Thursday, September 30, 2010

Who's Terry Fox?


Today my children and I joined schoolchildren across Canada in the annual Terry Fox Run. We bring money to the school that will be donated to the cause of finding a cure for cancer, and we run a short jog in honour of our favourite hero. I logged this run on Daily Mile, where I share most of my workouts with other runner friends. Usually my friends make encouraging comments about each other’s running, and this time someone added “Who’s Terry Fox?”

I forgive this friend for not knowing the awe inspiring story of Terry and his Marathon of Hope because said friend is American and hasn’t grown up learning about Terry’s heroics. But I do hope someday Terry Fox will be a household name throughout the world, not just in Canada.

Terry Fox, a young man who battled cancer and lost his leg in the 70’s, was inspired to run a marathon on his artificial limb. While training for the race, he secretly devised a plan to run across the country raising money and awareness for cancer.

“I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.” - Terry Fox

At first his goal was to raise a million dollars for the cure. But soon Terry hoped to raise one dollar for each of Canada's 24 million people. He was saddened and frustrated by how little money there was being put towards research and medical help for victims of cancer in the era. He began what he called the Marathon of Hope by running one marathon per day continuously across Canada.

“If you’ve given a dollar, you are part of the Marathon of Hope .” -Terry Fox

Terry ran rain or shine, with cheering crowds or completely alone for 143 days, completing 5,373 km before he finally had to stop due to health complications. Because of his amputation, Terry suffered constant pain in his stump while running. Abrasions, cysts, shin splints, ankle tendonitis, he took them all in stride and refused to stop or to seek medical attention, stating that he’d seen people in “real pain” and that they could not turn it off to rest. Except for the media appearances and public speeches, Terry spent his time running, eating and sleeping in a van along the route. Hardly glamorous, yet he had set high goals and worked toward them until he literally could not take another step.

After collapsing with chest pains and shortness of breath during his run one day, it was found that Terry’s cancer had spread to his lungs. He could not finish his marathon across our continent because he died a year after he began his journey. And every year Canadians gather to honour Terry’s memory and to help him finish his goal. Across Canada we run together, we raise money for the cure, and we remember his unbreakable spirit.

I just wish people would realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try. - Terry Fox

Saturday, September 25, 2010

My Lesson for Today: Do the work; reap the benefit.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - From the quote by Chinese Guru Laozi

I’ve been running for almost a year. I started out just doing two minute intervals with walking, then tried a full mile (which knocked me on my butt). Now I’m up to 14 miles and I’m training to race a half-marathon (13.1 miles/21.1km). I have been following professional plans and advice by Coach Kent including long runs, fast runs, slow runs, etc. I’ll let you in on a little secret, though: I still don’t like running.

Running is hard. It makes me sweat. It makes my legs feel tired. It takes time out of my day that could be spent doing other things. And no matter how many runs I do, how many miles I log, running continues to be hard. It never gets easy.

So why do I continue to do it day after day? Well, even though I don’t particularly like running, I love what it does for me. It relieves stress. It releases endorphins. It keeps me healthy. It makes me feel good about myself. It lets me justify the occasional treats. It clearly displays my improvements in no uncertain terms.

I was knocked flat by one slow mile almost a year ago and now I’m racing a half marathon. I ran one mile as fast as I could (9 minutes) last winter and now my fastest mile is 6:30 minutes. I used to dread “long” runs of 5.5 miles, and now I’m feeling pretty confident about 14. My effort has stayed the same (hence the feeling that running is still always hard) but my gains have increased so much! My fastest mile is still just as hard now as it was a year ago, but now my speed is much better. My longest mile still takes just as much out of me as it used to, but now it’s so much farther.

What running has taught me - and is continuing to teach me - is that if I do the work, I will reap the benefit. I know this sounds simple and common-sensical, almost to the point of ridiculous. Of course we all know this. But I guess sometimes I forget. When it feels hard (and this could be anything; from running, to dieting, to working, to parenting) it’s easy to just keep in mind how hard it is. But when I do it anyway, suck it up and put in the effort needed, I gain a little bit. I don’t know it yet, but the next time will be easier and better, and the next after that. Little by little I make gains and reap the rewards of hard work.

Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted - David Bly

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Activities

Now that school is underway and the bus and class schedule has solidified, it was time to turn to the extra-curricular pursuits.

Madison and Caylie were both in dance classes in Lethbridge, so it was logical that they continue this year. Madison opted for hip-hop this time instead of tap or ballet. She loves all types of dancing that she’s tried, but loves the look of hip-hop whenever she sees older kids do it. There are a couple of older boys who break dance at the farmer’s market as a form of busking, and all three kids are fascinated by them. So her first class went well and there were some choreographed parts as well as some time at the end of class for them to “show their stuff” individually.

Caylie is in ballet class again, and dressed up in her pink suit with two little buns in her hair. She was a little shy at first but warmed up quickly and got into the floaty butterfly dance and the stretching. Her teacher is an older, and very patient woman who handled the class full of four year olds like a pro.

Kai has been wanting to try martial arts for a while - since the girls’ dance studio last year was next to a karate club. So we found him a Tae Kwon Do school and he had a “trial” lesson. He was so excited to be in the training room, to see all the interesting training equipment, and to have a go at the dummy. He is also eager to get his own white uniform and look like a “real” martial artist. During this trial lesson, Madison was so taken with the whole evening that she was begging to be let into Tae Kwon Do as well. After discussing it with Kent, we’ve decided to let her try it out. What the heck, eh?



The second trial lesson at Tae Kwon Do went well. Madison took one look at the demonstration of a new kick, and executed it perfectly every time. Kai took a little more instruction, but he was really happy to be in with the boys doing the kicks. And little Caylie tried her hand at kicking (so to speak) as well, and did pretty well! When we got home we practiced the new kicks while we waited for dinner to cook so they would be set in our minds for tomorrow’s lesson. The kids just can’t wait to get their uniforms and learn some more moves!



In the next lesson, they got to wear their new uniforms. Kai was so taken with himself in the mirror it was hard for him to focus on the actual activity… I suppose the novelty will wear off. Madison looked very serious in her get-up, and she is so focused! She says she wants to earn a black belt.



So that’s enough for now, I think. When spring comes along we’ll think about maybe swimming and soccer like last year, but right now we’re busy enough - and tired enough. The kids fall into bed every night and are pretty much comatose within minutes. Kent and I feel like zombies most of the evenings too. But we are enjoying benefits of regular paycheques and a permanent address, so life is good.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Penticton, BC

We recently moved to a new town. Penticton is in the heart of the Okanagan, a warm and relatively dry part of BC. The 35,000 people currently living here agree it is a little piece of paradise. There is a strong tourism economy, so that number swells to 80,000 during the summer months.







The scenery - One of the most fabulous things about this area is the surrounding beauty. BC is known for its breathtaking views, mountain ranges, seascapes, and green valleys, but the Okanagan Valley is awe inspiring. Every time we get in the car to drive to the store for milk, a panoramic landscape greets us. On our runs around the area we are constantly boggled by the countryside wheeling by. The hills surrounding the valley, the orchards and vineyards, the two lakes calmly resting among the quaint towns… everywhere I look is like another postcard!



Grapes on vines in the Okanagan Valley of Brit...Image via WikipediaThe produce - this part of the province is famous for the abundant fruit and produce. Also known as “Peach City”, Penticton and the surrounding area supply fruit to the rest of the province. The land we are renting along with this house has peach, apricot, and walnut trees, and a row of grape vines. The day we moved in the peaches were ripe and falling off the tree, so the kids and I collected as many as we could and I made jam, pies, cobblers, and frozen mush. That was several days of work, but now we are enjoying fresh, homemade jam for breakfast and we don’t feel like so much food has gone to waste. Now the grapes are ripening and I’ll have to find a way to preserve them in turn. Sometimes I feel amazed at how lucky we are to be up to our ears in such abundant, indigenous food!

The weather - Sunny and blue sky. Well, not every day, but often enough to confidently say that we are enjoying the best weather in Canada! Kent is sensitive to weather (as are we all) and it is such a nice feeling to know that the sunshine will grace us as often as possible all year. Penticton still gets four seasons, and even snow, but we won’t be suffering the deep freeze of the prairies or the water drenching of the coast. After being spoiled by winters in Mexico, having the mildest weather possible this first winter back in Canada will be a blessing.

The community - Having lived in much smaller, more isolated towns, as well as larger and more bustling centres, I am pleased with the happy medium. This town has an intimate, friendly feel while still having all the desirable amenities and infrastructure. The people here have been warm and welcoming so far, and the kids are finding it easy to make friends. And if we decide we can’t go another day without that awesome Costco cinnamon, Kelowna is only an hour away.









Friday, September 10, 2010

Exhaustion

 

Exhaustion

I almost have the house put together after moving in a week ago. One set of boxes left to unpack, organize, and set up and then we’ll be good to go! Kent has been constantly moving heavy boxes in and out of the garage, re-stacking and organizing them into piles keeping the ones we’ll need access to near the top and/or front. He has a complicated system. The house we are living in is a rental, and only for ten months so we know we’ll be moving again soon. We’re not putting up much in the way of decorations or getting out our seldom used items, so I’ve been re-packing boxes for storage as I unpack.

This was the first week of school for Madison and Kai. So far they haven’t been settled into their classes yet because the class lists are waiting on final numbers. But the school has been entertaining the kids with lots of activities and projects in the meantime. So far they are liking their new school, the new bus, and the new friends they are making.

Caylie also had her first day at school this week. Only one day (an “orientation” for new students) and it was only 45 minutes long, but she got the gist and she loved it. She is so stoked to be going to school and to be a Big Kid! Next week the schedule starts in full, and she is so excited! I went to the parent meeting for the preschool last night, where I volunteered to be on a committee. Quelle surprise, it’s the fundraising committee, so I’ll be organizing lots of bottle drives and selling chocolates this year.

Kent is up to his eyeballs in work, but is still cheerfully running 70 mile weeks. We rarely see him before nearly bedtime, but the kids always greet him with hugs and lots of chatting about all the things they did that day. VP Kent still has the magic touch with the students, and is getting on well with parents and staff so far, so I think the grade fives at his school are in for a treat this year.

So much going on at once, and so much still to do! My to-do list is a mile long and getting longer by the minute, but my Mom and her beau are visiting and helping out with unpacking and constructing the house. This weekend we’ll be attending the farmer’s market and maybe some of the jazz festival activities together. Whatever we do, at least we’ll be able to spend some time together as a family and share our day. I haven’t looked forward to a weekend so much in two years!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Motivation II

After my exploration on self motivating techniques a few weeks ago, my brilliant husband, Kent, shared a wonderful one with me that he uses. I have started using this “trick” in my every day life and it works so well I just had to write it in.

When there is a task or chore looming ahead that is intimidating or boring that you don’t want to do, you say “I have to…” Eg. I have to clean the house. I have to go to work, I have to wash the car, etc. Kent’s trick is to change the wording (in your mind and out loud) to “I get to…” Eg. I get to clean the house. I get to go to work. I get to wash the car.

I get to clean my house because I have a house to clean. And I have time to clean it. And I have a family who will appreciate our clean house. See? Just changing one word reminds us of something we should be thankful for. And if we’re thankful for having a house to clean, we will be respectful of the privilege by keeping it clean.

We get to go to work because we have a job to go to. And we worked hard to get it. And we have people who count on us to be there. And we will value that state by showing up and doing our work.

This trick works with anything from any aspect of life, and it makes me feel lucky just because I have chores to do!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Moving

Moving_Boxes (7)Image by carlaarena via FlickrWe have successfully moved into our rented home. This was a long process, beginning in Lethbridge where we sold our old house. The possession date was the middle of August, and the new house wouldn’t be ready for us to move in until September 1. So in the meantime we had to make do.

Kent’s family came from far and wide to help us pack up and move all our many, many precious belongings onto the moving van. We rented the largest size moving truck possible, and also a moving trailer. Kent’s brother agreed to drive the big rig from Lethbridge to Penticton for us, and his wife and children came along to visit as well. Kent’s father came to tow the trailer behind his pick-up truck, and his (Kent’s) mother helped with packing and cleaning. All of us hauled our boxes and cooperated with the furniture out to the van - the new king-sized bed was really heavy!

Then we caravanned to BC. I have never driven such a long way before by myself, but since we bought a second vehicle, we each had to drive one. We made it to Penticton with no unscheduled events, and offloaded the van into the rental house. The owners were still living in it, but they allowed us to put our boxes and furniture into some of the rooms and the garage while we waited to move in. I really would have just loved to start unpacking right away and living in my new house, but alas we had to say goodbye to house and belongings for the rest of the month.

My in-laws generously offered us their fifth wheel RV to live in in the meantime, since Kent had to start his new job right away. So they parked it for us in a nearby trailer park, and we settled in. The fifth wheel is equipped with all we need, and even has a pull-out couch for the kids to sleep on (nick-named “the chaperone suite”). It was way better than sharing a hotel room, and we had kitchen facilities in the RV, as well as shared laundry in the park. Five people can live in a small-ish space, but we are still very happy to be getting into our larger house after a couple of weeks.

The new house has peach, apricot, and walnut trees. It has a panoramic view of Penticton and the lakes. It has almost 2 acres of land and a hot tub. I think we’ll be very comfortable there, we just need to unpack all our boxes first!

So a big thank-you to my in-laws, who did the grunt labour and put a roof over our heads when we needed one. After they’ve helped us with so many moves (this is our sixth one together), you’d think they would disown us. But they haven’t yet - they continue to give of their time and energy and even their home.