Word on the Street 2008 – Toronto

Word on the Street 2008 – Toronto , originally uploaded by brilliantboy08

Flickr’s brilliantboy08 took this picture of yesterday’s Word on the Street book fair. These days it’s held at Queen’s Park instead of down on Queen Street.

More rain on its way

City of Toronto, 10:23 AM EDT Sunday 14 September 2008
Rainfall warning for City of Toronto continued

Tropical depression Ike heads towards southern Ontario with heavy rainfall later today into tonight.

Two weather systemas collide to soak central Canada

The frontal system which gave heavy rain on Saturday into Saturday night over many portions of southern Ontario has shifted north. Scattered showers remain in a very warm and humid airmass across most areas today ahead of the remnants of hurricane Ike. The centre of Ike is moving across southern Illinois and will make a beeline across Lake Erie later this afternoon and near Toronto this evening then Ottawa around midnight. The speed of Ike is 80 km/h.

The heaviest rainfall from ike is expected to be over southwestern Ontario northeast across cottage country into the Renfrew area. Significant amounts are expected south of this swath from Toronto through Ottawa as well but possibly just under warning criteria. The warning remains in effect from Toronto to Ottawa since some heavy rain bands or strong thunderstorms are quite likely on the immediate southern flank of Ike as it passes over. Significant rainfall of 20 to 30 mm are possible in these bands in a very short time span. Some strong winds of 60 to 80 km/h are also possible with these rain bands close to Ike’s centre.

The heavy rain will move into the southwest this afternoon then edge into the Toronto area up to Ottawa this evening. Areas that fall within the axis of heaviest rainfall..From Sarnia to Petawawa..may expect 60 to 80 millimetres although the speed of ike may limit overall amounts somewhat.

The heavy rain will end this evening for the southwest and late tonight or early Monday morning for eastern Ontario.

Environment Canada will continue monitor this situation closely.

My first triathlon

I did my first triathlon on Sunday: a try-a-tri in Orillia. About 220 people took part. (Or maybe I should say 217.) The weather was lovely: sun, some clouds, nice breeze, water fine. The swim was 375 metres, the bike ride 10 km, and the run 3 2.5 km.

I thought I’d have an easy time of the swim and plod through the rest of it at my usual commuter bike pace and Clydesdale amble. Instead, I was terrible at it. I felt mysteriously panicked during the swim because I couldn’t get enough air. I did the sidestroke most of the way so I could pant. Much of the time was spent worrying that the swim wouldn’t be timed because I hadn’t crossed over a timing mat before starting. It took about 24 minutes to do the 375 metres.

I probably took three or four minutes at transition because everything stuck to me when I tried to put it on. Then I was slow at biking but that’s not surprising as I have no endurance and there were hills. I did about what I expected on the bike, about 40 minutes for 10 km.

Then another three minutes in the transition zone. I drank the rest of my Gatorade(TM) from the bike bottle. I finally figured out during the run that my new running bra, worn under my bathing suit, wouldn’t let me breathe deeply. Consequently, I did even worse than my realistic expectations. Once I undid it I could breathe better and actually run a few steps. I finished it dead last or “DFL” as they say.

I was last out on the bike course and last back, but not, I think, slowest; then I was last out on the run but I did finish at about 1:38:41 total time – probably 33 minutes for the run. On the run, the Gatorade crew were packing up when I got close to the 1.5-km 1.25-km turnaround, but they left a glass out for me to have on the way back. The announcer was still announcing and the clock was still running when I got to the finish line. I know my timing chip beeped. Then they went straight to handing out prizes. I picked up a banana, some cookies, and some cranberry pitas from the food crew, who were also packing up.

I’m still considering whether to do another one. I think so. It wasn’t fun this time but only because I mysteriously could not catch my breath. It’s a fast-growing sport, according to the organizers.

I Will probably do the 5K associated with the Toronto marathon in a few weeks with Andie while Richard does the half.

Andie did fine in the kids’ tri but took a spill on her bike yesterday, crossing some train tracks on a bike path, and hurt her shoulder. We were at the hospital getting X-rays until 11:00 p.m. and then got supper at McDonald’s and I drove her back to Hamilton.

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In fact, she did wear her helmet and properly at that.

Aerial view: what is it?

A mysterious circular feature on the landscape:

What is it?

Aerial view: what is it?

Here’s a mysterious view from the air.

What is it?

A closer look:

Mysterious, n'est-ce-pas?

Toronto may set rainfall record

Toronto is close to setting a rainfall record of more than 240 mm in June-July.

Toronto has now set a rain record — 273 millimetres so far this summer — erasing a decades-old mark.

The record marks the wettest June and July ever, with a full week left to go. In 1980, 271.5 millimetres of rain fell in the GTA during June and July, but that’s now just second best.

With the summer rain added to the winter snow, Toronto is on track to set an overall precipitation record in 2008.

The old annual record is 971.3 millimetres which was set in 1977. As of Wednesday afternoon the city had recorded 623.6 millimetres.

Welland Triathlon

Apparently Welland had a triathlon and a duathlon while I wasn’t looking.

After taking a break in 2006 after 21 years, the Welland Triathlon returned in 2007 with a New Venue, New Race Courses and a Time-Trial Start format. Just 1.5km south of the former race site, the new race site offers more space, more parking and the post-race food & awards inside the cool confines of the Welland Arena!! The swim course will again be a rectangular-shaped in the calm waters of the Welland Recreational Waterway. The bike course is Flat, Flat, Flat and travels south along the canal before heading southwest towards the Town of Wainfleet. The run course travels along the fitness paths along the canal. The Time Trial Start will return for 2008 as will the finish at centre ice in the Welland Arena!!

“Massive” smog alert

smoggy Toronto

Smog caused by air pollution drifting in from the U.S., local pollution, and hot, sunny weather triggered a smog alert for large parts of Ontario. The alert covers “Toronto, Dufferin-Innisfil, the City of Hamilton, York-Durham, Halton-Peel and many of the surrounding regions in the southern, central and eastern parts of the province.”

Toronto is also under an extreme heat alert, so the city will extend the hours of several outdoor public pools until 23:45. For details about pool locations and operating hours, call 416-338-POOL (7665).

Something for the summer

I didn’t go to the World Science Festival. I’m not going to Stanfest in Canso.

But maybe I can get to the Hillside Festival in Guelph—that’s right down the road. The2Scoops has the scoop: Hillside Festival.

It’s Spring!

Spring is here! It’s not as cool as it looks, but I’m going out in light-coloured, light-weight, spring clothing. The very air is mild and sensuous.

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