My Running Journey

Last year I took up running, pretty much on a whim, when my wife and a group of her friends decided that they were going to train for a half marathon. We all started training about 12 weeks before the race day, getting in our own runs during the weeks and running as a group for our longer runs on the weekend.

We arrived in Halifax, nervous as hell, but excited at the same time to compete in the Bluenose Half Marathon. I couldn't believe the amount of people running and more surprising was the amount of spectators. The gun sounded and we were off. It was an amazing feeling, people lined the streets to cheer all the runners on, kids giving out hi-5's along the way. When I crossed the finish line in 1 hr 53 min, just under my 2 hr goal, I was hooked and I knew I'd be back. I ended up running about a dozen races during the year ranging from 5 km to 25 km and averaging 50-55 minutes/10k.

This year I decided that I was going to kick my own ass at running. I wanted to run every single race I completed during 2011 (and more) and try and beat my own time in each race. First step was to add some additional workouts to my running routine. My wife and I joined a local gym and we added some weight training and metabolic class training to our regular running. I ended up dropping 20+ lbs in about 3 months and was feeling good about the upcoming running season.

Source 10K - April 2012 44:25

My first race of the 2012 season was the Source for Sports 10k in Charlottetown. I hadn't run it in 2011 but I wanted to get in as many runs as possible before the Bluenose. My training pace had been pretty good leading up to race day and I was hoping that I'd be able to finish in under 50 minutes, something I hadn't been able to do the previous year. I started out at a pretty good pace and maintained it through the run and finished in 44:30, a new PB.

I was feeling good heading into the 1/2 marathon in Halifax and was hoping to be able to finish in under 1:45, I had a great run and finished in 1:39:49. Throughout the summer I've been able to improve my times in every race compared to last year by about 45 seconds to a minute per kilometre. All of my 10k races have been in the 44-46 min range, I was able to better my time in the 25k Harvest Festival race by about 15 minutes, finishing this years race in 2:08:57, and my 10 mile Farmers Helping Farmers race time by 15 minutes as well, from 1:29 last year to 1:14 this year.

Kent 7k - August 2012 31:00

Going into this years half PEI Marathon I was hoping to be under 1:45 for the 21.1k course. It was a cold morning on race day this past Saturday (October 14). The temperature gauge in the car during most of the drive to Charlottetown was 0 degrees, but it rose to a balmy 4 degrees by race time, luckily the wind was light and the rain held off. Three big hills in the last 6k take up a lot of energy but running down University Ave with large groups cheering you gives that extra push you need at the end. I was able to cross in 1:42:02, 17 minutes off last years time.

Running has become part of my regular routine and I'm glad it did. We are very fortunate on PEI to have a large network of organized races via the PEI Roadrunners throughout the year and having an upcoming race motivated me to continue running on a regular basis. I've met some great people and made a lot of new friends through this group. Everyone encourages and motivates each other and makes running fun.

BMO 1/2 Marathon - October 2012 1:42:02

Me, Teresa & Mike - wearing the foil post race

I've got a great support network motivating me, starting with my amazing wife Teresa. She's been posting personal bests in all her races this summer too. Plus we've got an incredible group of friends, including our trainer Lindsay Santos (she rocks), who've traveled to many races to cheer us on and be waiting for us at the finish.

Henry Ford once said  "Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right." I prefer to believe that I can or will. I don't expect to win any races but I sure like beating my main competitor every chance I get, me. I'm hoping I'll be able to continue to beat him on a regular basis moving forward.

NHL Lockout - Regular Joe

Been thinking about writing something about the "lockout" for a few weeks but got pissed off every time I thought about starting to write. Since the NHL season was supposed to start tonight I thought that it would be the appropriate time to throw my two cents onto the ice.

As a pure fan of the game I am disappointed that instead of watching a NHL hockey game tonight I'm writing this post. I grew up with the game; playing, watching, enjoying and now as an adult I'm involved with the Summerside Western Capitals, our local tier II team. I've also been lucky enough to attend many NHL games and see some behind the scenes action in a few different NHL cities.

Day after day I continue to see the combatants battle it out on-line. Twitter has allowed the fans to be involved in a way that was unimaginable during the most recent labour disputes in 1994 and 2004. The amount of information that fans now have access to is overwhelming. We can follow players, agents, broadcasters; basically anyone involved in the game and we know the instant anything happens.

I listen to sports talk radio everyday and they talk about how people are either on the players side or the owners side. I say who the hell cares, I'm on neither side, I'm sure that both side have valid points and arguments but I think the bottom line is that most fans don't give a rats ass about a pissing match between a bunch of billionaires on one side and a bunch of millionaires on the other. We just want to watch the greatest players competing in NHL rinks playing the game we all love.

One word that I continue to hear that the NHL and NHLPA should be scared off is "apathy". As long as people are pissed off it shows they still care but more and more apathy is creeping into the conversation in Canada, be afraid of this word Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr, be very afraid.

Most days I wish that those involved would adhere to the Paul Brown quote "When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." Because right now we are all losing, and I'm getting tired of hearing each side say why they are right. Just lock yourselves in a room and get it done.

For now, we are doing just fine. We've all found lots of things to fill our time. I've got a 1/2 marathon to run this weekend, my PVR is full of great TV, baseball playoffs are on and, oh yeah, there's football too.

Each side may believe that the "fans" will be there to welcome everyone back with open arms when/if games start back up, but I wouldn't be so sure.

I've attached a couple of videos relating to the lockout that I've come across and enjoyed over the past couple of weeks. NHL hockey may or may not resume this year, regardless, we the fans, will be OK  not sure I can say the same for the game we all love.

This video by Universitylhumour sums it up nicely in less than 2 minutes.

This one by @hoodwinkedfilms is pretty funny and gave me a good laugh. "Things You Won't Hear During the NHL Lockout".

Hi5 Fridays

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile now. For the past several months I've been regularly annoying my followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook by posting about Hi5 Fridays.

These are my two favourite posts so far:

Shock the shit out of a co-worker today, give them a hi5. #hi5friday
— Rod Gallant (@Rod_Gallant) September 9, 2011

Even if u feel like giving them a smack, #hi5 a co-worker instead. It'll feel just as good and u probably won't get fired. #hi5friday
— Rod Gallant (@Rod_Gallant) October 14, 2011

I've been getting lots of questions and a few strange looks when people see me Hi5'ing co-workers on Friday's so I figured I'd publish a bit of the history and what several of us at my workplace have been trying to do to boost moral in the office.

Hi5Friday was launched by Joseph Porcelli, the GovLoop.com crew, and the 500 attendees of the Next Generation of Government Summit in Washington DC during the summer of 2011. 

Giving a Hi5 is a great way to acknowledge an awesome co-worker, a job well done, and teamwork. 

Here is how it works:

1. On Fridays try to give at least 5 people in your office (or anyone) a Hi5
2. Join and add a discussion in a Hi5Fridays group and please insert the photos or videos taken and tell about your experience
3. Help spread the word by share your discussion on facebook and twitter - tag it with #Hi5Fridays

So this Friday give out a few Hi5's, I guarantee you'll put a smile on someones face and likely have a few laughs along the way. Just give it a try, you'll be glad you did.

Collaboration - Day or Night

Two weeks ago before the Canada/Russia World Junior Semi-Final I was settling in for the game when I saw this tweet.

any #goc have vpn access and can check something on publiservice for me?
— Nicholas Charney (@nickcharney) January 4, 2012

The following thread ensued.

data-in-reply-to="154371555126808576"> @nickcharney If needed I can seriously be to the office and back in less than 10 minutes. #nojoke #islandlife
— Rod Gallant (@Rod_Gallant) January 4, 2012

data-in-reply-to="154372215289290752"> @nickcharney it's not a big deal, seriously. I'll be back soon. Just DM me what you need.
— Rod Gallant (@Rod_Gallant) January 4, 2012

Before puck drop I was able to get to the office, grab my laptop, get back home, find and send Nick what he needed. 

Shortly after Nick send this out (and my response).

style="font-family: Calibri;"> data-in-reply-to="154383940826828800"> @nickcharney Glad to help Nick....Not just the NHL that can do 24/7!!! #w2p
— Rod Gallant (@Rod_Gallant) January 4, 2012

From start to finish it took about 20 minutes of my time. A small investment of time but a huge investment in building relationships.
  
This interaction speaks volumes for the community that has been built on twitter by government employees. I have no vested interest in what Nick was working on and didn't even know what it was. But because of my previous interactions with him it was a no-brainer for me to jump in and help out as he's done for so many others, including me, in the past.

The beauty is that this type of interaction isn't unique. Day after day I see examples of government employees helping each other out. Social media tools have allowed for the ability to connect day or night and it isn't because we have to but because we want to, which is a big difference. This is also what I believe will sustain this community and allow it to continue to grow and become stronger. 

We all contribute in our own way, make sure you find a way to help out. You'll be glad you did.