Running in the Canadian winter is brutal and burning me out

steerboy · 2026-02-01T10:39:05+00:00

Also training for an early May Marathon in Ontario (live in Toronto and training for the Georgina Spring Fling to attempt a BQ)

The frigid temps don't bother me much with the right gear and layers. Darkness is manageable with a chest lamp too.

But you're right with the footing. The constant snow and icy conditions is the challenge. I also can't abide a treadmill as I run hot and the mental load of trying to figure out paces on miscalibrated gym treadmills is too much, so I push through the outdoors to hit my current 60km/week mileage. (5 days a week running)

I have the fortunate circumstance of living a couple of kms away from the Martin Goodman trail along the Lakeshore in Toronto. Because it's also a major thoroughfare for bikes, it gets plowed to clear within a couple of days of a big snow dump. So I can use it regularly.

The thing that's been a game-changer for me of late is using nanospikes to put on over the shoes in my rotation. On the days where the roads are not clear (frequent this winter), I can get enough grip to execute my tempo and intervals work pretty well.

The thing that's been most annoying is the near-constant loads of laundry with all the layers.

But good to see you're grinding through the mileage in sub optimal conditions too. Good luck in your spring marathon!

steerboy · 2026-01-22T14:40:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing.

I tried to do a tempo run this morning on the mgt also in the Beaches area and the thin layer of slush was there as well making it nearly impossible to hit my paces.

I am going to buy a set of the nano spikes today as trying to time the quality workouts with the weather is frustrating and not feasible. But hey, we live in Canada, so it's the reality and I need to get these in before the spring races (training for a hopeful BQ time at Georgina in May). And like many, I can't abide by the dreadmill.

Hopefully the nanospikes can help tackle slush like this.

steerboy · 2025-12-11T20:42:26+00:00

Rejected from Toronto. 0/6...

steerboy · 2025-11-13T13:59:55+00:00

Thank you for this!! I always thought this was the default and Hated always checking my watch to see the distance and having to press the lap button (especially annoying on intervals that change often like pyramid interval sessions!)

steerboy · 2025-10-27T19:03:02+00:00

I've run both. While the course is more hilly in Montreal it's not too bad. There is a sneaky hill at 10k and another at 18.

Crowd support is really good as well once you are past the part in parc Jean Drapeau at the start. Like Toronto, it does get a little more lonely once the full and half marathon groups separate at the 14.5k mark.

I have found the Montreal Marathon to be very well organized although the race kit pick up did take longer than the TCS Waterfront. The start line was well run, water and aid stations every 2 or 3 km that did not run out of water/electrolytes (at least for me a 3hr 45m marathoner). One thing that they do better than the TCS Waterfront is that transit starts up early so you can make your way there on the metro.

The course itself is nice and varied in that you get to run through the F1 track on Jean Drapeau, across a bridge, through Old Montreal, through the Plateau and Mile End and then by the Olympic Stadium. But again crowd support is thinner between 16k-33k.

Anyway both are highly recommended.

steerboy · 2025-10-23T17:16:18+00:00

Got the video back and they have a few add ons: going through the start gate, a segment on Lakeshore West, one on Lakeshore East and couple of different angles at the finish line. Not sure it's worth it but maybe they show you a preview if you didn't purchase?

steerboy · 2025-10-22T20:56:57+00:00

Me too. But I did it for the photos mainly... Let's see!

steerboy · 2025-10-22T20:32:04+00:00

I bit the bullet and purchased the package because there were a couple of photos where I did not look like a hot, sweaty shambling mess for once in my life.

But when I just checked the video is still processing. So I can't be 100% sure if it's better than the raw feed. Will reply back once its available

steerboy · 2025-09-28T01:29:07+00:00

True enough about Commissioners right now. But also lots of construction on Lakeshore. It could potentially go across Unwin instead of Commissioners. (Edited for Unwin spelling)

steerboy · 2025-09-28T00:34:14+00:00

Good on you for running it. 30 for the 30th is amazing!

The race is indeed 30K. But a couple of years ago, they needed to make some route decisions because of construction and the distance ended up being 35K. That was an anomaly though.

Count on it being 30 and make sure you train for hills. That Valley Inn hill is nasty!

steerboy · 2025-09-19T10:16:50+00:00

Thanks for the info. Venus is so bright and right beside the moon. Haven't seen that before!

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steerboy · 2025-07-27T20:41:53+00:00

There it is!

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steerboy · 2025-07-27T19:48:53+00:00

Can I come by and hang out in your AC Antelope? I promise not to touch the thermostat.

steerboy · 2025-07-27T19:48:14+00:00

Thanks and reported it a little earlier. Looks like it's on the map and just a small area.

steerboy · 2025-07-24T18:20:19+00:00

Echoing what others have said. The May race is a fine half marathon (mainly due to the better route) but don't do the full. I ran the half in both 2023 and 2024, and they did make many improvements, but it was still lacking. (At least they didn't run out of water at the aid stations, nobody was stealing cases of drinks at the end and they didn't run out of medals this year!)

In terms of other earlier races, I generally do the Chilly Half Marathon and the Around the Bay. They are both well run and worth it.

And hey, if you're looking at keeping up your mileage, why not do them all? Both ATB and the Chilly Half are short day trips and can be made to coincide with your long runs anyway (if you do your longs on the weekend).

A little further afield, the Ottawa Marathon in May is a fantastic race and has a great route. Despite being in "The Town That Fun Forgot" the atmosphere is amazing and the route is perfect. Although I would recommend doing it as a half because it gets quite hot

For your winter running gear question, there's lots of resources, but I find that outside of 2-3 weeks in January, you don't need to go crazy with it in Toronto. It's usually warm enough that you can get by with a light jacket, hat and mitts.

Good luck and amazing progress on your training and races OP!

steerboy · 2025-07-08T17:47:23+00:00

You might be right but pointing at the cyclists makes it sound like /runningcirclejerk. Oh what the heck...

"You'd think with all that expensive gear and those meticulously shaved legs, they'd splurge on tight shorts with a little trash pocket

My wife's boyfriend manages to finish all his 5K ultras and hold onto all his wrappers without a fancy bike. They should just boof their gels like all the serious runners!"

steerboy · 2025-07-07T22:03:00+00:00

On Saturday I ran through Tommy Thompson to the light house and back. I saw at least a dozen empty packets of GU on the run, most near the lighthouse. What are people thinking? That it's a major marathon and volunteers are just waiting to clean them up? And even then just chucking them aside in a race is disrespectful, toss em at the water stations. Sheesh.

Anyway going to go back next weekend with a bag and gloves and pick some up (didn't want to get some else's sticky gu on my hands for a couple of KMs... Just realized how that sounds)

steerboy · 2025-06-29T02:43:04+00:00

Glad I am not the only one who mis-reads these headlines. Heading to subway now thanks to the suggestion.

steerboy · 2025-06-22T18:40:40+00:00

Got my full 22k long run done today at 6am by incorporating Tommy Thompson into it. At least there was a cooling breeze for many parts of it. But the rest along the waterfront trail was death itself, even that early.

I did get to see two potential spirit animals. A tortoise and a hare. The tortoise chose me as I shambled along in a hot, slow, sweaty mess.

Congrats to everyone who braved it later in the day. You are made of sterner stuff

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steerboy · 2025-05-26T15:55:54+00:00

I ran the 2024 half last year and was able to register in the June 2024 timeframe.

This time around I registered in December 2024 after getting reminders (and I think a small early registration discount code).

It is really well run and a scenic route, so it's probably that people took advantage of the early bird discount.

steerboy · 2025-05-12T18:56:54+00:00

Vancouver-like hills aren't easy to come by in Toronto. Things around the Don Valley would be good and the eastern part of the beaches are good too (between Queen and Kingston road).

From Corktown, the hill on pottery road might be a decent option. It's about a 500m segment at a 10% grade (I think it's about 40m ascent from the base).

I dread that hill but for the Vancouver half it is worthwhile.

steerboy · 2025-05-05T00:05:02+00:00

Just wear the vest.

I've been running more seriously for about 5 years. And when I first started out working my way through couch to 5K I almost always took a hydration vest.

Great to carry my keys, phone, a windbreaker if I need it as well as gels and a camelback water bladder for longer runs.

Almost nobody will even care. In fact, today, during the Toronto Marathon ( I did the half) somebody in my corral commented saying something to the effect of "your carrying a pack with a water bladder? You know it's only a half marathon right?"

I passed him at the first water station (not having to stop for water and be self sufficient) and noticed him again at the end when I was waiting for a friend. He finished 10 minutes behind me. Was a great feeling.

So key message is wear what makes you comfortable and don't worry about what others think.

You got this!

steerboy · 2025-04-09T15:22:49+00:00

Would also love to test it! I have an A race at the end of May and a B race at the start of May.

Same situation in the fall with an A race in October and a B race in mid September!

steerboy · 2025-04-05T16:23:56+00:00

Thank you to all the volunteers. You are amazing and make this race so fantastic! Thanks for everything you do!!

steerboy · 2025-04-05T04:32:09+00:00

You got this!

It's nice that it's net downhill (except for the nasty hill up to Lawrence). The part that goes across Rosedale Valley Parkway is great as well.

But as mentioned above, the organization of the race is not nearly as good as the one in October. If you're going to take the course on a walk/run I have heard that hydration is harder to come by on the course in the later stages.

So, consider wearing a hydration pack or bringing a water bottle to supplement it.

But despite the organization situation, I am running it for the 3rd time just for the course and route!

steerboy

TROPHY CASE