 7 2013 from the Carreau's House!

In case you didn't get the evite for our run May 7th, here you go!
:Evite

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Stellarrunners live on!

Seems we've grown up!  We have been doing this for many years now...I think it may have been 2005?  We have routes, schedules, opinions, surveys,  races....all available for the taking!  Last night, after some brief discussion - we agreed that we are ready for the next phase of our relationship. 

The blog is still a functioning repository for whatever you want to post and/or find.  We can continue to post schedules as people create them. Also any routes anyone finds that they want to share, races we want to do, we can continue to post links to those things.If you want to send them to me, I am happy to post them. Or, if you want to do this yourself, I can open the blog to you so that you can go in and manage the info yourself.  The blog funcitionality continues to evolve and improve, which makes it easier to use and navigate.

Tuesdays and Saturdays are still our run dates, but we won't be sending emails every week.  If there is something to share, we can post on the blog, or simply send an email to stellarrunners as we do now. 

One question remains...when do we switch to 7am? 

Looking forward to another summer of funning, running, sunning!

Friday 5 April 2013

Saturday, April 6th

Has anyone called Mother Nature about the cold weather?!

Route distances are for 16k and 24k and race schedules call for the following:

Ottawa half = 16k or more
Toronto full = 24k

There are various routes posted on the Blog -- I encourage you to choose your favourite :)

I won't be joining y'all tomorrow as I will be working Harry's Spring run-off at High Park.

Have a great weekend,
Sam


Friday 22 March 2013

Saturday, March 23

Congratulations to Shelly and Todd on the birth of their Son, Blake Alexander. 


Many of you are doing ATB on Sunday so you should take it easy (no more than 5k if you do run).

For the rest, I'm suggesting a short route from the Distillery District, followed by Furbo Cafe for Americanos and pastries. Here's a suggested route

Let's hope spring is now upon us (aka, layer-free running!)

Sam

Friday 15 March 2013

Saturday, March 16 (McNamara brunch to follow)

Hi Everyone, I am experiencing technical difficulties at work so I am unable to link to my mapmyrun.com routes. We will begin at 48 Winners Circle (Queen east/Kingston Rd) and run east along the waterfront trail. Programs call for the following: ATB/Ottawa = 24k ATB/Toronto full = 35k Toronto half = 18k Cheers, Sam

Friday 8 March 2013

Saturday, March 9th

Only 2 weeks until Around the Bay!

I've mapped a 28k route from Tim's to Leaside, over to midtown, and back through downtown. I'll be opting for the 10 mile route with a couple hills to boot.

Route details (direction in parentheses):
Leslie - Gerrard (west) - Carlaw (north) - Danforth (west) - Broadview (north) - O'Connor (east) - Millwood becomes Laird (north) - McRae (south) - Millwood become Belsize (west) - Yonge (south) - Chaplin (west) - Bathurst (south) - Davenport becomes Church (southeast) - Gerrard (east) to Leslie

Enjoy and let me know how you like it.


Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Friday 1 March 2013

Saturday, March 2

Apparently we're not done with winter just yet -- it's supposed to be brisk tomorrow morning.

All programs call for 21k this weekend. There's a route posted on last week's blog or click Routes for various distances east.

Also, check out the update on the new Don River Park here.

Sam

p.s. Don't forget about the post-run St. Paddy's Day brunch. Please let Terry know if you're planning to attend.

Paddy's Day Potluck - Saturday, March 16

All Stellars are invited to a St. Paddy's Day post-run potluck brunch from Terry's place (48 Winners Circle) on Saturday, March 16 (Note: the newest Penner has been requested to be on time and make an appearance). Traditional Irish Coffee will be the beverage du jour. Please let me or Terry (terrymcnamara@rogers.com) know if you're interested and what you'll bring. Significant others and children are welcome. More details to follow.

Friday 22 February 2013

Saturday, Feb 23

The weather folks are calling for mainly cloudy with a change of drizzle tomorrow morning. I'd like to propose a route through the streets. The total distance is 21.5k but you may adjust to suit your needs.

Programs call for:
ATB/Half (Ottawa/Toronto) = 16k or 21k
ATB/Marathon = 32/5k (but I think Steve is in Costa Rica)

Route details:

Leslie to Queen
Queen to Logan
Logan to Dundas
Dundas to Parliament
Parliament to Carlton
Carlton to College
College to Queen's Park Circle (north)
Exit Queen's Park Circle at Hoskins
Hoskins becomes Harbord to St. George
St. George to Dundas
Dundas to Crawford (Trinity Bellwoods)
Crawford to Queen
Queen to Dufferin
Dufferin to King
King becomes Queen to Leslie


Paddy's Day Potluck - Saturday, March 16

All Stellars are invited to a St. Paddy's Day post-run potluck brunch from Terry's place (48 Winners Circle) on Saturday, March 16 (Note: the newest Penner has been requested to be on time and make an appearance). Traditional Irish Coffee will be the beverage du jour. Please let me or Terry (terrymcnamara@rogers.com) know if you're interested and what you'll bring. Significant others and children are welcome. More details to follow.

Friday 15 February 2013

Saturday, Feb 16

It's Family Day weekend! (remember McGuinty?! -- thank him for this one)


The weather forecast is looking OK. Let's try the Moore Ravine / Beltline route.
 
ATB/Ottawa = 18k
ATB/Toronto half = 27k
ATB/Toronto full = 29k

See you at Tim's at 8 am.

Sam

Friday 8 February 2013

Saturday, Feb 9

Hello winter, it's nice to see you!

Let's try sidewalks for this weekend's route. I'm suggesting out and back and you can decide whether it's east or west that suits your fancy. Various distances are included in the routes.

ATB w/ spring half - 21k
Goodlife Marathon - 32k

See you at Tim's.

Sam

Friday 1 February 2013

Saturday, Feb 3 -- Take II on Don Trail loop

Routes - Don Valley Trail loop
Suggested routes for this weekend are north on the Don Valley Trail. Exit at Cullen Bryant Park @ O'Connor/Coxwell, then:

For 16k:
O'Connor to Coxwell
Coxwell to Queen
Queen to Leslie   

For 17.5k:
O'Connor to Woodbine
Woodbine to Queen
Queen to Leslie

For 22.5k
O'Connor to St. Clair E
St. Clair E to Victoria Park
Victoria Park to Queen
Queen to Leslie

For 27k:
O'Connor to St. Clair E
St. Clair E to Midland
Midland to Kingston Rd
Kingston Rd. to Queen
Queen to Leslie

NOTE: We will take the route to the streets if the trail is too messy with snow.


Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Friday 25 January 2013

Alternate route....maybe

Apparently the snow came a day late so the Don Trail loop may have to wait. Here's another possible route or we can do out and back to Rosetta McCain park.

Call in the troops and see you at 8 am!

Thursday 24 January 2013

Saturday, Jan 26

I am collecting completed forms and $50 cash for those of you interested to join the Monarch Park indoor track for Tuesdays beginning February 19 to April 30. Lanes will be reserved for our group and pylons will be placed to ensure no cutting across lanes.

This weekend's post-run nourishment will be chez Leslieville Diner (1186 Queen St. E, just west of Leslie St.). In the words of a reviewer on Yelp, "[if] you want fancy, then go somewhere else, but if you want honest to goodness breakfast food and really good coffee, then you can't beat this place". Coach G suggests parking at Tim's.

Routes - Don Valley Trail loop
Suggested routes for this weekend are north on the Don Valley Trail. Exit at Cullen Bryant Park @ O'Connor/Coxwell, then:

For 17.5k:
O'Connor to Woodbine
Woodbine to Queen
Queen to Leslie

For 22.5k
O'Connor to St. Clair E
St. Clair E to Victoria Park
Victoria Park to Queen
Queen to Leslie

For 27k:
O'Connor to St. Clair E
St. Clair E to Midland
Midland to Kingston Rd
Kingston Rd. to Queen
Queen to Leslie

NOTE: We will take the route to the streets if the trail is too messy with snow.


Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Friday 18 January 2013

Saturday, Jan 19

Half-Marathon programs call for 16k this weekend -- I've proposed routes for east or west. You can choose based on wind direction, your mood, etc.

Option 1: East along waterfront path to Rosetta McClain Gardens and return
Option 2: Leslieville-Annex loop - 13k or 16k

Please let me know if you're interested in the Tuesday pass for 11 weeks (Feb 19-Apr 30) for the indoor track at Monarch Park Stadium. The cost is $50 cash (taxes included). The Stadium has invited us to come by for a run at the facility next Tuesday, Jan 22.


Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Wednesday 16 January 2013

Update on Monarch Park

Hi Everyone,

I called Monarch Park for an update on the new stadium and track. The track has been resurfaced and is marked for multiple distances and the length is 370m.

For our group, the cost for Tuesday access for 11-weeks (Feb 19-Apr 30) would be about $50 per person (see attached form). No other run group currently has Tuesday access. Marathon Dynamics is using the track on Monday nights. They may be able to offer a discount for anyone who wants everyday access.

They've invited us to come out for our workout next Tuesday.

Also, here are things coming up at Monarch Park:
  • Sunday, June 9th - 5k, 10k, 1k for kids and 100m for toddlers  - final lap around the track - they will be looking for participants and volunteers
  • Toronto Road Runners coming soon (similar to New York Road Runners) - annual fee will be between $30-$40 and will include a t-shirt and discounts
Let me know your thoughts and we can move forward from there.

Sam

Thursday 10 January 2013

Saturday, Jan 12 from Tim's

Suggested loop for distances of 9k, 14k and 18k 



All routes begin by heading north on Leslie

Leslie to Ivy (north of Queen)
Ivy to Greenwood (north)
Greenwood to Felstead (east)
Felstead to Hanson (cross Coxwell)
Hanson becomes Lyne (north to Danforth)

Follow the Danforth and return to Tim's according to the instructions below:

9k - go south at Woodbine to waterfront trail and return to Tim's
14k - go south at Warden to waterfront trail and return to Tim's
18k - go south to the bottom of Birchmount and then return via waterfront trail to Tim's

See you Saturday!
Sam