[Watcher]

Hi FaithWalker,

Yes the weather is much better now. I have been running at the beach and hiking in the woods. I just completed my 9th marathon at Buffalo and I have run 815 miles thus far this year. I found the city to be very nice and exciting to explore.

There was heavy fog for a 630am start so the humidity was horrible. I think it easily lasted for 3 hours before the sun emerged. I'm not a big fan of running in humidity and I was drenched by mile 3. So there was really no scenery to behold while running.

I had plenty of pickle juice at the aid stations. I didn't have any noticeable cramping issues other than my back and shoulders feeling fatigued as the humidity was just wearing.

So I completed the marathon and it was enjoyable for the most part. The spectators and organizers were wonderful.

I recently saw Luke Combs in concert for a 5th time and he was outstanding as usual.

The next marathon up for me will be Montreal in September. I'm a little disappointed with having had two humidity marathon's in a row now so hopefully Montreal won't be as oppressive weather wise.

This is the season to be outdoors now so just a steady flow of running, hiking, kayaking, exploring and being near the water.

[Watcher]

Heat and humidity have dominated the Summer thus far. I do tend to view the weather through a runners lens and therefore I'm usually complaining one way or the other.

I have racked up 1,100 miles run so far and I'm keeping pace with the 1,900 miles from 2023.

I have been selected to run the Tokyo Marathon in March 2025. This will be my 12th marathon and 5th World Major leaving only Boston remaining.

I applied for charity this time around and will be running for Japan Cancer Society. There were 150 spots available. I had applied to charities with both London and Boston in the past and I feel I did a better job on the essay this time around.

IDK about the long flight but it is what it is. I saw John Fogerty in concert and he was excellent , as well as , Jason Aldean for the 4th time. I still have Dierks Bentley and The Killers left on the Summer concert docket. The Killers are usually hiding in London and they finally have come to my backyard to play.

I should have another 400 miles accumulated for Montreal in late September. We are getting closer to Winter with each passing day so go out and take advantage of this oppressive heat. It won't last forever.

[FaithWalker]

Neat that you are running for charity.  Also sounds like you have been enjoying your concerts.  I haven't been to any lately, bummer for me.  Just must be in a different place this Summer than last Summer.  Part of it is trying to save up for our London trip, which is a little less than a month away now.

[Watcher]

Hi FaithWalker,

I loved London and I'm sure you will also enjoy your time there.The White Cliffs of Dover are worth the train ride and if you get close to the cliffs edge your phone will say welcome to France like mine did, lol.

When I was in Buffalo for the marathon last May I went to Old Fort Niagara in New York and my phone welcomed me to Canada.

I took a wait and see lottery approach in 2024 with Tokyo and lost so I had to get aggressive with the charity entry for 2025. My last major trip was London 2023 and it will be exactly two years. I also had to get aggressive with London via a tour operator at that time and I'm glad I did so because I have lost 4 straight lotteries.

I still apply to both Berlin (1-2) and London (0-4) Marathons so I remember to appreciate my good fortune as the road is a difficult one to win and the competition is high. I was (0-3) with the Tokyo lottery.

It will be Winter in Japan for a late Feb/early March trip. I probably would never fly to Japan if it weren't for the marathon however running has afforded me the opportunity to travel and take me places to explore.

I have the Montreal Marathon in September and I am driving to that one since it's only 6 hours away. This was my 2024 concession marathon trip however I'm excited to visit and explore since I have never been there.

Ottawa Marathon was my choice for Spring 2025 until Tokyo accepted my entry. Once Tokyo is completed I will turn my attention to Dublin and I keep Paris and Rome on the back burner for future possibilities.

I have Fall weather this week and the running has been great with no humidity as I'm around 1,300 miles run so far this year.

Dierks Bentley was great as usual. Luke Combs did not sing "Ain't No Love In Oklahoma" back in April when I saw him because the release date coincided with the movie Twisters.

"I got saved in the same Red River, The same Red River that tried to drown me"

Yep keep on living and traveling I say 

[FaithWalker]

Hey Watcher.  I was looking at one of the excursions that takes us to the Cliffs of Dover and seeing if that was going to be possible for our trip.  I would love to get there, but we will have to see.

[Watcher]

Montreal was wonderful. The Old Port, Historic District, Olympic Park, Mont Royal, St. Helene and Notre Dame Islands were all beautiful places.

I knew French was spoken however it really is the dominant language. The metro system was easy to navigate. I'm always amazed how easy it is to navigate the trains while traveling. The people were very friendly and I always have to give directions no matter what country I visit.

Croissants, crepes and poutine, oh my. Apparently I found the best poutine restaurant in Montreal. Beautiful architecture is in abundance as well as a plethora of historic statues.

The weather was perfect and it is a great city for walking. So I had a sore heel and took a week off from running prior to the marathon. I attempted to climb Mont Royal prior to the marathon and made it to the top of McGill University before I had to stop with pain in both legs below the knees from the steep hills. I didn't learn my lesson from Dover Castle.

I took it easy and recovered in time for the marathon. There were 20,000 runners divided between a half marathon and marathon. The course was narrow and crowded for 9 miles until the half marathoners departed.

Not a lot of spectators nor fanfare. There were spots but nothing continuous nor anything that really stood out along the course. I am known as Watchon in French Canada.

It was a hilly course and I didn't run into any trouble until miles 24 and 25 when I just wanted to finish and lay down on the grass afterwards.

The New York City Marathon is up next in about a month and I have to figure out this running and rest ratio as the heel is still an issue however it's a non issue while running.

So I give Montreal two 👍👍 up.

[Treasur]

Sounds like a fab place!

[FaithWalker]

Your running is so impressive, Watcher.

[OffRoad]

Can we get a race count at the beginning of each post? Is that too big of an ask? Just a number like "Finished race 5678". I keep losing track.

I am envious of your travels and energy.

[UrsaMajor]

Can we get a race count at the beginning of each post? Is that too big of an ask? Just a number like "Finished race 5678". I keep losing track.

I am envious of your travels and energy.

Seventy-leven?