Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Magic trail...


Trust me, this is a running post.

So my city, like a lot of lakeside urban areas, has a big problem connecting its downtown with the waterfront. If I remember my trip to Chicago correctly, there is a highway that separates the city and the water. However, I also remember that the city has done a good job in using its water space. Toronto's waterfront is disconnected from the city. We have a raised highway running the length of our downtown. And condos, like my own, act as a barrier as well.

But things are changing: The former parking lot is being turned into a park (woo hoo for property values) and this week, the city is taking away two lanes of traffic and planting grass and flowers for 1 km, along with a running and bike route. Sweet. Only thing? It'll last for nine days.

Which accounts for the pictures here of the fenced area (above) that will become a blissful running path (outlined in yellow) by this Friday. I'll take pictures to track the progress.

Oh, the run? I did my 13K (8.08 miler) today, and ran a negative split again. It helps that I start off slow. Total time was 1:09:28.

10 comments:

Arcane said...

I ran past there last Sunday and I'll admit I was trying to figure out what building you lived in. I had no idea that they were going to turn that section of the street into a bike trail. They really do need it though. That thin strip of sidewalk from the harbourfront area to just before the mozart area is not great for running/biking. Please keep us updated on the progress! Do you know exactly how far east is the trail going to go?

yumke said...

Yup, I'm beside the new drug store.... The route will be here (http://www.towaterfront.ca/).. will look nice. i can't believe they're goign to get it done in three days..

Arcane said...

Wow. I just checked out the rest of the site and it looks amazing. I wonder how long it'll take them to do the whole thing.

Triseverance said...

Cool for you dude, Toronto is a place I have always wanted to visit. Looking forward to watching the progress.

Ryan said...

I've run on the Toronto waterfront before and it's nice. Seems like a very nice place to live.

Excellent job on the 13k.

To answer your question, I am "gunning" for a 3:10. Definitely a stretch goal, but I am going to give it my all.

jellypepper said...

you wanna give a 5K another go?

jellypepper said...

at the street party, i mean, on aug 20.

yumke said...

Arcaner.. it'll be done by friday.. crazy, huh?

Bob, Toronto's a great city in the spring and summer.. winter, unless you love the cold, not so much..

Ryan, oh yeah, i think i knew you were boing for BQ.. what's your target half time?

Mike T said...

Enjoy reading about your progress...I happened on your blog from a running site...I especially enjoyed the post about the guy who runs twice a day..I live the USA..St Paul Minnesota and our Twincities Marathon is in October. Thanks for the inspiration...I'll not be running the Marathon but in the 5k...Thanks again I enjoy the posts..

yumke said...

oh, kayan, no 5K run for me.. weekends from now on are long runs and one half marathon race in september.

Tom, thanks for visiting the blog, and good luck as you work toward the 5K..