Tag: Motivation

Thoughts on Dedication… and a sale!

I’ve been thinking about the word DEDICATION recently; two quite different meanings of the same word, in fact. The following definitions are from the Collins English Dictionary:

dedication n. 2. an inscription… prefixed to a book… dedicating it to a person… 3. complete and wholehearted devotion, esp. to a career, ideal, etc.

Let me share some thoughts on these different but related meanings. Be sure to read through to the end of the piece for a sale announcement…

The Inscription to Stroke of Luck

Here’s what I wrote last year as the dedication of my memoir, Stroke of Luck:

“To the strong and resilient women I’ve been blessed to have in my life: Mom, Nonna and Grandma, Kathleen and Carolyn, Lisa, and for always, Deb”

It’s been a tough summer. My mother died in July. I wrote a piece about her, which you can find here. Naturally, she’s been on my mind a lot lately. What’s more, my late sister Carolyn’s birthday was in late August and we are coming up to the anniversary of her passing. It’s still hard to believe she’s gone. These two amazing women are missed and will continue to be missed.

Not all the news has been negative though. My sister Kathleen continues to be an inspiration to me. In a few days, my wife Deborah and I will celebrate a milestone anniversary. I know I don’t deserve her, and I count myself lucky every day. I can only hope she sees her way to keeping me around so we can enjoy many more years together.

The words I wrote about my mom, my sisters, my wife and the other important women in my life ring true, perhaps this year more than most.

I truly have been blessed.

Complete and Wholehearted Devotion

For many people, Labour Day is the first reminder that the end of summer is near. The rapidly shortening days are hard to ignore. For me, there is inevitably one night in August when the temperature drops enough to wake me up, freezing under a thin summer blanket. That has already happened… a couple of weeks ago!

So, fall is approaching. And even though I’m mostly on the sidelines now, I still think of September as the beginning of the fall racing season.

I’m in awe of runners who continue to show such dedication to our sport. I haven’t forgotten the feelings. There’s nothing quite as daunting, or as satisfying, as finishing a long training run in July, with a goal race still months away. Building up a base of fitness, day by day and workout by workout, resonates with me.

Speaking of goal races, what’s on the calendar this year? Quite a lot.

Several of my club mates are closing in on the St. George Marathon or the Portland Marathon (October 5 and 6, respectively). One of the world’s premier races, the Chicago Marathon, goes a week later. I recently met a couple of Calgary runners who have been preparing for Chicago. I’m so proud of all these great athletes, and I can’t wait to track their progress on race day!

In Canada, one of my all-time favourite races, the Royal Victoria Marathon, is also on October 13, our Thanksgiving weekend. Other upcoming events are the Marathon Beneva de Montreal (September 22) and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 20).

Besides the marquee races, September also marks the start of the cross-country season. On the local scene, the Calgary Roadrunners organize an annual XC Grand Prix Series. The series includes ten races at various locations around town.

In short, it’s a great time of the year for runners or fans of athletics.

Anyone gearing up for a goal race will be anxious for the payoff, with months of preparation now in the rear-view mirror. All that remains are a few more weeks of targeted training before a well-earned taper. The final weeks before race day can be challenging: staying healthy and focused is key. Even the taper can be nerve-wracking, as we reluctantly scale back from the workload our bodies have become accustomed to.

It really does take extraordinary dedication. So, to all racers… I salute you. Best of luck!

And so, a Dedication Sale…

Maybe you are thinking about the important people in your life.

Or maybe you are gearing up for a fall race and need some extra motivation.

I’ve got just the thing for you… a Dedication Sale!

For the rest of September, you can purchase print and e-book versions of my memoir, Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics, at a special online price. Act fast, as the 20% discount applies only for a limited time.

Who knows, Stroke of Luck might be the secret sauce for a big race result. If you’re not a runner, I’m sure you will relate to my story. Why not order your copy today?

Until next time,

The LPGA Comes to Town

Just when I needed a reminder that things are rarely as bad (or as good) as they seem, I took up my duties as a volunteer at the CPKC Women’s Open. The tournament is our national championship for the stars of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). For 2024, the Open was being held at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, which happens to be my home course. 

I signed up for the gig months ago. That was before the downturn in my mother’s health, and her passing in early July. I almost forgot about the tournament; it seemed so far off. Then, suddenly, tournament week arrived.

After a quick orientation to the role of course marshal, we were thrown into the deep end, with practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday, and a pro-am on Wednesday. The four tournament rounds would run from Thursday to Sunday.

I’ve watched enough golf to have a good idea of my job description. Even so, seeing marshals on television is quite different from being a few feet away from the top golfers as they tee off or line up their putts. 

Where Golf and Hockey Meet

One feature of this tournament promised to make it special. I was assigned to the “rink hole”, a recent but very popular addition to open championships in Canada. It’s now customary to convert a par 3 hole into a hockey rink, with boards around the tee box and a Zamboni parked beside the fairway.

For me and the other marshals, the transformation into a rink was complete when we received our referee shirts. I secretly hoped we were not going to be called upon to break up any fights in the stands. This was golf, after all. 

Getting ready for action in Round 4 at the Rink Hole (July 28, 2024)

Thanks to Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Herald for featuring us in a story!

Our challenging par 3 9th hole was designated as the rink hole. For the tournament layout, it would be the 17th hole. That meant there was the potential for drama on our hole in the final round. It certainly delivered!

On to the Action

My first shift on Tuesday was a chance to meet my fellow refs… er, marshals… and practice our routines before the tournament started. I enjoyed the day, and I marveled at the skills of the top-tier golfers. It was amazing to see my course changed into a world-class sports venue. And that was before any fans were on site. I already felt better than I had in weeks.

When I returned for my weekend shifts, the energy was palpable. Now every shot mattered. The golfers had their game faces on. Television cameras broadcast the action live around the world. The crowds grew by the day.

Record crowds turned out for the CPKC Women’s Open final round (July 28, 2024)

Amidst the tension, I noticed a few things. Calgarians were doing what they do best… welcoming visitors to our beautiful city. Tournament volunteers were full of pride for what was shaping up to be an exciting (and record-breaking) event. And Earl Grey GC members were beaming, knowing that the world was discovering our gem of a course on the north shore of the Glenmore Reservoir. 

This being Calgary, the weather had to play a role. From a heatwave just a few days earlier, things had changed totally. Wind, smoke and cool temperatures greeted the players on opening day. Visitors must have wondered how such a change was possible in just 24 hours. We locals have a word for that: summer. 

By the end of the third round on Saturday, we had seen history, as tour rookie Mao Saigo of Japan tore up our course with 9 birdies and an eagle, for a stellar 61. It was the lowest score ever recorded in a Canadian women’s open. 

Sunday brought more drama. Several players vied for the lead in the final nine. As marshals, we focused on our assignments, even as Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee and other top players came through the gate into the rink. Brooke Henderson led a strong contingent of Canadians, including her fellow Paris Olympic golfer (and Hamiltonian), Alena Sharp. What a thrill!

The drama reached a peak as the last few groups finished their final round. Saigo watched in disbelief as she stubbed her chip on 17, leading to a bogey. The third-round leader, Haeran Ryu, found the greenside bunker and also struggled to a 4. 

That left only Lauren Coughlin. The American veteran bravely hit a six-iron to the tough back left pin location, leaving a delicate eight-foot birdie putt. By chance, I was stationed at the back of the green, so I was only a few steps from Coughlin and her caddie as they lined up the shot. I had the best spot in the house to see her roll it in, guaranteeing herself a two-shot win with a 13-under score of 275. It was her first tour victory.

It was an exhilarating weekend, and an experience not likely to be repeated. 

On the rink hole, there was plenty of good-natured cheering and banging on the boards. Fans showed their deep patriotic pride and love for our Canadian stars, especially Henderson. This is Canada, so everyone was polite. Thankfully, we didn’t even need to put anyone in the penalty box! 

I walked back to my car on a perfect Sunday evening, exhausted but satisfied. 

Maybe there is still hope for 2024.

“Stroke Awareness Month” Sale!

To raise awareness of the prevalence of stroke, I’m offering Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics for a special price in June. Order your copy on Amazon and save 20%.

Help me raise funds for the essential work of the doctors and staff at Foothills Stroke Unit!

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about recognizing the signs of stroke, and the need to call 9-1-1 right away to get to the best hospital for stroke care. 

BE FAST is a memory jogger that I’ve been sharing with people, because it covers the full range of stroke symptoms. Here’s what it stands for:

BE FAST – someone’s life could depend on it!

Stroke incidence continues to rise in Canada – more strokes are happening and more people are living with stroke due to our aging population and more younger people having strokes.  There are now nearly 110,000 strokes each year in Canada. That is roughly one stroke every five minutes.

I’ll leave you with the words of Dr. Michael Hill, the Calgary neurologist who wrote the foreword to Stroke of Luck:

“Time is brain when it comes to stroke and everyone has a role to play. It starts with someone recognizing the signs of stroke and calling 9-1-1”

– Dr. Michael Hill, Neurologist, Calgary Stroke Program

So, during June, why not take a minute to familiarize yourself with ALL the potential signs of stroke? Even better, spread the message to those you care about. It could save a life! And if you’re looking for a bit of motivation, why not order your copy of Stroke of Luck for a discounted price?

BE FAST, and be well!

Steve

Don’t Stop Believing

Sometimes life is hard.

It will be obvious from the long gap between posts that I haven’t been thinking much about the blog lately. It has been a difficult time on the personal front. I don’t feel like going into the specifics—maybe I will someday. 

Several times, I’ve tried putting my feelings into words, never sure if the result would end up in a blog post. Each time I’ve tried, it has been a failure. It’s frustrating, especially since I’m usually not at a loss for words. 

Music seems to help. As I write this, I’m listening to Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, a classic album by Lucinda Williams. This is melancholic music. It suits my mood and I think it makes me feel better—it’s hard to say. The lyrics of one of my favourite songs, Time from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, have been stuck in my head. This verse seems appropriate. 

Every year is getting shorter
Never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught
Or half a page of scribbled lines

My half pages (not literal, of course—they’re typed on my iPad) have been piling up, as I’ve grappled with anxiety. I’ve been feeling helpless against our overwhelming insignificance. Our impermanence. Our mortality.

North Glenmore Park pathway, April 2024

Then came a breakthrough of sorts. It was in a situation that might not be conducive to finding inspiration. But it was no surprise to me because I was running at the time. Anyone familiar with my story (Stroke of Luck is still available, by the way) will know that running has often been a source of consolation and positivity in my life.

To set the scene, I met a small but hardy group of my teammates at Carburn Park in Calgary for an interval workout. It was a ladder workout, which for those who aren’t familiar, is a session with increasing length intervals. This workout, with intervals of 400m up to 2000m, looked daunting. Each set totaled 5.4k, and Coach Janice had specified 2-3 sets. I had to go back to her to confirm the details because it seemed that she must have miscalculated. This was TOO MUCH!

To add another degree of difficulty, the weather was awful. The threatening sky opened up just as we finished our warmup jog around the lagoon. Clouds turned to rain, then snow. My eyes were being pelted with icy crystals. We were soaked in no time. The temperature hovered just above freezing. 

We ran south beside the steel-blue water of the Bow River, and I began to wonder what on earth we were doing. It didn’t help that I was the slowest runner in our group, meaning I also had the pleasure of watching my friends stretch out and away from me as the first set wore on. 

As I approached the turnaround point, now miles from my warm car, my mood lightened. I was enjoying this. Even as my vision was being obscured by sleet, my thoughts were becoming clearer. Then, as if on cue, the sun peeked out briefly, casting a warm glow on the wet pathway in front of me. (I didn’t bring a camera on this run—it would have been waterlogged—so I can’t even show you a picture of that special but fleeting moment.)

By now, I was totally on my own. My teammates were out of sight, and the pathway was deserted. I was enjoying the feeling of movement, of being in control. Running was proof of life. I was thriving in what had just a few minutes earlier seemed an impossible task. 

Then the following thoughts came into my head, without any prompting:

  • I don’t have all the answers
  • Sometimes there are no answers to find
  • All I have to offer is my best effort
  • I can only control what I do, not what anyone else does 

I eventually made my way back to Carburn, where I caught up with my teammates. They had waited for me—how nice! We were soaked, shivering, and content. We patted each other on the back for getting through this monstrous workout on a rotten night, together. On that day, we were all heroes. Of course, even heroes need to dry off and warm up, so we said our short goodbyes and headed home. 

With my mind clear, even if temporarily, I was ready to face whatever challenges were still waiting for me. Running and music and writing can help me figure things out, even if the answers themselves remain elusive. 

Look for more pieces and photography soon. 

Peace.

Leap To It!

There are less than two weeks left in February, and time is running out for my online sale. Get your copy of Stroke of Luck (print or e-book) on Amazon for a tidy 24% discount.

Of course, there is one extra day to place your order, with this being a leap year.* Extra day or not, leap to it and save!

* Did You Know?

The tradition of inserting an extra day into February every four years is how the calendar is aligned to the rotational frequency of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

But wait… one orbit takes 365.24219 days. That means if a whole day is added every four years, for an average of 365.25 days, the calendar would be lengthened a bit too much.

As a result, the schedule of leap years is adjusted slightly to reduce this mismatch. If the year is divisible by 100 and not divisible by 400, the leap year is skipped. The year 2000 was a leap year, but 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not. The next time a leap year will be skipped is the year 2100. This gives an average calendar year of 365.2425 days, almost exactly matching the orbital frequency.