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Full Marathon Participant - Calvin Clarke

Age:   32

 

Lifestyle:  I am an Account Executive for The Chronicle Herald. I have been with The Chronicle Herald for 15 years. My wife Nicole and I have been married for 8 years and have two wonderful children, both boys, Aidan who is 4 and Ronan 1.

 

Goals: Finish the marathon vertically, Get my active life back on track, Get control of my weight and Be an role model to my boys


  • February 02, 2008
    Hello Everyone and welcome to the Team Myles Blogs. I think when the Blue Nose organizing committee asked me to be a part of Team Myles they looked around the Marathons previous runners to find the most average runner among them and I stuck out like a sore thumb.

    At 6 feet 236 pounds (not your prototypical marathon runner), I am hoping that with me doing this marathon will show others that anyone can do this.

    I'll give you a little bit of history on my running career to date. I ran the full marathon in the first Blue Nose Marathon. My wife had given birth to our first son Aidan and the interesting thing was that I had gained more weight during her pregnancy then she had. I was feeling awful, very out of shape and was trying to find something that would help me get back into shape. It just so happened that my office had decided to sponsor the Marathon and had asked around to see if anyone would like to participate in this event. So I gave it a run. I completed the marathon in 4 hours and 38 minutes lost 35 lbs, felt great and made a lot of new friends in the process.

    Since then I have run the half marathon 5 more times, (3 Bluenose, 2 PEI) and have come to enjoy running not only for the exercise but also for the time it gives me to think,relax,unwind, recharge.

    After my last half marathon in October I had injured my foot and had to take 10 weeks off to recover. In those 10 weeks Christmas and New years fell and by the time I had the ability to run again I had gained 25 pounds, was once again feeling awful, and have decided to go back to old faithful (full marathon) to get back on track.

    There is my running life and my struggles in a nutshell. If you want to laugh, follow my progress and get a couple of running tips and tricks that I have learned in the process keep checking in.

    Tip of the day: Have Fun!
  • February 11, 2008
    Hey Everyone, I hope training is going well for you. I am week five of training and all is going good. I have lost 7lbs so far, now weighing in at a svelt 229lbs. This week (Feb 4 to 10) I have run 4 times. Monday was an off day, I had my long run 13km on the 3rd. I ran with two ladies at the Running Room, Lynn and Peggy, Thank you. I find it alot easier when doing my long runs to have a running buddy. Long runs are hard enough on their own, it is always nice to know that some else is suffering with you..hee...hee. It is also important for motivation,pace, and company in case of injury or fatigue. I ran Wed,Thurs,Friday all 7 km runs, all went resonably well other then a little foot discomfort. Sunday the 10th long run distance 16km, definately getting up there in km, but so far so good. I noticed myself getting a little tired towards the end, I am guessing it was from poor eating pre-run. One thing that I have learned over time is that it is key to your long distance success is that you eat properly, find out what works for you. ie ( Vector cereal,banana,apple , one slice of bread and peanut butter, one glass of water is mine). Once you have found your routine write it down, and try not to deviate from it. Good Luck! Tip of the Week: Find long run buddy (You can find about 100 at Running Room at 8:30am on Sunday mornings)
  • February 18, 2008
    Last week has gone extremely well. I ran 5 days this week including my long run on Sunday. Sunday's run was interesting. I was having trouble finding the time on Sunday to run the 18km I was scheduled to run. My wife Nicole and two of her girlfriends were running in the Hypothermic half Marathon in the morning so I was hoping to go down and cheer them on and make sure everything went OK for them. I wore my running gear so I could run from the park to my home. When we got to the event my wife in passing mentioned that I should just run with them and cut it off at 18km. Not a bad idea so off we went. Turned out to be a wonderful day, and I felt so good that I decided to do complete the event. Finished with a time in around 2:03.

    Morale of this story, for every bad week your going to have there will be a great one around the corner.

    My weight goals are still going well. I have not lost any weight this week but feeling a lot better.

    Tip of week: Dress for success. This time of year the weather is unpredictable. With wind chills and rain/sleet/snow, make sure that you are wearing the proper gear to feel comfortable. Layering is important, but make sure that it breaths so you clothing does not stay overly wet. Dri-fit wear draws wetness away from your body and brings it to the outside of the clothing. Also weather proof socks work wonders. They are double layered, comfort fit, and also add some protection from moisture.

    Keep Running!
  • February 25, 2008
    Well I have officially gone and jinxed myself. I went bragging about feeling great, running great, on a role...blah...blah...blah, then the wheels fell off.

    I had taken Monday off after running 21km and got off to a good start running a hard tempo 6 km run on Tuesday. Then came Wednesday. I woke up not feeling all that great and by the end of the day I had a full blown flu. Needless to say I haven't run since February 19th and feel like I have been hit by a truck.

    So from this day forward no more happy/bragging running stories from me. There has been some positives this week though, I am down 4 pounds this week. Outside of not eating a whole lot this week when I have eaten it has been well. I have concentrated on 4 areas. 1. Eat breakfast 30 minutes after I wake up. (whole grains,piece of fruit, skim milk) 2. Cut back on refined sugar. No sweets,whole sugar in coffee, etc 3. drink water until it comes out of my ears. 4. Eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day. I have noticed a huge difference in my energy and I am never hungry. (outside of this week obviously).

    Tip of the week: Hydrate. Water is so important. If you do nothing else with regard to your your diet, make sure you drink plenty of water. Over time you will reap the rewards. You will feel better, it will assist with weight management, and you will notice a difference in how you feel during your runs.

    Stay Healthy!
  • March 03, 2008
    I am back in the saddle again. Finally started running again. I ran a 21 km run this morning and with everything that went on last week I felt pretty good. We were scheduled to run 23 km but with the weather being so poor I decided that preventing injury was more important then the extra 2km.

    I ran with two lovely ladies Alicia and Lori from The Running Room. It helped a ton having those girls around today for support. It was very cold,wet,windy each of us talked ourselves threw it. We ran the Dartmouth Half of the marathon. Normally the Dartmouth loop is my favorite portion of the Blue Nose, not so much today.

    Thank you Lori, Alicia.

    I have been nursing a sore left foot for a couple of weeks now. It is tolerable but I am always careful. I had a great meeting with Fred Alyward who is the Team Myles Life Coach. We are moving forward with all of my health objectives. I have improved in my eating habits and lifestyle corrections that have helped with my training. In addition Fred also assisted with some stretching which has been a little issue for me. I have been very tight and not able to get my leg muscles to release.

    Fred fixed that in a hurry. When I left I was more like Gumby, we worked on range of motion and proper stretching which hurts like no other when doing, buts you feel great when your done.

    Tip of the week: Converse. Having conversations with your running partners is not only a great way to pass the time but is also a good way to monitor your pace and endurance. If you find it difficult to talk when you run you are probably running to quick for a slow pace, long run. If you are able to converse comfortably your breathing is under control and your endurance is optimized. (At least for me)

    Quote of the week. "Winners don't run to Race, they just love to run!"
  • March 17, 2008
    Hey Everyone,

    I hope your training is going well and everyone is injury free. We'll I have had a pretty good couple of weeks. My week day runs are going well and I have now started to add hill training to my plan. I started with 4 hills last Wednesday and 5 hills on March 12th. I find hill training helps my endurance and also changes things up from the regular routine of marathon training. What I love about hill training is that it pushes me to work hard, to dig deep, to force me to think that when you have no more gas in the tank you better find more. When your running in a marathon in Halifax you will notice a few hills on you half/full/10k routes. I strongly suggest finding an opportunity to get some hill training in, it will help immensely.

    I have to thank a couple of colleges from my office who I run with at lunch, Paul and Greg. There is no such thing as procrastinating or skipping out of a run with those two. In addition they push me on my run to keep pace and not check out.

    The two long runs this week were 26km, and yesterday was 19 km They went relatively well although I am tired and a little sore. Needless to say my km are climbing awfully quick and my body has noticed it. Sunday afternoons are becoming less and less active due to my energy being drained on these long runs. Also stairs are no longer my friend.

    I have to thank my wife Nicole a ton for giving me the time to spend doing this. Marathon training is quite a commitment and it would not be possible without her help.

    I am now weighing 223lbs, I am down 13lbs to date. I am feeling 100 % better health wise. There are two people I have to thank for that. Fred Aylward the Team Myles Life coach. He has helped organize my lifestyle goals and make them tangible. I am on role now. Second is David Kachan, who is my physiotherapists. He has kept me in one piece.

    Tip of the Week: Music is your friend: Music can get you threw tough runs. Having music playing that motivates you can keep you focused. Key songs for me: U2-Beautiful day,Bloody Sunday self explanatory, Edwin-Alive, Lenny Kravitz- Are you running,Rolling Stones-Painted Black,Start me Up.

    Quotes of the Week:I don't think jogging is healthy, especially morning jogging. If morning joggers knew how tempting they looked to morning motorists, they would stay home and do sit-ups. Rita Rudner the wind at your back, the sun in front of you, and your friends by your side. - Aaron Douglas Trimble

    Have a great week!
  • March 24, 2008
    Ladies and Gentleman I am sore! Why you ask? W'ell I have officially completed my first 29 km run in my training. My back hurts, my butt hurts, my legs hurt, My butt hurts (yes I have said this already, but it hurts so much I thought I should mention it twice), my feet hurt, my toes hurt... you get the point. Other then that I am doing Great !

    I ran with 4 other suckers... I mean runners ( I'm guessing if looked up marathoner in latin it would mean "sucker") Alicia, Lori, Simone, Julia.. I have to thank them for getting me through this week. Talking to them about our families, friends, The turkey dinner Lori was going to have for Easter Sunday got us threw the 3 hours and 21 mind and body numbing minutes of running we ran on Sunday.

    So the question non runners ask after telling this story normally sounds like..." Why in heck do you...or others put yourselves through this?" Here is my answer... This is My Olympics!

    When you register and train for the Blue Nose (regardless of event you have entered) you have put your body through 16 weeks of training, both physical and mental. You have trained in awful weather. You have eaten healther, feel better, and have worked hard to be at the point you are.

    On race day, May 18th, we are all going to line up together... all 5000 of us. The annoucers are going to be yelling words of encouragment to us as we wait. Music will be blaring. Soon you will hear on your mark, get set, then the sound of the gun. This is where the chills down your spine come in... You will hear the screaming of our families, friends, and thousands apon thousands of spectators at the start finish line. It will take a few minutes but soon you will start to move with the other runners and your race has begun. Along the way you will come accross water stations, take a glass of water from a volunteer even if you don't need one. This is your Olympics, take in the atmosphere. You are going to come accross homeowners along the route, out on their front lawns cheering you on. Banging pots, holding signs that say "Give'r".

    You are going to give it your all because this is what you have trained for. You will have a bib number on your chest and a chip on you sneaker to keep your time. You are part of something special. Soon you will come up Brunswick st. and see the start/finish line. You will hear the announcer call your name as you approach. You cross the finish line with your arms raised you will see the same screaming famlies and friends will be there to greet us. A volunteer will place a metal around your neck and congratulate you while another wraps a foil blanket around you to stay warm.

    Does this sound familiar? This is the same treatment an olympic marathoner receives. The Blue Nose has become my OLYMPICS! The feeling that will come over you when you see the finish line, cross the finish line and find your loved ones is something I still can't put into words. That feeling is the reason I do this. I look forward to seeing you all at the finsh line. You can do this!

    Tip of the Week: Stay Focused! I know that this time of year is wet, cold, windy... Welcome to Halifax! Get out and get your runs in. You will have a much better race day for it. I can't remember a nice day for the Blue Nose Marathon yet! Here's to hoping!

    Quotes of the week:"With confidence, you have won even before you have started." ---Marcus Garvey 10/31/01

    "For some people it's the end of the rainbow, but for us it is the end of the finish line." ---Larisa Healy

    Have a great week, stay healthy, GIVE'R !
  • April 01, 2008
    Hey Everyone. Hope your training is going well. I have had a so so week. I ran Tues,Wed,Thurs. All very good runs and a good hill training day on Wednesday. The so so comes in over the weekend. I had committed to play in an annual charity hockey tournament which takes place the last week of March every year. I have played with the same team for the last 5 years. I wanted to say NO but I couldn't bring myself to do it. We played Thursday, Friday and Sunday. I was so tired from this weekend that I didn't run my long run, I ate and drank poorly all weekend and felt like a bag of garbage all day Sunday. I got out yesterday for a very good 12km run. Feeling like my old self again. The one part that I did enjoy about taking the few days off this weekend is that it broke up the same routine that I have been following for the last 10 weeks, 4 mid week runs,long run on Sunday, rest on Monday and Friday. Outside of the bad decisions I made this weekend I am very pleased with my change of eating habits. I have officially lost 20 lbs to date, I am now at 216 lbs (I am cheating a little, I weighed in immediately after my last 29km run and haven't weighed myself since...keep this between you and I). The other part of my training that I am pleased with is my flexibility... when I first started to see Fred(lifestyle coach extraordinary) I was as stiff as a board. I now have range of motion that I used to have when I played High school football. I have to thank Fred for all his help with this. My race day goal weight is one ounce less then 200lbs so I have 16 more pounds to go before race day. Tip of the Week: Don't do Something New!, I am a hypocrite with this tip, don't try a new sport or workout regiment if you didn't already do it before you started your training. Introducing a new workout could cause you grief in your training, cause muscle soreness in new muscle groups, potentially cause injury and so much more. Quotes of the week:"Running is a lot like life. Only 10 percent of it is exciting. 90 percent of it is slog and drudge." Dave Bedford "Mind is everything: muscle - pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind." Paavo Nurmi Have a great week!
  • April 03, 2008
    Hey Gang, I had a great but humbling day of running today (Thursday). I don't normally do my blog mid-week but this story is funny so I thought I would share. I was unable to get out for my hill training yesterday so I committed to do it today. I left my work and took off for Point Pleasant Dr. (about 2 k from work, a good warm up). I was disappointed that none of my colleuges wanted to go. It is always nice when doing hills to have someone to push you and compete a little, helps make them go faster. So I get to Point Pleasant Dr and I notice a girl jogging lightly down the hill then turning around picking up speed and making it to the top. So that little competitive streak I possess tells me to pick it up and show her what I am made of. What a joke...by the time I had done three hills I think she had lapped me twice...I was huffing,puffing,gagging,praying. I think on the inside she was laughing her guts out, and when we got to the bottom she had mentioned that it was her last hill... I said to myself "THANK GOD"...when we got to the top I told her "great job", unfortunatly she was about 100 feet ahead of me at that point so I am guessing she didn't here me. So whoever you are, lady doing hill training Thursday at lunch.... You ROCK, and I am humbled. Quote of the Day: Don't bite off more then you can chew!
  • April 08, 2008
    Hello Everyone! A Little more then 5 weeks to The Bluenose! I have had a good week this week. I completed my first 32 km run this Sunday. My body has recognized the difference between 29 km and 32 km. But all is well. I have noticed a huge difference in my endurance since I had started training. I've noticed that when progressing in my training it is more about injury awareness and prevention rather then having the endurance to complete the marathon. When running on Sunday I probably had enough endurance left to run a full marathon. I would have had to drag my body the other 10k. I have to put a shout out to the other Team Myles Runners. I love reading how everyone is doing. I find it interesting that most of us run into the same concerns and same positive attributes with our training regardless of distance. Tip of the Week: Stay the Course: Some of your training sessions are going to go really bad. Keep a positive mindset about it. You are going to have good runs, and bad runs. Remember the good ones,forget the bad. You can do this! Quotes of the week: Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan quote Few of us know what we are capable of doing? we have never pushed ourselves hard enough to find out. - Alfred A. Montapert
  • April 19, 2008
    Hello Fellow Runners. I have had a odd couple of weeks. Two weeks ago I had a brutal week of training. I got all of my runs in, they were just painful. I always feel like I have been hit by a truck for the first 2 or 3k of my runs and start to warm up and get on a roll for the remainder of my run. That didn't happen this week. It was brutal from start to finish. I was a little nervous about my Sunday 23k run ( April 13th) with the week of training going so bad but all in all it went quite well. All told I think my body was trying to tell me that I was pushing to hard and that I needed to take a few days. After my Sunday run I took Monday,Tuesday, off and ran only 6k on Wednesday and it made a huge difference. This week past I had great runs, felt very strong and the truck that had hit me the week before decided to drive by me instead of over me. I have been seeing terrific results with my health since the start of my training. I am down 2 pant sizes, I am down weight, but more so just feeling alot better. I have to thank a few people for this. First off is Fred Alyward from Quest One-to-One. With the healthy eating plan he had set up for me, to the streching regime that he puts me threw, to the motivation that he provides, I am sure that this marathon training would be unacheivable. If you are in need for someone to help you get your lifestyle back on track I would strongly suggest looking Fred up. He has a way of bringing the best out of you, forcing yourself to look at where you can improve,and providing the tools and motivation to succeed. Most of all I have to thank my wife. To run a marathon you have to have the support from your loved ones to make it possible. If you can imagine we have to find a way to juggle work,family, and personal time while pencilling in about 8 hours of running time in a week on top of the 3 hours of rehabilitation. She has adjusted her schedule, organized our children, and sometimes forced me out the door to get a run in. On top of that she is training for the half marathon. If it wasn't for her none of this would be possible. Thank you for everything Nicky. Tip of the week: Thank the ones who have helped you. Everything we do to train for a Run takes a comittment from usually a number of people. Thank them for making running possible. I also have to send a huge Thank you to Jeff Badcock from New Balance. His, and New Balance's support with running gear and assistance with proper footwear has made the act of running more enjoyable. As well as Luke from Arobic's First on Quinpool. If you need some help finding the right shoe for you he is the best of the best. Quotes of the Week: Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. - Luis Escobar "Don't fear moving slowly forward...fear standing still." -Kathleen Harris  
  • April 28, 2008
    3 Weeks left... I have offically run my last super long run yesterday...yeee haw! It darn near killed me. 32 kms is long. Thinking to myself I have to do 10 more kilometres after this makes me a little nervous. What I remember about doing my first marathon is that your mind takes over where your body is telling you STOP! I am hoping that is true for this one. It is kind of funny looking back over the last number of weeks. I have a 23km run coming up this Sunday and I am excited about it. Four weeks ago I would have been dreading a 23km run. It goes to show how when you put your mind to something and goal set that you can do just about anything. I am at a point where I am having trouble concentrating on anything but marathon day. At work people are talking about it, friends are asking how your doing, family are telling people about it, the Blue Nose ads in the paper and on the bus shelter everywhere you turn (which are great motivation when you are running...thank you marathon PR committee) it's hard not to. I have become a little concerned about my health.. For about the last week I have been having a lower back issue that doesn't seem to want to go away. I have been able to do my runs effectively but post run has been a bit of a bother. During my run this Sunday at about 30km in my back was really stiff and sore. I have been seeking medical attention in the form of my physio and today a massage therapist which has helped. I am hoping that my appointment with Fred our Lifestyle coach will help me with this as well... I'll keep you posted. Outside of that things are going really well. I wish you all the best of luck with your run. Remember keep your eye on the prize.. we are less then three weeks away. Nothing can stop us now. Tip of the Week: Stay Positive: Little things are going to creep up on you this far along in our training. ( My back). You may have had a bad run, have sore body parts, nursing injury, no time... It's OK!!! You have done enough to finish your run. Keep your goal in sight. Don't let the little things get you down. I remember my first Blue Nose Marathon, John Stanton from the Running Room gave a talk at the Pasta Dinner the night before. He said "Your Strong,You have trained hard, your Ready!" I keep saying that to myself everytime somthing doesn't go right. Quotes of the Week: It's always too soon to quit. - Norman Vincent Peale Endurance is patience concentrated. - Carlyle "If you think you won't finish, you won't." - Dick Collins PS: I had a flash back yesterday, On my long run Sunday I was feeling awful, had been stoped by a red light on Argicola and Rainnie Dr. I thought it was a good thing, I got to have a little rest, take a shot of water. Wouldn't you know it the girl who had schooled me on the hills a few weeks back had caught up to the group I was running with. We exchanged pleasantries and when the light turn green her and her running partner took off. It was almost like the God of running was saying you feel bad now... how about this! I thought it was funny..hope you all got a kick out of it!
  • May 06, 2008
    Hello Fellow Runners! I don't know about you but I can't wait for May 18. I have been training for 16 long weeks, have been eating healthier,stretching better, feeling like a million bucks and can't wait to go out and run this thing. I'm pumped !!! I am having a hard time concentrating on work (I hope my boss isn't reading this), all I can think about is running. This is quite the change from 5 months ago. I was overweight, no energy, no focus, no drive. My work habits were suffering (once again boss please don't read), I could hardly get out of my own way. Thank you BLUE NOSE MARATHON!!!! If it wasn't for this event every May I honestly don't know where I would be today. You all deserve a huge thank you not only from me but from everyone like me. In the 5 years that the marathon has taken place you have given average Nova Scotian's an opportunity to better themselves physically,emotionally, and start us on a path to healthier lifestyles. Have a look around the streets of Halifax every day. You see more and more people becoming active, out running. Running, and the people who run are contagious, you can't help but feel better just being around them. I have had a great week of running. I ran 23k on Sunday and I swear I could have run the whole thing that day. I did speed training on Wednesday with Lori one of my Sunday running partners. It was interesting how helpful speed training is. It gave me this extra burst of energy that I didn't know I had. Thanks Lori, you ROCK!. I having been having some trouble with my back and my left foot. I am so close to Marathon day that I don't try to worry about it. I have been seeing a Physio for it has been doing wonders. I having been doing ice cold baths as well. They suck on every level. It is total agony for about 5 minutes until you go numb then about 8 minutes of shaking. The kicker is when you get out you feel amazing which makes it worth while. Have a great week of running. If you see an overweight guy running across the bridge at lunch with a huge smile on his face give me a honk of encouragement. I promise I will wave back! Tips of Week: 1. Hydrate. I don't believe I am saying this but it has been getting warmer in Halifax lately, don't take it lightly. Drink tons of water,fluids...if you are feeling weak stop!!! One run is not worth ruining your entire 4 months of training. 2. Find a BLUE NOSE Marathon Organizer and Thank them. It if wasn't for each and everyone of them we wouldn't be feeling as good as we are. Quotes of the week:"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." Jesse Owens "We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." -Emil Zatopek "Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" Peter Maher
  • May 08, 2008
    Funny Story.... As you all are aware we have been having warmer weather then usual. It has been sunny,hot, even a little muggy. As you are also aware I am not your average build for a marathon runner. Let's just say that the combination of those two don't normally fare well. For long runs I always take procautions (ie. Vasoline in placed that rub,tape to cover places that will chaff until they bleed.. you are all runners now you know what I am talking about. Well my run yesterday it was warm out and I hadn't taken the proper procautions because I was only running 10 k. I am paying for it now. Feels like someone took a sander to my chest and a blowtorch to my thighs. This is a WARNING!!!! I am telling this embarassing story because I don't want the same thing to happen to anyone else. Tip of the week: Bodyglide and nipguards (for men) Quote of the weak: "Don't run in warmer weather unless you are prepared!" Calvin Clarke ps: Uncase anyone got the assumption that The Team Myles members are pillars of health and healthy eating, I had a Baconator from Wendy's last night and it was fantastic. I felt guilty for about 2 hours afterwards and im telling all of you to feel better. I do!
  • May 12, 2008
    Hey Blue Noser's, 6 days left until the BIG DAY! I am feeling a little lazy this week. It is not because I don't want to run it is because I am not supposed to. This is called taper week. It is where you decrease your km in preparation for race day. I know it is good for my body and it is a part of Marathon training so I will have to live with it. So instead of talking about my week this week, let's talk about the event and some pointers I may suggest to help you along the way. ( I am no running guru so if these pointers don't work for you I am OK with it) 1. Have all of your running gear ready the night before. 2. Pin your bib number on your running shirt 3. Attach your chip to your sneaker lace. 4. Have your bodyglide/Vasoline, bandages,tape organized wear you can find them... If you read my last blog you will understand this is VERY IMPORTANT! 5. If you are going to have a water belt, have your bottles filled and you belt laid out. 6. Have your breakfast prepared . You will not want to concentrate on anything but your run in the morning take every step possible to make your morning as seamless and smooth as you can. 7. Have back up gear ready for weather. Ie jackets/gloves etc. 8. If you are not going to the Pasta Village at the World Trade Centre, try to get some carbs into you about 12 hours from race time. (I would suggest getting out to the Pasta Village, it is a great time and you get to see about 1000 other runners as nervous as you are so you won't feel alone) 9. Something I have learned is that you will get cold at the start/finish line waiting for the race to start. You also don't want to over dress in case by some miracle we have nice weather this year. What I do is go to Value Village or discount store and buy a sweater and sweat pants. About 5 minutes before the event I take them off and discard them at the starting line. 10. If you listen to music when you run make sure that your Ipod or music player is charged and working properly. Just go and have fun. Take this event in... Look around at the start/finish line and listen to all the conversations going on around you. Focus on your goals and don't let them out of your site. I have had a blast writing these blogs, and I hope you have enjoyed reading them. I wish you all the best of luck in whatever event you have registered in. Just remember you have trained for this, you deserve to be a part of this great event, you are ready! GIVE'R. To my fellow Team Myles members it has been great to read your blogs. I have enjoyed reading your journey for the last 16 weeks, it has helped me stay focused for mine. Carolyn I especially want to congratulate you on your first marathon. I know first hand what you have gone through and I know you can do this. I have to thank Fred our life coach again for all of his hlep. You got me through this. I have to thank my wife (Nicole) again for all of her support. Trying to balance our family,work, personal lives and running is extremly difficult. You were very understanding and incouraging and doing this would not have been possible without you. I love you and will meet you at the finish line. Thank you Blue Nose! Tip of the Week: Don't worry, Be happy! Quotes of the week:"The gun goes off and everthing changes... the world changes... and nothing else really matters."   - Patti Sue Plummer " I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart." - Mike Fanelli "Just because your muscles start to protest doesn't mean you have to listen."  "Pain is temporary; finishing is forever."
  • May 14, 2008
    Things happen in very mysterious ways! I went out for a 10k run today. It was my typical run from my office accross Brunswick,over the bridge around the sportsplex and back. So I do Brunswick, over the bridge around the sportsplex and I am on my way back accross the bridge feeling pretty good. Wouldn't you know it coming over the peak of the bridge towards me was the girl from hill training (remember the one who schooled me badly). I thought to myself what are the odds. So we pass each other and she gives me the runners wave and says "how are you?" I in sync said "how are you" as well and off we went. It gave me a little perk in my step and I took off back towards Brunswick. About half way back to the office she caught up to me. She was running with a friend, who was cruising right along as well. When she got along side of me I looked over and said hello. She replied "I had to catch up and finally say hello. We have run in to each other all winter and I thought I should introduce myself". She told me her name was Tanya, and she was running the Full Marathon. I in turn told her my name and mentioned I was running the full marathon as well. We had a great talk about our children (her little one turns two tomorrow, so Happy Birthday) and talked about looking forward to Sunday. She was super friendly, as most runners are, and I look forward to bumping into her more often, Regardless of the fact that she will kick my butt. So good luck Tanya, and thank you for your motivation this winter. I look forward to seeing you fly by me this Sunday. (It just wouldn't be the same if you didn't)
  • May 20, 2008
    Well I did it. 42.2km It was not easy. There were times where I wanted to stop. I started off really strong and finished my first half at 2:08 minutes. I felt really good going back over the bridge and around Mic Mac Blvd and into Shubie park. At about 30 km in I was still feeling great and had slowed down to grab a drink when it happened... I walked about 20 feet drank some gatorade I felt light headed and suddenly my stomach decided it had enough and expelled everything. ( I apologize if anyone witnessed this mess) When I came around my energy was drained and I had this monster cramp in the back of my right shoulder that caused me a ton of discomfort. So the last 12 km took about as long as my first 30. I found Dartmouth awfully lonely. It turns out Carolyn the other full marathon Team Myles Rep was right behind me. I was so glad to hear that. I hadn't seen her name on the stats page and I thought she may have run into trouble. You Rock Carolyn. Great Job. Anyone who saw me coming down Waverly Rd, through to Brunswick must have said to themselves "If that is what it is like to run a full marathon, I'm not doing that!" The cool thing about this Sunday was all the familar faces I saw on my run. First was my friend Shauna who was running the half passed me about 6k in. Then I saw Tanya which was special for a couple of reasons. (You will remember Tanya, she was the mystery girl who kicked my butt on the hill training, and pretty much everytime I saw her.) Tanya thanked me on the route for making her Blue Nose memorable. The feeling is mutual Tanya, "great run". Then she proceded to fly past me, which was a fitting end to our running sega. Then I ran into my Life Coach Fred going down Young st. He is motivational just being around. Then my good friend T.L who also was running the half marathon passed me on the last push on Brunswick st. The most special moment in the whole event was seeing my wife Nicky pass me with one km left in her half marathon. I didn't expect to see her on the route because she was expecting to run here race in about 2:15 minutes or so. When she passed me I knew she was having a great race, it choked me up a little watching her go. Great Run Nick, I am so proud of you. My parents brought my son Aidan to various parts of the race route see me run which meant alot. My sister Gill joined me at the end of the bridge to run in with me which has become a Clarke brother/sister tradition. The most memorable moment of all was seeing my son Aidan at the finish line. He had a sign that one of the Volunteers made for him that said "My dad is made of steel!" X0X0. I love you Buddy! This goes to show how much the volunteers care. Thank you. To the other Team Myles members, Congratulations. it was a pleasure taking this journey with you. To everyone who read and commented on our blogs, you made this year's Blue Nose one I won't forget. I apologize for the millions of grammer and punctuation mistakes I might have made over the last 5 months. I didn't say I was a journalist. Thank you
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