Summer Milestones

Labour Day weekend has come and gone here in North America. The season of Autumn is days away and the children are all back in school.

I was on the train one morning just thinking about all that has happened, as well as what is to come during the fall. I immediately whipped out my notepad and brainstormed on this post. "Summer Milestones" came to mind because there were a lot of great things and events that occured. A few of these things remain stuck in my mind - lasting memories created and never to be forgotten.

Without much further ado, I shall now share what has helped shape my memory this season.


Saturday, May 29th, 2010 - A Courageous Run With Consequences

My friend Stacey was out on a training run the previous week when she felt her quad pull. At first, it did not appear that she would be able to race the Sulphur Springs 50M race on this date. However, she decided to go ahead and try for three reasons:

• Her sister Jodie was being flown in from Calgary for the weekend to watch her
  race
• I promised to pace her for her final lap and we have not seen each
  other in two years
• What would happen if she did not try?

Race time came along. She was moving along at a steady pace for two loops before falling apart on the third loop. She could have dropped but she did not do so because I was there to take her to the finish. She also had some outstanding encouragement and support from her husband, Andrew, and Jodie. We talked for a long time while we were together and caught up on our lives. In spite of the increased pain, she was a real trooper and hung in there until the end.

The aftermath? She has not been running much all summer because after getting the injury checked and diagnosed. Treatments are starting to pay off because she has now started running again - not very far but she is mobile once again. We wanted to run Haliburton together but I know there will be other races that we can - and will - run together.

Check out her story on her blog!


Friday, July 2nd, 2010 - The Completion of an Epic Journey

After 13 Days, 10 Hours, and 51 minutes, my friend Charlotte set a new speed record on the Bruce Trail. She started out in Tobermory at the Northern Terminus and followed the entire trail along the Niagara Escarpment to the Southern Terminus in Queenston. Comments and details were covered on Monumental Effort.

For five of those days, I assisted with crewing and pacing for a few hours each time. The dedication exhibited by Charlotte and her main crew were amazing to witness. There were emotional ups and downs, as well as sheer determination. Witnessing this epic journey has actually inspired me with my running.

As I type this, Charlotte continues to run. She recently completed the Beast of Burden Summer Edition 24H run and is looking forward to participating in the North Coast 24H USA Championship run in Cleveland, OH. She will also be participating in the Oil Creek 100M run.

July 2010 - Taking Care of Unfinished Business

Swiss Miss Iris took her second trip to the Badwater Ultramarathon to take care of some unfinished business from the previous year. You see, a forest fire at the finish line forced race organisers to delay the race by more than 12 hours. This set Iris, and other finishers, back by several hours. This year, Iris decided to do it again - train and race Badwater to finish it off properly.

Along the way, Iris ran countless ultras and 100M runs as part of her training regimen. She also added strength training, yoga, and visits to the tanning salon (to condition her fair skin tone to the harsh desert sun) to the training. She even set a Canadian Women's record for the 100M in the 50-and up age category at the Jerseyville 100M FA run.All this training paid off. Iris really took care of unfinished business by not only finishing the race, but also improving upon last year's time.

Today, Iris continues to run and nothing slows this woman down!

Fred Davis on the Run

We have to love this guy! I will shout him out at all times! Fred has been always on the go since I have known him. From 10-day races to 500K crossings of Tennessee - in addition to everything else he does - this guy will always get my respect.

Fred is now enjoying a strong year, after a year of recovering from illness. I have watched his progress and joined him where possible - running the Art Moore FA together, pacing him at Mohican and hailing abuse at him for breaking dear Stacey's heart (and Flo's) by not showing up at Sulphur Springs, story-telling at Burning River, and shooting the breeze with him at Dirty Girls 24H.

Flo has been a driving factor in his achievements. She is the one who drives him to the airport or the race venues. She is the one who keeps all houseguests entertained. She is also the one who will go out of the way to help and talk to other runners she encounters.

Everyone knows that Fred's milestones will progress well beyond one ultra season. Retirement is definitely kind to Fred!

The 3000 Mile Journey - an Ongoing Milestone

Monumental Effort is currently following the progress of Monica Scholz. This is the year Monica is taking on the task of completing 30 - 100M races. She will not only set a new record (beating her old record of 21), she will be completing 3000 miles of running on her feet.

Monica makes it all look too easy. She finishes each race with enough energy to run some more. Monica has had some minor setbacks due to injury part of the way. However, she is still moving forward and should make her goal by the end of the year.



These milestones are definitely an eye-opener. Each of these milestones add a new dimension and perspective to my running and my life. Everyone that has the courage to move past their growing edge has achieved a milestone and broken through.

This is what makes life AWESOME!