Myra's Marathon comes to its final glorious finish line

Hearty congratulations to Myra Rodrigues for completing the final 21.1 kilometres in her journey walking a half marathon in each Canadian province and territory to raise funds for the library at the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

Myra began her trek a year ago. On Sunday she crossed the finish line of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon with a gang of ardent supporters at her side and more cheerleaders shouting from the sidelines. Over 13 half marathons Myra has walked 274.3 kilometres – not including training walks! Myra’s commitment to seeing her goal of raising money for the CNIB Library – so that all may read – is inspirational.

Many of you may have read my posting on this blog about my trip last June with Myra to Mayo, Yukon where I was privileged to guide her on one of these 13 half marathons. The significance of Myra’s reason for walking really hit me that weekend. As her guide, I was prepared for all the challenges that face someone who can not see. The difficulties of navigating through airports, public washrooms, and along a race course were obvious. Well, sort of obvious, I learned a lot about how poorly public washrooms are designed for the visually challenged.

As we settled into our seats for our flight to Vancouver en route to Whitehorse, Myra pulled out a hefty “book” of white sheets. It was a copy of the Braille Courier – a compendium of news and magazine articles transcribed by the CNIB. Myra was reading an article that had been transcribed from the Walrus – coincidentally an article that I had read when it was published last March. It was an article about how Canadian universities won’t give failing grades to young people any more. It was controversial and it was thought-provoking. I passed it along to some power walkers whose university-age daughter I thought might find it interesting or possibly irritating!

The thing is I couldn’t just pass it along to Myra or anyone else who is severely visually impaired. I need the CNIB to be there.

As an avid reader, and some may say my reading habit has the qualities of an addict, discovering Myra reading an article that I had read three months earlier felt like a slap on the face that woke me to something that wasn’t as obvious as the travails of getting around as a blind person. Every day I read whatever is in front of me – the newspaper, magazines that come to the house, even cereal boxes. Every day reading adds to the richness of my life.

How does the CNIB find the resources to transcribe all the interesting material that is available to sighted readers into Braille and talking book? It’s a question that remains unanswered for me but I am grateful to Myra and her extraordinary commitment to walk these 13 half marathons over the past year. She has raised more than $60,000 to help them tackle this daunting task.

If you walk and you read, there’s still time to donate to Myra’s Marathon at www.cnib.ca/myrasmarathon .

Reasons to walk

Regardez pas a gauche! Regardez pas a gauche!

This is what I heard just moments before witnessing these daring participants in the Marathon du Medoc last week. I knew you'd probably enjoy this photo but I didn't want to frighten anyone in my first posting!

Walking the Terry Fox event on Sunday in the blazing heat and humidity, I think I finally de-toxed on my Medoc wine tasting consumption.

The more events I walk the more I appreciate the value of each. Medoc was an extraordinary experience of joie de vivre, camaraderie, and beauty (well, depending on what's coming up on your left!). The Terry Fox Run is both a celebration of life and a life. Terry's story is one of such personal courage, resilience, and tenacity that I feel compelled to get out for the 10k distance no matter what the weather is promising. On that second Sunday in September I always wake up saying "If Terry could do this every day for months, much of it with no supporters other than a couple of friends in a van, I can make this effort."

In the weeks to come there are many more organized events that will have us toning down the Saturday night festivities and witnessing the early Sunday morning moon set. I look forward to all of them.

If you haven't committed to anything yet, Sunday September 28 is chock full with opportunity.

As many of you know we have been following Myra's Marathon to raise funds for the CNIB library. Myra has now completed 12 of 13 half marathons in each province and territory across Canada. The last one to complete is in her home town - Toronto! Myra will be walking the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon on September 28 and we would love to overwhelm her in the final chapter of her fund raising project with as many supporters as possible. If you would like to walk the event with us (or in support of Myra but at your own pace) sign up under her team at http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/ . We have back bibs and bracelets (for a nominal fee) that all supporters can wear as a show of support. There will also be a crowd of us on the sidelines cheering her on.

The good news/bad news about September 28 is that there is another equally fabulous and worthwhile event happening in Kitchener where a group of dynamic and enthusiastic walkers have orchestrated the KW Walking Classic. Yes! A walk-only event and the first of its kind in Canada! There are 5k and 10k options. From what I've seen and heard from these organizers this will prove to be a huge and continuing success. As well as recognizing the growing popularity and excellence of walkers everywhere, the event will raise awareness of mental health issues, particularly the importance of activity for those suffering from mental health disability. Have a look at www.kwwalkingclassic.com

Use this post to let us know what inspires you when entering races and leave us a review of one of your favourite races.

Of wine, costumes and the Marathon du Medoc

Oh, la, la doesn't even begin to describe this marathon. I have to admit this may beat Big Sur for pure Joie de Vivre!! Starting with the parade of competitors in costume, through the 26 wine tastings, to the finish line swag and post-race tent filled with MORE wine and French culinary delights, this race was fun from beginning to end. That's not mentioning the pasta party the night before and lunch at the vineyard the day after the race. Oh, and I forgot to tell you the scenery, both human and landscape, is quite something too.

It will be difficult to appreciate a banana at a finish line ever again.

For those of you who were concerned about my limited wine drinking experience, I want you to know that already at kilometer 1, I was a fully appreciative advocate for wine as endurance fuel. It certainly dulls the pain. And, it adds a “je ne cest quoi” to the conviviality of a marathon.

I have two resolutions after finishing.

1. To return with a better understanding of French. I'd love to know what some of these guys were saying on the course - you will too when you see what I saw. (All of my pics will be uploaded when I return from France.)
2. To return and use the ENTIRE time limit allowed for the race - those wine stops were a real party!

More to say in the days to come!

For now enjoy a few of my favourite pics.

Of wine, costumes, and marathons

As you can see I have been busy with other activities - not blogging, not walking!

Seriously, I know it doesn't look like it at first glance, but I am training here for a tough posting this weekend.

I'm off to the Medoc area of France (just north of Bordeaux) to walk the Marathon du Medoc. Passing through 58 Chateaux that make some of France's Grand Cru vintages, the race features 26 aid staions with wine! Then there are the oysters, "entrecote" et "jambon", cheeses, and even ice cream!

If I win the race, I win my weight in wine. The goods news is that I won't win! I've never been known to drink more than an inch, maybe two, of wine at one go. And that oyster you see me slurping is the third oyster that's seen the inside of my throat.

Hence the training you see here. This race could prove my undoing, if I am going to take part with my usual enthusiasm for all things marathon. Indeed, I've heard rumours that certain parties feel I'm not qualified to go.

Ah well, with my costume ready (those Midsummer wings are going to come in handy), four swallows of oyster behind me, and indefatigable enthusiasm to walk a PW (Personal Worst), off I go to savour surely one of the tastiest marathons on the planet.

I'm open to any advice on wine drinking and marathoning at the same time!