For Grandchildren

Lucien and Vince

September marks the anniversary of both my grandfathers' deaths. On September 1, 2005, grand papa Lucien (Beaudoin) died at home after suffering from a heart attack at the age of 70. The week before, my brother Vince and I were playing Tennis with him and my grandma. As competitive and intense as ever, Lucien was all over the court and quick to remind his partner to aim for my grandma for a higher chance of winning!

On September 23, 2011, papi Flo (Leblanc) died in hospital at 79 years old, after a long battle with cancer. It was only five years prior that we were all headed for a three-generational family run on Christmas morning. A dedicated runner, papi Flo still found the energy and motivation to go for walks throughout his bouts of therapy. In describing his walks, he always made it sound like he was getting back into it, walking slowly now but slowly building back up the kilometers and the pace.

Christmas 2006 Family Run

My grandpas were very different individuals and my memories of them are quite different. However, they merge in one specific area: their ability to be active with their grandchildren, even in their final years. These memories motivate me to be active now, to treat my body well, and to have a lifetime perspective on fitness, so that I can create similar memories for my grandchildren one day.

It is often while I run that I reconnect with these memories.

This is why I run.

Flo running in his 50s

Animal Encounters

Every month, Runner's World magazine has a picture titled Rave Run that features someone running somewhere amazing. This somewhere amazing is usually in nature because there's really nothing beautiful about running on the sidewalk in the city during rush hour, even if you're having a great run. However, most training miles are done in this exact setting. So how do I connect with nature while running in the city? Through my animal encounters! I don't care how much exhaust fumes I am breathing in from this bus that I'm following. When I see that deer chomping on a tree in someone's backyard, I just became that Rave Run picture!

Here are some of my most memorable animal encounters while running:

Kingston, ON - On an early morning run through Queen's University's deserted campus, a little red fox comes strolling past us, dead squirrel in its mouth. He nods, we say hi, and keep running. Rave Run!

Stuart, FL - Running across a long intercoastal bridge on a bright sunny day, I look down 100ft to the water and see a school of dolphins swimming by. I scream like a school girl in excitement and Christina laughs at me. Rave Run!

Poolesville, MD - During a long run through country roads as the sun is rising and fog lifting, we find ourselves running with dozens of deer at a time. Over 10 miles, we definitely see more than 100 deer. There are camera crews everywhere, they are filming Bambi 2. Rave Run!

Washington, DC - A few weeks ago, on the C&O trail, we came up to a group of runners and walkers who had stopped. A baby raccoon is walking along the path and goes right up to people going by. He plays with a dog. He follows us as we run past. Rabies Run!

Other animals often seen on the C&O trail include turtles and snakes. About a month ago, Christina almost stepped on a 4ft snake, which looked like a branch on the path.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON - Running on a farm road, we spot an animal cross the road and disappear into the corn field up ahead. It looks like a dog, but bigger. I say it's a coyote. We pass the spot where it seemed to vanish and a german shepherd the size of a grizzly bear comes right at us, showing his teeth. I take my shirt off and start pounding on my chest. I am now Tarzan fighting a lion. It slowly calms down as we keep walking away backwards. Scariest animal encounter ever.

Wolfe Island, ON - My parents are following us by car as we do a long run. Eventually I join them in the car and Christina keeps running. We come to a farm where there are probably 10 dogs, all running towards Christina. We shield her with the car and open the door as she jumps in and we take off!

Rockville, MD - I have blogged about the Rockville beaver before (click to read). It's always fun to see it sitting on its dam or swimming with a friend as I run by. Rave Run!

This is why I run.

Running Sucks!

I have never seen someone wear a shirt that says "Basketball Sucks", "Soccer Sucks", or even "Cycling Sucks". In fact, I just Googled those three things and no pictures of shirts came up. So why is it that I keep seeing people wearing shirts that say "Running Sucks"?

(Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/makoworks/)

I enjoy running. During my free time, I enjoy reading about running. Recently, I have even enjoyed writing about it. Yet, there have been many times when I have thought those two exact words (maybe out loud a few times). Some days, I add more words to truly express how I feel about it! I have even scared Christina a few times with a loud grunt or roar from a few feet behind. I have run several races over the years, with many being my "last one". On a few occasions, towards the end of a long training run, I have thought "this is BS" and walked home (3 miles is a long walk!). I think this is a feeling that many runners, especially new runners, can relate to and something that is unique to the sport.

This love/hate relationship with running can be nurtured. The love part can grow while the hate part fades. I have been able to do this by running more consistently throughout the year and not letting my fitness level go in between training programs. I am in the fourth week of training for a half marathon and already running better than in the peak of my last training. 

Of course, the goal is not to eliminate the hate part of this relationship. There is something fun about letting out a loud primal scream while running up that never ending hill. Sometimes, it feels good to tell running to f--- off and just walk home. However, I don't need to wear a shirt that says "Running Sucks". When I feel that way, trust me, you will know!

This is Why I Run.

How I Won the Ottawa 1/2 Marathon

Alanna & Russ' Wedding (May 18, 2014)

I had run the Ottawa 1/2 Marathon twice before and it proved to be a very nice course through the streets of the nation's capital and along the Rideau canal. My first attempt was mediocre at best, with a final time of 2:02, walking most of the last few miles, and a bad mood that left me annoyed at the  cheering fans misting us with water on a hot day. My second attempt was a significant improvement, finishing in 1:46, a personal best at the time, and a much better mood! However, I still struggled in the last few miles and a desire to conquer the Ottawa 1/2 Marathon remained.

With us being in Ottawa for our friends Alanna and Russ' wedding a few weeks ago, and with Christina being in the wedding party, I found myself alone on Sunday morning. Anticipating all the eating and drinking that would occur later, I decided it was a great idea to participate once again in the Ottawa 1/2 Marathon.

I started slow, determined to finish strong, and took in the sights of the city and its thousands of tulips in full bloom for the annual tulip festival. I felt sluggish at first but kept a good pace and continued to pass my competitors. With about 5 miles to go, along the canal, something magical happened. All of a sudden I felt so light and fast. I picked up the pace and caught up to several other runners. Then, out of nowhere, a cyclist started pacing me. He stayed slightly ahead of me, making sure I continued to pick up speed, and would look back at times to make sure I was still with him. With about 2 miles to go, I had more to give so I surged passed the cyclist and waved to thank him. This is the moment I had been hoping for. The street was lined with people, I was feeling great, and all of a sudden I realized that with half a mile to go, there was no one else to catch. I had done it. I crossed the finish line, broke the ribbon, ran back to my hotel, and went on with my day!

As you can imagine, in reality, the story was a little bit different. The race weekend was actually the week after we were there. My competitors were families, strollers, dogs, and fair weather runners. My cyclist pacer was a 5 year old boy who just happened to be going the same pace I was. Finally, there was no finish line and cheering fans. However, I had a nice 7 mile run that day and I did feel light and fast. On those days when running feels effortless, it is so easy to lose yourself in your thoughts. Sometimes you think of people. Sometimes you solve work problems. Sometimes you win races!

This is why I run.

Free Therapy

Let's do this! (April 2012)

Moving to the United States from Canada was one of the easiest decisions of my life. I had already established my career as a paramedic and was quickly developing an expertise in training and development. Christina had now completed her PhD and it was time for her to establish her career so down we went with our U-Haul full of furniture and clothing, and car in tow.


Although the decision to move was easy, living down here has been anything but easy. Many challenges have emerged related to things such as credit scores, work authorizations, unrecognized Canadian credentials, income tax, and so on. Separately, none of these issues have been significant. Over time, however, the constant reminders that "you are not good enough down here" have taken their toll. Despite being self-confident, I now often find myself doubting my abilities and experience.

Marine Corps Marathon (October 2013)

In addition to Christina's constant support, running has been a bright light through this struggle. Running has been a distraction from my professional difficulties. Training has allowed me to set personal goals when work and school progress has been blurry. My improvements and achievements as a runner have given my self-confidence a boost by highlighting my ability to reach my goals. Finally, new running friends have filled the void of those coworkers, close friends, and family that we left behind. My mom describes running as free therapy and many other runners often characterize it as such. Perhaps it is no coincidence that at a time in my life when I feel I have struggled the most, running has become a more significant part of it.

Friends running Pike's Peek 10k (April 2014)

Professional and personal struggles will come and go. In those difficult times, running can be that much needed escape. For me, it made me realize that I should not measure my success solely on my professional achievements. I am also happy to know that my blog has recently influenced some friends to run more, which has helped them through their personal challenges.

This is why I run.

Beaver Trail

Despite the unlimited amount of possible running routes available to runners in urban/sub-urban settings, I think we often settle into a routine, with a few go-to routes close to home. This is especially true of weekday runs. For example, I have my usual 5-mile and 8-mile loops that I alternate between. I also have a short 3-mile loop for tapering weeks and that 10-mile loop when increased weekly mileage is necessary. For the most part though, I stick to the 5 and 8 loops. Needless to say, we get very familiar with these routes. We use the same sidewalks over and over again, we know the timing of the traffic lights, we know which hill gets our heart rate up, and we even get to anticipate who we will see running or walking, depending on the time of day. Sometimes we get bored with these routes so we run them in the opposite direction and they feel like new! These running routes develop a life of their own and we develop relationships with them.

Eventually, these relationships evolve to the point where a name must be adopted for the regular routes. It is no longer acceptable to call it "5-mile loop" and something more personal is needed. As my relationship developed with my 5-mile route, I began to notice things happening around a pond I run by. I first noticed several trees down, all around it. Further investigation revealed tree stumps sharpened like HB pencils! Then came the large pile of branches in the water, a few feet from shore. Over the weeks, it seemed like more and more trees were being chewed at and that's when "5-mile loop" became "Beaver Trail"!

Despite the signs and the new name, each run on the Beaver Trail left me hanging, with no actual beaver in sight. However, I doubted that the geese swimming around the pond were capable of such feats so I remained hopeful that I would one day see Mr. Beaver. That day came last Saturday morning, running with Christina and my mom. As we got closer to the dam, we noticed movement in the water, and there he was, just outside its home, enjoying the morning sun! Another running victory.

This is why I run.

p.s. My brother in law Andrew, who is training for a marathon, recently saw Mayor Rob Ford on one of his runs. He blogged about his Rob Ford sighting. We now share the special experience of running into Canadian icons (Ford and the Beaver) while running!

Awkward Cramps

Have you ever had one of those cramps where all of a sudden the entire back side of your leg stiffens up with intense pain? If you've had one, you probably know exactly what I am referring to! When I was younger, I would often get them during basketball tournaments and now sometimes from running. During exercise, there are hints that it's coming but it usually doesn't. It waits until you forget about it, like in the car on the way home, sitting at the dinner table, or in your sleep, and then BAM! It feels like Dr. Ho just snuck one of his gizmos on your leg and turned it on EXTRA HIGH.

I was in an interview this week, sitting at a desk with the interviewer/hiring manager. I felt it coming. I've heard that if you put your foot flat on the ground it will go away. Not working...still coming...then BAM! DR HO!!!! Of all the times in the world to get a cramp, this was definitely my most awkward one ever. I wish I could see a replay of the whole thing. Did she notice? I'm still waiting to hear back from her!

This is NOT why I run.

Look who I found at mile 8!

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler Race Recap

This morning was the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, DC. Being held during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, this race goes around most of the monuments and is a great way to see the cherry blossoms lining the tidal basin. The trees are blossoming a little late this year but we did get a sneak peek. Although it was a little chilly, the sun was out and the wind was down, which made for perfect running conditions.

I hadn't done a 10 mile race before so any finishing time was going to be a personal best. Nevertheless, I ran a solid race and was happy with my time of 1:07:49 (6:46/mile pace)! As an added bonus, I met a beautiful young lady at around mile 8, who was just coming out of a porta potty. She kept me company for the rest of race. Thank you! 

My goal is to one day finish another race with her, but this time she won't have to slow down or stop for me to catch her.

This is why I run.

Rockville =PR= DTP Group after Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race

Race Recap (Shamrock 1/2 Marathon)

Lucky Weekend in Virginia Beach!

Registering for and participating in an a race is a unique experience that everyone should do at least once in their life. Regardless of your experience and ability, or the distance of the event, simply committing to an event will bring you a sense of accomplishment that is unlike any other feeling. First comes the satisfaction of progressively being able to run a little bit longer and slightly faster during the training phase. Then comes the gratification of looking back at the hard work you have put in and maybe even the changes that have occurred to your body. Finally, there's the excitement of being part of all the weekend events associated with a race, from picking up your race kit, to making sure to load up on plenty of carbohydrates, to testing your physical and mental abilities in the actual race. No matter what the outcome of the race is, I guarantee you that at some point during this whole experience, you will have pushed yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of accomplishing. THAT is why everyone should sign up for a race someday and it is also the reason why your first race will likely not be your last!

On the boardwalk (Photo: Cheryl Young)

This past weekend, I ran the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA. The training leading up to this race was the most intense I have done in terms of effort and weekly mileage. There are often setbacks during training and this time it was a broken rib. Luckily, this happened late in the training schedule so I had already put in most of the important workouts. However, whether the injury would affect my ability to race or not was still to be determined. Going into the weekend, my rib felt fine and it seemed like it wouldn't affect the race (it didn't). I ran less in the last 2 weeks so I felt rested. Finally, the dreaded morning routine was perfect (if you know what I mean!): Breakfast in, dinner out, ready to go!


I finished the race in 1:30:17, a personal best for me in the half marathon. My previous best was 1:33:30 at the Navy-Air Force half marathon last year. Despite this new PB, I am most satisfied with my consistency in the race and my ability to push harder in the final miles, which has always been an issue for me. I knew my body would be able to handle 1:30 but my mind is what seems to often get in the way. Not this time!

This is why I run.

p.s. Thank you to Christina, Chris, and Travis for all your help during training! Training with faster runners makes a big difference.

Neptune Statue (Photo: Cheryl Young)

One Week Until Shamrock!

When I was in high school, I would play as many sports as I could and play as hard as possible. I would get injured, nurse it for a week or two, and then get right back at it. No harm done, no missed work, life goes on. Now, injuries have much more of an impact on everything else I do so when I get a chance to play sports, I try to be more careful cut back on intensity.

While focusing mostly on running in the past few years, I have managed to stay injury free. Running certainly brings about its share of injuries but these are usually acquired over time, due to over training, bad shoes, etc. They are not the Snap, Crackle, Pop injuries from high school that are common in sports like, say...football! 

Christina and I joined a flag football league this winter. We play every Sunday, on the National Mall, amidst all the famous DC monuments. It's great! Last week, in our second game of a double header, I broke a rib. Not so great! I am running the Shamrock Half Marathon next weekend. Shit! 

It's been a while since I've had to R.I.C.E.!

I took 2 days off any activity and then attempted an easy test run on the treadmill. The first 2 miles felt like someone was standing beside me, randomly stabbing me in the chest when I wasn't paying attention. He also kept saying "I told you so" in the voice of Christina Guzzo, Chris Sloane, and many others! Since then, I have opted for the Elliptical, which has been much more forgiving. Today, I was able to do 1 hour on it with no pain and I followed it up with 1 mile on the treadmill at a normal pace with very little pain. I am still planning on running Shamrock but am not planning on playing football again.

I would take a blister, chafing, or tight hamstrings over a broken rib right now.

This is why I run.

p.s. I sneezed for the first time today! Thank God I don't have seasonal allergies right now.

Feedback

First, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my posts so far. The number of readers grows weekly and has reached a level much higher than I had expected. I've also noticed that funny pictures and relationship stories are more popular so I will keep this in mind moving forward (except for this one!).

In fact, this brings up a topic that I have been wanting to write about, especially in the past two weeks as my training has intensified in preparation for the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA on March 16. The topic is "feedback".

Making the transition from playing team sports to running has been challenging and early on, I struggled to remain motivated without the immediate performance feedback of being ahead/behind in points and winning/losing at the end of the game. When running, unless you're participating in a race, that feedback is missing. Or perhaps, it's just not as obvious. Watching the olympics in the past few weeks got me thinking about this. On TV, in most of the racing sports, they show that imaginary blue line competing against the athletes, usually representing the time to beat. Wouldn't that blue line be exciting to run against? Maybe your blue line would represent your run from last week, maybe it would represent a younger version of yourself, or even another runner you aspire to be. Whatever it is, it would allow you to measure yourself against a standard. It would tell you whether you are winning or losing, even if you're alone.

I have found my blue line and maybe that's why I have grown to enjoy running as much, if not more, than playing team sports. It comes in various forms: My GPS watch tells me how far and how fast I'm running at any given time, my training log tells me how far and how fast I've run in the past, my lungs tell me how hard I'm working and my legs tell me how long and how fast I ran, my blog posts are a reflection of how I feel about running, and race results show me my improvements in training and fitness levels. I don't always run thinking of all these feedback mechanisms but I use the ones that are appropriate at different times to ensure that I finish my runs ahead of the blue line. These small wins keep me coming back.

This is why I run.

The Proposal

February 6, 2010 was supposed to be a regular Saturday morning where I would come home from my night shift, have breakfast with Christina and then head to bed for the better part of day. She would probably do some work in the morning, maybe run a few errands, and then make lunch, at which time I would probably start waking up. We were training for a race then so we had planned to run in the afternoon. After the run, I would get ready for work, pack my lunch, and leave for another night shift.

Wolfe Island, Ontario (Photo: Lucas Tingle)

Instead, that Saturday went something like this. I came home from work, had breakfast, and went to bed, as expected. However, there would be no sleeping. I was so excited and nervous about what I had secretly planned for the day that I couldn't sleep. Christina was even getting annoyed as I kept talking to her from the bedroom. "Go to sleep!" she kept saying. Eventually, I gave up. I got up and said I couldn't sleep so let's go for our run. We got ready and as we were about to head out for a 15 km run, I sat Christina down on the couch and asked her to marry me!

June 25, 2011 (Photo: Lucas Tingle)

I wanted the proposal to have a connection with running. I told her I contemplated proposing at the end of the race we were training for but opted for a regular training run, because it was much more meaningful. What makes our relationship special is how we support and push each other through good and bad times in everything we do in our lives. Training for races together is one example of this. The next hour and a half was the most productive run we've ever had, as we planned the whole wedding, and was probably the easiest 15 kms we've ever run!

On February 6, 2014, last Thursday at 6:30 in the morning, I was running at the local high school track as Christina was doing her weekly speed workout. I had done mine the previous day but went with her because I know how hard those workouts can be by yourself. Four years later, the effort we put into our running still translates into our relationship. 

This is why I run.

One of our favorite places to be together: On the road (Photo: Lucas Tingle)

Running in Japan

Imperial Palace (Tokyo, Japan)

I headed to Japan with few expectations, simply hoping for another adventure with Christina and to discover a country and culture I wasn't very familiar with. A week of traveling between Osaka, Kyoto, Minakami, and Tokyo, included visits to shrines, temples, an amazing Onsen in the snowy mountains, and great food thanks to the Lonely Planet book!

Of course, the week also included some running. In Kyoto, the Kamo River, with its paths on both sides, was ideal for a short run on the first day followed by 13 miles the next day. In Tokyo, the Imperial Palace was close to our hotel and is a popular running spot for both locals and tourists. We were able to run there twice.

Along the river in Kyoto, on a Sunday, we ran by an artist who was doing a painting of the river, kids at soccer practice, and even kids doing running drills. In downtown Tokyo, on a weekday morning, we were dodging cars, bikes, and pedestrians like a real-life game of Frogger, as they headed to work. In both cities, we ran along with many local runners, most dressed in very nice running gear from Japanese brands like Asics and Mizuno. These are the types of sights you will not find in the Lonely Planet book.

I have found that running in foreign cities, or countries, allows me to witness the culture and the daily life of locals, in a way that is different than regular sightseeing. Along the river, we were among locals, not tourists. In the city, we were part of the morning rush. Running offers a small window into the lives of those living in the neighborhoods where we run. As we passed other runners while running around the Imperial Palace, I wondered if, at least from behind, we looked like local Japanese runners. With my shaved head under that running hat and Christina's hair...I don't think so!

This is why I run.

Kamo River (Kyoto, Japan)

Comfort Zone

Let's face it, running is not always pleasant! My run last Sunday along the Potomac River, which is one of the nicest places to run in the DC area, had all the makings of a great run but tired legs and a slightly longer distance than previous weeks made it more difficult than anticipated. That run earned the only sad face of the week in my training log (the faces provide a quick way to assess the week overall)! Yesterday, my legs felt great during a speed workout at the local track (earning a happy face!) but I would not characterize this type of training as fun, at least not during the workout.

Christina's shoe after her run
this morning. That's not Kool-Aid on there!
I thought it was appropriate for this post.

I could've run only 8 miles instead of 11 last Sunday and it would've been more enjoyable. On Wednesday, I could've slowed down at the track or just go for an easy run around a neighborhood, which would've been a lot more fun. Yet, even when my legs felt like Jell-O with several miles left to go, or my lungs were screaming at me to stop running around the track at that speed, I pushed through it. And guess what? Harder training awaits in the next several weeks. But that's the point, isn't it? At least for me it is.

Some of my favorite inspirational quotes revolve around the concepts of comfort, discomfort, and growth, like this quote from Neale Donald Walsch: 

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone". 

I chose to become a paramedic because it was outside of my comfort zone. I started teaching because public speaking was one of the things I was the most uncomfortable with. But it wasn't until recently that I started stepping outside of my running comfort zone. Since then, I have become a much better runner and have learned to enjoy it more, as evidenced by my blog!

This is why I run.

A Long-Term Project

We visited our friends in Guelph, Ontario a few weeks ago, whose parents were visiting from India. I always enjoy seeing their parents as they tell captivating stories of where they live and the amazing farm they have built over the years. During our conversation, the father told me that after 20 years of work, he finally considers the farm self-sustainable, which I believe has been his goal since the beginning. During a run, I commented to Christina on how amazing I thought this accomplishment was and how we seldom see such examples of patience and perseverance nowadays, especially within our generation.

Over the years, Christina and I have kept the bibs from the various races we have participated in. Last year, Christina ordered BibFolios from Gone For A Run so that we could file them away and document our finishing times and any other details about the events. After gathering as many of the bibs as we could find from our parents' houses during the holidays, I spent some time this week putting the BibFolios together. As I went through the bibs and looked up old finishing times, I realized that my first race (the Bob Hartwell Half Marathon, in Aurora, Ontario) was in 2005 and that over the years, my times have improved significantly. I was reminded of my comment to Christina and thought that maybe this is an example, or perhaps early signs, of perseverance and patience that leads to something great.

Running is one of the few sports where one can continue to improve despite growing older. Some critics will say that years of pounding the pavement will take a toll on the body. Instead, I see it as a long term project, worth dedicating time and effort, because in the end the benefits will far outweigh the drawbacks.

This is why I run.

Snotcicles

Christmas 2013 (Bolton, ON Canada)

On December 21st, one of the worst ice storms in recent years hit the Greater Toronto Area, where Christina and I spent our holidays visiting family and friends. Adverse weather conditions continued for many days. Of course, the snow/ice and low temperatures didn't keep us from getting a few runs in.

Ice Storm 2013: The Aftermath

The night before flying out to Toronto, I ran in shorts. In London (Ontario), I carefully ran on icy sidewalks which had yet to be sanded or salted. Newmarket was much colder and sidewalks were covered in frozen slush from the plows. The icy-but-smooth ditch often provided much relief to my calves from the hard-and-uneven sidewalks until the ditch had too much of a slope and I found myself stuck at the bottom, looking up at Christina bent over laughing. It warmed up slightly while in Bolton. This meant rolling hills covered in slushy snow where I felt like for every step forward, I was taking half a step back. Roads were in similar conditions in Newmarket during a hilly 12 mile run on Sunday, December 29th. Yesterday, back in Rockville, I happily ran on a clean and dry surface wearing SHORTS!

Without running, I likely would have spent most of the holidays inside, eating, drinking, and visiting with family and friends. Instead, I was able to do all that AND enjoy the cold winter air, the sound of snow crunching with each footstep, the neighbourhoods Christina and I grew up in, and yes, there was even the sight of a few snotcicles!

This is why I run.

December 24, 2013 (Newmarket, ON Canada)