Martin Parnell Finish the Race Attitude

Below are the stats for Marathon #1:

• Date: Friday Jan 1st 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Marathon: #1
• Run time: 5hr 36min 27sec (See Garmin Output)
• Temperature C: -22C (-32 with wind chill)
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 42.2km (26.2m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Cochrane
• Another marathon being run today: Texas Marathon
• Individual / Team sponsor: Cochrane Red Rock Runners & Tri Club
• Business sponsor: Dynastream Inc
• Total number of runners: 15 (6 completed Marathon)

We left the house at 8.30am with a full moon over the mountains and the sun rising in the East. A group of around 20 people were milling around at the intersect of the 1A and Horse Creek road, then a CBC TV truck pulled up and a few words were said about Marathon Quest 250. We then had a minute silence for our fallen soldiers and Michelle Lang, the Calgary Herald reporter recently killed in Afghanistan.

At 9.01am the Marathon started and a gaggle of us headed down the 1A highway. It was pretty chilly and soon most of the hydration packs had frozen solid. The sun came out during the last 5km and we crossed the finish line at just after 2.30pm. One down!!!!!!!

Quote of the Day:

"The gun goes off and everything changes... the world changes... and nothing else really matters."

Patti Sue Plummer

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Below are the marathon stats:

• Marathon: #2
• Date: Sunday Jan 3rd 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 25min 55sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Temperature C: -24C to -13C
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 84.4km (52.4m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Olds, Alberta
• Another race being run today: Alex's FatAss 50km,Mt Pleasant, USA
• Individual / Team sponsor: Roy and Lana Ellis
• Total number of runners: 10 (4 completed Marathon)

At 8.15am David, Roy, Kevin and Kathy met at my place and we headed up across the railway tracks to the start of Marathon #2. I hadn't slept that well last night and I just hoped it wasn't as cold as Friday had been. The start temp was -24C (with the wind chill) and fortunatly I had purchased a pair of new gloves on Saturday, the old ones I had were gonners. Todays marathon was being sponsored for $1,000 by Roy and Lana Ellis, I offered to carry his water bottle but he refused.

I was a little stiff from marathon #1 but the joints and muscles soon warmed up and we clipped along at a 8km per hour. People came and went along the way and at the 30km mark my wife Sue and a couple of friends joined us. At the 34km mark is a Llama farm and I've started to reconise some of the animals. I whistled to them and they came galloping over, several had massive coats, and a calf (?) came over with it's mother. The increased temp dictated the removal of several layers and I'm going to have to be careful not to burn my delicate Devonshire skin. We finished at around 2.00pm and went to Kevin and Kathy's for soup.

Quote of the Day

"Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts."

Steve Prefontaine

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Below are the marathon stats:

• Marathon: #003
• Date: Monday Jan 4th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 27min 14sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Temperature C: -18C (with wind chill)
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 126.6km (78.6m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Red Deer, Alberta
• Total number of runners: 2 (1 part way)

Monday morning and no other runners were with me at the start, very lonely. It was still pretty cold but as I left the 1A and headed up Grand Valley road the sun came up. I looked back towards the sun and next to it was a sun dog, a vertical rainbow shooting up to the sky. The sun lasted about half an hour then ice mist moved across the rolling foothills, the road became a little slick and I ran along the snow encrusted soft shoulder 'till I hit the intersection of the 280.

This section of road cuts through a woods and to my left I noticed one fresh set of large tracks and a smaller set of tracks. After about 1km the smaller set of tracks disappered. Who was the hunter : Couger, Wolf, WereRabbit????

At km 23 I met my friends Kevin and Kathy, and kathy had decided to run with me. She mentioned that they wanted to sponsor one of the marathons and had picked Feb 14th, Valentines day. Great choice.

Quote of the Day

"Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity."

Michael Johnson

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #004
• Date: Tuesday Jan 5th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 50min 01sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Temperature C: -22C (with wind chill)
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 168.8km (104.8m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Lake Louise, Alberta
• Total number of runners: 2

Today was tough, -22C, 15km North wind, snowing and drifting on the road. So what do I wear to survive in this for almost 6hrs? From bottom to top: Feet, Salomon trail shoes, wool socks, Legs, shorts, long johns, winter running tights, Torso, nip guards (essential!!), short sleeve top, merino wool long sleeve, wicking long sleeve, wind proof shell, MQ 250 singlet, Head, bennie, woolly Canada toque, mask, 2 Buff neck warmers, sunglasses, Hands, wool gloves, mitts, hand warmers. Camelbak hydration: 3l of water plus CarboPro, electrolytes, cell, camera (with hand warmers in case), bear whistle.

Everything worked well until the 37km point when the hydration pack turned into an ice block. I had the pleasure of running with Okotoks runner Chuck, it was great to have company in conditions like this. Half way round Cochrane runner Leslie came by to see if we were doing OK, she offered us tea and coffee but we said no thanks.

So how many steps to do a marathon? well for me, using the Garmin FR60 it comes to 50,000, now if I manage to do 250 marathons in 2010 thats.........a lot of steps !!!

Quote of the Day

"The will to win means nothing if you haven't the will to prepare."

Juma Ikangaa

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #005
• Date: Wednesday Jan 6th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 6hr 02min 01sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Temperature C: -30C (with wind chill)
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 211.0km (131.0m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Cranbrook, BC
• Total number of runners: 1

The product award of the week goes to the lowly hand warmer. Stepping out of the front door into -30C I knew it was going to be a tough day. I had been struggling with the nozzle of my hydration pack freezing over the last couple of days, several people had suggested tucking it inside my jacket but I went with innovation: I found a small zipper pouch, put in two "hand warmers" and shoved in the nozzle (patent pending). I'd like to show you a photo of the "Nozzle Warmer Upper" however, technical difficulties prevent this. Webmaster Jeffrey is working on the problem as we speak.

I had also had problems with my camera freezing up so, yes, two "hand warmers" into the case and I was on my way. Today was a ski goggles day but unfortunately sticking "hand warmers" against the lenses wasn't an option. How do you stop them freezing up at -30C, ideas welcome. I had been plodding around the course for 4 1/2hr, when I got a call on my cell. It was Frank Carmichael at a radio station in Chicago. Could I do an interview? Why not? So, I huddled at the side of the road, trying to protect the phone from the wind and chatted for 15mins. After I'd said good bye, it took me another 15mins to thaw my hands. Tomorrow, off to the first school, Mount View in Calgary, excellent.

Quote of the day

"No negative thoughts cross my mind on race day. When I look into their eyes, I know I'm going to beat them."

Danny Harris

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #006
• Date: Thursday Jan 7th 2010
• Course: Mount View School
• Run time: 5hr 58min 42sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Temperature C: -31C (with wind chill)
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 253.2km (157.2m)
• Another marathon run today: Tiberias, Israel
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Edmonton, Alberta
• Total number of runners: 3

What a brilliant day. It started out as usual, -31C (with wind chill) but then I was off to Mount View School in the NW of Calgary for my first school run. Teacher Dan gave me a ride to the school and there I met Principal Bonnie. I put on all my running gear and spoke to the children at morning assembly.

At 9.00am I began running a 600m loop around the school, 70 loops in total for the marathon. Mid morning, Facility Manager JP joined me and we ran for an hour together. Then, on loop 39, I met a lady from Birminham in the UK. She said that her daughter had told her about "Marathon Martin" and she thought I was a computer character, so she was suprised to meet me running around the school.

With five loops to go Principle Bonnie said all the children could come out and line the path. As I ran along, we did high fives, just like Wesley college (sorta) and they cheered  and yelled. I finished at 3.10pm and signed some autographs (?). The children were wonderful and a big thank you to them, the staff and Principal Bonnie for a lovely day.Now two rest days.

Quote of the Day

"Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired."

Jules Renard

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #007
• Date: Sunday Jan 10th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 30min 03sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 108 BPM
• Temperature C: +1C
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 295.4km (183.4m)
• Another marathon run today: Maui Paradise
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Revelstoke, BC
• Total number of runners: 14

The eternal question has been, "Who was the best Bond?".There are many opinions, but I feel it's time to apply the real test: "Who's run a marathon?"

After extensive research, I have found the following; Sean Connery ran the Rome Marathon in 2004 (anyone know his time?), nothing on Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Daniel Craig, David Niven (?) or George Lazenby. Pierce Brosnan may have (?). So, at this point, Sean Connery is the best Bond. I will revise this with any new information. If any of the other Bonds have run a marathon and I have their times, then I will, of course, make adjustments  based on age.

Good run today, the temp changed from -30C to +1C over the weekend. A number of the members of the Cochrane Red Rock Runners and Tri Club came out to join me and it sure made the time pass quickly. It was amazing how much snow had disappeared over the weekend and the footing was a vast improvement. Today, I switched from the CarboPro powder to the CarboPro 1200 liquid. Ferg Hawke, ultra runner, has been helping me with this product, much appreciated. I was a bit concerned about how the water and liquid would mix, but I didn't have to worry because in my hydration pack it was "shaken, not stirred".

Quote of the Day

"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse."

Ann Trason

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #008
• Date: Monday Jan 11th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills marathon
• Run time: 5hr 43min 08sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 98 BPM
• Temperature C: +2C
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 337.6km (209.6m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Castlegar, BC
• Total number of runners: 2

My friend Frank joined me this morning for the first 10km of the marathon. Frank was born in Holland and, like me, is a big fan of the English Premier League. Last weekend, most games were postponed in England, due to the brutal weather, but the Arsenal vs Everton game was shown on Saturday. We were both impressed with the debut, for Everton , of Landon Donovan, a member of the USA World Cup squad. We were moving along at a good clip and after Frank left I reached the 21.1km mark at 2 1/2hrs, maybe a sub 5hrs? Reality hit in the last 15km, no energy and I plodded to the finish in 5 3/4hrs. Live and learn.

In the evening Sue and I visited Jillian Sanborn and her mother, Nycole. Jillian had her 8th birthday on Jan 2nd and instead of asking for gifts she asked her friends and family to make a donation to Right To Play and so far about $300 has been donated in Jillian's name. Jillian's great-grandmother, Marie Simon,  sent this message when she heard what Jillian had done: I am Jillian's great-grandmother, living in Vienna, Austria. I am proud of Jillian that she understands that sacrificing her birthday money for the benefit of needy children has its own reward. I also want to congratulate Martin Parnell for his initiative and personal commitment to a great cause. Cochrane must be a great place!

As a little gift I gave Jillian a poster, certificate and today's run number #008. Later in the evening Sue received an email from Elizabeth Barrett school asking me to run there on June 24th. This just happens to be Jillian's school.

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #009
• Date: Tuesday Jan 12th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 56min 56sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 96 BPM
• Temperature C: +2C
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 379.8km (235.8m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Jasper, Alberta
• Total number of runners: 2

It was a stunning sunrise over Cochrane this morning, as my friend Roy and I headed up to the start, for a 8.30am kick off. After blowing a gasket yesterday, I decided to start off slow, continue slow and then finish slow. At the half way mark, CBC Radio reporter Mary-Catherine caught up with us and proceeded to do an interview. She recorded my feet hitting the ground then recorded me breathing.  We chatted about the freezing conditions last week and what was the number one thing I think about during a marathon: FOOD! She chatted with Roy then headed into Cochrane to talk to Sue. She said the interview would be on at 7.30am Wednesday morning (tomorrow).

I've been asked a number of times what I carry in and on the hydration pack. My fuel is water (2 1/2 litres) mixed with CarboPro ( 1500 cals for 5 to 6 hrs). In my pack I have a spare pair of socks, emergency toilet paper, 3 garbage bags with holes cut out, (as an extra layer of protection for worsening weather conditions), hand warmers, band-aids and the front door key (critical!). On the belt around the front I have a pouch with electrolyte tabs in (3 per hr), a cell phone, camera and bear whistle. The bear whistle has been especially effective as I've never encountered a bear.

Quote of the Day

"I cannot have survival as my only goal. That would be too boring. My goal is to come back in my best running form. It is good for me to have that goal; it will help me."

Ludmila Engquist (Olympic champion hurdler facing cancer)

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #010
• Date: Wednesday Jan 13th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 43min 24sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 100 BPM
• Temperature C: +1C
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 422.0km (262.0m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Bonneyville, Alberta
• Total number of runners: 1

Beautiful morning, clear sky and the sun popping up above the horizon in the East. There was little wind so I had to be careful not to start out too fast. By the 18km mark I was cooking so it was time to make the big move; expose my lillywhite Devonshire legs to the sun. CBC radio reporter Mary-Catherine had asked me yesterday if there was anything specifically I thought about on my runs and I had to say no. I had run with Dean Karnazes a couple months ago and he said he used a dictaphone to record his thoughts and write a book. I bought a dictaphone but have only got to page 3 of the 16 page manual, very complicated.

So I've decided to a research study on Llama's (if Jane Goodall and Diane Fosse can do it, why not). There's a gaggle (?) of Llama's residing in a gated community at km 34. Llama's have no known enemy's except man, wolves, cougars, bears and WereRabbits (see Blog #004: WereRabbit). I will study what they eat, behavioral tendency's, mating habits and favourite colour. I've named one Two-Tone and another Tich (baby). So far communication has been limited but I think they're just shy. I was questioned as to whether they were Llama's or Alpaca's but my trusty Senior Research Assistant Annie found the following "Llama - bigger. Alpaca - cuter". Once I have finished my study I hope to get it published in The National Geographic or the  National Enquirier (I get confused with those two). I'll keep you posted.

Quote of the Day

"Having a true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many will try to take it from you."

Anon

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #011
• Date: Thursday Jan 14th 2010
• Course: Dr J K Mulloy School, Calgary
• Run time: 5hr 46min 49sec (See Garmen Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 99 BPM
• Temperature C: +2C
• Distance covered to date: km (m): 464.2km (288.2m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Kamloops, BC
• Total number of runners: 2

If it's Thursday, then it's school marathon day. Today, DR. J K Mulloy Elementary in Calgary. I drove to Teacher Dan's and he gave me a lift to the school. On the way, we listened to satellite radio, 1st Wave; The Clash, Depeche Mode, B-52's, the Cure and Talking Heads. Bands from my youth, many, many moons ago, great pre-marathon running music. At the school, we met Principle Bev and Mathematics Learning Leader, Calgary Board of Education, Area Two, Melissa. Teacher Dan and MLL,CB of E, Area Two, Melissa have been the catalysts that have made the school runs a success. I was trying to get schools interested and Dan and Melissa, with my wife Sue, are making it happen. Hats off to you.

I started running at 9.07am and Parent Dave joined me. Dave is a triathlete but has also participated in a number of ultras. He's paced runners at the Leadville 100 and the Western States 100 in the US, very cool. Dave stayed with me until the 21km mark and then headed off, he had to do some stuff before meeting his buddy later for a run!!!!! I like that. On lap 17, I told Receptionist Mary that I had 1 lap to go and that I would be finishing at 2.55pm. I rounded the corner on the final turn and there were 150 kids yelling "Martin, Martin".What a blast! After a line of high fives, I headed in and changed. I had forgoten my chocolate milk but luckily Principle Bev had a box of Tim Hortons dounuts; Heaven.

Billboard

"There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open."

Nike Ad

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #012
• Date: Sunday Jan 17th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 45min 30sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 103 BPM
• Temperature C: -16C
• Distance covered to date: 506.4km (314.4m)
• Another marathon run today: Bermuda
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Swift Current, Saskatchewan
• Total number of runners: 16

A liittle cooler this morning than last week, -16C with frost on the trees and shrubs. Sunday is turning into Club run day, members of the Cochrane Red Rock Runners and Tri club have started meeting either at the start of the marathon course or 15km from the end. Today runners Kevin, David, and Gerry started off at 8.32am and we all headed west.

I'm testing a product called "Trakkers", it provides real time location, speed and heart rate. I had completed a successful test on Thursday, when I ran at Dr. JK Mulloy School (GO, KIDS,GO). The Cochrane Foothills Marathon course is a little more problematic as the cell coverage, which it relies on, is sporadic and, when it drops the signal, it has to be manually reconnected. My wife, Sue, was tracking me in the morning and she phoned our son, Calum, in England and he started to track me from his home in Mudeford, Dorset, very cool.

At the 27km a gang was waiting for us and we all headed to the finish. I had felt a knot in my right calf at the 5km mark and it stayed  with me the whole marathon. One of our club members, Nurse Pam, suggested I roll it, have a hot tub and pop 3 Advil after a meal, which I did. Big day tomorrow, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose Alberta, Blake, will join me for part of Marathon #013. Time to ask the tough questions!

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #013
• Date: Monday Jan 18th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 56min 33sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 100 BPM
• Temperature C: -7C
• Distance covered to date: 548.6km (340.6m)
• Another marathon run today: Bermuda
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Total number of runners: 4
• Celebrity Runner: MP for Wild Rose Alberta, Blake Richards

Runner Kevin dropped in this morning to present me with a pair of Vancouver Winter Olympic mittens, on behalf of the Rotary club of Cochrane, very nice. As runner Frank and I headed up to the start line for #013, we talked about the 7-2 drubbing Chelsea gave Sunderland in the ELP on Saturday. You may not like Chelsea, but they certainly can play.

At the start line, we met Runner Dave and MP for Wild Rose Alberta, Blake. Blake was telling me that he wanted to get back to his pre-election figure (lose 20lbs) and he plans to run a marathon with me in the fall. Good on yer Blake. He was also saying that his family had been down in Penticton, BC during Ironman Canada and that his 14yr old son Quinn had been inspired and is now training to do a triathlon. Great stuff.

After the small talk with Blake, it was time for some hard questions: What is the gestation period for a Llama? What is the name of a baby llama? What's their favourate colour? Unfortunately Blake did not have the answers. I hope that when Minister of International Trade, Stockwell Day (Marathon runner: Boston Qualifier: 3hr 37min) runs with me he'll be better informed.

The run today was tough. I felt tired right from the start and it didn't get any better. When I got home I nodded off in the hot tub and grabbed a 30min nap. A couple cups of coffee and an A&W chubby chicken and fries later, I felt good.

Llama Humour:

• Q. Why is it dangerous to cross an Alpaca with a Llama?
• A. Because you'll get an ALlama !!!!!

Quote of the Day

"We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."

Will Rogers

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #014
• Date: Tuesday Jan 19th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 55min 09sec
• Aver. Heart Rate: 98 BPM
• Temperature C: -11C
• Distance covered to date: 548.6km (340.6m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Butte, Montana, USA
• Total number of runners: 3

Nobody with me this morning, just the sun peeping over the horizon in the East, casting monster shadows, as I trucked along the 1a highway towards the Rocky mountains. At 4.5km, I headed North up Grand Valley Road, a beautiful section on the Cochrane Foothills Marathon course, but little did I know that things were about to change. Runner Kevin is an encyclopedia of knowledge about this part of the country and the other day he was telling me about an area 10km up the Grand Valley Road called the Wild Cat Hills. Apparently, there are many tales about what went on in them thar hills and he pointed out a rocky ravine up to the left. Nobody knows what lives at the end of the ravine but I can guess ( WereRabbit !!!).

As I run through this section, I always feel there are eyes watching me and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I quickly moved through RR 280 and continued on my way until the 32km mark. Runners Sandy and Frank were there to meet me and we chatted about the Olmpic torch coming to Cochrane tomorrow. Unfortunately I had not been selected to carry it, but I have an idea for a "Tribute to The Torch", as I do my marathon

Llama Humour

• Q. What do Llamas have on toast
• A. Llamalade !!!!! ( that was Sue's joke, not bad)

Quote of the Day

"The start of a World Cross Country event is like riding a horse in the middle of a buffalo stampede. It's a thrill if you keep up, but one slip and you're nothing but hoof prints."

Ed Eyestone

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Newsflash:

Check out Martin's live feed (location, speed and heart rate) tomorrow Thursday Jan 21st from Bearspaw School between 9.00am and 3.00pm (mountain standard time). See Home page for details.

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #015
• Date: Wednesday Jan 20th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 56min 54sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 96 BPM
• Temperature C: -8C
• Distance covered to date: 633.0km (393.0m)
• Another marathon run today: Corrida De Sao Sebastiao, Brazil
  
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Spokane, Washington, ISA
• Total number of runners: 1

My final run on the Cochrane Foothills Marathon course this week and it hasn't come a moment too soon. I lacked energy all week, my right calf played up for a couple of days, I had a pain in my right knee this morning and I've been battling headwinds on the final stretch every day (what a whiner!!!!). However, I'm off to Bearpaw School tomorrow and running with the kids is always a pick-me-upper.

It was a big day for  Cochrane today, the Olympic flame came through town. Unfortunately I had not been selected to carry the torch so I decided to have a "Tribute to the Torch". I took along a bar-b-que lighter and at precisly 11.15am, when the real torch was leaving Canadian Tire, I lit the flame. Sad to say, I hadn't checked the fuel situation and I just got a couple of pathetic sparks. I hold the Olympic Athletes in high regard but my personnal favourite is "Eddie the Eagle". In 1988 Eddie took Calgary by storm and I read a couple of days ago that a movie is in the works. Apparently, James Cameron is slated to direct and it will, of course, be in 3-D with Cameron's latest innovation Surround-Smell (and they laughed at talking pictures!).

On a more serious note, I am pleased to announce that I will be the Official Blog of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. From Feb 12th to Feb 28th, I will report on activities on and off the snow and ice. Also, I will be highlighting the role of the Llama in previous Winter Olympics.

I will also be the Official Blog of the World Cup in the summer and the Official Blog of any thing else that pops up.

Llama and Alpaca Humour

I have recieved a large number of L and A jokes and will highlight the best here:

knock knock
who's there?
alpaca
alpaca who?
al paca the gu and you bring the water

Michele Broadhurst (running related, very good)

Quote of the Day

"To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind."

Jerome Drayton

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #016
• Date: Thursday Jan 21st 2010
• Course: Bearspaw School, Calgary, Alberta
• Run time: 5hrs 51min 32sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 98 BPM
• Temperature C: -12C
• Distance covered to date: 675.2km (419.2m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Vancouver, BC
• Total number of runners: 80

If it's Thursday then it's "Marathon-at-a-School" day. I always look forward to Thursdays. This week's been particularly hard (I won't repeat all my whines from yesterday) and I was glad of a change of venue. Phys Ed Trainer John picked me up at 8.00am and we headed 15km towards Calgary and Bearspaw School. As we left Cochrane, the mist decended and it was to stay with me for the entire run. At the school, I met Vice-Principal Mark and I walked into an assembly with 250 kids. After a quick overview of what I was trying to do and telling them about Right To Play, it was off outside to begin the marathon.

It had been agreed that the kids would join me at lunch time and that I would run with them around the playground. I established a 4.3km loop around the school and plodded around it for 3 hours getting in a half marathon. At noon the recess bell went and the kids came streaming out, I told them we'd be doing 10 laps around the playground and 80 pairs of little feet started to follow me. I then introduced them to the MQ 250 chant "Hey Ho, Lets Go!!", this went down very well and for 20mins we were all running in circles yelling at the tops of our voices. What a blast. The children left and I  continued. My friend, Martin, joined me for a bit and then John came back and finished the marathon with me.

All in all a very good day.

Llama and Alpaca Humour

• Why did the Llama cross the road?
• --Because it was the chicken's day off!

Cyrus Ameli

• Why did the Alpaca cross the road?
• --Because the Llama was off running a marathon!

Sue Carpenter-Parnell

Quote of the Day

"Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have nature and that is much better."

Juha Väätäinen

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #017
• Date: Sunday Jan 24th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 41min 42sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 100 BPM
• Temperature C: -16C
• Distance covered to date: 717.4km (445.4m)
• Another marathon run today: Khon Kaen, Thailand
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Seattle, Washington, USA
• Total number of runners: 15

Last night, Sue and I went to to a Robbie Burns night put on by the Men of Vision Pipe and Drum Band. It was a fundraiser, which included a silent auction, to help the band go to Scotland for a festival. A key part of the evening was addressing the haggis and after this was done we all tucked into a plate of haggis and mashed potatoes. I've never carbo loaded on haggis and it wasn't half baaaaad.

Sunday morning. I'm not sure if haggis is the best food for carbo loading. My stomach was a little delicate as I walked up to the start line at 8.30am for the first of my weeks marathons. Sunday is turning into Cochrane Running Club day. Five members of the group were waiting at the start line and we trundled off down the 1A. About 2km down the road were two police cars and a fire truck. There had been a head on crash about 1/2 hr earlier, with devastating effects. We skirted aound the debris and ran into the wind for the first half.

We met up with another 9 club members at the 24km mark and, with the wind behind us, we decended towards the finish line. I got a brutal blister on my little toe on my left foot (what a big baby!), is this the end?

Llama and Alpaca Humour

Q. What do you call a fast Llama?
A. A Llamagini .

Karen Lopushinsky

Quote of the Day

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great."

Anon

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #018
• Date: Sunday Jan 25th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time; 5hr 53min 15sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 101 BPM
• Temperature C: -20C
• Distance covered to date: 759.6km (471.6m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Twin Lakes, Alberta, Canada
• Total number of runners: 2

The blister caused little trouble during the night, but I knew it had to be dealt with come morning. Advanced Medical Technology (a band-aid) was applied and I had to just hope for the best. The temp had dropped from yesterday and I had to bring out the ski mask and hand warmers. It didn't look that great outside, dull with snow flurries. Sue took the "First Light" photo, we're taking one, outside the house next to a tree, every morning and then it was off to the start. It's a mile walk to the intersection of the 1A highway and Horse Creek Road and I started to think that I was getting a little fed up with running the same route day after day after day.

Nothing changes; it's the same old route down the 1A then , up Grand Valley Road. At km 7, the same old crow squawking at me from a fence post. Then at km 19 the same old steer skull eyeballing me as I plod past the old George Fox homestead. Across the RR280 and back down Horse Creek Road, dead straight, snow covered, the same old cows staring at me with those incredibly intelligent eyes. Runner Frank joined me at km 31 and at km 34, even the Llama's had gone into the warm barn today, except Titch the baby who was munching on some hay in the middle of a field. Finally at km 40, the same old three horses and a donkey were just standing there.

This can't go on. Tomorrow I will have to do something I swore I'd never do!

Llama and Alpaca Humour

• Q. What do you get when you cross Barbie with a Llama?
• A. The "Dolly" Llama

Wayne Benz

Quote of the Day

"Marathoning is like cutting yourself unexpectedly. You dip into the pain so gradually that the damage is done before you are aware of it. Unfortunately, when awareness comes, it is excruciating."

John Farrington

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #019
• Date: Tuesday Jan 26th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon (in reverse)
• Run time: 5hrs 52min 14sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 94 BPM
• Temperature C: -19C
• Distance covered to date: 801.8km (497.8m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Yorkton, Sask., Canada
• Total number of runners: 4

I swore I'd never do it, but desperate times call for desparate measures. It was time to run the Cochrane Foothills Marathon course back to front. Start at the finish and finish at the start. I had been totally against this idea because the first 10km is a long grind up hill and it doesn't get any better after that. The problem was I'd been running the same direction for the last three weeks and I needed a change.

I walked to the finish and started to trundle up Horse Creek Road. At km 3 Landowner Deb stopped me and said that her daughter works for CTV in Regina and would like to do a story on the Quest. I mentioned to Deb that I would be running the Regina marathon on Sept 12th and that it would work in well. I reached km 8 in 1hr 15min into the run and I could see the look of surprise on the faces of the Llamas as I cruised past their encloser. As I climbed my energy level started to drop and I began questioning my decision. I was clicking over at 7km per hour and I figured I could be over 6 hours for the marathon. Forunately, runners Frank, Karen and Jody joined me at the 30km mark and we zipped to the start in 5hr 52min. I'll definately do the reverse on Tuesdays.

Llama Facts (this is no joke)

Senior Research Assistant Level II, Karen, has come up with a number of amazing facts about Llamas and these will be highlighted in upcoming blogs. Senior Research Assistant Annie has taken an early retirement package.

Fact: The gestation period for Llamas is 11 1/2 months. Babies are generally born between the hours of 8:00 am and noon (resulting in lower mortality rates as daytime temperatures are warmer).

Quote of the Day

"Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats."

Anon

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #020
• Date: Wednesday Jan 27th 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hrs 50min 52sec
• Aver. Heart Rate: 100 BPM
• Temperature C: -25C
• Distance covered to date: 844.0km (524.0m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Boise, Idaho, USA
• Total number of runners: 2

My friend Mark owns Trailblazers, a camping and outdoor store in Cochrane. He sells lots of good stuff and has been gracious enough to help me out with some gear for the Quest. He's given me 2 boxes of handwarmers, a pair of gloves, 4 pairs of socks and a very special pair of sunglasses. These glasses are made by AXE a Japanese company that recently went bankrupt. The packaging on the product carried two very interesting motivational sayings; the first "One step forward, for victory in your hand" and the second "Superior technology to be sure of a great landing". If that doesn't put a zip in your step I'm not sure what will!

Back in the deep freeze for today's run. Three layers on the bottom, five layers on the top plus a balaclava and mask. The day itself was stunning, little wind and a crystal clear sky. I was back on the old route and that was just fine. I felt good and the km's just ticked by. At the 30km mark, runner John joined me. John's from England and is a sports psychologist. We discussed the importance of having goals within a race or event and building for success.

One day to go this week and it's off to Cambrian Heights School tomorrow.

Llama and Alpaca Humour

• Q. What do you get when you cross Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Llama ?
• A. The Llaminator

John Conner

Quote of the Day

"There is the truth about the marathon and very few of you have written the truth. Even if I explain to you, you'll never understand it, you're outside of it."

Douglas Wakiihuri (speaking to journalists)

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #021
• Date: Thursday Jan 28th 2010
• Course: Cambrian Heights School
• Run time: 6hrs 23min 18sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 99 BPM
• Temperature C: -12C
• Distance covered to date: 886.2km (550.2m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Portland, Oregon,USA
• Total number of runners: 1

This morning, Teacher Dan drove me to Cambrian Heights School in the NW of Calgary. I arrived at the school and met Vice-Principal Wendy and Principal Bonnie. They showed me a wall across from the office and I couldn't believe it, a life size cut out of me with the outline of Calgary in the background, just like the poster I've been sending to the schools. Apparently, the Dinner Ladies had put it together and they'd done a fatastic job. At the assembly, I was introduced to Cub Reporter Norman (grade 3) , he was going to follow me during the run and make a documentary of the day. He asked if he could have an exclusive interview and I, of course, agreed.

I started my run at 9.10am and put in 7km in the first hour with a loop around the school. Norman came out and asked if I was ready to be interviewed. I said yes and headed in. He took me to the staff room and asked me to sit on the comfy sofa. Four other grade 3's took photos and film as Norman started on his questions, "What's your name?", What's your favorite food?", "Do you have a pet?", "Who's your favourite friend?". The questions were coming thick and fast but Norman didn't back off. After 10 mins the interview was over. I'm hoping to get a copy of the tape and will highlight it on the web site. Great job Norman!

I kept chatting with the kids as I did my 50 loops and came in with a 6hr 23min marathon, but what a hoot.

Llama Facts (this is no joke)

Fact: A female llama is called a dam, a male (for breeding purposes) is called a herdsire and a baby is a cria.

Quote of the Day

"You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming."

Frank Shorter

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Newsflash:

• I need a School to run at on Thursday Feb 4th. Can anyone help?

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #022
• Date: Sunday Jan 31st 2010
• Course: Cochrane Foothills Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 48min 35sec (See Garmin Connect)
• Aver. Heart Rate: 99 BPM
• Temperature C: -20C
• Distance covered to date: 928.4km (576.4m)
• Another marathon run today: Osaka International Ladies, Japan
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Fort Chipewyan, Alberta
• Total number of runners: 12

Well, January 2010 is over and good riddance. Today it started out at -20C with a 20km/h SE wind which meant a reasonable first half, then a brutal second half, running back into a head wind. My hydration pack and camera froze, that's why I'm showing pictures from my Africa trip 5 years ago on Flickr. Whoever invented hand warmers should get the Noble Prize and over the month I've used 20 pairs. I tried wearing my sunglasses but with the mask they keeps getting fogged up. However, I've been told that if you use a spot of Sunlight dish soap or Herbal Essence shampoo (NOT Head and Shoulders), rub it around the lens and then wipe off they will remain fog free (urban myth?).

The highlight of the January was running at the four schools; Mount View, Dr JK Mulloy, Bearspaw and Cambrian Heights, all in Calgary. The teachers were exremely helpful and the kids were brilliant. To date I have 24 of the planned 40 schools booked for 2010. However, this week I'm in a major dilemma, I have no school to run at !!!!! I need a school for Thursday February 4th and I will bring the schools package. This will include a 40" by 20" map of my "Virtual Route" to Boston and back, the official MQ 250 poster, a Certificate of Participation for the students and Tim-Bits for the Principal. If I don't get a school I'm not sure what I'll do.

Can you help?.

Llama Facts (this is no joke)

Fact: Crias (baby Llamas) weigh between 20 - 30 lbs and are standing, walking and attempting to nurse within the hour. They are born with hair. However, mom does not lick them when they are born as their tongue is fixed and only protrudes about 1/2 ".

Karen Lopushshinsky ( Senior Research Assissent Level II )

Quote of the Day

"If you start to feel good during an ultra, don't worry, you will get over it."

Gene Thibeault

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