Commitment

...a morning run full of surprises like this one:

Winter on Mount Royal: Montreal February 28, 2012

The Proof is in the Footing

...or footwear.

The truth is I haven’t been having the best time in the life outside of training for the Bali Sprint Triathlon or Hollywood Half or any other imminent race that I haven't signed up for yet. Then again, is there really life outside of these events? I’m not even sure what that means. What I do know is that I’ve never called myself a runner and I still don’t.  So,  I am in a perpetually ironic state, though this is nothing new. 

Robyn, thank you for getting me up and down some pretty treacherous times. And hills.

For now, I focus on the gear and the right gear will see me through. I’ve got my sights set on a race belt.  Also, I think I bricked. That’s the term, I’ve heard, for training two events back to back. I’m doing this in full force, though indoors in this chilly Celsius Canadian winter.  Cycling and treadmilling  one after the other at least four times a week. Swimming will start this week. I just can’t bear to be in the water in winter. It’s deeply psychological. Montreal: where folks really know how to form a queue for a bus.  Incredible.

And happy shroves, too.

Also, I joined a little Facebook running group called #IWouldRun500Miles -- I'm "Mary Shelley" and please don't ask. I don't care about identifying myself fully on this blog, but can't do this on Facebook for some reason. Anyway, the group is growing and is currently at 95 members.  I'm running the back of the pack there too. So what. Why don't you join us?

Bermuda Dreaming

Bermuda Challenge Bling 2012

I haven't given up on the blog yet. The training continues, though the winter has really settled its sorry self into the daily grind here in Montreal. I've been doing gym rat activities such as cycling, though STILL haven't gone swimming. There is some serious denial going on there, but it will happen. It will.

A few weeks ago, Paul and I visited Bermuda and signed up for this crazy three race event. We'd originally become interested after meeting Jamal Hart at the Race Expo for the Scotiabank Marathon in Toronto. At the time, we didn't know he actually worked for Bermuda's Department of Tourism. He was wonderfully inspiring at the expo and so we looked for him once we'd arrived in Bermuda. If you've been to Bermuda, you know that this is entirely possible. It's the only place I've been in the world where the public transportation is a national service.

A bus stop that we loved.

I began my conversation with Jamal by asking how he came to be the Sports Marketing Coordinator for the Bermuda.

I am a former middle distance runner who has represented Bermuda in track & field, X-country and road races overseas.
My PB in the half marathon is 1:13 and 33 minutes for the 10K

My love of Sports and Tourism has always been a part of me, so the position of Sports Marketing Coordinator was a natural fit for which I look to build upon.

What was your favorite moment of the weekend?

 

The Daily Paper's Weekend Supplement

For me the whole weekend experience was fabulous, as I got to meet so many runners from around the world. Most special was seeing persons whom I had spoken personally to at overseas expos such as the Scotia Bank Marathon and the Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon, about coming to Bermuda for our race.

Any advice to athletes?

Always follow your dreams and remember that if you think it you can achieve it.

       

How has the response to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge been? What's the feedback?

The Bermuda Triangle Challenge continues to grow each year and we had a record number of 400 participants this year.

Everyone that I spoke to truly enjoyed the challenge and most said that it kept them “honest” and will come back and do it again.

I am looking forward to helping to grow the event and to introduce people to my beautiful Island of Bermuda. 


*I'm looking forward to being in the sunshine again, running the Hollywood Half on Easter Weekend, but (many) miles to go before ...

One of Bermuda's Gorgeous Beaches

Until next time.