So, over 3 years after I started this thread prior to my move to Canada, I felt it was time to put a bookend on it. I moved back to Ireland in September 2012, the Iroquois Trail Test 32k being my last race (and what a race!). While I loved Canada, Toronto etc., we moved back for family reasons. I kinda meant to put something up on the forum, but forgot, got lazy, then left it too late. I am now settled back here, and have clocked up a few races since my return.
I had a fab time in Canada, here are some of my running highlights: • Around the Bay 2010 (my one and only ATB)
• Sulphur Springs 2010 50 miler (still the longest race I have done, and one of my fondest memories of Canadian races)
• STWM 2010 – qualifying for Boston
• Toronto Marathon 2010 – pacing for the first time
• Running the belt line trail, mount pleasant and moore park ravine in the snow (crunch, crunch!), and then in the early mornings in the summer of 2011 training for Chicago 2011
• My first podium finish – 3rd in Cadillac Fairview 10k in April 2011
• Boston 2011 – not Canada obviously, but was during my time there
• Limberlost 2011
• The Martin Goodman Trail – training runs
• Ottawa Half marathon 2012
• The beer after Creemore 2012
• The joys of running in -30 degrees or worse and +30 degrees or more
I did plenty of marathons, trail races, and shorter races and got a great feel for running in Canada. I also got well-acquainted with MEC and Running Room, and spent a considerable amount of time and money in those establishments. I also met a number of fellow maniac, who it was great to share conversations with and often run a few miles during some of the longer races with.
So what have I been up to since? I did the Dublin Marathon in October 2012 (was not a goal race, just did some light training), finishing in 3:10. My goal thereafter was the first Tralee Marathon (in west of Ireland), in March 2012. So I embarked on an 18 week program with the aim of going under 3 hours. I achieved my goal, which I was delighted with, and am now working towards the Connemara Ultramarathon which is in two weeks’ time, and is 39.3 miles. Cant wait.
My race report from the Tralee marathon is here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost ... tcount=378 And that is part of a log I have kept (which includes all of my Canadian exploits) since late 2009:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthre ... 2055754053Best of luck to you all - I'll keep an eye on the threads here every now and then to see whats happening in Canada!
