| On the way back from the gym on Dec 31,2009, I | | | | and gets synchronized with the IPOD to track your |
| decided to go the Nike store downtown (Bloor St) to | | | | time and distance which later you can upload online |
| look for a new pair of running shoes. During my | | | | later. |
| search came across interesting area of the store | | | | Time to begin was getting close and the runner with |
| where they were promoting a Resolution Run from | | | | the longer distance started first and the rest us |
| 5k to 15k run in Toronto on Jan 3, 2010. I took a | | | | would start 15 minutes after that. Prior to the run we |
| look at the area of the run and it was the | | | | did some warm-up exercises to get loose which was |
| downtown core, which was very comforting. | | | | fun and challenging with all that layer of clothing to |
| During the year had done a couple of 5k runs | | | | work with. Within minutes we began our run it |
| through High Park and Downtown Toronto and had | | | | started to snow again and it was bit slippery and |
| done really well, going to the gym consistently and | | | | manageable. |
| riding my hybrid mountain bike were advantage. | | | | As I began my run I was excited and ready to go. |
| This was a very short notice so there was time to | | | | Listen to music on the IPOD was a tremendous help |
| really train with only 72 hours until the run. Couple of | | | | in keeping my focus from the distance that I had to |
| trips to the gym would help. The only thing was a | | | | cover. The streets were very empty and the traffic |
| concern was the weather, it had started to get cold | | | | was minimal, we encountered a few red lights along |
| in Toronto the last few days so warm layer of | | | | the way but for the most of the run in were very |
| clothing would be very important. | | | | clear. Going uphill was very challenging, all I said to |
| Upon my return the gym went online and registered | | | | myself was that "I have climbed a mountain and I |
| for the event. The next thing I did (which I glad I did! | | | | can do this". This was very important psychological |
| More on why later) was I called Chester Yu and | | | | boost that I need and really helped me focused on |
| good friend who had run multiple runs for short to | | | | maintain my speed. I did walk for brief time at very |
| long marathons all over Ontario. I wanted to be an | | | | tough uphill and the rest of the time kept a distance |
| accountability partner for me regarding this event, he | | | | pace. As I was going downhill I had started to do my |
| gladly accepted and with some additional | | | | Rocky Victory dance by holding my hands up high in |
| encouragement from his girlfriend Jackie everything | | | | Victory. Even did some sidestepping exercises and |
| was set. | | | | even some high leg kick jumping during some clear |
| Being an entrepreneur I have learned from my | | | | areas. |
| mentors the accountability is important when trying | | | | As I got near the end I was saying "Fired up" multiple |
| new things and it was important to put into place so | | | | up and just before entering the doors to the store I |
| that I can create the momentum and desire to get it | | | | did my Olympic weave around some circles where |
| completed. | | | | they plant trees in the spring. There was employee |
| As quickly as I had registered the day had arrived. | | | | filming this and she was enjoying the mini victory |
| Had got all my clothing together including my much | | | | dance. I opened the doors and made sure I did fall |
| loved Toronto Maple Jersey and was set to go. The | | | | and did my victory jig and was clapping with |
| run was to start at 8:30am and I was hoping that it | | | | excitement. |
| wouldn't be below minus 10. As headed out the | | | | I had climbed mountain in California last year and |
| weather bearable and I was warm (that was | | | | remembered the saying it's about the journey not |
| important!) | | | | the destination. The feeling was the same that I had |
| I headed to the subway and to my surprise it was | | | | accomplished the goal. With the support of the |
| closed! So I turned around and begin my pre-run to | | | | participants and employees it made for a great |
| the destination point which was about 2.5 kilometers. | | | | event. |
| When I arrived there was only person there, which | | | | My cell phone had run out of power so I could not |
| was really unusual. Had a quick conversation and | | | | email Chester regarding my completion. They had |
| continued into the store where there participants | | | | some laptops with internet so I emailed him a short |
| who had arrived and were getting prepared. There | | | | time later. He sent me a text response an hour later |
| was a light breakfast which was served and there | | | | that he and Jackie were very proud of me and |
| was sign-up for a draw for some prizes at the end. | | | | Jackie was curious when I was going to go a half or |
| Began to take a look at the run more closely and | | | | full marathon! Let just say I didn't respond to the |
| was shocked when I realized that the run was mainly | | | | text very quickly! |
| uphill! Unfortunately there was no turning back. There | | | | Heading into 2010 creating achievable goals is |
| were handing out IPODS with music and could also | | | | important, stretching yourself and working |
| track your run, (which I though was very cool.) Got | | | | strategically and effectively is the key. As the Nike |
| hooked up with techno-gear and was ready to go. | | | | slogan says "Just Do It! |
| You were a give a chip that you install in your shoe | | | | |