Half Marathon

There is a poster in the Scotiabank branch where I work. A big red one with Mason Raymond on it supporting the Dr Peter Aids Foundation. Now if you subscribe to the law of attraction you'll know that if you focus on something eventually it will come into your life. One month and half into my first co-op I've commited to running in the Scotiabank Half Marathon on June 26 2011. The race is from UBC stadium to Stanley Park- Luongo's place of peace.

Following the Game 7 game in Vancouver as everbody knows was a terrible riot throughout downtown Vancouver. Having been an athlete on several teams in highschool and university I have been on winning and losing teams. One thing I always valued was sportsmanship and respect. I was so proud when Vancouver fans stayed in the arena to cheer on thier team even after they had lost. I cheered Go Canucks Go with my friends as we watched at Felicitas. When I turned the TV on later to see burning cars and reports of stabbing I was disgusted. The world class atmosphere we created during the Olympics was lost quickly as things spiraled out of control. Its easy to smile and celebrate your heros when they bring home gold. Its much harder when you are the losing team to shake hands with those who beat you. It was an insult to the great run the Canucks team had to trash the place with their jerseys on.

Scotiabank was pretty happy when I told them I was participating and would be wearing my Scotiabank shirt for the race. They unanimously pledged to support the charity the proceeds are going to. I decided to test myself and went for a run after work that day. I set off at 6 pm exactly following the route of the Oak bay half marathon. I had made it to half way through the course by 7 pm where I stopped to run up a World War II memorial for soldiers from the Oak Bay area. I felt so alive- my heart was beating- my spirit was soaring as I thought of my grandfather who was also a long distance runner. It went up and up this winding staircase to a statue of an angel and a plaque of names...I laughed as I hummed the rocky theme song as I panted at the top thrusting my arms in the air before continuing.

I kept going despite the pain im my legs, mental exhaustion from pushing myself and cold ocean wind. I made it home at 8pm crossing hampshire road exactly where my bank is. Synchronicity. I can't describe how hungry I was at that point. I had an extremely hard time not running into fairway market and just starting to graze in the produce section. Then I ran past Cobs bread and starbucks and well food fantasizing was never this great. I got home and made the mother of all omlettes with garlic toast to regain some carbs. Food never tasted so great- I guess the best spice is apetite. That being said I felt best about the fact that I challenged myself and succeeded. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it all the way and start justifying to myself reasons to quit or turn back. The Canucks left it all on the Ice and I couldn't be prouder.

Running

Yesterday I went for perhaps the most beautiful run of my entire life. Second only to perhaps the run around ring road at this past year's UVic Undie Run which supports cancer research. That one was particularly meaningful for me as one of my closest friends had recently passed away from cancer and I dedicated my run and donation to her. It was really quite fitting as she lived life to the fullest- living by the motto: I can laugh at anything and I'm always smiling. Jill Vassalo was a huge inspiration to me, and I continue to try and live my life in a way that would make her proud.

It was the day before the Kool FM Oak Bay Half marathon and I had the crazy idea of entering it. I hadn't done any real training for it and it was completely spur of the moment when I got talking to the organizer of the Help Fill a Dream Foundation. I left the house at around 7pm and saw one or two people jogging as I headed down Oak Bay avenue. I stopped to talk one of the organizers who was running green duct tape across the road for the startline. The excitement grew and I felt like forrest gump as I skipped and jumped and laughed as I got into a good rythm. I ran through someones 4 front lawn sprinklers, feeling unstoppable. I raced down to Beach rd and took the scenic route down past some tropical looking houses along the coast. I breathed in the sweet ocean air and lush gardens as it threatned to start raining. I didnt care, the soft evening light and my own body heat was keeping me warm.

It very gradually turned into a downpour and I came to a great look out point where I paused to stretch and admire the wide open ocean. It was gorgeous. I touched the rough-cut stone like tag-you're-it and headed back home.

Go ahead and tell me its just an endorphin high- According to wikipedia 'They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.' - But as I jogged up the hill, my vision was blurred by the rain, the slick reflective streets couldn't feel more like home.

Music Students

Are awesome! I'm mainly referring to the ones I went out to Boston Pizza with to celebrate after their recital. They are just as close as my commerce cohort and really take the time to enjoy the good things in life. They celebrate the arts!  They play with a kind of joy and intensity like no other!

Karim hosted the after party and we celebrated a great night of Music. It was like the end of Oceans 11- beautiful music and a shared sense of happiness. Most people were probably sleeping, but for us it was as if we had really just pulled off a caper of epic proportion. Everyone was so warm and happy- just what I needed considering the snow outside.

As a student who took the famed listening and appreciation for music in first year as an elective, music has always been a significant part of my university experience. Whether it be waking up to get to early classes as my alarm clock softly wakes me up to Moby's 'Porcelain' or partying late at night to Duck Sauce's 'Barbra Streisand' my life is played out to some really great soundtracks. I listen to the classics in concert halls at the University and to electro at spin class. To quote Caroline Johnson, "The soundtrack to my life is played by those around me". 

If you haven't been to Friday Music, I highly recommend you do. I challenge you to discover a new genre you never knew you liked. My currently discovering ska.