Martin Parnell Finish the Race Attitude

Quests for Kids

Event #2:

Netball Quest 61

• Guinness Book of Records Challenge for the Longest Game of Netball EVER>>>>>

• Donate: MARTIN'S DONATION PAGE
• Donation page staying open until December 31st 2011.
  
• Make it your Christmas wish.
• $50 give 1 child a RTP program for 1 year.
  

When planning our Maritimes road trip, I had made up a three ring binder (I'm an engineer) of the key things to do and see. A number of items had been ticked off already; Pier 21, Alexander Keith's Brewery tour, Hopewell Rocks, see a whale (Sue), see a seagull (me). Now it was time to check out one of the top Canadian feats of engineering, Confederation Bridge.

This marvel spans the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait. It connects New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island (PEI), commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link" by residents of PEI, prior to its official naming. Construction took place from the autumn of 1993 to the spring of 1997, at a cost of $1.3 billion. The 12.9-kilometre (8 mi) bridge opened on 31 May 1997. The PEI Provincial government are very canny. It costs nothing to cross the bridge onto the island but there's a toll to get off. First on our schedule was to head to the North Cape and see the Atlantic Wind Test Site. Things are starting to close down by mid October and we only had one day left to visit the interpretive centre at the cape.

We headed North West and in Tignish found the Murphy's B&B. Peter and Louise originally from Ottawa, have been running the guest house for three years. We were only 10km from the Cape and decided to head up there before dark. The mist was coming in and it was an eerie sight seeing the monster windmills in the horizon. Getting out of the car we were almost blown over. The interpretive centre was still open but it would close in one hour for the season making us the last visitors this year. The North Cape is one of the windiest places in Canada and The Atlantic Wind Test Site (AWTS) was established in 1980 as Canada's National Wind Energy Laboratory. Since then it has been the cornerstone of Canada's wind energy R&D program. PEI now draws more than five per cent of its electricity from wind energy at North Cape. Before we left we walked over on to the rocks and spotted a sea lion heading out to sea, towards Newfoundland.

One of the reasons I had wanted to stay at Tingish is that it is the start of the Trans Canada Trail. This route, known as The Confederation Trail, goes from one end of PEI to the other. It was developed on abandoned railway lines and travels through wetlands and hardwood groves, quaint villages and along rivers. In August, 2000, Prince Edward Island became the first province in Canada to complete its section of the Trans Canada Trail. Since then Island communities have been working to complete various sections across the province. The trail is 273km long (Tignish to Elmira) and is promoted as a cycle route but I definitely think there's potential for an Ultra marathon.

We said goodbye to Peter and Louise and headed off to Charlottetown, PEI. The marathon expo closed at 6.00pm and we arrived in the city at 5.00pm. Fortunately, there were spaces available and I signed up. The bus was scheduled to leave at 6.45am Sunday morning so an early night on Saturday.

Quote of the Day

"Fatigue is a disease and I don't want it."

John Marino

The start of Confederation Trail at Tignish, PEI. The it finishes 273kms later at the other end of the island, at Elmira.

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Quests for Kids

Event #2:

Netball Quest 61

• Guinness Book of Records Challenge for the Longest Game of Netball EVER>>>>>

• Donate: MARTIN'S DONATION PAGE
• Donation page staying open until December 31st 2011.
  
• Make it your Christmas wish.
• $50 give 1 child a RTP program for 1 year.
  

Having heard about the PEI marathon on the Wednesday, I really hadn't had much time to think about it. At 6.45am on the Sunday, as I was waiting at the bus stop, to take me to the race start, I saw a face that I recognized. It was Vince Perdue from the Sudbury Rocks Running Club. Vince was my mentor when I started running in 2003. He had coached me through my first two marathons and helped me qualify for Boston. He too was on a road trip and was running two marathons along the away.

The PEI Marathon is a point to point. The Marathon starts at beautiful Brackley Beach in the famous Prince Edward Island National Park on the north shore of Prince Edward Island. The start line is on the west side of the Brackley Beach change facilities, and marathoners proceed to the east, along the Gulf Shore Parkway, towards Dalvay.

At 7.45am we piled off the bus and headed over to the start line, next to the ocean. We were very lucky with the weather. Last year it was wet and cold, this year 12C with an easterly wind. As I huddled with a group in the middle of the starters I noticed a young lad. I introduced myself and he told me that his name was Tyler Heggie and he was 9 years old. I asked what pace he planned to run at and he said he didn't know. He said that his dad and brother would be pacing him and I wished him luck. At 8.00am the gun went off and Tyler left me in the dust. I would not see him again on the course.

I soon got into a good rhythm and at every aid station I'd stop and chat with the volunteers. I don't normally eat GUs but I hadn't brought my CarboPro, so I had to eat this sticky gloop. The first half of the race was along the ocean and then we headed inland along part of the Trans Canada Trail. After 20km I knew the half way point was coming up. As I looked up the road the sun was directly into my eyes and I was shocked to see the silhouette of a 20 foot beaver. Another runner told me that this beaver (plastic, blow-up) travels to a lot of marathons.

At the 32km mark I hear a yell "Martin" and three runners dressed as Anna of Green Gables caught me up. One was Cathy Hopkins. Cathy and I had run the Comrades marathon in South Africa in May. Running is a small world. The Three Anna of Green Gables went ahead of me and I came in at 4hrs 44min 17sec.

As I crossed the line the announcer mentioned that I had run 250 marathons in 2010 for Right To Play. How did he know? I later found out the Sue had spilled the beans. As I cooled down I spotted Tyler. He looked great and was all smiles. Checking the results I noted that he ran a 4hours 37min 18seconds marathon. I'll be watching for you at the next race Tyler.

Quote of the Day

"If I have lost confidence in myself, I have the universe against me."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A 20 foot beaver marks the half way point of the PEI Marathon.

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Next Event:

Marathon Quest 250 1st Annual Run/Walk

• Date: Saturday, December 31st

• Location: Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sport Centre

• Distance and time: 9.00am Marathon, 12 noon Half Marathon, 1.30pm 10km, 2.15pm 5km, 2.40pm 2.5km

• Route: 2.5km loop along the stunning Bow River

• Aid Station: Guy's Bakery "Super Aid Station" (visit it 17 times!)

• Registration: On the day (8.00am to 8.45am) with a donation to RIGHT TO PLAY

There's no free lunch on PEI. You leave the Island either by the Confederation Bridge or a ferry from Wood Islands to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Either way you pay. We took the one hour ferry ride and started our trip into Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail. We had been told to drive the trail in an anti-clockwise for a better view. This is a good idea except that Sue is not good with heights.

A number of the cafes and restaurants had closed for the season but we did find the "Clucking Chicken", highly recommended for their specialty grilled cheese sandwich. There I found a leaflet for "Two Tittle" B&B. The leaflet stated that "Two Tittle is located in the tiny fishing community of White Point, a short distance off the Cabot Trail in North-eastern Cape Breton. This is truly where the green of the hills meets the blue of the sea and the birthplace of renowned Scottish Fiddler, Winston Scotty Fitzgerald, whose melodies were inspired by the surrounding beauty and a simple way of life". It sounded good.

Cyril and Marguerite welcomed us and after unpacking we headed to Meat Cove. I had spotted the name on the map and it appeared to be the most Northerly point on Nova Scotia. The road was horrendous, gravel, rutted and steep. Who would want to live here? A bit of history on Meat Cove. The name Meat Cove comes from fishing fleets using the natural protected cove to come ashore and hunt moose to replenish their supplies. The MacLellans and Frasers have lived in Meat Cove for generations. During the last forty years a number of US and central Canadian residents have lived in the village for various lengths of time.

Next morning Sue and I walked the trail to White Point and visited the Sailors graveyard on the peninsula. A total of 95 bodies are buried there, the big stones represent where  adults are buried and the small stones for children. There is one large cross for the "Unknown Sailor". After a full English breakfast we said goodbye to Cyril and Marguerite and left White Point, continuing south around the trail and enjoying the amazing scenery. Over the next couple of days we visited friends in Louisdale and Port Hawkesbury.

Our final day was spent in Halifax. News had just been announced that the Irwin Shipyard had been awarded a $25B, 30 year contact for a number of Navy ships. As Mayor Peter Kelly stated "It's like winning the Olympics 30 years in a row". We headed out to Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park. This park is only 20 minutes from downtown Halifax and is a stunning spot. Sue and I walked the beaches and ended up on a rock outcrop watching the waves crashing in. That evening I had my final seafood chowder. My next evening meal would be an Alberta steak.

In total, we drove 3,002km on our Maritimes road trip. Now that's 71 marathons (72 if you count the one on PEI).

Quote of the Day

"Do not lose hold of your dreams, or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist, but cease to live."

Henry David Thoreau

The grave of the Unknown Sailor at White Point, Nova Scotia

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Next Event:

Marathon Quest 250 1st Annual Run/Walk

• Date: Saturday, December 31st, 2011

• Location: Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sport Centre

• Distance and time: 9.00am Marathon, 12 noon Half Marathon, 1.30pm 10km, 2.15pm 5km, 2.40pm 2.5km

• Route: 2.5km loop along the stunning Bow River

• Aid Station: Guy's Bakery "Super Aid Station" (visit it 17 times!)

• Registration: On the day (8.00am to 8.45am) with a donation to RIGHT TO PLAY

On December 31^st 2010 a group of 30 intrepid runners lined up outside the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre in Cochrane. The temperature was -32C with the wind-chill and the motley crew were jumping up and down trying to keep warm. At precisely 9.00am a whistle was blown and the shill note started the final marathon of Marathon Quest 250. Six hours later another 250 men, women and children had joined the group. We ran the final loop along the Bow River and arrived at the doors of the Sports Centre. Then 30 kids and I ran into the indoor field. We were greeted by bagpipes, balloons and a huge cheering crowd. Marathon number 250 was completed at 3.00pm.

That, evening a group of us celebrated the New Years at AC restaurant in Cochrane. Some how I managed to stay on my feet until 1.00am but then it was lights out. Later that morning I checked to see how the fund raising for Right To Play was going. We were at $209,000, a great figure but still well short of the $250,000 we had hoped to raise. I took it easy in January. The donations continued to come in and by January 18^th we had hit the target.

It took a little bit of time to adjust after running five marathons a week for a year. I really wasn't sure what to do back in the real world. In March I received an email from Right To Play asking me if I like to go the Benin in West Africa and visit some of the children we had fund raised for. I immediately said yes and in June headed over to Africa. I travelled with Athlete Ambassadors Heather Moyse and Caroline Ouellette and we visited a number of schools. The highlight for me was starting a kids running club. When I asked them what did they want to be called they said "The Undefeatables".

After this trip I realised that the Marathon Quest 250 was a beginning not an end. I established a new goal of completing 10 Quests in 5 years and raising $1M to help 20,000 kids. Quest one was Marathon Quest 250. Quest two, Netball Quest 61, took place in September. A group of us broke the Guinness World Record for the longest Netball game (pending verification) and raised $20,000. Plans are under way for three Quests in 2012 so stay tuned.

As 2011 winds down it's time for a reunion. On saturday, December 31^st the 1^st Annual Marathon Quest 250 Run / Walk will take place. We will be back at Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre. The route is a 2.5km loop along the stunning Bow River and the day will start at 9.00am for all those marathon crazies. The half marathon will be at noon, the 10km at 1.30pm, the 5km at 2.15pm and the 2.5km at 2.40pm. Registration is on the day, from 8.00am to 8.45am, with a donation to Right To Play.  Guy's bakery has been good enough to run the "Super Aid Station". There is only one aid station but if you do the Marathon you can visit it 17 times!!!

This event is for everyone so kids bring your parents and grandparents.

Quote of the Day

"Do not lose hold of your dreams, or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist, but cease to live."

Henry David Thoreau

The final 1km of Marathon Quest 250: Dec. 31st 2010

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