Hope, Vision, Action.....

What's the first step in achieving any dream?- HOPE!

Yesterday, before leaving Hope, B.C., I had the chance to meet with two Councillors of Hope- Councillor Tim Hudie and Councillor Steve Schroeder.  

The second step closer to achieving a dream- VISION!

The most important step towards achieving a dream- ACTION!

Yesterday, by end of day, 'The Dream' arrived in Chilliwack, B.C.

Canada, and the world, I'd like to introduce you to Mitchell.  Mitchell, a student at Tyson Elementary School, was diagnosed with Aspergers, a form of Autism, and wanted to help Run The Dream spread the awareness of about the lack of services and support, the lack of research and the lack of public education across the country for others living and affected by Autism. Mitchell, with the assistance of his classmates, set up a 'Change for Change' table every morning before school and raised over $400!  This morning I came and thanked Mitchell, his teacher Louanne Macdonald, and the entire Tyson/Chilliwack community.

A hero is an individual with hope,  vision, but most importantly takes action!  Mitchell, like many other grassroots leaders I've met across this great country should be commended for their efforts!

Late today, I also had the privilege of meeting Chilliwack mayor Sharon Gaetz and many of the city staff at an informal meeting.  Tomorrow morning I'll be running out of Chilliwack with a group of runners, but I'll save that story for next time!

Special thanks to the Travelodge,  in Chilliwack, for accommodating 'The Dream'.

5 Running Days....145 kms left until Victoria, B.C.- Dec 18th

The Dream Continues....

Rolling Down The Highway....

What a difference elevation can make!  Neglectful me forgot to charge the battery in the camera so you are just going to have to trust me when I say that there was a lot of snow through Allisons Pass (Elevation 1341 m) and 30 kms later it was all gone!

If you noticed, I've gotten rid of the toque for now because the weather is considerably warmer on the west side of the Rockies.  For the next couple days temperatures are supposed to be in the high single digits.

The terrain has virtually been all steep downhills and I have been using the tractor trailer "Runaway Lanes" as my rest areas.  British Columbia lower mainland here I come!

Special thanks to the Best Western, in Hope, for accommodating 'The Dream'.

7 Running Days left- Dec 18th, Victoria, B.C.

The Dream Continues...

Coming Around The 'Final' Mountain....

"The only fence against the world  is a thorough knowledge of it."

-John Locke

Hello from Princeton (as of Friday) and now Manning Park (as of today)!  The run has taken me back into the winding roads and back country of British Columbia, along Highway 3.  Nothing but amazing views and wildlife of the Cascade mountains!

While in Princeton, I was welcomed by two councillors representing the mayor and stopped in at Vermillion Forks Elementary School for a presentation on the run.

When I woke up the other day and was preparing for the run, we had some visitors in our parking lot.

Special thanks to the Manning Park Lodge for accommodating 'The Dream'.

9 Running Days left until Victoria, B.C.- Dec 18th/08

The Dream Continues.....

Running Preparation....

Running is 99 percent mental, 99 percent preparation and 2 percent talent.  The only thing you can't plan for is weather, but even that condition is an obstacle you can use as an opportunity for greater mental toughness and better daily preparation.

As mentioned in a previous blog entry, the hourly average speed is at its highest peak ever- 10+ km/hr.  Better technique, nutrition and terrain knowledge are some aspects contributing to this performance level.

For example, tomorrow's run is looking to be between a 35-40 km run.  Thanks to google technology, the elevation of the run will be between 517-652 metres with 41 major changes in elevation.  To put that in comparison to next weeks run through Manning Park, the elevation will be between 763-1400 metres, with 65 major changes in elevation, over 42.5 kms.

Thanks to that homework, as usual, I'll carb load the night before with lots of pasta and chicken.  During the course of the run, I'll drink about .5 litres of gatorade or water every 8-10 kms (40-50 minutes) while indulging in power gels, fruit, almonds or electrolyte pills.  The most important element of the run is to keep the brain stimulated and highly functioning.

Throughout the 188 running days across the country no day has ever been the same.  My Ipod habits have been to either listen to documentaries on various current issues, famous speeches in history, motivational speakers or various musical playlists with an eclectic range and variety.  Sometimes I prefer to have no Ipod and listen to the sounds of the road.

If problems ever arise on the road the most successful way of troubleshooting has been to stop and address the issue ASAP before the issue becomes a problem.

The meteorologist (WMB) is calling for freezing rain tomorrow afternoon.  Looks like a sunrise start! 

11 Running Days...390 kms until Victoria, B.C.- Dec 18th

The Dream Continues...

Goodbye Okanagan....Hello Home Stretch!!...

If I could run the remaining distance all at once- I would!! The thought had crossed my mind several times and probably will again over the next couple weeks.  If I haven't said it already-The Okanagan is amazing!!  A different climate and a different landscape with lots and lots of orchards and vineyards to see from the road. 

Yesterday, even with the running off day, there was a lot to do.  The morning was spent meeting with Penticton Mayor, Dan Ashton and councillors Dan Albas and John Vassilaki.

Around noon, I had the privilege to come and speak to the students at Summerland Secondary School (SSS). I'd like to thank all the students for jogging around the field before I shared the experiences of Run The Dream.  I'd like to thank Nicki, in Grade 10, who came up in front of the entire school and talked about her life experiences and ambitions while living with Aspergers. 

I left Penticton this morning and ran to Keremeos (45.5 kms).  It was there I met with Keremeos Mayor, Walter Despot, who taught me about the Pocket Desert which exists about 25 kilometres southeast of town, closer to Oliver, BC.  On today's run I did spot a few mountain goats high up.

Lastly, special thanks to the Lakeside Inn, in Penticton, and the Best Western, in Princeton, for accommodating 'The Dream'.

12 Running Days.....435 kms to Victoria, BC- Dec 18th

The Dream Continues....