Terrace Bay to Rossport Ontario

Terrace Bay to Rossport by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 22 Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit) It was cold when I stopped but hot when I ran.  
• Distance for today: 39.72kl (24.68 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4450.53 kl (2773.56 miles)
• Song of the Day: Lose Yourself Emimen (Explicit) it get's me moving. 

Not allot to say about today. It was another day of running. The weather was pretty good. It was just a run day. Nothing really special besides the scenery 

Terrace Bay 

A bridge somewhere. 

Still running. 

Almost at Thunder Bay!

What a view. 

I stopped running just outside of Rossport. 

My ankles were bugging me today. The last 2kl or so were straight uphill. At about 37.36kl it was a consistent uphill climb until 39.57kl It was 141 m elevation in a very short period of time. It killed my ankles. I got to the top and the downhill looked pretty steep. I was going to continue on and just get some distance added but thought the downhill would be a great day to start the day tomorrow. 

This is a stunning part of Canada. I am right on the border between Ontario and Michigan and Wisconsin the only thing separating us is Lake Superior.

Off to stretch and ice my ankle's 

Still on the Trans Canada Highway along Lake Superior

Still on the Trans Canada Highway along Lake Superior by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 22 Celsius (71 Fahrenheit) Started off cold but warmed up 
• Distance for today: 42.76kl (26.57 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4410.81 kl (2748.55 miles)
• Song of the Day: Gnarls Barkley "Crazy"

McGill Family's house that we parked at the last two nights. 

My head this morning. 

I was off today. I don't mean off as in grumpy, or tired, or "not in the game". I was in a mental void. It was just empty. I was neither up nor down. I was not hot or cold. I was just here. It was very strange. Lack of emotion, lack of response, lack of...........it was like a lack of taste, or spice. It was strange. 

I spent most of the day like that. Just empty. I don't mean to sound negative. It just was. It was neither good nor bad. Kind of a like a day that just was. That was however up until the last 5kl or so. I don't know what it was but something just lit a fire in my ass. I ran those last 5kl like I had not been running all day. 

It hurt, my ankles were screaming, my lungs were begging me to stop, the lactic acid started to burn, but I felt it. It was such a fantastic sensation after a day of none. 

It was a very odd day. I was intrigued and interested in it. Kind of like studying myself from a third person perspective. 

Construction zone guy. 

As far as the run went I felt odd today. The road was very up and down. Lot's of hills, lot's and lot's of hills. Very limited cell coverage until we got closer Schreiber Ontario.

That's me running towards Melissa for a change.

See it's me

Me again waving at a cyclist. 

So we are citing in a Robins Donuts, and a Pizza Hut and a Kentucky Fried Chicken and a hotel all in one. It's a very interesting little outfit. It's a very small town. 

So know we go back to the motorhome. Find a place to park for the night and do the dishes and then get to bed once I have done my stretches. 

Passing Through Marathon Ontario

Passing Through Marathon Ontario by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 17 Celsius (62.6 Fahrenheit) cold and wet  
• Distance for today: 41.37kl (25.71 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4368.05 kl (2721.98 miles)
• Song of the Day: Sex on Fire. Kings Of Leon

While we have been staying in Marathon Ontario today was the day that I actually ran past it. 

A town called Marathon. 

It was very wet at the start of the run. 

Very Wet. 

Just running over a bridge 

Very, Very Wet

Some Great Views

All and all it was a pretty uneventful day of running. It is getting cooler very wet in the morning and then got a little better. We are in and out of cell service so I am missing my CBC Radio. Will have to download some before I run tomorrow. 

Holy smokes it's 9:21. Time for bed!! 

Oh any song suggestions from anyone.

One Mental Marathon

A mental marathon by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 22 Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit) Perfect day for a run.  
• Distance for today: 41.50kl (25.78 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4326.68 kl (2696.27 miles)
• Song of the Day: The Ricky Gervais Show The XFM Vault

The day started off a little late as it was a about a 35 min drive to yesterday's run stop. It was a little cold but warmed up perfectly as the run got started. 

Perfect View. 

The shoes are perfect and make the biggest difference. It was a pretty flat day with only a few hills. However those hills were intense. I also passed the Yellow Brick Road. 

It's not every day you pass the Yellow Brick Road so Melissa felt the need to snap a pic as well. 

As the day ran on, and on, and on, we saw a couple of cool places to stop and snap a picture.

Two big vehicles for us to ride. 

I don't know what it does, but I liked it. 

A little less than a marathon from Marathon Ontario.
 

 As the day went on I started to loose energy. The body was feeling good, the shoes were good. However the mind just wasn't into to it. The last 20kl were a total mental game. 

I was able to get my head focused on finishing and while today took a little longer. It was rewarding to be done. Tomorrow will be running right past Marathon Ontario and I should have cell service for a portion of the run. I like my 3G. 

 

Running to White Lake.

Running to White Lake by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 18 Celsius (64.4 Fahrenheit) Fall is here and it's wet. 
• Distance for today: 41.77kl (25.95 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4285.18 kl (2670.49 miles)
• Song of the Day: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen  

A new pair of shoes and a great run. I ran through White River 

Through the home of Winnie the Pooh. 

I continued running on and it was a fantastic day for running. 

I passed a sign that I will soon be in Marathon Ontario. Looking forward to running a marathon through Marathon. 

Some more of the beautiful views I get to see as I run through this amazing country. 

We stopped about 60kl away from Marathon Ontario today. It was a bit of a late start today so we were ending rather late. However we have not any cell service at all today. This is a challenge when I have to post my blog. So we drove ahead to Marathon and checked out a place to park and get some cell connection. 

We stopped right at the entry of the store and Melissa went into a hotel to ask if we can park there. The two guys below (Darren and Beau) who are adventuring across Canada. They started off walking then they got a canoo and have cannoed all of lake superior. They have stopped in Marathon and are moving there canoe forward to avoid some of the weather. These were two very cool guys that just decided to adventure across Canada. 

We are looking forward to meeting up with them before we get to Thunder Bay where they get back in the water. 

Ran a full Marathon along side Pokei Lake

Ran a full Marathon along side Pokei Lake by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 18 Celsius (64.4 Fahrenheit) Fall is here and it's wet. 
• Distance for today: 42.04kl (26.12 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4243.41 kl (2644.54 miles)
• Song of the Day: CBC Radio until I ran out of cell service. Then just listened to the sounds of the lake and traffic. 

I don't know how to start today. It has been a pretty difficult last couple of days. We are currently parked outside a hotel in White River Ontario (The home of Winnie the Pooh). 

You see I have been increasingly in pain. I have not had a new pair of shoes in a long time. We had some difficulty with getting new shoes. While this is not the forum to state the things that have been, well actually let's say have not been happening. I feel an explanation of the missing day is in order. 

While Ron Steele from Communicare Michigan gave Tom some shoes for me to run with when he ran with me a while ago, the shoes he so thoughtfully provided were stability shoes. These are shoes with an orthotic built in for people that pronate. While I do have minor pronation I run in neutral shoes (No way for you to have known this Ron so please don't feel bad, it was a very thoughtful thing you did for me). So as any long distance runner will tell you, "Once you find the shoe that works. Don't change it". 

Now I try new shoes all the time, the Spira's are fantastic. However they hurt my ankles. The Brooks Ron sent me where stability and they threw out my hip. So I was back to my old Brooks that have not been changed since approx the 12th of July, while I have alternated some what between the Brooks and the Spira's. They have seen better day's. 


What happens when you where old shoes is they lack any impact and they start to loose some grip. So my ankles, knees and hips start to take a beating. 


Think of driving on a pair of tires that have no grip left on them at all. Your shock are done, and you have no grip on the ground. You get the idea. 


It took way to long to long to get the shoes that were needed and the pain was getting to the point where running was just causing me so much discomfort. At one point I was alternating between the Brooks with no impact or stability, the Spira's that are fast, very impact resistant yet no stability at all, to the Brooks with the build in orthotic, that threw my knees and IT band out, all in one day. 


So yesterday when the shoes were supposed to be delivered and they were not I took the day off. I was frustrated and upset. Between Melissa and Magda however they got the issue resolved. However I would not have the shoes until the end of the day today. 


I was faced with a dilemma, take a day off and be out longer on the road costing us money and time, or run in pain and discomfort. So today I ran in discomfort. It really hurt. I will say one thing about pain. It made me run faster. I don't like pain. Not the kind of pain I have been having lately anyway. I can handle pain knowing there will be a payoff for it. Like my agility is improved, or my muscles are stronger. That is good pain. However the pain that sits deep in you and prevents you being comfortable while you try to sleep. The kind feels like someone is pushing a needle into your hips and when you run is like a punch on the hip and the knee. It starts at the ankle and just shoots up. I don't like that.


Today I just ran into the pain. I new it would hurt, I new it would end, but for over four hours I would be very uncomfortable. That was today. Very, very painful. I took one rest and it was so hard to get going that I just didn't stop again. I knew that if I stopped running I would not continue. 

I started playing games in my head to be able to continue. It was all I could do to keep myself distracted. There were several times that I almost stopped. Yet just near the last 5kl or so I saw a car pull over. 

A couple of guys were getting out of there car and crossing the street. 

 Brothers Martin and Lennard who had just got back from a hike had heard about me before they left for there hike. They wondered if they would pass me and saw the CRV and me running along. They wanted to pull over and wish me luck. It totally made the day. There are day's when I am wondering if anyone is noticing. I know they are, but still after running for so long all by myself. It feels fantastic to know that someone knows your out there. 

So now I go back to stretching and pass out. Tomorrow I have a brand new pair of shoes to run in and I am so excited. 

Two run day's in one blog post.

Running out of the National Park by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

1/2 Marathon

• Weather: High of 23 Celsius (73.4 Fahrenheit) 
• Distance for the two days combined: 61.21kl (38.04 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4201.37 kl (2618.42 miles)
• Song of the Day: Listening to the Philosophy lecture from Berkeley Online Education (it's free) 

Yesterday (Tuesday Aug 23rd) was a pretty good run day. I got in the right distance, the weather was good and I was able to just "get'r done".

When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. 

Baby Island

Running along. 

Happy Biker 

Hello 

Not a real Bear

 Near the end of the run and after leaving the Provincial Park and a quick rest stop in the bushes, Melissa honked at me. I turned around and was met with a half dressed Kgell (pronounced Chell) 

Kgell

Kgell was the boyfriend of the Cydney who was our server at Boston Pizza in Sault Ste Marie. I had a chat with her as she was training for to be in a triathlon relay race. So it was much to our surprise that he knew who we were. Considering I forget as well. 

So he invited Melissa and I over to Cydney's parents house that is on a dirt road down on Sandy Beach on Lake Superior. 

So we finished up the run and then headed for dinner. 

All I can really say is wow. These people were so awesome. They were engaging, interested, intelligent and warm. It had that feeling that you were welcome and you were home. Just an absoulute increadible group of people, in a great location, with great food. Who could ask for anything more. 

A very special thank you too Mother Jan, Dad Randy and the rest of the Klockars family and friends and neighbors. It was a consistant flough of people just wondering in and out. It was funny because you just had this sense of a small welcoming community. It was very special. I won't forget it. 

Running to Marathon!! 

We had homemade breakfast in there house and we made off for the day. 

As I ran along with a bit of a late start (come on home made Blue Berry Pancakes with local fresh picked Blue Berry's and a great dinner the night before) I was back to running. Maybe about 19kl in,  I saw a car pull over weigh ahead of me. It pulled away. I see this from time to time with people who talk on cell phones. Yes some people actually do pull over to talk on there cell phones. I kept plugging along and when I got to where the car, long gone now, had stopped. We say this. 

It was a card with a $10.00 donation from Blake and Celia

That such an strangely awesome thing to happen. I love meeting people as quirky, weird and awesome as I think I am. 

That is one big lake, and one big Provincial Park

That is one big lake, and one big Provincial Park by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 16 Celsius (60.8 Fahrenheit) Partly Cloudy
• Distance for today: 44.60 kl (27.71 miles)
• Total Distance to Date: 4140.16 kl (2580.38 miles)
• Song of the Day: "Not Afraid" Eminem. There are some lyrics here that just push when I here them. 

I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid

To take a stand, to take a stand

Everybody, everybody

Come take my hand, Come take my hand

We'll walk this route together through the storm

Whatever weather, cold or warm

Just lettin' you know that your not alone

Holla if you like you've been down the same road. 

I did not want to get out of bed today. I mean I really, really did not want to get out of bed. I was tired, I was on the second night of a bad sleep, just tired and sore and the thought of running a marathon was almost to much. I have these days from time to time. Day's that I just want to do nothing. However they always wind up making me feel worse about not doing anything, then just getting up and heading out.

I have a similar rule with running. On day's that I really really didn't want to run. I would get all my gear on, get out and start running. If after five minutes I still did not want to run, I would call it a day. Not feel bad, it was just not to be that day. I can't quite do that now, I mean just because I don't want to run doesn't mean I can have a day off. So I headed out. It turned out be one of my best runs yet. Not just mentally, but physically as well. Don't get me wrong I am sore for sure. However that was one of the longest runs I have run so far and I didn't have to push myself through the day. Some days are just such a struggle. My feet feel like weight a hundred pounds each, it's cold, I am sore, I am sick. Those day's are the hardest. Today was the opposite. It just felt good.

Baby Lake

There were lot's of hills, and lot's of lakes. 

Mom Lake

Dad Lake

Even Rabbit's get a lake 

Melissa is avoiding being seen with my socks

Waving at the knee high socks

Stunning Beauty

Almost at WaWa