Happy belated Canada Day!

After now blasting through the $10,000 mark in fundraising I am very happy to report that our baseball tournament raised another $5000 for SickKids! Further, I have been eagerly awaiting news that will significantly add to this total and will keep you posted on any news.

Everyone's generosity is appreciated and please know I have been training hard to put out a big effort not only in November but in my other upcoming races. Speaking of which, this weekend is the Peterborough 1/2 Ironman which is a 2k swim, 90k bike, 21k run. Anxious to go fast...I just got a new aero helmet that should help me squeeze out some time on the bike. I just got it today and have been wearing around the office to get used to it. And yes, I look as ridiculous as the picture in your head suggests...

At the very least I will let'er fly on Sunday. Looking forward to a couple days rest prior including the start of the Tour de France on Saturday.

June 17

The Anti-Charlie Brown?

An interesting time these last few days. I felt like a little kid in ways...I left the house early Friday morning on my bike and only really came back to eat and sleep. The rest of the time I got to play. Friday was an amazing day. I started riding my bike in Hamilton, went to Oakville, Sherway Gardens, downtown Toronto and back home (Woodbridge). After over 125k riding that day, the first drops of rain I felt were just as I pulled into my street. More impressive was who I got to spend the time with and the stories I heard. The National Kids Cancer Ride is making their way across Canada. I got to spend a day with them. Read about it here. Amazing. Proof that a small group of good people can do great things.

I followed this up with the 8th Annual Lawnboy Cup. I am hoping to get some pictures to put up here, but another successful year. Again the weather co-operated 100%. As the last car pulled away from the diamond on Friday evening the storm started and all day Saturday was amazing. Even after taking a ball in the face, I had a great time. (Yes, I realize what the glove on my hand is for, but it was a bad bounce!)

I typically don't prepare for races with a 6hr bike ride, day of baseball, and only 3 hrs of sleep, but Kat and I woke up early Sunday AM to head up to Huntsville for the Muskoka Chase Triathlon. Ignorance is bliss and although I have done this race 3 times now, I am sure my mind will allow my body to forget how hilly the course is for next year. Even the swim feels like it is up hill. I have often described longer races (the Marathon, the 1/2 Ironman) as mini-movies in which you go through a wide range of emotions...this one was just like that. I could feel in my warm-up that my hip flexiors were kinda ticked off at me but I was determined to push the pace and see what happened. My swim felt pretty good but my time was weak considering the effort. My bike was terrible. I had no pop in my legs, was getting passed liked crazy and honestly, feeling sorry for myself and like a baby.

The excuses were all set: the big workouts that week, the lack of sleep, no rest/taper etc. I was very close to shutting it down for the day. Glad I didn't. I started the run and Kat was there yelling encouragement and I joked the Friday ride didn't help but just started running. Not pushing the pace, but on a sort of autopilot. Good things started happening. Over the first 5k I starting picking people off (always feels good to get those that beat you on the bike) and it seemed at the 5k marker I was passing people in bunches. Not going nuts but working hard and just cruising. It was getting warm so was grabbing 2-3 cups water at every aid station and made sure I got 3 gels in me no matter what my stomach thought. By 10k I was really working to reel some people in especially those in my age group (they write your age on your calve in marker). With only about 100m to go I tracked down one more 30-34 year old male at the top of the hill and kicked it for the line hoping to match at least what I did last year. As it turns out, my surprising run on tired legs lead to a new personal best time and my highest finish in my age group at Muskoka. Nice.

Finally, it was home and inside. Once there the sky opened up and the rain and lighting came down in an amazing display from nature. I feel a bit like the anti-Charlie Brown: lately it is sunshine and not a storm cloud that is following me around.

FUNDRAISING
With over $10,000 in donations our initial target is reached. We obviously underestimated the power of this. What will the next 4 months bring?

June 10

3 Months Old
After seeing far too much of a hospital ward as a newborn, Jon finally went home and came back for another set of procedures and surgery at 3 months old. He was 12lbs at this point. The objective was to patch the hole at the rear of the heart (VSD) and to relieve pressure on the pulmonary artery thru neck surgery. The doctors executed perfectly on this however the pressure on the pulmonary artery would continue to surface as an issue and as a result from the numerous surgeries it would result from a build up in scar tissue.

Research
It is important to remember that in addition to funding things such as daily floor operations and equipment purchases, donations received also provide much needed capital to fund investment in research. Ideally, this investment generates a return in the form of new discovery, treatment, and breakthroughs that translate into longer and higher quality of life. Childhood cardiology is no exception to this. Had Jonathon gone through similar treatment today there is a high probability he would have had a pacemaker/defibulator implanted to ensure his heartbeat stayed regulated as it would in a typical heart such as yours or mine. While I am unsure whether it was unproven, unavailable and/or simply advised against for kids that young it wasn’t considered an option at the time.

Fundraising
I can’t believe we have crossed over the $8000 mark. With the baseball tournament this weekend, I look forward to telling you we have smashed our initial target. This is awesome! Thank you!

June 3

We just sent out a Racing for SickKids update and over the next couple weeks I plan on sharing a bit more of Jon's story with you. June is a special time in that it is the month he was born and the anniversary of his death. Since 2000 his family and friends have used the excuse of a baseball tournament to celebrate his life and raise money in his memory. In many ways it is the beginning of summer...

Milton Triathlon - June 1
While jumping into 61 degree water on a Sunday morning is about as fun as it sounds, that is where I found myself this past weekend to kick off the triathlon season. After a solid swim, a mediocre bike, I managed to have a pretty strong run to finish 13th in my age group (of 61). My time was identical to last year however this year I trained hard instead of resting for the race. Also encouraging is that after only 3 weeks recovery from the marathon my legs were there for the run (but man did they hurt from the 3.5hr bike and 2+hr workouts I did the preceding two days). Next stop: the Muskoka Chase which will probably have the most competitive field after the Ironman this season.

May 26

From May 22 – May 26, I had the opportunity to visit one of the most hospital places in Canada: the city of St. John’s. While I was there for a work conference, it also provided the backdrop for some fun and entertainment, the kick-off of the Terry Fox foundation’s Tour of Hope, and as far as this blog is concerned: some good training.

The people of St. John’s are fantastic. So down to earth, so eager to make you feel welcome, so quintessentially Canadian you’d think they cast the mold for the rest of us. When your time there includes a private concert for 350 people by Great Big Sea and the chance to hear Rex Murphy speak on what it means to be a Newfoundlander/Canadian words can describe it but your heart and mind will never forget it.

On the training front, you should know that St. John’s really is a rock. And not a flat rock. Any trip includes some impressive hills that remind you of Vancouver or other coastal cities such as San Francisco. I have no idea how they deal with that with the snow. I went on one two hour run along the East Coast trail that included a 200m climb up a hill/mountain and carried along the path over rock & bush, past lakes and trees. Oh yeah, it also included about a dozen postcard views that included ice bergs sightings and snow (which I still haven’t figured out). Following that, I walked to Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). On a side note: anytime a local talks about MUN they have to add that it is the largest university east of McGill. I think John Crosbie was responsible for that. I had hoped the pool was set up for 50m (which I have never done) but unfortunately was the regular 25m. The water was still wet though and got some work done.

With two events down only the bike is left. Last year, I took my bike to Banff for the same conference and rode approximately 350km while I was there. Due to the 90% probability of rain and cold I left my rig at home this time. Weather was good however and 5 of us were able to get decent enough road bikes to rent and we headed out to the most easterly point in the Western Hemisphere: Cape Spear. With some fantastic climbs and big winds it took us slightly less than 2.5hrs which included some descents at 80km/hr.

On one of the rides last year I had the honour of meeting Daryl Fox, Terry’s brother, who leads the Terry Fox Foundation. As impressed as I was of his ability to take me to school on the bike up the hills, it was his thankfulness and humility that struck me the most. No ego, no pretense, nothing. It was only later I learned he would focus on other events after running his first and only marathon as he came in only 3^rd place and has been a nationally ranked duathlete (run/bike/run events). My pride wasn’t as bruised from getting dropped by him.

Daryl and the original van they used back in 1980 for the Marathon of Hope will be going coast to coast to raise awareness and money for cancer research. You can read about it HERE. ScotiaMcLeod will be hosting the Tour across the country in various communities. While all the details have yet to be released, we do know we will be welcoming the Tour of Hope to Brampton on July 15^th.

The conference ended fittingly. After playing such gracious hosts we were there to help raise over $215,000 at a charity event to help the local cancer centre purchase two pieces of equipment. It was the least we could do to say: “God luv ya cotton socks b’y.”

Mississauga Race Report

I finished today in 3:19 which is virtually identical to my marathon in the fall and leaves me short on my Boston qualifying time for the time being. It is tough having a set time target as there is only success or failure. It leaves nothing for race day uncertainties (not being "on" that day), the things you can't control (weather or wind; or both!), and even when you are successful can take the focus off the other positive benefits of being able to play like this. In the end however, much of what draws me into this sport is the fact the clock doesn't know any of this, doesn't care, and doesn't lie. It is what it is...

On the positive side, I still have time to qualify as an under-34 male, was happy with my effort and realize that some changes in approach are needed to move the next few rungs up the fitness ladder...

PS. Happy Mother's Day! Katherine prepared an UNBELIEVABLE lunch and we celebrated with Mumsie & Mommy(in-law) at our place. While I wish the morning went better, it was a great day!

May 4, 2008

If you are here to visit us for the first time, please take a second to go to the bottom of this page and read about THE CAUSE so you have a sense for what we are trying to accomplish and who we are trying to accomplish it for.

It is so motivating to see where we are in only a few short weeks. Anyone who has raised money for charitable organizations understands how challenging it can be to place your cause above all else and extend your message without the benefit of “professional” fundraisers, significant marketing budgets and the like.

People have already donated $4000 to support Sick Kids as part of my racing Ironman Florida on November 1^st in Panama City Beach. Not only is this motivating but the momentum is just getting started in my view…let me explain.

On June 13-14^th we will be having the “Lawnboy Cup”, a baseball tournament in memory of Jon Holiday. For many, it marks the beginning of summer…players will include friends of Jon’s brothers and sisters: Kevin, Jenny, Julie and Chris, family and friend’s of Jon who will come together to share some laughs, some beverages, and many memories…

While it will surely be “Good Times” the timing of the tournament is special as June marks Jon’s birthday and the anniversary of his death. Lawn would be turning 25 this year and while it is sad considering that, it is special to have the opportunity to have seen his friends finish high school, university/college and now beginning careers, getting married etc. Not only is it special but I would also describe it as unique: he was and continues to be the tie that binds us together after all this time.

There will be more on the baseball tournament I promise so check back here every 2-3 weeks for updates.

June will also be bringing two other charitable events: on June 13^th I am doing a bike ride from Hamilton to Sick Kids Hospital as part of the Kids for Cancer ride which is an unbelievable event: a 19-day cross-Canada cycling tour. While I am only doing a stage, I will be riding with Toronto dentist Al Jeffries who is doing the ENTIRE 7600 km journey and has raised almost $20,000 for Sick Kids. You can read all about things HERE

Finally, on June 21^st I will be doing the Solstice Century Cycle for Kids from Toronto to Niagara on the Lake. The 100-mile cycle is in support of SWIM FOR KIDS Shaun Chisholm is swimming across Lake Ontario in mid-August in support of The Hospital for Sick Kids Burn Unit.

But without getting ahead of myself, I have a major short term event to focus on…

TRAINING UPDATE
Today marks exactly one week out from the Mississauga Marathon. In trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon, this race is only second to the November Ironman in terms of importance on my race schedule this year. Training is generally going well. I feel fit and injury free. Over the last few weeks I have done the two big runs I was hoping to complete (both over 3hrs) and have added in a couple big days of +4-hour bike/run workouts (the scary part is, by the time Aug/Sept/early October come around and I am in the thick of Ironman training, 4-hour workouts will be ‘short’).

My only issue at the moment is that it is hard to gauge where my run fitness is as I still haven’t done much pace work outside in daylight – my long runs have been on a marked path but most of the run is done pre-dawn which means I can’t see the kilometer markers and I haven't done any races yet this year. Going by the treadmill speeds I think I am good but I don’t have a ton of confidence in it. I can say my swimming is as strong as it has ever been. A combination of consistency of being in the pool 3x/week, some additional drills/volume, and some coaching have me feeling good about things in the pool. The trouble is, there is no swim in a marathon!

So while I think fitness is good and I am confident is both my race prep and nutrition plan I wish I had a bit more insight into the time I think I am capable of running. Not that it matters really... regardless of the circumstances you simply have to take what the day brings and get out there and just give’er! Worrying is just wasted energy and emotion.

For those that who may be interested: good, bad, and/or ugly I will post my results here next week.

Also, based on some of your helpful feedback we will be adding some additional graphics and pictures here. If someone is familiar with using Blogger and have some tips to share please send me an email: glenway@hotmail.com