Martin Parnell Finish the Race Attitude

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #074
• Date: Sunday May 2nd  2010
• Course: BMO Vancouver Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 20min 59sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 108 BPM
• Temperature C: 7C
• Distance covered to date: 3122.8km (1938.8m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
• Total number of runners: 3,000 plus

I arrived in Vancouver on Friday afternoon and PR Consultant Deirdre whisked me off to CBC Radio for the afternoon show. That night it was the silent auction at the Hotel LeSoleil where we raised $2,000 for Right To Play. Saturday morning, Deirdre drove me to Global TV. There I chatted with Presenter Sophie, she was looking to run the 8km race. In the afternoon I went to the Race Expo and helped Publisher Elaine at the Impact Magazine booth. At the Expo, I met Kip Kangogo, a runner from Lethbridge, Alberta, and we chatted about running at a school together later in the year. I wished him luck in the half marathon. Saturday was an early night.

Sunday morning, Tom, Elaine and I headed to the MQ 250 tent by the start. We met David, Cyrus and Dan. We all lined up, Steve King called out 5...4...3...2...1... and as the crowd started to move the five of us crossed the timing mats and we were off. It was a wet morning but everyone was taking it in their stride. The km's ticked by and we cruised through Stanley Park with its incredible foliage. The rain stopped and I crossed the line in just over 5 hours. CTV had followed me during the race and Interviewer Leah chatted with me at the finish line. I explained that I had picked up a knot in my calf around the 26km and I couldn't shake it off. Number 74 completed, what a great weekend. Oh, and Kip won the half marathon in 1hr 6min 33sec. Nice one mate.

Quote of the Day

"Just go out there and do what you've got to do"

Martina Navratilova

I lost my camera in Vancouver, so here is a picture of some Llamas

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #075
• Date: Tuesday May 4th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 54min 21sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 96 BPM
• Temperature C: -8C
• Distance covered to date: 3165.0km (1965.0m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
• Total number of runners: 1

Today, I had planned to run in Calgary but, watching the morning breakfast TV, I wasn't sure. The weather person talked about a winter storm hitting the city but I looked out of the window and it was just windy. Me being me, I headed into the city. As I approached the city limits, the snow hit. I immediately spun the car around and headed back to Cochrane. To stay out of the wind, I ran the town trails and ended up at my brother Peter's house at the 12km mark. My sister Sally and sister-in-law Micha were there. They had just arrived from England and we all had a lovely cup of tea and chocolate digestives. I continued on my way and got colder and colder. I made it home at the 34km mark and had lunch. The snow had just started to come down so I added more clothes and finished off the marathon.

Avatar Marathon Martin has made good time since leaving Sault Ste. Marie, on his virtual route across Canada. This morning he stopped at the village of Whitefish, 15km west of Sudbury. There he dropped in on his good friends Gordon and Christena, and had a cup of his favourite tea, Kingcole. While in Sudbury, he visited the city's top tourist attraction. The Big Nickel is a nine-metre (30 ft) replica of a 1951, Canadian nickel, located at the grounds of Dynamic Earth in Sudbury. It is listed in the Guiness Book of Records as the world's largest coin.

Quote of the Day

"The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all exercises walking is the best"

Thomas Jefferson

Avatar Marathon Martin poses by the Big Nickel in Sudbury, Ontario

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #076
• Date: Wednesday May 5th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 25min 35sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 102 BPM
• Temperature C: -9C
• Distance covered to date: 3207.2km (1991.2m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Philadelphia, Penns., USA
• Total number of runners: 1

The phone rang at 7.00am and it was Editor Steve from Canadian Business magazine. He wants to do a feature under the "Performer" section of the publication for the June issue and we had a good chat about how Marathon Quest 250 came about. He asked me what were the highs and lows to this point. I told him that the highs were running at a school every week and the positive reaction of the kids. I mentioned that on a number of occasions grade 1 and 2 students had given me 25 and 50 cents to help the "other" children. I then mentioned that I would really like businesses to get involved and I would be more than willing to talk to them about how to do that.

After talking to Steve it was time to get down to the real business of the day: running a marathon. I looked outside and wasn't thrilled: snow on the ground. However I did spot some good news, the wind wasn't howling today. I decided that a route along the 1A to Ghost Station and back would work well. I headed off at 8.30am and found that I had a bit of a bounce in my step. The 30km round trip took me just under 4 hours and I was well pleased with that. As I was having my tea, toast and marmalade I received another call...."You have won a trip.. blah.. blah... blah...." I hate those pre-recorded messages. Headed off at 1.15pm for the final 12km. My route took me past Mackay's Ice Cream shop (it always does) and I had the usual (Chocolate ice cream, fudge chunks, chocolate waffle cone). Made it back to the house just before 3.00pm. A good day's work.

Quote of the Day

"Just focus on one day at a time. Focus on the task at hand."

Leah Pells, Olympic 1500m runner.

2 pairs of shoes - 20 marathons

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #077
• Date: Thursday May 6th  2010
• Course: Ranchlands School
• Run time: 5hr 25min 51sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 101 BPM
• Temperature C: -6C
• Distance covered to date: 3249.4km (2017.4m)
• Race in another part of the World: Brazil Adventure (190km)
• Total number of runners: 361

If it's Thursday then it must be "Run a marathon at a school" day. Today I was off to Ranchlands School in the North West of Calgary. Another day of snow but at least it wasn't too cold and the wind had died down. I arrived at the school at 8.00am and the lights were off in the office. I left my bag and started to run loops around the two soccer fields. The total distance was just over 800m so I'd have to cover around 52 loops to get my marathon in. I went back into the school at 9.00am and met Teacher Leslie and Vice-Principal Margerette. At 9.10am, the kids streamed into the gym and I explained about MQ 250 and Right To Play. There's 365 students at this school and they go from Kindergarten to Grade 6. After my talk and answering a few questions two students came up and presented me with a cheque for $330 for Rigfht To Play. Terrific!.

All during the day kids joined me on the soccer field loop. Teacher Leslie was sending them out on their gym period so I had company for most of the day. This is the 14th school I've visited and I'm starting to see a trend with the kids. Generally the boys dash off and are good for a loop but then get bored and go play soccer. But at a number of schools I've had grade 1 and 2 girls run with me for 8 to 10km. Today it was Anna. I do my run / walk but she didn't back off and ran with me for all her recesses and lunch. Great work Anna. I asked one grade 5 student Scott how they had raised the $330 and he told me that several of the classes had gone home and baked up Rice Krispie Squares then they brought them to school. Over a 2 day period they sold them for $1 each and raised $330. Brilliant!!!

So, to all students, parents and teachers: I challenge all schools in Canada, USA and other parts of the world to hold a "Rice Krispie Square Fundraiser" for Marathon Quest 250 and Right To Play. Let me know how you make out.

Quote of the Day

"I am always ready to learn, but I do not always like being taught."

Winston Churchill

Students fro Ranchlands School (they each made a race bib)

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #078
• Date: Friday May 7th  2010
• Course: Calgary Pathways Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 28min 05sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 93 BPM
• Temperature C: -5C
• Distance covered to date: 3291.6km (2043.6m)
• Race in another part of the World: McNaughton, USA (150m)
• Total number of runners: 1

This morning I checked the thermometer by the door, -1C, sun in the sky and no wind. Sue took the daily "First Light" picture and I headed off into Calgary. The parking lot at the Shouldice pool was pretty full but I was soon set up and ready to go. The grass definitely had greened up and the buds on the trees have started to pop. Along the river bank, I spotted a pair of geese with a gosling, this must be spring. I was soon at the Good Earth cafe for my usual coffee and zuccinni muffin, then off again. It really was a very pleasent run along the Bow, then the Elbow river. At 2 3/4 hrs I was at my turn around spot and heading back to Eau Claire Market. Lunch today was a toasted panini and I arrived back at the pool at 2.50pm. Excellent time.

Following on from yesterday's "Great Rice Krispie Square Fundraiser", I've had a couple of enquiries from kids on how to make Rice Krispie Squares. I suggest the recipe below:

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula, or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Allow to cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

Please note, you can make them bigger if you want. Add chocolate drizzle to fancy them up. Add food colouring for some fun.

Quote of the Day

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

Gandhi

The classic Rice Krispie Square

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #079
• Date: Saturday May 8th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 27min 34sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 98 BPM
• Temperature C: -6C
• Distance covered to date: 3333.8km (2069.8m)
• Race in another part of the World: McNaughton, USA (150m)
• Total number of runners: 12

My trip to Vancouver meant that I used 3 days for travel and the expo, so today was a "Make-up" day, as Saturday is usually my day off. The weather is staying good and I left the house at 7.45am to meet up with the Cochrane Red Rock Running club members. I arrived at Guy's Bakery at 8.30am and a group of 12 were ready to roll. We headed along the red rock path, then out to Crawford Ranch, along the river. Nex, we climbed the big hill and ran to Wineglass Ranch. The view of the mountains from the foothills was spectacular, still lots of snow on the peaks. Then back to Guy's for coffee and two spicey sausage rolls. I had completed 26km, so over half done. I went back to the river and worked my way to Spray Lakes Sport Centre. From there it was back into town. I dropped in on Mark at Trailblazers and he very graciously gave me a pair of Asics running shoes. I'm down to my last pair of shoes and it would have been barefoot running for me.

The "Great Rice Krispie Square Fundraiser" has proven to be very popular and I recieved an e-mail from Abi (age 7). She asked "What was the biggest Rice Krispie Square ever made". Well, On April 19, 2001 over 100 staff and students in Friley Hall kitchen at Iowa State University baked a Rice Krispie square. Eight hours, 818 pounds of Rice Krispies, 1,466 pounds of marshmallows and 217 pounds of butter later they had made the world's largest Rice Krispie square. It was then loaded on a truck and weighed. The twelve feet long, six feet wide and two feet deep Rice Krispie square, or in this case, Rice Krispie rectangle weighed in at a delicious 2,480 pounds. After the official weighing it was cut up and sold, with the proceeds going to charity.

Quote of the Day

"The potential of a child is the most intriguing and stimulating thing in all creation"

Ray L. Wilbur

Worlds largest Rice Krispie Square

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #080
• Date: Monday May 10th  2010
• Course: Calgary Pathways Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 27min 43sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 97 BPM
• Temperature C: -5C
• Distance covered to date: 3376.0km (2096.0m)
• Race in another part of the World: Forestcity, Ontario, Canada
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Bangor, Maine, USA
• Total number of runners: 1

Another morning and still the temperature is below freezing. However, it's perfectly clear and no wind. From Shouldice pool I decided to head west. This is a beautiful route, if a little hilly. 3km in and to the left of the path was a telephone pole with a massive eagles nest on top. An eaglet was sticking it's head out of the edge of the nest, waiting for the mother to return with some food. Further on, the dog walkers were out in force. A woman had 12 dogs while up  ahead a man had 8. That's a "ruff" job!!!! I returned to the car for a coffee and chewy bar then off to Eau Claire and beyond. At Fort Calgary I spotted a pair of geese with 18 little poopers (or goslings), amazing.

Avatar "Marathon Martin" has made his way along Highway 11, on his virtual route, from Sudbury to North Bay Ontario. Here, he came across a huge wooden sculpture. The plaque at the base of the carving stated that it was called "Nibiising" which is Ojibway for "Beside the Large Lake". The plaque noted that "Peter "Wolf" Toth had a personal mission to carve monuments in every state in the U.S., which he achieved in the late 1980's. After that, he turned his attention to Canada and Mexico. He came to the U.S. from Hungary with his family in 1956 and felt a deep kinship with Native North Americans. This is his tribute to them. This was the 60th monument in his Trail of the Whispering Giants series and the first one in Canada." The sculpture was completed in the summer of 1988, is 25 feet high and made of white pine.

Quote of the Day

"Happy is he who is able to learn the causes of things"

Virgil

Nibiising (Beside the Large Lake)

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #081
• Date: Tuesday May 11th  2010
• Course: Cochrane 1A Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 54min 26sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 93 BPM
• Temperature C: -0C
• Distance covered to date: 3418.2km (2122.2m)
• Total number of runners: 1

I had an early start today as I was scheduled to give a presentation to the Rotary Club of Cochrane, at their breakfast meeting. I arrived outside the Cochrane golf club resturant at 6.30am and Rotary member Bill let me in. Rotary have been very supportive of Marathon Quest 250 and graciously sponsored the map of my virtual route, that has been sent to all the schools at which I'm running . After an excellent breakfast of scramble eggs, hash browns and sausages, I updated the group on my marathons, injuries, schools and fundraising. I suggested that it would be great if we could have a fundraiser in Cochrane and I would be happy to work with anyone or group that wanted to organize one.

I bid my farewell and headed home to get ready for today's marathon. I had decided on a route that I had never done before. I would head West down the 1A and keep going. Normally, I turn around just past the Ghost service station but today I would run 21.1km and then head back. The run started off well. The temperature was 0C and the wind was in my face. This was OK as I'd have it at my back on the way home. I had coffee and a Snickers bar at the gas station, then onwards. I soon reached Ghost Dam and it looked stunning, with the morning sun sparkling off the surface. At 10km I had a surprise. The hard shoulder disappeared and I was running on the white line. This was not good as cars whipped by me. Then I had another surprise. I turned at 21.1km and so did the wind. I ran back in 3hrs, again into a head wind. I was not a happy camper!!!!!

Quote of the Day

"In teaching, the greatest sin is to be boring"

Chinese proverb

High Spirits

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #082
• Date: Wednesday May 12th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 58min 22sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 90 BPM
• Temperature C: 6C
• Distance covered to date: 3460.4km (2148.4m)
• Total number of runners: 1

Last night was my regular visit to Pro Active Health to see Doctor Greg. Dr. Greg has been using a technique called active release to work on my shin, ankle and calf. But at this session I had another issue that had been bugging me over the last couple of weeks, tightness and pain in the lower back. Dr. Greg first checked out the back and told me that my right side was a mess. In previous sessions he had found problems with my right quads, calf and ankle. He warmed up my back and then gently worked some of the muscles. Then the real business began. He called in his assistant Sara and together they bent me into a pretsel. They pushed my right knee up around my ear and then the evil Dr. Greg started to work on a muscle in my glutus maximus. It hurt. I cried like a baby. However afterwards my back felt fantastic. As the song says "You've gotta be cruel to be kind". I'm going back on Friday.

Today was a big day. It was my running friend Annie's birthday. It's rude to say a womens age but I will say that she wanted to run for 56 mins. Three other running friends joined us, Joanne, Cathy and John. Annie led us a merry chase through the trails around the Cochrane Ranche House. Then it was back to Guys for coffee and a spicy sausage roll. Annie had very graciously sponsored todays marathon for $1,000, this will help a class room of children (20) receive a Right To Play program for a year. I left Annie and continued around Cochrane, running the red rock trails. As 2.00pm approached, it got hotter and hotter and at 35km I was done. The change in temperature over the last couple of days has been huge and I'm having a tough time adjusting. I basically walked in the last 7km and was out of water by the time I got to the house. I need a plan for tomorrow.

Quote of the Day

"Take rest. A field that has rested gives a beautiful crop"

Ovid

The Annie 56 Gang (Annie donated $1,000 to RTP, many thanks)

,

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #083
• Date: Thursday May 13th  2010
• Course: Bow Valley High School
• Run time: 5hr 28min 39sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 99 BPM
• Temperature C: 4C
• Distance covered to date: 3502.6km (2174.6m)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
• Total number of runners: 137

Yesterday evening, Sue and I went to see a production of "Hook" put on by the students of St. Timothy's School, in Cochrane. Nephew's Jon and Chris played Captain Hook and Peter Pan respectively. Great job lads. We then went home and watched a bit of TV. We found an interesting show on the TLC channel called "The Imploders". It was about people who were addicted to weird things. The first person was hooked !!! on eating chalk and drinking laundry detergent. The next person was going to the tanning saloon all the time. The third person couldn't stop shopping and had built up a debt of $75,000. The final person, Troy, was addicted to running (what's that all about). Troy has been running over 100 miles a week and had just completed his first 100 mile ultra in a very commendable 26hr 18mins. His mother is concerned that he's not spending enough time at the business. His girl friend is concerned that he's not spending enough time with her. She gave him an ultimatum "choose between me or the running!!!" Troy is now training for his next 100 miler.

Today, I was at Bow Valley High School, in Cochrane. I got to the sports field at 7.30am and started to do a few laps of the track. I hit the office at 8.50am and met my friends Bobbi and Terry who work at the school. At 9.00am I went into the gym for assembly and met Principal Susan. The kids poured in and I explained about MQ 250 and Right To Play. Global TV and CTV were there and the school cheer leaders formed a line, as I headed out of the gym back onto the track. It was another beautiful day and the 100 odd laps I had to complete went by quickly. Bobbi and Terry had organized a fund raiser and by the time I had finished they had raised over $200. A lot of the students were at a track meet out of town so the fundraising will go on for a few more days. What a great day!

Quote of the Day

"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least"

Johann von Goethe

Bow Valley High School

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #084
• Date: Sunday May 16th  2010
• Course: Fish Creek Park
• Run time: 5hr 43min 38sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 95 BPM
• Temperature C: 13C
• Distance covered to date: 3544.8km (2200.8ml)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
• Race in another part of the World: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Total number of runners: 27 (plus 2 little girls in a buggy)

On Friday, I went for a VO2 max test with Serge at Cochrane Sport Physio. I had completed one at the start of MQ 250 but we wanted to see what had changed over the last 4 months. Basically, VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and utilize oxygen during incremental exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. In Serge's email to me on the results he comments: "Your VO2 max has increased from 50.3 ml/kg/min to 53.3 ml/kg/min. To no surprise, this score places you in a category well above average, but what is surprising is that despite your long history as an endurance athlete, you continue to show measurable, significant increases in your peak VO2.  I anticipated seeing your profile change from the first to second, but I was surprised to see this increase." Good news!

Early start this morning, off to Fish Creek Park in the South end of Calgary. I arrived at the park gates at 8.15am and they were all locked up. Another car was there and it was Cool Kids Running Club Leader Neil. We spotted a parks truck driving by and we waved him down. Soon a group of 27 of us (plus 2 little girls) were ready to do the Cool Kids fundraiser. Neil had contacted me a while back and asked if he could set this up. No problem. So, after a few words to the group, we were off. Neil had lined up a coffee and cookie stop along the way and lunch was a cinnimon bun. The group completed 18km and I headed off to finish the remaining 24km. The temperature was getting hottter and hotter but I've started wearing my "Lawerence of Arabia" head gear which protects my head (bald), ears (big), neck (red) and top of my shoulders (white).

As of this evening the "Cool Kids" had raised $260 for Right To Play. Much appreciated.

Quote of the Day

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Sir Winston Churchill

Cool Kids Running Club

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #085
• Date: Monday May 17th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 44min 22sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 98 BPM
• Temperature C: 11C
• Distance covered to date: 3587.0km (2227.0ml)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: New York, New York, USA
• Total number of runners: 1

Every morning, I check the thermometer outside the front door, today at 7.30am it read 18C. It was going to be a hot one. I'm finally down to a singlet and shorts. No more gloves, jacket, running tights and toque. I headed up the 1A and again I was running into a head wind but this time I didn't mind, the wind kept me cool. After a Mars bar and coffee it was 2km to my turn around and back to the house. I had started to form a blister on the ball of my left foot so that would have to be dealt with. The last 12km would be around Cochrane so I headed off along the river. My sister Sally is over from England for 6 weeks and I found her digging out dandilions in my brother's garden. We had a quick chit-chat then I was off to my final stop: Mackays for the "usual" (a scoop of chocolate fudge chunks ice cream in a chocolate waffle cone).

On his virtual route, Avatar Marathon Martin has made it to Ottawa; the Capital of Canada, The Jewel in the Crown, The Seat of Power. He grabbed a burger and smartie blizzard at DQ then headed over to the Parliament buildings. a plaque on the washroom wall stated" Parliament Hill (colloquially The Hill, in French: Colline du Parlement) is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River, in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildings - the parliament buildings - serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural elements of national symbolic importance. Parliament Hill attracts approximately 3 million visitors each year." He looked to see if he could spot Stockwell Day on a training run but no luck.

Quote of the Day

"Knowledge is power and enthusiasm pulls the switch"

Steve Droke

Avatar Marathon Martin visits Ottawa

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #086
• Date: Tuesday May 18th  2010
• Course: Ecole Sam Livingston School
• Run time: 4hrs 57min 00sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 106 BPM
• Temperature C: 12C
• Distance covered to date: 3629.2km (2253.2ml)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
• Total number of runners: 374

I had a long drive today across Calgary to Ecole Sam Livingston School in the South East. I arrived at the school at 8.00am and established a 700m route around the soccer field and play area. At 8.50am I headed in and met Teacher Julia. She told me that this school went from kindergarten to grade 5 and had 545 students. Assembly was called for 9.00am and the first group of students came in with paper hats with ears. Teacher Julia said that this was "Team Llama". Apparently, they were sad that I had run out of Llama facts and had put together pages of info on Llamas for me to use in my blog. Excellent work team. I chatted with the kids for a few minutes, then grade 4 Marissa came up and presented me with a cheque for $833.25 for Right To Play. Amazing.

I then went outside and restarted my marathon. The sun was coming up and it was getting hotter and hotter. Facilities Manager Ian joined me for a few loops. He told me he had been running for 5 years and had started at the age of 57. Last year he ran the Boston Marathon. During the day, groups of children came out and we ran together at recess and lunch. As usual it was mainly the girls that seemed to be able to handle the long slow run that I was doing. But I did notice one young lad who kept coming back, all day long. His name was Hayden and he was in grade 2. He said he loved running and he wanted to be the best runner he could be. Great stuff.

I forgot to mention that Marissa had set up her own fundraiser. She filled a jar full of candy then had the other kids guess how many were in there, at 50c a turn. Out of the total she raised $150.00!!!!!!!!! Unbelivable. Nice one Marissa.

New Llama Facts

Over the last month I'd run out of Llama facts but today I had a great surprise. Teacher Julia introduced me to "Team Llama", a group of students who are keen Llama supporters. They all had Llama hats on and provided me with pages of new llama facts. So thank you "Team Llama".

Fact 1: Llamas have a three compartment stomach.

Quote of the Day

"You see things; and you say "Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?""

George Bernard Shaw

Ecole Sam Livingston School, Grade 4 Marissa and Martin

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #087
• Date: Wednesday May 19th  2010
• Course: Calgary Pathways Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 38min 21sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 92 BPM
• Temperature C: 16C
• Distance covered to date: 3671.4km (2279.4ml)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
• Total number of runners: 1

During my 87 marathons, I've seen many signs; speed signs, do not enter signs, pathways signs, event signs. But today I spotted a sign that completely bamboozled me. I had started the day at the Shouldice Pool and headed west. This route from the pool to the Stoney flyover is one of the most picturesque sections of the Calgary Pathway System. It's a little hilly for 3km but then flattens out and takes you, for 5km's, through several parks along the Bow River. It was while I was on a walk break through one of the wooded sections that I saw this little plaque on a post (see below).

It's a dog in a lab coat with glasses and a clip board. Do dogs need glasses? Are there doggy contact lenses? Are all dogs right handed? What is he / she writting on the clip board? The plaque states that this is a "Pilot Test Area". What is being tested in this area? Why does it require a dog in a lab coat with glasses and a clip board?. I continued on my way and spotted two other signs. One had a dog in a jacket and tie with the words "Off Leash Area". The other had a dog in sunglasses and beach shorts with the words "Off Leash Area". I quickly moved out of this area and was soon relieved to see a good old red Stop sign.

New Llama Facts

Fact 2: Llamas were domesticated from the guanacos of the Andean highlands of Peru 5,000 to 6,000 years ago.

Quote of the Day

"Speak when you're angry and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret"

Laurence J. Peter

Entering Pilot Area? For what?

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #088
• Date: Thursday May 20th  2010
• Course: Mitford Middle School
• Run time: 5hr 32min 45sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 99 BPM
• Temperature C: 6C
• Distance covered to date: 3713.6km (2305.6ml)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Mexico City, Mexico
• Total number of runners: 227

Mitford Middle School is a half a km from my house so I had a short lie in then headed over at 7.25am to meet Teacher Linda. Teacher Linda has been a great supporter of Marathon Quest 250 and in February, while I was injuried, I spent the morning in her class chatting with the kids. They all wrote me letters and I sent each of them a response. At 7.30am we headed off around the soccer fields. This is a pretty big area and the loop came in at 1 km. There was no assembly today so I got to meet the kids during their Daily Physical Activity (DPA) session. The morning started off misty then cloudy. The sun broke through at 10.00am and I called Sue to drop off the sunblock. Just as I had done this the clouds came over and it started to get windy.

During the afternoon a group of grade 7's came out. As I went around, I had a good chat with Isis. She's into snow boarding, both racing and freestyle. Last year she came 2nd in Alberta. I told her that I tried snow boarding once but it hurt. Mid-afternoon, a group of kids came out to take a golfing lesson. I could see the head lines now "Marathon Martin killed by golf ball at local school". I decided to give the students a wide berth. The afternoon moved on and the wind got stronger and stronger. Finally, the rain appeared but fortunately we only had 1km to go and we were finished. Mitford Middle School, very graciously, donated $300, but Teacher Linda went beyond the call of duty. She sponsored her birthday marathon (November 7th) for $1,000. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!

New Llama Facts

Fact 3: The life span of a Llama is between 15 and 29 years.

Quote of the Day

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance""

Franklin P. Jones

Principal Brent welcomes Martin to Mitford Middle School

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #089
• Date: Sunday May 23rd  2010
• Course: Woody's Red Deer Marathon
• Run time: 4hr 37min 41sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 119 BPM
• Temperature C: -3C
• Distance covered to date: 3755.8km (2331.8ml)
• Total number of runners: 1200 plus

On Friday afternoon, Sue and I headed up to Red Deer . I was entered in the Woody's Red Deer marathon, but I had several commitments on the Friday and Saturday. We had a Right To Play booth in the race expo, which started at 4.00pm on Friday, and I had been asked to talk at the speaker sessions on both Friday and Saturday. The race and expo hotel was the Black Knight Inn and we made it by 2.30pm. After setting up the booth, we chatted to several of the other groups who were in the expo. One of the booths was Fast Trax Run and Ski shop. This business is owned and operated by Jack Cook and is located in Edmonton. Through my introduction to Ultra running over the last couple of years I had heard about Jack. He is one of the top Ultra runners in Canada and has represnted his counrty in the sport. I explained to Jack what I was attempting and he was gracious enough to give me two pairs of New Balance 1062's.

Sunday morning, 7.58am and I was at the start line wearing a pair of brand new 1062's !!!!! It' was chilly, -3c and all 1,200 plus of us were bundled up. I heard 5-4-3-2-1 and we were off. The half and full people were all mixed together. I was feeling scary good, so I went off like a bullet. The first half I was crazy fast (2hr 13min), dodging around people and flying along the trails. This was not the plan. I was meant to be steady, all planned, all under control. The trouble is races bring out the worst of me. I felt great, so why not pick the pace up a bit. Maybe today would be a 4h 10min or 4hr 15min? It would not. My enthusiam started to wane around the 28km mark. I thought "there's no rush", "don't get injuried', "you've got another one tomorrow". I started to be sensible and dropped the pace down. I came in just over 4 1/2 hr, that's fine. Other Runner friends who were in the race were Earl, Linda and Paul. Also, Runner John kicked a 2hr 55min and came in third. Now that's moving.

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 4: Llamas are members of the camel family.

Quote of the Day

"I am never afraid of what I know"

Anna Sewell

Sue at the Right To Play stand at the Woody's Red Deer Marathon Race Expo

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #090
• Date: Monday May 24th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 36min 41sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 98 BPM
• Temperature C: 2C
• Distance covered to date: 3798.0km (2358.0ml)
• Total number of runners: 1

Back to familiar ground today. At 6.30am I peeked out the front door. The sun was shining but the temp was just above freezing. I headed out at 7.30am and made my way down the 1A. Today the road might be a bit nutty. It's a long weekend and there could be a few "bog-runners" returning from a couple of days driving their 4x4's into big mud puddles. The run to Ghost Station was uneventful but, on the way back, I met Runner John. At Red Deer John had clocked a 2hr 55min marathon and today he was on his bike trying to loosen up his legs. After lunch, I headed into Cochrane. I always look forward to my ice cream but I arrived at Mackay,s and was shocked. It was packed. Time to head home for a hot tub.

Avatar Marathon Martin has been running in la belle province, Quebec, on his virtual route across Canada. Yesterday, he entered Montreal and found a La Belle Province fast-food restaurant. He was hungry, so he had a double portion of poutine. This mouth-watering delicacy consists of french fries covered with cheese curds and smoothered in brown gravy.Yummy. After the meal he waddled over to the Olympic stadium and read the following, in a tourist pamphlet: "The Olympic Stadium (The Big O) is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics. It subsequently became the home of Montreal's professional baseball and Canadian football teams. Since 2004, when the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington, D.C. The stadium has had no main tenant, and with a history of financial and structural problems, is largely seen as an "elephant blanc" (white elephant)".

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 5: Today the Llama is important to the agricultural economy of the remote highlands of Argentina, Bolivia, Chili and Peru.

Quote of the Day

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will"

Mahatma Gandhi

Avatar Marathon Martin at the Montreal Olympic Stadium

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #091
• Date: Tuesday May 25th  2010
• Course: Calgary Pathways Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 44min 09sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 92 BPM
• Temperature C: 5C
• Distance covered to date: 3840.20km (2384.2ml)
• Total number of runners: 1

This morning I was a little tired. Sue and I had stayed up to see the concluding 2hrs of 24. That Jack Bauer is one tough hombre. In a 24hr period he was stabbed, electrocuted and shot. Fortunately the bullet hole was a "through and through" so no real damage done. I bet if he took a week off he could run 250 marathons in 250 days. I wanted a simple route today so, I drove to Shouldice Pool and headed east towards Eau Claire Market. I was half a sleep, running along the river bank, about 5km in, when I slipped on some "Goose Poop". I almost went butt over tea-kettle but fortunately kept my feet. I said a few words about geese, goslings and what you could do with them. Man, that stuff is slick. After I regained my composure, I started to think.

An old farmer friend of mine, who owned a lemon orchard, used to say to me "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade". Surely there was an application for a "Product" that was as slippery as this. The answer was obvious; the Olympic Bobsled Team. If this was applied to the runners of the sled what chance would other teams have. I knew, however, that I would have to check the IOC's book on "Banned Substances" before I got too excited. They were one step ahead of me. There in Chapter 68: Animal Poop, section 12: Bird Poop, sub-section 4a: Goose Poop: "The afore mentioned substance is banned from use on Bobsled runners, and any other runners that are in contact with an ice surface including ice skates". So, it looks like we're out of luck for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. There again, there's no mention of Llama poop!!!!!!!.

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 6: Llamas express themselves through a series or ear, body and tail postures.

Quote of the Day

"Side by side or miles apart, friends are always close to the heart"

On a bench in Stanley Park, Calgary

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #092
• Date: Wednesday May 26th  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 29min 27sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 92 BPM
• Temperature C: 7C
• Distance covered to date: 3882.4km (2410.4ml)
• Total number of runners: 1

This morning, I had a service appointment for the RX8. So, I headed over to the Stoney Trail Mazda dealership and dropped off the car. I started a 700m loop around the parking lot and soon had 10km under my belt. I had done the same thing a month ago but then it had been rain, sleet and howling winds. Today was fairly benign, some cloud cover with light winds. After two hours, the brake pads had been fixed and I was on my way back to Cochrane. A quick snack of tea, toast and marmalade and I was heading down the 1A. The weather was turning and the rain came. Luckily, I have my 3 in 1 Glad rain jacket (5c a pop). It didn't last long and I was cooking. Back into Cochrane along the river. There on the path was a dog walker with six dogs, on the other side was a child walker with six kids. I think they were using the same leads.

I read an article the other day about a lady in Halifax that had decided to run a 10km race in barefeet. At the end she said that her feet didn't feel too bad but her ankles, knees, hips and back hurt. I've been following this barefoot running trend with interest. I must admit when I started the Marathon Quest 250 I throught it would be neat to run all 250 marathons in 3 pairs of shoes. On marathon #028 I got injuried and part of the reason was worn out runners. The two and a half weeks off gave me lots of time to think and I realised I like shoes with support. I don't have a shoe manufacturer sponsoring me so I've relied on the generosity of independant sport stores and concerned individuals. So far I've used 9 pairs of shoes for the 90 plus marathons and this includes 8 different brands. I have no time to break in a pair of shoes so it's straight on for a marathon. So far three blisters!!!!!!!

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 7: Llamas can carry on average 80lb.

Fact of the Day

The New York Board of Education barred the whipping of children in it's schools on March 4th, 1908.

The next Marathon Quest 250 Pace Car

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #093
• Date: Thursday May 27th  2010
• Course: Tuscany School
• Run time: 4hr 42min 38sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 131 BPM
• Temperature C: 8C
• Distance covered to date: 3924.6km (2436.6ml)
• Equivalent Flight distance, Calgary to: Veracruz, Mexico
• Total number of runners: 649

Things did not look good. Every morning I check the temperature and pick up the Calgary Herald from the steps of the front door. Today it was raining. I looked at the weather forecast at the back of the paper, "rain showers with 100% chance of precipitation". Not good. But still, the weather people don't always get it right so we'll see what happens. I arrived at Tuscany School at 7.30am and it was raining. I met Principal Bev and she informed me that the school had over 700 students from Kindergarten to grade 4. Assembly was at 8.10am so I ran a few loops around the soccer field to warm up. It was still raining. At 8.05am I entered the gym and hundreds of kids were sitting on the floor. I talked to them for a few minutes and explained what I was doing and about Right To Play. Then, with a rousing cheer, I headed out of the gym and into the rain.

All through the morning, I ran around and around the soccer field. Different classes joined me and they braved the wet stuff. On every walk break I would borrow an umbrella from one of the students. During the day, I had a little mermaid, zebra, Cars (the movie), clear, pink hearts, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Spiderman umbrellas. Students gave me money as we ran together. One grade 2 girl, Amy, gave me $10 and a kindergarten boy, Nabin, gave me 4c he had found in the grass. At the 30km mark I had lunch and when I came out it was raining harder. Again, I got to use my 3 in 1 black Glad poly-propine rain jacket (5c a pop). The key today was to keep the heat in around my core. With 5km to go the wind picked up and the rain turned to sleet (NOT in the forecast). At the end of the marathon I ran into the gym and all the teachers, volunteers and kids gave a huge cheer. During the day the kids had raised $2,105.37 with a collection at school, online donations, money given to me and pennies found in the grass. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 8: During breeding male Llamas make a distinctive "orgling" sound.

Quote of the Day

"To students, we are what we do"

Marshall Gregory

Martin thanks Principal Bev and Tuscany School for raising over $2,000 for Marathon Quest 250 / Right To Play

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Marathon #100, run with Martin

Let's raise $2,500 for Right To Play

• Where: Good Earth Café, Eau Claire Market, Calgary
• When: Sunday, June 6th 2010
• Time: Registration starts at 8.30am, 1st loop starts at 9.00am
• Distance: Do what you want. 1, 2, 3 or 4 loops (each loop 10.55km)
• Route: Along the river, west from Eau Claire Market

Start times: 1st loop 9.00am, 2nd loop 10.30am,
3rd loop 12.00noon, 4th loop 1.30pm

Cost : $10 per person for any distance (a Marathon Quest 250
bracelet will be given to all runners as part of the
registration cost)

Free Gift: The first 25 people will receive a Steel Thermos Flask
Bring the Family and have some fun

Coffee, Carrot Cake and Balloons !!!!!

• Gold Sponsor: Impact Magazine
• Silver Sponsor: Good Earth Café
• Bronze Sponsor: Creative Daisy Designs

Donations of any amount will be welcome

No Way!!!!!!

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #094
• Date: Sunday May 30th  2010
• Course: Scotia Bank Calgary Marathon
• Run time: 4hr 35min 36sec (See Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 114 BPM
• Temperature C: -2C
• Distance covered to date: 3966.8km (2462.8ml)
• Total number of runners: 9000 plus

Big race weekend in Calgary. The Calgary Marathon and Expo started on Friday and Sue and I headed over to the Max Bell arena, to finish the set up of the Right To Play booth. The doors opened at 4.00pm and a wave of people came in to pick up their race packages. All evening, people stopped by the booth and chatted to Sue and I about Marathon Quest 250 and Right To Play. Later in the evening, we went to a Calgary Marathon event and had the pleasure of meeting Tessa Bonhomme, a member of of the Canadian Women's Hockey team. Tessa had her gold medal and I had a chance to wear it. That sucker is heavy. Next day we were at the expo again. This time it was great to have my sister Sally with us and to meet up Kip and Ed Kangogo. I had met them previously at the Vancouver Marathon and these guys are super fast.

Race morning, Runner Wayne picked me up at 5.15am and we headed into Calgary. At the start line we were joined by Mike and Frank, two of our friends from Cochrane. It was cool and we all had several layers on. My back was feeling a little tight from all the standing around the last two days at the expo. We started off and it wasn't long before my back loosened up and I had a good rhythm. We crossed the half at 2 hr 23min and the pace started to increase.  Last year, I had run a 3hr 23min and ended up in the medical tent. I wasn't going to let that happen again. We came in at 4hr 35min and it was straight to the Tim Horton's coffee stand, rather than an IV bag.

Final results: Kip won the 10km race in 30min 22sec and Ed came 4th in the half marathon at 1hr 12min 13sec. Great work guys.

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 9: Full grown Llamas weigh between 200 and 450 pounds.

Quote of the Day

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook"

William James

Kip and I at the Right To Play booth

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Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

• Marathon: #095
• Date: Monday May 31st  2010
• Course: Cochrane Town Marathon
• Run time: 5hr 04min 41sec (see Garmin Connect)
  
• Aver. Heart Rate: 107 BPM
• Temperature C: -1C
• Distance covered to date: 4009.0km (2489.0ml)
• Total number of runners: 1

At 7.10pm this morning, I headed along the red rock path by the Bow River. It was still a little cool and mist hung in the valley. We've had four days of rain and sleet and everything's turned green. As I made my way around Mitford ponds, a pair of geese and a gosling were digging in the dirt. Mitford Hill is a killer but the down route loosened up the quads. I continued along the trail, lush growth on either side. I was headed to the Cochrane Ranche House to see Runner Sandy. She is organizing the Town of Cochrane Birthday Marathon on June 16th. The Ranche House is an amazing building. It was constructed as a heritage centre for the history of ranching and cowboys. Unfortunately, it wasn't successful and the Town Council took over the building. I had measured out a 2.5km route to be used on the big day.

I was under a bit of a time constraint today. Sue had ordered some beads from Toronto and UPS wouldn't deliver them unless someone was at the house to sign for them. So, I had to be back by 2.00pm. I felt pretty good and cranked it along the 1A highway. I had about 10km to go when a car pulled up and a fellow jumped out. He said his name was Mark and he had run the Vancouver marathon. He had decided to run the Calgary marathon when he heard about Marathon Quest. He was driving back to Vancouver and just wanted to say hi. I arrived back at the house at 1.47pm and noticed something was not right. Someone had been into the house. Anywhere else, stuff would be taken and there would probably be some damage, but not in Canada. No, someone had come in and left a cheque for Marathon Quest / Right To Play . Amazing!.

New Llama Facts

Thanks to "Team Llama" at Ecole Sam Livingston School for the latest set of facts.

Fact 10: Llamas communicate by humming because they don't know the words.

Quote of the Day

"Spoon-feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon"

E.M. Forster

Sandy and I next to the mural "Trust" at the Town of Cochrane offices

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