I just had to blog about this! This past weekend marked Easter weekend - one of the most Holiest holidays on the Christian calendar. Easter time, which comes at the end of 40 days of Lent, closes of a time of great reflection.
The past two months for me has been quite reflective at best. I have been analysing my life as I see it, and as others see it. My life is constantly changing and I constantly strive to improve myself at all costs.
This past weekend, I realised something. I realised that I am constantly being surrounded by some amazing people in my life - many of those who I am proud to call close friends who I love and would do anything for when able to do so. These are the people who would brighten up a room, make me smile at a time when I really don't feel like smiling, and often makes me question myself by asking "What can I do to better myself so that I too can be as amazing as...?"
I spent much of Saturday hanging with some of these people at the Jerseyville 100 FA run. My arrival on-site was late due to issues with sleeping in, as well as some stuff I was taking care of at home. Upon arrival, I was happily greeted by Cheryl and Gerry. After changing and organising my running gear, Cheryl and I set off on the rail-trail for our run. We were content to talk about life, running and other stuff as we ran the first five kilometres to the turnaround. We shot the breeze with some of the volunteers before turning around and heading back.
Along the way, we were greeted by some of the other runners we knew really well from the Ontario Ultra Series. After the initial rainfall, the temperatures warmed up considerably. The heat was getting to some of the runners but the spirits were still high. This run definitely beats being battered by rain and swallowed by the water logged trails of Seaton the week before. Cheryl and I were still scheming on how to solve the world's problems. After we both had a freak out session over a garter snake, I am quite sure that eradicating snakes topped the list. We got back to the start/finish, fuelled up, and headed back out feeling great - like we could run forever.
We adopted Kinga on this loop. I had stopped to empty bladder on the side of the trail. Kinga was coming up as I stepped out of the bushes. Kinga was not feeling too great. Cheryl was up ahead so I decided to pace Kinga to the aid station. We all saw to it that Kinga was fed before Cheryl and I paced her out of the aid station and back to start/finish. We all had a good laugh as we ran along together. We even freaked out together when we saw the snake again. Stephan came along and added to the flavour by quoting Sarah Palin's "Mavricky" quote before heading off in the opposite direction. Cheryl and I saw to it that Kinga was on pace and that she was doing alright. We allowed her to do whatever it takes to keep moving and supported her along the way. On the last loop of her planned 100K, she took off - leaving Cheryl and I to fend for ourselves. She really burned it at that point. Cheryl and I finished off at 40K. I wanted to go further but the temperature started dropping and I was starting to feel cold.
Cheryl and I sat around the start/finish with some of the others after we changed into warm clothing. We ate some great soup and chatted it up with the others. When we were done, and ready to go, we drove out to the other aid station to meet up with Dirty Girl Di and the others where we shared some laughs together. Cheryl and Gerry left shortly after and I stuck around for another couple hours or so with the crew up at that aid station. Di and I chatted for a bit and even took a walk on the dark trail for a bit. So, yes, I did get past 40K... haha...
On the way home, I kept thinking - I have some really amazing friends. They all shine in their own way. Everyone has their successes, their talents, and most importantly - the spark that makes them unique. When we all get together, there is nothing but warmth. For this, I am truly grateful.
When I grow up, I wanna be Amazing too!!!
The past two months for me has been quite reflective at best. I have been analysing my life as I see it, and as others see it. My life is constantly changing and I constantly strive to improve myself at all costs.
This past weekend, I realised something. I realised that I am constantly being surrounded by some amazing people in my life - many of those who I am proud to call close friends who I love and would do anything for when able to do so. These are the people who would brighten up a room, make me smile at a time when I really don't feel like smiling, and often makes me question myself by asking "What can I do to better myself so that I too can be as amazing as...?"
I spent much of Saturday hanging with some of these people at the Jerseyville 100 FA run. My arrival on-site was late due to issues with sleeping in, as well as some stuff I was taking care of at home. Upon arrival, I was happily greeted by Cheryl and Gerry. After changing and organising my running gear, Cheryl and I set off on the rail-trail for our run. We were content to talk about life, running and other stuff as we ran the first five kilometres to the turnaround. We shot the breeze with some of the volunteers before turning around and heading back.
Along the way, we were greeted by some of the other runners we knew really well from the Ontario Ultra Series. After the initial rainfall, the temperatures warmed up considerably. The heat was getting to some of the runners but the spirits were still high. This run definitely beats being battered by rain and swallowed by the water logged trails of Seaton the week before. Cheryl and I were still scheming on how to solve the world's problems. After we both had a freak out session over a garter snake, I am quite sure that eradicating snakes topped the list. We got back to the start/finish, fuelled up, and headed back out feeling great - like we could run forever.
We adopted Kinga on this loop. I had stopped to empty bladder on the side of the trail. Kinga was coming up as I stepped out of the bushes. Kinga was not feeling too great. Cheryl was up ahead so I decided to pace Kinga to the aid station. We all saw to it that Kinga was fed before Cheryl and I paced her out of the aid station and back to start/finish. We all had a good laugh as we ran along together. We even freaked out together when we saw the snake again. Stephan came along and added to the flavour by quoting Sarah Palin's "Mavricky" quote before heading off in the opposite direction. Cheryl and I saw to it that Kinga was on pace and that she was doing alright. We allowed her to do whatever it takes to keep moving and supported her along the way. On the last loop of her planned 100K, she took off - leaving Cheryl and I to fend for ourselves. She really burned it at that point. Cheryl and I finished off at 40K. I wanted to go further but the temperature started dropping and I was starting to feel cold.
Cheryl and I sat around the start/finish with some of the others after we changed into warm clothing. We ate some great soup and chatted it up with the others. When we were done, and ready to go, we drove out to the other aid station to meet up with Dirty Girl Di and the others where we shared some laughs together. Cheryl and Gerry left shortly after and I stuck around for another couple hours or so with the crew up at that aid station. Di and I chatted for a bit and even took a walk on the dark trail for a bit. So, yes, I did get past 40K... haha...
On the way home, I kept thinking - I have some really amazing friends. They all shine in their own way. Everyone has their successes, their talents, and most importantly - the spark that makes them unique. When we all get together, there is nothing but warmth. For this, I am truly grateful.
When I grow up, I wanna be Amazing too!!!
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