Thursday 22 December 2011
My Christmas wish list
Well howdy neighbours.Only two more weekends of training and another year is in the books. We went from overstuffed holiday eaters to restarting our training, then peaked with some events, followed by winding down and now back to overstuffed holiday eaters. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love this vicious cycle!
For the short term our troop will be trotting as normal tonight from the Tech Shop. We will be heading out to the Sandy Beach Christmas tree for one last loop in support of our friend Ally who lost her dog of 15 years, Sydney. Join us for a hug and a chance to hang a photo of her lifelong friend. Of course if you can't make the trot, we will gladly accept hugs at Original Joe's for our post debrief.
Saturday our friends will meet at the Eau Claire YMCA for a short trip around the downtown. Come check out the Peace Bridge (perhaps we will occupy it?) and share a loopy loop with loopy friends. You know you need to lower the load before you fill it back up on Sunday! See you at 9 am inside the Y. I am excited to see how Jen does following a few weeks of tanning and running in Hawaii!
As for next week. I will have relatives in from Ontario that may take me away from our group. Tri-It is closed for our usual Tuesday visit so I would suggest that the meeting place for Tuesday and Thursday will be the Tech Shop at 630 pm. I might be there but don't hold your breath! As for next Saturday the 31, What better way to prepare for a lively night of drinking and festive cheer than to dehydrate yourself with a Saturday run??? I might suggest it in Fish Creek from our house but I will chat with HRH Joy as to our plans for the last day with family.
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So I titled my little weekly yada-yada my Christmas wish list. So what am I wishing for myself, and more importantly for my trail buddies? I am pretty sure the first thing on all of our lists is to remain healthy throughout our training and especially on race day! My body is starting to catch up to my age, but thankfully my mind is still ten years (okay twenty-ish) younger than both. WEEE!
I also wish for lost friendships on the trails to be regained. I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people in my thirty years of running and still run into familiar faces. Our troop has expanded to many areas of the world, Twyla in New Zealand, John and Marguerite in Australia, Ken and Dori in India, Jill and Alex in the UK, Quentin in Thailand, Pat in Japan, and all those that have moved across our continent. We have reduced, regenerated, and recovered our friendships fostered by that initial left-right repeat.
I wish for all of us to get the opportunity to do that dream goal in 2012. What is it for you? I would love to know and share with the rest of us. I keep thinking of my running must-do's and they always seem to return to the dirt. Must be my affinity for the 'undulations' that are constantly discussed by the group and often pointed out (by a certain middle finger) that the are number one in their training. Whether the "Dances with Dirt" race in Hell, Michigan, Zermatt marathon in Switzerland, or another of those crazy ultra's that I try to convince you all they are doable (patience wins!), the dirt is calling me in 2012 and you might just see some stinky socks in the laundry next year. Sorry Joy...
I think my last wish will be for the new people to the group. We have some youthful enthusiasm coming to us in 2012 that will carry the energy of the group forward hopefully in perpetuity. My wish is for the new victims, err trainees, to find the energy and excitement we veterans have discovered as we have crossed our own personal finish lines along our journey of self discovery.
Oh yes, and a Volkwagon Thing (~1971) for the third garage. That side of the garage is in need of an oil stain! Joooyyyy???
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I thought I would share an Indian Chrsitmas story for you. I mentioned above our friends Ken and Dori, well I guess living in a Hindu and Muslim his Christmas Day is not as much a holiday as ours...
"As for Christmas day I am driving up to Ahmedabad to meet a running buddy from Mumbai. We are running the Ahmedabad Marathon starting at 6:00 AM on Christmas morning. I figured I would never again get a chance to run a marathon on Christmas Day so what the heck – more memories. The two of us will drive back to Baroda later that morning and head over to the Welcome Hotel in Baroda for a Christmas lunch. My buddy from Mumbai flies back later that afternoon and then Dori and I will head over to my bosses place for Christmas dinner. I should sleep well that night."
I guess Santa will have to wait for Ken as he will be too hard to catch! Ken, see you in September.
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Only one more reminder until I fully blog out... http://trottingthetrails.blogspot.com/ and register with the email address or at the bottom click on the "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) ". Things will not change much, except I will be able to be more pertinent to the group's needs. Next week will be my last week of the norm.
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May your training always be 'Joy'able.
See you all soon,
John
Friday 16 December 2011
Amble with Angus and April and Allyson and Alan
Hello everybody. Welcome to the middle of the month. Thanks to those that joined me for our two trots to the tree in Sandy Beach over the last week. I just realized that was the tenth annual trot...my time flies...
The weather has thrown a bit of snow at our shoes and socks but has not prevented our eyes from seeing the yellow stripe on the pathway. Thankfully our snow removal budget in Calgary has allowed for some longer trails to be discovered from under a blanket of seasonal splendor. I do love the snow, love running in it, and love to run with others who love to run and run in snow. Make sense? Good luck to you on that. I do enjoy (and love) when I see a familiar face come out and join us on a Saturday morning or one of the weeknight trots. You all make me love to train with you on your journeys.
Speaking of 70’s rock bands, many of our friends finished a wonderful journey in Honolulu Hawaii last weekend. Congrats to our contingent of mini and full marathoners. I am really proud of you all for doing something that some of you never really imagined you would do...Don't stop believin'...
Congrats to Nicole for qualifying for her dream Boston Marathon by being a super quick chick at the Sacremento Marathon. And also a congrats to Carol for trying out the Las Vegas half with 44,000 other trotters, testing night running in Vegas. And I thought Vegas was crazy just on the sidewalks!
Let's get together this Saturday for probably the last trot in Fish Creek for 2011. the weather looks good to meet at Glennfield Meadows just off Bannister Road and Macleod Trail. See you there at 9 am? If you need directions my cell is below...
I do expect to trot on the 24th, but I don't believe I will be around for the 27 or 29th week night training. With relations in town it might be tough to come away for the couple of hours. Will any of you be out for these three days?
Starting in the new year I will move away from this email form of broadcast to a blog. Yep, it is time to change format. Fifteen years of weekly ya-da ya-da emails need a sprucing up. A blog will allow for potentially more pictures of your fellow runners and I hope a more lively comment section. I have been building content for a couple of months, but need to really get those that read here to read there. Starting in January I will just broadcast from the blog.
You can subscribe at the bottom (click on the Posts Atom) or via email on the right column. Easy peasy. This will save me having to break up the email to many distribution lists. Thanks for your understanding as I change things up a bit!
This morning was the tenth annual Amble with Angus in support of the food bank. I received a note from our friend Angus stating that he was in the neighbourhood of $40,000 raised for the cause. Congrats to Allyson and April and Alan for getting out there this AM and adding ample 'A's to the action. And a special shout specifically to April for (so far) raising $1825 for the cause today. If you want to get her past $2000 check out http://calgaryfoodbank.akaraisin.com/amblewithangus2011/rudolphsrunners
If you want to donate straight to the event say hello to my friend Angus at his site https://owa5.sait.ca/owa/redir.aspx?C=6253a3eaa7274c078460a2159f1cda3d&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.amblewithangus.com
Bravo!
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Just in case you were at a loss for baking ideas this Christmas... http://www.baconery.com/
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Our trail friends at Out There downtown have the following deal if you need some gear...
Last Minute Christmas Savings at Out There
Purchase more than $300 at Out There and save 20% on all apparel, footwear, and equipment
This offer is valid until December 23rd, 2011 and this promotion cannot be combined with reward card discounts or any other store promotion.
Please present this email to get your savings. Ask our sales associates for details, as this is not an advertised event. Code: 34316Holiday Hours: Monday - Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 11-5
Out There Adventure Centre - 151 8 Ave. SW - 403-263-9651
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I thought I would close out this week by sharing how thankful I am for all the great people that have come through one of our learn to run, half, full, and muddy buddy clinics, through the Joints in Motion program, or just joined us through a friend of a friend of a friend. The friendships may have evolved and changed over the years, but I think I can count many of us that are in a better place because of our connections to our fellow 'athletes'. From the first formative days with the Uncoachables, to that crazy first Mother's Day clinic on February 14, 2000, and then hundreds of sweating hours up and down the paths with over a thousand fellow friends who all had just one wish - to cross their personal finish line happy, healthy, and with a smile on their face.
You all mean alot to not just me, but your fellow trotters. When you have a bad training day, they are there to give you a high five and a smile of encouragement. You all reciprocate when the table is turned. You all have increased your personal challenge or goal, and of course allowed rest (and lethargy) to create opportunity to do it all over again. It is a wonderful sight to see a friend of our group finish what they set out to do. Can you see them in your mind? the smile, the arms raised in victory, the Woo Hoo in their step? I see it every time.
Give your old trotting friends a call, an email, or just an approving nod for what they have done both for and with you, in all your good times and bad, whether it was +/- 40 (pun intended), an undulation or distance-ish were involved, and perhaps you might of just been led astray...
We have definitely seen a shrinking of the active members of the clan. We have changed habits, joined other groups, lost enthusiasm for training, or just can't do it anymore. We have found other ways to drive our passion. I have been blessed to see theatre, knitting, nursing, Thai vacations, budding relationships, and a myriad of new joys that have created a wealth of new opporunity for us to find a new direction to aim our potato chip fingers toward. Our new path may not have a yellow line down the middle, but it will have a great opportunity for adventure, new friendships, and fabulous new finish line.
While I do understand things will never stay the same (thankfully my mullet is one that disappeared) I do hope that you all continue your passions through to 2012 and enjoy the opportunities that a fresh start of the New Year will allow. Follow those passions and allow them to flower.
Thank you,
John
Friday 9 December 2011
This one is for the birds
Hello everyone. What a glorious day. I hope you all got outside for a ‘smoke’ break over lunch? The weather is fabulous. Speaking of fabulous, let’s enjoy some Christmas cheer tomorrow and have a day for the birds! We will meet at the Talisman Centre south entrance for a trot to Sandy Beach and decoration of the Sandy Beach dog memorial tree. We checked it out last week and there were a few memorials to dogs and of course some beautiful ornaments. Bring a bird treat for the surrounding area or if you like an ornament that will not cause an animal harm if it falls. And of course if you have a loved dog that needs a memory bring a photo for the tree and perhaps a story to share. See you at the Talisman Centre for 9 am!
Starting in the new year I will move away from this email form of broadcast to a blog. Yep, it is time to change format. Fifteen years of weekly ya-da ya-da emails need a sprucing up. A blog will allow for potentially more pictures of your fellow runners and I hope a more lively comment section. I have been building content for a couple of months, but need to really get those that read here to read there. Starting in January I will just broadcast from the blog.
You can subscribe at the bottom. This will save me having to break up the email to many distribution lists. Thanks for your understanding as I change things up a bit!
Hello running peeps!
Wondering if you would like to join me in forming a team to run in this year’s “Amble with Angus” 5k run and help raise some much needed funds for the food bank. It takes place next Friday December 16th at 7:30am. It starts and ends at Eau Claire so many of you can easily get to work after (après a little clean-up of course J)
Let me know, I think it will be good fun for a great cause!
Cheers, April
I do think this applies to a number of us when we run with our electronics! Our friend Janelle seems to be a little to involved with her I-Phone…
Do any of you remember Forrest Gump? Did you like the episodes of Monty Python with the bearded guy that would always say 'its...'? The story at the link below reminded me of both. I used to love Monty Python...
This also reminds me of a couple of our fellow trotters, Ron (Good luck in Hawaii) and Bob (get well soon). Although I do see a resemblance to Charlton Heston from The Ten Commandments.
Have a great weekend.
John
Friday 2 December 2011
Acts of Courage
Well hello everyone. I thoroughly enjoy days like this where the sun is shining and the snow is still fresh and white. The world is so pretty with a soft blanket covering our gift of spring to be released sometime next year. Okay, enough of that. Bring on the global warming and heat these toes back up!
Hard to believe that December is here to bring us the last month of our friends off to faraway destinations to enjoy their chosen race goals. Carol Poland is off to Vegas...Woo Hoo...Young-Mi is off to Sacremento...go zippy...and we have the big team off to Hawaii over the next week...sigh...yep, we will hold the fort here while you all enjoy these events. Best of luck to you all as you achieve your goals and make us all proud to know you. Hey Young-Mi, have you shaved off the moustache?
For those of us lucky enough to enjoy the great outdoors of Calgary, let's meet at Glenmore Landing for the usual reservior rumble. See you at McDonald's at 9 am for a view of the Saturday snow and sun. We will most likely take a different route than the reservoir as I think we might have to see how the Sandy Beach Christmas tree is growing. If you desire bring a bird treat, but we will do this route again before Christmas. See you all tomorrow!
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Attention you closet smokers! You know who you are. a story for you...
and you thought I did not care!
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If you ever want to know how far it is to your destination check out www.runningmap.com What a cool way to know your distances. And you don't even need a fancy GPS watch.
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I want to talk a little on the acts of courage that we see each day we go out to train. We all show great courage to set out on the goals we have undertaken. Intimidating as they can be, we choose our adventures to give us a challenge. We are willing to step out of the comfort of the known into the craziness of the unknown. This is a huge step for many. What has given you the courage to do this?
When we start our run, walk, or hike, we will experience the excitement of a start, the adrenaline rush when we get moving, and the cheering chants from friends and fellow participants as we follow our path to success.Whatever we have chosen as a destination to our success there are always roadblocks along the way. They take strength and courage to overcome. Foot and knee pains, road rashes, family crisis, or just life can all be roadblocks on our path to the finish. It takes great courage to overcome these obstacles that block our path and not give up on the opportunity of success. The journey will take patience, understanding, and of course courage. But we will do it, right?
The start is always intimidating. We stand around these other fit individuals who have the same concerns and excitement. They are stretching and warming themselves up for the challenges that lay ahead. Are we ready for this test of our skills learned throughout our training? We will have people blow by us with vigour and some that will straggle behind. We are all in the same journey and will enjoy the fruits of our labour when we arrive safe and sound.
We will all face bouts of fatigue and discomfort when we get into the day. For me I find I notice my body more at about three hours in to a marathon. I notice the same feelings of discomfort at about 1.5 hours into a half marathon. They are the same even though the timing is different. Could the psychology of the event be working it's way into my thoughts? How do we fight through this discomfort and get to the finish? We embrace fatigue as a badge of courage that everyone is awarded when they finish! This fatigue just proves that you are still alive and accept the challenges of the day.
We get a similar feeling when we are at work. Lethargic at the keyboard as we hit 3pm, we find our computer screen and office chair are attached like barnacles to a boat. But we still get the energy to get away from the chair, get out and get the blood pumping after work. We break through tiring walls at work, we break through those same walls at play. Does this mean I should embrace work as I embrace play?
When the first person gets to the finish line to cheers and accolades, they have gone no further than the person who comes in after the finish line has been taken down. They cross the same kilometre markers, they use the same porta-potties, they drink the same water. It is not as pretty or graceful, but the courage that last person has to continue the fight is far more powerful than that front runner. There are far more drop-out's from the elite runners than those that cross last. Power to the penguins!!!
So many people in the world are unable to walk a block, let alone do some of the crazy distances and adventures that we all have tried. Taking all that we have learned we gather the courage to face the demons of our goal and break through to the finish. The journey is long, but the rewards are far reaching. Cross your personal finish lines with your arms held high in the air as victory is yours. Tomorrow you can go out and do it all again.
Remember one of my favourite quotes, "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional"
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April passed on this deal. It is a great price. If you are not so enamoured with the internet purchase, check GPS central on Blackfoot for prices in the same ballpark.
Really good price today on the new Garmin…so I thought I would pass it along!
April L Clay, R. Psych.
Bodymindmotion
Mental skills for sport and life
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So good luck all and see you next week.
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