A couple of weeks ago I announced to the world that I would cap my year-long “get fit” project with a feat of strength, stamina, and stupidity. I made the decision that I would run the G2G trail – aka Guelph to Goderich, Ontario. This is an old CP rail line turned hiking trail that is 132 km in length. I’m planning to do it over three days, September 24th – 26th. This will be a test of endurance, fortitude (mental and physical) and sanity (although I may have already crossed that line). Trust me when I say, I’ve never done anything like this before.
I am not an athlete, nor do I consider myself athletic. I am not an ultramarathoner or some kind of “Forrest Gump” running savant. Yes, I have run throughout the years of my life – on and off – but I’ve never in my wildest dreams taken on anything quite this ambitious. When I made the decision to run the G2G trail I may have done so without thinking it entirely through – I’ve been known to do that. Yes, I knew it would be tough. Tougher than anything I’ve ever done. But I didn’t quite understand how taxing the training alone would be on my body, or the logistics required to make this run happen. To complete a run of this distance, I’ll have to complete a marathon a day for three days in a row – yikes! Then there is the logistics of support. I’m going to need help to make this run happen. Luckily, I have the backing of some great people in my life who have volunteered to be my crew. (I’m going to need them after the run as chances are I won’t be able to bend over to change my socks!) This is going to be a big undertaking on every level.
So why, you may ask, is a self-proclaimed non-athletic, former junk food junkie taking on this exercise in self torture? Well, initially it was to prove the point that at 60 years old I’m in the best shape of my life. However, that reason, while meaningful to me, felt altogether too self-indulgent. Putting my body, sanity, family, and friendships through three days of torture (not to mention countless hours of preparation) to prove a point that no one other than me cares about is just selfish. No, a mission like this needs a larger purpose.
For me, there are three main reasons to complete this run. The first is the belief that we (that’s you and me dear reader) are capable of far more than we give ourselves credit. Over the years I have sold myself short on numerous occasions because I didn’t believe in myself. I’d be willing to bet you have too. So, this run is about proving to myself, and hopefully you as well, that you and I can accomplish something of this magnitude regardless of age or ability. If nothing else I hope it will serve as inspiration for you to take on your version of the G2G Trail, whatever that may be.
The second reason is altruistic. I have mentioned in this space before that I was born with a defective heart – there was a hole between the two main chambers. In the late 60’s I underwent cutting edge (for the times) heart surgery and had it repaired. I was one of the lucky ones as I had a great result. Many others were not as fortunate. It was the luck of the draw that I was born that way, but it was also good fortune that there was an amazing team of doctors and nurses that were able to fix me. I am fortunate a helping hand was available when I needed it most.
Today a baby with a similar condition can have their heart repaired invitro! That’s right, they can detect the issue and even repair it before the baby is born. It is only through research that procedures like this can be developed. It is this type of research that the Heart and Stroke Foundation finances. It doesn’t stop there. Us boomers are heading straight toward that point in life where the ol’ ticker can begin to fail. This is the time where clogged arteries need cleaning or other issues of rhythm and operation can develop. Again, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is all over research to help prevent and treat these aliments. Heart disease and stroke are the second leading cause of death in North America – they take one life every five minutes in Canada alone. You would be hard pressed to find a family that hasn’t been touched by heart disease or stroke. So, this run is about raising funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and through it, saving lives.
The final reason is to create awareness. It is vitally important that we not only maintain a healthy level of fitness but also build on it as we age. The baby boomers are the largest cohort of people ever to have lived on the planet. There are approximately 80 million boomers in North America alone. What happens when all those people need bypass surgery, or diabetes care, or cancer treatment? What happens when one in four develop brain disease such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? These kinds of afflictions will alter lives, break families, and have the potential to bankrupt our health care system. Who wants to spend their remaining years in poor health, struggling to get the care needed just to keep going? Maintaining and building a healthy lifestyle is proven to enhance health and delay or negate the onset of age-related diseases. In other words, you can stay healthy longer if you exercise daily and follow a balanced diet.
I’ve started on my way to living a sound healthy lifestyle. Yes, my current trajectory is a little extreme. I don’t plan on running the G2G trail on a weekly basis. However, I will continue to run, walk and workout long after this event is over. I may find another big goal to accomplish, just to prove I can do it. It is my hope you will do the same. I hope you will find the time each day to walk, run, ride, swim, or workout – do what works for you. I also hope you set a goal you’re not sure you can accomplish and test yourself in the doing. Finally, I hope you can find the means to donate to the Heart and Stroke foundation. After all, you never know when you or someone you love could be the beneficiary of their research. On September 24-26 I hope to help pay forward some of the good fortune that has come my way – and pay back for a life that would’ve been completely different without a helping hand.
To donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation click here.