Running without running, is it possible?? - it was today!!

SNM day 6
"rest day" - HA

We got up early and literally ran around doing things until far tooo late at night. So yes this was a rest day from running and cycling - but a catch up day for everything else. The problem is that Kelowna is a home base and homes mean houses and houses mean a million things that need to be done (especially when you know you won't be around for the next 3 months). Sorry, I don't mean to complain, we have an absolutely gorgeous place on the water in a very beautiful area - there is no complaining here, only the feeling that today needed another 8 hours - a 32 hour day, that's the ticket!!

As for the SNM tour

-got a very good interview with the press this am - article expected within the next day or two - every little bit helps!

-got a pair of ORANGE running shoes (just for show) from Kelowna Cycle - thanks Pat!! Here's a picture of them - doesn't do them justice.  So for anyone reading - first one one who tells me the correct name of the company that makes this shoe wins a little prize - genuine SAD no more MERCH! - just put your answer in the "comment section" below. (See what happens when I get a "rest day" - I get giddy and want to make contests and give prizes away..........

-took some great photos while we were cleaning up the yard a bit - all for Monique

When picking some cherry tomatoes from our little garden today, I was thinking about the tour and in some ways these tomatoes represent where we are at (this isn't as much of a stretch as it sounds)...

We planted, watered and weeded and things are coming to fruition a little at a time. While some things are ready, others will still take a bit more time to mature. In the end, if it all works out - we will reap something wonderful.  Just like cherry tomatoes, we won't feed the world, but for those willing to stop and savour, they may taste a tiny

 little miracle.

if not, tomatoes always make great catsup and catsup goes really good with just about everything!!!

Random quotes of the day
The greatest success is successful self-acceptance
Ben Sweet

The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary
Vidal Sassoon

Life's OK on Lake OK - OK!

Day 5 SNM Tour
Run - 0 km
Cycle - 0 km
kayak - 125 km (OK maybe 10 km...)


A great day in Kelowna. Re-organized things, getting media sorted out, got August newsletter out, prepared for 1st "official" event of the tour and then had a great paddle on Lake Okanagan and enjoyed a beautiful day.  By the way, Monique advises me that this was NOT supposed to be a "rest day". Due to the August long weekend, it was felt that an event in Vancouver was not ideal, so we moved onward and now we have an extra day to enjoy. We are not slackers, au contraire, we are one step/peddle ahead! We figure there will be a lot of stretches where we will not have this luxury so........... enjoy it while we can - and we certainly did today!   


Just a few things of note today:
The More than Medication website has just posted a little feature article on their site under "Be Brave" entitled Riding on Sunshine, A Doctor's Story. This is a very informative website for the general public, full of great articles on a wide range of topics under the headings: Eat better, Strengthen your mind and body, Be in charge of your own health care, Be brave, Manage Stress and Relate better.
I have been on the advisory board for this site for a number of years and have done some video work for some of the topics.  Check it out, lots and lots of great medical information and just like the title says - it's got nothing at all to do with medication.  http://www.morethanmedication.ca/  


Today's Day Sponsor is Robert Hobbs who was a supporter very early in the tour - Thanks Bob!


The Biovail-sponsored continuing medical education event tonight was for family MDs. It was well attended with a group of attentive physicians who had many comments and questions (which is always a good, healthy sign).   We have many such events scheduled throughout the tour, as well as events for Canadian Mental Health Association and the general public.  There are also a some events for Colleges and Universities as well as a few private corporate events.  As this is an awareness to action campaign - the fuller the "event schedule" the better.  The tricky issue is timing...same issue, I guess, for a stand-up comic.  (Not that I am saying I am a stand up comic, Robin Williams - you can relax).


Random quotes of the day
Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience.
Victoria Holt


When we dream alone, it is only a dream but, when we dream together, it can become reality.

The best BUTT shot of the day
(stone mural on the wall of our Kelowna abode)

and that's the end

for today

Kruising into K-Town, a cool ride into the heat

Day 4 SNM Tour

Out of Merritt with a nasty little straight up the mountain run to start the day. The day went very smoothly with some good climbs and an amazingly long descent and in no time...Lake Okanagan never looked better. I train on the highways leading into town so the end of the cycle was just like a typical training run - except that I had this RV behind me and people tooting and showing support (as opposed to just plain honking and yelling - which is more typical)

Kelowna has become our second home in the past few years and it was a bit like coming home today - knowing that we will take a few days in the beautiful sun and heat of the Okanagan.  There are media interviews planned for tomorrow and a talk in the evening, but right now, time to pick some fresh produce from our little garden, have a nice supper and just enjoy the rest of the glorious day.

This tour day is dedicated to Glen and Jeanette who were instrumental in getting our tour RV, (a huge source of angst  for us - we are forever grateful! Charlesglen Toyota has become one of our major sponsors and this tour would not be what it is without the support and encouragement of good people like the Richardsons.  

There's a good shot of the SUNSHINE BEAST!!

Saw my first bear today.

In the middle of absolutely nowhere there was a small stone monument which instantly caught my eye.  I made Monique stop and take a photo.  When I was a kid, my absolutely favorite stuffed toy was a little elephant called Crumpets.  Monique's was a bear apparently with no name, Gab's Cabbage patch doll called Justine and Eric's was "my buddy" which he wrote all over one day with a blue pen (??why) and we have never let him forget it.

Inspirational view of the day

On a particularly long ascent, in a particularly hot section with absolutely no wind (read - I was sweating my *ss off) I saw a spectacular sight. A huge stone angel sculpture  on top of a rock in the middle of a stony creek. I felt the hair stand up on the back of my neck and I seemed to just fly up the rest of the hill

Random quotes of the day

For all that has been,thanks. For all that will be, YES

Dag Hammarskjold

Put a grain of boldness into everything you do

Baltasar Gracian

   

Grin and bear it - we're in Merritt!

Day 3 SNM tour
When I was growing up, my favorite hockey team was the Montreal Canadiens by far.  My absolute favorite player was the big centre Jean Belliveau.  He embodied everything good about hockey at that time - a true Canadian icon, classy, soft spoken, a great leader.  Later on after his retirement, I really liked Guy Lafleur - fast and showy, a real scorer! Why am I blogging about this? Not everyone knows, but Guy Lafleur was a very heavy smoker and actually smoked in between periods of hockey games. Where am I going with all this? - it was very, very smoky today and I think I smoked the equivalent of two packs of unfiltered Players today.

It was muggy, windy, up and down (there were a few good climbs and descents today) and hazy - a great day of cycling...really. The last 10 km into Merritt were a blur (literally). 


This tour day is dedicated to the Blank family in Vancouver. Myles was a classmate of mine in med school in Winnipeg and he has always been extremely supportive.  He is a creative, gregarious and exceedingly kind and caring person and has been a true friend - even though we see and talk to each other so infrequently (a shame).  Myles and Tricia's son Lev has a birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEV! 


Did some media work today and an interesting question posed by the reporter was - "what were you most worried about during the planning leading up to the tour - physical health, mental health etc?"  I'm not sure we really worried about anything more than running out of time juggling 60+ hour work weeks, intense training and constant organizing and preparation (and that's Monique we're talking about!).  We have both had a very positive and optimistic attitude towards this tour and without being naive, felt this was the only way to approach this tour (and life in general).  I had a brief bit of trepidation when I fractured my clavicle exactly a year ago, but again, the right attitude (and a bit of stubborness) goes a long, long way - maybe clear across Canada!


Best finds on the highway today
I know this list will be extensive by the end of the tour - but I had to mention that we found a "Creed" CD ("Weathered" if you're a fan), a black harley (just a bit of a sine dicendo - look it up if you're not sure) leather side bag and a beautiful but very dusty lacy black bra (estimated at 38 DD by both Monique and Gab - neither of whom dared try it on).


Random quote of the day
No doctor is better than three.   German proverb  
hear, hear, (hear) - threw in a third opinion


No excellent soul is exempt from a mixture of madness.    Aristotle


Best and worst Canadiana of the day
Best - saw an absolutely beautiful big deer standing by the most picturesque rocky creek poising (it seemed) just for the SNM Tour
Worst - beaver roadkill (just a bit too old for supper tonight......)

Day 2 - Give me HOPE and voila we are there!!

Good early morning start with a 10 km+ run through Surrey, then a beautiful cycle and team SNM made it to Hope BC just after 1pm. Pushed a bit and got good mileage in quickly so the day flew by, which allowed everyone to decompress just a bit after the adrenaline rush of yesterday.  Only got a single 1 finger salute from a logger and many, many toots and waves of support.

The day is dedicated to the charismasticallygregariouslywonderful Attwell family back in Victoria, if you don't know who they are you will need to read some of the earlier blogs. They deserve the dedication for their unconditional generosity to the start of this tour.  I must try to live by "Dave's Road Rules" at least 90% of the time - no one can be right ALL of the time!

Today went without a hitch, the weather was great, the legs felt great, Gab and Monique were great etc etc - I know every day of this tour won't go this smoothly so we will take day 2 and give high fives all around and secretly cross our fingers behind our backs.  It will take time to get the daily rhythm of things and we're slowly getting there.

And now a butt shot - this is all the photographers get to see for now. As soon as I get the camera I'll show you a bit of the landscape of Canada off the TransCanada - stay tuned...

Quotes of the day
Insist on yourself; never imitate... Every great person is unique
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
Nancie J Carmody



Funny quip of the day
We were stopped at a gas station when a wild haired guy walked by and asked what the tour was all about - after hearing the 10 second version, he said "hey man, that's easy - move to California....."
maybe he's right - Hollywood here I come (.........the long way)


LATE POSTING

Because I just didn't get enough exercise - we all went for a hike in the Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla   Provincial Park - quite spectacular canyons and rapids and the Kettle Valley railway tunnels.  A few pix to whet your appetite

The SAD no more TOUR is launched (like a ROCKET!!)

SNM - DAY 1
What an absolutely glorious day, Mile 0 kick-off with Joe, Les ("board members" and sources of much wisdom from the start) and daughter Erika and a few surprise guests from Calgary Sandy and her mom, Rob and Susan and their friends. Of course Monique and Gab were there and video by Rhys and all the cyclists. Wow, on a long w/e we had a nice little gathering and show of support. A few dedications and many many thanks, photos, a brief moment by the Terry Fox statue, a toe and bike tire in the Pacific Ocean and off we went.

The Tour is officially dedicated to all who suffer from depression, particularly SAD themselves or those loved ones who bear the burden of their illness. The message is positive, there is hope and effective treatment. My dream is that the tour is able to shed a new light on a holistic approach to the successful management of SAD - ah yes...... SAD no more!!

I personally dedicate the first day to Monique. If there is a hero in this tour - it is her. Her ability to put up with me, organize and juggle everything and still keep a smile on her face is amazing and she deserves all the praise - without her this tour could never have occurred. Love you Monique.

We all left Victoria - a nice peloton of riders and headed towards Nanaimo. The group slowly got smaller as a few cyclists turned and headed back to Victoria. We had a gourmet lunch at Gail and Roger's in Mill Bay, ate far too well, met a few neighbors and all agreed that this was an amazingly civilized way to start this tour. Off to Ladysmith to a coffee shop and then off to Duke Point near Nanaimo, on the Ferry and we are nearing Vancouver as I finish this off.

Thanks to the final riders today, Dave, Warren and Tristan for a great kick off day of cycling. I still don't plan to shave my legs any time soon, but Dave I promise I will eat and drink and eat and drink BEFORE I get hungry and thirsty. (Like a mother hen - Dave was protective, and as a true mentor was full of wise tips and suggestions) Dave is an absolute monster on a bike and the kindest, most generous guy you'd ever meet - I figure I'll listen to him.

It was a great day, a fantastic start to the tour, made possible only by the group surrounding me - and what a group they are!!

quote of the day
I believe in Miracles,
I have to
Terry Fox inscription on statue at Mile 0

Some miracles are mighty, but mostly they are small......
dr j song lyric
 

today was day 0 - tommorow is mile 0

Tommorow is the day that we've been moving towards for almost 2 years - the true launch of the tour
Beacon Hill Park, Mile 0, Victoria, BC Canada tomorrow, Sunday 0900hrs. Hope to meet a few friends and shoot some photos and video, do a brief presentation, shed a few tears, have a few laughs, dip in a toe in the Pacific ocean and start on a trip that will be life changing for myself and hopefully more than a few people I meet.

What another beautiful day today. Got to do a bit of sailing, played games, ate far too well and just enjoyed the company. I can't say enough about the Attwell family - their zest for life and unending generosity to us.

Just a few things I need to get straight before I start
1. I am not going to shave my legs to start this tour despite what the hard core cyclists are suggesting (I might change my mind, but the thought is not appealing - I am a very hairy guy!
2. I am both running and cycling throughout the tour so that I can tell the cyclists that I am a really more of a runner and that's why I am so slow on the bike, and I can tell all the runners that I am a more of a cyclist and that's why I am such a slow runner (BRILLIANT)
3. I am not the Energizer Bunny, rather closer to the Energizer Tortoise - long and steady will win in this tour and why I will succeed is based more on my stubborness than my athletic abilities.
4. I will not apologize for talking about mental illness and depression. This is an awareness tour and this IS my mission, and I do plan to talk (and listen a lot!)

I'll hopefully be able to post some great pictures, maybe a bit of good video about the Tour kick-off so keep posted

Random quotes of the day

Never regret something that once made you smile Amber Deckers

Pessimism is an excuse for not trying and a guarantee to a personal failure
Bill Clinton

Tommorrow is a big day, so early to bed, early to rise, gets one to Victoria to say thanks and goodbyes! HERE WE COME CANADA