What to Do When You Forget

Monday, May 20^th

Though I walked most of today, it wasn’t measured properly so I won’t count it towards the total. I’ve got some catching up to do… Btw Happy Victoria Day!

Anyone Can Make It

Sunday, May 19^th

Eric and I headed to Acton. Today’s the day I started using crutches (I spent a long time on them when I was younger and wanted to prove that anyone could do Inspire Halton, no matter what excuses they may have). I was really concerned because the cuts I’d gotten on my hands after falling on the first Saturday still kept opening up. I wasn’t sure if I could take it.

We made slow progress. Eric interviewed me a couple times and took lots of good shots. We only went one way but at the end we got pizza which was fantastic. Overall, my hands fared well.

The challenge continues.

The Greatest Challenge

Saturday, May 18^th

In the pursuit of any venture, disaster strikes at least once. For me, it happened today.

I went to a sushi restaurant with friends in Georgetown. It was an all you can eat buffet and I ate far too much. Somehow I ate the excess food I’d ordered and left. My friends dropped me off at 10^th Sideroad and Trafalgar road, a long way from where I usually end my run. But since I hadn’t run that day, I figured I go in a straight line from Georgetown to Guelph, a distance of only a little farther than a typical Inspire Halton day. I was inspired.

            That was until I started running. I used the washroom at Metro, perhaps a couple kilometres from my start, but was completely dead by the time I reached Christ the King, the midpoint of my run. I stopped in McDonalds, bought a drink and waited.

            I don’t know what I did but man I was in pain. I’d pulled something in my shoulders and no matter how I stretched or moved, I couldn’t fix it. Disheartened, I swear I was one decision away from making a phone call home and getting a ride back. Inspire Halton was nearly finished.

            But I promised to myself that I’d wait just a little longer. I fell asleep at my table. A couple drinks later, I felt fine.

            I left the restaurant, wondering what the time was. A large billboard answered my question: it was 12:01 am. It’d been four and half hours since my friends dropped me off and I’d gone no where.

            I headed back to Acton through Limehouse, and it was darn scary. Dark and some people were partying. I didn’t know if I’d make it back alive.

            Finally, I arrived at my house. I picked up dinner (guess what − more sushi) and continued on. The sun was beginning to rise.

            Eric, an Inspiree, was one of the people who’d dropped me off. I had to get to his house because he was meant to be taking pictures of me on Sunday. If I didn’t get there, he probably wouldn’t show up and a huge opportunity would’ve been missed.

            At 10 am, 14 ½ hours after I started (terribly time), I made it to Guelph. That was one of the closest shaves I’ve ever had. Holy cow.

Setbacks Occur

Friday, May 17^th

No significant progress today, so I won’t list any.

Friends Will Come to Your Aid

Thursday, May 16^th

Kaitlyn, another Inspiree, helped run with me today. It was beautiful and sunny like yesterday. She bought me a water bottle much earlier than I would’ve picked one up which was great because I go the whole distance between Acton High and CTK without one which leaves me a bit dehydrated. We stopped in at CTK, toured the theatre and helped promote the Improvothon, which was today. 90% of the proceeds (or so) were going to Inspire Halton. Kaitlyn and I (but mainly Kaitlyn) hit up the caf and started giving out posters. Later, we took a picture with CTK’s Improv team. Kaitlyn had to get home early so she left before hand, but I stayed to speak at the Improv team’s pre-show. But there was a problem. I had hours to burn before the next show. Might as well run home, I thought. And though the run itself went well, I got home at 6:30 when I needed to  be at CTK at 6. Furthermore, I’d missed the bus I intended to take back. Thank God for Mothers.

The later show was completely fantastic. It was a blast being involved. What a fantastic group of young people. I can’t wait to be involved with CTK again in the future.

If You Really Want It...

Wednesday, May 15th

I started out running today like a rusted up 1907 Model T that’d been stored in a freezer chamber for fifty years. And that’s not good, in case you’re wondering. But I warmed up… so much I had to put my fleece over shirt around my waist. That’s the first time I’ve just worn a t-shirt in Inspire Halton. Once I arrived at CTK, things went well. Jennifer, Peggy (members of the Georgetown Hospital Foundation) and Harvey the Iguana showed up. It was fantastic seeing people’s faces while the hospital’s giant, green mascot shocked them. I can’t figure the people who forcefully ignored him as they tried to run away in fear of their lives.

            Running back started out fabulously. I dropped into GDHS, got my picture taken with some Inspirees and ran out into the middle of one of the busiest roads in town to rescue a recycling box. But, though the weather was beautiful, things got tough. The wind was so vicious it felt like a hand was pressing me back, like it was telling me, “if you really want to finish this run, you’re gonna have to earn it”. I did. Man, I was tired getting back. Still, more people called me out and recognised me running today than any other. Hard but worthwhile.

Inspire Halton: Day 4, Tuesday May 14th

We had a table at CTK today which’ll continue for the rest of the sponsored run. A couple nice people from Acton High took my picture before I started out. But, in my haste (I was running late, not pun intended) I went much too hard. Had some fun explaining the event to students and teachers at Christ the King before heading back. It felt like it was going to rain all day, though it didn’t, and the wind really picked up on the way back. In my desire to get home, I started mentally torturing myself about how far was left. Then, I felt like I was going to pull ligaments in different parts of both legs at the same time. When I got back I was sore… really sore. We’re digging in now for the tough days to come. About a quarter way through. Way proud, still scared but willing to go into that fear with courage.

Total Kilometres: 120

Day 3
Day 2
Day 1