"Unbreakable Spirit"
... was the theme of today's Terry Fox Run for cancer research.
Now, for at least the last week it's been sunny and glorious. I know, because it's been too hot to teach in my non-air-conditioned classroom, but very pleasant for the 5 mile walks I've been putting in in the evening. Today I wake up to grey, gloom and rain. Oh oh, think I, and pack up for the charity walk accordingly. I decided to wear my Idita-Walk t-shirt from my walking challenge last winter and my Elf leaf earrings in tribute to my Walk to Rivendell. I took my CD player with me, but found I got so caught up in the walk I didn't need it. After sending an e-mail hug to my sponsors I headed off for the day.
John and I went for a quick breakfast at Tim Horton's and then he dropped me off at Mill Pond in Richmond Hill, the site I'd chosen for my walk (there were hundreds of Terry Fox Runs going on today). There was a group of small tents bunched together with registration tables, merchandise sales and food and drink for the finished walkers. I handed in my pledge sheet and was directed onto the road.
The walk traveled through very pretty residential areas of Richmond Hill and large blue and white signs with arrows helped keep us on the route.
Literally as I set foot on the road it began to rain. A lot. I was bemused, but resigned myself to getting wet and headed out on the trail. Lots of other people were participating, too, and many runners whisked by me and kept going while I kept striding on. There were also runners out with dogs and women walking pushing baby strollers. Luckily the rain let up about 15 minutes into the walk and the energy of the walk kept me more than warm the entire way.
Volunteers were positioned along the route and as you got close they would start clapping and cheering encouraging you as you went by. There was also a water station halfway along the walk. My favorite supporter was a guy up on an apartment balcony on the corner part of the way through the route. As you rounded the corner you'd suddenly hear whistles and clapping and when you looked -way- up you could see the guy waving from the balcony.
It was -hugely- satisfying to come 'round the final bend to see the registration tents coming up in the distance again. Each person completing the walk was given a certificate with your name calligraphed on it. There was also a long table of sandwiches, fruit and bottled water to refresh tired walkers.
It was an excellent experience and I'm glad I went. Thank you so much again to the wonderful family and friends who sponsored me on my walk and helped me raised more than $100 for cancer research. I took a bunch of photos during the day, but I've having computer problems at the moment so they may not be up for a few days.
Exercise log: Six miles taking me to 427 miles in my challenge. 31 miles to Rivendell.
Now, for at least the last week it's been sunny and glorious. I know, because it's been too hot to teach in my non-air-conditioned classroom, but very pleasant for the 5 mile walks I've been putting in in the evening. Today I wake up to grey, gloom and rain. Oh oh, think I, and pack up for the charity walk accordingly. I decided to wear my Idita-Walk t-shirt from my walking challenge last winter and my Elf leaf earrings in tribute to my Walk to Rivendell. I took my CD player with me, but found I got so caught up in the walk I didn't need it. After sending an e-mail hug to my sponsors I headed off for the day.
John and I went for a quick breakfast at Tim Horton's and then he dropped me off at Mill Pond in Richmond Hill, the site I'd chosen for my walk (there were hundreds of Terry Fox Runs going on today). There was a group of small tents bunched together with registration tables, merchandise sales and food and drink for the finished walkers. I handed in my pledge sheet and was directed onto the road.
The walk traveled through very pretty residential areas of Richmond Hill and large blue and white signs with arrows helped keep us on the route.
Literally as I set foot on the road it began to rain. A lot. I was bemused, but resigned myself to getting wet and headed out on the trail. Lots of other people were participating, too, and many runners whisked by me and kept going while I kept striding on. There were also runners out with dogs and women walking pushing baby strollers. Luckily the rain let up about 15 minutes into the walk and the energy of the walk kept me more than warm the entire way.
Volunteers were positioned along the route and as you got close they would start clapping and cheering encouraging you as you went by. There was also a water station halfway along the walk. My favorite supporter was a guy up on an apartment balcony on the corner part of the way through the route. As you rounded the corner you'd suddenly hear whistles and clapping and when you looked -way- up you could see the guy waving from the balcony.
It was -hugely- satisfying to come 'round the final bend to see the registration tents coming up in the distance again. Each person completing the walk was given a certificate with your name calligraphed on it. There was also a long table of sandwiches, fruit and bottled water to refresh tired walkers.
It was an excellent experience and I'm glad I went. Thank you so much again to the wonderful family and friends who sponsored me on my walk and helped me raised more than $100 for cancer research. I took a bunch of photos during the day, but I've having computer problems at the moment so they may not be up for a few days.
Exercise log: Six miles taking me to 427 miles in my challenge. 31 miles to Rivendell.