On December 31, 2010, iRun Award honouree Martin Parnell celebrated the year end by running a marathon – his 250th of the year, the grand finale of his Marathon Quest 250 benefitting Right to Play.
This December 31, if you are in the neighbourhood of Cochrane, Alberta, you can join him once again on the Marathon Quest 250 Annual Run/Walk at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre for a marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k or 2.5k – all consisting of 2.5-kilometre loops along the stunning Bow River. Registration is simply a donation to Right to Play and anyone can join in the fun. There’s only one aid station, but it’s the Guy’s Bakery Super Aid Station, and if you run the marathon, you will get to enjoy it 17 times.
If you can’t make it out, keep an eye on the Marathon Quest 250 website – Parnell is keeping it up to date with all of the details of his Quests for Kids – an undertaking involving 10 quests in five years, raising $1-million for Right to Play. Quest 1 was, of course, Marathon Quest 250; Quest 2 was Netball Quest 61, a 61-hour game of netball, designed to break the Guinness Book of World Records time for longest continuous game of netball. Each quest will be specifically designed to encourage kids to be active and to work towards that $1-million goal.
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If you, or someone you know, is Running for a Reason, please send your story to webeditor@irun.ca and we might feature it right here on this blog!
Rick Hellard is the head coach of Zone3sports in Ottawa, is a lifelong running addict and Mizuno fan. He’s also made or seen just about every mistake under the sun, making him a world-class expert in oops-prevention!
Check out Rick’s helpful Dynamic Stretching video:
The first week was all excitement and buzz in the room before the run. There were nervous exclamations and tentative goals announced and breath huffed out into steamy puffs in the cold November air.
There have been some minor injuries, some discouraging runs, some heartfelt conversations about affirming goals. But most of all? There has been so much inspiration.
I watch them struggle and succeed. I read their Facebook statuses and I am constantly awed by these people. To say nothing of the reason they’re running, to say nothing of the insane amounts of money this group has pledged to raise, but to watch them start from scratch and promise to run a half-marathon, to run a full marathon. That is something I never, ever had the courage to do.
I’m cautious, terrified of failure, and so I step tentatively and quietly until I am sure that I am ready, sure that I will reach my goal. But these courageous people, who decide to train for very, very long distances without having run more than 5k or 10k or something even 2k. And they don’t do it quietly! They post it on Facebook and tell their friends and family. They do it loudly and for a reason.
I’m running for my grand-mother.
I’m running for my father.
I’m running for my wife.
For my child.
For my neighbour’s child.
I’m running for thanks, because we are healthy.
And they thank me, every week, for encouragement and support and advice. But what they don’t see, what I’m not really sure that they understand, is that I’m the one who should thank them.
For showing me how brave and beautiful people can be. For welcoming me into the place that makes tears spring to my eyes every Saturday – tears of thanks and of empathy. These wonderful, welcoming, people who are so willing to learn and train and make a difference in the world – they are amazing. And I am so, so lucky to know them.
I met up with Mr. Shuffler in Toronto last weekend so my mother graciously offered to take care of my needy, co-dependent cats for the weekend. (True story: Last week, I was sitting on the couch working with Zest curled up next to me. When I got up to use the bathroom, she came with me, waited outside the door and then trotted back to the couch with me where we resumed our respective positions). Anyway, when I got home, there was four raisin buns and a container of date squares in my fridge. Best catsitter ever, right?
My Mum has been making these date squares as far back as I can remember. When I asked her for the recipe, she told me that she can remember her mother making these when my Mum was a little girl.
Edited to add: When I spoke to my mother this afternoon, she told me that in fact, this recipe was created by my great-great aunt Alma, who was the director of Home Economics at the Department of Agriculture in New Brunswick in the 1940s. Very cool story, Mum.
Base/topping
1 cup brown sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
3 cups oatmeal
1 cup butter or margarine (melted)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add melted butter and work together with a fork or your fingers
Filling:
In a saucepan combine:
1/2 lbs. chopped dates (that’s about 2 cups)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp, flour
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 cups water
Cook on the stove top until the dates are softened.
If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water
Put about 1/2 of the oatmeal mixture in an 8 X 8 glass baking dish and press down lightly. Add the date mixture on top and spread evenly over the bottom layer. Top with remaining oatmeal mixture. Pat down lightly.
Cook in 350 oven for 45 to 50 minutes.
I always melt my butter in the baking dish while the oven is heating to temperature. That way, I don’t have to grease the pan.
I also add a tablespoon of ground flax seed to the dry ingredients. That wasn’t included in the original recipe. Also included in the orginal recipe is 1 tsp. salt but because I use salted butter, I don’t bother with the additional salt.
Today I took a little field trip. My youngest (an 8-month-old) and myself took a drive into Guelph for my long run. I usually do my long runs on the lonely country roads that surround my little town, but I don’t normally bring the youngsters with me. I love their company, I just don’t love pushing the running buggy down the gravel shoulders as scary big trucks roll by. I mapped out an “in-town” route that would keep me close to civilization, as well as safely away from harm while pushing the baby. Win-Win, I say!
I started to get a bit nervous about the run as we arrived at my planned parking spot. “Is it too cold for the wee one?” “Will he cry and cry?” Ah, well. I decided that I would just have to overcome my fears of pushing him on this cold beautiful morning as my long run awaited, and I could always bail if things got too tough, right? We headed out, and it was lovely. I didn’t have to worry about carrying a water bottle, gels or any of that junk we tote around on long runs…I had it all organized in this handy running stroller!! I even carried luxury items like my cell phone and cash!
I ran past:
-3 highschools
-2 elementary schools
-4 churches
-around an entire university
-through 2 parks
-1 shopping mall
-only ONE Tim Hortons.
I thought that last one was amazing. Only one on a run that was 14 miles long!
As for the baby…he slept, well, ‘like a baby,’ almost the entire time. He was cozy in a snow suit and hat, and I had added the protective “bubble” (plastic cover for the stroller). I checked on him a few times, but it was more for my peace of mind than anything else. He made a few little blabbers as we hit the last mile stretch, but I will gladly bring him along to “see the sights” of another town anytime!
Perhaps it was because I wasn’t running super-fast due to the companion I had along for the ride, or perhaps it was the shiny, sunny day, but I really could have added more miles to this run with no problems…the miles flew by with all of the refreshing new sites I was taking in. It is nice to change things up from time to time!
Based on my London experience in April I applied for press credentials at the New York City Marathon this November.This was truly exceptional. I was able to meet Geoffrey Mutai (world’s fastest marathoner from Boston this year 2:03:02) and he blew away the course record in NYC in November this year ( 2:05:06)
The Marathon Press area (which was located in Central Park near the finish line) has wireless connections, television screens and access to the elite men.
The Friday press conference had George Hirsch (pb 2:38) make a special writers presentation to Amby Burfoot.(winner Boston 1968 in a time of 2;22:17)
I spoke briefly with Mary Wittenberg (President and CEO of the NYRR -New York Road Runners)on how the entire world wants to run New York and what an amazing feat it is to organize an event of this magnitude.In 1987, Mary won the Marine Corps Marathon in a time of 2:44:34)
I also met George Hirsch (publisher of Runners World /Rodale press) and now Chairman of the Board for NYRR. He and I spoke about Ed Whitlock , one of the famous elite Canadian runners. After turning 80, Whitlock heldthe world recordof 3:25:43 at the 2011 Rotterdam Marathon on April 10, 2011.He then further improved on his age category world record at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16, 2011, lowering the record to 3:15:54!!
I mentioned the new running expression “Getting Whitlocked.”. …being passed in a race by an old guy”
And later I talked with Amby Burfoot was to meet later that day with another Canadianwriter Alex Hutchinson.
There was a short break and then the elite men came out to be seated at various tables for press interviews. There were no prior arrangements, you simply sat at the table with the athlete of your choice.
Imagine being the same space as
Geoffrey Mutai (2:03:02-winner Boston 2011)
Emmanuel Mutai (2:04:40-winner London 2011)
Victor Rothlin (2:07:23 PB)
Gebre Gebremariam (winner of 2010 NYC Marathon 2:08:14 and 3rd in Boston 2011 2:04:53 )
Stephen Muzhingi – Comrades Marathon winner 2009 ,2010 and 2011
Jaouad Gharib (2:05:27)
Tesegye Kebede (2:05:18- won London 2010)
Meb Keflezighi (winner NYC 2009- 2:09:15)
You can become quite giddy in the presence of these runners. At least I did.
At first I was in awe of how approachable these elite runners are. Some do require interpreters and others are very soft spoken.
Most of the runners began their earlier careers as youngsters running cross country for their schools and some of them “finished far back in the field”.
I was able to get my picture taken with a few of them, but was not able to get to all of the tables to listen to their stories and to get pictures. So I sent in the iRun hat for the pictures.
One of the reporters conducting some of the interviews was Katherine Switzer,(NYC Marathon winner in 1974 -3:07:29 and then second in Boston 1975 2:51;27) You will remember her as being the first female runner in the Boston Marathon) whom I have met a few other times in Toronto. So I was able to get my picture taken with her too.
Most of the reporters congregated with Geoffrey Mutai , and Gebre Gebermenme (last years winner).
Finally there was space at the table with Geoffrey Muati so I got to sit next to him. Most of the reporters wanted to know if Geofrey would be invited to be part of the Kenyan Olympic team( if you read the running news you know how difficult it will be to chose only 3 to represent their country) Geoffrey said he wanted to run and win New York and that was his only focus now.
I presented him with an iRun hat (but for sponsorship reasons, he could not wear it) and I had my picture taken with him (see above)
Surprizingly Stephen Muzhingi was sitting alone at a table so I asked him for his autograph and chatted with him for while. He runs 250 miles a week in training. He ran 2:29 in New York, However his claim to fame is that he was the Comrades Ultra Marathon winner in 2009, 2010 and 2011 , and recorded the second fastest time in 2009, 5hours 23 minutes over 89.17KM. (56 miles) WOW.
Next post I will tell you about some other extraordinary runners who are not fast but determined.
The following is a guest post by Jeff Cooper who decided to commemorate Remembrance Day by running from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm.
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The number 11 has always had significant meaning in my life. When it was brought to my attention that 11/11/11 was also Remembrance Day, I just knew I had to do something special to commemorate this once in a lifetime opportunity.
The plan revolved around running because that’s our passion. So the idea for a 12 hour run was just a natural thing to do. With the support of my wife and friends, I planned the day. I would begin at 11:00 am and run until 11:00 pm doing a 10.5 mile loop into Sunnybrook Park. I would return back to the starting point at the Second Cup at Bayview and York Mills every 2 hours to make it easy for anyone who wanted to participate. Since we were planning to do 6 loops (100km), there was lots of time for people to come out and join in the fun.
Lap 1!
There were 14 of us to begin the day at 11:00 plus 2 dogs that had a blast. The second loop at 1:00 had 7 of us and 1 dog and the third loop began at 3:00 and had eight runners and a new dog. At 5:00 it was dark so this changed things up a bit. Headlights and flashlights came out but that didn’t scare anyone away. In fact, we had 7 runners out for both 5:00 and 7:00. The final loop at 9:00, began with just 2 of us and another joined in along the way. This was very special because they had both already run earlier in the day and came back out just to help me get it done!!
Lap 2!
When finished, I realized …hey, it’s not about me; it’s really about all the others!
In summary, the run went great! No major issues from anyone. Over 30 runners and 3 dogs participated and considering the forecast, the weather was better than expected. I felt pretty good for most of the run but definitely realized that I could not have done as well without all the fantastic help and support from the group.
SIMPLY AMAZING!
Lap 3! Photos from laps 4, 5 & 6 were in the dark and didn't turn out.
So, why running to Remember What’s Important…
I began adding this phrase to the end of my weekly emails to our group, The Ultimate Warriors, over a year ago and I’m still constantly being asked to explain what this means. However, it’s really for each person to decide for themselves.
For me, running just became a way to acknowledge so many things that I was fortunate enough to have in my life. After 6 surgeries in the last 6 years, I have become very appreciative of the fact that I can still be out there doing something that I love to do. My level of awareness, through running, has carried over into the rest of my life and most importantly, the people that are in it.
When I started running many years ago, I used to run to forget all the bad things… negative thoughts and feelings, stress, lousy days, failed relationships, etc… I know my focus changed after one of my many races, the Sunmart 50 miler in Texas, as I was already booked to have my spine fused 3 days later. I finished the race then cried my eyes out as I didn’t know if I would ever be able to run again.
Then it really hit me and I started to think about what was important to me.
My second revelation happened after my wife Iris started running. At Seaton Trail 52K, I was struggling and Iris caught up to me. She could have easily gone on to pass me but chose to stay with me. She has since done this a couple more times in races like Haliburton 100M where she could have won outright but chose to stay with someone struggling. Knowing how talented and competitive she is and seeing this from her had a profound effect on me. I found it very inspiring to once again be reminded, through her, to remember what’s important.
Hugs and kisses, deep conversations, holding hands, friendship, sharing intimate thoughts and feelings, love and affection, children, family celebrations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, politics, employment, schools, hospitals, commercial activity, religious events, races, sporting events, returning phone calls, replying to emails. So what do all these very important things in our lives have in common?
They all touch, reach out to and involve other people!!
Yes, we all get caught up in the daily grind of our own personal lives. However we do not live in a vacuum. In some way, shape or form, we always need other people in our lives. We cannot survive without them. They should never be taken for granted. Never forget to appreciate, always take and make time for others, never forget to say thanks, always treat people with respect. There are always those who have less than we do, who are less fortunate than we are!
In summary, I ask …”when you look in the mirror, do you like who you see?”
Remember …
Whats …
Important …
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If you, or someone you know, is Running for a Reason, please send your story to webeditor@irun.ca and we might feature it right here on this blog!
Lunch at my house is usually reheated leftovers and I’m pretty happy with that most days. However, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to get fancy for no particular reason. Here’s what I came up with:
I call it “Italian tilapia for one”.
Ingredients
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 piece tilapia
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 – 1/2 sweet pepper, cut in chunks
– Italian seasoning, to taste
– rice or quinoa to serve
1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan at medium heat. When pan is hot, add the piece of tilapia. Now – and this is the critical part – WATCH IT LIKE A HAWK!! I find most people tend to overcook fish. The easiest way to know when it is done is to check if it flakes easily. Another way you can tell that white fish is done is when it goes opaque. It shouldn’t take more than 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish. Set aside and cover.
2. Heat a bit more olive oil in the frying pan. Add garlic, cherry tomatoes and peppers. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Add Italian seasoning to taste and cook for about 30 more seconds.
3. Add tilapia back to frying pan and break it up with a spatula.
4. Serve over quinoa or rice or whatever you prefer.
In the final quarter of the calendar year, treats both sweet and savoury are available in abundance, and slowly creep into our diets, causing the scale to creep upwards.
It kicks off with the bounty of the harvest at Thanksgiving. Then you’re surrounded by candy for about a month thanks to Halloween. The Girl Guides are selling those chocolate mint cookies, and various treats start to trickle into the office. The weekly flyers are full of new products, awesome-looking appies and delectable desserts – complete with pictures, of course!
Now I am not advocating that you avoid the culinary joys of the season completely – that would take all the fun out of it! But there are some things that we can do to stay on track and minimize the damage. Then, not only will we start the New Year with fewer resolutions to break, we’ll feel better, too! (Face it, all that stuff looks good, but if you overindulge you end up feeling bloated and a little – or a lot – sick. Is it really worth it?)
Here are a few suggestions to get us started – please add yours in the comments! We’re all in this together…
The ‘Lunchbox Rule’ – I institute this rule beginning every October; I have been tempted, teased and outright mocked by coworkers, but it works. It’s simple: I don’t eat anything during my workday that I did not bring in my lunch. It doesn’t mean I can’t have treats – but I plan ahead and build in portion-control by only packing one, whereas, once I start on the client-delivered cookie tray, it’s hard to stop.
Fill the fridge – in order for the Lunchbox Rule to work, you have to have a selection of healthy foods that you love on hand. If you don’t pack enough food in your lunch, you will be hungry when the treats go around and it will be harder to say no. You also need to have healthy choices at home so you are prepared at meal times – you don’t want to skip meals or cave in to the temptation of takeout – both will undermine your resolve – and the results.
Watch your drink – sure there are all sorts of festive drinks, both with alcohol and without, that you can only get at this time of year. But remember they all add up! From alcohol to apple cider, gingerbread lattes to eggnog, pay attention so you don’t add thousands of calories without even noticing. After a treat or two, consider switching to water, tea, or diet pop.
Eat with intention – here’s the best part: indulge! Eat the things you really want to eat, but pay attention. Choose the things you really want to try, and savour every bite. Not only will you not feel deprived, you’ll also avoid the regret of wolfing down a dozen bite-sized pieces you don’t even remember the taste of, not to mention that gross feeling that comes from eating too much.
Get your runs in – sometimes this is easier said than done as the holidays approach – there is so much to do and no extra time to do it. But remember, keep running and you will not only have built-in stress control; you’ll also earn some of those treats!
Some days this sport seems a little crazy, even to me. I have endured countless long runs over the years. Depending on the week/month/year/training cycle, that long run could be anywhere from 10km to 40km. Sometimes I feel as though I could just keep running (usually when I have company, and we are chatting away without a care in the world) and other times I feel like I want to be back home before I hit the 2km mark. It all depends on the day, I guess.
On Sunday, myself, my brother Scott, and my husband Patrick headed out on a mild, sunny morning for a long run. Hubs was planning a shorter run, so he left us part of the way into it. We chatted along, and a dog even joined us part of the way through (we were out on some country roads). This dog didn’t seem threatening, so we were cool. I do, however, get nervous whenever dogs follow me on a run on country roads. What if the dog got too far from it’s home? What if it got hit by a car? Too much to worry about, pups! Owners, if you’re reading, please keep your cute K-9’s from following me! Anyway…although it was a gorgeous day, it was windy. We didn’t know just how windy it was, as the wind was to our backs for the first half of the run. I wish I could save all of that energy that the wind gives as it pushes us from behind! As we turned into the opposite direction, (the direction of home) that wind decided to be the focus of our run for the next hour. Yeesh. That wind that brings tears to one’s eyes. That wind that whistles and blows past one’s ears with such force it is hard to keep a conversation. That wind that made me wish there was an alternate route home.
Here are some things that do not help, regardless of effort:
1. Yelling “Okay, wind, we’ve had enough!!”
2. Running backwards. Too much effort.
3. Yelling other, less PG talk to the wind.
4. Attempting to convince running partners to let you “draft” them.
5. Speeding up. This only makes you more tired.
As it turns out, the only thing that helps when running with such wind is to plug on and accept it as good training. And, be thankful that it isn’t race day! I feel so lucky that my windy run still had sun, and none of my parts froze in the process. I am glad I am writing about this here, so 2 months from now, when I am feeling the cold, icy snow out there, I can look back at this post and laugh at myself for complaining about a little breezy run I had on a sunny November day!
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