Oh Canada.....

Just got back from a week-long training jaunt to Canada. I felt I had peaked with my coaching in the U.S. and could learn some new techniques in the Great White North. You know, really hone my craft with a variety of tips and styles. . . . or was it that I just went to visit my in-laws in Toronto for a week and got some runs in while I was there? I forget which.


Anyway, it was a different feeling running there. First, what a temperature difference! It was unseasonably cool (even for Toronto). End of July and it was actually a little chilly at times. Not great for swimming, but it was perfect running weather.

I did all sorts of different routes over the course of the week - one that was all city streets, one that was in a city park, one that followed the Beltline (thank you Kay) - which is a nice wide wooded trail, and even one that was primarily through a (huge) cemetery. Got significantly lost twice....one on my long run, which was mentally painful. To realize at mile 9 that I've gone a couple miles out of my way. . . . oof. Running along the waterfront was great though. One of these days I'd love to climb the CN Tower (the steps, not the outside); I think you can do that.

I missed running with other people - I've definitely gotten used to that. I looked up a running store in the area to see if I could at least get one run in with a group. Unfortunately, their run on Sunday didn't start until 8:30 in the morning and we had plans that morning at 10:30. I stopped in there to get some gels on Friday and while chatting with the girl at the register, mentioned that I had wanted to run with them, but it was too late a run.

Cashier: Too LATE? It's at 8:30! (imagine a nice thick Canadian accent here, eh)
Me: Yeah, I guess you don't have the temperature problem here. In Atlanta, the runs have to start a lot earlier, or you get laid out by the heat and humidity.
Cashier: Our runners go out Saturday night. It's all we can do to get them in here at 8:30...

So Canadians are apparently not as hardy as their American counterparts.... :)

Another odd thing. In Atlanta, as in every other place in the States I've run, runners acknowledge each other as they pass on the streets. Usually a wave, maybe a nod, but a shared spirit type of gesture. In Toronto, at best runners completely ignore each other. A couple times, my smile was met by a flat-out scowl. That said though, when I got completely lost (as I tend to do whenever I leave...oh, my bedroom) and walked up to some unsmiling Torontonian and asked for help . . . . it completely changed. They were super nice and super helpful (each time). I guess you just have to ignore the facade.

Glad to be back to my groups and my hills though...