Making Time to Play

Well the reason I was in St. John's was to attend the General Assembly of the Canadian Red Cross. The more I learn about the Red Cross the more I feel a sense of pride of being involved. So much of the work needs a little help and we all have a role. Small or large you have a role. Did you know that for only $7.00 you can save a child from Malaria? Living past 5 for $7.00 seems like a good deal to me.

We did have a great time being tourists again. Went out on a boat to see the icebergs up and close. We hiked the Cabot Tower trail again and did lots of shopping. Not to mention lots more trips dt.

What made this trip special was the people we saw. Old friends, new friends and the feeling of their comfort. My buddy from Saskatchewan is living the dream with his new band and it was great to hear a few songs from the Turbotcheeks. Yes stay tunned for tour dates at the local legion!

So we made it home safe and sound and early believe it or not. As for me, I have no idea when I'm, getting on a airplane and like it. I smell summer!

After sleeping in a bit, we met up with our friend who happens to be the best tour guide in two continents! It was great to see her again and go on our adventure in the fog to Cabot Tower and Cape Spear to see icebergs. Our entire day was more about the adventure than the destination, and when you are in good company, grocery shopping becomes the adventure. The path less travelled I guess. Yes back to Newfoundland for fish and chips and a whole new selection of ale's. I'm become fancy to India based on my tour guide's recommendation.

Third times a charm when it comes to Icebergs. Saw two big bergs. It was fantastic. Such a massive chunk of ice just sitting there losing to the elements and the sun.

Of course any day would not be complete without hitting dt. Somethings change, some don't but you are always guaranteed a great time on George Street. We did not plan on staying late and after saying goodbye to our tour guide who was off to England, we went to O'Rielys for one drink. Well that changed when the band started. One of our favorites from our last trip so we stayed quite late. This was also complemented by a picture of my sweet and Jamie Korab. Canadian curling legend.

Sals and a crazy cab ride home.....yes we are in Newfoundland again!

Well we flew to Newfoundland today. Had a sweet flight schedule to arrive in St.John's by 5:00 pm. Time for fish and chips and a brew dt. Everything was great until we hit Toronto. 2 hour delay due to no air conditioning or something like that. Great we made it in the air......then the fun began. St John's was fogged in. So we tried to land twice....interesting almost landing and then taking off straight up again. We then circled for a while and the captain had no way of landing the plane. So off to Gander or Halifax right? Nope, off to Stephenville to an airport that was not a facility that could hand us but we landed. Had a chicken burger and fries and waited for the news. First we are staying, no we are going, get a hotel, no staying. In the end we stayed in the smallest airport ever for 8 hours and made it to our hotel in St John's at 4:30 am. Just 12 hours later but all was well. We have a big week planned with great people.

Whada YOU at?

Ouch, yes I have not been avoiding blogging, just too busy playing I guess. That and I jumped on the Facebook train; still it doesn’t give me that personal feeling like this site does.

Ok and quite update and then a great story I want to share.

Since we last talked I have been to Montreal and at the St Jean base just outside of Montreal. It was nice but nothing like my week in Ottawa. Plus the training was a little dry.

The I ran my first 10km of the season. I’m going completely backwards. Full, Half and then a 10km. Results…..well not bad but not my best49:57. I wanted a 48 time but the wind was super strong for the last 6km and a killer at the finish. Not when you want to be faced with wind. It is like placing a hill at the finish. Next 10 km on July 1 so who knows.

So now for my story that I have no idea why I did not share before. Before I run a race I can always tell if things are going to go good based on the morning. So far with the 10km & the Half I had a little stress with not having pins for my number and my Ipod freezing just before the race. I made it through but still not perfect. On the other hand, the Rome Marathon was the opposite. I knew early, before the race started that it was going to be great. How? Let me tell you. We were walking to the Coliseum to the start line and I was humming a song in my head and not sure what I was. It turned to my sweet and sad that I have this song in my head and I think it is U2 but have no idea what to attribute it to. We walk into a coffee bar and what is playing on the Radio in Rome on a Sunday Morning……….Windows in the Sky by U2. It was the some I was humming in the streets of Rome! This was one of those moments were the blood flows and the you really do get stuck in a moment. I just new that the rest of the Day would be fine and I walk to the start line still humming the song. Very few moments like this happen in life and you have a sense that everything around you is in balance and at that very moment you are in the zone of understanding.

So enjoy Bono and the boys and I can really see “What Love Has
Done.”

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2807105