Martin Parnell Finish the Race Attitude

Next Quest:

TransRockies Quest 888 (Quest #8)

• 6 months (May to October 2013)

• 10 trail running, mountain biking, road running and road biking events

• Completing over 888 race kilometres

Sunday was my final long run before I started to taper for the London Marathon on April 21st. The plan was to drive out 32km on Horse Creek Road then run back home. We've been having great weather the past couple of weeks and Sunday was no different. Members of the Cochrane Red Rocks Running Club; John, Joanne, Wayne, Roy and myself headed out at 8.00am. We drove up my old Marathon Quest 250 route, then on past Dartique Hall to the county line. The nice thing about this training run is that there's a 600 foot elevation drop from start to finish. We parked up and started the journey home.

On the way out we had spotted several herds of deer and on the way back there was an abundance of wild life. There were donkeys, horses, llamas and the highlight was a hawk that didn't seem to be bothered by us. A couple of strange sightings included a stuffed bunny and a chocolate egg in the middle of the road.

As we plodded along Horse Creek Road, the conversation switched back and forth between upcoming races, the types of nutrition that was being used and what Simon and Turbo were up to on Boundless. Another topic came up that had never been discussed before: Pope Francis. On Holy Thursday, the Pope had washed the feet of two women, one a Serbian Muslim, the other an Italian Catholic. This had upset traditionalist Catholics and had got our little running group talking.

I was brought up a good Catholic boy with mum take us six kids to church every Sunday. Over the years I've moved away from the pomp and ceremony of the church to a more spiritualist belief system. However, Pope Francis, with his simple life style and actions in helping the outcast, has renewed my interest in the Papacy.

So the timing couldn't have been better for a trip to Rome for Sue and I. We'll be there from April 3^rd to 10^th and I definitely want to go to St. Peter's Square on Sunday.

Pax Vobiscum.

Quote of the Day

"The way to get what you want in life is by helping enough other people to get what they want"

Zig Ziglar

A magnificent bird of prey in the foothills of the Rockies

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Next Quest:

TransRockies Quest 888 (Quest #8)

• 6 months (May to October 2013)

• 10 trail running, mountain biking, road running and road biking events

• Completing over 888 race kilometres

At 9.55am on Sunday April 21^st, I was in London, England, standing with 35,000 other runners, in complete silence. A whistle had blown and for 30 seconds a hush fell across the mass of singlet clad individuals. This act of remembrance was for runners and supporters in Boston who had been killed or injured in the worst act of terror since 9/11. The Boston marathon had taken place just a week before and there was speculation about the status of the Virgin London marathon. Should it be cancelled or postponed? The consensus was overwhelming. It would go ahead.

A second whistle sounded and a huge cheer went up. We were ready to race. In the world of marathons, London is unique. It holds the Guinness World Record for "The largest one day fund raising event". In 2012 over $85m was raised for hundreds of charities. As I stood waiting for the 10.00am start gun to go off I could see a number of runners with their chosen charity printed on their shirt. There were also many in costumes. I spotted a man in a chicken suit, a two person Jamaican bobsleigh, a Rhinoceros, Wolverine and Mary Poppins.

The logistics of this event are mind-blowing. There were three starting chutes and I was in Red. There was also a green chute for the elite runners and a blue chute for fast age -groupers. From the time the start gun was fired, it took 20 minutes just to get to the timing mats. I started knocking off the kms and was spurred on by the packed crowds lining the streets. Every so often I'd here "Go, Right To Play, Go". The route takes in some of the historical landmarks in London including Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

I kept a good pace but it's the first time I've been in a race where there were people around me for the whole 42.2kms. My step-son, Calum, lives in London and at the 40km mark I heard a yell and there he was. I couldn't believe how he had tracked me down amongst all the runners and spectators. It was a great day for running but the temperature was rising as I approached the last two km. I felt pretty good and pushed it a bit over the final 200 meters. I was therefore a bit surprised when Mary Poppins came up beside me and pipped me at the post. Next time Poppins!

My target time was 4 hours 40 minutes so I was very pleased with my 4 hours 37 minutes 42 seconds. I had arranged to meet Calum and Kathryn, from the UK Right To Play office, at a spot along Horse Guards Parade. The finish was a mass of humanity but fortunately RTP had a flag flying and I tracked them down. Kathryn asked me what my next marathon was. Well, on May 26^th I'm running Calgary and London has given me lots of ideas.

Quote of the Day

""It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short,easy words like 'What about lunch?"

Winnie the Pooh

Heading across Tower Bridge during Sunday's London Marathon

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