wow, Wow and WOW!

It's been a week of observation that raises the bar on a lot of things. The first "wow" was being a part of the World Triathlon Finals Motorcycle support crew and not really realizing the magnitude of what the event stood for and what I had become involved in. Being on the actual racetrack, marshalling the judges, keeping the track safe and supervised was a larger event that I had expected, but having such a hands on first time learning experience as this, all I could say was, "wow"! Continuing on with the Triathlon; doing the pre ride with the "Para" athletes, people who have lost the use of certain functions of their lower limbs and bodies. Seeing people propel themselves competitively in specialized wheelchairs, paracycles, hand cycles, visually impaired tandem cyclists was inspiring beyond words. As we passed through traffic inspecting the course, people observing those who had overcome unimaginable obstacles were welling up with tears, looking into their vehicles, I could see they were saying "Wow" as well! The third WOW came unexpectedly on a simple hiking trail......We were walking along doing the tourist thing and an older couple was taking pictures of each other at a popular viewpoint, we asked if they wanted a couple picture taken and they were ok with it. But what rattled me or should I say made me take a look at my "man card" was when we took the picture, he looked at his wife, not the camera, it was the most purely romantic, honest look I have ever seen from one person to another, WOW! All things combined, these three things made me look at doing the best I can with something new, looking at what and where my inspiration is as I overcome obstacles and will I become as great as some of the men that are put in my path? It's been a good week.

Just coming up blank right now.......

I'm looking for something inspiring to blog about, but I'm coming up blank for the day and have been for the week. I'm getting all my work related jobs finished before Tuesday and my boss is trying to cram in everything he can, as if I'm "employee of the month" and have no other plans, but come Tuesday, I'm gone! I'm taking my ten weeks of holidays. I'm gone, I'm taking the time, I'm jumping on the bike, taking in a 4 day motorcycle travellers meeting in Nakusp B.C.; I've signed up for volunteer positions while I'm there, because there's something about giving back that inspires me; then once I'm back I'm volunteering by marshalling dignitaries on my motorcycle in a triathlon, then it'll be nothing but eat and train. This might not seem like a lot of excitement for having this amount of time off, but this is for me. I already see myself in the mountains doing my forms, requirements, studying my curriculum.  I have the pedal bike ready for when I'm back, to go from home, to the kwoon and the gym and nothing else. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Robert.

I DID IT!!!

I DID IT!!!
It seemed like a good idea at the time: one of my I ho Chuan goals was to run in the "Canadian Death Race". 
The 2nd of August came before I knew it as with all that is seemingly on my plate I found very little time to train.
I ran 2 km. in May, then,
I ran 2 km around the Kwoon in June, then,
I ran 2 km last weekend at our Kung Fu "Boot Camp", then,
I did 38 km the Saturday night up and over Mt. Hamel in "The Hamel Assault".
As of Sunday and Monday there wasn't a muscle, tendon, joint or connecting part in my legs (and attachments) that isn't hurting, swollen, rubbed raw, bruised in some way, but I did it. I did it for all the people who believed in me, I did it for my team mates, I did it for our team Captain who's dreams to cross the finish line were larger than mine, somehow I did it; my goal was to finish, not to beat any record time or place; I ran forwards, when it hurt to much to do that, I ran backwards, sideways, power walked, did the "Fox Trot" (made famous by Terry Fox), but I did not stop or give up! The mountain was nothing, the real obstacle was in my head, telling me I couldn't do it. I'll be back. Words can't describe what an incredible group of people I spent the weekend with. I have to wonder though, running 6 km over three months and hurting the way I do, I'm hoping I didn't over train.